bali
WELCOME TO BALI, WHERE RITUAL, DESIGN, AND NATURE EXIST IN EFFORTLESS HARMONY. FRAMED BY SCULPTED RICE TERRACES, VOLCANIC PEAKS, AND A COASTLINE THAT SHIFTS FROM BLACK SAND TO LIMESTONE CLIFFS, THE ISLAND MOVES TO ITS OWN, UNHURRIED RHYTHM. IN UBUD, MORNING MIST HANGS OVER TEMPLES AND ATELIERS, SETTING THE TONE FOR INTROSPECTION AND CRAFT; CANGGU HUMS WITH A MODERN, CREATIVE ENERGY, WHERE SURF CULTURE MEETS CONSIDERED STYLE; WHILE ULUWATU IS ALL DRAMA — SHEER CLIFFS, ARCHITECTURAL VILLAS, AND SUNSETS THAT FEEL ALMOST THEATRICAL. DAILY OFFERINGS LINE THE PAVEMENTS, INCENSE LINGERS IN THE AIR, AND SPIRITUALITY IS NOT SPECTACLE BUT PART OF THE EVERYDAY. HERE, LIVING WELL IS AN ART FORM — THOUGHTFUL, SENSORY, AND BEAUTIFULLY UNDERSTATED. BALI DOESN’T PERFORM FOR VISITORS; IT SIMPLY EXISTS IN ITS OWN WORLD, AND YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO STEP INTO IT.
stay
Bali is a mosaic of distinct enclaves, each with its own rhythm, aesthetic, and way of life — so where you stay will shape your entire experience. Ubud draws you into the island’s cultural and spiritual heart, surrounded by rice terraces, temples, and a slower, more reflective pace; Canggu delivers a contemporary, creative energy where surf culture, design-led cafés, and sunset socials collide; while Uluwatu is all about elevation — cliffside villas, open horizons, and a more refined, sun-drenched scene. Below, you’ll find our favourite stays in each corner of the island to help you choose your setting. For a full Bali neighbourhood breakdown and guidance on which area suits your travel style, explore our Bali Neighbourhood Journal. For a full Bali neighbourhood break down to see which area best suits you, click here to read our Bali Neighbourhood Journal.
Canggu sunsets and socials
Uluwatu -
Ubud - The Bohemian Soul of Bali
see
We’ve spent time exploring different sides of Bali, moving between jungle, coast, and cliff, so we’ve curated a selection of our favourite things to do across the island if it’s your first visit. If you’re already Bali-obsessed, looking for more under-the-radar finds, or want deeper area guides, explore more through our Journal
FOR THE SOULFUL SIDE OF BALI (UBUD):
Ubud is the island’s cultural and spiritual centre, and the pace shifts the moment you arrive. Start with an early morning walk through the Tegalalang rice terraces, when the light is soft and the air still carries mist from the valley. Visit Tirta Empul for a traditional water purification ritual, and balance it with an afternoon spent browsing local ateliers, textile studios, and art galleries that keep Bali’s craft heritage alive. Ubud is less about ticking sights off a list and more about leaning into ritual, nature, and quiet beauty.
FOR THE EFFORTLESSLY COOL CROWD (CANGGU):
Canggu is where Bali’s modern, creative scene comes into play. Mornings begin with beachfront walks along Batu Bolong, followed by long café stops where design, food, and fashion intersect. Surf culture defines the coastline — whether you’re in the water or just watching from the sand at sunset. Boutiques, concept stores, and wellness studios fill the backstreets, making it just as much about lifestyle as landscape. Stay for golden hour drinks by the beach — this is where the social side of Bali really comes alive.
FOR DRAMA & GOLDEN HOUR MOMENTS (ULUWATU):
Uluwatu is all scale and setting. Perched on limestone cliffs above the Indian Ocean, this is Bali at its most cinematic. Visit Uluwatu Temple at sunset, when the sky shifts colour and the coastline feels almost unreal. The beaches here are tucked below cliffs — think Bingin, Padang Padang, and impossibly clear water framed by rock. Afternoons drift between cliffside beach clubs and slow lunches with a view, while evenings are reserved for sunset dinners where the horizon does most of the talking.
FOR DESIGN, WELLNESS & ISLAND LIVING:
Across all three areas, Bali excels at thoughtful living. Seek out yoga studios in Ubud overlooking jungle canopies, cutting-edge wellness spaces in Canggu, and serene spa settings carved into the cliffs of Uluwatu. The island’s approach to wellbeing feels integrated rather than indulgent — part of daily life rather than an add-on.
EXPLORE THE AREAS:
Bali isn’t one single experience — it’s a collection of distinct enclaves. Pair Ubud’s cultural depth with Canggu’s contemporary energy and Uluwatu’s coastal drama for a well-rounded stay. Each area offers a completely different mood, which is exactly what makes the island so compelling. Read our full Bali Neighbourhood Guide for a deeper breakdown on where to base yourself.
For our full list of must-see experiences in Bali — plus the more niche, insider finds — explore more in our Journal Here
“bali – where escape comes with beauty and depth.”
soiree
Bali’s evenings shift dramatically depending on where you are — barefoot beach energy in Canggu, cinematic cliffside scenes in Uluwatu, and low-lit, atmospheric nights in Ubud. We’ve rounded up our favourite spots to head once the sun dips, whether you’re in the mood for sunset drinks, music, or somewhere that simply looks the part. For more niche finds and deeper area edits, explore more in our Journal.
FOR SUNSET SOCIALS & BEACHFRONT ENERGY (CANGGU):
Canggu comes alive in the golden hour. Start at La Brisa, where driftwood textures, low lighting, and ocean views create one of the island’s most atmospheric sunset settings — it’s wild, rustic, and effortlessly photogenic. Just along the sand, The Lawn is a Canggu classic, ideal for early evening cocktails that turn into long, music-filled nights with the sea directly in front of you. For something sleeker, Café Kitsuné brings a Paris-meets-Tokyo cool to Bali, making it the perfect stop for a more fashion-leaning crowd before the night unfolds.
When you want elevation, Canggu’s rooftop-style venues and upper-level lounges bring a more polished feel — think sunset views, curated playlists, and a slightly dressed-up energy that balances the beach-club scene.
FOR CLIFFSIDE GLAMOUR & LATE SUNSETS (ULUWATU):
Evenings in Uluwatu are all about setting. Single Fin is a rite of passage — come for the legendary Sundays, ocean panoramas, and a crowd that gathers purely for that horizon line. For something more elevated, Savaya delivers dramatic architecture perched above the cliffs, with a music-led scene and a dress code to match. Ulu Cliffhouse blends design, dining, and DJ sets in one of the most beautifully positioned venues on the coast, while El Kabron is perfect for a more intimate sunset moment, known for its Spanish menu and uninterrupted ocean views. In Uluwatu, the backdrop is the main event — everything revolves around that final light.
FOR LOW-LIT ATMOSPHERE & CULTURAL NIGHTS (UBUD):
Ubud’s evenings are softer, moodier, and more intimate. Candlelit restaurants, live music, and tucked-away cocktail bars define the after-dark scene. Night Rooster is a standout for inventive cocktails in a sultry, design-led setting, ideal for a slower, more considered night. For something livelier, Donna brings Latin-inspired food and music into the mix, adding a social buzz without losing Ubud’s signature atmosphere. Live jazz and acoustic sets can be found in small venues scattered through town, where the night feels more about conversation, culture, and ambience than spectacle.