18 Hidden Non-Touristy Places to Visit on Your Solo Trip to Bali

When you google ‘things to do in Bali,’ you will be presented with a menu of popular places to visit and activities to try out. Usually, these places are quite crowded because everybody goes there. And there is no harm in checking out these places because they are crowded for a reason. 

But, to make a solo trip more fun and memorable, I always try to visit hidden or non-touristy places in any country or foreign destination. It helps me have a different perspective of the place I am visiting. So, when I visited Bali, I made sure I had a list of hidden places to visit in Bali to make my travel experience even more memorable!

In this blog, I will share some of the top hidden places in Bali that you can check out on your next solo trip to the island.

1. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Now, you must be aware of the fact that rice terraces are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bali. And, the most popular rice terrace on the island is the Tegalalang rice terrace. And I would highly recommend you check this out when you visit Bali.

Well, there are a lot more different rice terraces that are probably not that popular but totally worth a visit. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are another of the most beautiful rice terraces in Bali. Jatiluwih translates to ‘pretty good,’ which perfectly matches how beautiful these rice terraces look. And the fun fact is that it is a recognised UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site as well. This rice terrace is definitely a must-visit if you want to get away from the crowd and enjoy the fresh air while enjoying the beautiful view!

2. Nyang Nyang Beach

Considering the fact that Bali is an island, you can easily expect some stunning beaches to explore here. While there are plenty of beautiful beaches in Bali, most of these are crowded as both locals and tourists visit them quite often. So, if you want to have a quiet time at a beach, then you should head out to Nyang Nyang Beach in Uluwatu!

The beach is stretched over an area of 1.5 kilometres and is pretty secluded, making it one of the top hidden places in Bali. The beach is perfect if you want to go swimming or just sunbathe at the beach. Either way, you will have a great time at Nyang Nyang Beach.

3. Balangan Beach

If you are a beach bum, Bali will spoil you for choices. Another of the hidden places in Bali is Balangan Beach. It is located near Uluwatu and is about a 25 minutes drive away from the Denpasar Airport. To spend your time at the beach, you can surf, which is one of the most popular things to do here. Or, you can get your canopy tent and enjoy the beautiful waves crashing at the shore.

Okay, here is a thing you need to remember while visiting the beaches in Bali. Whether you opt to try water sports or just lie down on the beach to enjoy the view, the sun rays can get pretty harsh. Which means you will most likely end up with a tan. To avoid this, slather a good amount of sunscreen on your exposed body parts before you hit the beach!

4. Angseri Natural Hot Springs

Commonly known as Air Panas Angseri, this is one of the best-hidden places in Bali that I came across on my solo trip. Angseri Natural Hot Springs are located deep within a forest near the Angseri Village. You will find two large natural pools surrounded by bamboo pipes out of the ground. And these pools contain sulphuric water. 

Next to the second pool, you will see a small waterfall, cold water showers, and a few huts that contain tiny pools of water. These are solely for the purpose in case some visitors might want to enjoy the hot springs in privacy. 

Since Bali has a volcanic landscape, the water in these pools is often warm. So you can be assured about having a great time in the warm water pools to relax and enjoy the beauty around you!

If you are worried that you might get your period when you’re visiting the hot springs, read my guide on dealing with periods on your solo trip.

5. Peguyangan Waterfall

Located within the cliffs of Nusa Penida, Peguyangan Waterfall is a delight to the eyes. The sole reason why this waterfall remains a hidden place in Bali is because of all the travelling. To reach here, first, you will have to take a boat to Nusa Penida. Then, you will have to either rent a car or a motorbike to get to the waterfalls. But, the views are definitely worth all the trouble you take while reaching the location.

6. Pacung Sangeh Village

A local Balinese village, Pacung Sangeh Village is a hidden gem of the island. If you want to know how the Balinese people live and what their lives look like, then definitely try visiting here. 

The best way to explore the village is to opt for a tour that will go on for a day. Here are the general details of how the tour is going to look like.

• First, you will have an opportunity to visit a Balinese household to have a traditional breakfast meal. 
• Next, you will learn how to make offerings as per the Hindu tradition in their private compound. 
• Then, you will have a delicious lunch meal in the middle of a rice field with a variety of dishes to choose from. 
• After your lunch, you will visit a hidden waterfall (also considered a “holy water site”) in a canyon. Here, you will be taking part in the Hindu purification ritual.

The last step is basically a ritual that Hindus perform to cleanse themselves of any negative energy from their body. If you really want to understand the Balinese tradition and culture, then a visit to Pacung Sangeh Village is a must!

To know more about this village tour, you can check out this website. You can also book your tickets for the tour here.

7. Gunung Kawi Temple

Bali has a wide range of religious places that not only make for a great tourist spot but also offer a sneak peek into the Balinese culture. Located within a valley and carved into rocks, Gunung Kawi Temple is beautiful to the eyes. Legends say that the temple was built back in the 11th century and now works as a memorial to the members of the Balinese Royalty of those days. 

