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    Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula
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    Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula

    Bali's southernmost limestone peninsula, Bukit, plunges in steep cliffs to the sea. Between the rocks lie small coves with bright sand, world-class surf spots, and perched on a cliff, the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple.

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    9. Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula
    Bali's southernmost limestone peninsula, Bukit, plunges in steep cliffs to the sea. Between the rocks lie small coves with bright sand, world-class surf spots, and perched on a cliff, the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple.
    Die Bukit-Halbinsel hängt über eine schmale Landbrücke am Süden Balis und ist trockener und felsiger als der Rest der Insel. An der Westküste reihen sich von Jimbaran über Balangan, Bingin und Padang Padang bis Uluwatu Buchten unter steilen Klippen, viele nur über Treppen erreichbar. Im Süden liegen Melasti und weitere Strände, im Osten die Resortzone Nusa Dua mit ruhigem Wasser. Eine Infrastruktur im Ortssinn gibt es kaum, Unterkünfte und Cafés verteilen sich entlang der Straßen. Ohne Roller oder Fahrer kommst du hier kaum voran.

    Sights in Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Pura Luhur Uluwatu
    Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Temple

    Pura Luhur Uluwatu

    Temple on a cliff above the Indian Ocean at Bali's southwestern tip, one of the island's six state temples. The interior is reserved for worshippers; a path along the cliff offers views. Evenings feature the Kecak dance in the amphitheater.
    Open in Google Maps
    Padang Padang Beach

    Padang Padang Beach

    Small bay with bright sand, accessed via stairs through a rock fissure. In front of the reef, one of Bali's most famous waves breaks. On the beach itself, the water is suitable for swimming in calm conditions.
    Open in Google Maps
    Melasti Beach
    Attraction

    Melasti Beach

    Beach in the south of Bukit, reached by a road carved into the limestone. Bright sand and turquoise water against high white cliffs, popular on weekends.
    Open in Google Maps
    Garuda Wisnu Kencana
    Dare2Leap / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Park

    Garuda Wisnu Kencana

    Cultural park in a former limestone quarry featuring the 2018-completed, 121-meter-tall (with base) statue of god Vishnu on the bird Garuda. Dance performances take place daily.
    Open in Google Maps
    Bay of Jimbaran
    Stefan Fussan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Attraction

    Bay of Jimbaran

    Sweeping sandy bay with fishing boats by the peninsula. Morning catch at fish market; evenings, seafood restaurants line the beach.
    Open in Google Maps

    Sights in Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Pura Luhur Uluwatu
    Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Temple

    1Pura Luhur Uluwatu

    Temple on a cliff above the Indian Ocean at Bali's southwestern tip, one of the island's six state temples. The interior is reserved for worshippers; a path along the cliff offers views. Evenings feature the Kecak dance in the amphitheater.
    Open in Google Maps
    Padang Padang Beach

    2Padang Padang Beach

    Small bay with bright sand, accessed via stairs through a rock fissure. In front of the reef, one of Bali's most famous waves breaks. On the beach itself, the water is suitable for swimming in calm conditions.
    Open in Google Maps
    Melasti Beach
    Attraction

    3Melasti Beach

    Beach in the south of Bukit, reached by a road carved into the limestone. Bright sand and turquoise water against high white cliffs, popular on weekends.
    Open in Google Maps
    Garuda Wisnu Kencana
    Dare2Leap / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Park

    4Garuda Wisnu Kencana

    Cultural park in a former limestone quarry featuring the 2018-completed, 121-meter-tall (with base) statue of god Vishnu on the bird Garuda. Dance performances take place daily.
    Open in Google Maps
    Bay of Jimbaran
    Stefan Fussan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Attraction

    5Bay of Jimbaran

    Sweeping sandy bay with fishing boats by the peninsula. Morning catch at fish market; evenings, seafood restaurants line the beach.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula

    1

    Menega Cafe

    One of the most renowned seafood eateries on Jimbaran beach. You choose fish, prawns, and mussels from the display, grilled over coconut shells, eaten in the sand.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Single Fin

    Bar and restaurant on the cliff above the Uluwatu surf spot. Daytime bowls and burgers overlooking the waves, packed for sunset, some evenings with a DJ.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Drifter Surf Shop & Cafe

    Cafe with surf shop, gallery, and bookstore on the road to Bingin, offering healthy food, coffee, and a small garden.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food and Drink

    On the Bukit, you eat at cliffside cafes, surfer warungs, and in the evening at the fish grill in Jimbaran.

    Seafood in Jimbaran

    On the beach of Jimbaran Bay, restaurants set up tables in the sand in the evenings and grill fish, prawns, and mussels over coconut shells.

    Nasi Campur in the Surfer Warungs

    Simple Warungs on the steps to the beaches provide surfers with rice, vegetables, and fish.

    Cliff bars

    Local establishments on the steep cliffs serve drinks at sunset with a view of the waves.

    Culture and Character

    Cliff Temple and Surf CoastAt the southwestern tip, Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands on a cliff around 70 meters high, one of Bali's six main temples meant to spiritually protect the island. Every evening, dancers perform the Kecak at the temple, narrating episodes from the Ramayana as the sun sets.The peninsula became known through surfers who discovered the waves of Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Bingin starting in the 1970s. Today, villas and beach clubs stand on the cliffs, while in the villages cattle graze and limestone is quarried. Near Jimbaran lies the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park with one of the world's largest statues.

    Exploring locally

    Getting ThereFrom the Airport: 1 to 1.5 hours to Uluwatu, depending on traffic. To Nusa Dua, it's faster via the toll road.Getting Around the BukitLocally: Distances are significant, and public transport is lacking. Scooters, Grab, or a driver are necessary.Beaches: Many coves are reached via steep stairs; at high tide, some beaches nearly disappear.Temples: At Uluwatu Temple, macaques live that steal glasses and phones. Leave loose items in your vehicle.

    Trips & Activities

    Kecak at Uluwatu Temple

    The performance begins just before sunset in the cliffside amphitheater. It pays to arrive early, seats are limited.

    Surfing

    Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Bingin are reef breaks for experienced surfers. Beginners are better off at Kuta or Batu Bolong.

    Nusa Dua

    On the east side lies the resort zone with quiet beaches and the water feature at the rock Water Blow.

    Accommodations in Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula

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    Nearby

    Kuta and Legian
    Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Kuta and Legian

    Kuta and Legian are Bali's oldest beach resorts, located directly north of the airport. A long sandy beach with beginner waves, numerous accommodations, shopping streets, and nightlife characterize the area.
    Seminyak
    Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Seminyak

    Seminyak on the southwest coast is Bali's district for boutiques, restaurants, and beach clubs. The wide sandy beach merges seamlessly into Legian and Kuta, the sunset over the Indian Ocean is the daily ritual.
    Canggu

    Canggu

    Canggu, northwest of Seminyak, has grown from a surf village into a hub for surfers, café-goers, and digital nomads. Black sand beaches with consistent waves alternate with rice paddies and densely developed streets.
    Sanur

    Sanur

    Sanur, on the southern east coast, is one of Bali's oldest resorts. An offshore reef keeps the waves at bay; a beach promenade connects hotels, Warungs, and fishing boats. From here, boats depart for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
    Ubud
    Chainwit. / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Ubud

    Ubud, in the highlands of Gianyar, is considered Bali's cultural center. Palace, temples, art museums, and evening dance performances are close by, surrounded by rice terraces and river valleys.