Is Amed Worth It? The Slow Alternative to Bali's Crowds
Lipah Beach, Amed
Amed, East Bali
I'll be honest with you. Two years ago, when I visited Amed for the first time, I didn't like it.
I'd heard all the usual things - peaceful, quiet, beautiful. But the timing was off. There was construction everywhere, hardly any people, and not much going on. Plus I visited during heavy rainy season (January), so definitely it wasn’t what I expected to see and feel.
Today, in 2026, it's a different story. Amed has grown into itself. Tourism here has developed in the best way, and it's quietly definitely becoming one of my favourite places in all of Bali.
So, if you're wondering whether Amed is worth it, here's my honest answer: yes - as long as you're coming for the right reasons. If you want a slower, quieter, more authentic side of Bali, Amed delivers.
And if you're chasing beach clubs and nightlife, you'll want to be somewhere else.
Let me explain my thoughts on Amed.
So, where is Amed?
Amed is a small fishing village on the northeast coast of Bali - but most people use the name for the whole area, a roughly 14 km stretch of bays and little villages along the coast.
It's around 2 hours from Ubud and 3–4 hours from the international airport in Denpasar (DPS). That distance is part of the reason it stays quiet. Amed simply isn't as easy to reach as Canggu or Uluwatu, so it attracts a completely different kind of crowd. The best way to reach is by car or scooter for the scenic views if you are an experienced driver. 🚕
What is Amed like?
Amed is laid-back in a way other parts of Bali no longer are. It's known for diving, snorkelling, freediving, nature, and some of the best sunrises on the island. You eat fresh fish right on the beach, and you wake up to incredible views of Mount Agung, the holiest mountain in Bali, sitting right behind the coastline.
It draws the kind of traveller who wants to slow down - people who'd rather snorkel at sunrise than queue for a viral photo spot. Those who appreciate authenticity over polished attractions and places. Those who want real moments rather than curated.
What to do in Amed ?
Snorkelling, diving & free diving 🤿
This is the main reason people come. The water here is calm and clear, which makes Amed one of the best places in Bali to learn to dive or freedive. There are plenty of dive and freedive centres for every level, from total beginners to advanced. A few of the most popular and well-regarded are Apneista Freediving Center and Fresh Fins Diving. Some dives also take place in the nearby Tulamben area.
Should I snorkel from the shore, or book a snorkelling trip?
Both are great - it just depends how much you want to see.
You can easily snorkel straight from the shore and spot colourful coral and fish just off the beach.
Rent a mask and fins from the beach guys for around €2.50 each, and you're set.
For the full experience, though, I'd also book a snorkelling trip. It takes about 3–4 hours and a local guide takes you out on a traditional jukung boat, stopping at four different bays to snorkel - it's an amazing experience and it is super comfortable. Also, getting on a jukung boat is an experience on its own. You can book it through your hotel or directly on the beach.
👉 The locals will also take you out for fishing tours or sunrise and sunset boat trips.
🎟️ A sunset boat trip for two costs around Rp 400,000 (€20). You can arrange one with Snorkelling Lokal Amed on Lipah beach.
Beaches 🐚
Start with Lipah Beach and Jemeluk Bay - both are great for swimming and snorkelling. On Lipah beach you are likely to see a turtle near the shore.
Lipah diving side is also home to the famous Japanese Shipwreck, a sunken WWII-era wreck just offshore that's now covered in coral and fish. It sits in shallow water close to the beach, so you can reach it snorkelling straight from shore - no boat or dive certification needed. We saw it during our snorkelling tour.
There are no fancy beach clubs in Amed. But you can rent sunbeds and an umbrella from the locals on the beach. The last time we paid IDR 150.000 (€7) for two people at Lipah Beach.
You can also jump on a scooter and drive around to the Easternmost point of Bali, where you'll find quieter, lesser-known beaches with barely anyone on them and some you’ll even have completely to yourself.
Sunset & sunrise spots 🌅
For sunset, head to Amed Beach, Blue Earth Village, or Joli Best View Cafe.
