If you’re here, I’m guessing you’re planning to visit Amed, on the East coast of Bali. And you’d be right to do so ! Although it is less popular than the big southern destinations of the island, Amed has this super authentic and laid-back vibe that nothing can beat… Now you must be wondering : what to do in Amed, Bali ? Let me guide you through the best activities to do in Amed and its surroundings !
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Visiting Amed, Bali : where is it & how to get there ?
Amed is a 14km-long strip of land located on the East coast of Bali, Indonesia. To be accurate, 7 fishermen villages make up the area – Amed is the biggest one of them. The North-East of Bali is a place that means a lot to me, since I lived there for a few months as a volunteer teacher.
So if you want my opinion on Amed, Bali, I might be slightly biased but do believe me when I say that this spot is really worth it ! Not only is Amed much more peaceful than the big towns of the South, it’s also located in the middle of a stunning natural environment : amazing sea beds, hills covered in beautiful ricefields, and of course Mount Agung in the background. Sounds like heaven on earth, right ?
How to get to Amed from the South of Bali or Denpasar airport ? There’s no public transportation in Bali, so you get the choice between :
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- Getting a car with a driver, which is very common here. You can just ask your hotel about it. Like everywhere in Indonesia, you can bargain the price. From Ubud, you’ll probably pay around 450k-500k rupiah (about 30 euros).
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- Renting a scooter : by far my favourite option, because I love the freedom that goes with it. Also, the views when you’re driving from the South are just gorgeous so the ride is a lot of fun ! I’ll get into the details of driving a scooter later in the post 😉
From Ubud, it will take you more or less 2h30 to get to Amed (it varies a lot according to traffic). Scooter is always faster.
What to do in Amed, Bali ?
Now you must be asking yourself : what to do in Amed, Bali ? Here’s a selection of the best activities to do here :
1. Scuba dive in Amed
If you’re thinking about coming here, you’re probably already aware of it : scuba diving is the best activity to do in Amed! Amed is one of the top diving spots in Indonesia, and the USAT Liberty shipwreck (located in the village of Tulamben, just 20 minutes away) is often mentioned as one of the best dive sites in the world. 🤩 The best part ? This famous wreck isn’t very deep, making it accessible even for those of you who have never dived before.
I personally learned to dive here (I’m now a certified diver), and I can assure you that with its warm, calm waters and incredible underwater ecosystem, Amed is probably the perfect place to practice this fascinating sport. From Jemeluk Bay to the Japanese wreck, all the dive spots in Amed will leave you in awe.
want to dive in amed ?
Hit me up and I’ll organise the whole activity for you with the local instructors I’m working with !
2. Snorkel in Amed
What’s great about snorkeling is that not only is it inexpensive (you can bring your own gear or rent it locally for around 40,000 rupiahs), but it’s also accessible to anyone who’s reasonably comfortable in the water. Even with just a snorkel, you can already witness incredible underwater scenes: turtles, huge starfish, fish in every color of the rainbow… and much more. Once again, the most popular snorkeling spots are Jemeluk Beach, Lipah Beach, and the Japanese shipwreck.
3. Chill on Amed's beach
There’s something about the black sand beaches of the North-Eastern coast of Bali that I love. We’re far from the general idea that tourists have of balinese beaches, but that peculiarity attracts me even more !
Amed’s beach might be much more quiet than the famous beaches of the South, it’s also much more authentic. To me, it represents the very soul of the town since you’ll be able to witness here scenes of the local daily life at any time of the day : the return of the fishermen in the morning, children playing during the day… and in the evening, many groups of either locals or foreigners chilling in front of a spectacular sunset, sometimes with a little glass or two 🤩 And speaking about that…
4. Enjoy the sunset with some cocktails
Golden hour is the time you don’t want to miss while in Amed. Watching the sun slowly disappearing behind Mount Agung is something truly magical. There are several spots from which you can witness this beauty, but the best one has to be Sunset Point, with its great perspective on both the beach and the volcano !
Keep in mind that, in general, Amed’s main street is full of great bars where you’ll find a lively mix of tourists and locals! If you enjoy live music, I recommend the Pacha Bar or WaWa WeWe (which has an amazing team).
5. Explore the surroundings
Let’s get back to one of my favorite activities in Bali: take a stroll on my scooter ! As I mentioned earlier, the surroundings of Amed are absolutely breathtaking, and there’s nothing like a scenic scooter ride to explore the coastline and the hills with their steep terraced rice fields.
For a daily rental, it should cost you around 50k rupiahs (a little over €3). Most hotels offer scooter rentals.
Some of my favorite spots to visit around here include Lahangan Sweet, Tianyar Savana, and Bukit Cinta.
Be careful though, my friends: these places (especially Lahangan Sweet) are hard to reach, and I definitely don’t recommend this activity for anyone who has never driven a scooter in Southeast Asia! As easy as it may look, driving a scooter for the first time in a country where you don’t know the official—and unofficial—rules of the road is a risky move…
Little bonus : treat yourself to a spa session or go shopping in Amed
If you’re in the mood to pamper yourself, Amed has several lovely spas ! Some of my favorites:
- Island Girls, which recently opened near Melasti Beach.
- Swasty Dewi Salon & Spa, located in the center of Amed, offers excellent value for money!
