Tranquil beach with fresh spring pools and accommodations.

A temple surrounded by monkey forest. Principal city of Karangasem district with Raja's Palace.

Ten years ago Amed was just a quiet fishing village with one losmen. It's still quiet - there's no phone line into Amed yet - but being developed fast. Amed is north west of Amlapura, and a couple of hours drive from Candi Dasa. The drive is as rough as it is scenic, so once you get to Amed it's a good idea to stay a few days. There's a collection of beaches around this part of the coast, and they are all good for snorkeling. Off the coast there's a shipwreck, famous in diving circles, and boats can be hired to get there.
This is a place to lounge on the shady beach with a good book.

Nearly the whole western part of Bali is since 1983 the Bali-Barat-Nationalpark; it is an area from about 76.000 ha. You can reach the park from a little village called Terima or from Gilimanuk and Singaraja. The headquarter of the parks control board is in Cecek [ about 4 km south of Gilimanuk ]
There you have to pay a little parking fee. The park is famous for white starling
[ Leucopsar Rothchildii ] and wild bull [ Boss Javanicus ] .

The capital town of Bangli district with beautiful Kehen Temple nearby.

Hot spring bathing place with pool on the North coast.

Known for stone carving and Barong Dance performance.

Covered with virgin rainforests, Mt Batukaru dominates the entire district of Tabanan. If you want to get off the beaten track, drive up the southern slopes to the village of Jatiluwih, where you can relax under the mossy shade of the Pura Luhur temple. Along the way, you'll encounter towering trees, bubbling hot springs, and fern laden grottos. Take a reliable vehicle as the road can get tricky.

When the heat and humidity finally get to you, it's time to get away to Bedugul, Bali's highland retreat, tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano, 1400 meters above sea level. The three lakes of the area provide the water for the fields, rivers and springs on the plains below. Lush pine forests make for clean air. The area is renowned for its fruit and vegetables.

Located between the city of Gianyar and Blahbatuh, Bona is where to purchase bamboo furniture at reasonable prices. It is also famous for its dances, especially the fire dance, which is staged for tourists.

Marvelous scene of rice terraces.

Candi Dasa offers an escape from the hassles of the more populated tourist areas, although sometimes it seems there are more hotels, restaurants and losmen here than tourists. Boats can be hired for day's snorkeling.

Beach for surfers.

Famous  for the gold and silver smiths and the wood carvers.

Peaceful beach on the west coast.

Denpasar was rebuilt in 1906 after the puputan massacre, when the city's royal families committed suicide rather than surrender to the invading Dutch army. It is now a city of 400,000 inhabitants and more vehicles per capita than Jakarta. Many first-time visitors to Bali make the mistake of skipping Denpasar in their tour of the island. But in fact there is much to do and see here. There's a leafy, expansive art center, a museum, and a colorful and cheap market in Jl. Sulawesi. There are also several department stores.
Early mornings are recommended as the midday sun can be draining.

The capital town of Gianyar district with old residence of the former King of Gianyar.

Java ferry service.

Breathtaking waterfalls with natural beauty surroundings.

North of Mount Batur, overlooking the Petanu River, is Goa Gajah, site of an intriguing archaeological mystery. The man-made caves here date from the eight century and feature Buddhist inscriptions and carvings, even though Buddhists are known to never have lived in Bali. Above the entrance to the cave is a giant head, with floppy ears, thought by many to be an elephant, of which there is also no record in Bali.
This is a special place, especially if you can avoid the crowds.

The Shivaite temple was founded around one thousand years ago. The cave is believed to lead all the way to Gunung Agung, but there's a couple of serious deterrents. Firstly, the cave is believed to be home to an enormous snake, Naga Besuki. And secondly, the ceiling and the thousands of noisy,
long-nosed fruit bats. This is a very strange place, but definitely worth a visit.

Ancient memorial of the Balinese rulers, carved on a solid rock with beautiful surroundings.

The most fantastic viewing spot for rice terrace.

On the west side of the Bukit, Bali's southern peninsula, lies the once sleepy fishing village of Jimbaran, now the site of the Intercontinental, Four Season Resort and the Ritz Carlton. Take a walk along the beach, and perhaps a sunset drink at one of the big hotels, which welcome all visitors. An offshore reef provides protection from the wave action, providing excellent swimming waters.
Jimbaran is known for its spectacular sunsets.

