By Blaise Jaeger · Updated November 11, 2026

The Bukit is the limestone peninsula that hangs off the southern tip of Bali, south of the airport. It holds three very different places: Uluwatu, with its sea temple, surf breaks and cliff-top bars; Jimbaran, a fishing bay famous for grilled seafood at sunset; and Nusa Dua, a gated resort area with calm, clean beaches. I live in Seminyak, about an hour’s drive away, and the Bukit is where I go when I want a change of scene: a night in a cliff bungalow, a long Saturday brunch, a fish dinner in Jimbaran.

Why Visit Uluwatu, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua?

Because the south of Bali looks nothing like the rice terraces of Ubud or the busy streets of Seminyak. Here the island ends in white cliffs dropping 70 meters into the Indian Ocean, with small beaches hidden at the bottom of long staircases. The water is clearer than on the west coast, the sunsets from the cliffs are among the best in Bali, and the hotels are some of the most spectacular on the island.

The three areas suit different trips. Uluwatu is for surfers, sunset lovers and couples who want a room with a view. Jimbaran is for an evening, not a stay: you come for the fish market and the bay. Nusa Dua is for families and for anyone who wants a quiet beach where you can actually swim. This guide covers all three, so you can pick your base or plan a day trip from Seminyak or Canggu.

The Bukit at a Glance

• Where: the southern peninsula of Bali, south of Ngurah Rai International Airport.
• Uluwatu: the west and south coast, cliffs, surf beaches, beach clubs, Uluwatu Temple.
• Jimbaran: a bay just south of the airport, fishing boats, Kedonganan fish market.
• Nusa Dua: the east coast, a gated resort area with calm, lagoon-like beaches.
• Getting around: distances look short on the map, but traffic is heavy. Use a driver, Grab or Gojek, or a scooter if you are used to it.
• Best time: the dry season, from April to October, is sunnier and the best time for surfing on the Uluwatu side.
• How long: two or three nights in Uluwatu, or a day trip from Seminyak for the temple, a beach and dinner in Jimbaran.

My Experience of the Bukit

I moved to Bali in August 2020, in the middle of COVID. The island was empty, and the big five-star hotels of the Bukit were offering prices that will probably never come back. I took the opportunity to try many of them: a night at Six Senses Uluwatu in August 2020 and another one in September, the Anantara Uluwatu (now Svanata) in March 2021, the Apurva Kempinski in Nusa Dua, and a cave bungalow at Mû Bali in Bingin in January 2022. Prices are now much higher, but those nights are why the “where to stay” advice on this page comes from rooms I actually slept in.

Since then, I’ve lived in Seminyak, and I keep coming back to the Bukit for shorter escapes. The Saturday brunch at Kayuputi, at the St. Regis in Nusa Dua, has become a habit: my photos say I’ve been at least nine times. I’ve had dinner several times at Gourmet Garage in Jimbaran, a memorable tasting menu at Cuca, and grilled fish at the Kedonganan market. I’ve also spent afternoons at White Rock and CANNA, two very different beach clubs, so you’ll find my honest opinion on both below.

Uluwatu: Temple, Cliffs and Beaches

Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak Dance

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of the six key temples of Bali, the Sad Kahyangan,, perched on the edge of a cliff at the southwestern tip of the island. Non-Hindu visitors can’t enter the inner sanctuary, but the walk along the cliff-top path is the real reason to come, with the waves crashing far below. Entry costs 60,000 IDR (about $3.60) for foreign adults since January 2026. Sarongs are provided at the entrance.

Watch out for the monkeys: the long-tailed macaques here are known to grab sunglasses, hats and phones, then trade them back for food. Keep everything in your bag.

The Kecak fire dance takes place every evening in an open-air amphitheater above the ocean. Tickets cost about 150,000 IDR (about $9) at the box office. I haven’t seen it myself yet, but everyone I know who has recommends the first show, around 6 PM, when the sun sets behind the dancers. Arrive early to get a seat facing the ocean, because it fills up fast.

The Beaches Below the Cliffs

The Uluwatu coast is a string of small beaches at the foot of the cliffs, most of them reached by steep stairs. Padang Padang is the most famous, Bingin is a village of guesthouses stacked on the cliff, Suluban is reached through a gap in the rocks, and Melasti, further east in Ungasan, has a road cut through the cliff down to a wide white beach. At low tide, explore the rocks: at Impossibles Beach, below the old Anantara, we found a cave carved by the sea.

These are surf beaches first. The waves and the reef can be dangerous, so swim only when the sea is calm and stay close to shore. If you want easy swimming, Nusa Dua is a better choice.

Where to Watch the Sunset in Uluwatu

The west-facing cliffs make Uluwatu the best place in Bali to watch the sun go down over the sea. Apart from the temple, my favorite spot is the Cliff Bar at Six Senses Uluwatu, built right on the edge of the cliff: the view is impressive. The terrace of Svanata (formerly Anantara Uluwatu), above Impossibles Beach, is another beautiful place for a sunset drink.

