Sadly, you may see a fair bit of trash on the beaches here, which is normal in Bali, particularly in the rainy season. Remember to take all your trash with you when you leave—all part of being a sustainable traveler. If you want to do your bit to help out the locals, Good Stuff Cafe organizes weekly clean-ups. This is also a great way of meeting fellow travelers!
Prices: Snorkel and fin rental is approximately 50,000 IDR (3.30 USD) per day. Daybeds cost around 50,000 IDR (3.30 USD) per day.
2. Snorkeling and Diving
Amed is renowned for its clear turquoise water and abundant marine life, making it one of Bali’s best spots for snorkeling and diving! You can snorkel right off the shore of the beaches. However, if you want to explore deeper waters, you can hire a guide for the day who can take you out in a traditional jukung (wooden canoe).
Amed Reef
A popular spot for its warm shallow waters and breathtaking underwater scenery, the Amed Reef is unmissable for ocean lovers. It’s great for both beginner divers and those with more experience. The Amed Reef is also a well-known area for sea turtles. However, to have a good chance of seeing them, try to come early in the morning when fewer people are around.
USAT Liberty Shipwreck
This fascinating shipwreck, just off the shoreline at the village of Tulamben, is the best wreck dive in Bali! The US transport ship was sunk by a Japanese submarine during World War II and, in the years since, has transformed into an incredible artificial reef, covered in coral and teeming with sea life. You can find everything from huge shoals of fish to turtles and seahorses. Best of all, it is easily accessible from the shore, making it a great dive for beginners. Book a beginner’s dive where you learn the basics in shallow water with an experienced instructor before exploring the bay and its diversity.
Jemeluk Bay
This shallow bay is fantastic for snorkeling as its 70m reef drop-off is accessible from the shore. It also has calm water, beautiful coral, and plenty of interesting sea life to spot. Look out for the underwater temple with its beautiful Balinese carvings, which is actually Indonesia’s first underwater mailbox!
The small temple was sunk over 10 years ago to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on the reef. You can buy waterproof postcards from the local shops in the village and post them back home underwater—we thought this to be one of the most unique things to do in Amed!
Lipah Beach
Lipah Beach has shallow waters, beautiful coral formations, and fantastic visibility due to its lighter-colored sand. It is perfect for snorkeling and diving as there are some deeper areas by the reef where you can spot rare fish like the Mola mola (giant ocean sunfish). It’s easy to book trips from this area as many dive shops and tour companies are nearby.
Price for guided trips:
- Snorkeling – 30-50 USD per person
- Diving – 50-150 USD per person
Tip: It is best to go out snorkeling or diving at high tide when you can swim across the corals. Walking across them can damage this delicate ecosystem and be potentially very painful! Wear reef-safe sunscreen to stop nasty chemicals from harming marine life.
3. Lahangan Sweet
Lahangan Sweet is a stunning viewpoint that sits on top of a beautiful hill covered with trees. It’s famous as one of the best places to get incredible panoramic views of Mount Agung and Amed Bay. Climb up the ladder to the treetop platform, where you’ll see green and yellow rice paddies, a stunning blue coastline, and the tallest volcano in Bali. This is, in our opinion, one of the most incredible views of Mount Agung and perfect for getting a picture.
We recommend visiting at sunrise (the most peaceful time) when the volcano glows golden in the distance. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the island of Lombok!
The entrance fee to the area is 30.000 IDR (± 2 USD) per person, and there are multiple stunning viewpoints. You can also camp overnight if you want to wake up to the sunrise.
It is a 35-minute motorcycle ride from Amed to the entrance. From there, you can drive up by car or motorbike. Currently is just a mud-road (2023) so in rain season, there’s a car taking you to the entrance and back for 50.000 IDR. Alternatively, take a 15-minute walk to the top, which is quite steep!
4. Amed Sea Salt Farm
Amed has been producing high-quality salt for hundreds of years. In fact, it’s so good that it was offered as a gift to the King of Karangasem in Bali because of its delicious and unique umami flavor. These days, salt farmers continue to use traditional salt pans made from coconut trees to collect the salt. This painstaking process done by hand has been passed down through many generations.
Visiting Amed Salt Center is an interesting thing to do in Amed. Spend a morning learning about this unique cultural heritage by taking a tour of the farm. You can even buy a unique and edible souvenir to take home! This place shows a more authentic side to Bali, away from the sandy beaches and trendy cafes, where you can meet with the locals and experience ancient traditions firsthand.
Opening Times & Entry Fee: Open Monday-Saturday, 9 AM-12 PM, 1 PM-5 PM.
5. Cruise Amed by Motorcycle
One of the best things to do in Amed is to rent a scooter and take a ride through the mountain range, where you can see local rural life and tiny farming communities. The roads are also home to spectacular countryside and coastline views. Stop off and explore beaches like Tulamben or Lipah, or head up to the beautiful Berina Rice Terrace and Bukit Cinta, where you can see across to Mount Agung.
