There are SO many Bali hidden gems and untouched parts of this island despite what social media may suggest. It might seem online that Bali is just influencers and beach clubs, but that is absolutely NOT TRUE and this island has so much magic and culture to discover beyond the main tourist destinations.
As someone who got ‘stuck’ in Bali during 2020 and managed to travel far and wide around the entire island (and have returned multiple times), I discovered a lot of these hidden gems myself. Bali is a truly special island with amazing locals and so much to discover should you wish to uncover it. And since you’re on this article, it sounds like you’re ready to!
There are hidden gems in Bali from remote villages to waterfalls to viewpoints to even accommodation and food, and I’m going to cover a bit of everything in this article! I have organized these Bali hidden gems by area so it’s easier to organize each into your trip depending on location (East, North/Center, South, and then West). So if you’re ready to get off the beaten path and discover some secret spots in Bali, keep reading.
Bali Hidden Gems in the East
East Bali is full of stunning coastlines, mountains, jungles, and viewpoints. Here are some of the best Bali hidden gems out east:
Sidemen
Sidemen is my FAVORITE place in Bali. It’s a little village (or cluster of villages) between two rocky hills with miles of sprawling rice terraces in between them, with a direct view of the amazing Mt Agung volcano.
Sidemen is truly the place to go in Bali to get away from it all. This area is where a lot of the famous Bali bamboo houses and eco hotels are located, often with volano or rice field views, and where a lot of the famous Bali net bed hotels and villas are too (with net beds with a view – quintessentially Bali).
There’s a lot of hidden gem accommodation in this area and only local warung restaurants with delicious cheap food. You can also go white water rafting! Sidemen is great to simply drive around and take in the views.
“Spot for mount agung” Viewpoint
This is a Bali hidden gem in Sidmen that we discovered ourselves! If you search ‘Spot for mount agung” in Google Maps, you’ll see that it comes up on a remote road in Sidemen. Drive to it, park, and walk down the stairs, and you’ll find one of the MOST epic viewing platforms in Bali with a PERFECT view of miles of rice terraces leading up to Mount Agung (on a clear day). There’s also a swing, but it wasn’t open when we went.
Sidemen River Rafting
Last time we were in Sidemen, we also tried river rafting on the Telaga Waja River there with TWR rafting. I didn’t expect much, but it was SO MUCH FUN and a true Bali hidden gem that enables you to see a side of Bali you never get to see – the deep, lush jungle canyons. We didn’t see a building the entire time, and passed by tons of beautiful waterfalls (not to mention rafting over a 2m drop)! See the video above for our experience.
Lahangan Sweet
Lahangan Sweet is a beautiful viewpoint VERY high up in the mountains of East Bali, above Amed. This spot is famous for a sure platform constructed hallway up a tree facing directly towards Mt Agung Volcano, which makes for an epic photo.
However, there are a few other viewpoints in the area, too, and you can get views from the volcano to the coast to the surrounding mountains. It’s a pretty epic vantage point. Lahangan Sweet is great to visit as a more hidden gem if you are making your way to the famous Lempuyang Temple.
Kehen Temple
Kehen temple is a 13th-century Hindu temple in central-east Bali that’s perfect for a quick road trip stop. This temple feels like a hidden gem due to the (generally) lower crowds here, the beautiful stonework facades, and the massive ancient banyan trees surrounding it.
Penglipuran Village – a Traditional Balinese Village
Many people, even expats and locals, don’t know that there’s a traditional Balinese village on the island! Located not too far from Kehen temple (above), Penglipuran village has a beautiful central road with symmetrical traditional Balinese houses bordering it on either side. You can stay in homestays here to learn more about the culture, or you can shop for local handicrafts and products.
Amed: Sunrise Boat Trips + Underwater Temple
Now Amed is not as much of a hidden gem as it used to be, but it’s worth mentioning and knowing about. This little hilly fishing village is one of the best places to go scuba diving in Bali or go snorkeling in Amed in calm and clear waters. There are amazing sunset spots on the hill and little warungs (restaurants) on the water.
But here are some lesser known hidden gems in Amed:
Amed Sunrise Fishing Boat Trip
This isn’t something that you can book online, which makes it one of the best Bali Hidden Gems. One of the most magical and authentic things to do in Bali is to join a fishermen on his fishing trip just as the sun rises right in front of you! How od you do this? Well, you ask a fisherman!
