Top 15 Hidden Gems of Bali

Melasti Beach sits at the foot of a steep cliff on the southern base of the Uluwatu peninsula. This isolated beach has some of the clearest waters and best sunset views on the whole island. 

Nusa Penida is a large island off the southeastern coast of Bali. The island is sparsely populated and is a rugged, untamed wilderness that has many hidden gems of its own! Day trips taking in its dramatic cliffs, caves, and isolated beaches can be taken from southern Bali beaches. 

Sukawati Canyon – also known as the ‘Sacred and Secret Canyon of Beju Guwang’ – is an incredible natural ravine. For a small entrance fee, visitors can descend into an otherworldly landscape, sculpted entirely by natural erosion.

The laidback village of Pemuteran sits right on the northwestern tip of Bali. With a long strip of black sand beach and just a handful of quality hotels, it is a fine jumping-off point for exploring Menjangan and the West Bali National Park. 

You’re not short of epic rice fields in Bali, but we particularly love those in Soka. The fields spill down to the equally impressive Soka Beach, a pristine strip of coast on the little-visited southwestern coast. 

Driving through the isolated villages of Mangissari in Pekutatan you might pass through Bunut Bolong: a sprawling, banyan tree which the road literally cuts right through. Locals believe the tree to be centuries old and protected by spirits.

Its sheer scale and visibility all across eastern Bali mean that Mount Batur couldn’t exactly be described as a hidden gem – but precious few take in the volcano up close. Stay in Pinggan Village, which sits above the clouds and directly opposite the peak, offering one of the best sunrise spots on the island. 

Sidemen village is fast becoming Bali’s latest traveler hotspot, but for now, it remains deliciously unspoiled. The village and surrounding Undisan district are a throwback to traditional rural Bali and offer incredible hikes. 

Finally, for an alternative beach location in southern Bali, try Candi Dasa. Found on the southeastern coast, the area offers all the typical Balinese experiences – snorkeling and diving in the ‘Blue Lagoon’, hiking in the interior rice fields, and access to nearby temples and palaces – but with a fraction of the visitor numbers.