East Bali is one of the island’s most underrated areas, if you ask us. Here at The Bali Sun, we love a little East Bali escape, and we’ll tell you why.
First, East Bali is a low-key home to some of the best beaches in the province. Second, East Bali is home to genuinely breathtaking landscapes…say hello to sacred Mount Agung. Third, East Bali is much less busy and crowded than the central south, and we will never turn down an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of Bali’s heritage and traditional ways of life.
Head directly east of Denpasar, and you can feel the pace of life slow down a degree with every passing kilometer. East Bali, which includes Karangasem Regency, Klungkung Regency, and a little of Buleleng Regency and Gianyar Regency too, is one of the most culturally rich, naturally abundant, and totally underrated areas of Bali for holidaymakers and for travelers.
From royal palaces to stunning beaches, gorgeous homestays, active volcanoes, dive schools, incredible local eateries, and a literal living museum, here at The Bali Sun, we are big advocates for planning a whole two-week vacation in East Bali. This is the kind of place that has you coming back for more year on year.
East Bali’s off-path destinations are culturally rich, and we’ll say it again, not to be missed. If you’re the kind of tourist who likes to take a deep dive into the history of a place, then East Bali is the place for you.
While Denpasar is the provincial capital, East Bali holds so much of the island’s diverse historical past. To get a firm understanding of the history of Bali, the first stop has to be Semarapura. This regency capital is also the traditional judicial capital of the province, and it is home to some off-path gems.
Kertha Gosa, Klungkung Palace, Semarajaya Museum, and the Ida Dewa Agung Jambe Monument are just the start. We highly recommend hiring a local tour guide for a complete tour of Semarapura.
With so much history to learn and so many interconnecting details to place, hiring a local tour guide helps bring this place alive. Both Kertha Gosa and Klungkung Palace are famous for the ‘floating’ pavilions, which are seriously photogenic. By which we mean, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy on a tour of Semarapura, even those who aren’t so interested in the history…it’s all so pretty and photogenic!
Beach lovers thinking of exploring East Bali are in luck. Top resort areas you may already be aware of include Amed and Padangbai, but what about Candidasa and Manggis? These two coastal communities on the southeast coast of Bali provide a taste of luxury, authentic Bali village life, and none of the crowds of the central south.
What’s even better? It’s only a 90-minute drive from the airport! Our top pick beaches in and around Candidasa and Manggis include Virgin Beach, also known as Pasir Putih, Jasri Beach, and Bugbug Beach.
East Bali is great for those with a sense of adventure. Tourists who have rented a motorcycle have so much to explore, including heaps of local warungs and coffee shops serving up traditional dishes and warm welcomes. You never know who you might meet or what you might find.
A short moped ride from Pasir Putih, you might find yourself at the doors of Zodiac Coffee & Co, a super cool little coffee shop in the town of Amlapura.
Drive on a little further, and you’ll find Bukit Cinta. This is one of those spots that you see on TikTok and Insta, but no one ever drops the pin! Put Bukit Cinta into Google Maps, and the directions take you exactly to one of the best viewpoints in all of Bali.
The view offers stunning and uninterrupted views of sacred Mount Agung rising up from the rice paddy landscape. It’s particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset and totally worth the early alarm call!
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