Overview
Singaraja preserves the legacy of a former colonial capital on Bali's north coast. Its old docks and varied communities contrast with the island's resort districts.
Culture · History · Museums
Did you know?
- Kampung Arab forms an Arabic-influenced district near the old docks.
- The city once administered both Bali and the wider Lesser Sunda Islands under Dutch rule.
- Gedong Kirtya preserves lontar palm-leaf manuscripts and bronze inscriptions from the 10th century.
Why Go
Singaraja is Bali's second-largest city and the former Dutch colonial administrative capital for both Bali and the entire Lesser Sunda Islands. The city has noticeably wider, grander streets than elsewhere in Bali, with old houses set in large gardens recalling a bygone era. It's a noticeably multi-ethnic city with an Arabic-influenced district near the old docks called Kampung Arab and the largest Chinese temple in Bali, making it a fascinating cultural contrast to south Bali's resorts.
Understand
Singaraja's population swells to just over 100,000 with university students, as it's a major academic center with two universities. The city has a distinct colonial-era character with wider streets and grander architecture than typical Balinese towns. The Arabic influence is especially apparent in Kampung Arab near the old docks, while the Chinese temple is the largest in Bali.
Getting In
Singaraja is a transit hub for North Bali. Buses depart from Banyuasri Station on Jalan Jendral Sudirman for destinations including overnight buses to Surabaya in East Java (about 10 hours). The city lies on the main coastal road connecting west to Lovina, Pemuteran, and West Bali National Park, south to Bedugul, and east to Amed and Mount Agung.
Get Around
Almost no visitors stay overnight in Singaraja, so visitors typically explore in the car they arrived in. GoJek and Grab provide motorcycle taxi services in the area. Local bemo within the city can be more expensive than car-hailing apps—for example, bemo between the two bus terminals costs Rp 30,000 while motorbike-hailing apps charge Rp 20,000.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options in Singaraja itself are limited and relatively basic. Wijaya Hotel on Jalan Sudirman 74 offers fan-cooled and air-conditioned rooms from Rp 65,000. Sakabindu Hotel on Jalan Jendral A Yani 104 provides simple city-center accommodation. For more upscale beachfront options, head east to Air Sanih village where Cilik's Beach Garden offers all-villa accommodation on 3 hectares of beachside land (€50-160), or to Bondalem Beach Club with family bungalows from US$160 per night.
Food and Drink
Along the waterfront at Jalan Erlangga, stilted restaurants offer great views over the water, with Dewi Sitha being the most well-known. Warung Kota at Jalan Ngurah Rai 22 is a 24-hour favorite hangout of local students serving decent Indonesian food at budget prices. For something different, Pondok Cabe on Jalan Kartini (south of the courthouse) serves Indonesian and western cuisine from Rp 6,000 to 25,000 in a quiet, sanitary village-house setting. Spice Beach Club, 15 minutes west of town, offers expensive but delicious western food on the beach with pool access.
Things to Do
Visit Gedong Kirtya museum at Jalan Veteren 20 (Rp 10,000, M-F 08:00-16:00) to see old lontar palm-leaf scripts and bronze inscriptions from the 10th century. Pura Jagatnatha on Jalan Pramuka is the most important temple in the city and largest in North Bali, though non-Hindu visitors typically cannot enter. The Yudha Mandalatama Independence Monument on the waterfront commemorates a local freedom fighter killed in the war against the Dutch. Nearby, Aling-Aling waterfall (15 minutes south) costs Rp 150,000 per person including a tour guide, while Gitgit Waterfalls (10 km south toward Bedugul) charges Rp 6,000 and features a 50-metre cascade.
Buy
Singaraja is a notable production center of high-quality silk and cotton ikat weaving. There are weaving centers on Jalan Dewi Sartika and Jalan Veteren where you can watch the weavers in action and buy direct from the makers.
Connectivity
The area code for Singaraja is 0362. If desperately in need of internet, there's an uninspiring internet cafe with slow connection near the post office on Jalan Imam Bonjol. For mobile connectivity, standard Indonesian carriers provide coverage in the city.
Go Next
Most visitors pass through Singaraja heading west to Lovina, Pemuteran, and West Bali National Park, south to Bedugul, or east to Amed and Mount Agung. Direct buses to Surabaya in East Java depart from Banyuasri Station on Jalan Jendral Sudirman for an overnight journey of about 10 hours.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
Bondalem Beach Club
Away from overcrowded touristic places, surrounded by coconut and mango plantations, this quiet, relaxing beachfront resort enables you to see the part of Bali without shopping malls, night clubs and traffic jams. Each bungalow can comfortably accommodate a family of 4 and includes a 2nd-floor balcony overlooking the ocean. Bondalem Beach Club Restaurant, serving Indonesian and European food, is on the premises. You can choose from a menu or ask the staff to cook for you something special, like freshly caught fish you bought from a local fisherman. Free bicycle and scooter hire. Outdoor swimming pool overlooking the sea with poolside sunbeds under large umbrellas. The pool has a shallow end for the kids to splash around in, and there is a kids' play corner complete with lots of toys and books to keep them occupied. Free Wi-Fi.
Price when recorded: Family bungalow is US$160 per night, Classic double room is US$90 per night
Sleep
Cilik's Beach Garden
A very pleasant all villa hotel set in 3 hectares of beach side land, just east of Air Sanih. The villas are all individually designed. If you are looking to splurge a little on a truly off-the-beaten-path option, then look no further. Owned and run by a group of Germans, Swiss and Balinese.
Price when recorded: €50-160
Sleep
Sakabindu Hotel
Simple accommodation in the middle of the city.
Sleep
Villa Selina
Accommodation varies from serviced bungalows to guest rooms. All have their own ocean views and indoor/outdoor bathrooms, TV and bar facilities.
Price when recorded: From US$40
Sleep
Wijaya Hotel
Rather uninspiring accommodation but probably the best in the city. Fan-cooled and air con rooms.
Price when recorded: from Rp 65,000
Eat
Pondok Cabe
A restaurant in the form of a pondok or village house where locals and tourists enjoy Indonesian and western cuisine. Good place to eat if you can't find any Indonesian food which suits your taste. Meals served by experienced chef with work experience overseas. The atmosphere is very quiet and relaxing. A very cheap, sanitary and quiet place to eat. Prices range from Rp 6,000 to 25,000.
Eat
Spice Beach Club
Expensive but delicious western food on the beach with pool access, 15 minutes west of Singaraja.
Eat
Warung Kota
A favoured hangout of local students, especially in the evenings. Good place to make friends and chat. You will find the locals very friendly indeed. Decent, standard Indonesian food at budget prices.
Before you go
Connectivity
Area code is 0362. Slow internet cafe near post office on Jalan Imam Bonjol. Standard Indonesian mobile carriers provide coverage.
Money
Local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Cash is widely used. Bemo rides cost Rp 30,000, waterfall entries range Rp 5,000-150,000.
Transport
GoJek and Grab motorcycle taxis are available and cheaper than local bemo (Rp 20,000 vs Rp 30,000 for the same routes). Buses to Surabaya depart from Banyuasri Station.