You’ll notice that Amed is chock-full of old colorful wooden fishing boats, which is how dozens (hundreds?) of locals make their living. So chat with some locals on the beach and they will be used to taking foreigners out on their boat for a fee. Make sure to bring your camera for sunrise pics as you learn traditional line fishing.
Jemeluk Bay Underwater Temple
I have a lot of temples on this list, but only one underwater temple! In the famous diving/snorkeling spot Jemeluk Bay, you will find a small underwater temple about 10ft underwater. It’s only small and nothing too extravagant, but it’s funt o freedive down to check it out. Check out more things to do in Amed on my blog.
Candidasa + Lotus Lagoon
Candidasa is a lesser-known coastal destination in East Bali known for scuba diving. The diving is fantastic if you want to get underwater (although I recommend Amed) and the beaches are nice as well (check out Virgin Beach). But the best Bali hidden gem in Candidasa is the Lotus Lagoon!
The Canddasa Lotus Lagoon is a large, calm lagoon absolutely filled to the brim with lilypads and lotus flowers. It’s a stunning road trip stop and worth seeing for sure!
Bukit Asah + Virgin Beach
More travelers may know about Virgin Beach, but what about the hilltop viewpoint above it, Bukit Asah? While driving in East Bali make sure to take the scenic route along the south part of the East cost and stop at Bukit Asah for some of Bali’s lesser-known cliffside views.
While here, stop off to check out the tiny village of Bugbug (great name, right?) which is just past Candidasa (above).
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Tukad Cepung is one of Bali’s hidden gem waterfalls that’s basically inside a cave. You’ll feel like you are descending underground, but the rocks will open up into a water-smoothed clearing with a beautiful waterfall trickling down the side.
The waterfall has a cave on most sides, only letting light in from the top, leaving a magical lighting in the whole area that is also known to streak through the trees behind in a very photogenic way!
Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu Water Temple
Gunung Kawi Sebatu Water Temple is one of Bali’s most unique and scenic water temples. There are amazing rice field views surrounding the temple and koi fish swimming around in the beautiful clear water surrounding the temple pathways.
What really makes this temple unique is the ten massive shrines carved into the rock surrounding the temples – a photo op for sure! Make sure to haggle for some souvenirs at the markets on the way out too!
Savana Tianyar + Savana Nusa
Would you believe me if I said there’s a big, open, flat, and grassy savannah in Bali with a perfect view of Mt Agung?! I definitely wouldn’t, but alas, it is true. Depending on the season the grass might be green or a dry brown that will make you feel like you actually transported to Africa!
These two savanas are very close to each other and a beautiful stop if you are traveling along thee coast from Amed to North Bali.
Bukit Mende (Mende Hill)
A true Bali hidden gem, Mende Hill (Bukit Mende) is tucked away in Bali’s northeast, not far from Mount Batur or Savana Tianyar (above) but more easily reachable from Batur. Bukit Mende is, as its name suggests, a hill… but its a pretty spectacular (and pointy and steep) one.
You must ride your scooter up some remote little streets, park, and then trek out to Bukit Mende itself. This is an area that many say is similar to the mountains in Avatar! From this high vantage point you’ll have views all the way out to the sea and the rest of the central Bali mountain slowly making their way into the sea.
Desa Pinggan Village
Pinggan Village is a hidden gem sunrise spot for those who have already hiked Mount Batur volcano for sunrise and want something similar but different! Pinggan village is located across the Batur caldera to the west, therefore, watching the sunrise from there presents the sun rising behind Mount Batur (with a view of Agung and Abang on the side). Spectacular!
From this village, you can also see all the rice terraces and farming plots far below in the valley. The view is epic at all times of day, honestly. For a viewing platform tailored for photos, check out ‘Sukawana Sunrise Spot (which is where I took the video above).’
Bali Hidden Gems in the North + Center
Now let’s move along to hidden gems in Bali’s center and north coast!
Munduk
Munduk is definitely the best hidden gem area to visit if you are looking for secret spots in Bali’s center. Mundu is a high revelation area of villages on a few lakes and mountains (with tons of waterfalls). This area keeps a cooler climate and has a massive array of hidden gem accommodations, secluded waterfalls, and incredible viewpoints waiting to be found.
