Where to Stay in Bali: 10 Best Areas & Hotels

Although there are over 17,000 beautiful islands in Indonesia, Bali is by far the most popular. Also known as the ‘Island of the Gods’, this place is a tropical paradise with pristine beaches, warm temperatures, and crystal clear waters.

However, choosing where to stay in Bali can be difficult as there are so many awesome areas on the island.

To help you with your decision, this guide will break down the best locations to stay in Bali, the pros and cons of each area, and the top hotel recommendations for every budget. So, let’s find the area most suited to you! 

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Where to Stay in Bali

At first glance, Bali might seem like a small island but in reality, it’s far from it. The distance is 145 km (90 miles) from west to east and 85 km (53 miles) from north to south. Apart from the main island, the Nusa Islands (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida) also belong to Bali.

Basically, you can divide Bali into 6 main areas:

• South Bali: This is the most touristic part of the island where you’ll find gorgeous beaches, luxurious beach resorts, and fancy restaurants. The most popular towns to stay in are Canggu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Kuta, and Uluwatu.
• Central Bali: If you head further inland you’ll come across the cultural hotspot of Ubud. This part of the island is home to many temples and rice fields, and you’ll find the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali in this area as well.
• East Bali: The east part of the island is dominated by two volcanos, Mount Agung and Mount Batur. You’ll also find many beautiful rice fields here, as well as some of the oldest villages in Bali. You can visit East Bali as a day trip from Ubud or you can decide to stay in Sidemen, Candidasa, or Amed.
• North Bali: Although the northern part of the island is much less frequented and visited by tourists, it has so much to offer! The climate is very different from the south of the island and the area is dotted with misty mountains and cloudy lakes. If you want to experience this area to the fullest, staying in Munduk is the best option. 
• West Bali: This is the least populated part of Bali and it doesn’t get many visitors. You can find many quiet beaches here along with West Bali National Park. If you’re after a really low-key experience you can spend a couple of days here but generally, I wouldn’t recommend this area to first-timers, simply because the other areas have so much more to offer.
• Nusa Islands: Southeast of the main island of Bali you’ll find 3 smaller islands known as the Nusa Islands: Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Penida. You can visit them as a day trip from Bali but if you have more time, I strongly recommend staying there for a few days. If you’re interested, make sure to check my Nusa Islands itinerary!

Depending on how long you are staying in Bali, I recommend choosing at least 2-3 bases during your trip. The island is far too big to explore from just one location!

I recommend compiling a list of all the attractions you’re interested in and pinning them on a map so you can see where you’ll spend the majority of your time and choose your bases accordingly.

If you need any help with this, check out my 2 week Bali itinerary which contains all the interesting attractions and even includes a custom-made map!

Okay, so now let’s see exactly where to stay in Bali! If you don’t have time to read this article now, you can have a quick scan of the below table. It shows the best places in Bali to stay and a rundown of what each area offers.

Area	Recommended Hotel
Ubud (culture, waterfalls, first-time visitors, nature lovers)	Kamandalu Ubud
Canggu (beaches, first-time visitors, food, great atmosphere)	COMO Uma Canggu
Seminyak (beaches, luxury stays, shopping, family-friendly)	The Legian Seminyak
Kuta (nightlife, beaches, attractions, first-time visitors)	Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
Uluwatu (beaches, surfing, relaxed atmosphere, attractions)	Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort
Nusa Dua (luxury stays, Beaches, shopping, food)	MERUSAKA Nusa Dua
Sidemen (culture, nature-lovers, sightseeing, family-friendly)	Wapa di Ume Sidemen
Candidasa (beaches, culture, sightseeing, quiet)	Candi Beach Resort & Spa
Amed (diving, snorkeling, budget-friendly)	Vienna Beach Resort
Munduk (mountains, waterfalls, scenic views)	Munduk Moding Plantation

Map of the Best Places to Stay in Bali

If you’re struggling to make a decision, then here’s a more in-depth guide on where to stay in Bali. This island is full of beautiful towns and villages, so it’s not an easy decision to choose the perfect base for your trip.

However, I’ve rounded up the best areas to stay in Bali using my personal experience and some dedicated research. So, let’s take a look at each place and see which one is most suited to you!

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Where to Stay in Bali: Best Areas & Hotels

1. Ubud

Known as the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud is one of the most popular places to stay on the island.

With tropical jungles, lush rice terraces, and plenty of waterfalls nearby, this is one of the best locations to stay in Bali for nature lovers.

