Discover the most beautiful sights and things to do in Amed and East Bali: a complete travel guide with our best tips
Amed, a nice fishing village in the northeast of the beautiful island of Bali, is far away from the hustle and bustle of Canggu or Sanur. It is therefore a paradise where you can still discover the real Bali. Amed is known for its beautiful underwater world, perfect for snorkeling and diving. The black sand beaches and the mighty Mount Agung in the background complete the picture.
In addition to the lush marine life, there is still a lot to do in Amed. There are many authentic villages where you can follow traditional ceremonies and visit lively markets such as the Desa Culik Market. For us, Amed is one of our favorite regions in Bali and should certainly not be missed on your tour of Bali.
Snorkel above shipwrecks, explore black sand beaches or visit beautiful temples. This is all possible in the region of Amed and East Bali. In this article we go over the best activities and sights in Amed and East Bali, our favorite restaurants and places to stay. With this complete Amed travel guide you can fully prepare your trip.
What is the best time to visit Amed, Bali
The best time to visit Amed is usually during the dry season, from April to October. During this period there are fewer rainy days, which is ideal for activities such as diving and snorkeling. The water is therefore crystal clear. The temperature ranges from 25°C to 30°C, which is pleasant for most activities.
The further you go towards November (start of the rainy season), the more chance you have of more stormy weather, which is not always ideal for snorkeling. The advantage of course is that it is a lot less busy during the rainy season and you can still discover a lot since it does not rain all day long. During the dry season, the nicest accommodations in Amed can be gone quite quickly, so book them in advance (especially when it is also a holiday in Australia and a lot of people come to Bali).
How to get to Amed in Bali
You can choose to go to Amed by private transport from almost anywhere in Bali. The advantage of private transport is that you sit comfortably. The disadvantage is that you are more often stuck in traffic. Especially around the coast (Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur) and in Ubud, nowadays it is tailgating to get out of the city.
Or if you are really adventurous you can drive your scooter to Amed all the way from Ubud, Sanur, or another place. This way you can also visit other nice sights in Bali along the way. It is quite a drive (it took us 3 hours from Sanur to Amed).
If you come to Amed by taxi, it is fun to rent a scooter and discover all the beaches in Amed, the surrounding villages, and the sights. You can stop anywhere to snorkel, visit something, and completely set your own pace.
An alternative is to hire a driver for a day to explore the region around Amed. Ask the driver who brought you, at the local travel agencies, or at your accommodation.
Although it may not seem so easy to visit Amed, that is why it is so worth it! Most tourists do not come here, which makes it wonderfully quiet and authentic.
TIP: You sometimes read on the internet that you can take the boat from Amed to the Gili Islands or Lombok, but that is no longer the case. For this, you have to go from Amed to Padangbai, from where you can take the ferry to the Gili islands or to Lombok. Keep in mind that the sea here can be very wild, especially in the rainy season, and flying from Denpasar to Lombok may be a better option.
How many days do you need to visit Amed
There is a lot to do in and around Amed. We recommend that you allow at least 2 to 3 days to visit Amed and East Bali, but if you have more days you can certainly stay here longer without getting bored.
You will need at least 2 days to discover all the sights mentioned in this article about what to do in Amed and East Bali. And you also just want some time to relax on one of the beaches, snorkel endlessly and enjoy the delicious dishes that the restaurants here serve.
What to do in Amed and East Bali
Go snorkeling in Amed: the best beaches and snorkeling sites
If you like snorkeling, you shouldn’t miss Amed during your tour of Bali! The underwater world here is extremely lively and colorful. Moreover, it is also fun to stay and relax on the black and yellow beaches, often between the beautiful authentic Balinese boats.
The big advantage is that you can go straight into the water from most beaches (except at low tide). You can bring your own snorkeling equipment or you can rent it on site. The coral reefs are located close to the coast (25m) which makes it easy to spot colorful fish, reef sharks, or even turtles.
You can also choose to go out on a snorkeling tour. You can book them anywhere on the beach and there are also tours that go at sunset. Most snorkeling tours visit the same popular snorkeling sites.
Good to know: during the rainy season there can sometimes be rubbish on the beaches. Unfortunately, there is little you can do about it, except travel responsibly, consume and recycle everything.
The most popular beaches and places for snorkeling are:
- Lipah Beach: one of the most beautiful beaches, both for lying and snorkeling. If you are very lucky you can sometimes spot the Mola Mola (giant sunfish), but they usually swim a little deeper.
- Jemeluk Beach: good for snorkeling with a beautiful coral reef and you can also see a sunken temple.
