The best areas in Bali for a beach holiday

An island of eternal summer, azure ocean, and lush greenery, where you can swim and sunbathe year-round, Bali offers a wide variety of beaches – ideal for surfing, kite surfing, diving, romantic strolls, and luxurious sandy resorts. If you enjoy parties and vibrant gatherings, head south, while surfing is best on the southwest and east coasts. Each beach area in Bali has its own unique characteristics, which we'll explore in this article.

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Kuta

Many tourists, having read online that Kuta is Bali's main district, head there. Kuta is undoubtedly Bali's most famous tourist hub. This area is renowned for its long sandy beaches and calm waves. It's also located very close to Bali International Airport (DPS).

Beach holidays in Kuta

Kuta's coastline is an ideal spot for leisurely strolls and morning and evening jogs. The beaches are well-equipped, sun loungers are easily rented, and there are many services available, from massages to street food and souvenirs. The waves are small and gentle, and the sand is soft, making this a popular spot for those who simply want to swim and learn to surf. Even on calm days, the beach is packed with surfers.

Infrastructure and entertainment

Perfect for a family vacation, this area boasts luxury hotels, water parks, movie theaters, and numerous shopping centers with designer stores and excellent restaurants. Spas and affordable massage parlors are also plentiful, offering relatively low prices. Nightlife enthusiasts love this area for its numerous bars and nightclubs.

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Seminyak

Seminyak is considered Bali's most fashionable beach district. It's popular with travelers who can afford an upscale, sophisticated vacation with vibrant nightlife and shopping. It's always fun and lively.

Beach holidays in Seminyak

The beaches in Seminyak are quite wide, making them ideal for long walks. The area boasts several good surf spots, a wide selection of surf schools, specialized shops, and board rentals. Tourists can take surf tours to the island's stunning spots. Seminyak's beaches are renowned for their magical sunsets, and in the evening, the shoreline is dotted with the lights of beach bars and clubs.

Infrastructure and entertainment

Seminyak is home to some of the most luxurious five-star hotels, as well as numerous fantastic mid-range hotels and villas offering exceptional comfort, style, and sophistication. It's the capital of nightlife, with numerous clubs inviting DJs from around the world to perform for a trendy crowd. New venues are constantly opening, and the entertainment changes every night. But if you want to immerse yourself in Bali's natural beauty, Seminyak offers plenty of day trips to authentic destinations.

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Legian

Legian is located between Seminyak and Kuta. These areas flow seamlessly into each other, but have some distinct features. Legian Beach is best for relaxing in a tranquil atmosphere.

Beach holidays in Legian

If you're looking for waves to hone your skills, try Legian Beach. There are several excellent surfing spots here, some a bit more challenging than in Kuta. You'll find relatively affordable surf schools in Legian, compared to the more upscale areas. And what sunrises and sunsets! Legian is known for its beach activities. You'll always find a group to join for a game of soccer, beach tennis, or volleyball.

Infrastructure and entertainment

Legian is cheaper than Kuta and Seminyak. This area is ideal for those seeking a vacation on beautiful sandy beaches but traveling on a budget. Guesthouses and villas offer excellent value, but there are also top-notch resorts, such as the Padma Resort Legian . Legian's main streets are lined with popular clubs that host fantastic DJ sets. Most of Legian's nightclubs, pubs, and bars offer reasonably priced cocktails.

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Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is the perfect area for pampering yourself or simply relaxing at one of the fantastic resorts. Situated on the eastern side of the Bukit Peninsula, it's considered a haven of luxury. Much of the area is occupied by international hotels, resorts, and private villa complexes frequented by VIPs. Prices are a bit on the higher side, so don't be surprised if a sun lounger and umbrella are more expensive than in other areas.

Beach holidays in Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua boasts a long strip of white sandy beaches. It's a great place for swimming and family fun, even with little ones. The white sand is a striking contrast to the black volcanic sand beaches in northern Bali. If you're looking for a clean, safe beach that's lively but not overly crowded, Nusa Dua is a great choice!

The main attraction is Geger Beach. At some points in Nusa Dua, you can also enjoy water sports, such as jet skiing or banana boating. There are several popular surfing spots, such as Black Rock and Mushroom Rock. Surfers wanting to try their hand at Nusa Dua should be prepared to catch big waves. However, you'll need to reach them by boat.

Infrastructure and entertainment

Nusa Dua offers nothing but luxury for those seeking 5-star service. Local hotels and resorts are first-class retreats with private white beaches, magnificent gardens, numerous pools, and world-class restaurants. Names like St. Regis, Hilton, Marriott, and Ritz Carlton attest to the caliber of this elite corner of Bali. Nusa Dua's beach restaurants are impeccable and delight with exquisite cuisine.

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Sanur

Sanur tends to attract older and more family-oriented guests.

Beach holidays in Sanur

Sanur Beach curves southwest for 5 km, and much of the promenade is paved, making it ideal for families with strollers and joggers. It is generally clean and generally quite peaceful, like the town of Sanur itself. Thanks to its magnificent sheltered beach and tranquil, village atmosphere, the area has become ideal for family vacations. The beaches are lined with colorful wooden fishing boats, and the 8-kilometer beach trail is popular with bike rentals and morning walkers.

