If you’re planning a Bali holiday, you’re probably wondering what regions there are and what makes them interesting to a holidaymaker.
Well, we’ve rounded up 23 major regions on the island that might catch your attention and give you some food for thought when you plan your holiday in Bali.
We’ve also included a round-up at the end of some of the top regions for specific types of holidays, which might help you narrow down your favourites to a manageable itinerary for your trip.
One thing we can say is that there are no bad areas in Bali. There’s nowhere here that you should avoid, the island is safe and pleasant, and each of these regions has something unique to offer a visitor.
The 23 Main Regions Of Bali
Denpasar: The Island’s Capital
Denpasar is a busy city, and that’s why it often seems to disappear from the tourist radar, but we think it’s unfairly overlooked.
It’s the historical and cultural capital of the island as well as the official capital, and there’s a lot to see and do.
The Bali Museum in Denpasar is an absolute treasure if you want to discover something about the history of Bali. It’s the cultural heart of the capital.
The state temple of Pura Agung Jagatnatha is surrounded by beautiful and pleasantly fragrant gardens.
The Taman Werdi Budaya Arts Centre is the best place to encounter the national artistic heritage, and it helps host the annual Bali Arts Festival (in June and July).
And if you visit the Balinese People’s Struggle (Bajra Sandhi) Monument and climb up to see the dioramas on its upper floors, you get amazing views out over the city.
Canggu & Berawa: The Best Of The World’s Beach Clubs
Canggu has transformed in recent years from a sleepy backwater on the edge of the popular beach towns into the most popular beach town of them all.
It’s packed with surfers, epicureans, digital nomads and tourists alike, and the sandy beaches are amazing for water sports.
The biggest attraction in Canggu, we say without a trace of modesty, is FINNS Beach Club. It’s widely recognized as the best of the world’s beach clubs.
It’s also home to the excellent Splash Water Park, which is one of the best places for a family day out in Bali. Everyone can play in the pools and slides, and adults can enjoy a cocktail in peace while the kids keep playing, too.
The famous Echo Beach in Bali is in Canggu, and its black volcanic sand is very popular with surfers.
You’ll also find it has the best nightlife in Bali right now, and you’re still within a short drive of rice paddies and authentic traditional Bali.
Umalas – A Little Bit Of Canggu & A Little Bit Of Seminyak
Umalas is also taking off, but it’s a bit more relaxed than its neighbours, Canggu and Seminyak.
It’s where those in the know go to get an excellent deal on the villas that would cost more in the more famous beach towns.
It’s very walkable, and you will find plenty of shops, restaurants, etc. in the area.
There’s even some nightlife (though most people will travel to Canggu or Seminyak to party if they’re based in Umalas).
Umalas is the place to be to balance partying hard with chilling out on your holidays.
Kuta & Tuban: Kuta Beach And Lots Of Accommodation Options
Kuta is the most popular tourist resort in Bali, and it has a 2.5-kilometre stretch of sand, Kuta Beach, which borders both Legian and Tuban (Tuban is where the Ngurah Rai International Airport is).
It’s fair to say that there’s not much traditional Bali left in this part of the island. It’s packed with reasonably priced resorts and nightclubs.
If you enjoy shopping for souvenirs and hitting up international fast-food chains, then Kuta can be the perfect place to be.
However, there’s no doubt that Kuta has its charms, as evidenced by the huge numbers of people that go back every year.
Seminyak & Petitenget: Luxury Villas & Fine Dining
Seminyak is the upscale version of Kuta to a large extent, and there are many premium resorts, villa complexes and fine dining restaurants to enjoy in the area.
It has an amazing and very popular nightlife that brings people from all over the island to party, but it’s no longer the top nightlife spot in Bali. That’s Canggu.
The views over the ocean at sunset are lovely in Seminyak.
It’s fair to say that one of the big draws to this area is the shopping, and there are probably more local and international designers based in Seminyak than in the rest of Bali combined.
Ubud: Much More Than Rice Terraces
They say that Ubud is the spiritual heart of Bali, and it’s in the mountains of the central part of the island.
That means no beaches but plenty of rainforest, rice paddies, temples, yoga studios, waterfalls, and easy access to the North of the island. It’s also popular with backpackers due to the many inexpensive guesthouses in the area.
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Ubud is the Sacred Monkey Forest, which combines the chance to rub shoulders with wild monkeys (often quite literally) and to see some lovely temples in the rainforest.
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are another major attraction near Ubud.
