Eastern Bali’s Sleepy Beachside Resort Gives Tourists A Chance To Truly Relax

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Bali is an island of two halves. There is a side of the island that is dedicated to tourism. It’s busy and bustling and caters to tourists’ every need.

Then, there is another side of the island, not too far off the beaten track, where tourists looking to switch off completely can enjoy the sleepy island vibes.

Amed in eastern Bali is one of the most laid-back tourist villages on the island. Whereas resorts like Canggu and Uluwatu have undergone a period of rapid growth over the last few years, Amed has remained much the same.

Home to locally managed guesthouses, small dive shops, and just the right amount of cafes, beach bars, and warungs, there is a lot to love about Amed. 

Sitting beneath the shadow of the sacred Mount Agung, Amed offers tourists a glimpse of the Bali of old.

The village is, at its heart, still a fishing community, where many local people head out on traditional boats in the morning, returning in the late afternoon with their catch of the day. 

@gabriellaglady Hidden Gem in Bali #MathisLodgeAmed #explorebali #thebalibible #thebaliguideline #thebalichili #bali #traveltiktok #hotel #fyp ♬ Tattoo by Loreen sped up version – KaylaKyber

One of the big draws for tourists heading to Amed is the affordability. Tourists’ hard-earned holiday spending goes much further in Amed regarding accommodation, food, and activities.

Amed is for early risers, with drop-in yoga classes on offer at Blue Earth Village, and it’s not uncommon to see tourists taking a gentle stroll along the beach at sunrise.

Blue Earth Village is a guesthouse, wellness retreat, and cafe that is the perfect place for tourists to meet and mingle and enjoy sundowners overlooking the ocean and the volcano in the foreground. 

@elmaymart This view says it all 💗 This place is only a 10 minute ride from Amed (a small fishing village in Bali) 💫 #balitravel #balitips #amedbali ♬ original sound – Jecus Andrei

While the party atmosphere of Uluwatu, Canggu, and Seminyak appeals to many, Amed is perfect for tourists who prefer a few chilled beers or even a little happy hour cocktail before heading to bed.

Amed feels like the off-the-beaten-path backpacker’s hidden gems of the late 90s and early 00s, with the added luxury of more upmarket boutique resorts for tourists seeking the height of comfort. 

With the festive season kicking off next week, tourists seeking to avoid the crowds will be delighted to discover that Amed sits a scenic 2.5-hour drive from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The village of Amed itself is where the heart of the tourist resort can be found, though colloquially, the area referred to as Amed spans over the neighboring villages of Kubu, Jemeluk, and Tulamben.

@olibrandon Traveling Amed, Bali #traveling #bali #dayinmylife #dayinthelife ♬ Jazz – Aylior

Amed is home to some of the best diving sites in the province. Famous for its scuba diving and free diving schools, Amed has been the go-to destination for marine lovers for decades.

For tourists who have yet to achieve their PADI certificate, there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel too.

Areas like Nusa Penida are famous with travelers for their marine life; it’s one of the best places in the world to snorkel with manta rays, turtles, and sunfish. 

Amed is incredible for exploring shipwrecks. The Japanese Shipwreck and the USAT Liberty Shipwreck hold huge historical significance and are ideal for both novice divers and more experienced explorers. 

For explorers whose sea legs aren’t as well adjusted, hiking Mount Agung is a truly memorable way to experience a whole new side of Bali.

Guided treks of Mount Agung can be arranged through the guesthouses and small tour agents based in Amed very easily.

However, tourists have been urged to exercise caution when hiking Mount Agung for the foreseeable future.

Officials from the Natural Disaster Management Agency have this week reminded hikers that the volcano is active and to reduce the time spent around the crater to an absolute minimum for safety purposes. 

The eastern edges of Bali are as steeped in cultural wonders as the heart of the island.

The arts and cultural capital of Ubud is maybe 70km away, but tourists are far from missing out on the cultural action.

Many feel that exploring Bali’s incredible culture can be achieved more authentically from Amed. 

The Samsara Living Museum is located a scenic one-hour drive from Amed Beach.

This village-come-museum offers tourists the chance to experience first-hand life in a traditional Balinese community untouched by the modern world. Activities include dance classes, cooking classes, and arak making.