Bali’s Denpasar Named Amongst Top 100 Cities In The World For Travel

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Bali’s capital city Denpasar has been listed amongst the top 100 cities in the world in 2025. Denpasar, the ancient trading post, is a destination filled with cultural wonders and a vibrant modern arts and music scene.

For tourists seeking something a little different on their next vacation to Bali, spending time in Denpasar is not to be missed. 

Euromonitor International reveals a fresh top 100 best cities in the world every year. This year’s list is made up of data gathered in 2024.

The list is made up of an in-depth analysis of six key metrics including Economic and Business Performance, Tourism Performance, Tourism Infrastructure, Tourism Policy and Attractiveness, Health and Safety, and Sustainability.

Paris, France has come out on top in 2025, and Bali’s Denpasar has been listed as a noble 94th. An honorable placement for its first mention on the list. 

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Euromonitor International’s explanation of how and why New York, Orlando, and Paris took their places as the top three cities in terms of Tourism Performance. The findings could be helpful to Bali as the province looks to move towards more culturally respectful and sustainable tourism.

Euromonitor International writes “New York, Orlando and Paris take the first three places in the Tourism Performance pillar in 2024, being the only cities achieving a top 30 result in terms of both domestic and international demand. New York plans to focus on longer-staying and higher-spending international travellers, as tourism flows reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024.”

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The global insight and data company added “Bangkok jumps to first place in terms of international arrivals by city with 32 million trips in 2024. The city managed to surpass the pre-pandemic level of international tourism flows in 2023 and continued dynamic growth of over 30% in 2024.”

Though Denpasar sits in 94th place, it ranks above Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Santiago in Chile, Vilnius in Lithuania, Jerusalem in Isreal, Zhuhai in China, and Cairo in Egypt. 

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Denpasar is a culturally rich travel destination with a wealth of heritage and modern life to explore. Must-visit destinations in Denpasar include Badung Market on Gajah Mada Street in the heart of the city.

The market is famous for being one of the largest and in fact, one of the oldest traditional markets in Bali and is perfect for culture-loving tourists who want to experience the hustle and bustle of a real local market.

Badung Market sits opposite Pura Desa, which is one of the biggest Balinese Hindu Temples in the city.

Again, for tourists who wish to experience a truly authentic side of Bali, away from the tourist crowds, diving into the wonders of Denpasar allows visitors to see the old, the authentic, and the new all in one brilliant urban melting pot. 

To have a full market experience in Denpasar, tourists must be sure to cross the road from Badung Market and enter Kumbasari Market. The Kumbasari Traditional Market has been open to the public formally since 1977 and is the best place to buy real Balinese souvenirs and traditional art. This is a serious hidden gem!

This is the spot where Balinese communities in Denpasar and around the province come to stock up on their ceremonial necessities including prayer offerings, traditional Balinese clothing, and homewares.

Classic historical attractions in Denpasar include the Bajra Sandhi Monument. The iconic landmark stands proud in the very heart of the city within Lapangan Puputan Renon Park. This used to be a great place to wander around while waiting for a visa extension process to be completed at the Denpasar Immigration Office, but since that process can now be done online, even fewer tourists are visiting this incredible historical landmark.

The monument was opened in 2003 and is a symbol of remembrance of the struggle of the Balinese people and its heroes throughout the fight for independence.