The Ubud Art Market is one of the best places on the island to shop for souvenirs and gifts.
If you want to experience Balinese culture in an authentic setting, then Ubud should definitely be on your itinerary.
Nusa Dua: The Ultimate White Sand Beaches & Luxury Resorts
Nusa Dua is justly famed for its beautiful beaches, and it is exceptionally popular with high-end tourists and family holidaymakers.
Most of the resorts in the area are big international brands and 5-star style affairs, which means it’s not the cheapest part of Bali to stay in.
The prices do tend to deter other tourists, however, and the beaches here tend to be far less crowded than in Kuta or Seminyak.
There is a small and relatively quiet shopping centre in the area, too, but most people come here for a resort vacation and often rarely leave the hotel at all.
Legian: Beach Bars And Value Restaurants
Legian is right next door to Kuta, and it tends to attract a similar crowd, but unlike Kuta, Legian is more focused on delivering value to the visitor.
Thus, you will find a lot of mid-range hotels and resorts that are perfectly comfortable but without the fancy trappings of more expensive places.
The restaurants in the area are all kinder on the wallet than in most tourist towns and still provide a wide variety of tasty cuisines.
The beach is very pleasant too. It’s also not far from the party towns of Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu when you decide you want to let loose for an evening.
Sanur: Relaxing On The Bukit Peninsula
Some people, unfairly in our book, call Sanur “sleepy Sanur,” but we don’t think that’s an insult at all.
In fact, Sanur is the ideal beach town to visit when you don’t want to spend a fortune and just want to relax.
There’s no nightlife to speak of in the area, but you can learn almost any water sport on the beach for a reasonable fee.
The boardwalk at Sanur is absolutely lovely, and watching the sunrise over Sanur Beach is a real treat.
Sanur is also home to the mysterious “Belanjong Pillar”, which is the oldest piece of written history in Bali.
Jimbaran & Kedonganan: Seafood Restaurants Galore
Jimbaran is another excellent choice for a family vacation in Southern Bali, and you can find gorgeous villas and resorts in this area.
Mostly, however, it’s famous for its fresh fish, and Jimbaran is considered to be the best place to eat the catch of the day in Bali.
You can join in at the beach BBQs or buy something at the local fish markets and have the vendor cook it for you or take it home if you’re staying in one of the many private villas with a private kitchen.
It has plenty of shopping malls, spas and yoga studios if you’re looking for something relaxing to do during your stay in Jimbaran.
You’re also not far away from Uluwatu and Seminyak for a night out.
Nusa Islands: Unspoiled Island Heaven
The three sister islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida are part of the Bali administrative region, even if they are all a boat ride away.
If you want comfy guest houses, natural landscapes, hidden waterfalls, beaches shaded by palm trees, no traffic jams, and don’t mind anything being within walking distance, they’re a great option.
Many people will urge you to do a day tour of these islands, but we recommend that you go out for a couple of days. It takes longer to get around Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida than you might think.
It also means that when the tour groups go home, you get the islands all to yourself, and the sunset views here are amazing.
If you only see one of these islands, Nusa Lembongan is the most popular, but you won’t be sorry if you opt for Nusa Penia or Nusa Ceningan instead.
Uluwatu & Pecatu: Surfer’s Paradise
Near the tip of Southern Bali, these two areas are famed for their amazing clifftop views, and the Uluwatu Temple is a real highlight with a glorious clifftop position at sunset.
It’s not famous for calm waters, mind you, and it’s the top surfing destination on the island. Most of the resorts and nightlife are built around the needs of the surfers who come here.
If you’re not a surfer, you might still appreciate the chance to watch some of the world’s finest surfing talent, either practising or competing on the beaches of Uluwatu.
The downside of this area is that it’s quite spread out, and you will need your own transport to make the most of it. Grab and Gojek drivers can be a bit thin on the ground here. There are some great hotels in Uluwatu, though.
Amed & Tulamben: Black Sand Beaches And Diving
The East Coast is full of quiet black sand beaches that were made by rocks being ejected from an active volcano (Mount Agung) and then smashed up in Bali’s seas before landing onshore.
The area is amazing for scuba diving and snorkelling, and you can find the famous underwater garden of Bali and the wreck of the USAT Liberty in this area.
The area also makes a good staging post for Northern Bali if you want to explore the temples and waterfalls of that region.
However, we’d note that this is also an excellent area for hiking and exploring the more traditional nature of the fishing villages, and communities of Bali.