Not only that, but this part of the island is home to lots of attractions including the Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud Palace, and Saraswati Temple.

However, the most popular attraction in Ubud is the monkey forest! Home to over 700 macaques, this forest is a must-visit while staying in the area. 

You’ll find a lot of accommodation options situated along Jalan Raya Ubud which is the town’s main street. However, the more luxurious options tend to be located out of Ubud, so keep this in mind. 

With plenty of temples and tourist attractions nearby, lots of fantastic places to eat, and tons of accommodation options – Ubud is without a doubt one of the best places to stay in Bali.

No matter how much time you plan to spend in Bali, make sure to stay in Ubud for a couple of days. For a detailed itinerary, you can refer to my 3 days in Ubud article.

2. Canggu

If you’re wondering where to stay in Bali and you’re looking for a base in the south, then Canggu is one of your best options.

This beach town is home to tons of trendy cafes, boutique stores, quirky markets, and bars. You’ll also find plenty of beach clubs in Canggu including the Lawn and Finns Beach Club.

This makes it a popular spot for backpackers and first-time visitors to Bali. It’s also the area of choice for keen surfers, digital nomads, and expats so you’ll find plenty of ‘Western-style’ facilities here too. 

Canggu is known as the ‘coolest place to stay in Bali’ and there are plenty of activities to get involved in like surfing, yoga, and horse riding. 

Most of the best cafes in Canggu and stores are found along Batu Bolong which is Canggu’s main strip. This is a great place to stay, especially if it’s your first visit to the island.

Just keep in mind that Canggu can get extremely busy and the roads are sometimes very chaotic. If you’re looking for a quiet area to stay on the coast, then I’d recommend heading to Uluwatu or Nusa Dua.

However, if you’re looking for a beach getaway and amazing vibes then Canggu is still one of the best areas to stay in Bali!

3. Seminyak

Seminyak is also found along the southwest coast and is located just 10 km (6.2 miles) from Canggu. It’s another popular area and is notorious for being ‘more upmarket’ so you’ll find plenty of 5-star hotels here, luxury villas, and fancy beach clubs.

If you’re traveling on a budget don’t worry though, as Seminyak still has plenty of low-cost accommodation options too.

This is one of the best locations to stay in Bali if you’re a keen shopper as you’ll find endless boutique stores, shopping malls, and branded shops. There’s something for everyone, and prices are likely to be much cheaper than back home.

You’ll also find plenty of awesome beach clubs here including the iconic Potato Head Beach Club and Mano Beach House. So be prepared for awesome food!

To conclude, Seminyak is one of the best places in Bali to stay if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, a romantic weekend, or a family-friendly holiday.

4. Kuta

Kuta is without a doubt one of the best places to stay in Bali for backpackers and party lovers. This beach town is famous for its nightlife and the most iconic spot is the Sky Garden Lounge which is the largest nightclub in Kuta. 

Because of this, just keep in mind that this area may not be suitable for families with small children as the strip gets very lively at night.

You’ll also want to keep a close eye on your belongings, as robberies are pretty common in Kuta as it’s the party hub of the island. However, Kuta still has plenty to offer! 

There are tons of attractions in this area including Waterbom Bali Waterpark, the Beachwalk Shopping Center, and of course, Kuta Beach.

If you’re heading to Kuta between April and October, you don’t want to miss out on a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservation Center either. Not only can you learn about the work of the Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS), but if you time your visit right you’ll be able to release baby sea turtles! 

Although it’s not the most popular choice, it’s still a great option if you’re wondering where to stay in Bali! 

5. Uluwatu

If you’re looking for a quiet beach escape, then head to Uluwatu which is found on the south coast. This part of Bali is home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches – so imagine pristine white sands, turquoise waters, and towering cliff faces.

If you’re looking to relax make sure you head to some of these beaches including Padang Padang, Nyang Nyang, and Bingin.

Uluwatu is also one of the best areas to stay in Bali if you’re a keen surfer as there are some serious waves to be found here! For this reason, you’ll find plenty of surfboard rental companies around.

If you’re not into surfing, there are plenty of other attractions to visit including Uluwatu Temple, Savaya Bali, and Balangan Viewpoint.

Uluwatu is far away from popular destinations like Ubud, Canggu, and Seminyak so if you’ve got a jam-packed itinerary then it may be best to stay somewhere more central.

However, if you’re just looking for a relaxing getaway, then Uluwatu is one of the best places to stay in Bali.