And since you're on the east coast, make sure you wake up at least once for the sunrise - it’s incredible seeing the full sun coming out behind the horizon and on a clear morning you will see Lombok island in the distance.
👉 Pro Tip: stay beachfront, so that it’s easier to wake up and watch the sunrise
Lombok Island in June, 2026, Amed
Viewpoints
For panoramic views of Mount Agung and the coast, my top pick is Bukit Indah - it is a new place and alternative to the Lahangan Sweet spot. It is still free of crowds and the entrance fee is lower.
🎟️ Bukit Indah, Entry fee ~ Rp. 50.000 (€2.50)
If you don't mind sharing the view, Lahangan Sweet is the more famous (and busier) option.
🎟️ Lahangan Sweet, Entry fee ~ Rp. 100.000 (€5.00)
Day trips 🛵
If you want to see more in the area, Tirta Gangga (the royal water palace) and Lempuyang Temple (the famous "Gates of Heaven") are within reach. Fair warning, though: both are much more touristy than Amed itself, so go early if you go at all.
For a complete change of scenery head to Savana Tianyar.
If you want something completely different, head to Savana Tianyar - yes, Bali has a savanna, and it's about a 45-minute coastal drive from Amed. It's known as one of the best spots to see Mount Agung up close, with golden rolling grassland in the foreground and incredible photo opportunities. I still haven't made it there myself, but it’s on my list and I hope I can visit it soon.
A few things I've researched: it's free to enter, it looks best in the dry season (roughly May–October) when the grass turns golden, and you'll want to go at sunrise or just before sunset - Mount Agung often hides behind clouds in the middle of the day. Or sometimes the heat is too extreme at lunchtime.
Where to stay in Amed?
Amed is a long, spread-out stretch of coast, so where you stay really shapes your trip. Accommodation here runs the full range - from budget homestays to newly built upscale villas - so you can spend as little or as much as you like. Just know you won't find the polished five-star scene of Seminyak or Uluwatu here; that's not really what Amed is about.
Here's how I'd break it down by area:
Melasti - best for first-timers and non-scooter travellers. The first area you reach arriving in Amed, set among the rice fields, with a handful of new villas and hotels (and the new Om Karma café). You're within walking distance of the beach and town centre, and you get some of the best Mount Agung views around.
Beachfront -my pick. I've stayed at Salt Resort Amed four times now, and for me it's the perfect value for money. You wake up to the sound of the waves, have direct beach access, and breakfast is included. Hard to beat.
Near Amed Beach - best for budget + central access. Plenty of homestays right on the beach at lower prices, close to everything.
Near Jemeluk Bay - best for divers. Packed with dive centres and direct beach access, so you can roll out of bed and into the water. Some dive centres offer accommodation, too.
The hills (Lipah Beach / Japanese Shipwreck) - best for sea views and privacy. More and more villas are popping up in the hills here. Stay for the panoramic ocean views and a quieter, more private feel. Try Di Abian Villas ($$) or Angsa Villa ($$$).
Bunutan Valley - best for nature lovers. The quieter, more isolated alternative to Amed town — fully surrounded by green. Look at Tropical Habitat or Villa Asri Amed.
For something more remote but truly exclusive, check out Mathis Amed, about 15 minutes up in the hills. The resort is astonishing and it is a place where you can trully relax. You can read about my stay here.
Where to stay in Amed - at a glance
Best value (my pick): Salt Resort Amed - beachfront, breakfast included
Sea views + privacy: Angsa Villa ($$$)
Mid range: Di Abian Villas ($$)
Nature escape: Tropical Habitat · Mathis Amed (remote & exclusive)
Budget: homestays around Amed Beach
Where to eat in Amed?
Amed is slowly becoming more and more popular for tourists and a spot for digital nomads, and there are many new good places for food and even laptop-friendly cafes.
