Nusa Dua Area

Nusa Dua occupies almost the entire length of a peninsula on the eastern side of Bali’s Bukit, and it is the island’s address for polished, five-star resort holidays. Behind manned gates, a landscaped enclave of luxury hotels fronts a run of calm, reef-sheltered bays - water that is far gentler than the surf beaches to the west, and ideal for swimming.

The draw here is comfort rather than culture. Days are built around the beach and the water, with snorkelling, parasailing and jet-skiing all on offer, and the resorts run some of the best spas in Bali - everything from Balinese massage and facials to saunas and steam rooms. A string of beachfront restaurants serves fresh local seafood, and the bays are a popular setting for beach weddings. Nightlife is deliberately low-key, so Nusa Dua suits travellers who want to relax in comfort over those chasing a party.

Two nearby stops break up the beach time: Dreamland Beach, a dramatic surfer’s cove just up the coast, and the Pasifika Museum, whose collection spans art from across the Asia-Pacific and sets Bali in its wider regional context.

Nusa Dua is about a one-hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport at Denpasar, and the airport itself handles direct international flights as well as the short 80-minute hop from Jakarta.

• Worth it? Best if you’re after high-end accommodation and a calm, resort-style stay.
• What to do: Relax on the beach, swim, eat well and make the most of the spas.
• Best time to go: March to November, during Bali’s drier season.
• How long? A couple of days is plenty unless you’re here purely to unwind.