Gala-Gala Underground House is one of the most unusual dwellings on the island of Nusa Lembongan.
Made Byasa, a local man, dug his family home and all the rooms out of the ground by hand and you’re welcome to explore his cave house when you visit Nusa Lembongan.
Here’s what you need to know before you pack your bags and book your trip.
Where Is Gala Gala Underground House?
Gala Gala Underground House is on Nusa Lembongan Island which is part of the three Nusa Islands off the coast of Bali.
Nusa Lembongan Island is a pretty small place and you should find it very easy to get to the underground house once you’re on the island.
Address: Lembongan island, Jungutbatu, Kec. Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia
How To Get To Gala Gala Underground House
Nusa Lembongan is not the easiest place to get to. You need to take a ferry or fast boat from Bali to Nusa Penida (the biggest of the Nusa Islands) and then catch a local ferry to Nusa Lembongan.
It’s not an expensive journey (about 200,000 IDR or \$15 USD or \$20 AUD to Nusa Penida and then another 200,000 IDR or so to Nusa Lembongan) nor is it particularly time-consuming (a fast boat from Bali will reach Nusa Penida in about 30 minutes and the trip to Nusa Lembongan takes only another 20).
You can arrange travel yourself online or contact the Bali Res Centre (see the FAQs below for details) to have them do it for you.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Gala Gala Underground House?
Given that this house is in a cave, there’s no bad time of year to visit and it’s surprisingly cool inside even in the hottest months.
However, you should know that the trip to Nusa Lembongan can get a little rough in the wet season if the seas are stormy.
So, if you get seasick, you might prefer to visit in the dry season.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Gala Gala Underground House?
Yes, if you want to visit Made Byasa’s home, you will need to pay an entrance fee of 50,000 IDR (that’s about $3 USD or $5 AUD). This gets you access to all the rooms in the house and you may meet Made Byasa himself as you explore.
The History Of The Underground Houses
Gala-Gala was the brainchild of Made Byasa a local farmer, dancer and Wayang Kulit master known as a “Mangku Dalang”. (Wayang Kulit is a form of shadow puppet play from Bali).
He regularly performed parts of the Hindu epic Mahabharata known as the Wana Parwa in his puppet plays and soon, he decided that, perhaps, Wana Parwa was speaking to him about building an underground house.
The specific part of the Hindu epic that inspired him was when Pandawas spends twelve years exiled in the local woods.
Thus, Made Byasa decided to build his own version of Gala-Gala. The underground house was built using traditional equipment (a crowbar, to be precise) and he dug the place out of the rock himself over a period of 15 years!
He began in 1961 and finished in 1976 and excavated an incredible 500 square meters of space!
What To Expect At Gala Gala Underground House
This is quite a big underground house and you should expect to find quite a lot of things inside.
There are two kitchens (though no dining room), two living rooms (and each sitting room is pretty spacious) and two bedrooms.
There are also seven physical exits/entrances from the space, though three of them are only to allow air movement around the space.
However, it’s all laid out in a bit of a labyrinth and making your way from sitting room to sitting room or between the two bedrooms is a bit of a challenge and you may find it’s easy to get lost.
So, keep your ears open in the underground house as the sounds of friends and family can help you navigate to where they are.
What To Do Near Gala Gala Underground House
Nusa Lembongan Island is a pretty small place and there’s a lot within walking distance or a short scooter ride from the underground house including:
Seaweed Farms – the seaweed farming industry on Nusa Lembongan is one of the few places this industry thrives in Indonesia. It’s a fascinating experience.
Devil’s Tears – one of Nusa Lembongan’s major highlights and a truly impressive natural water spectacle.
Sandy Bay Beach – a stunning white sand beach with black rock fringes and usually nobody else in sight.
Dream Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali, just be careful in the ocean – the water can be dangerous.
Dead Pool – a gorgeous spot on the coast where you can enjoy a dramatic view of the ocean and some serious ocean spray even on clear days.
Sunset Point – one of the best places to enjoy the sunset on Nusa Lembongan and you can grab cold drinks nearby too.
Mushroom Bay – Mushroom Bay is a lovely and popular beach that is great for snorkelling.
Where To Eat Near Gala Gala Underground House
There are also plenty of places to eat in the area. However, they’re mainly hotel restaurants, you will find that the places listed below are all independent of hotels:
Cookies Coffee Shop and Warung – if you’re vegan, this is one of the only places in Nusa Lembongan to cater to 100% plant-based eaters and they’re always busy which must say good things, right? The smoothie bowls here are top-notch.
Mama Mia Bar & Grill – this is an upmarket seafood restaurant with amazing views over the island. We like to go at sunset when the light really transforms the way that things appear and enjoy some cocktails before we dine. It’s a bit pricey for Nusa Lembongan but we think it’s worth it.
Cat Island Lembongan – if you love cats, you will love this place which has a small horde of cats wandering freely through the area. They’re all well cared for and loved. The food is excellent international fare and the portions are huge and, of course, some of the profits go to help the cats have better lives.
Warung Ten Poh Lembongan – a lovely Indonesian restaurant serving delicious food for reasonable prices. Try the egg-fried kwetiau and chicken and you’ll be glad that you came. They make one of the best milkshakes we’ve tried in Nusa Lembongan too.
D Tari Warung – this lovely local warung does some of the best vegetarian food in Nusa Lembongan and their prices are super reasonable too. They make their own “secret sauce” to add flavour nd punch to the dishes.
Where To Stay Near Gala Gala Underground House
There are a lot of hotels and guesthouses within a short walk of the underground house and these include:
Seaweed Guesthouse – we loved the breakfast at Seaweed Guesthouse which is included in the reasonable room rates. There’s a great view out over the ocean from this hotel and the rooms are spacious and comfortable.
The Jingga Villas – a very nice two-star hotel with a large pool and attractive tropical garden to stroll in. There are always sunbeds available in the outdoor areas and the rooms are clean and comfortable. We were also impressed by the onsite restaurant which cooks excellent food.
Lembongan Seaview – as the name suggests, you get a great sea view here and the pool area faces out over the ocean. The breakfast is very good. The staff are super helpful and attentive too.
Laguna Reef Huts – a very well-maintained two-star property where you can watch the seaweed farms at work from the garden and pool area. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing break.
Lebaoah Nusa Cottage Lembongan – a family-run guesthouse with an amazing view, tasty breakfasts and some of the most helpful staff on the island. However, be warned, you will have to walk to the entrance as there’s no road access to the front door.
FAQs
How To Book A Holiday To See The Gala Gala Underground House
If you fancy spending some time on Nusa Lembongan Island and want tto see the underground house, you can book with confidence through the Balie Res Centre.
They’re a local specialist travel service that can ensure you explore the island in style and enjoy every moment that you stay in this part of Indonesia.
They can get great deals on flights, accommodation, tours, etc. and are very competitively priced.
Final Thoughts On Gala Gala House Bali
Gala Gala Underground House is one of the most unusual dwellings in the world and Made Byasa’s cave house is definitely worth visiting if you’re inspired to visit Nusa Lembongan Island.
