East Bali

Exploring east Bali is one of the island's great pleasures. Rice terraces spill down hillsides, wild volcanic beaches are pounded by surf and traditional villages are barely touched by modernity. Watching over this region is Gunung Agung, the 10,308ft (3142m) active volcano known as the 'Navel of the World' and 'Mother Mountain'.

Temples, palaces and whimsically designed water gardens are dotted throughout the landscape. Two of the temples – Pura Besakih and Pura Lempuyang – are among Bali's most important pilgrimage sites, and evocative reminders of the island's royal dynasties can be found in Klungkung (Semarapura), in Amlapura and at Tirta Gangga.

Up on the northeast coast, Amed and Tulamben are laid-back beach destinations for those keen to escape the crowds on the south coast. Diving, snorkelling, enjoying yoga and lazing by swimming pools are the priorities up here, and can be enjoyed by travelers on every budget.

Explore East Bali

0

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout East Bali.

  • Hindu Temple

    Pura Besakih

    Perched nearly 1000m up the side of Gunung Agung, this is Bali's most important Hindu temple. The site encompasses 23 separate but related temples, with…

  • Palace

    Puri Agung Semarapura

    Built when the Dewa Agung dynasty moved here in 1710, this palace compound was laid out as a large square, believed to be in the form of a mandala, with…

  • Hindu Temple

    Pura Kehen

    The state temple of the Bangli kingdom, Pura Kehen is a miniature version of Pura Besakih, Bali's most important temple. It's terraced up the hillside,…

  • Hindu Temple

    Pura Lempuyang

    One of the holiest temple complexes on the island (it and Pura Besakih are the most important in east Bali), this group of seven temples has a spectacular…

  • Gardens

    Taman Tirta Gangga

    This 1.2-hectare water palace serves as a fascinating reminder of the old Bali. Built for the last raja of Karangasem in 1946, it was almost fully…

  • Historic Building

    Kertha Gosa

    This open-sided pavilion in the northeastern corner of Puri Agung Semarapura was effectively the supreme court of the Klungkung kingdom, where disputes…

  • Historic Building

    Bale Kambang

    Located within the palace compound, the ceiling of this beautiful floating bale (open-sided pavilion) showcases rows of paintings dealing with various…

  • Beach

    Blue Lagoon Beach

    On the far side of Padangbai's eastern headland, about a 500m walk from the town centre, is this small sandy beach. It has a couple of warungs and gentle,…

  • Cave

    Pura Goa Lawah

    One of nine directional temples in Bali, this cave in a cliff face 3km east of Kusamba is full of bats and the complex is equally overcrowded with tour…

  • Beach

    Pantai Pasir Putih

    The most popular 'secret' beach on Bali, Pantai Pasir Putih (White Sand Beach) lives up to its name. Once a mooring spot for local fishing boats, this…

  • Museum

    Nyoman Gunarsa Museum

    Showcasing works by the late, internationally renowned Balinese painter Nyoman Gunarsa (1944–2017), this vast three-storey building on Klungking's western…

  • Temple

    Pura Dalem Sidan

    The sculpture of Durga with children by the entrance gate is one of a number of fine stone carvings at this temple of the dead. Also notable is the…

  • Beach

    Pantai Lebih

    Just off the coastal highway, Lebih Beach has glittering mica-infused sand. Fishing boats line the shore and the air is redolent with the smell of BBQ…

  • Market

    Semarapura Market

    Klunkgkung's market is a vibrant hub of commerce and a meeting place for people of the region. You can easily spend an hour wandering about the warren of…

  • Palace

    Puri Agung Karangasem

    The main residence in this palace compound is known as the Maskerdam (Amsterdam) because it was built by the Dutch as a reward for the Karangasem kingdom…

  • Hindu Temple

    Pura Dalem Penunggekan

    The exterior wall of this fascinating temple of the dead features vivid relief carvings of evil-doers getting their just desserts in the afterlife. One…

  • Gardens

    Taman Ujung

    A hugely popular location for wedding photographs and romantic saunters, this complex five kilometres south of Amlapura dates to 1921, when the last king…

  • Waterfall

    Air Terjun Yeh Mampeh

    One of Bali's highest waterfalls (40m), Yeh Mampeh is in the hinterland at Les, near Tejakula. The entrance is about 2.5km off the main road, look for the…

  • Beach

    Bias Tugal

    Walk southwest from the ferry terminal and follow the trail up the hill for about 1.3km to Bias Tugal, also known as Pantai Kecil (Little Beach), on the…

  • Temple

    Pura Silayukti

    See the place where Empu Kuturan – who introduced the caste system to Bali in the 11th century – is said to have lived by following a path up to this…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in East Bali.