They don’t call Bali the Island of the Gods for nothing. This tropical paradise is brimming with magical delights, whether it be a coconut at a roadside stall or a five-star French dining experience overlooking a rice paddy.
Shop
New kid on the block: Head to the fabulous Beachwalk Bali for some serious shopping and make a beeline for Satu, which stocks over 30 of Indonesia’s hottest designers.
Wall-to-wall fashion: Head to Seminyak and start the shop-fest on Jalan Laksmana. Wind your way around to Jalan Seminyak and keep an eye out for fab designers like Lily Jean, Prisoners of St Petersburg, Lulu Yasmine, Joy Jewellery, and Ni Luh Djelantik shoes.
Ubud is the place for amazing Balinese artwork, Celuk for silver, and Mas for stone carvings.
Not for the faint-hearted: If you’re feeling brave, head to the bustling market in Denpasar which is open 24 hours and has everything from fruit and vegetables to fabric, clothing, and souvenirs. Be prepared to bargain!
Eat
Michelin star! Mozaic in Ubud offers a truly sensational degustation menu in sublime surroundings.
Seminyak faves: Metis serves French haute cuisine with a rice paddy view and Sardine takes seafood to a new level.
Oh Mama! For seriously delicious pan-Asian cuisine with a buzzing atmosphere you can’t beat Mama San. Or head to the newly opened Merah Putih for Indonesian cuisine with a fabulously modern twist.
If you love your seafood, pop over to Jimbaran and enjoy any one of the beachfront restaurants that have tables located on the sand.
Mama San
Need a coffee fix? Anomali. The coffee is sourced from all over Indonesia so take your pick and let the experts make it just the way you like it.
Fancy some fortune telling with your scones at high tea? Biku has a card reader in residence most afternoons.
Sunday too far away: If it’s a long Sunday brunch you’re after then the W Hotel and St Regis both put on quite the feast.
Drink
Rock out. It’s all about the view and cocktails at the Rock Bar. Speaking of sunsets drinks, you can’t beat the iconic Ku De Ta or the super chic Potato Head.
Spanish tapas and sangria on a hilltop overlooking the ocean? El Kabron Restaurant and Beach Club.
Want to know where the pretty young things like to party? Head to Mantra. It’s not big but it certainly packs a punch.
Friday night drinks with the expats? Why! Petitenget, of course! And you can’t leave Bali without sipping on a coconut at a roadside stall.
Sleep
W for Wow: You can’t go past the W located right on the beach in Seminyak. Always funky and never disappoints.
Room with a view? Karma Kandara has clifftop villas with vistas over the Indian Ocean.
Amen for Aman. There are three divine Aman resorts in Bali taking you from the hills of Ubud to the ocean. Why not try all three?
Wellness Centre and a Resort all in one: COMO Shambhala Estate.
Or go the traditional route with a private villa. There are so many fabulous villas on the island from traditional joglo styles to contemporary feats of architecture.
Do
Balinese Feast: Learn to cook at Janet de Neefe’s cooking school at Casa Luna in Ubud.
Spend the day at Bodyworks and indulge in a massage, facial, haircut, and mani/pedi. You’ll come away feeling ten years younger. If it’s just a massage you are after then visit the experts at Jari Menari (which literally translates as Dancing Fingers).
Take some yoga classes at the Yoga Barn in Ubud.
Take a day trip and spend the arvo at a beach club in Uluwatu with crystal blue waters. Finn’s or Karma Kandara are both fantastic.
When the sun goes down the Kecak comes out – don’t miss the traditional Kecak dance. It’s astounding.
Head to Sanur, hire a bicycle and ride along the beachside pathways, stopping at the local beachside warungs for a cold drink and satay.
Travel Tips
Don’t forget to save some cash for airport tax – Rp150,000 on departure.
If you’ve run out of cash midway, don’t go to a back-alley money changer! Here’s our trusted one.
Be mindful of the local culture. As tempting as it is, don’t wander the streets with your shirt off. Also avoid stepping on the blessings made by locals.
Always go by the meter when taking taxis. We like Bluebird best.
Why limit yourself to just Bali? Explore more destinations with AirAsia’s handy downloadable guide to Indonesia. It’s free!
This travel guide was brought to you by our friends at AirAsia. We took the 9.20am AirAsia flight and enjoyed a Nasi Padang Combo on the flight.