Dreaming of calling Bali home? I’ve got you covered. After spending months exploring every corner of this island paradise, I’ve discovered the absolute best places to live in Bali for 2025. From the buzzing coworking hubs of Canggu to the serene jungle vibes of Ubud, this list breaks down the top spots for expats, digital nomads, and anyone craving a life filled with tropical beauty and adventure.
Whether you’re chasing ocean views, vibrant nightlife, or peaceful retreats, these places are the real deal. Trust me—this guide is based on firsthand experience, not some generic Google search. Ready to find your slice of paradise? Let’s dive in.
Best Places to Live in Bali
Bali is a patchwork of incredible destinations in Southeast Asia, each offering something special for different lifestyles. Whether you’re a beach lover, a culture seeker, or a digital nomad, Bali has a spot just for you. Here’s a quick guide to the island’s standout areas:
- Best Beaches: Sanur, with its golden sands and calm waves, is perfect for laid-back beach days.
- Digital Nomad Paradise: Canggu balances dynamic coworking spaces with laid-back beach bars.
- Cultural Heart: Ubud is the soul of Bali, famous for traditional crafts, dance, and serene rice terraces.
- Tranquil Escape: Amed offers peace, quiet, and breathtaking underwater beauty.
- Young & Social: Seminyak is the hub for trendy cafes, energetic clubs, and chic boutiques.
- Dramatic Landscapes: Uluwatu delivers jaw-dropping cliffs and world-class surf.
- Beachside Elegance: Nusa Dua combines stunning beaches with luxurious resorts and dining.
- Laid-Back Charm: Lovina’s gentle seas and dolphin spotting create a relaxing, off-the-beaten-path vibe.
Where will you call home in Bali?
1. Sanur
If you’re looking for a peaceful seaside escape without losing modern comforts, Sanur might be your perfect match. This charming coastal town on Bali’s east coast is known for its calm waves, golden beaches, and relaxed pace of life. Unlike Bali’s busier hubs, Sanur moves at a gentler rhythm, where sunrise walks along the beachfront promenade and coffee at laid-back cafés are part of the daily routine.
Life here is all about ease and community. You’ll find excellent healthcare, international schools, and welcoming expat-friendly cafés, making it a top pick for retirees, families, and long-term travelers. Despite its conveniences, Sanur still holds onto its Balinese charm, with frequent temple ceremonies and traditional fishing boats lining the shore.
For those craving a stress-free, beachside lifestyle with a touch of culture, Sanur delivers. It’s a place to slow down, savor life, and feel right at home in Bali.
2. Ubud
Ubud is Bali’s cultural and spiritual heart, surrounded by lush rice terraces, dense jungles, and sacred temples. Life here moves at a slower, more mindful pace, perfect for those seeking tranquility, creativity, and connection. Spend your mornings exploring Tegallalang’s breathtaking rice fields or sipping locally grown coffee at an artsy café. Afternoons are for yoga, wellness retreats, or co-working in bamboo-built spaces.
More than its natural beauty, Ubud thrives on art, tradition, and community. The town is filled with art galleries, craft markets, and dance performances, while its organic restaurants and vegan cafés make healthy living effortless. Despite its peaceful atmosphere, Ubud is well-connected—Denpasar and Bali’s beaches are just an hour away.
For those looking to immerse themselves in Balinese culture, embrace a holistic lifestyle, or join a vibrant creative scene, Ubud is a dream come true.
3. Canggu
Canggu is Bali’s ultimate digital nomad hotspot, where trendy cafés, co-working spaces, and surf-friendly beaches create the perfect work-life balance. Mornings often start with a flat white at a hip café, followed by focused work sessions at Dojo or Tropical Nomad. When it’s time for a break, Echo Beach’s rolling waves and Batu Bolong’s lively beach bars are just minutes away.
This town thrives on creativity and community. Explore vibrant artisan markets, join a sunset yoga class, or dance the night away at The Lawn or Finns Beach Club. The food scene is top-notch, offering everything from acai bowls and smoothie bars to sizzling Indonesian street food. While Canggu is growing fast, it still holds onto its laid-back, bohemian charm.
For entrepreneurs, surfers, and adventure-seekers, Canggu delivers big-city energy in a tropical paradise—it’s no surprise so many expats call it home.
