Tourists from Australia dominated foreign tourist arrivals to Bali in March 2025, accounting for 22.06% of the total number of tourists. And if you’re one of the many Aussies heading to Bali for your holiday, you’re probably wondering where to stay in Bali, the best areas to rent a villa, and which area is right for you.
With so many popular locations, from happening beach clubs, popular shopping strips, jungle views, hip café scenes, and chilled ocean views, Bali has so much to offer. But, where to stay? Where will you find the area that suits your holiday lifestyle? However, Bali has some distinct areas, and these areas can vary significantly. The last thing you want is to be near the beach when you want rice fields, far from restaurants when you’ve got the kids, or close to beach clubs when you crave peace. Your Bali holiday can be an absolute disaster if you choose the wrong area. This Aussie-friendly guide breaks down Bali’s top villa destinations, so you can choose the perfect area to match your holiday style, budget, and vibe. Whether you’re travelling with family, your partner, a group of mates, or solo, we’ve got you covered.
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Seminyak – Best for Shopping, Family-Fun, Dining & Nightlife
Seminyak is one of the most popular areas in Bali for Australians who enjoy shopping, dining at restaurants, and enjoying fun beach times. It’s about a 45-minute taxi ride to the airport, so you can be in your villa sipping mojitos by midday if you get the early morning Jetstar flight from Sydney or Melbourne. Seminyak has a famous area called Jalan Kaya Aya, aka Eat Street, and this is where all the action is – there are bars, pubs, cafés, day spas, cheap massages, money changers, you name it, and Eat Street has it all for the Aussie holidaymaker. You see them walking up and down the street, the whole time with the kids in tow. Seminyak promises an action-packed time full of fun for everyone who wants to be at the heart of the action.
Why Aussies Love Seminyak:
- Central location (close to the airport, the beach and Eat Street)
- Family-friendly beach clubs like Ku De Ta, Mano Beach House & Potato Head) and Mrs Sippy (well, it’s actually not on the beach, but it has a massive pool and it’s perfect for the family).
- Loads of shops where you can have a bit of fun bargaining with the locals for your next Bintang T-shirt or fake Aussie footy jumper.
People often call Seminyak “the Bondi of Bali” — up-market, energetic, and packed with great food, casual pubs, shops, beach life and surf. It’s perfect for Australian couples, families, and small groups who want to be close to the action while still enjoying plenty of holiday time in a luxurious Seminyak private villa.
Seminyak Villa Highlights:
- Villas on the beach and near Eat Street.
- Private pools, modern design, and in-villa staff, with breakfast included. Many honeymoon villas and villas are Australian-managed, ensuring that the facilities and service are all 5-star.
- Great for week-long holidays or romantic escapes
Is Seminyak right for you?
Couples, small groups, families, hen’s trips, mates’ end-of-year footy trips, foodies who love cafés, shopaholics, and party people will all love Seminyak.
View our Seminyak villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Beach club vibes, shopping and nightlife – Seminyak has it all for families, groups and honeymooners.
Canggu – Best for Surfers, Digital Nomads, Families & Laid-Back Vibes.
Canggu is now one of the most popular areas of Bali for Aussies who want to enjoy the beach club and café culture, the hectic pace and shopping. Canggu is absolutely exploding with new villa developments, hotels, shops, restaurants, cafés, day spas, pubs, sports bars, supermarkets and money changers. It’s now a main tourist hub stretching from the black sands of Batu Belig to the outskirts of Kedungu. It’s a large neighbourhood that’s home to lovely suburban pockets, like Berawa, Pererenan, Seseh, and Cemagi. According to The Bali Sun, there is plenty to keep tourists entertained in Canggu, from kicking back at beach clubs like Atlas Beach Fest and Finns Beach Club to dancing like there’s no tomorrow at Old Man’s or Sandbar; Canggu has become synonymous with party vibes.
Canggu has such an eclectic mix of people, from digital nomads spending months in Canggu, escaping Europe, surfers who enjoy the waves at Echo Beach, Sand Bar and Old Man’s, families who want to stay in Canggu for the first time (because they’ve heard so much about the area), party people who want to hit the beach clubs like La Brisa, Mexicola, Old Man’s, The Lawn, Finns and the massive mega beach club Atlas in Berawa.
