There are countless guides to Bali online, most of them focusing on the same beaches, temples and tourist hotspots. This guide is a little different. Instead of covering Bali’s most famous attractions, we want to share a few places that helped us see a different side of the island.
The first time I visited Bali, I didn’t really understand why everyone loved it so much. After spending several months living in Jakarta, Bali felt expensive and far more tourist-focused than other parts of Indonesia I had visited. It wasn’t until I started exploring beyond the busy southern beaches and central Ubud that I began to appreciate what makes Bali special.
If you’re looking for beach clubs, nightlife and backpacker hangouts, you’ll probably love the southern parts of Bali and central Ubud. But if you prefer quieter places, beautiful landscapes and a slower pace of life, there are still plenty of areas where you can escape the crowds.
I haven’t explored every corner of Bali, but these are a few places that have stood out to us over the years.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Yes, Jatiluwih is a tourist attraction. However, it feels very different from the much busier rice terraces around Ubud.
The terraces stretch across a huge area, meaning it’s easy to find quiet corners even when other visitors are around. During our visit, we spent much of our time simply walking through the landscape and enjoying the views.
The scenery here is spectacular and, in our opinion, well worth the journey from the more popular parts of Bali.
Ubud Beyond the Centre
We wouldn’t skip Ubud completely. The area is beautiful and there’s plenty to see. The trick is not staying right in the middle of town.
Instead, look for accommodation in the villages and rice fields surrounding Ubud. You’ll still be close enough to visit the attractions, restaurants and markets, but without the traffic and crowds.
During one of our visits we stayed at Hati Padi Cottages, a small property surrounded by rice fields. At the time we were the only guests, and it remains one of the most peaceful places we’ve stayed anywhere in Indonesia.
The property is run by two French owners and a local Balinese woman, all of whom were incredibly welcoming. We spent our mornings drinking coffee while looking out across the rice fields and our evenings watching the sunset over the surrounding countryside.
It was the kind of place that makes you slow down and appreciate where you are.
📌 Looking for even more things to do in Ubud? Our friend Juan from Planet of Adventures has put together a fantastic guide featuring 13 great things to do in and around Ubud.
The Beautiful Landscapes of Sidemen
Our visit to Sidemen was completely unplanned.
While exploring the island, our driver suggested taking the scenic road through the area and promised it was worth the detour. He was right.
The road winds through rice fields, villages and beautiful mountain scenery. During our visit we watched locals harvesting crops, children walking home from school and farmers working in the fields.
Sidemen has become more popular with travellers over the years, but it still feels far quieter and more relaxed than many of Bali’s better-known destinations.
We only stopped for lunch and a short walk, but it immediately went onto our list of places to stay during a future visit.
The Sleepy Town of Klungkung
Klungkung was probably the biggest surprise of our trip.
When I told our driver I wanted to visit, he looked at me rather strangely and asked why. He said very few foreign visitors ever requested a stop there.
The reason was simple: one of my friends grew up in Klungkung, and I wanted to see her hometown.
What we found was a charming Balinese town with very few tourists, a beautiful Hindu temple and a busy local market. Life seemed to move at a slower pace here than in the tourist centres further south.
If you’re curious about everyday life in Bali and want to spend some time somewhere that isn’t built around tourism, Klungkung is well worth a visit.
Its location also makes it easy to combine with a trip to Sidemen.
Final Thoughts
Bali may be famous for its beaches, beach clubs and busy tourist towns, but some of our favourite memories come from the quieter parts of the island.
Places like Jatiluwih, Sidemen and Klungkung offer a slower pace of life and a chance to experience a different side of Bali. Even around Ubud, simply staying a little further from the centre can completely change your experience.
If you’re willing to venture beyond the most popular tourist areas, you’ll discover that Bali is much more than Kuta, Seminyak and central Ubud.
📌 How about making your own chocolate in beautiful Bali? Our friends at twopassportspacked did just that!