- Japanese shipwreck: one of the most famous snorkeling spots. You can go there with one of the boats or you can reach it from the pebble beach. Then you have to pay an entrance fee at the restaurant, but you do get a drink and a table. The wreck is only 20m from the shore and can therefore be easily reached.
- Amed Beach: a beautiful black beach that, with the Amed reef off the coast, is also ideal for snorkeling.
- Selang Beach: nice for snorkeling.
- Ibus Beach: a very quiet beach to read a book and relax.
- Kembali Beach Bungalow Reef: Another nice spot for snorkeling.
TIP: If you want to see sea turtles, it is best to go early in the morning, when it is still nice and quiet and you have a better chance of spotting the turtles. You have the best chance at the Amed reef. Go snorkeling when it is high tide, so you should not be afraid to step on the coral. At low tide it is almost impossible to snorkel from the beach, so you must book a snorkeling tour.
Visit the beautiful Tirta Gangga Water Palace
The Tirta Gangga Water Palace is one of the most beautiful sights in Bali and should not be missed on your tour of Bali and Amed. It is truly a breathtaking place filled with graceful ponds, fountains and beautiful gardens. This Water Palace was built by the Karangasem royal family in 1946. Tirta Gangga means “Water of the Ganges” in Balinese.
Try to go here early in the morning as it can get very busy. The most beautiful part is the central pond with a beautiful bridge decorated with dragons. The Balinese also believe in the power of holy water. Only they have access to it.
The Tirta Gangga Water Palace is about 40 minutes from Amed and is therefore ideal to visit if you are driving towards Amed, by scooter or a private driver.
Admire the unique view of Mount Agung at Lahangan Sweet
Lahangan Sweet is perhaps one of the most famous photos of Mount Agung that you see on Instagram. The image of people sitting on a platform in a tree looking at the mighty volcano can be called iconic to say the least.
However, it is not very easy to get there, as it is quite far from Amed and other attractions (except the Lempuyan temple). The easiest way is to go with your scooter yourself. You then park at the bottom of the hill. There you have to pay a small amount to gain access to Lahagan Sweet, and if you don’t want to go up on foot (quite steeply), you also pay a little extra for the jeep trip. When we were there the road was full of mud, so a jeep ride could have been useful.
On top of the hill, you have various viewpoints. Everything is set up to take photos (so not authentic), but it remains very beautiful. They even have gates and a mirror (just like at the Lempuyan temple). On the platform, you can wait until your number is called, and then you can go on it for a photo. This is taken by one of the employees.
It’s a bit of a hassle, and you have to decide for yourself whether you think it’s worth doing. The big advantage is that it is a lot less busy here than, for example, at the Lempuyan temple. And it produces some very beautiful photos with Mount Agung in the background. The photos are even more impressive at sunrise and sunset.
TIP: On the way to this Lahangan Sweet you pass the beautiful View Point Resto. There you can have something delicious to eat with a beautiful view of Mount Agung. It used to be busy here, but lately few people stop here anymore because they closed the road in the village to cars. You can only go up with a shuttle (unless you come by scooter). Ask the driver to stop here.
Go diving in Tulamben and discover the USAT Liberty Shipwreck
Tulamben is home to one of Bali’s most famous diving locations, the USAT Liberty Shipwreck. This shipwreck, which was sunk during the Second World War, is now one of the sights in Amed. The ship was initially moored on the coast, but it was swept into the sea by the large volcanic eruption of Mount Agung in 1967.
Now the wreck is accessible to divers of all levels due to its shallow location. You can also snorkel there. The wreck is covered in coral and you can see both seahorses and turtles.
Amed and the surrounding area is also a perfect place to learn to dive, with many diving schools where you can also obtain your PADI if you want. Jemeluk Beach, for example, is perfect for beginners, but there are also many other places.
Discover Gretek Black Sand Beach and Pantai Pasir Hitam, two beautiful black sand beaches
The beaches of Amed are known for their dark volcanic sand. But in the wider area of Amed, you will find two other beautiful black sand beaches.
One beach, Black Sand Beach, is located 40km west of Amed (a little past the USAT Liberty Shipwreck). This deserted beach is beautiful from the air, with its blue water, black beach and countless palm trees. Definitely come here if you have a drone. You will hardly find any tourists here and you can still see local life as it used to be.
The other deserted beach, Pantai Pasir Hitam, can be found east of Amed. We followed the road past Tamang Ujung towards the north with our scooter. At the beach itself, there is a bamboo ladder (10m deep) along the rock to reach the beach. When we were there there was no one on the beach. There is also a small shop along the road where you can buy drinks.
Climb Mount Batur at sunrise
Mount Batur, the sacred volcano, is the second most active volcano in Bali after the famous Mount Agung. However, the last eruption dates back to 2000. The walk to the top of the crater at sunrise is one of the most impressive things to do in Bali.
