6 Best Places To Visit In Bali Off The Beaten Track

Bali may be one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, with thousands of tourists flocking to its tropical beaches yearly. However, it does not mean that it should be overlooked by those who prefer their holidays a little more “off the beaten track”. As long as you are prepared to research, plenty of unique, less touristy places in Bali are still waiting to be explored. Bali’s excellent tourist infrastructure and more rugged and remote areas make it a high starting point for exploring the less luxurious but more rewarding side of travel.

Bali off the beaten track – where to go and what to

As a general rule of thumb, the further south you are in Bali, the more ‘touristy’ you will find it. If you are dead set on avoiding crowds at all costs, you will want to cut out some more recognised places, such as Kuta, Seminyak and Legian, as they are always busy.

As you travel north, the island’s character changes, becoming less urban. You begin to find more sleepy fishing villages along the coast. Inland, the countryside opens up into some of the famous rice terraces you will have seen on a million postcards before finally turning into the mountains of the central highlands. There are some exceptions to this rule.

One such is Ubud, the biggest town in the highlands, which has become busier in recent years, although it still has a friendlier vibe than some of the tourist hotspots in the south: more art galleries and health cafes than nightclubs and cheap cocktail deals. Another example is Canggu, a once quiet rice-field town, one of Bali’s most bustling hot spots with trendy bars and nightclubs, gourmet restaurants, cafes, yoga studios, gyms, large villas, surf schools and more.

Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Bali off the beaten track.

1. Stay in Munduk

If you want to explore the central highlands while still beating the crowds, try staying in Munduk rather than the more popular Ubud. This is a small village, consisting of a single, not particularly impressive, main road – don’t be fooled by the simple looks though, as the buildings, on one side, hide some of the best sunset views in Bali and, on the other, some of the best sunrise views.

Find the best places 👉 where to stay in Munduk

You find there won’t be many big hotels around here. Still, a few guesthouses and homestays will offer you excellent quality accommodation for a great price and the chance to sample a few local delicacies.

The surrounding countryside, filled with waterfalls, paddy fields, coffee plantations, and traditional villages, is attractive for the best hiking experiences. If you fancy something a little more adrenaline-inducing, check out Munduk Wilderness. This adventure company runs mountain biking / Fin Komodo (ATV) tours and Land Rover safaris.

Find the best 👉 Guided Day Trips and Activities in Munduk

2. Discover the Nusa Islands

Three islands lie just off the coast of Bali, Nusa Lembongan. Nusa Penida and Nusa Cengingan, all of which are worth a visit. Boats leave every day from the mainland and take about 30 minutes to get to the islands. Nusa Lembongan is the most popular of the three, but it depicted Bali thirty years ago. The beaches are beautiful, and there are excellent diving, snorkelling and surfing opportunities.

Check out the best 👉 tours in Nusa Penida and tours in Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Ceningan is joined to Lembongan by a footbridge and is famous for its dramatic coastline. There are plenty of opportunities for cliff jumping and a famous lagoon over which you can zip line. Nusa Penida is by far the largest of the islands, and it is also the most remote. This is a great place to go trekking and also has a couple of the best dive spots in Bali, most notably Manta Bay. The following are your options for Nusa Islands accommodations:

Best Places For Your Stay: 👉 Nusa Penida 👉 Nusa Lembongan

3. Explore Lovina in North Bali

Lovina is one of the most famous towns (a collection of several merged villages) in Northern Bali. This is not unpopular; you will run into a few other tourists while wandering around the town, but stick with me. First of all, I would recommend staying just outside Lovina. Some great-value villas and resorts are set back in the mountains just behind the town, many of which have fantastic ocean views.

Find the best 👉 Guided Day Trips and Activities in Lovina

Secondly, Lovina’s atmosphere is much more laid back and relaxed than in the south – this is not a party town. There are some excellent restaurants and a few quiet bars, but that is about the extent of the nightlife. Sightseeing highlights include the black sand beach and the chance for a dawn trip on a traditional outrigger to see the local pod of dolphins.

Find the best places 👉 where to stay in Lovina

Where to stay on Bali’s North Coast

An excellent coast road makes travelling between the different points of interest easy – you could quickly drive the north shore’s length in a day, not that you would want to because there are so many exciting places to stop and see.

From the regional capital of Singaraja, with its royal palace and Chinese temple, to the West Bali National Park, with plenty of sleepy fishing villages and beautiful scenery, it isn’t easy to see why this part of the island is often underrated. I recommend Pemuteran (great for diving and snorkelling) and the Buddhist temple in Banjar.

Find the best places for 👉 staying in Bali Villas

4. Visit Tenganan ancient village

Although this is slightly derogatory, the Bali Mula (often known as the Bali Aga) are the surviving remnants of Bali’s original population. Their culture predates the arrival of Hinduism on the island. They are now limited to a few mountain villages, some open to visitors. Tenganan is the best for outsiders to visit, and a trip there provides a fascinating insight into a culture that has changed very little over the centuries.

Check the best 👉 Guided Day Trips and Activities in Tenganan

Find the best places for 👉 staying near Tenganan

5. Go to Gunung Kawi Temple

One of Bali’s many nicknames is the “island of a thousand temples“. Hinduism plays such an important role in Balinese culture; its influences can be felt through all aspects of life on the island that it would be a crime to visit without looking at at least one of the island’s major religious sites. The most famous temple is probably Tanah Lot, but while the temple itself is undoubtedly beautiful, there are so many souvenir stalls and bars/cafes that it is now practically a small town.

Check the best 👉 Guided Ubud Rice Fields Terrace and Temples

My pick of temples to visit is always Gunung Kawi. Located in Tampaksiring, this fantastic site is hardly unheard of, but if you go at the right time of day, usually the early morning, you can avoid the crowds and, with a bit of luck, may end up having the whole place to yourself. You may need to take your sarong if you visit outside regular hours as you might not be able to rent one, and they are mandatory for temple visits).

Find the best places for 👉 staying near Tampaksiring

The place has been of religious significance for over a thousand years, and the essential part of the complex, a cliff face with ten massive rock-cut shrines, dates back to the 11th century. Beware, the temple is at the bottom of a valley, and there are many steps to reach it, but you will be walking through some fantastic scenery as the path winds through terraced rice fields down to a swiftly flowing river at the bottom. On a clear day, there is also a great view of Mount Agung in the distance.

6. Climb Mount Batur

Mount Batur is one of the highest mountains in Bali, rising to 1717m. This is a hike rather than a climb, which is doable by even those who don’t consider themselves ‘hikers’. It takes about 3 hours, and the path does get very steep, but as long as everyone is in reasonably good shape, there shouldn’t be any problems. Remember to wear good shoes and bring a light jacket, snacks and water.

Check the best 👉 Guided Mount Batur Hiking Trips

Find the best places for 👉 staying near Mount Batur

You must hire a tour guide to take you up the mountain. Most tours leave in the early morning hours, aiming to get you to the summit in time to catch the dawn. Watching the sunrise from high above the clouds on top of a Balinese volcano will be an experience you will not soon forget.

Where to Stay in Bali

The small island of Bali offers +12 thousand accommodation options. Depending on your budget, you can choose between guesthouses, small boutique hotels, fully serviced resorts and fantastic luxury villas.

Find the best places for 👉 staying in Bali

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Photos credits:
Lovina photos – via Blonde Seashell
Tenganan: 1082282-Unsplash
Nusa Penida: paolo-Nicolella-748200-Unsplash
Munduk – via Salt In Our Hair
Mount Batur: Frankie-Spontelli-571290-Unsplash 50