12 Best Areas to Stay in Bali & the Outer Islands in 2024!

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Although Bali is a relatively small island, you could drive it from tip to tip in around 5 hours, it has a tremendous amount of diversity in activities, climate, culture, and nature – That’s why it’s so important to know about the differences between the regions when planning your first trip!

☀️ 🏝️ 🥥 Note 👉 Some of Bali’s most famous places to stay actually aren’t in Bali at all – Instead, they’re on the outer islands, which you need to take a short boat or plane ride to get to. 

🏆 1) Ubud: Bali’s Cultural Capital, Known for Serenity, Ricefields, Yoga, and Treehouses 

Ubud is Bali’s Cultural capital – Surrounded by beautiful rice fields, waterfalls, and temples – Ubud is uniquely Bali. I lived in Ubud for around 6 months over the past two years, so I might be a little bit biased when I say I think Ubud is the overall best place to stay in Bali. The most famous tourist attraction in Ubud is the Tirta Empul Water Temple, where you can do Balinese purification rituals. In the center of town, there’s also the world-famous Ubud Monkey Forest, which is an animal sanctuary for Balinese Macaques that have been pushed out of their natural habitat due to development on the island.

Ubud has become known in recent years for its spiritual community, so if you’re inclined towards yoga, reiki, healing rituals, et all, Ubud is your place! The combining ideologies present have also lent themselves to the food – You can get any manner of raw, vegan, and holistic dishes, as well as absolutely fantastic Balinese and Western Fare, at one of the many cafes. 

3) Kintamani: Mountainous Area of Bali, Amazing Hot Springs, Volcano Trekking, and Stunning Views

Kintamani is an incredible area of Bali that first rose to popularity specifically for hiking Mt. Batur for sunrise above the clouds. Mt. Batur is considered the best thing to do in Kintamani, as well as being one of the best volcanoes in Bali overall. In the wake of the tremendous popularity of this hike, other businesses in the area started popping up – and now Kintamani is a tourist destination worth spending a few days in its own right. In addition to the awe-inspiring views you get from climbing Mt. Batur’s Caldera, there are hotels, spas, and cafes set up with the perfect view of the volcano. 

One of these cafes with absolutely insane views of Mt. Batur Volcano is a Starbucks, which owns the title of the “Most Beautiful Starbucks in the Entire World”. There are also natural wonders in Kintamani like their volcanic hot springs – And while the public hot springs in Kintamani don’t have the best reviews, when I visited recently our hotel had a private hot spring set up for the guests that was magical. 

4) Komodo Islands + Flores: Live Aboard Cruises, Awe-Inspiring Tropical Nature, Scuba Diving, Luxury 

Komodo National Park is the crown jewel of Indonesian travel destinations. While it’s a little difficult to get to Komodo from Bali because you need to take a short flight to reach the port city of Labuan Bajo, it’s well worth it. Komodo National Park is comprised of an archipelago of around 30 small islands, each with their own unique nature and attractions. The most popular way to visit the Komodo Islands is by taking a multi-day island-hopping Komomodo boat tour. 

There are many different Komodo Islands boat tour options, some are ultra-luxury private charters with liveaboard chefs, and others are suitable for a backpacker’s budget, where everyone sleeps on mats on the floor. In addition to Komodo National Park, there are a ton of things to do in Flores.You can visit the picturesque Wae Rebo Traditional Village, or embark on a multi-day trek of Kelimutu Volcano. 

7) Gili Islands: 3 Islands to the East of Bali Known For Beautiful Beaches 

The Gilis, consisting of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air are three absolutely stunning tiny islands located a 2-hour boat ride from Bali. On the Gili Islands, You’ll find beautiful white sand and blue water beaches. Notably, cars and motorbikes aren’t allowed on the Gili Islands, which gives travelers a break from Bali’s relentless traffic. Instead of driving scooters like they do in Bali, travelers on the Gilis can ride bicycles or horses to get around. 

Each of the Gili islands is known for a specific vibe they offer 

• Gili Trawangan(T) – Party, young, largest of the three Gilis
• Gili Meno – Romantic honeymoon island
• Gili Air – Peaceful, small expat community 

8) Nusa Islands: 2 Islands to the South of Bali Known for Picturesque Views

The Nusas are two islands located to the south of Bali that are known for their iconic and picturesque views. In fact, most of the well-known Bali photo spots are actually located on Nusa Penida Island, not Bali! While Nusa Penida has some absolutely out-of-this-world beaches and views, the main spots get very crowded during the daytime due to tourists coming in from Bali for a sightseeing day trip. If you’re not a fan of the crowds, the neighboring island of Nusa Lembongan will be the one for you. Nusa Lembongan is a quieter island that’s starting to become popular with expats. Both Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida have fantastic beaches, with blue water and white sand. The Nusa islands used to be completely off-the-beaten-path, but have been developed rapidly in the past few years. Now you can expect well-paved roads, 4-star hotels, beach clubs, and all manner of cafes on both of the islands.