There’s not much in the way of nightlife out on this side of Bali, but hotels and guest houses are cheaper than on most of the rest of the island, and there are plenty of excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from.
Candidasa – Snorkeling And Diving Galore
Another great spot for those who love to dive and snorkel is the lovely area of Candidasa.
It’s often called the island’s “best kept secret” by those in the know as the beach here is absolutely pristine and doesn’t seem to see rubbish wash up on the shore as it does, sadly, in some other parts of the island.
While Candidasa is not one of the most developed areas, it has plenty of five-star resorts and excellent restaurants, but it also has comfy (and reasonably priced) beach bungalows and warungs.
If you don’t care about nightlife, then Candidasa can be a brilliant place for a family holiday.
It’s also quite near many of the water palaces and most attractive local temples.
One of Bali’s oldest and most interesting villages is on the doorstep of Candidasa, too.
This is one of the most remote parts of the island, and it’s known for its crystal clear lagoons, dramatic clifftop views and soft, white sand beaches.
It’s on the Bukit Peninsula and not far from Uluwatu if you want somewhere to party after a long day of chilling out.
Ungasan is very popular with surfers and anglers alike, and the beaches offer awesome surf breaks and fishing opportunities.
If your ideal place to stay would be among private villas and luxurious boutique resorts, then you might find Ungasan a very tempting option.
Sidemen Village – Escaping The Crowds
If you visit Ubud and find yourself wishing that you’d discovered it before everyone else did, you ought to head out to Sidemen.
Sidemen isn’t as developed or as busy as Ubud, but it has a very similar vibe and some of the finest views of the countryside on the island.
The village itself is home to many local craftspeople and artisans, and you can learn a huge amount about Balinese culture.
The valley below the village is wonderful for long country walks, and it’s really popular with nature lovers and photographers alike.
It’s also a great staging point if you want to climb Mount Agung, the tallest and most active volcano on the island.
Tanah Lot & Tabanan – Eco-Tourism And Trekking
Tanah Lot may be the most romantic view of a temple in the whole world. Yes, we know that’s a big claim, but bear with us.
The temple sits on an island just off the coast, and when it sunsets, the whole area lights up with a spectacular natural light show.
Once you’ve had your breath taken away by that spectacle, then visiting Tabanan (see our full guide to Tabanan) is a great idea, as you’re just a stone’s throw away.
The area is full of gorgeous natural scenery and amazing rice terraces for you to explore.
Bedugul, Puncak & Baturiti – Temples & Hidden Gems
OK, strictly speaking, this is three regions, not one, but given that the main draw is Bedugul and the other two neighbouring regions offer similar countryside and cultural experiences, we’ve rolled them into one for the sake of brevity.
Bedugul is best known for the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, which is the “floating temple” (at least, it is, if you visit in the wet season) on Lake Beratan.
It’s one of the most Instagram-worthy sights on the island, and frankly, if it was closer to the beaches, it would probably be overwhelmed with visitors.
As is, you can enjoy this beautiful environment without competing for space, and we think Bedugul is very much worth the trip.
Kintamani Highlands & Mount Batur – Hot Springs And An Active Volcano
If you want to climb a volcano, we recommend you go with Mount Batur, as Mount Agung is a very challenging hike that is really only suitable for regular climbers. (Check out some of the other awesome hikes in Bali here).
The area around Mount Batur is very beautiful, it’s not hard to get up to the caldera (anyone of even moderate fitness won’t struggle), and you can cook eggs in the volcanic steam for breakfast when you get there.
There are hot springs near the base where you can bathe in water warmed by the volcano. There are lots of Hot Springs In Bali.
Oh, and it’s all in Kintamani, an area of spectacular natural beauty.
Padangbai – Doorway To The Gili Islands And Lombok
This remote coastal town is very much worth seeing. Not only is the beach very pleasant and the snorkelling exceptional in this area, but it’s a great place to arrange transport to other islands.
You can get a ferry to the Nusa islands or to Lombok and the Gili Islands and go further afield in Indonesia.
We’d also note that if you want cheap guest houses and hotels, there are plenty of them nearby, and you won’t break the bank by staying in Padangbai.
Tanjung Benoa – Stunning White Sand Beaches & Water Sports
If there’s one thing that Tanjung Benoa is known for, it’s the water sports that it offers.
Nowhere else on the island can provide so many opportunities to do exciting things on the water.