White sandy beach for surfers and divers on Lembongan Island with simple accommodation

Famous for typical traditional paintings, gold, silver and brass works

Known for the Botanical Garden with wide selections of plants, fresh with mountain air.

Royal Palace with spacious Gamelan Hall.

Kintamani is perched on the rim of a vast crater, overlooking the crater lake and its bubbling hot springs.
Lake Batur is the largest in Bali, and provides water for an underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain. The evenings can get cool but an overnight stay is well worth it,
to climb the mountain and watch the sunrise, or just to take a midnight dip in one of the springs.

Fishermen village with salting grounds.

Since the 18th century, Kuta has served as the entry point for foreigners visiting southern Bali. In the 1830s Kuta was a thriving slave market, attracting a wide variety of international 'lowlife' and many would say that nothing has changed. Since its rediscovery by hippies and surfers in the 1960s, Kuta and Legian have expanded so rapidly that the district is now one of the busiest tourist areas in the world. Hundred of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops provide for all tastes and budgets

The caldera of this volcano is with about 10 x 14 km one of the biggest in the world. In the center of the caldera is the 1717m still active vulcano Gunung Batur.

West of Singaraja on Bali's northern coast is a beach resort spread across four adjacent villages. Lovina is for those who like still waters ( no surf ) and are not fussy about the color of the beach.
You may even encounter some local dolphins.
Many cheap losmens are situated right on the beach. Visit the Singsing waterfall.

Mas

Some 20 kilometers north of Denpasar lies the woodcarving center of Mas, a village of high caste Brahmin families. This village, which has a special place in Balinese history,
is home to many excellent woodcarving shops. Remember to bargain

Pleasant beach for surfing lovers.

Part of Bali Barat National Park with its underwater beauty and flocks of protected deer

Negara in West Bali is the capital of Jembrana district, and the home of the famous water buffalo races, which run between July and October.

The most recent of Bali's tourist centers, Nusa Dua - located on the southern-most tip, is quite unlike anything else in Bali. A government run dreamland of coconut palms, five-star hotels and perfect beaches. A great place to relax and be pampered, but this is a long way from Balinese village life.

Ferry to Lombok Island.

Known for the best golf course 'Bali Handara Country Club'.

Famous for Penataran Sasih Temple with a big bronze kettledrum inside

Famous for its Legong and Kecak Dances and wood carvings.

The literal meaning is 'place for looking', the most fascinating viewing spot overlooks the volcano and Lake Batur.

Monkey temple with hot spring nearby on the North coast.

Located on the slopes of Gunung Agung, Bali's highest and most significant volcano, the whole of southern Bali is visible from this temple. Pura Besakih is not one single temple, but rather a sprawling complex of shrines and compounds, united through ancient rituals. Badly damaged when Gunung Agung erupted in 1963,
the temple has now been fully restored. Remember to dress appropriately.

Tanah Lot is a simply designed, but dramatically located temple on the Tabanan coast. Built on a promontory only accessible at low tide, this temple is, like Uluwatu, a sad khayangan temple, one of the most important in Bali. Take a sarong and dress accordingly. It is said that the temple is guarded by poisonous snakes. Sunset is the best time to visit, when the golden and red sky frames the temple and the waves crash into the rocks.

Scenic point with marvelous panorama stretches to the valleys while the sparkling sea is seen in the distance.

Temple on the cliff known as the biggest in West Bali

Fifteen kilometers from Mengwi is the famous Monkey Forest and the ancient Pura Bukit Sari Temple, surrounded by tall nutmeg trees. But the area is ruled by monkeys and
they will try to snatch anything : spectacles, jewelry, watches and handbags.
Go late in the day, after the tourist rush,
so you can appreciate the serenity of the place.

Sanur

Bali's first beach resort, Sanur is a place of remarkable contrasts. Sanur is a modern and prosperous community, and host to many high class hotels and restaurants. But it is also famous for its sorcerers. When the Dutch invaded Bali in 1906, it was in Sanur that they landed.

