10 Less Crowded Places to Visit in Bali This Summer (2026)

If you don’t want to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the traffic around Canggu and queues for selfie spots in Ubud, you should consider moving further east and north in Bali. Areas such as Sidemen, Munduk, Amed, and West Bali coast would provide you with the similar experience of rice paddies, waterfalls, and beach but not crowded, particularly in July.

Whereas the southern part of Bali becomes congested due to lines of scooters and hours of waiting before photographing on Kelingking Beach during peak season, none of this is going to happen in the eastern, northern, and highland areas of Bali.

Below are listed 10 truly peaceful spots in Bali, categorized according to regions for you to create your own itinerary.

Where Are the Least Crowded Areas in Bali Right Now?

The regions of East Bali (Regency of Karangasem) and North Bali (Regency of Buleleng) attract very few tourists compared to Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud, all of which have well-developed villa complexes and beach clubs. It takes two to four hours by car to get to these regions due to a lack of infrastructure.

East Bali: Sidemen, Amed, Tirta Gangga, and Pasir Putih

1. Sidemen Valley Sidemen is "old Bali" rice terraces cascading down to the Unda River with Mount Agung in the background. It is an hour and a half drive away from Ubud but seems like it is decades away. Great for taking a leisurely morning or short hikes without the interference of drones.

2. Amed This series of fishing villages found on the northeast side of Bali boasts of black sand beaches instead of white, and warungs instead of beach clubs. What makes Amed more special than others is the snorkeling experience in its clear waters, as well as the USS Liberty wreck dive site in Tulamben.

3. Tirta Gangga Former royal palace for water activities with koi ponds, statues made of stones, and stepping stones in pools of water surrounded by rice paddies which are walkable in 2-3 hours, attracting a fraction of the tourists that visit Tegalalang.

4. Pasir Putih (Virgin Beach) White sand beach close to Candidasa hidden behind a grove of coconut trees. The walk-in distance is short enough that tour buses won’t come near the area, calm waters, basic warungs, no pressure from vendors like in Kuta.

 Such grouping can work as a 2-3 day loop in East Bali through Sidemen (rice paddies), Tirta Gangga (water castle), and Amed or Pasir Putih (beaches).

North Bali: Munduk, Lovina, Sekumpul, Pemuteran, and West Bali National Park

5. Munduk Hill town situated in the central northern highlands in an area surrounded by coffee, cloves, and cacao plantations; the temperature is about 8-10°C cooler compared to that at the coastline. There are the waterfalls of Munduk and Melanting near the road, and it is the easiest point to visit lakes Tamblingan and Buyan.

6. Sekumpul Waterfall Frequently cited as one of Bali’s most spectacular waterfalls. Sekumpul Falls is truly isolated, requiring a 30-45 minute hike through jungle steps to get there. The process of reaching Sekumpul is precisely the reason why it remains unpopulated.

7. Lovina Famous for its morning dolphin sightings and large black sand beach, Lovina is a little bit slower than south Bali. A good place to end your trip around the north coast before heading back to the airport.

8. Pemuteran Small bay in the northwest of Bali where one of the largest coral restoration project in the world is located (Biorock project). Diving and snorkeling as amazing as the Gilis, but with far fewer tourists and without the late night bar street.

9. West Bali National Park & Menjangan Island This is the only national park found in Bali, home to the critically endangered Bali Starling, and Menjangan Island that lies off shore of Bali, and one of the best locations for snorkeling and diving in Bali.

Central Bali: Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

10. Jatiluwih Jatiluwih is a UNESCO-listed terraced rice paddies in the Tabanan hills which are larger and even more impressive than Tegalalang, but gets very few visitors since it is a bit farther away from Ubud and doesn’t have any Instagram swing facilities. The subak system in Jatiluwih has been there for about one thousand years now.

Central and North Bali combine well into one day trip from Ubud Jatiluwih in the morning, Munduk's waterfalls in the afternoon, back before dark.

Is July a Good Time to Visit Bali's Quieter Spots?

Indeed. July falls within Bali's dry season, which occurs between April and September, meaning that you will have sunshine and little rain. However, July and August are also the peak seasons for tourists coming from Europe and Australia during their holiday break. This is precisely why the recommended places to visit are very suitable because there will be dry weather but no tourists.

For a July trip, prioritize East Bali (Amed, Sidemen) and the Jatiluwih–Munduk corridor both stay dry and accessible in July without the seasonal crowd spike the south sees.

How Should You Plan a Route Between These Spots?

Don't try to cover all ten in one trip Bali's roads are slower than the distances suggest. A realistic structure:

1. 3 days in East Bali: Sidemen → Tirta Gangga → Amed/Pasir Putih, based in Sidemen or Amed.

2. 2-3 days in North Bali: Munduk → Sekumpul Waterfall → Lovina, based in Munduk.

3. 1 day add-on: Jatiluwih and Pemuteran/West Bali National Park, depending on your driving direction.

Hire a private driver for the day rather than self-driving unfamiliar mountain roads it's the standard, affordable way to cover these regions, and most drivers double as informal local guides.

FAQs: Less Crowded Places to Visit in Bali

What are the least touristy parts of Bali? 

East Bali (Sidemen, Amed, Tirta Gangga) and North Bali (Munduk, Lovina, Pemuteran). Further away from the airport and with less beach club facilities, they have remained more tranquil amid all the hustle and bustle in other parts of Bali.

Is Amed better than Canggu for a quiet trip? 

Amed is quiet because it offers fishing village-style life, snorkeling, and hardly any nightlife. Canggu is built on a surfer’s way of life, with beach clubs and nightlife to match. They are suited to different kinds of vacations.

Are Jatiluwih rice terraces less crowded than Tegalalang? 

Yes, definitely. Jatiluwih is farther away from Ubud and does not have the swings and photo setup facilities that attract tour groups in Tegalalang, even though Jatiluwih covers a bigger and more beautiful rice terrace system.

Is July considered peak season in Bali? 

Yes, because of the vacation period of Europeans and Australians. The crowds are centered in South Bali; East Bali and North Bali are unaffected.

Do I need a guide to visit West Bali National Park? 

Certainly, a park guide license holder is needed for trekking and wildlife viewing sites. Arrangements for guides can normally be done either at the entrance of the park or through the accommodation facility.

How many days do I need to cover East and North Bali? It is advisable to have a total of at least 5-6 days to see both the eastern and northern sections of the park taking into account driving time from one site to another.

Is Sekumpul Waterfall worth the trek? Most visitors say yes it's considered one of Bali's most impressive waterfalls, and the 30-45 minute jungle trek required is exactly what keeps visitor numbers low.

Is North Bali safe and easy to get around for tourists? Yes. Local guides and drivers are well established, though public transport is limited, so a private driver or rental scooter is the practical way to get around.

Final Thought

The south of Bali is going to get increasingly crowded, that is the way forward. In East and North Bali, there is where the authentic side of the island remains, rice paddies not needing a queue, waterfalls without entry lines, beaches not having vendors every ten meters. If you have a July 2026 holiday planned and wish to really immerse yourself in Bali rather than dodge around tourists, Property Central. For those looking into the purchase of land or villas in these areas where things remain quiet, East Bali and Munduk/Jatiluwih area are already showing some early buyer interest.