There’s a distinct difference between Seminyak and Canggu, which you can see below:
@balivillaescapes Seminyak or Canggu?? Whats best for your next Bali holiday? A quick insight into the dofference between the two areas. #seminyakvillas #balivillaescapes #cangguvillas #seminyak #canggu
Why Aussies Love Canggu:
- Byron Bay or Torquay meets Bali vibes.
- Surf beaches (Echo, Berawa, Old Man’s and Batu Bolong)
- Trendy cafés like Milk & Madu, Crate, Shady Shack, Deusex Machina, Sensorium, Boakshi, Shelter, Keen Café, and so many more in the Batu Bolong, Mejan and Linjong areas.
Canggu is the new darling of Australian travellers, especially the 25–55 age group; even seniors and older folks are flocking to the area to experience the beach and café scene. It’s where surf culture meets health food cafés, remote work culture, and ‘in-vogue’ boutique shops. The villa scene is booming, and you’ll find some of the island’s coolest villa accommodations right here in Canggu, where the style and architecture are incredibly varied; from intimate boho chic villas, to luxury mansions on the beach, the villa scene is rapidly changing the face of Canggu into an urban metropolis now recognised worldwide as must-visit holiday destination.
Canggu Villa Highlights:
- Modern and tropical designs, and some large villas big enough for massive groups
- Rooftop terraces, rice field views (while they last), co-working setups
- Many villas are near popular Aussie hangouts like Finns, Atlas and Echo Beach.
Is Canggu right for you?
Young couples, families with small children who want a beachie vibe holiday, surf trips, digital nomads, influencers and solo travellers looking to hook up.
View our Canggu villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Legian – Best for Budget-Friendly Family Holidays
Legian has survived COVID and is now a vibrant tourist area with new sports bars, pubs, cafés and the usual fare of local shops. Legian has always been the favourite after Kuta for Aussie travellers, and it still has that stigma it can’t quite seem to shake off, the dear old Aussie bogan at the pub the whole day. In some parts, it still has that vibe, but nearer to the beach, you’ll find some newish, cheaper hotels and the odd villa. For most Aussies, the lure of Legian remains, and they end up spending their precious holiday time here, roaming their favourite alleyways, chatting with local vendors whom they’ve known for years, and still going to restaurants they went to probably as teenagers. Legian has a loyal fan following, and I can honestly say I get it. It has its own charm and a unique, homey character.
Also Read: Is It Worth Holidaying in Legian
Why Aussies Love Legian:
- Close to Seminyak and Kuta, but you’ll find cheaper holiday accommodation, food and booze.
- Great for couples who want to be near the Padma and Double Six Beach areas and prefer to stay local.
- Easy beach access & close to Aussie-style restaurants and sports bars – so you can catch your dose of weekend footy action.
- Legian is perfect for Aussie families who want the beach, shopping, restaurants and local warungs close by — but without the price tag of Seminyak. You’ll find lots of villas offering excellent value, and it’s only a short walk or a GoJek to the action.
Legian Villa Highlights:
- Great 1-bedroom villa options – perfect for a couple with an infant
- Budget-friendly options under AUD 300/night
- Near beach bars
- Not too much construction in the area, so it’s quiet.
Is Legian right for you?
Families, first-timers, travellers spending a few days in Bali who need a base before exploring the island, and budget-conscious return travellers all love Legian.
View our Legian villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Ubud – Best for Yoga, Chilled Days, Rice fields & Culture
Connect with nature (and yourself) and indulge in the experiences that Ubud offers – from rice terraces to flat whites, to local roadside nasi goreng; Ubud is a vibrant tourist hub. Emerald-green rice paddies that stretch on, crisp, clean jungle air, holy temples and the packed queses at holy springs and waterfalls – there’s no place like Ubud when it comes to experiencing the exotic Balinese culture. Oh, yes, and did we mention the shopping, numerous foodie hangouts and yoga studios? Aussies have been flocking to Ubud for years, firstly as a hippie getaway and now as either a two or three-day break or a week-long holiday to enjoy the tranquillity and peace that Ubud is synonymous with.
Why Aussies Love Ubud:
- Yoga, meditation, day spas with jungle views, and health retreats
- The Monkey Forest, shopping and a good escape from southern Bali
- Art, culture and cool cafés.
Ubud Villa Highlights:
- Infinity pools overlooking rice fields with no neighbours
- You can rent a large villa for a reasonable price, and it’s completely private.
