Where to stay in Bali?

Staying in Bali's cultural capital: Ubud

If you travel to Bali, you may have heard of the bestselling novel that was written there and inspired by it. It was in Ubud that the novelist stayed to make the whole world dream of what Bali really is. Ubud is the spiritual and cultural centre of the island, and its authenticity has been preserved. With its many rice paddies on the plateaux, its lush vegetation, and the mountains in the background, this face of Bali is the real must-see; far from the frenzy of the coast, international resorts and mass tourism.

The best place to stay in Bali is in the city centre. That way, the region's must-see attractions will be within easy reach of this part of town. You'll be able to visit the Royal Palace, where many dance performances take place. You'll also find shops, cafés and restaurants, particularly in the main street called de JL Raya. Accommodation in the area is more than affordable. You'll appreciate the very good value for money available.

If you prefer to be as close as possible to the exceptional sites of interest to be found in this part of Bali, it's best to head north of the city. This is to get the best views of the rice paddies from the Campuhan hiking trail, which starts to the west of the area. From here you can see the superb Saraswati temple and the Pura Dalem temple, both surrounded by magnificent gardens.

Once again, most of the accommodation is in guesthouses, where you can stay at a very reasonable price. You'll find a range of prices, however, for small, fairly similar villas.

For more details, you can consult our guide to choosing accommodation where to stay in Ubud.

Accommodation in the south near Kuta: partying and surfing

When you travel to Bali, you arrive via the airport near Denpasar, the capital and economic and administrative centre of the province of Bali. And most visitors like to aim just a little higher to find themselves in the holiday paradise that offers several fabulous stretches of white sand, such as the seaside resort of Kuta. Many tourists like to stop here to enjoy this legendary beach, which was already popular with the wealthy in the 1930s.

It's an ideal place to stay, with plenty of entertainment and plenty of accommodation, so you'll be able to find something to suit any budget. In fact, Bali has been experiencing a colossal boom in tourism for some years now, and has increased its range of accommodation to enable the millions of visitors who come each year to stay here without hindrance, just about anywhere on the island. Kuta is also a real haven for surfers and party-goers. Today, it has grown enormously as far as the coast of Canggu, and is ideal for young people as well as families, who will find a good number of hotels with full services and an impressive list of activities that will leave you wanting for more.

We've put together this list to keep you busy during your stay in Kuta:

• Vihara Dharmayana : a Buddhist temple that welcomes the Balinese for their prayers and is open to visitors.
• Waterbom Bali: huge water park ideal for families where you can also enjoy restaurants.
• Bali Sea Turtle Society: association for the protection of Balinese turtles, where you can follow the hatching of their eggs.
• Bali Memorial: monument commemorating the bombing in 2002
• Beachwalk Shopping Centre: a large, chic open-air shopping centre stocked with international chains.

It's worth remembering that Kuta has been very crowded for many years now, thanks to the close proximity it offers to all visitors arriving on the island. So it's not necessarily the best place to pack your bags, but if you're just passing through, or getting ready to catch your flight, Kuta can be a good choice, and you'll be able to stay really cheaply.

If you don't want the hustle and bustle of this part of Bali, we also recommend heading further up the coast to the beaches of Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and even as far as Dalung, where you'll find that the tranquillity improves the further you move away from the most popular resorts. The main advantage is that the cost of accommodation in Kuta is really not that high, and in fact can fit into a small budget. We have selected a few interesting places to stay.

Staying on the Bukit Peninsula: Uluwatu and the beaches

If you choose to go to the Bukit Peninsula, you'll discover a magnificent isthmus that's full of places to discover and visit. It's a fairly large area, with plenty of hotels to choose from, whether you're looking for accommodation in the interior ofthe peninsula or along the coast near the beaches that continue to attract budding surfers. You'll discover picturesque places that perfectly represent Balinese culture, such as the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, dedicated to the gods of the sea and one of Bali's most visited temples.

• Pura Luhur : an eleventh-century temple made of black coral stone, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region.
• Kecak Uluwatu: In the Uluwatu temple, a popular show not to be missed on the peninsula, presenting the story of the Hindu epic through traditional Balinese song and dance.
• Karma Kandara Private Beach : accessible by funicular, this beach features shallow turquoise water and white sand for perfect family fun.
• Dreamland Beach: a long white sandy beach and surf spots lined with cliffs, with restaurants on site.
• Nusa Dua Beach: on the east coast of the isthmus, a beach of fine sand and smooth rocks in the immediate vicinity of luxury hotels.

Remember that in the west at Uluwatu, or in the east near Nusa Dua, and also inland, accommodation abounds and you can find somewhere to stay for a handful of euros compared with several hundred in the most luxurious hotel complexes. The luxury hotels are more to be found on the east side of Bukit, along the entire coastline leading up to the islet of Serangan, and are among the most well-equipped resorts.

We've listed the best places to stay in Bukit to help you find what suits your budget:

Accommodation in Lovina and Munduk: tranquillity in the north

To the north of Bali, there's the Lovina coast, an area that brings together several coastal villages and is one of the most beautiful on the island. It has the advantage of being less popular with visitors, being on the other side of the islet, and requires real motivation to cross the whole island from south to north. And yet the effort would be more than worthwhile, as you won't see the crowds from Kuta or even Ubud, who come for exactly the same places to visit. Lovina is the destination of choice for guaranteed tranquillity.