Munduk is home to the beautiful Twin Lakes of Tamblingan and Buyan. There are various lake viewpoints in Munduk that are great to stop at.
Munduk Moding Plantation Resort
Munduk Moding resort offers one of the best views in Bali, with its famous infinity pools looking out over all of West Bali and even East Java. It’s comprised of secluded private villas in the jungle, all with their own space and pools/jacuzzis.
MMP also has tons of sustainability initiatives, with a commitment to recycling, water treatment, and farming their own coffee. They organize lots of exciting activities centered around sustainability and connecting with local communities. It’s an amazing and impressive unique stay in this area!
Munduk Waterfall
The first epic waterfall to find around Munduk is the Munduk waterfall. It’s located in central Munduk, and is one of the easiest waterfalls. inBali to reach from the road – you can actually just park, walk into the restaurant, and see it! It’s an easy stopover if you’re passing through Munduk (although I recommend spending longer).
Bali Botanic Gardens
I had no idea these existed until I’d been in Bali multiple years! This is such a cool spot with crazy dense and beautiful forests, hill views, temples, different gardens (like a cactus garden, bamboo garden, etc) and an incredible ancient tree.
You can rent bikes to get around the whole garden and find places to explore – it takes about 30 minutes for a whole lap. I can’t wait to return here and explore more!
Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall
Another epic hidden gem waterfall in Bali around Munduk, the Banyu Wana Amertha waterfall, is only about a 20-minute hike from the parking lot (which is maybe 10 minutes from central Munduk). These falls actually contain 4 different cascades and are extra picturesque due to their wide size and separation of the falling water by beautiful vines growing on the waterfall.
Bali Farm House – Alpaca Brunch + More!
The Bali Farm House is in central Bedugul and is one of the most fun hidden gems in Bali. Here, you can book fun activities like alpaca brunch, you can feed ponies, donkeys, and alpacas, or you can simply walk around and appreciate the farm. It’s a ton of fun!
Rumah Gemuk Cafe
This cafe might be a bit insta-famous now but it’s still definitely a hidden gem in central Bali. Located up a small road from Bedugul, Rumah Gemuk is a huge glass house with glittering fairy lights overlooking one of the lakes.
It’s truly like a real-life Bridgerton, with classical music covers of pop songs and a beautiful garden setup for picnics. They have shared tables upstairs where you can order some delicious food (minimum spend of 100k) and take tons of pictures of the unique atmosphere.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces + Babahan Crystal Water Tube Float
The Jatiluwih rice terraces are one of the best hidden gem rice terraces right in the center of Bali, at the base of even more scenic mountains. These terraces have mind-blowing views as they wind up and down the hills in the area and are perfect for walks, photos, or TUBING!
Yep, that’s right, I said tubing. If you head to ‘Babahan Crystal Water’ on Google maps (the road is a bit tricky but you should find it), you can rent a tube for the equivalent of $1 and float down this rice terrace river slowly, past incredible rice terrace and mountain views! At the end, warm up with a tea and noodles with the family who runs the place.
Sangeh Monkey Forest
For a monkey forest that’s a bit cheaper, prettier, and more low-key than the famous and crowded one in Ubud, check out the Sangeh Monkey forest. This monkey forest is large, tree-filled, and has a beautiful temple inside it, as well as tons of (a bit too) friendly monkeys.
Personally, I would never set foot in a place where I could purposely have monkeys clinging on me and trying to steal my belongings (they are little sh*ts if you ask me haha), but many people in Bali love it! 🙂
Leke Leke Waterfall
Leke Leke waterfall is right in the center of Bali and is another beautiful hidden gem waterfall slotted into a cliffside canyon and creating a picturesque little pool at its base. There are some fun photo ops on the trail down to the waterfall and secluded little gems to find in the area, from wooden bridges to viewpoints to jungle swings and fresh growing pineapples.
Green Village
The Green Village is an amazing hidden gem outside of Ubud – one of the main touristy areas of Bali for yoga/jungle/waterfalls. The Green Village is a lot of things: it’s a whole village made of bamboo houses, it’s a school for architecture and learning how to work with bamboo, it’s an ecologically friendly and conscious school for international students, it’s a resort area to stay, and it’s a community.
Not all the bamboo houses are for rent, but the most famous one is the Aura House which can be rented on Airbnb (a true instgram heaven). Check out my whole list of Bali Bamboo Houses for rent to find some Bali hidden gem accommodation.