We recommend taking a break for lunch at a family-owned warung in the hills—the perfect place to take in this incredible volcanic landscape. We personally find the food at these local eateries the tastiest, so definitely try some delicious Indonesian dishes.
6. Day Trip to See the Sunrise at Batur
Hike to the top of the sacred volcano of Mount Batur at sunrise for incredible 360-degree views over the whole of Bali. The relatively easy hike still requires a very early start. However, you will be rewarded with stunning vistas as the sun rises over the hills and valleys. During this time, there are often gorgeous pink and orange clouds swirling below — we couldn’t stop taking it all in!
You can also see the incredible black lava fields that were created by the 1968 eruption, hot steam rising out of small holes in the rock, and even wild monkeys!
Afterward, head to Batur Hot Springs to soothe your tired muscles in warm volcanic mineral water, or take a relaxed wander to Batur Temple (Pura Jati), where you can enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain views.
It is recommended to book a guided tour for the sunrise trek, as it includes return transport, an experienced local guide who will show you safely up the mountain in the dark, and even breakfast and a hot coffee at the top!
Tip: Wear warm layers and good hiking shoes, and bring plenty of water and snacks.
7. Join a Yoga Class
Bali, also known as the ‘Island of the Gods’, is a spiritual haven where religion and spirituality play an integral role in the daily life of locals. Travelers flock here for the peaceful surroundings, stunning natural beauty, and abundance of yoga studios, retreats, and wellness centers. It’s the perfect place to relax, heal, or learn something new about yourself.
Sign up for a class at Blue Earth Village Yoga, a beautiful studio with breathtaking views over the lush mountainside and bright blue ocean. Whether this is your first time, or you are a seasoned yogi, you can enjoy this very peaceful and restful place in a beautiful natural environment. This is just one of many relaxing things to do in Amed!
8. Tirta Gangga Water Palace
This beautiful water palace was built in 1948 by the late King of Karangasem. The sacred site is still used for religious ceremonies and festivals and is a peaceful place to spend the morning.
The journey takes around 35 minutes from Amed. You can rent a scooter for 50,000 IDR (3.30 USD) per day or hire a private car with a driver in Bali (from 20 USD per person).
Opening Times & Entry Fee: 50,000 IDR (3.32 USD) + 10,000 IDR (0.66 USD) for swimming. Open every day from 8 AM-5 PM.
9. Sunset in Amed, Bali
Amed is renowned for its spectacular sunsets, which take place behind the mountains, turning the hills and ocean a beautiful shade of pink and orange. We recommend See You Again Cafe (great local food), Blue Earth Village, or the aptly named Sunset Point at Jemeluk Bay for the best viewpoints. Sunset Point has a minimum spend of 100,000 IDR (6.60 USD), but you can enjoy the sunset show from their infinity pool!
Alternatively, head out to sea on a sunset cruise in a traditional Balinese boat, where you can get incredible views of Mount Agung from a unique perspective. Some companies also offer snorkeling or fishing in combination with a sunset tour. Tours cost from 500,000 – 1,000,000 IDR (33-66 USD).
Tip: Once the sun has gone down, don’t head straight to bed. Instead, enjoy some incredible stargazing, as the unpopulated area has minimal light pollution.
The relaxed pace of life here is because the people of Amed value nature, religion, and family. Because of this, daily life revolves around rituals and ceremonies taking place in local temples, kids playing in the street, and villagers playing card games.
A few of our favorite places to visit are:
Culik Village Market
The market is located at the main junction in Amed and is the best place to buy local produce and engage with vendors. Like most Balinese people, the laid-back locals in Amed are very friendly and welcoming to tourists, so don’t be afraid to smile and start a conversation.
Berina Rice Terrace
Another great spot to experience local rural life is Berina Rice Terrace. Sit next to the roadside fruit stalls and take in the stunning views of green and yellow rice paddies from this peaceful and uncrowded viewpoint. You can see the location of the Berina Rice terrace here.
11. Gretek Black Sand Beach
If you’re feeling adventurous, take the hour-long drive to the unique black sand beaches of Gretek in Tambor village. Tourists hardly know about this area, so it’s very secluded and peaceful and a top thing to do in Amed if you have time.
Apart from the incredible color of the sand, which is formed by volcanic ash, there are also endless palm trees lining the shore, making for an excellent photo backdrop! Relax on the beach, swim and snorkel in the sea, and sunbathe in this serene landscape with no crowds.