This seaside resort offers black sandy beaches, deeper waters and dolphin watching. It's a wonderful place for those who want to experience the thrill of searching for these cetaceans in the open sea during boat trips. You can also take a snorkelling tour of the seabed, which will leave you with wonderful memories. Don't hesitate to head east to Lovina, where you'll find the famous Banjar hot springs, created by the now-extinct volcano, which is also the source of the black sand created by the erosion of the volcanic rock.

And if you head a little further inland, around 25 km from Lovina, you'll come across the small village of Munduk, which is largely untouched by mass tourism. This is the real advantage of this corner of northern Bali, as you'll be able to enjoy real tranquillitywhile benefiting from an idyllic setting with its waterfalls, lakes and numerous hikes. The region is authentic and, as it is only just developing, does not offer much in the way of entertainment.

When it comes to accommodation in northern Bali, the choice is almost endless. Guest houses are small villas often with beautifully decorated swimming pools, and there are also a number of affordable hotels to stay in, offering a great experience for the price you pay per night. If you're looking for total immersion in Balinese culture, then the best option is a guest house, where you can stay for just a few dozen euros; if you're looking for upmarket accommodation, there are also unusual hotels offering experiences in the heart of the Balinese jungle.

Choosing accommodation in Denpasar: the cultural centre

Denpasar is the economic and administrative centre of Bali. Here you'll find the island's largest and most populous city. Because of its proximity to the airport and Kuta, it's a popular place for travellers looking for accommodation . You can stay for just a few euros a night in this large Balinese city, which offers plenty of entertainment. It's a city that has managed to retain a form of authenticity far from the frenzy of the coast. Here, you'll find some of Bali's most charming buildings, and you can visit the many monuments and temples that are sure to win over thecultural historybuffs.

You can also head to the east of the city, to the coast called Sanur, where accommodation is easy to find. In fact, the range of accommodation available is very impressive, fromluxury hotels to the small villas typical of Bali. Prices vary widely, so there's something to suit every budget! Sanur beach is beautiful and has the advantage of offering numerousrestaurants as well as shopping areas, which will keep you busy as you explore this small coastline in East Bali. You'll also have access to the Serangan isthmus, a protected turtle sanctuary and one of Bali's must-sees.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of places to visit in Denpasar:

• Bajra Sandhi Monument: Central building dedicated to the Balinese, surrounded by a park where you can enjoy a stroll at sunset.
• Bali Bird park: Park for exotic Indonesian birds, with numerous exhibitions.
• Turtle Conservation And Education Center : Association for the protection and education of Balinese sea turtles.
• Pura Agung Jagatnatha: Imposing temple dedicated to the supreme god Sanghyang Widi Wasa.
• Upside Down: Amusement park where you can move around in different settings turned upside down.
• Badung market: a typical Bali market offering a complete sensory experience

Staying in the East: discovering Amed

On Bali's east coast, around 3 hours' drive from Kuta, lies a less popular destination for travellers called Amed. This more out-of-the-way seaside resort, situated at the foot of the Agung volcano, is a destination that is beginning to make a name for itself. It's the ideal place to stay away from the crowds, while still benefiting from services and entertainment. The landscape is made up of rice paddies, fine sandy beaches and grandiose palaces.

Things to do in this part of Bali include scuba diving near the coast, cultural visits and, above all, taking in the breathtaking scenery of lush vegetation, water palaces and typically Balinese buildings. Accommodation isn't a problem either, as visitors will find plenty of small villasand guest houses to make the most of their stay in the east of the island.

We've put together a list of the must-see places in Amed, Bali:

• Virgin Beach: one of the most beautiful beaches, with turquoise water and fine sand below the rice fields. Not very busy, as you have to climb a path in the middle of the valley to reach it.
• Taman Soekasada Ujung: a century-old water palace in the village of Seraya.
• Tirta Gangga: water palace with numerous Balinese-style sculptures, including an 11-storey fountain.
• Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang temple: a sacred Hindu site in Balinese culture, which requires you to wear a sarong. Sarongs can be hired on site.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay in Amed, you'll find a wide choice of guest houses, villas and hotels all along the coast. We've put together a selection to help you choose the best accommodation in this part of Bali.

Spend a night on Nusa Penida, a small island off the Bali coast

A small island to the south-east of Bali, Nusa Penida is more authentic and wild than the peninsula. You can come here for a day trip from Sanur or Kusamba, or spend the night to explore it in greater depth.

The must-see spots on Instagram are Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach and Rumah Pohon ‘Tree House’. You can't swim here because of the strong currents, but you can enjoy spectacular views of the different bays.

Nusa Penida is also very popular for its west coast, where you can snorkel and scuba dive. The island's must-see is Manta Point, where you can swim with manta rays on a boat trip.

In Toyapakeh, the most urbanised part of the island, you'll find shops, restaurants and small cafés.

The two offshore islands, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, offer canoe trips through the mangroves and sunsets over Mount Agung, Bali's largest volcano.

Although taxis are available at exorbitant prices, most tourists opt to hire a scooter. It takes an average of an hour to cross the island from one end to the other.

There are plenty of modern, quality hotels on the west coast, at very reasonable prices. The heart of the island also offers resorts with swimming pools in the middle of the jungle, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the peninsula for a night, Nusa Penida is a good place to stay in Bali.