Cities & Regions

Geography of Bali:

Bali lies 3.2 km east of Java and approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. East to west, the island is approximately 153 km wide and 112 km north to south (95 by 69 miles, respectively), with a surface area of 5,632 km². The highest point is Gunung Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains cover center to the eastern side, with Gunung Agung the easternmost peak. Gunung Batur (1,717 m) is also still active. About 30,000 years ago it experienced a catastrophic eruption — one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth.

In the south the land descends to form an alluvial plain, watered by shallow rivers, drier in the dry season and overflowing during periods of heavy rain. There are major coastal roads and roads that cross the island mainly north-south. Due to the mountainous terrain in the island’s center, the roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains. There are no railway lines.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west black sand. The beach town of Padangbai in the south east has both: the main beach and the secret beach have white sand and the south beach and the blue lagoon have much darker sand. Pasut Beach, near Ho River and Pura Segara, is a quiet beach 14 km southwest of Tabanan. The Ho River is navigable by small sampan. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klatingdukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside temple of Tanah Lot, this is not yet a tourist area.

Regions of Bali:
Bali has 8 districts which follow the boundaries of the former regencies. These are:
Badung
Buleleng
Bangli
Gianyar
Jembrana
Karangasem
Klunglung
Tabanan

Cities in Bali:
Each district in Bali has its capital city, often named after the district. These are:
Amlapura (Karangasem)
  • Amlapura: The biggest town in East Bali

Bangli (Bangli)
  • Popular and less trafficked Temple sites – Pura Kehen, Bangli

Gianyar (Gianyar)
  • Sasana Hasta Karya School: Gianyar Regency, Bali
  • Checking out Gianyar Bali part IV: Babi Guling
  • Balinese Handicraft Villages
  • Checking out Gianyar Bali part III: Endek factory
  • Checking out Gianyar Bali part V: Bamboo in Bona & Beleka

Klunglung (Klunglung)
  • History of Klungkung Bali
  • Gunarsa Museum of Classical & Modern Art: Klungkung Bali
  • Klungkung Bali: What’s of interest?
  • Art in Klungkung Bali: Kamesan village and Art Center

Negara (Jembrana)
  • Negara in West Bali
  • Negara: The largest town in west Bali
  • Mekepung: Buffalo Races in Negara
  • Where to stay for the Buffalo Races in Negara?
  • Buffalo races in Negara Bali

Singaraja (Buleleng)
  • Klenteng Ling Gwan Kiong: Singaraja, Bali
  • Traditional Balinese script alive and well in Singaraja
  • Gedong Kirtya: Lontar manuscripts in Singaraja Bali

Tabanan (Tabanan)
  • Tabanan Bali
  • Pura Alas Kedaton: Another Monkey Forest in Bali

There is also one municipality, Denpasar, which used to be the capital of Badung.
  • Bali Denpasar Area Guide
  • Denpasar

Tourist Centers:
Tourist centers which were never heavily populated 50-100 years ago have become major population centers. These include:
Amed
  • Amed Area Guide

Candi Dasa
  • Accommodation in Candi Dasa Bali
  • Snorkeling in Candi Dasa in East Bali
  • Perama bus times in Candi Dasa
  • Candi Dasa services
  • Beaches in Candi Dasa

Canggu
  • Canggu Bali: The fast developing new expat area
  • Pantai Seseh Canggu Bali
  • Pantai Berawa: Canggu Bali
  • Sukerti’s Restaurant Canggu
  • Desa Seni Canggu Bali
  • Canggu Club: Private members club Bali
  • Canggu Bali: The fast developing new expat area

Jimbaran
  • Seafood Warungs at Jimbaran Bay
  • Warung Nyoman: Jimbaran Bay Bali
  • Jimbaran: The place for fish in south Bali-part I
  • Handy Beaches: Jimbaran Bay Overview
  • New resort complex planned for Jimbaran
  • Premier Spa Treatment: Bali
  •

Kuta
  • Kuta Area Guide

Legian
Legian hotels & restaurants
  • Kuta Area Guide

Lovina
Getting to Lovina Bali
Buffalo Races in Lovina Bali
What is up in Lovina north Bali?

Nusa Dua
  • Nusa Dua Area Guide

Sanur
  • Sanur Area Guide

Seminyak
  • Kuta Area Guide

Tuban

Ubud
  • Ubud Area Guide