Beach Clubs on the Bukit

The Bukit beach clubs are different from those in Seminyak or Canggu: most of them are built on or into the cliffs, with infinity pools above the ocean, and many have a minimum spend for daybeds. Here are the two I know.

White Rock Beach Club (Ungasan)

White Rock is a cliff club in Ungasan, with a long pool and terraces above a white sand beach. The view is spectacular, especially at sunset. To be honest, it wasn’t my favorite: the music was very loud and the setting felt impersonal, more like a big venue than a place to relax.

CANNA Beach Club (Nusa Dua)

CANNA sits on the Nusa Dua side, with an infinity pool facing the reef and daybeds on a wooden deck. I found it much warmer and more relaxed than White Rock, a good choice if you want a pleasant day by the pool rather than a party.

Other Beach Clubs in Uluwatu

Uluwatu has many other clubs, such as Sundays Beach Club, Ulu Cliffhouse, El Kabron and Savaya. I haven’t been to them, so I won’t review them here. Check each club’s minimum spend before you go, and book a daybed for the afternoon if you want to stay for sunset. For beach clubs in Seminyak, Canggu and the rest of the island, see my guide to the best beach clubs in Bali.

Jimbaran: Fish Market and Sunset Bay

Jimbaran is a wide bay just south of the airport, lined with colorful fishing boats. You don’t need to stay here, but it’s worth an evening for one reason: seafood.

Seafood Dinner at Kedonganan Fish Market

The famous “Jimbaran seafood dinner” comes in two versions. The touristy one is at the seafood cafés on the beach, with tables in the sand. The local one, which I did, is at the Kedonganan fish market at the northern end of the bay: you choose your fish at the stalls, pay by weight, then carry it to one of the warungs next to the market, where they grill it for you with rice and sambal.

It’s cheap and very good, but choose your fish carefully: look at the eyes, which must be bright and clear, not cloudy. The flesh should be firm and the skin shiny. As a rough guide, red snapper costs around 70,000 to 90,000 IDR per kilo (about $4 to $5.50), and grilling costs 15,000 to 30,000 IDR per kilo. Bargain with a smile, pay cash, and check whether rice and sambal are included before you order.

Gourmet Garage

For meat lovers, Gourmet Garage in Jimbaran is a butcher, deli and restaurant in one. You choose your cut at the counter, they cook it for you, and you can buy your bottle of wine from the shop. I’ve been several times for dinner and it’s always very good.

Cuca

Cuca is a restaurant in Jimbaran known for its creative cuisine. I went for the tasting menu in December 2022: excellent food, and the most original plating I’ve seen in Bali, like this dish served on a plate shaped like a flattened bottle.

Nusa Dua: Calm Beaches and Big Resorts

Nusa Dua was developed from the 1970s onward as Bali’s luxury resort area. Behind its gates you’ll find wide lawns, big hotels, and the calmest water in the south of Bali, protected by a reef. It’s the easiest place in Bali to swim with children.

Geger Beach

Geger Beach, at the southern end of Nusa Dua, is a quiet white sand beach next to the St. Regis and The Mulia. The water is calm, and it’s a good place for a swim before or after brunch.

The Devdan Show

Devdan is a dance and acrobatics show held in the evening at the Bali Nusa Dua Theater, telling the story of Indonesia’s islands through their dances and costumes. It’s a nice evening out, especially with children.

Museum Pasifika: Asian and Pacific Art in Nusa Dua

Museum Pasifika is a must, and one of the best surprises of the Bukit. Opened in 2006 in the heart of the Nusa Dua resort area, it holds more than 600 works by some 200 artists from 25 countries, displayed in 11 exhibition rooms spread over 8 pavilions.

The collection is impressive: Balinese and Indonesian art, then Southeast Asia, Asia and the Pacific islands, along with the European painters who lived in Bali, such as Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur and Theo Meier. Allow at least two hours to see it all.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK)

GWK is a cultural park in the middle of the Bukit, built around a giant statue of the god Vishnu riding the eagle Garuda. With its pedestal, the statue reaches 121 meters, making it one of the tallest in the world. The park is laid out among huge blocks of limestone, quarried to create corridors and terraces.

It’s worth a visit, and I recommend the tour to the top of the statue: the view over the south of Bali from up there is lovely. Go in the morning, before the heat.

Where to Eat on the Bukit

Kayuputi: the Best Brunch in Bali

My favorite brunch in Bali is at Kayuputi, the restaurant of The St. Regis Bali Resort in Nusa Dua. It takes place every Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Unlike most hotel brunches, it isn’t a buffet: the dishes are served at the table, as many as you want. The brunch costs 1,100,000 IDR net (about $67), or 1,450,000 IDR net (about $88) with the drinks package. It’s not cheap, but the quality and the service are excellent.

The Mulia and the Apurva Kempinski Brunches

I’ve also tried the brunches at The Mulia and at the Apurva Kempinski. The food was good in both, but they are huge buffets with a lot of people, which I like less than the table service at Kayuputi. If you love choice and variety, they are a good option.