8. Menjangan Island

If you love adventures, then Menjangan Island is the place to be. The island is perfect if you want to try out water sports such as snorkelling or scuba diving. If you are a beginner at water sports, don’t worry, you will have a professional instructor who will teach you everything you need to know before diving into the waters! Nicknamed ‘Deer Island,’ the island is also home to a huge population of barking deers.

9. Siboghana Warung

Well, Ubud is one of the most popular destinations in Bali. Owing to the popularity, you will find a lot of popular places to visit here. But, there are a few hidden gems in Ubud as well. If you want to try out something different to eat other than the same old smoothies and burgers you get in cafes, then this one is for you.

Warungs or local restaurants are run by local Balinese families residing in Ubud. A hidden warung that you must definitely visit is Siboghana Warung. It is located in the south of Ubud in a beautiful setting surrounded by gardens and Hindu statues. The food served at this warung is to die for, and their popular dishes include red rice, satay sticks with coconut curry.

10. Perereran Beach

You cannot get enough of the beaches in Bali. Each one is better than the other. Perereran Beach is one of the beautiful hidden places in Bali. Located in Canggu, the beach has several warungs surrounding it too. 

Here is a little tradition that takes place every Sunday at the beach. Locals from the surrounding places visit the beach in the evening to witness the sunset. The sunset view from any beach is breathtaking, and this little tradition makes the view all the more beautiful!

11. Banjar Hot Springs

Banjar Hot Springs is one of the unique hidden places in Bali. Located approximately five kilometres from Lovina, these hot springs are surrounded by dense forests where the chirping of birds is something that only adds to its tranquillity and peace. It is believed that these hot springs come with several health benefits as well. 

A visit to the Banjar Hot Springs should be on your list of hidden places in Bali. If not for the health benefits, then definitely for the delightful soak in the therapeutic waters!

12. Munduk

Located in the mountains of Bali, Munduk is a small town that is all about nature. It features beautiful spice plantations and rice paddies. Since the village is located in a remote location away from the hustle-bustle of the city, the local culture has been well preserved. If you have a keen interest in exploring the untouched culture and nature of Munduk, then you can book a tour for it. You can even book a trekking or hiking tour around the local regions in and around Munduk.

13. Lovina Town

A low-key coastal town in northern Bali, Lovina town is the perfect getaway from city life. The town is ideal if you want to relax and try out local food items in Bali. Even better, if you want to spend your time at Lovina’s black sand beach, you can do that while admiring the beautiful views of the sea. 

An interesting part about visiting Lovina is that it is the only town in Bali where you can see certain marine creatures like dolphins in their natural habitat!

14. Amed

Amed is one of the most beautiful hidden places in Bali. It is a coastal region with many small fishing villages and plenty of boutique resorts as well. Furthermore, these resorts blend into the surrounding regions, thereby keeping up with the beach vibe. If you are looking to spend some peaceful time admiring the rich waters, then Amed is the place to be!

15. Kintamani Valley

Located in the caldera of an ancient volcano, Kintamani Valley is a beautiful place in Northern Bali. The valley is mostly covered with green vegetation, but you can still see a few black bruises from some of the past volcanic eruptions. Apart from the scenic views, you can also indulge in many unique activities at Kintamani Valley. The most famous one is ascending Mount Batur that allows you to witness the stunning sunrise from the top.

16. Hidden Canyon

If you are looking for an adventurous getaway from the crowd, then Hidden Canyon has to be on your list of hidden places in Bali. It is located in Sukawati, which is about 9.3 miles away from the south of Ubud. The Hidden Canyon will take you on an adventurous journey where you will be walking through three different canyons in the middle of the jungle!

You must hire a guide from a reputed agency who will take you from the starting point of the canyon, navigate through the rushing waters and click pictures to remember this amazing experience!

17. Sukasada Village

If you want to witness something truly magical, then head to the Sukasada Village. The most attractive feature about the village is its twin lakes – Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan. These are crater lakes that you can find within the caldera of the Bedugul volcano, which is now extinct. 

During the 1800s, the lakes were one massive body, but due to a landslide that happened, later on, it got divided into two smaller lakes. Beyond these lakes, you can also check out the vegetable fields, waterfalls, coffee plantations, and rice paddies!

18. Tirtagangga Water Palace

A real oasis of well-being and calm, Tirtagangga Water Palace is a beauty in itself. It is a beautiful water palace with a wide variety of flowers, huge water basins that consist of different species of fishes, and several Balinese statues and sculptures. 

The water palace also has two swimming pools, one for men and another for women. If you plan on swimming in these gorgeous swimming pools, then make sure to pack your swimwear!

How many of these hidden places in Bali do you plan on exploring?

So, this concludes some of the hidden places that Bali has. While most of these hidden places are located far off from the main city, and you might have to travel quite a bit to reach the location, they will definitely make your solo trip to Bali much more memorable!