First time in Bali: A guide to different areas in Bali

First time in Bali: A guide to different areas in Bali

Is it going to be Bali for your upcoming holiday with the family? Great idea! Depending on your holiday wishes, there are several places to go and have a splendid time together with your kids. Bali is incredibly diverse with breathtaking nature, cultural attractions, cosmopolitan towns and tranquil villages with a wondrous underwater world. Surfing, snorkelling, waterfalls, beach fun, family cafes, beach clubs and of course, gorgeous Bali villas, let’s see which area is the best for Bali first-timers.

Seminyak

Let’s start with the old-time favourite holiday destination in Bali: trendy and fashionable Seminyak. Especially if you have older kids who love to join in for a spa treatment or some mother-daughter shopping time, you will love this happening beach town in the south of the island! World-famous restaurants on Oberoi Road and the Petitenget Strip, iconic beach clubs such as KU DE TA and Potato Head, in Seminyak, it is easy to get around and when staying at Seminyak villas in the centre of town, you can get around on foot.

Any any kids activities in Seminyak? Well, the famous Waterbom Waterpark over in Kuta is less than 30 minutes away. You can also go see a traditional dance at Made’s Warung while filling your bellies with yummy Indonesian food. You can take unique family-photos at Dream Museum Zone, a trick-art museum and you can let the kids run wild on the beach while you sit back on bean bags and sip a cocktail at La Plancha or any of the other beach bars at Double Six Beach.

Canggu

Perhaps the most sought-after holiday destination at this very moment, Canggu is quickly catching up but the vibe is totally different than in Seminyak. In all of Bali, Canggu has the most family-friendly cafes, complete with playgrounds and activities (try Milk & Madu, Tamora Gallery, La Casita and Made’s Warung Canggu). The beach is the place to be for a family surf lesson and you can also go horse riding on the beach (check out Bali Equestrian Centre). For a full day of continuous family fun – head over to Finn’s Recreation Club, home to a water park, bowling alley, trampoline centre, tennis court, kids club and spa. Finn’s Beach Club is also great – there’s even a family pool with gazebo islands.

Ubud

Ubud is surrounded by eye-soothing rice terraces and deep river gorges with ancient trees and hidden temples. The town has a modern restaurant and shopping scene like Seminyak but Ubud is much more artistic, also known as Bali’s ‘cultural capital’. In the heart of town, you can stroll around in the Sacred Monkey Forest for real close-encounters with Bali’s cheeky macaque monkeys. You can also see a traditional dance performance at Ubud Palace or sign up for one of the many workshops (jewellery-making, batik, painting, wood-carving, etc).

Around Ubud, there are many craftsmen villages and it is also a great place to go shopping for souvenirs. You can even buy them straight from the artists. Do make a visit to the famous water temple Tirta Empul – it’s an enchanting place and while you’re at it, see the massive wall-inscriptions at Gunung Kawi, too, surrounded by terraced rice paddies – absolutely stunning!

Uluwatu

Uluwatu is all about amazing surf spots, paradise-like beaches, clifftop villas and good vibes. This area in the southern tip of Bali is a definite must-visit for beach lovers! Padang Padang is a perfect family beach with white sand and crystal clear water that is mostly calm. Kids can safely swim, play on the sand, try some snorkelling and spot monkeys. Experienced surfers can paddle out to sea to catch a wave. Sunset is the best time for sunset drinks but in Uluwatu, you must go see the traditional Kecak dance/music/theatre performance – it is great fun and absolutely magical! Sundays Beach Club is a lovely place to hang-out with the little ones, complete with bonfires, watersports and other families to meet. There are plenty more beaches to explore in this area of Bali – get yourself a private driver and see all of them!

Lovina

Lovina is a little tourist town located in the north of Bali and it is the only place on the island where you can go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of impressive waterfalls, sacred temples and hot springs to see and from Lovina, you can travel eastward to Pemuteran and go snorkelling or diving at Menjangan Island (part of West Bali National Park).

Amed

Sleepy, tranquil and beautiful – Amed is a place to relax and unwind far away from everywhere and everything. To the backdrop of Mount Agung, this quiet fishermen and salt mining village is perfect for families who like to go diving and snorkelling. A handful of eating places, jaw-dropping sunset and sunrise views – Amed is easy to love, no matter if you are young or old. From Amed, you can go also take the boat to the famous Gili Islands near Lombok and you can pay a visit to the royal water palace Tirta Gangga. If your kids like diving, go sea wreck diving in nearby Tulamben and it’s also wonderful to go for a downhill cycling tour through the rural countryside.

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