More Places I Like

In Jimbaran, see Gourmet Garage and Cuca above. In Nusa Dua, I had a pleasant lunch at the Sofitel, on the beach. In Uluwatu, dinner at Mû Bali, on the cliff above Bingin, is a lovely way to end the day, with the sun setting over the ocean.

Where to Stay: Uluwatu or Nusa Dua?

Cliff Hotels in Uluwatu

Six Senses Uluwatu: spacious, pleasant villas on top of the cliff, and the impressive Cliff Bar. I stayed one night in August 2020 and another in September 2020.

Svanata Uluwatu Bali Resort (formerly Anantara Uluwatu): a resort on the cliff above Impossibles Beach, with beautiful sunsets. I stayed there in March 2021, when it was still an Anantara.

Mû Bali (Mu Bungalows), Bingin: the most original place I’ve stayed in on the Bukit. I slept in a bungalow built into a cave in the cliff, with the sound of the waves all night.

Resorts in Nusa Dua

The Apurva Kempinski Bali: a huge resort built in terraces down to the sea. I stayed one night and came back once for brunch.

The St. Regis Bali Resort: on Geger Beach, home of Kayuputi and my favorite brunch.

The Mulia: a very large resort next to the St. Regis, with a spectacular pool.

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort: a beachfront resort in the center of Nusa Dua, next to the Club Med, a good choice for families.

Uluwatu or Nusa Dua: Which One to Choose?

You want	Choose	Why
Sunsets and cliff views	Uluwatu	The west-facing cliffs and their bars
Surfing	Uluwatu	Some of the best waves in Bali
Easy swimming, children	Nusa Dua	Calm water protected by the reef
A quiet, all-in-one resort	Nusa Dua	Big resorts with everything on site
Beach clubs	Uluwatu	Most cliff clubs are on this side
A seafood dinner	Either	Jimbaran is between the two

A word on prices: during COVID, the five-star hotels of the Bukit were offering very attractive deals. They are much more expensive now, so compare carefully and book early for the high season, in July, August and at Christmas.

Practical Tips for the Bukit

• From the airport: Jimbaran is the closest, then Nusa Dua and Uluwatu. Allow extra time, as the roads around the airport are often jammed.
• From Seminyak: count about an hour, longer at rush hour or on weekends. If you stay in Seminyak, see my best restaurants in Seminyak.
• Getting around: distances are long between the beaches, and there is no public transport. Hire a driver for the day, use Grab or Gojek, or rent a scooter only if you’re experienced.
• Beaches: many Uluwatu beaches are reached by steep stairs. Bring water and good sandals.
• Monkeys: at Uluwatu Temple, keep your sunglasses, hat and phone in your bag.
• Cash: the fish market, warungs and temple parking take cash. Keep small bills.

Read More About Bali

Frequently Asked Questions About Uluwatu, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua

Is it better to stay in Uluwatu or Nusa Dua?

Choose Uluwatu for cliff views, sunsets, surf and beach clubs, and Nusa Dua for calm beaches, swimming with children and big all-in-one resorts. Many travelers split their stay between the two.

How many days do you need in Uluwatu?

Two or three nights are enough to see Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak dance, try a few beaches and enjoy a beach club. If you surf, you’ll want more.

What time is the Kecak dance at Uluwatu?

The Kecak dance takes place every evening at Uluwatu Temple. The first show, around 6 PM, is the most popular because the sun sets behind the dancers. Tickets cost about 150,000 IDR at the box office.

How much does it cost to enter Uluwatu Temple?

Since January 2026, entry costs 60,000 IDR for foreign adults and 40,000 IDR for children aged 4 to 12. The Kecak dance is a separate ticket.

How does the Jimbaran fish market dinner work?

At Kedonganan fish market, you choose your fish at the stalls and pay by the kilo, then a warung next to the market grills it for you for about 15,000 to 30,000 IDR per kilo. Check that the fish’s eyes are clear and bright to make sure it’s fresh.

Can you swim at Uluwatu beaches?

Sometimes, but carefully. Uluwatu beaches are surf beaches with waves, currents and reef. Swim only in calm conditions, near the shore. For easy swimming, go to Nusa Dua or Geger Beach.

Which is the best beach club on the Bukit?

For a relaxed day, I preferred CANNA in Nusa Dua, which felt warmer and calmer. White Rock in Ungasan has a spectacular view, but the music is loud and the atmosphere more impersonal.

When is the Kayuputi brunch?

The Kayuputi brunch at The St. Regis Bali is held every Saturday, from 11 AM to 3 PM. It’s served at the table, not as a buffet, and costs 1,100,000 IDR net, or 1,450,000 IDR net with drinks.

Is Museum Pasifika worth visiting?

Yes. Museum Pasifika in Nusa Dua has more than 600 works by 200 artists from 25 countries, in 11 exhibition rooms: Balinese, Indonesian, Southeast Asian, Asian and Pacific art. Allow at least two hours.

Is GWK worth visiting?

Yes. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is 121 meters high with its pedestal, and the park around it is impressive. Take the tour to the top of the statue for a lovely view over the south of Bali.

How far is Uluwatu from Seminyak?

About an hour by car, often more at rush hour or on weekends, because the road passes close to the airport.