4. Uluwatu
Dramatic cliffs, world-class surf, and breathtaking sunsets make Uluwatu one of Bali’s most stunning places to live. Perched on the island’s rugged Bukit Peninsula, this coastal paradise is known for its secluded beaches, high-end resorts, and a laid-back, upscale vibe. Whether you’re chasing waves at Padang Padang or enjoying a clifftop seafood feast in Jimbaran, every day here feels like a postcard.
Life in Uluwatu moves at a slow, sun-soaked pace. Days are spent surfing at Uluwatu Beach, practicing yoga in open-air studios, or catching sunset views from Single Fin. The area offers luxury villas, boutique cafés, and a growing expat community, all while maintaining a peaceful, nature-driven atmosphere.
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For those who crave endless ocean views, outdoor adventure, and a more refined island lifestyle, Uluwatu is a dream destination—a place where Bali’s natural beauty shines at its best.
5. Nusa Dua
If luxury, comfort, and pristine beaches are what you’re after, Nusa Dua is the place to be. This high-end enclave on Bali’s southeastern coast is known for its crystal-clear waters, world-class resorts, and peaceful atmosphere. Unlike the buzzing surf towns up north, Nusa Dua offers a quieter, more polished lifestyle, perfect for those who want relaxation without the chaos.
Mornings often start with a jog along the beachfront promenade, followed by fresh seafood at a seaside café. Golfers tee off at Bali National Golf Club, while wellness seekers indulge in luxurious spas with ocean views. Evenings are best spent dining by the water, with restaurants serving everything from authentic Balinese cuisine to international fine dining.
For those who love an upscale, stress-free lifestyle, Nusa Dua delivers. With immaculate beaches, top-tier amenities, and easy access to Bali’s cultural hubs, it’s tropical luxury at its finest.
6. Amed
Far from Bali’s crowded beaches and buzzing nightlife, Amed offers a peaceful, seaside escape where life moves at a slower pace. This string of charming fishing villages on Bali’s east coast is famous for its black sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and world-class diving spots. Mornings begin with sunrise views over Mount Agung, while the calm sea invites snorkelers and divers to explore coral reefs and the legendary USS Liberty shipwreck.
Evenings in Amed are all about laid-back beachfront bars, live acoustic music, and sunset drinks overlooking the ocean. Expats and locals gather at spots like Wawa Wewe or Blue Earth Village to enjoy a relaxed, social atmosphere. The cost of living is low, making it ideal for those seeking Bali’s beauty without the high price tag.
With its untouched landscapes and welcoming vibe, Amed is perfect for anyone looking to trade city noise for ocean waves.
7. Lovina
Looking for another peaceful coastal town away from Bali’s tourist crowds? Lovina is a hidden gem. Nestled along the island’s northern coast, this charming destination is known for its black sand beaches, calm waters, and early morning dolphin watching tours. Unlike the bustling south, Lovina offers a slower, more traditional Balinese lifestyle, where friendly locals and a tight-knit expat community make it easy to feel at home.
Days here are spent snorkeling in coral-rich waters, exploring nearby waterfalls, or soaking in Banjar’s natural hot springs. The evenings bring laid-back beach bars, live music, and seafood dinners by the ocean. While Lovina is more remote than Bali’s southern hubs, it has reliable amenities, affordable villas, and a lower cost of living.
For those seeking tranquility, affordability, and a true connection to nature, Lovina is a relaxing escape with an authentic Balinese charm.
8. Seminyak
Trendy, stylish, and always buzzing, Seminyak is Bali’s hub for beach clubs, luxury villas, and world-class dining. This vibrant coastal town blends laid-back beach life with an upscale urban feel, making it a favorite among expats, entrepreneurs, and social butterflies. Whether you’re lounging at Potato Head Beach Club, boutique shopping along Jalan Kayu Aya, or catching a sunset at La Plancha, Seminyak is all about living the good life.
Beyond the glitz, Seminyak offers modern conveniences, international schools, and co-working spaces, making it ideal for long-term living. Food lovers are spoiled for choice with trendy cafés, fusion restaurants, and authentic Balinese warungs. While traffic and crowds are part of the deal, the energy here is undeniably exciting.
If you’re all about stylish living, great food, and a social scene that never slows down, Seminyak is the kind of place that keeps life exciting every single day.
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