- In villa yoga shalas, private chefs and spa rooms.
Is Ubud right for you?
Wellness seekers, fitness fanatics, foodies, couples wanting romantic hideaways, long-stay travellers, digital nomads working from home and solo travellers.
View our Ubud villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Uluwatu – Best for Surfers, Villa Clifftop Views & Party People
Uluwatu on The Bukit has found its form and blossomed into one of Bali’s must-visit destinations. Aka Ulu, you’ll find all the same popular cafés, restaurants and shops that are in Canggu and Seminyak. Holidaymakers are flocking to Uluwatu en masse for the beaches, world-class surf, gorgeous holiday villas, and all the party action that comes with new pubs, bars and well-known beach clubs. Uluwatu encompasses a massive area, stretching from Bingin, Dreamlands, Padang Padang, Balangan, Suluban Beach, through to Pandawa and Green Bowl. It’s an enormous area, ripe for exploration, with cliffs, beaches, and hidden streets, as well as cosy cafés, local warungs, and friendly locals.
Why Aussies Love Uluwatu:
- A surfer’s heaven; home to some of the best surf spots in Bali and Indonesia
- Perfect for enjoying sunset drinks, partying, and popular beach clubs featuring international DJs.
- Gyms, cafés and cool restaurants, which are great for kids.
- Great for a couple of days to escape the crowds in Seminyak and Canggu.
Uluwatu Villa Highlights:
- Clifftop pools with ocean views
- Luxurious interiors and large garden areas for the kids
- Villas in gated estates, so there’s lots of privacy and security.
Is Uluwatu right for you?
Group holidays, surfers, families and clifftop weddings.
View our Uluwatu villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Sanur – Best for relaxing beach times, seniors & young families.
Sanur has slowly shed its sleepy seaside reputation and is now one of the most in-demand holiday areas for good reason; it boasts a beautiful beach, numerous shops, restaurants, and a massive new shopping mall completed in 2024. Sanur is also easily accessible from the airport (approximately 30 minutes away). It is in an excellent location for day trips to the east coast (Amed, Keramas, all the way up to Lovina) and central Bali (Ubud, Kintamani, and the Sukawati Art Market). You’ll still find Sanur is a lot slower-paced with less party vibes than Seminyak or Canggu, but this will surely change as the island develops.
Why Aussies Love Sanur:
- Calm beaches, clear waters and flat walking pathways along the beach
- Laid-back, safe and less touristy
- Older Aussies hang out here to top up their tan on the beach loungers.
- Ideal for families who want to spend time with their kids on the beach.
- Sanur still retains a skerrick of the old-world charm found in Bali, which Aussies find so endearing.
Sanur Villa Highlights:
- Affordable, low-key villas near or right on the beach
- Quiet streets and easy beach access
- Close to some incredible surf breaks
- Larger, more estate-like villas are best for large group getaways and weddings.
Is Sanur right for you?
If you’re a retiree, a large family, or a group, or you’re looking for a chilled getaway with the kids, or those who want to be far away from the crowds, Sanur is the perfect destination.
View our Sanur villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Pererenan – café lovers, surfers, digital influencers, gym junkies, families that want to be part of the hip scene.
North of central Canggu (literally a 5-10 minute scooter ride away), you’ll find the ultra-cool and very popular Pererenan area. Over the last three or so years, the area has undergone a complete transformation from a quiet Balinese village into one of the most sought-after destinations in Bali for holidaymakers who enjoy the razzmatazz that comes with these new, highly hyped-up cafés, bars, and restaurants.
Why Aussies Love Pererenan:
- Right next door to busy Canggu – but quieter and more exclusive vibe
- Great café culture, huge choice of gyms for group workouts, top surf at Echo Beach, and lots of villa choices.
- Great launch area for seeing the west coast of Bali, like Tabanan, Tanah Lot, Balian and Kudungu.
- Near popular beach clubs like La Brisa, Luna Beach Club, The Lawn, Old Man’s and Mexicola.
Pererenan Villa Highlights:
- Luxury villas with rice field views (caveat here – these ricefield views may be only temporary with the boom in villa construction).
- Many villas are within walking distance of cafés and the beach, making it an ideal location for families.
Is Pererenan right for you?
Couples, peaceful solo trips, long-stay digital nomads, families wanting to be near the beach and people who want to be near Canggu’s beach clubs but want to stay in a more peaceful area.
