Uluwatu is a place on the South-Western tip of the Bukit Peninsula. The Bukit Peninsula is composed by Jimbaran, Uluwatu and Nusa dua.
Uluwatu is known as surfer’s paradise and it’s my favorite place in the whole world! It has a different vibe to it than for example the vibe in Canggu: it’s way more laid-back, less traffic and less people although it’s getting crowdier as a lot of people are finding their way down to the Bukit these days. It’s located aroud 40 to 45 minutes from Denpasar Airport (depending on traffic).

If you are looking to surf, relax, experience amazing sunsets, visit beautiful beaches and amazing views from the cliffs, Uluwatu is the place to be.

Important: If you are not an experienced surfer, I would not recomment going into the ocean by yourself as the waves can get pretty big here.

Uluwatu is pretty stretched out and there is not really a ‘city center’ or one place where everything happens, so make sure to rent a scooter do discover this breathtaking place!

BEST BEACHES

All the beaches here are situated at the bottom of the cliffs (obviously) which means you’ll have to do a lot of stairs to be able to get there. Going down is easy, getting back up…not so much :)

· Thomas Beach ( Follow the dusty road across the street of Suka Espresso and make your way down). I like this one and go here all the time.

· Padang Padang: Not my favorite beach but many people want to see this one because ‘Eat, Pray Love’ was filmed here. You have to pay an entrance fee to get in. Baby Padang is a great spot for beginner surfers

· Bingin beach

· Balangan beach

· Karma beach

· Green Bowl beach

· Pandawa beach : when you get there, go all the way to the left side, there are less people there). Or go to Palmilla instead

· Dreamland : I never go here, I just don’t feel it but apparently a lot of people do ;)

· Sunday beach club : amazing views, a bit pricy but worth it

· Nyang Nyang beach: you’ll be pretty much alone here.

· Pantai Suluban Uluwatu: Not really a beach, more of a famous starting point for surfers to get in the water. It’s situated all the way down from ‘Single Fin’. You have to walk a lot of stairs to get down there but so worth it!

WHERE TO STAY

Uluwatu has soooo many amazing places to stay and it’s hard to pick just a few options, but I tried to narrow it down to my favorites:

€ The Manic Toya (walking distance to Single Fin) + Sriyana Uluwatu (great location)Mule Malu Tropical Stay (Bingin) + Salty Breeze Bali (hidden gem at Greenbowl beach) + Le Cliff (beachfront, amazing price, Padang Padang)

€€ Coconuts Bingin + Gravity hotel + La Cabane Bali + Boho Bingin Beach Bali (Bingin) + Dreamsea Bali (Padang Padang -ocean front!) + Sal Secret Spot (Bingin) + Gravity Hotel (Bingin) + Rock ’n Reef (close to Jimbaran) + Pink Coco Bali ( Padang Padang) + Gypsea (Bingin) This s a new boutique hotel and so stunning (also has a very handsome manager haha)+ The Korowai Bali (insane beachfront small resort,looooove this) + Incense Impossible beach + Le Yanandra Bali + Hari Indah Boutique Hotel, Uluwatu Dream Inn ( a paradise in the BEST location!)

€€€ Uluwatu Surf Villas + La Joya Biu Biu + The Edge + Alila Villas Uluwatu + Bulgari Resort +Suarga Padang Padang

WHERE TO EAT

· Ulu Garden: foods& drinks, music & art, work & relax

The Cave Bali (NEW!!): a top restaurant inside an actual cave!!!

Suka Espresso (love it!!): across the street of Thomas beach

· The Place With No Name: beautiful setting!

· La Baraca: Italian food, next to Suka Espresso. Always make a reservation, gets busy at night

· Single Fin: breakfast (and dinner) with the best view in The Bukit

· The Cashew Tree (Bingin)

· Latino Bingin (Bingin)

· Mana Uluwatu: the best of the best (view, food, atmosphere, location)

· The Alchemist (Jimbaran): hidden gem - so beautiful + there is pool!

· Gooseberry Boutique & cafe (Bingin): has good food, a pool and goosberry goodies!

· El Kabron: Spanish food, located on the cliff - has a pool

· Guapa (Padang Padang): Mexican food

· Kelly’s Warung (Bingin beach)

· Tabu Bali (new!): a combination of mexican spirit and Japanese elegance

· Coco Kitchen: restaurant from White Palm Hotel. Bit pricier but amazing chef

· OURS (new!): epic spot with the most beautiful spa attached to the venue

· Alchemy: beautiful vegan place with a little shop attached

· The Bakery: new bakery with some of the best bread and cinnamon rolls

CHELA BALI (new): you have to see it to believe it! BEAU TI FUL setting

Drifter: Famous surfshop with a garden attached where you can eat!
BGS: Amazing coffee!
Mason: Beautiful restaurant with amazing food!
Mu Bungalows: Perfect place on the cliffs, overlooking the ocean. Great for romantic sunset dinner

NIGHTLIFE IN THE BUKIT

As I mentioned before, compared to other places in Bali, Uluwatu has not a massive nightlife. If you wanna party , you should probably go to Seminyak or Canggu.

Nevertheless, I’ve had some of the best nights of my life in Ulus:

Wishing Well: drinks and food with some nights live music and dj’s (close to Suka Espresso)
Single Fin: Open everyday (cath the sunset here!) but if you want to party, go here on Wednesday or Sunday.
Angel Martz: this is basically a mini market/nightshop where people go pre-drinking before going to Single Fin on Wednesday and Sunday. Pretty shabby but great atmosphere. Obsessed with this place.
Beach party Padang Padang: every Saturday night (with live band)
Il Salotto Bali: Nice little bar with cute garden next to La Baracca.
The Cashew tree: good food and some nights they have live music
Hatch: Indoor bar where you can party pretty much every night
Ulu cliffhouse (Uluwatu): Ibiza style beachclub with pool on the cliffs.
Savaya (Uluwatu): big outdoor club.it’s pretty much the biggest club in Ulus.
Sunset spot Uluwatu: laid back spot to catch sunset. Come early!
Rock Bar ( Jimbaran)
Il Salotto: restaurant/bar with dj’s on some nights

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO?

·

Ritual Bali (NEW): sunset spot on the cliff, extrodinay setting

Lucky Wins: casual beachfront pool at Balangan beach with laid back vibes. After surf cocktails and happy hour. Sometimes they organise salsa nights!

· By The Cliff : (close to Single Fin), best sunset place and great food overlooking Suluban beach

· Uluwatu temple: don’t go here if you don’t like monkeys :)

· Malini Agro Park: Hidden Gem! Malini Agro Park is a Balinese organic agricultural park located on the beautiful cliffs of Uluwatu area, overlooking the stunning Indian ocean. A place where you find the serenity of soul and peace of mind. Sunset, sounds of nature, meditation, healthy organic food, all this together is truly paradise and they have a pool!

· Palmilla Bali Melasti beach: new fancy beachfront pool at Melasti beach

. LA TRIBU (NEW!): STUNNING yoga studio in Bingin