Travel Destination: Denpasar
About Denpasar
Denpasar offers many attractions that both local and international visitors can enjoy. It is located in Indonesia’s friendliest island, Bali, where sun-worshippers get their share of glorious tan courtesy of its beaches in the midst of interesting flavours. Bali is between Java and Lombok while Denpasar is towards the south of the island.
Denpasar is Bali’s capital city with around 500,000 residents. It is accessible through the Ngurah Rai Airport also known as Denpasar International Airport, Indonesia’s third busiest international airport. It is the main gateway to Bali.
Despite the small size, Denpasar offers various activities and outdoor adventures to its visitors. It has a rugged charm that all the more adds to its exotic appeal. Shopping is an adventure in itself where you have the choice of going traditional, modern or artsy.
Denpasar means “next to the market” and there are plenty of traditional markets to check out like the Pasar Badung (busiest and biggest in town), the Kreneng, the Sanglah, the Kumbasari and the Bird Market. Malls are aplenty too so get ready with your extra bag and fill it up with finds from the Ramayana Bali Mall, Matahari Duta Plaza, Ramayana Mall (if you want to see a typical Balinese mall frequented by locals), Tiara Dewata, Rimo, Robinson Mall, Tragia and Makro. There are also specialty places to visit if you’re looking for artsy stuffs, Unagi and Erlangga. Handicraft items are found here from paper lamps to resin candle holders to rattan boxes to handmade bags to indigenous purses. From the basic needs to unique discoveries to Balinese traditional clothes and items, these shopping places give tourists the chance to immerse in local culture. Keep an open mind, haggle, ask for discounts or simply enjoy going around, for sure there are shopping treasures to be found.
Bali attracts tourists mainly for its beaches and Denpasar is one of the most popular destinations. There are plenty of opportunities for swimming, surfing and other water sports activities. The most popular is the Kuta Beach, a mere ten minutes away from the airport. It is a tourist-laden beach so expect a lot of establishments here from hotels to cafes to restaurants to spas to malls peppered with Australian visitors. If you want to be where the action is, Kuta is the place to be. It’s a vibrant place with plenty of bars, varied accommodations and entertainment spots.
If you want to have some quiet time in the island, the coastal town of Sanur offers relaxing treats. It is a more laidback destination where you can have a view of Mount Agung (the highest point in Bali) while sunbathing or frolicking on its serene sands. Bali Hyatt and Medina are located here and popular among tourists. Just north of Kuta is another beach that lets visitors enjoy their commune with nature. Legian Beach has a thriving nightlife, dining and other social opportunities but it is not the all-out party place like Kuta. It’s middle of the road, offering enough activities for a well-spent vacation. A scenic location is Canggu Beach, a quiet part of Denpasar that is a haven for surfing activities. Traditional Balinese lifestyle can be experienced here. Whether interacting with local fishermen, strolling around the rice fields with plenty of birds and butterflies roaming around, this is an R&R moment you wouldn’t forget.
Denpasar has the beaches, shopping, adventure and exotic locale. For relaxation, fun and unconventional getaway, this destination is easy to fit in.