Sidemen- A Glimpse of Old Bali
If you’re looking to escape the typical Bali tourist traps, venture off to Sidemen, a hidden gem located in the jungles of East Bali. With rice terraces as far as the eye can see, tropical waterfalls, eco-friendly and ultra-luxe bamboo homes, and unmatched Balinese hospitality, this remote village tucked away in the foothills of Mount Agung offers a glimpse of untouched, authentic Bali. Add a few extra nights here onto your itinerary - it'll be worth every second!
How to get there:
Located in a remote region of East Bali, this hidden gem is off the beaten track. Make the most of your day by hiring a local driver to guide you through lush jungle paths, traditional Balinese villages, and all else the journey to Sidemen has to offer.
From Denpasar: 1.5 Hours
From Canggu: 2 Hours
From Ubud: 1 Hour 15 mins
Contact My Driver Wayan: WA +62 857-6922-3401
I spent a little over a week in Sidemen, staying at three breathtakingly unique locations - each with its own charm. From a luxury wellness boutique hotel to an Airbnb constructed entirely of bamboo, it was a week full of adventure!
$$ Samanvaya- Book Here
Samanvaya is a luxury boutique resort with an array of wellness & adventure offerings. Located on a quaint street lined with local warungs, Samanvaya has a full-service spa, restaurant, yoga center, pool, and a wide variety of exclusive activities. The service was top-notch, our room even came with a dedicated phone to contact the concierge. To add that extra hint of luxury; savor their free breakfast in Sidemen’s best restaurant, and later enjoy their delectable espresso martinis served 'til late...a combination made paradise here on earth! This lush property was the perfect place to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet.
$$ Patal Kikkian Villas- Book Here
Patal Kikkian Villas is an unassuming boutique hotel with the absolute BEST Pool View in all of Bali. Our room was HUGE, with a large terrace overlooking the jungle with an unobstructed view of Mount Agung. For the price, this is absolutely one of the best places to stay. They offered room service, which was a lifesaver after contracting a case of Bali Belly in Ubud.
$$$ Hideout Beehive- Book Here
Hideout Bali is home to some of the most famous Airbnb’s in the world. We stayed at Hideout Beehive, an eco-friendly villa constructed entirely out of bamboo. With a heated swimming pool, a full-service kitchen (which we never used because the food from Hideout Bistro was soooo amazing), 2 private bedrooms, and a secluded location directly on the river- it’s easy to see why Hideout Beehive was tied for my #1 favorite stay during my 3-month trip. The eco-villa was fully stocked with Bintangs & bottled wine, and included a scooter with 2 helmets. Though we had a full itinerary planned for our stay here, we ended up never leaving this cozy jungle oasis (other than accidentally taking a drive halfway up Mount Agung).
Visit Gembleng Waterfall
Gembleng waterfall has 3 pools, each cascading onto the other. About a 20-minute ride from the main road, this unique and stunning waterfall offers panoramic views of the Sidemen Valley.
@wanderskyy
Make Your Own Rings
Bali is well known for its silver exports. Trek through Sidemen’s rice terraces to get to Agung Silver, where local artisans will walk you through the process of crafting your own silver jewelry from start to finish. Not only will you have the perfect souvenir from your trip, but you will also be getting high-quality silver at an unbeatable price.
Rice Field Trekking
Sidemen’s rice terraces are some of the best in Bali. We hopped on our scooter and swerved, zigzagged, and zoomed through the jungle on our trusty scooter to explore these unforgettable rice paddies. Lush greenery stretched for miles before us as we crossed the famous Sidemen bridge. Every twist and bend brought more breathtaking beauty with rivers, and smiling, albeit surprised, locals.
@hidwii
Catch Sunrise at the Bukit Cinta Viewpoint
If you're looking for a spectacular view of Mount Agung, then make plans to wake up early and drive to Bukit Cinta. This incredible vista is situated roughly 30 minutes away by a scooter. On a clear day, you can watch the sun rise over Mount Agung- an unforgettable experience. Check out my Sidemen Map to get the exact location.
Lahangan Sweet
Lahangan Sweet is another stunning viewpoint near Bukit Cinta that offers epic views of Karangasem. There is a small entry fee of 20,000 IDR (about $1.30), which grants you access to multiple treehouses overlooking Amed and East Bali.