Gitgit Waterfall
Located just off the main road, Gitgit is probably one of the most convenient waterfalls in Bali! It might now be as much of a hidden gem as some others, but you wouldn’t believe how many people drive this road down from the mountains not knowing that there’s a spectacular waterfall just 5 minutes down the path from the main road!
Gitgit is an easy stop on the way from Munduk area to north Bali, if you are heading to Lovina, Singaraja, or Pemuteran.
Pasut Beach
If you want to find a beautiful and remote black sand beach without traveling all the way to West Bali (rather only about 30 minutes from Canggu, check out Pasut Beach. The beach is a true hidden gem; it’s rarely too crowded and the sand is bordered by a thin grassy area with tall, skinny palms. Lots of people drive/scooter on the sand here (just not in the water)!
Sambangan Secret Gardens + Blue Lagoon
From a little village called Sambangan (not far from Munduk or Singaraja) you can embark on about. a30 minute jungle trek to discover multiple waterfalls (including Aling-Aling), swimming lagoons, rice paddies, and spice trees growing all around. This feel like a true hidden gem in Bali if you explore past the first waterfall!
Bali Hidden Gems in the South (Badung, Uluwatu, Bukit, Canggu Nusa Dua Areas)
Here are some of the hidden gems in Bali’s south – including most of Badung regency and the main touristy areas. Here are some places to get off the beaten track in Bali even in the most saturated areas!
Check out my lists of boutique hotels in Canggu and in Uluwatu to explore these spots.
Nyang Nyang Beach
Ngang Nyang Beach is one of the true hidden gems in Bali that has NEVER been crowded when I’ve been there, from c*vid to peak season. It’s located only about 0. minutes from the Uluwatu temple, but for some reason, hardly anyone wants to make the large trek down to this vast, miles-long beach. And we like it that way!
Nyang Nyang is at the base of some pretty large cliffs, with tidepool-type swimming available as there’s a close reef with waves breaking farther out. If you want a beach without many people around, you can find solitude at Nyang Nyang whether you walk 5 minutes from the path or even 30.
Abandoned Airplanes
Yes, there are multiple abandoned airplanes in Bali, and they are truly Bali hidden gems! Each plane has a different story; there’s one in the middle of Kuta next to the highway, one halfway off a cliff in Uluwatu, and a few more. These are awesome to explore and, of course, an epic photo op – this blogger has written a guide to visiting all of them!
Suluban Cave and Beach
Many people visit Uluwatu and simply visit Single Fin bar overlooking the cliff, but to explore Uluwatu properly, you MUST walk all the way down the cliff and into Suluban cave, which emerges into Suluban beach.
If the tide is low, there are incredible natural rock pools here that you can float in while watching the sunset colors reflect off the water. IF the tide is high it’s still an incredible cliffy beach worth seeing.
Taman Festival
On the coast, about 30 minutes north of Sanur is a true Bali hidden gem… an abandoned, unfinished theme park! Spooky! Taman Festival was nearly completed when Bali hit an economic downturn, leaving it unfunded and unfinished. Now it’s a slightly creepy shell of what it could have been, and fun to visit if you are passing through the area.
Beji Guwang Hidden Canyon
If you find yourself around Taman Festival and want to find a cool secret spot heading east, check out Beji Guwang Hidden Canyon. The canyon is a newer destination and is slowly becoming an un-hidden gem (especially as it’s on Viator), but it’s worth mentioning. This is The only slot canyon I know of in Bali with beautiful turquoise pools, reachable by a short hike.
Melasti Beach
At about the southernmost point of Bali on the Bukit peninsula, you will find Melasti beach at the base of some tall cut cliffs. This is a beautiful and more remote white sand beach that’s great for swimming within the protective reefs in the area. Hit the beach or check out the very Instagrammable hidden gem beach club Palmilla Bali.
Another hidden gem that didn’t quite make my list is Green Bowl Beach nearby to Melasti if you want to knock out two in a day1
Tegal Wangi Beach + Cliff Jump
Between Jimbaran and the massive Ayana cliff resort, you will find a true hidden gem beach in Bali called Tegal Wangi. This beach is what you think of when you think of a hidden jem – untouched, white sand, impossibly clear water, and almost 360-degree views across Bali.