Just west of Ubud, Sayan is little more than a ridge. Views of a luscious ravine and manicured terraces have prompted many foreigners to choose Sayan as a place to live.
Steps lead down to a river, which is clean enough to bathe in

This area was chosen as the home of artist Walter Spies, who settled here in the 1930s. These are also some of the most beautiful areas of Bali, with fertile soils and the ever-present Gunung Agung
in the background.
It is also an area that suffered badly from the 1963 eruption of Gunung Agung.

This town was once home to an illustrious dynasty, the remains of which are evident at the Kerta Hall of Justice. Most of Bali's royal families are descended from the Klungkung dynasty, for it was here that the rulers of the Majapahit empire fled in the 16th century as their Kingdom in Java crumbled. Klungkung was the center of Bali's 'golden age' when the Gelgel dynasty held power for over 300 years, and the arts flourished. If you go to Klungkung,
check out the painted ceiling and the bale kambang [ floating pavilions ]
at the Kerta Gosa courthouse. Also, nearby, the village of Kamasan specialises in traditional paintings, the origin of which can be traced back 500 years

Known as Turtle Island, with diving area and Sakenan Temple

Art Market with wide selection of artwork and reasonable prices

Excellent beach for surfing

Tabanan's landscape ranges from volcanic mountains to terraced rice plains. This is the rice bowl of Bali, with higher yields of rice than anywhere else. Tabanan, with its deserted, black sand beaches and tropical rainforests, is one of the prettiest districts in Bali. Visit the 17th century royal palace in Krambitan.

There's a number of treats in store in Tampaksiring. One is that it is home to numerous woodcarvers, and their wares are available in great quantities from roadside stalls. Another is the presidential palace, an icon of modernist architecture designed by the man [ Soekarno ] himself. From an opportunely located verandah,
it is said, the president was able to spy on the maidens bathing at dusk in the Tirta Empul temple below

A visit here is a trip back in time. This is one of the homes of the Bali Aga [ original Balinese ], the first inhabitants of Bali. The Tengananese believe they have been chosen to honor the royal descendents with offerings, sacrifices and rituals, and by administering the surrounding lands. Only recently has this society opened itself up to outsiders, although strict rules still apply, especially concerning marriage to outsiders. Tenganan features wonderful fabrics, one of which is the renowned gringsing double weave ikat cloth.

This is the site of a beautiful water palace, built by the last king of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, in 1947. Much of it was destroyed by the 1963 eruption, but the famous bathing pools remained intact. This is a place of great peace, and an excellent stopover when you're touring east Bali.
There's a losmen in the palace grounds, and a restaurant, too.

Toya Bungkah

Known for hot spring bathing by the Lake of Batur

One of Lake Batur's villages, Trunyan is inaccessible except by boat. At the lakeside you'll be met by a greeting party of locals wanting money. The Trunyan people believe they are Bali Aga, the original inhabitants of Bali. Cremation is not practiced in Trunyan, the dead are simply placed against a sacred tree by the lake,
which stops the decomposing body from smelling.

Just north of Amed, Tulamben is famous for the World War II US cargo ship Liberty that lies wrecked just off the coast of this small village. It's bow only a few meters below the surface, the wreck lies 50 meters offshore. Its coral encrusted bow and resident coral fish are visible to snorkels, but the best parts are 20-30 meters down, and only accessible with full diving regalia. There are several places to stay in Tulamben.
For obvious reasons, it mainly attracts divers. The beaches are pebbly, but the water is clear

Ubud, with its arts is called the heart of Bali. Ubud is the art and culture centre of the island Bali. Aroound 4 km south of Ubud is a small village called Mas where its citizens are famous for their gifted handy crafts.

Uluwatu temple is precariously located at the point of a sheer cliff on the island's southern peninsula. It is one of the oldest and most important temples in Bali, one of the six original sad khayangan [ territorial ] temples on the island. More recently Uluwatu has also become famous for its challenging surf break
[ experienced surfers only ], and spectacular views from the warungs [ restaurants ] perched on the cliff.

Ancient relief on a rock wall.

Suites Hotel Bali Royal
Jalan Pratama, Tanjung Benoa
Nusa Dua - Bali
Tel (+62) 361 771039 Fax (+62) 361 771885
Email : suites@baliroyal.com