@sydneyanddavis
Visit East Bali’s Many Temples
From Sidemen, take a 45-minute journey to some of Bali's most sought-after gems - its ancient temples
Tirta Gangga Water Temple
Taman Ujung Water Palace
Lempuyang Temple
If you have started doing some research to plan your Bali trip, chances are you have seen a photo of two towering gates to heaven with Mount Agung in between. We opted to skip this temple, as we were told that queues can be hours long only for a 15-second picture. The beauty of Sidemen is you get to experience untouched, authentic Bali- stop by a lesser known temple instead.
@juliawild
Hike to Tukad Cepung Waterfall
45 minutes West of Sidemen lies Tukad Cepung, a waterfall hidden away in a cave. Get here before 10 am to catch the light rays.
Blue Lagoon Beach
Sidemen is located in the heart of the jungle, but if you hop on your scooter you can drive 50 minutes to the coast to one of Bali’s best beaches. If you are staying at Samanvaya, you can ride with a local guide who will take you here (and all the best spots on the way)
@camvaughne
Asri Dining
Asri at Samanvaya is a stunning oasis filled with greenery, low lighting, and views of the Sidemen valley. This is a MUST visit, as their food was the best we found in East Bali (Their espresso martini also ranked #2 out of 24 in all of Bali). Make a reservation, as this elevated spot fills up fast.
Joglo D’Uma
Located just down the road from Samanvaya, on Jalan Raya Tebola, lies a tiny warung with some of the most epic views in all of Bali. We enjoyed mie goreng with local wine while overlooking the jaw-dropping rice terraces of Sidemen.
Lihat Sawah Restaurant
Next to Joglo D’Uma is an unassuming little cafe serving up ginger tea and happy hour pizzas. The staff is oh-so-friendly, the food was good, and the view was phenomenal.
La Montagne Coffee
This quaint coffeeshop is located directly under Mount Agung, offering stunning scenery and serving local Bali coffee.
@lamontagne_coffee
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Take the Hassle Out of Travel Planning
Planning your trip to Bali should be a breeze, but with so many amazing attractions and hidden spots on this beautiful island, it can get overwhelming. That's why I created the ultimate Bali Google Map! Take the stress out of travel planning- this map has been curated for travelers and includes over 500+ pre-pinned locations.
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This map contains 500+ Google pins, including:
Where to stay: everything from hostels & local homestays to eco-luxe Airbnb’s and luxurious 5-star resorts- all in prime locations.
Secret waterfalls, beaches, ricefields, temples, and viewpoints.
Attractions in hotspots like Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan.
Attractions in lesser-known areas such as Munduk, Sidemen, Lovina, Kintamani, Amed, Tabanan, Keramas, & West Bali.
Where to eat: cafes, coffeeshops, local warungs, and full-blown dining experiences.
Travel essentials: where to find Western-grade medical care, pharmacies, grocery stores, laundry, my visa agents, reliable ATM’s, etc.
The best beaches & prime surf breaks.
My favorite spas, wellness centers, and yoga studios.
The most Insta-worthy spots on the island.
Where to play: beachclubs, sunset-spots, speakeasys (you can even get a free tattoo when you buy a taco at one Canggu hotspot!).
Harbors, airports, and other transport points.
Insider tips for the smoothest travel, happy hour deals, and more!
Temples, markets, water-palaces, local trekking, and scenic viewpoints.
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No WIFI, no problem. Simply download Google Maps offline on your phone to secure access no matter your signal.
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This Google map will automatically update to your phone whenever I add a new location, tip, or region of Bali
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Once purchased, I will grant your email access to the Google map. You then have unlimited access to 500+ locations in Bali at your fingertips.
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I did the work so you don’t have to! I read countless blogs, scrolled endlessly on Instagram, and even bought a few guidebooks to plan my 3-month Bali trip. After all this, I pinned everything on this Google map and planned my itinerary by grouping things from my maps together. I ended up finding the best spots & making my travel days as smooth as possible!
Book Your Sidemen Stay
Sidemen’s best resorts, ecostays, homestays, and hostels.
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