Fancy an escape to nature? Head east to Sidemen Valley for a taste of “real Bali village” - volcanoes, rice terraces and not a beach club in sight!
A far cry from the bustle of South Bali’s beach clubs and bars, Sidemen Valley in East Bali is a verdant, undiscovered landscape of emerald green rice terraces, soaring volcanoes, traditional villages and working farms – a nostalgic flashback to the Bali of yesteryear.
The climate in this abundant valley is a little cooler compared to Bali’s sun-soaked coastline, making it the perfect temperature to visit mountain-top temples, adventure through jungle-fringed rice fields and trek to the summit of active volcanoes – not to mention slip into a warm bubble bath in one of Sidemen’s five-star resorts…
Oh yes, despite Sidemen Valley’s off-the-grid address, this charming neighbourhood is home to some of the most breathtaking resorts around. You won’t find any high-rise hotels or blaring beach clubs here, but what you will find is a humble collection of boutique destinations, consciously built using all-natural materials. Pair this with a handful of cultural excursions, some paddock-to-plate dining experiences and plenty of outdoorsy adventures, and you’ve got yourself the perfect Sidemen Valley itinerary.
But wait – where is Sidemen Valley?
Sidemen is a stunning village located in Karangasem, East Bali, nestled between Ubud and Candidasa. Sidemen is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Often overlooked, you may have passed it as you make your way from the south of Bali to the island’s famous volcanoes – in fact, Sidemen is a good base for those looking to join a sunrise hike, as it is close to the base camps of Mount Agung and Mount Batur. Additionally, you can think of Sidemen as the halfway pitstop between the south and the popular northeastern neighbourhoods of Amed and Tulamben.
What is Sidemen best known for?
The Sidemen area is home to ten villages spread across its 35 kilometre-square grounds, inhabited by communities of artisans. Sidemen is therefore best known for its traditional textile weaving and production, and silversmithing too. Sidemen is the home of the traditional hand-woven Endek cloth, which is native to the area and can be purchased in Pelangi. You’ll also find lots of silver studios in Sidemen, where you can watch silver being made, join classes, and of course, shop for silver pieces to take home.
What are the best things to do in Sidemen?
With its lush landscapes and natural beauty all around, there are so many great things to do in Sidemen in the great outdoors, from scaling Sidemen’s rice terraces, to hiking Mount Batur, biking around the valley and even white water rafting. You can also shop for textiles and silver jewellery, or simply relax in one of Sidemen’s many beautiful resorts.
How to get to Sidemen?
Just like getting around Bali, Sidemen can be reached via a scooter or a car – and the good news is that the streets are mostly paved, quiet, and narrow yet open, giving you a chance to enjoy the journey. In general, it takes approximately one to two hours from Sanur, or about one hour from downtown Ubud. But, don’t let the distance stop you – it’s a scenic route that’s blessed with even more breathtaking scenery once you get there…
Ready to venture off the beaten path? Here’s our top picks on where to stay, eat and play in Sidemen, one of Bali’s most peaceful neighbourhoods.
SIDEMEN VALLEY GUIDE: Where to stay
The best hotels & resorts with breathtaking valley views
1. Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa
Sitting in the heart of Sidemen’s verdant green valley, Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa is an adults-only boutique destination that’s all about merging nature with Balinese culture. Not only are the “Lumbung” villas made from all-natural local materials (think traditional thatched roofs and breathtaking bamboo structures) the refined services and excursions here are carefully curated to show off Sidemen’s true charm. Visit sacred temples, meet local families, experience village life and learn all about Bali’s ceremonies and traditions – all the while lapping up the many luxuries of this sublime five-star resort…
2. Hideout
Head slightly out of Sidemen Valley and you’ll find Hideout – an Insta-famous collection of bamboo homes that are as eco-friendly as they are jaw-dropping (our fave is the two-bedroom Hideout Horizon). Designed as a place to unplug and kick off your shoes as you listen to the sounds of nature, these open-air eco-lodges let you truly immerse in Bali’s great outdoors. We love the bamboo swings, oversized hammocks and stone bathtubs – just don’t forget to bring a good book.
3. Camaya
Another eco-friendly Insta and Netflix phenomenon is Camaya, approximately 20 minutes from Sidemen’s central valley. Made up of five fabulous bamboo abodes, Camaya is what off-the-grid jungle-luxe dreams were made of. Here you’ll find suspended lounges that overlook Mount Agung, outdoor showers for bathing beneath the stars, and open-air cuddle corners stacked with comfy pillows…
4. Cepik Villa Sidemen
A humble-yet-elegant resort surrounded by greenery, Cepik Villa Sidemen is a gorgeous accommodation option for solo travellers, couples, and families too. Its cosy suites and private bungalows come with top-notch Balinese hospitality and stunning views over the emerald horizon. Start your day with breakfast at the in-house restaurant, or bask in the morning sunlight in the rooftop garden. The resort can even help you curate a wonderful itinerary, with private yoga, vegan Balinese cooking classes, spa treatments, trekking or white water rafting.
5. Patal Kikian Villas
Home to what is arguably the very best view of Mount Agung, Patal Kikian Villas is a humble Balinese resort in the centre of Sidemen Valley. With its stunning infinity pool that looks out over Bali’s majestic volcano, waking up here is really something special. And sunsets on the deck are out of this world too…
6. Veluvana Bali
A unique collection of bamboo houses, Veluvana Bali is a dream abode for island wanderers. Each house was built with sustainability in mind, using locally sourced materials, furniture and talented Balinese artists to minimise its carbon footprint. The result? An architectural delight and a tropical home-away-from-home, perfect for escaping to nature. Each booking comes with complimentary breakfasts for two, and daily butler services too. The friendly staff help to make your stay as fuss-free as possible, from finding a masseur for those all-important massages, to recommending the best sights and activities around. But that’s not all – for an additional fee, you can treat yourself to a flower pool, a floating breakfast and a romantic candlelight dinner, or take to the rice paddies for a trekking tour with a local guide.