When it comes to shopping, there are also some hidden gems. To bring back souvenirs for your loved ones, head to the beautifully curated Pure Bali boutique or, more unexpectedly, the Adi Shop mini-market, which has a small souvenir section that really does the trick.
What to do around Amed ?
Since Amed is a pretty small town, you should definitely take advantage of your time here to go on little excursions ! Like we mentioned earlier, you’ll only need to find a driver or rent a scooter. Amed’s surroundings are stunning – almost mystical, with the sacred volcano and temples floating above the clouds… Here are the best activities to do around Amed, Bali :
1. Mount Agung, the sacred mountain
This is by far my favorite excursion from Amed, and if you’re a nature lover and enjoy a good challenge, it will probably be yours too! Agung is the stunning active volcano you see from Amed, and climbing it is one of my most cherished travel memories. If you’re tempted by the experience, you’ll need to book a guide, as the hike is tough and the trail poorly marked.
Little heads up : despite being in good physical shape and used to hiking, I needed a lot of mental strength to convince myself I would make it to the top ! If you’re not up for a strenuous trek, I’d recommend Mount Batur instead, which is much more accessible.
want to take on the challenge ?
For Batur or Agung, I handle all the logistics for you with my local partner Fikry, an Indonesian guide who knows the volcanoes like the back of his hand! Send me a quick message on WhatsApp for more details :
Beyond the hiking aspect, Mount Agung also has a major cultural significance. Agung has always been considered a sacred mountain by the Balinese. It is believed to be a descendant of Mount Meru, the dwelling place of the gods and the axis of the world. The Pura Besakih temple (“Mother Temple”), the main spiritual center for locals, lies at its feet. It’s an incredibly impressive complex and the place to visit if you want to learn more about Balinese spirituality, which is unique in the world!
From Amed:
- To get to Besakih Temple : 1.5-hour by car, a little less by scooter.
- To reach the starting point of the Agung ascent, Pura Pasar Agung : 1 hour 15 minutes by car, a little less by scooter.
- To reach the starting point for the Batur ascent : 1.5 hours by car, a little less by scooter.
2. Tirta Gangga, the water palace
This is the place you shouldn’t miss if you’re into photography (or if you want to show off on Instagram 🤪) ! The palace of Tirta Gangga is not only exceptionally photogenic : it also has an incredible history. It was built in 1947 for the last raja of Karangasem‘s family and then almost completely destroyed during Mount Agung’s eruption of 1963. What you’re seeing today are just the remains of what used to be a spectacular water palace ! ”Tirta Gangga” actually means ”holy water from the Ganges”, referring to the holy river in India.
From Amed : 30 min ride in car, less in scooter. A tickets costs 40 000 rupiah (about 2,50€)
3. Pura Lempuyang Luhur temple
How photogenic does this place look ? Pura Lempuyang temple is truly one of the best things to do around Amed (and I’m sure that picture is enough to convince you). Considered as one of the most sacred places on the island, the temple is actually a pilgrimage site for the Balinese. I highly recommend you hike all the way to the top, where the last of the 3 levels of the temple is located. Watch out though, you should know that complaining during the hike is said to erase the spiritual aspect of it : I dare you not to do it, in the middle of a humid jungle and dressed with your best sarong (which you must wear in all religious places). Good luck 😅
Note : I do want to mention that this place has become a very popular tourist attraction since it exploded on Instagram… It’s unfortunate, because this magical spot now attracts a crowd of visitors who care little for the place. If all you want is a photo, chose another spot—there are plenty of beautiful gates and views of Agung elsewhere on the island !
From Amed : 30 min ride by car, less on a scoooter
4. Virgin Beach, the hidden gem
This beach is actually located quite far from Amed… but it is on the way to the South of the island, so it’s the perfect spot to stop at ! Virgin Beach is straight out of a dream : a long strand of white sand, turquoise water and in the background, lush green cliffs. The icing on the cake is that this idyllic place is not that famous among tourists, making the atmosphere quite intimate !
From Amed : 1h ride by car, less on a scooter
Where to stay in Amed ?
There’s a pretty big range of hotels in Amed, Bali. By the beach or up in the hills, you’ll find a lot of super nice hotels.
For more independence, you could also choose a guest house or a villa in Amed, Bali. I stayed in one of the villas at “Villa Perancis” resort during my last trip to Amed, and my friends and I simply fell in love with this enchanting place ! The resort is located in a small local village near Amed, surrounded by pristine nature. Each villa’s decor is thoughtfully designed, creating a cozy, soothing atmosphere 💚 There’s a swimming pool, a massage lounge and even a yoga shala, perfect for hosting retreat groups.
The icing on the cake is that the lucky owner of that place, Philippe, is a former French diving instructor who will be more than happy to share his passion for the sport with you !
Among the other accommodations I’ve tried, I recommend :
- Tambun sari bungalow, with a view on the beach for small budgets
- Yogi Beach Cabin, an adorable wooden cabin with a kitchen and an outdoor bathroom
- Find other hotels in Amed
And that’s a wrap for this post about “what to do in Amed, Bali” ! I hope all of this is motivating you to come here. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments down below and even give your opinion on Amed, Bali if you’ve been here. See you very soon for new adventures 👋
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