Bali is an exotic tropical island jam-packed with things to do, from ricefield walks to cycling and whitewater rafting in Ubud to surfing in Uluwatu, beach clubs in Canggu, and shopping in Seminyak. So, if you are the type of holidaymaker who wants to experience a little bit of everything this wonderful island offers, we recommend staying in a few areas around Bali so you can sample the unique delights of each area. 

Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur and Umalas are the most popular areas in Bali for families because of their proximity to the beach and popular tourist attractions.

It’s easy to travel around Bali as there are many modes of transport, and you can easily arrange a car and driver to take you anywhere. But please remember that there can be traffic jams in popular areas like Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu and Ubud, so please leave an extra hour or so for travel times during busy holiday periods and peak hour travel times.

Seminyak is about a 15 to 20-minute drive from Canggu. However, traffic can be pretty congested between these two popular tourist hubs, so it’s not uncommon for a trip between these two areas to take over 60 minutes. If you like to cut travel times, you can walk on the beach from Seminyak to Canggu, which is a pleasant walk and will cut travel times, especially if the traffic is bad.

There are so many luxurious villas throughout Bali that it’s challenging to pinpoint one specific area, but a concentration of luxury villas can be found on the west coast of Bali, from Uluwatu, Jimbaran, and Seminyak through Canggu all the way up to the new popular areas of Seseh and Cemagi.  For more information, view:  luxury bali villas.

If you’re looking to party, you’ve come to the right island. Bali is a party-goers paradise, where you can dance the night away and party till dawn with beach clubs in Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu and nightlife in Seminyak with bars, clubs, and hip restaurants.

Yes, most villas in Bali have a dedicated villa manager who can arrange transport to take you anywhere on the island, including day trips, dinner, activities for the kids and moving from one area to the next.

The best beachfront villas are dotted along the southern half of Bali in areas like Sanur, Candidasa, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Bingin, Pandawa, Canggu, and Seseh. For more information, see beachfront villas in Bali.

Most Bali villas are close to popular tourist areas such as Eat Street or Jalan Kayu Aya in Seminyak and Jalan Batu Bolong in Canggu, where there are many dining options for the whole family. In Eat Street, go to Sisterfields or Seminyak Village; in Batu Bolong, go to Deus, Crate or The Lawn. For more information, visit: Top Cafes in Canggu – sip lattes with the hipsters

Legian, Kuta, Seminyak, Uluwatu, and Canggu are the main tourist areas in Bali, all located on the southwest coast. These areas offer holidaymakers great beaches for surfing, sunbaking, and long beach walks. They have the best shopping, bars, day spas, nightlife, restaurants, waterparks, and beach clubs.

Seminyak and Canggu are great areas for a Bali holiday, each with distinct merits. However, the tourist hub is slowly shifting north from Seminyak towards Canggu, where there are newer cafes, beach clubs and restaurants. Having said that, Seminyak is still an excellent area to base yourself in as there are so many things to see and do, including Eat Street, Seminyak Beach and the Double Six area. Canggu offers a more hectic past and fast-paced holiday with brand-new beach clubs, bars, shops, and cafes from Berawa to Seseh. For families with young children, Seminyak is the better option, and Canggu is the perfect area for young couples or groups wanting to party.

The most peaceful areas in Bali for a holiday are Sanur, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Candidasa and some areas of Uluwatu. Whilst they can be busy during peak holiday periods, they offer holidaymakers a less hectic pace, especially if you’re staying near the beach.

The East Coast of Bali is the quieter side of the island, with tourist areas like Sanur, Nusa Dua and Pandawa. These areas are significant for families who want a more relaxing beach-style holiday where most of the time is spent by the beach or in the villa. On the other hand, the East Coast is much more action-packed with areas like Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Umalas and Canggu, attracting a crowd that wants to shop, party, enjoy fine dining and hit the beach club scene.