View our Pererenan villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Jimbaran – Best for Sunset Seafood Meals & Safe Swimming
Jimbaran flies very low under the radar and is more of a destination for Aussie travellers who want to stay in 5-star hotels. But Jimbaran is a wonderful area with a lovely beach that stretches all the way from the Tuban area near the airport to the beginning of the Uluwatu coastline. Jimbaran is flanked by a large black sandy beach dotted with cafés and lots of charming fishing boats. It’s a tropical haven for those who want to swim in calm waters without the beach clubs or Instagamers you see further north. The most popular attraction in Jimbaran is the beach, where restaurants burst to life at sunset, drawing people to enjoy a seafood feast on the sand. Check the video below.
@balivillaescapes Take the the family for a meal at Jimbaran Bay in Bali- great seafood freshly cooked right on the beach – and it’s super tasty and very reasonably priced – 👍👍 #baliholidays #balivillaescapes #jimbaranbay #balivacation #balifood #baliaccommodation #balivillas
Why Aussies Love Jimbaran:
- Seafood dinners on the beach
- Calm, family-friendly beaches
- Classy vibe but less touristy than Kuta, Legian or Seminyak
- Near the airport and The Bukit
- Less chaotic traffic
- Long, lazy beach days
Jimabarn Villa Highlights:
- Large villas near the beach with sensational ocean views
- Sunset views from rooftop gazebos
- Grand villas with a big complement of staff, chefs, butlers, nannies and more.
Is Jimbaran right for you?
You’ll love Jimbaran if you’re looking for a more relaxed and peaceful holiday, free from noise, traffic, and crowds – ideal for families, large groups, and honeymooners.
View our Jimbaran villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers.
Nusa Dua – Resorts, white sandy beaches, and top family escapes.
Nusa Dua is not an area that’s high on the Aussie travel list, as it is preferred by those who prefer more action and excitement, as Nusa Dua is like a massive gated estate packed with 5-star resorts. It’s an enclave with branded name hotels and resorts with a sprinkling of holiday villas.
Why Aussies Love Nusa Dua:
- Clean, uncrowded beaches and well-manicured resort areas
- Ideal for families who want the resort-style experience with kids’ clubs
- Top surf spot at the outer reef.
- Less crowded than other parts of Bali
- Great for events and business conferences.
Nusa Dua Villa Highlights:
- Resort-style villas with private pools
- Villas on the beach
- In-villa spa services with chefs and butlers
- Beach clubs (up in The Bukit)_ and water sports like jet skiing, surfing, gliding behind a boat, and banana boat rides are all nearby.
Is Nusa Dua right for you?
Luxury family holidays, honeymoons, and first-timers wanting a resort feel and beach lovers.
View our Nusa Dua villas to rent for Aussie holidaymakers
Aussie Booking Tips for 2026
When choosing the ideal Bali villa, keep the following in mind:
- Flight Timing: If you’re arriving late from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, it might be best to book your first few nights in Seminyak or Canggu for easy access. Additionally, please ensure that you notify your reservation team of your arrival time so they can arrange for someone to meet you at the airport. And, your villa manager will be waiting for you upon arrival (no matter how late) to welcome you and show you the ins and outs of the villa.
- School Holidays: Book 3–6 months in advance if travelling during Aussie school breaks and public holidays. Never leave it to the last minute. Yes, you might grab a few bargains, but it’s so not worth the risk.
- Weather: The wet season runs from November to March, so keep this in mind if you are travelling with kids – plan for activities when it rains.
- Booking Aussie-Run Sites: Use trusted Australian-managed sites like Bali Villa Escapes for secure payments in AUD with a Westpac bank account or via credit card and local support on the ground in Bali.
Final Thoughts: Choose Your Perfect Bali Villa Area
There are so many unique areas in Bali that it can be far too overwhelming for the average holidaymaker. Everything looks so fabulous, and unfortunately, there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to villa holidays in Bali. The key is picking an area or two (depending on how long you’re in Bali) that suits your travel style — whether that’s shopping in Seminyak, surfing in Canggu, beach clubbing in Uluwatu, or exploring the rice fields in Ubud.
I recommend combining a few areas— a couple of days of beach vibes, followed by a few days among the rice fields, and perhaps a couple of days of bargaining and shopping at the end of the trip.
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