MY TOP WEEKEND NATURE GETAWAYS FROM CANGGU, BALI
If you're like me and looking for a getaway for a breath of fresh air amidst lush greenery from the bustling paradise of Canggu, Bali, sometimes this blogpost is for you. Because luckily, Bali isn't just about instagramable smoothiebowls, busy beachclubs and fancy restaurants; it's also home to incredible natural wonders just waiting to be explored. So, join me as I unveil my top 5 weekend nature getaways from Canggu that are sure to leave you recharged as you discover hidden paths, authentic villages, stunning sunsets & beautiful beaches - Bali has just so much to offer!
Lots of love,
Magda
1) Jatiluwih Rice Terraces & nadi nature resort
Only a short drive from Canggu away the lush rice terraces of Jatiluwih are waiting for you to be discovered. I would highly recommend you to first take a lovely walk/ hike (as an Austrian everything that’s flat is rather a walk for me haha) around the rice fields and then head to Batu Karu Kopi. There you’ll find amazing speciality coffee and can enjoy a super tasty brunch (with great vegan options) overlooking the rice fields.
We actually enjoyed the rice terraces with a two night stay at the beautiful Nadi Nature Resort located between Jatiluwih and Bedugul. The beautiful tented mountain eco-resort is a truly special placed with three waterfalls running either side of the land to the main river boundary at the bottom of the property. We also loved to enjoy brunch, dinner and coffee at the Nadi Farm Cafe overlooking the rice fields and jungle.
2) EXPLORE THE NORTH
Nestled in the lush landscapes of Bali, the North of Bali & the serene villages Munduk & Pancasari surrounded by rice terraces and waterfalls, offer a tranquil escape from the island's bustling tourist hubs. The cool mountain air (I even was wearing a jacket at night!), stunning viewpoints with panoramic vistas, hidden waterfalls etc. make it one of my most beloved getaways in Bali. One of my favorite activity was to discover the many waterfalls around the area. There are so many amazing hidden waterfalls that it’s almost hard to choose the one to visit. I would recommend visiting the Banyumala Twin Waterfall, Air Terjun Munduk and Melanting waterfall. Moreover, you can discover the famous water temple and take a picture at the instagramable Handara Gate Bali before driving there and staying at Handara Golf & Resort Bali. We really enjoyed the cozy hotel with it’s beautiful rooms, relaxing Ankala Japanese Onsen spa and delicious breakfast dining options.
3) GOLFING
Tucked high in the cool mountains of northern Bali, golfing at Handara Golf & Resort Bali felt like stepping into a dream far removed from the island’s tropical beaches. Surrounded by misty volcanic peaks and lush rainforest, the course rolls through a former crater at nearly 1,200 meters above sea level, where crisp mountain air replaces Bali’s usual humidity and every swing echoes into the valley below. Whether you’re a serious golfer or just chasing unique travel experiences, Handara delivers a refreshing, almost surreal side of Bali that lingers long after the final putt. I can highly recommend to play your rounds at Handara!
4) kintamani
If you are a lover of speciality coffee (like me) kintamani should be high on your weekend getaway list! We just stayed for one night and enjoyed the peace and tranquility around Danau Batur lake. My highlight for sure was catching the sunrise at one of the many speciality coffee spots. My favorite ones are Akasa, Paperhills and Eco Bike Coffee. All of them have beautiful view on the sun slowly rising, Mount Batur and amazing coffee (make sure to bring some home!). You can also hike up mount batur for sunrise (which we skipped) - I’ve heared it can get pretty crowded and the sunrise was probably as nice from the coffee shop (or not even nicer haha). Afterwards (or on your way to Kintamani) you can head to Ubud, enjoy some tasty lunch (check out my fav Ubud coffee shops here as well as vegan food & restaurant guide here) and then back to Canggu. I also shared a video on my Instagram about the trip to munduk, kintamani & ubud here.
5) nusa lembongan/ ceningan
Of course my favorite weekend getaway, Nusa Lembongan shouldn’t be missed in this guide. You just need to take a short boat ride (30’) from Sanur and you’ll arrive in an island dream come true. As I wrote a dedicated blog post about all of my favorite spots on the island you can simply check out all of my recommendations for these tropical islands here on my website.
6) uluwatu
The weekend/ day trip I’m doing the most is for sure towards Uluwatu. It just feels like a holiday with it’s beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets and food spots to be discovered. As I already summarized all my tips for your perfect time for Uluwatu on a dedicated blogpost, I recommend to head here on my website to find out how to make your time in Uluwatu unforgettable.