There’s a perfectly overhanging rock here that is popular for cliff jumping, but make sure it’s deep enough with the tides and that you know how to get back up! Check “Cliff Jump Tegal Wangi Beach” on Google maps 🙂
Bali Hidden Gems in the West
West Bali is quite literally the wild wild west of Bali. This is one of the most unexplored places in Bali that will feel like you arrived on another island entirely. There aren’t many touristy areas in West Bali (some surfers go to Medewi and some divers visit Pemuteran, but that’s about it).
West Bali is much more authentic with tiny warungs and villages and is also more Muslim, being closer to the island of Java. If you want to feel more authentic Indonesia, head to West Bali. Also check out my West Bali road trip itinerary + travel guide for a more in-depth look at where to go.
West Bali National Park + Menjangan Island
West Bali National Park is a big, circular peninsula at the northwest corner of Bali with untouched beaches and nature. If you make it out here, you have truly gotten off the beaten path in Bali!
There are monkeys (including rare black monkeys), a few different types of deer, warthogs, lots of birds and reptiles, white Bali starlings (a bird people travel here to see) and TONS of sea life. The roads here are horrific somake sure to allow double the amount of time if you want to drive all the way into the park!
Menjangan Island is an incredible small untouched island off the coast of West Bali National Park with nothing on it, but some of the BEST diving in Bali all around it. The dives here are worth coming out for alone, as are the incredible sandy beaches.
If you want to dive here, you will likely stay outside of Pemuteran (there is no accommodation inside the national park) and go with a Pemuteran dive shop (see below). Reach more on my Bali Scuba Diving Guide or West Bali Guide.
Pemuteran + Biorock Reef
Pemuteran is a diving destination in the north part of West Bali. This village has the most places to stay and cute restaurants + cafes in all of West Bali if you want some more comforts. Expect black sand beaches and lots of dive shops that will take you off the coast of Pemuteran or into West Bali National Park.
The coolest hidden gem in Pemuteran is the incredible Biorock man-made reef that has been constructed off the coast to help regenerate coral reefs. Biorock Indonesia is doing this on many different islands, and their project is incredible, so definitely dive this reef and help support the regeneration of Indonesian coral reefs.
Bali Hiddem Gem Accommodation: Sumberkima Hill Retreat
If you are looking for a hidden gem Bali accommodation, Sumberkima Hill is it. This AMAZING private villa resort bridges two sides of a hill – one facing sunrise over Pemuteran, and one facing sunset over the volcanoes of Java. They have one of the coolest elevated pools in Bali, but most villas have private pools. Each villa is completely different, ranging from traditional to modern.
Check out my review + guide to Sumberkima Hill here.
Gili Putih Sumberkima
If you want to visit the most perfect little sand spit island ever, check out Gili Putih. It is quite literally a tiny spit of beach elevated above the sea with a few swings, huts, and a mangrove or two. It’s popular to kayak to in the morning – you can book this through your accommodation.
I must note, however, that since it is a mangrove beach, it’s not the most beautiful water, but it’s still really cool to see and worth visiting.
Bunut Bolong Tree
Apparently the most ancient tree in Bali that has a road passing through the middle, the Bunut Bolong tree is just outside the popular surf destination of Medewi. The tree is absolutely sacred in local culture and actually has a lot of legends and even curses associated with it. Fascinating – read more about it here.
Hidden Gems Beyond Bali
Make sure to check out the surrounding islands around Bali to find even more hidden gems! The island of Java has incredible volcanoes and scenery.
Nusa Penida has incredible scuba diving, cliffy views, secluded beaches, and even the famous Rumah Pohon clifftop treehouse to explore.
Lombok has more beautiful beaches and scenery as well as Mount Rinjani to climb/ The three Gili islands are true island paradises with amazing scuba diving, with Gili Meno and Gili Air much more relaxed than Gili Trawangan.
Bali Hidden Gem Stays
I have visited some incredible unique Bali accommodations over the years. Here are some articles to check out to discover some of the places yourself:
- Unique places to stay in Bali
- Bali Bamboo Houses + Stays
- Bali Net Bed Hotels
- Ulaman Bali
- Camaya Bali
- Unique Stays in Uluwatu
Hope you have enjoyed these Bali hidden gems and have found some epic destinations to explore!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.