Some of my favourite cafés:
One Way Espresso - you can also buy coffee beans from here
Rimba Café - the greenest cafe ever
Om Karma Café - I love everything from their menu
Ciao Bali- this is literally the best pizza not only in town but also one of the best I’ve ever eaten
For local food, there are plenty of warungs and almost every place delivers. Some of my favourite are:
Bubu - come here for the sunset and have grilled fish right on the beach
La Plage - the Balinese lady who is the chef here is the best - she does deliscious fish/chicken or veggie curry and potato gnocchi
👉 A sneaky tip: in the early morning, locals sell fresh fish on the side of the road. You can buy some and bring it to BUBU warung in the evening, and they'll grill it for you and serve it vegetables and rice. It doesn't get fresher than that.
Working from Amed?
Coverage is good, most cafés are laptop-friendly, and there's even a coworking space in town called La Timba with a view of the Bunutan valley.
Is there nightlife in Amed?
Not really - and that's kind of the point. Most places close early here even during the high season.
But if you want a fun night out, it's still possible. There are a few karaoke bars like Amed Kodai, and the spot next to Ciao Bali Pizza does live music nights with a genuinely amazing vibe. It's low-key, local, and far more charming than a big club.
How much does Amed cost?
One of the best things about Amed is that it's noticeably cheaper than southern Bali - both for accommodation and for eating out.
For decent accommodation, expect to pay around €30–50 per night. Of course, if you want to go fancier, there are places to spend more - fancier villas, more upscale restaurants and of course day trips and experiences also add up to the final price.
What I like about Amed:
For me, Amed is all about the feeling. There's nowhere to rush and no posing for the camera. You can be in shorts and flip-flops all day and no one cares.
What I love most is waking up at 6am for the sunrise, watching the locals fish every morning, snorkelling, and having some freshly grilled fish. And of course watching the sunset is the best part of my day.
By the way, the locals own the beach - they park their boats there and go about their day, exactly as they always have. It's refreshing to see a place where the land hasn't been completely taken over by foreign businesses. Yet. Amed still feels like Amed.
Locals fishing at sunrise, Amed
Who is Amed for?
Amed isn't for everyone - and that's exactly what makes it special. Here's a quick guide according to your style of travelling.
You'll love Amed if you're a…
Slow traveller who wants quiet mornings, ocean views, and days with no to do list
Couple after a quiet romantic escape without the crowds
Family that prefers space, calm beaches, and small hotels/villas over busy resorts
Digital nomad who wants good Wi-Fi, nature and relaxed cafés
Backpacker looking for cheap homestays and good local food
Diver or snorkeller who loves shore dives and coral straight off the beach
Solo traveller who enjoy privacy or smaller communities
Amed definitely isn't for you if you…
Want noisy busy areas and lots of options
Need to stay close to the airport
Only have a few days in Bali
Are mainly here to party and chase nightlife
Just a couple of things to know before you go:
No Gojek or Grab here - There's no ride-hailing in the area, so you'll either need to rent your own scooter, arrange a local driver, or organise transport through your hotel. Otherwise, you need to stay somewhere central and use your feet.
Bring cash - Cafés are getting more card-friendly, but smaller warungs and local sellers are cash-only.
Timing matters - Amed is much livelier in the dry season. If you visit in the quietest months, some restaurants may be closed - so don't judge it on a slow day like I almost did.
Shops - there are a few mini markets and fruits and veggie stalls but there are no major supermarket chains. So, plan ahead if you are coming with family and planning to cook at home.
So, is Amed worth visiting?
If you're looking for a busy place with loads going on - modern cafés, trendy spots, gyms, shopping, beach clubs, or big resorts where everything is arranged for you - then Amed probably won't be your favourite. And if you've only got around 7 days in Bali and you're not here for relaxation or diving, that's another fair reason to skip it.
But if you want a calmer, more authentic side of Bali - slow mornings, sunrises over the ocean, fresh fish on the beach, and the chance to watch how locals actually live - then yes, Amed is absolutely worth it. You get something genuinely authentic without having to sacrifice your comforts, because Amed quietly has it all. Just give it at least 3 days so you have time to really feel the place and enjoy it.
It took me a second visit to fall for it. But now I can't imagine a Bali trip without it.
And if you're wondering how to actually structure your time here - that's coming next on the blog. In my next article, I'll share the perfect 3-day Amed itinerary, so you know exactly what to do, day by day.
Stay tuned. 🌅