12. Mount Agung
If you’re up for a challenge, why not hike up Mount Agung to catch the sunrise from the highest point in Bali? The six-hour hike to the top of the volcano is not for the faint-hearted; the steep climb is physically demanding, and most tours start around 11 PM the night before. However, once you’ve reached the summit, you’ll be met by stunning sunrise colors washing over the valleys and mountains below. Plus, you’ll see breathtaking views over Bali, the coast, and beyond. You can even see into the active volcanic crater!
We recommend taking a guided tour, as you will mostly be hiking up the steep rocky slopes in the dark. A guide will keep you safe and also give you local insight into the sacred importance of the mountain.
Getting there: 1-2 hours drive from Amed. Most tour companies will pick you up and return you to your accommodation.
13. Taman Ujung
Taman Ujung is a stunning floating water palace in Seraya that is an important cultural and sacred site. Built in 1909 by the King of Karangasem, the famous temple has a beautiful variety of Balinese, Chinese, and European architecture and sculptures to admire. We still believe this to be one of the most stunning temples we’ve visited.
Read our guide on Taman Ujung Water Palace in Bali.
Outside, discover tranquil gardens and ponds, which are the perfect place to spend a peaceful morning or afternoon wandering. There are many levels to the palace, so make sure to climb up the staircases to get amazing views of the coast and mountains. You can also combine a visit to this palace with exploring Tukad Cepung waterfall and Tirta Gangge by joining a day tour.
Opening Hours & Entry Fee: Open daily, 7 AM – 7 PM. 75,000 IDR (4.98 USD).
Best Restaurants and Cafes
Amed is traditionally a fishing area, so you shouldn’t miss out on trying delicious freshly caught seafood while you’re here. The agricultural area around Amed also produces fantastic organic fruit and vegetables, which we greatly appreciate.
- Warung Asri
- Ibus Sea View Warung
- Rimba Cafe
- Good Stuff Cafe
- Galanga
- Trattoria Amed
- See You Again Cafe
- La Cocina Mexicana
If you are on a budget, stick to the local warungs (small family-owned restaurants), where you can try traditional dishes like Nasi Goreng and Gado Gado. Alternatively, head to the beach-side restaurants if you want to splash out on something a little fancier.
Where to Stay in Amed, Bali
Amed is spread out over a long stretch of coastline, and, depending on your location, it can take over 20 minutes to travel from one side to the other. We recommend staying somewhere around Jemeluk Bay or Lipah Beach, which are peaceful and uncrowded places great for snorkeling, diving, swimming, and sunbathing.
For those on a budget, there are plenty of hostel options around this area too, and near Amed Beach, where the restaurants, cafes, and tour companies are located.
How Many Days in Amed?
We recommend staying in Amed for at least two or three days to explore all the different fishing villages and beaches. This also gives you enough time to squeeze in a sunrise trip to Mount Agung. However, you could easily spend a week or more if you just want to relax in this quiet corner of Bali; there are plenty of snorkeling spots, hidden bays, and mountain views to discover!
How to Visit Amed
The drive to Amed is an incredible experience as it takes you along coastal roads, mountain ranges, and stunning viewpoints. Driving from Canggu to Amed takes approximately 2.5-3 hours without heavy traffic. If you’re coming from the International Airport in the south, it’s a 2.5-3 hour drive. We recommend leaving early to avoid the city traffic in Denpasar.
From the airport, rent a car or a motorcycle, book a tour, or take a private car or taxi. A slightly cheaper option is to book a shared van from the airport, which leave several times a day.
Also read: best places to stay in Bali
Getting Around
By Motorcycle
The roads in Bali are relatively good, so renting a motorbike is your best option, mainly as it allows you to explore more rural areas. Rental is also very reasonable, with an average cost of 50,000 – 70,000 IDR (3.30 – 4.62 USD) per day. Ride along the main road around Seraya Mountain, which offers the best views of the countryside and coastline.
Private Drivers and Tours
Private drivers in Bali are a great option if you don’t want the hassle of organizing your own travel. Plus, you can decide exactly which places you want to visit and when. Alternatively, book a guided tour which usually includes several stop-off points and a local guide.
How Much Does Amed Cost?
Amed is very affordable, and a little goes a long way! Due to its distance from the airport, the area is still relatively undiscovered, which means you pay local prices. However, prices may be slightly higher during the high season (June-August).
Good to know: The wifi around Amed could be better, so keep an eye on hotel reviews if this is important to you. Sim cards worked in most parts of Amed.
Make sure to set aside some money for your visa for Bali. You can check entry requirements and visa prices online. Get your visa in advance here.
Best Time to Visit
Although it is hot all year round, the best time to visit Amed is from May to September. During this time, it’s much drier, meaning clearer views of the mountains and better visibility for diving and snorkeling!
However, the high season also takes place during these months (June – August), so keep in mind that popular tourist spots may be more crowded. Instead, choose the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October to enjoy the best weather with fewer people around.
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Thank you for the very good guide for Amed. This is the best. We will visit Amed for sure.