Infrastructure and entertainment

The resorts along the beach are fairly modest. The area offers numerous restaurants, shops, and spas. High-speed boats also depart from here to Nusa Lembongan and Penida, making them easy day trips from Sanur.

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Changu

Canggu embodies a distinct beach lifestyle: it's a land of beautiful beaches, surfing, endless parties, and the carefree life of digital nomads, thanks to its abundance of gyms and co-working spaces.

Beach holidays in Canggu

The beaches on this side of Bali aren't pristine white, as the sand is darker due to its volcanic past. Canggu is known for its surfing culture. There are surfing schools on the beach that teach surfing from beginner to advanced. However, depending on the weather, the sea can become a bit rough due to strong currents, so be careful, especially if you're vacationing with children.

Infrastructure and entertainment

You'll find a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to mid-range hotels and resorts. Canggu is renowned for still offering affordable guesthouses and surf camps. The center is relatively new, with several mid-range and upscale resorts and luxury villas, some located right next to the beach. Canggu's infrastructure is rapidly developing, with new restaurants, cafes, bars, beach clubs, gyms, spas, and yoga studios popping up all the time. On the downside, Canggu lacks any real landmarks or ancient temples worth visiting.

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Jimbaran and Kedonganan

Jimbaran is a beautiful bay with a white sand beach, located just south of Bali's airport. You'll find world-class beach resorts and boutique hotels with luxurious spas and restaurants, as well as mid-range accommodations.

Features of a beach holiday

Jimbaran and Kedonganan Bays form one long stretch of white sand. Fishing boats moored along the shore during the day create a picturesque setting. There are no strong currents or large waves, making the beaches ideal for swimming. The closest surfing spots are the "airport breaks." And visiting nearby beaches like Tegal Wangi and Balangan, secluded off the beaten path, is an adventure in itself.

Infrastructure and entertainment

The area is fairly close to the airport, yet still quite quiet. Jimbaran boasts upscale hotels like the Four Seasons and InterContinental , boasting stunning architecture. Check out the chic Movenpick Resort & Spa . Mid-range hotels and bungalows are located a little further from the beach. For budget travelers, there are yoga and surf camping clubs near Balangan. The area is renowned for its many seafood restaurants, which set up tables right on the beach and serve seafood in the evening. Local fishermen sell freshly caught fish, shellfish, squid, and crabs at a traditional market. Don't miss this opportunity!

InterContinental Bali Resort Jimbaran an IHG Hotel

Uluwatu and Pecatu

Uluwatu is one of the most visited places in Bali. It's a great spot for sunbathing and swimming, although access to the beaches is sometimes difficult as they are located at the foot of cliffs. But what a view, and what fabulous scenery you can admire from the infinity pools!

Beach holidays in Uluwatu

The northern side boasts several hidden beaches, such as Suluban, Padang Padang, Bingin, and Dreamland. The latter is also the name of a nearby surf spot, considered one of the best in the world. Massive left-hand "barrels" are a common sight, making these beaches attractive to intermediate and advanced surfers. Beginners, however, should proceed with caution.

Infrastructure and entertainment

Trendy cliffside hotels offer an upscale experience. Decorated in a bohemian style, they offer incredible ocean views, and you can take a cable car down. Many stunning private villas are available for both short- and long-term rentals. Budget hotels cater to surfers, so they are most common near the Uluwatu surf break.

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Also nearby is Pecatu, a quiet and tranquil area boasting luxurious villas. Much of Pecatu has seen rapid development in recent years: world-class beach clubs, luxury hotels, and luxurious spas have sprung up in picturesque locations overlooking the vast Indian Ocean.

The area boasts several iconic landmarks that shouldn't be missed during a Bali vacation, such as the thousand-year-old Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, where the traditional Kecak dance is performed at sunset.

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Amed

This area, located in northwest Bali, is home to two quiet, simple fishing villages. These places are known for diving and snorkeling, nature tours, and stunning views from Mount Agung.

Beach holidays in Amed

Amed is famous for its beautiful black sand beaches. The coastline is mostly rocky, giving this area a completely different feel from southern Bali. The water here is always calm, usually without currents, and diving and snorkeling are excellent right off the shore. Tourists rarely visit this area because it is located far from more popular destinations. Getting to Amed from the south takes about three hours. Because there are fewer tourists here, the coral reefs are virtually untouched. Dive schools offer freediving, shore snorkeling, and deep-sea diving.

Infrastructure and entertainment

This area is more like a modest village, but you'll find decent accommodation options. If you want to explore Tulamben, Amed is the best place to stay, although it's only a short drive away. In Amed, you can witness the traditional salt production process at the local salt farms. From here, you can also hike to Mount Agung, Bali's highest volcano.

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If you're looking for a beach vacation in Bali, head to the south of the island, to resorts like Kuta, Seminyak, and Legian. Nusa Dua offers the perfect luxury beach getaway, while Amed offers a more austere and natural experience. If you're ready to descend from the cliffs to the beach, consider Uluwatu.