The view at the top is breathtaking. You can book a tour from Amed with a guide to go up on foot. The walk is quite easy and doable for almost all levels. You will leave in the middle of the night, so that you will be at the top by sunrise. An alternative is to book a tour with a jeep.
TIP: It can be very cold on top of the mountain, especially at night. So bring enough layers, good shoes and plenty of water.
Admire the Lempuyan Temple and the Gates of Heaven
Another iconic photo on Instagram is the ‘Gates of Heaven‘. These gates are part of the Lempuyan temple, and are best known because they take a photo here with a mirror, which gives a very nice effect (as if there is water, but that is not the case!). In clear weather, you can even see Mount Agung just between the two columns. But to get that photo, you sometimes have to queue for several hours. Come early in the morning or late in the evening.
What many people forget, however, is to visit the Lempuyan temple itself. This is one of Bali’s oldest and most revered temples and the most important in East Bali. Take your time to walk around and enjoy this unique place with an impressive view of the majestic Mount Agung.
Discover Amed and East Bali by scooter
If you have read our other articles about Southeast Asia, you probably already know that we love renting a scooter and exploring a place that way. We have already done this in Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, and now in Bali, we have again rented our favorite means of transport.
Of all the places we drove our scooter, East Bali is one of our favorites. The roads are quiet (so it is also suitable for beginners) and there are several fantastic viewpoints over the ocean (follow the 14 km long coastline), Mount Agung or rice fields. Moreover, you drive through authentic Balinese villages, where you can still discover real life.
But if those aren’t enough reasons, a scooter is especially fun because you have the freedom to go where you want, at your own pace, without a driver who always waits for you or has a fixed route. Be sure to stop at one of the local warungs to try a local specialty.
TIP: You can either drive a scooter from somewhere else in Bali to Amed, or you can also easily rent a scooter anywhere in Amed for one or a few days. Sometimes they ask for your international driver’s license, so make sure you have it with you.
Look for Bukit Cinta, the most beautiful view of Mount Agung
The active volcano Mount Agung is everywhere when you travel around East Bali. At various points you have a beautiful view, but this point is a 40-minute drive from Amed, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Bali, and it is free.
From the road, it probably looks like you are at the wrong vantage point. But you have to go down a little bit between the banana plants along a small path. From there, you have a beautiful view of the rice fields with Mount Agung in the background. Unfortunately, there was some cloud cover here, but when the weather is clear it is even more beautiful.
TIP: Come here at sunrise or sunset, when the light is even more beautiful!
Experience the sunset in Amed
Amed is known for its breathtaking sunsets, where the sun disappears behind Mount Agung, and the hills and ocean are bathed in beautiful shades of pink and orange.
If you go all the way to the right on Amed beach, you have a fantastic view of the black beach with Mount Agung behind it. When the sun sets here, it presents a beautiful spectacle.
TIP: Go to the Chill Bar & Grill for a drink or meal while the sun sets. Be sure to get here on time because it fills up quickly and it may take a little longer before you get your food.
An alternative is to go to one of the viewpoints. The most famous café is Sunset Point, but you have to pay for admission there (although you can normally use part of that money for a drink). They have a beautiful infinity pool, facing the sunset.
Across the street, you have Blue Earth Villa, where you can enjoy delicious local food and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunset points in Amed in one of the bean bags. Be sure to get here on time, because it fills up quickly. And another alternative is the See You Again Cafe, with equally beautiful views of Mount Agung and the sunset.
Another fun thing to do in Amed is go out at sunset on one of the traditional boats. Almost all local travel agencies offer this, usually as the end point of a snorkeling tour.
Enjoy the best fried Bananas at Berina Rice Terrace
The beautiful Berina Rice Terraces are not touristy and offer an insight into local life in East Bali. Although this spot is less known and perhaps not as special as some of the other sights in East Bali, we were still enthusiastic about it.
If you are on your way to Amed or exploring the region around Amed, we think it is worthwhile to stop here. The small cafe that overlooks the rice terraces has delicious coffee, tea, but especially delicious fried bananas. During the pandemic, this friendly family lost their job, and decided to create a small café with a view of their terraces. A very successful plan if you ask us!
Immerse yourself in local life
The fishing village of Amed is one of the places in Bali where you can still experience local life as it used to be. The traditional wooden boats are still everywhere on the beach here.
Here are some fun ideas to see locals at work in their natural environment:
- About 5 km from Amed you will find a traditional Balinese market, the Culik Village Market. Make sure your camera is charged for this colorful spectacle. Here nothing is adapted to tourists and you are completely among the Balinese people. You can buy all local products such as fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and nuts. Walk all the way to the back and enjoy all the scenes that take place among the various friendly Balinese market vendors.