7. Oniria Bali
Hit pause and get away from it all at this dreamy Sidemen abode in the midst of the rice fields. A cosy bamboo house, Oniria is an open-space villa with bohemian-chic decor, designed to give you an outdoorsy stay experience with all the modern facilities you need. Think comfy beds overlooking the rice fields with Mount Agung in the background, plus an indoor garden and a pond in your living room. It even has a floating netted balcony for those Insta shots, and a luxe bathtub in the crisp open air… All of this, with the sounds of the river and resident frogs serenading you to bliss.
8. Villa Kropak
A beautiful guesthouse with private poolside suites, we loved our stay Villa Kropak. The outdoor dining terrace is where we spent most of our days, soaking up the views of the surrounding hillside, the glittering infinity pool and the villa’s own rice fields and organic gardens. The rooms are bright and breezy for those lazy days indoors, and there’s even a poolside spa for when only a blissful Balinese massage will do.
SIDEMEN VALLEY GUIDE: Where to eat
The best restaurants in Sidemen for breakfast, lunch & dinner
1. Asri Dining
Sitting within the stunning grounds of Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa, Asri Dining is the signature restaurant of this top-pick Sidemen stay. Housed within a breathtaking open-air structure surrounded by tropical gardens and draped in lush foliage, the menu here follows a paddock-to-plate philosophy, with many of the seasonal, local ingredients coming direct from the resort’s very own garden. Graze on scrummy nibbles with spectacular views over the rice fields, or go all-out with a multi-course dinner with wine and cocktails. A Balinese curry with a vino and a view? You betcha.
2. Sleeping Gajah Kitchen & Lounge
For an ultra-luxe dining experience, head to the open-air restaurant within Sidemen’s five-star resort, Wapa Di Ume. The restaurant looks out over panoramic views of the hillside, serenaded by the natural sounds of Sidemen’s Unda river. Quality cuisine is the name of the game here, with everything from Indonesian staples to western favourites and some very special signature dishes too.
SIDEMEN VALLEY GUIDE: Things to do in Sidemen
The best tours, activities & must-see sights
1. Scale Sidemen’s rice terraces
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring Bali’s rice fields in Sidemen. The village is quite literally surrounded by them, but of course, the Sidemen Rice Terraces are the most famous (and the most accessible). The best way to scale these emerald-green icons? Head out on a walking tour to hike through jungle, across rivers and trek to the top terraces. The views are truly breathtaking, right across the sunken green valley and out toward the volcanic horizon. Dreamy!
2. Visit the traditional weaving workshops
Textiles and ceremonial cloths have been at the forefront of Bali’s traditions for thousands of years, and in Sidemen, you can visit some of the island’s oldest weaving workshops. The most famous is the Pelangi workshop, where you can witness the weaving of the Balinese “Endek” cloth, which is indigenous to Sidemen and was once reserved for Balinese nobles. Watch as hand-looms clack and clap, weaving length-upon-length of vegetable-dyed threads, forming the beautifully distinctive geometric patterns of Endek. And the best bit? You can then buy these cloths to take home with you after!
3. Hike Mount Batur at sunrise
While the closest volcano to Sidemen is the sacred Mount Agung, a hike to the top of this fiercely active volcano isn’t for the faint hearted (I’ve tried it once, and I honestly don’t think I could face it again!). Instead, travel slightly further afield to Mount Batur for the ever-famous sunrise hike. Almost anyone with moderate fitness can hike to the top of Mount Batur in as little as one hour (or take it easy and summit within 2 hours). You’ll leave Sidemen at around 3am in the morning, summiting just before sunrise. Trust us when we say the early morning wake-up call is absolutely worth it. Our top tip? Take a tour that includes breakfast at the top, return transfers and tickets to the park. We went with Samanvaya’s Relax & Climb package, and it was perfect!
4. Bike around the valley
Disclaimer: we were too lazy to ride a push-bike up and down Sidemen’s hilly valley, so we hired a scooter to do the hard work for us. Whether you go sans-motor or not, biking around Sidemen is an absolute must. With every twist and turn of the valley roads, a brand new and breathtaking vista unveils. Volcanoes to your left, rivers to your right, and charming Balinese villages all around. Go slow to really soak in the leisurely pace of life in Sidemen…
5. Follow the yellow bridge road
If you’ve already crossed the iconic yellow bridge on Nusa Lembongan, you’ll want to check out Sidemen’s smaller sibling. This rickety bridge crosses over the Telaga Waja river, which rushes from the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano. With its wide rocky bank lined by jungly thicket, it’s a lovely spot for a quick photo op.
6. Go white-water rafting
With one of the best rafting rivers running right through the valley, a white-water rafting experience should be on every Sidemen itinerary. The starting point for the raft expedition is just a short drive outside of Sidemen, which gives you up to 14km of wild rapids to ride. The rapids range from grade 3 to 4 depending on the season, so if you’re not up for such an exhilarating experience, opt for a tour along the banks instead, surrounded by magnificent mountains and rice fields.
Looking for more off-the-beaten path adventures? Check out this guide to Pemuteran in north Bali!