Jet skis, parasailing, banana boating, sea-walking, diving, and so much more are on offer here.
We also recommend that you check out the amazing Caow Eng Bio Chinese Temple, which is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Indonesia. This is doubly true if you’re visiting during the Chinese New Year period in Bali, when the temple really comes to life.
North Bali – Lovina Beach & Singaraja
Believe it or not, Singaraja is the second largest city in Bali and the former Dutch colonial capital. There are plenty of interesting cultural sights to appreciate in the city.
It’s also not very expensive as, rather like Denpasar, it seems to slip below the tourist radar (at least, for now), but unlike Denpasar, it’s quite compact and much easier to get around.
Lovina Beach, however, is the highlight of this region. Not for the beach itself, which is pleasant but not the best for swimming on, but because there are dolphins just offshore.
If you’ve ever wanted to see a school of dolphins swimming in the wild, then the best place to do it is from a boat that you’ve joined on Lovina Beach.
It’s a long drive from the airport to Lovina Beach, but seeing the smartest creatures on the planet, except for ourselves, is worth it.
Menjangan Island – West Bali National Park (Bali Barat National Park)
Indonesia has many national parks, but only one of them is in Bali, and that’s the West Bali Bali National Park, also known as the Bali Barat National Park.
This area incorporates Menjangan Island, which is one of the best places to find deer in Indonesia (the island is also nicknamed “deer island” for its herds of wild deer), and offshore, it’s one of the best places for diving, too.
There are also leopards, flying foxes, hawksbill turtles, banteng, muntjac, and many more animals to be found in the park.
You need to be a reasonably experienced scuba diver to get the most out of the dive sites in the park, but if you are, you’re going to love the wealth of marine life you can discover while you dive.
Which Regions Are The Top Tourist Areas Of Bali?
South Bali tends to be the part of the island with the most tourists, but all of the following areas tend to be included in 2-3 week itineraries in Bali:
Canggu
Nusa Dua
Ubud
Kuta
Seminyak
Sanur
Legian
Uluwatu
Jimbaran
Nusa Islands
Which Areas Of Bali Are Best For A Beach Vacation?
It very much depends on what you’re looking for in a beach location. If you want to just chill out on the beach in the sun and do nothing much of anything at all, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and the Nusa Islands are good.
If you want a bit more to do around the beach, Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian are likely to be more to your tastes.
Which Areas In Bali Are Best For Nightlife?
It’s fair to say that while Bali has some amazing nightlife, it’s not spread out over the island equally, and we’d say that there are four (at a push five) main destinations for those who love to party:
Canggu – Canggu was once famed for being sleepy and for its rice terraces and black sand beaches. Today that’s not really the case anymore. Instead, it has a vibrant nightlife scene with bars and clubs galore. It also has FINNS, the best of the world’s beach clubs and an amazing night-time destination.
Kuta – the Kuta Beach area is still probably the busiest part of Bali, and it brings in a lot of people who love to party. It’s probably the cheapest place to party in Bali, but the downside is that the volume of people often makes it a bit aggressive, too.
Seminyak – the upmarket version of Kuta was, for a while, the best nightlife destination in Bali but has lost its crown to Canggu in the last year or so. However, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Seminyak, and it draws the young and beautiful from all over the world for a good time.
Uluwatu – the surf scene loves to party, and Uluwatu loves to cater to surfers. Given the more spread-out nature of this part of Bali, getting to and from the party can present challenges, but there’s no doubt that you can find international DJs and cocktails galore in Uluwatu.
Ubud – A few years back, Ubud barely had any nightlife, and it’s still not a party destination in the way that the beach towns are. However, it has a surprising number of bars and clubs now, and there’s always a party going on somewhere in Ubud.
What Regions To Visit In Bali For A First-Time Traveler?
Our advice would be that the first-time traveller tries to explore the best bits of Bali without getting too far off the beaten path. A quick sketch of a 10-day itinerary might be:
2-3 nights at a sleepy beach town – Sanur or Jimbaran would be ideal – this gives you time to acclimatize
3-4 nights in the centre of Bali – staying in Ubud but venturing out to explore the North of Bali too, getting some yoga in, getting in touch with the culture and seeing the best natural beauty of the island
3-4 nights partying – as you might expect, we’d recommend Canggu as it’s the most happening spot in Bali, but Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are all not far away
However, a lot of this depends on what you want out of a holiday. You might just want to get straight into the parties and skip the rest. You might just want to chill on a beach for two weeks, too.
