Lovina and the north coast (Buleleng)
Buleleng is where most of our Bali villas are. Lovina's beaches are dark volcanic sand and the sea is usually calm, with boats going out early in the morning to look for dolphins. Inland are the Gitgit waterfalls, and the Banjar hot springs are a short drive west. Singaraja, the regency's main town, has markets and an old Dutch-era harbour. Allow around three hours from the airport over the mountains.
Best for: Quiet villas, calm black-sand beaches and dolphin boat trips at dawn
Not for you if: You want restaurants and nightlife on the doorstep: Lovina is a sleepy strip, and the airport is three hours away.
Seririt, Desa Rangdu and the north-west
West of Lovina the coast gets quieter again. Rangdu is a farming village in Seririt district, with rice fields and the vineyards that supply much of Bali's wine on the surrounding slopes. Pemuteran, around an hour further west, is the base for snorkelling and diving trips to Menjangan Island in the West Bali National Park. The airport is three hours or more by road.
Best for: Rural quiet among rice fields, with diving at Menjangan within reach
Not for you if: You want to walk anywhere: villas here are among fields and small villages, and you will need a driver.
Seminyak (south-west coast)
Seminyak is the smart end of Bali's busiest coast, with boutiques, restaurants and beach bars along a wide sandy beach that faces west for the sunset. The surf is strong, so swim between the flags. Villas here are usually walled, with a pool in a small garden, on lanes off the main roads. The airport is 30 minutes to an hour away, depending on traffic.
Best for: Couples and groups who want restaurants, shops and beach clubs nearby
Not for you if: You want peace and quiet: traffic is heavy and the beach is crowded at sunset.
Ubud and Kabupaten Gianyar (inland)
Gianyar regency takes in Ubud and the villages around it, with rice terraces such as Tegallalang, the Monkey Forest and temples in almost every village. Ubud has the island's widest choice of cafés, craft shops and dance performances, and evenings are a little cooler than on the coast. We have only one villa in Gianyar, so choice is very limited. The airport is around an hour and a half away.
Best for: Rice terraces, temples, yoga studios and slightly cooler evenings
Not for you if: You want a beach: the nearest is around 40 minutes away, and traffic in central Ubud crawls.
Denpasar and Sanur (south-east)
Denpasar is Bali's capital, and its boundaries take in Sanur on the east coast, where a long beach path runs beside calm water protected by the reef. Fast boats leave Sanur for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. This is the quickest base from the airport, around 30 minutes away. We list just one villa in the Denpasar area.
Best for: The shortest airport transfer and calm water inside the reef
Not for you if: You want surf or a big beach-club scene: Sanur is the island's quieter, older resort.