- Go for a walk on Amed beach early in the morning. The fishermen arrive with their catch of the day and it is then distributed on the beach and sold to the locals. Very fun to follow along!
- In addition to being a fishing village, Amed is also best known for its salt. They have been extracting salt here (with a unique umami taste) in a traditional way for centuries. Visit the Amed Salt Center to learn more about the manual production process and buy a nice souvenir.
Discover the Taman Ujung temple complex
There are some fantastic temples in East Bali and Taman Ujung is certainly one of them. Built in 1909, this was originally the palace of the former king. Now it is mainly a place where you can admire the beautiful architecture with Balinese, European, and Central Asian influences with the deep blue ocean in the background.
Take your time to explore the extensive water palace, with its stairs, temples, and beautiful water gardens. Moreover, this is less crowded, so it is a wonderful place to enjoy peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings.
Climb Mount Agung with a guide at sunrise
This is probably one of the biggest challenges you can do in Bali, namely climbing the sacred mountain Mount Agung. But you cannot do this on your own, you are required to take a guide who will take you to the top at sunrise.
The tour is very difficult, takes no less than 6 hours, and departs at 11 p.m. the night before. Absolutely not recommended for children and people with reduced mobility. But this arduous journey is of course rewarded with fantastic views of the volcano, the sea and the surrounding area. A must-do for sporty travelers looking for a unique experience.
Our favorite restaurants in Amed
You won’t go hungry easily in Amed. You will find numerous restaurants with both Balinese and Western dishes, so there is something for everyone.
If you want tasty and cheap food, you can go to one of the many warungs such as Warung Agung Amed or Warung Enak Amed during the day or in the evening.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Rimba Cafe: one of the nicest places to have a healthy breakfast or lunch. You can choose between delicious smoothie bowls, pancakes or a tasty juice. But you mainly come here to enjoy the beautiful design with many plants.
- Bukit Segara: a slightly more elegant restaurant with a sea view where you can enjoy tasty seafood dishes and of course the catch of the day.
- See You Again Cafe: a nice place where you can enjoy the sunset with Mount Agung in the background and a delicious, affordable meal.
- Chill Bar & Grill: a cozy bar on the beach, where you can order tacos, fishburgers, or Balinese while enjoying the beautiful sunset. The ideal end to a wonderful day in Amed.
- Gusto Resto: when you fancy tasty international dishes. The fresh pasta and pizza are especially delicious.
- Ibus Warung: local restaurant with delicious food with a view over Ibus Beach.
- Warung Asri: a nice warung on Lipah Beach. They have tasty and affordable food here that you can eat while enjoying the beautiful view over Lipah beach.
Where to stay in Amed
When you visit Amed, we recommend that you spend the night at one of the beaches. Then you are close to everything, you can just walk out of your hotel to snorkel and enjoy the sunset in the evening.
Most accommodation options are in the city and on the beach of Amed itself, but be sure to check out the accommodations at Lipah Beach and Jemeluk Beach.
Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Amed:
- Salt Resort & Spa: a very nice and affordable hotel on the beach of Amed. The friendly staff, the beautiful swimming pool with a view over the ocean while you hear the waves, the delicious breakfast, … all ensure that you have an unforgettable stay here. There are also family rooms.
- Amed Beach Villa: this villa is located at the end of Amed beach, with a beautiful view of Mount Agung (also during sunset). Moreover, it is also within walking distance of all shops and restaurants in Amed.
- Villa Melasti: Although this villa is not located directly on the sea (just a few minutes’ walk), it is one of the most beautiful traditional villas in Amed with a beautiful swimming pool, super friendly staff, delicious breakfast, and simply a fantastic overall experience! Definitely fun with families!
If you would like some peace and quiet, consider staying at Lipah Beach! Here are some of our favorite places to stay there:
- Beach Side Amed Delem Family: this small family hotel has very affordable rooms, right on the beach. The friendly owners offer snorkels, so you can discover the underwater world in front of the hotel yourself. Highly recommended if you are looking for budget-friendly accommodation on the beach.
- Hidden Paradise Cottages: In the morning you can leave your bungalow (also for families) straight onto the beach for snorkeling or to relax. Or maybe you prefer to lie by the beautiful swimming pool? Friends of ours stayed here and it was so pleasant that they didn’t feel like exploring the rest :-).
- Vienna Beach Resort: a beautiful resort on Lipah Beach, where it is wonderful to spend an afternoon on the beach in one of their sun loungers, with a drink in hand, while you can go snorkeling in front of the hotel and dine in the evening in their delicious restaurant.
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