Central Bali

Central Bali refers to the island’s inland highlands and cultural heart, encompassing towns, villages and agricultural terraces that form the island’s traditional cultural landscape. The area contrasts with Bali’s coastal tourism zones and is known for art, temples and rice cultivation.

Travelers encounter market towns, galleries, traditional craft workshops, Hindu temples and terraced rice fields managed through the Subak communal irrigation system. The interior terrain is hillier and cooler than the coast, with short drives between settlements and scenic viewpoints.

The central highlands have been the island’s cultural and agricultural backbone for centuries, supporting rice cultivation, temple-centered village life and arts traditions that continue to shape Balinese culture today.

Central Bali occupies the island’s interior, with cultural centers like Ubud and upland terraces lying roughly between the southern tourist corridor and the central volcanic peaks.

• Cultural and agricultural core: The central upland zone contains Bali’s cultural heartland with numerous temples, artisan villages and rice-irrigation systems distinct from the island’s coastal resort areas.

What to See#

• Ubud: Ubud, a town considered the island’s cultural center, containing galleries, performance venues and markets for Balinese arts and crafts.
• Rice terraces and Subak landscapes: Tegalalang and other terraced rice fields that exemplify Bali’s traditional Subak irrigation landscapes and are sited in the island’s upland agricultural zone.

Often overlooked in favour of the coast, the island’s mountainous, jungle-clad interior holds some of Bali’s most striking scenery and sits within a short drive of any coastal town.

Ubud and around. Ubud, just north of Denpasar, is the most visited town of the interior. Home to the Balinese royal family and a cluster of high-profile temples, it is famed for its arty character and cool mountain setting. To the east, Mount Agung draws trekkers to its challenging climb, when the volcano is open after its 2017-2019 eruptions, and pilgrims to the Mother Temple of Besakih on its slopes.

Nature and highlands. Bedugul, to the south of the lakes, is known for its botanical gardens, while further west the slopes of Gunung Batukau hold the forest temple of Pura Luhur Batukaru and the Jatiluwih rice terraces. The dry season from May to October is the best time to visit; travellers arriving in March or April may witness Nyepi, the Hindu New Year, when the island falls silent for a day of reflection.

Central Bali is the island’s cultural heartland, a cluster of craft villages, temples and highland scenery within easy reach of the coast.

• Ubud: The cultural heart of Bali, famed for its art galleries, rice terraces, temples and yoga retreats.
• Celuk: A hub for Bali’s renowned silver and gold jewellery craftsmanship.
• Mas: A village of skilled woodcarvers specialising in intricate religious and artistic sculptures.
• Sukawati: Known for its traditional art market, good for local crafts and souvenirs.
• Tampaksiring: A sacred town home to Tirta Empul, the temple of purifying holy springs.
• Bedugul: A cool mountain retreat known for its lakes, botanical gardens and the iconic lakeside Ulun Danu Beratan temple.
• Craft and dance villages such as Singapadu, Batubulan (Barong and Kris performances, stone carving), Batuan (traditional painting) and Sukawati cluster along the road north from Denpasar, while Bedulu holds the ancient Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) and Pejeng the famous Moon of Pejeng bronze drum.

The interior also hides waterfalls, the Ayung River valley around Sayan, and the Bali Bird & Reptile Park, all a short drive from any coastal town.

• Hire a local driver or guide when moving between smaller temples and mountain villages-roads are often narrow and signage minimal.
• Respect temple etiquette in Central Bali: cover shoulders and waist when entering walled shrines; sarongs are sometimes provided.
• Visit pottery villages or rice-terrace viewpoints in the early morning to catch craft demonstrations and cooler light.

Central Bali is accessible from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar). Drive times vary: Ubud is about 1-1.5 hours by car from the airport; Bedugul and the central highlands are 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic. Local transport options include rented scooters, taxis, and private drivers.