1st leg of our 3-week Bali travel itinerary
Planning a trip to Kuta Bali? To help you prepare for your holiday on the island of the gods, we'd like to invite you to read about our first 3-week trip to Indonesia on our travel blog OneDayOneTravel. The year was 2011. Our first trip between Bali, Lombok and the Gili islands was the first of many in Indonesia.
Welcome to the bay of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak! We'll also show you what to do and see in the surrounding area.
This 1st leg of our dream trip to Bali begins in the bay of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. This is the must-see spot in the south of the Island of the Gods for beaches and surfing, and we recommend it if you're going to Bali to party. Kuta beach is also the closest beach to Denpasar airport where all the tourists disembark.
That's why we don't stay directly in Kuta but at the end of the bay, in Seminyak, or even in Canggu to avoid the crowds. An area we discovered on our subsequent trips to Bali. In any case, it's in the south of Bali that the journey begins for most travellers. In high season, it's best to get away from the hustle and bustle, especially if you're looking for a quiet spot to start your discovery tour.
Far from the serenity of Balinese life, Kuta's excesses can be disconcerting: local and international shops, discotheques and bars open until the early hours, crowded beaches. A multitude of activities to keep you busy 24 hours a day. The same goes for Legian. The further you go towards Seminyak and Canggu, the less vibrant the atmosphere.
In Seminyak, the atmosphere is calmer, but more upmarket. This is the area of trendy boutiques and clubs where you want to be seen! Hotels line the beach, and in the immediate vicinity you can rent villas in town or in the middle of the rice paddies. Some of them are very upmarket, and in general, even for moderately priced villas, you will often benefit from the services of attentivestaff.
Kuta beach is where the history of tourism in Bali began. Kuta is one of the world's legendary surfing spots. For beginners, there are several surf schools in Kuta Bali. The oldest and best-known is located at the Hard Rock hotel. Beware, however, as the sea can be dangerous. Lifeguards supervise the authorised swimming areas. Choose these spots to avoid the strong currents, especially in Legian.
In any case, you don't come to the south of Bali to swim. Because of the large waves, tides and powerful currents that run along the coast, swimming is generally prohibited. The beach, however, is beautiful.
The beaches around the centre of Kuta Bali are usually crowded and it's almost impossible to relax. You'll be in constant demand from street vendors: hats, kites, sunglasses - you name it! You can also be tempted by a Balinese massage.
Don't forget to bargain and let yourself be pampered.
For more peace and quiet, opt for the following beaches around Seminyak. When the sun goes down, the locals take over: football matches are improvised on the sand, and family picnics are everywhere. As the sun sets, the sky takes on Bali's fabulous colours.
The town of Kuta Bali
Kuta Bali: love it or hate it! The town is a maze of streets and shopping lanes. You'll find everything here: shops, cafés and guesthouses. It's easy to get lost, as the town resembles a jam-packed maze.
Note that Kuta Bali is an exception in Bali when it comes to traffic and lifestyle. You'll soon get back in touch with Balinese serenity once you're away from all the hustle and bustle. You can explore the region by staying in Kuta. We suggest 2 easily accessible excursions.
The best way to get around the island is by scooter! With a little care and experience, driving a scooter is easy and fluid despite the flow of minivans, jeeps, scooters and other vehicles.
For the record, you have to stop at the side of the road to fill up. Small shops line the road selling petrol by the litre in vodka bottles - original! If all this puts you off, take a taxi!
What to see around Kuta? Tanah Lot temple 
To visit Tanah Lot temple, you'll have to travel 1 hour by scooter, but the magical, enchanting scenery on arrival is well worth the return trip.
Full article on Tanah Lot temple
What to visit not far from Kuta? The Bukit Peninsula
Dreamland Beach: THE white sand beach
A 1h30 drive from Kuta takes you to Dreamland, a white sand beach at thefoot of the limestone cliffs. The waves are gentler here. The spot is ideal for budding surfers. You can hire mattresses and relax between dips in the turquoise water.
A day surfing at Uluwatu Beach
Let's continue further south. Just before the temple of Uluwatu, we turn right to reach this world-famous surf spot. Uluwatu Beach is a sheltered beach at the foot of a cliff. It's a really great spot!
The views are breathtaking! A stay in Uluwatu is possible. Accommodation is available on site, mainly for surfers, but also more often for independent travellers.
Full article on Uluwatu Beach
Visiting Uluwatu temple
Just after the previous fork in the road, you'll find Uluwatu temple. Enjoy the view and watch out for the monkeys on the site.
Where to eat and drink in Kuta Bali?
Warung Ocha, JL Raya Seminyak n°52 in Seminyak. Local warung. Simple and friendly.
restaurant/PubLuckyDay,JL Camplung Tanduk in SeminyakAny welcomes you with a smile, local and international cuisine. Medium budget.
Tapas restaurant La Plancha, on the Double Six beach in Seminyak. Our favourite. Tapas bar, feet in the sand in Kuta Bali. Excellent mojitos. High prices.
Bar-Restaurant-Club Le Kudeta, north of Seminyak beach. The place to be at sunset. Electro music, luxurious decor and very high prices.
Where to stay in Kuta Bali?
There are 3 options along the long bay of Kuta Bali:
Lively Kuta, a paradise for Australian surfers. There's plenty of good-value accommodation here.
Find the hotel of your dreams in Kuta Bali
Legian, a little further north, is more family-friendly. Accommodation here is generally good value for money.
Book your dream hotel in Legian Bali
Seminyak, to the very north of the bay, is home to top-of-the-range accommodation and villas. The area is more fashionable, with trendy restaurants and galleries. We love Seminyak. We published an article on a few villas in Seminyak and Bali more widely in this article: Bali chic.
You can explore more about Seminyak's elegant accommodations here: https://www.all-balihotels.net/en/seminyak-hotels-19082/. Or find the hotel of your dreams in Seminyak Bali.
And since 2015, we've also loved sleeping in Canggu, which lies just west of Seminyak. Quieter, this area is changing fast and the number of addresses is increasing year on year, but the atmosphere remains largely authentic, with rice fields, beaches and traditions. It's also an excellent spot for surfers. You can find out more in our blog post dedicated to Canggu.
