Destinations

Nearly everyone who visits Bali finds the small island to be magical in one way or another, but of course not every city or area is the same so it’s important to choose your targets carefully. A couple of the more famous places might not be worth a visit, while several of the lesser-known places are definitely worth considering.

Denpasar – The capital of the island is by far the largest city, and the international airport shares its name even though it’s not technically in the city itself. There are some really interesting museums and things to see, but you probably don’t want to visit or stay in Denpasar unless you have a specific reason to do so.

East Bali – This region consists of smaller villages that show off what really makes Bali such an amazing place. There are no huge tourist attractions, though there are some luxurious resorts here.

Kuta – The two towns of Kuta and Legion have long merged into one long strip of beach hotels, cheap guesthouses, nightclubs, bars, surf shops, and everything else that a weekend visitor might want for a quick break. It’s an interesting place to visit, but by all means don’t plan your entire stay in this crowded area.

Lombok – This is a similar island next to Bali, and many consider this the next frontier for independent travelers since it has much of Bali’s beauty with far less commercialism, for now at least.

North Bali – This region is similar to East Bali in a way, yet it gets even fewer visitors so those who dare to go will find more of the real Bali and fewer luxury resorts.

Nusa Dua – This purpose-built resort area on the southern tip of Bali gets plenty of criticism from those who feel it violates the purity and innocence of most of the rest of the island, but for those booking a honeymoon or “island getaway” holiday this is an ideal location with plenty of excellent resorts from which to choose.

Sanur – This small beach resort area is great for families and budget travelers who want to lie about without the prices of Nusa Dua or the madness of the Kuta area.

Ubud – This art village not far north of Kuta and Sanur is a must-visit area for anyone visiting the island. There’s plenty to see and do, and great hotels and resorts at reasonable prices as well.