Even prior to going to Bali, I was suspecting I was going to like the eastern part of the island. I’ve seen some pictures, did a little research and came to the conclusion it’s got everything I like and want: beautiful beaches, wild nature, not too many tourists and a volcano above it all. And East Bali didn’t disappoint. The only regret I have from this area is not staying for longer.
So what’s so special about East Bali and what you definitely shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting? Read along!
Beaches
East Bali has some of the most stunning, white sand beaches. Unlike the more popular beaches found in the Uluwatu area, these beaches are still quite private and far from being crowded. On the other hand, they are popular enough to offer services such as sunbeds, fresh coconuts and even local food (that is – if you’re not afraid of food poisoning which is always a risk if you choose to eat street food in Asia).
Blue Lagoon Beach is the smallest from the list and is located in a small cove, just over the hill from the port of Padangbai. You need to take a few steps down from the parking space as the beach is pretty much vertical. The sunbeds and a warung (local restaurant) are located on terraces and you take a few steps down to the water. The ocean floor is sandy just for a few meters, then it changes into stones and corals. That makes this beach perfect for snorkeling as there are many fish and if you’re lucky, you can also spot a turtle.
Bias Tugel Beach can be found on the other side of Padangbai. It’s much bigger than Blue Lagoon and is also more open into the sea, which can make it more wavy. It certainly was when I was visiting, but that could also be because of the storms raging in the area. This beach is also great for snorkeling when the waves are not too big, and offers sunbeds and warungs as well.
Last but not least, the northermost of those three, the Virgin Beach. It is quite secluded and you drive for a few kilometers from the civilisation, but it’s totally worth it. Clear waters, palm trees and a long, white sand beach with beautiful volcanic cliffs on both sides.
Temples and a palace
Bali has over 10 000 temples and it’s impossible to visit them all. Especially when some of them are reserved only for the believers. Some of them are also very similar to each other so not really worth visiting. But there are also some extra temples and two of those are located in the east.
Pura Pasar Agung has to be one of the best I visited. It is the highest-located temple in Bali (at around 1600 masl), on the slopes of Mount Agung. It’s very impressive, especially when the clouds clear up. You can read more about this temple in my blog post about 5 Distinctive Temples in Bali, Indonesia.
Tirta Gangga is another temple worth mentioning. It is very popular on Instagram for its water ponds full of Koi carp and pathways made through the ponds. You can also buy fish food for 5000 IDR (which is around 10 Euro cent) and feed the fish. You can find more about this temple in the same blog.
What you cannot find in my previous blogs, and what I didn’t know a lot about prior to going to Bali, is the beautiful Ujung Water Palace. The entrance fee is relatively expensive compared to some other locations, but it is totally worth it. The palace itself is not that big, but the garden surrounding it is gorgeous. You can also go up the steps to the hill where the palace continues, and where there will be more to see in the future, as the place is currently under construction.
Natural beauty
The main natural landmark in the east of Bali is without any doubt Mount Agung. The volcano is over 3 000 meters tall and is very often hidden in the clouds. But when you can see it… oh man! It is beautiful and majestic (yup, I’m fascinated by volcanoes).
The first place I recommend visiting is Lahangan Sweet. It is a lookout (and apparently also a campsite) built artificially, but from all natural materials so it feels very natural. It’s located on top of the hills on the very north-east of Bali, which means you can look over the ocean, and the majestic Mount Agung (that is, of course, if it’s not hiding in the clouds).
You can also hike Mount Agung, but there are multiple restrictions to follow. Mount Agung is a very active volcano – its last eruption was in 2019. When it’s active, the access to the area is restricted and temples and other places around are closed. It is not advised to climb it in the rain season – the path is steep and becomes very slippery (and this year, an American tourist died there because of that). The hike itself is very, very demanding – the distance and the altitude change are really a lot. If you plan on climbing Mount Agung, contact your tourist information point of find a guide as it is really not safe to climb on your own.
Apart from Mount Agung, another beautiful place to visit is Gembleng Waterfall. Hidden in the jungle, in the middle of nowhere, and is still relatively unknown. That is quickly changing now thanks to Instagram as the waterfall is very popular on the platform for the beautiful pools it creates. The water is quite cold but the natural pools created by the waterfall are magical and offer a beautiful view into the valley. Just be careful as the stones can be very slippery.
Where to eat and drink
It’s not that easy to find a good establishment in the east. The majority is made of warungs, the local restaurants, but those can be dangerous food-poisoning-wise, and their opening hours are very flexible (meaning you can come and they are closed). So where to go?
My personal favourite foodwise is OK Divers Resort in Padangbai. They serve great food, both international and Indonesian, and you can also choose specialities from particular areas in Indonesia. Another specialty is food named „bramboraky“: a traditional Czechoslovak potato omelette which I’m pretty sure you can’t find anywhere else in Indonesia. They also serve draft beer Bintang which tastes amazing like that, and you can use the restaurant’s pool.
Another great place to eat, and especially to have good coffee, is Zodiac Coffee in Amlapura. They have a wide selection of Balinese food and we went there three times while in East Bali. They have very local prices while having a very European look and vibe. For more great cafés in Bali, see my blog 5 Cafés to Visit in Bali, Indonesia.
The last place that I really liked is The Monkey Bar at Bella Vista. Just a friendly reminder there: if you’re going on scooter and connecting the visit to Gembleng Waterfall with this bar, make sure to select a road for cars on your Google Maps. We didn’t, and what Google suggested as a road for scooters was a crazy path through the jungle. I think my fiancé is still traumatised from that :D The Monkey Bar is a beautiful – although quite expensive for Bali – place in the middle of the jungle, overlooking beautiful, green hills and the eastern shore. It has an amazing infinity pool, super comfortable sunbeds and great food.
Now, the important question is: did I make you wanna visit East Bali? 😉
Locations can be found on the map HERE (didn't find Zodiac coffee there, but Google knows all these locations, too).
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