6. Nusa Dua

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation then Nusa Dua is one of the best locations to stay in Bali! It’s the most exclusive area on the island and is a popular holiday destination for honeymooners. 

This makes Nusa Dua perfect for holidaygoers who are just looking to relax and spend their trip at the beach.

You can also do some shopping at Bali Collection, admire the blow hole on Nusa Dua Beach, or take a trip out to Serangan Island. However, if you’re someone who prefers a busy itinerary then I’d recommend staying elsewhere. 

Although Uluwatu is nearby, you’ll still be very isolated from other popular spots on the island including Canggu, Kuta, and Ubud.

So if you’re wondering where to stay in Bali and you’re looking for somewhere private and luxurious – Nusa Dua is your place.

7. Sidemen

If you’re not looking for a beach getaway, then Sidemen is easily one of the best locations to stay in Bali – especially for nature lovers.

Situated in East Bali, Sidemen is a small village surrounded by lush rice terraces, scenic forests, and the island’s iconic volcano – Mount Agung.

By staying here you’ll get to appreciate the island’s true beauty and rural charm as you’ll be miles away from any tourist hot spots. If your heart is set on staying at some of the coolest bamboo houses in Bali, you’ll find the best ones around Sidemen.

You’ll also find some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali nearby including Gembleng Waterfall, Tukad Cepung, and Goa Raja.

Not only that but there are tons of other popular attractions close by including Pura Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga, and Besakih Temple.

The only thing to keep in mind is that there aren’t nearly as many Western facilities and restaurants as you would find in the South.

The popular tourist spots of Canggu, Kuta, and Seminyak are also at least 52 km away (32 miles), so you’ll benefit from hiring a driver or renting a scooter if you decide to stay here.

However, if you’re a fan of the outdoors and are looking for a peaceful base – Sidemen is one of the best places to stay in Bali!

8. Candidasa

When people are considering where to stay in Bali, the seaside town of Candidasa often isn’t even thought of. 

It’s a two-hour drive from the popular tourist destination of Kuta and is one of the best places to stay in Bali if you’re looking to escape the crowds.

You won’t find tons of infrastructure here – instead, you’ll be wandering past traditional Balinese houses and temples making this a great place to learn about the island’s culture.

Candidasa is also a great location to explore some of the island’s main attractions as Tirtta Ganga, Pura Lempuyang, and Taman Soekasada Ujung Water Palace are all within a 50-minute drive of the town.

You can even take a trip out to some of the islands found just off the coast including Gili Biaha, Gili Mimpang, and Gili Tepekong.

However, this is another part of Bali where you’ll definitely want to hire a driver or a scooter to get around.

9. Amed

If you’re wondering where to stay in Bali and you’re looking to test out your diving skills then make sure you base yourself in Amed. It’s one of the best diving locations on the island and is home to tons of coral reefs and vibrant marine life. 

Tulamben is located just up the coast and is another great spot for diving. Not only will you get to spot a variety of fish, but there’s an impressive shipwreck here too. 

Whether you’re an experienced diver or a complete beginner, you’ll find plenty of diving opportunities in the area.

After you’ve spent some time exploring below the waves, there are plenty of fantastic cafes and small shops nearby. 

Although accommodation is cheap throughout the island, you’ll find some absolute steals if you decide to stay in Amed. 

However, keep in mind that public transport doesn’t operate in this area so you’ll need to hire a moped or car to get around. You can of course catch taxis but this will work out much more expensive in the long run.

So although it may not be one of the tourist hot spots, it’s one of the best areas to stay in Bali if you’re looking to witness some of the island’s beautiful marine life. 

10. Munduk

Munduk is situated in Northern Bali and is one of the most unexplored (and underrated) destinations on the island.

If you’re not interested in a beach getaway and you want to escape the crowds, then it’s one of the best locations to stay in Bali. With plenty of fantastic viewpoints, lush rice terraces, and scenic waterfalls – this area has lots to offer. 

If you decide to stay here, then there are plenty of awesome sites to visit nearby including the iconic Handara Gate, Wanagiri Hidden Hills, and the Bali Twin Lakes viewpoint.

Make sure you explore some of the beautiful waterfalls in the area too including Munduk Waterfall and Banyumala Twin Falls. However, just keep in mind that public transport doesn’t operate in this region of Bali.

There’s a daily shuttle service that sometimes runs between Ubud and Munduk, but other than that you won’t find it easy to get around unless you have your own vehicle.

But, if you don’t mind finding your own way around and you’d prefer to explore the island’s wild side then Munduk is one of the best areas to stay in Bali.