Lately, the laid-back ‘hood of Uluwatu has been making waves around the island – and not just for its world-class surf breaks. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of Canggu, this picture-perfect peninsula is fast becoming the ultimate destination to soak up a slower pace of island living.
What used to be a surfer’s paradise mostly filled with cheap and cheerful warungs has transformed into a world-class destination that takes barefoot luxury to the next level. Here, legendary surf breaks, stunning cliffs and pristine beaches are combined with dreamy spas, five-star stays, epic beach clubs and a buzzing restaurant scene. But with an area this vast, it helps to have some insider knowledge…
Where to stay:
From beachside breaks to world-class resorts, the Bukit offers a stay for every traveller's budget. To help you out, we’ve rounded up a few of our fave spots to lay your head:
- Dreamsea Bali - for million-dollar views without the hefty price-tag
- La Joya Biu Biu - for cute clifftop bungalows complete with a private beach
- Mick’s Place- for epic views and a stunning infinity pool
- La Cabane Bali - for boutique rooms in an unbeatable location
- Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort - for spacious ocean-view suites and luxury facilities
- Karma Kandara- for 5-star villas and a boutique beach club (PLUS save up to 20% when you book your stay here)
- Suarga Padang Padang - for incredible eats and sustainable luxury
What to do:
- No trip to Ulu is complete without exploring some of the island’s best beaches. From secret bays with world-class waves to family-friendly waters, the Bukit is where you’ll find those stretches of sand you thought only existed in postcards. Check out this list of our top recommendations.
- Find your zen at one of Ulu’s iconic yoga studios. We’d recommend Morning Light Yoga Studio – the Bukit’s most beautiful spot to get bendy. With daily classes at 7.30am, you can watch the morning swell roll in as you’re guided through an all-levels practice. If you’d prefer a sleep-in, head down to Balangan Beach at sunset for evening yoga on the cliff.
- If you’re a surfer, you’ve probably already kicked this list and paddled out hours ago. But for the non-surfers, don’t miss the opportunity to watch the locals and travellers catch some of the world’s best waves. We’d recommend throwing down your sarong at Uluwatu Beach, grabbing a coconut and kicking back to enjoy the show.
- Bring your stretchy pants and check out some of Uluwatu’s best restaurants. For a tasty (and gram-worthy) brekkie, we’d recommend starting your day at Drifter, then, for a healthy and filling lunch head to The Cashew Tree – or, if you don’t fancy leaving the beach, check out Kelly’s Warung down on Bingin. For dinner, head to Mana for epic views and next-level cocktails, La Baracca for rustic Italian fare, or a local warung for your Indonesian fix.
- Soak up the golden hour views at one of Uluwatu’s best sunset bars. Check out El Kabron for luxury clifftop vibes, Ulu Cliffhouse for tasty cocktails and dreamy photo ops, or head down to the iconic Single Fin on a Sunday for one of Ulu’s most famous parties.
If you don’t have time to spend a few days in the Bukit (which trust us, you’ll want to), check out this day tour to visit the highlights.
Written by Rae-Anne Gouyette