So, make sure you’ve thought about what will make you happy before you book your Bali trip.
What Are The Most Family-Friendly Destinations In Bali?
There is nowhere in Bali that isn’t friendly to families. The Balinese love young children, and unless a resort is specifically labelled “adults only”, they are welcome everywhere.
However, it’s fair to say that Sanur and Nusa Dua are usually the top picks for those with young families.
When the kids start getting a bit older, then Ubud is great (though the lack of pavements can be a bit of a problem), and Canggu is really easy to get around with lots to do for kids.
What Are The Most Romantic Getaways In Bali?
It’s 2023, and it’s fair to say that there are a lot of different ideas as to what constitutes “romantic getaways” nowadays.
However, we’re quite old school and assume you mean “luxurious, secluded and laid back”.
In that case, we might recommend:
Nusa Dua
Sanur
Uluwatu
Ubud
Ungasan
Jimbaran
Sidemen
Batukaru
What Are The Best Destinations In Central Bali?
Of course, Ubud is the premier destination in this part of Bali, but there are other great options if you love mountains and the countryside, including:
Kintamani
Bedugul
Puncak
Baturiti
Sidemen
Batukaru
FAQs
Is Seminyak Or Nusa Dua Better?
It really depends on you. Seminyak’s typical crowd wants to stay in luxury villas, eat at fine dining restaurants and party all night long at expensive nightclubs.
Typically, the crowd in Seminyak is young, hip and single and looking to be seen having a good time and seeing others having a good time, too.
On the other hand, Nusa Dua is famed for its stunning white sand beaches, and it’s a top destination for families to stay in Bali.
Many of the big international brand resorts are in Nusa Dua, and the area is very walkable and designed for those looking for all their home comforts on their doorstep.
Which Is The Best Area To Stay In Bali? What Is The Best Area To Stay In Bali?
We like to think that it’s Canggu. That’s why we built the best of the world’s beach clubs, FINNS, in Canggu.
It has a great mix of local beauty, black sand beaches, five-star hotels, luxury villas, warungs, fine dining and seafood restaurants, shopping and more.
However, the best area to stay in Bali is going to be the one that most appeals to you. For some people, the cooler climate, temples and rice terraces of Ubud in Central Bali are going to make it an essential place to stay.
Some will come only for the white sand beaches and luxury resorts of Nusa Dua. Others will want to head to North Bali and enjoy the waterfalls and dolphins.
Bali is a tropical paradise, and there are so many amazing places to stay that they are all the “best”, depending on how you want to enjoy your vacation.
All of them. We’re not joking, either. While where you stay is definitely a matter of preference, you want to be on the front doorstep of the places you most want to visit, right?
There just isn’t a bad part of Bali when it comes to where to go. Everyone should spend some time on the stunning beaches, going scuba diving, climbing an active volcano, walking through rice paddies and lush jungles, swimming with manta rays, strolling through traditional villages, etc.
That means that North Bali is as good as South Bali, which is as good as East Bali and West Bali too. The best way to see the island is through day trips from wherever your main base is.
That way, one day, you can be hitting up the designer boutiques and shopping malls of Seminyak, and then the next, you can be browsing souvenir stalls, art galleries and market stalls in Ubud.
Then, you can be in Canggu enjoying the best of the world’s beach clubs at FINNS before heading over to Tanah Lot to take in the view of this spectacular temple.
And so on… one thing we can promise you is that if you come to Bali and explore the island, you will never get bored.
How Do I Book A Holiday In Bali?
We always recommend that people book their Bali travel experiences through the awesome Bali Res Centre.
This is a locally owned and managed travel service that can ensure you get, for example, from the East Coast to Nusa Dua with the minimum of fuss and that you stay in the perfect places for your budget.
They can also arrange trips to any part of the island that you’d like to explore from wherever you are based.
Their prices are always competitive thanks to the relationships they have here on the island, and when you book with Bali Res Centre, you ensure your holiday money stays in Bali rather than being sent overseas to a faceless multinational.
Final Thoughts On The Main Regions Of Bali
It’s worth noting that Bali has no official “regions”. It has regencies and districts and villages, but no “regions” as such. However, the areas above are definitely the most interesting for visitors to Bali.
They encompass all the main highlights that people visit Bali for, and they are all exciting to see and explore.
We hope to see you when you visit Canggu at FINNS, but we hope that our guide to Bali’s regions has helped you wherever you decide to holiday in Bali.
