Legian and Kuta

I only have a few recommendations for Kuta and Legian but would highly recommend Legian as one of my favourite holiday destinations.  It is relaxing, casual and a great place to try for your first trip to Bali.  We last stayed in Legian in 2012 and since then the beachwalk mall has gone up but most other things are exactly the same.

Where to stay in Bali 
This all depends on what you like to do the experiences you want to have. I must admit that we usually come to Bali with a huge list of things to do and end up doing only half of them because it is so lovely just to wander the streets or relax at the beach.  I would definitely make an effort and do the 'must dos' on your first visit though.  So in terms of where to stay, Bali is huge and there are many more places to explore but these are the main tourist haunts.

• Legian ~ for beach bums, amateur to moderate surfers, market shopping
• Kuta ~ clubbing, activities to keep kids entertained
• Seminyak ~ high end boutique shopping, world class dining and nightscene
• Nusa Dua ~ high end luxury resorts, honeymoon spot, white sandy beach
• Uluwatu ~ high end luxury resorts, wedding venues
• Canggu ~ surfing, the 'new seminyak' with less tourists but is more isolated
• Ubud ~ arts & cultural centre, markets 

Check out my post on Seminyak here

Getting there

Take a taxi from the airport if your hotel hasn't arranged transport. See my Seminyak post for more detailed information.  Remember to say a polite no to the bag handlers who will try and carry your bags then demand payment.

Best spots to wander
Jalan Legian is a good strip to wander on your first trip to Bali. It becomes Jalan Raya Seminyak in the north as you research Seminyak.  There are some interesting shops from Legian onwards (especially around Bintang supermarket area) with cute boutiques and homewares.  Be prepared for some shops to be classy (absolutely no haggling) whilst the next one along will be a roller door garade selling bintang stubby holders.  Often walking this strip is quicker than a taxi anyway in traffic.

In legian, wander Garlic lane, Jalan Padma, Jalan Melasti, Jalan double six, and be sure to wander down random side streets and alleys.  Walk/ ride a motorbike along Jalan Mertanadi in Kerokoban for unique homewares.

Wherever you stop there are always sights to take in, locals happy for a chat (or a sale usually), intriguing smells and beauty in simplicity and local culture.  I loved exploring in Seminyak and finding all different street art along the way.

Where to stay


My favourite hotels in this are the Padma and Bali Niksoma.  The Padma is a great all rounder mid range resort with a good gym and two large pools. 



The Niksoma is also lovely and is probably better suited to couples.  It is a little smaller and more of a boutique hotel.  There are lots of other popular low to mid range hotels in Legian including the Jayakarta, the Melasti, the Bali Mandira.  At the southern end of Legian where it becomes Kuta you will find the Pullman (modern but uninspiring).  At the Seminyak end of Legian you will find the new kid on the block- the 5 star Double Six Luxury Hotel.  I would love to try this hotel next trip and have heard very good things.  It is ideally located close to both Legian and Seminyak and right on the beach (need to walk a little way down to nicer sand).

In Kuta, we have stayed at Rama Beach Hotel (actually in Tuban) which was AMAZING but is a bit far away from Kuta square and not near a particularly nice beach.  Up there with the best hotel pools I've ever been in though!



We also stayed in The Ramayana near Kuta Square on our first trip to Bali. Basic mid range accommodation near the action in Kuta.  Nothing too exciting, breakfast here was pretty good though.



What to do in Kuta & Legian

In Legian

• Enjoy the beautiful beach and hire a surf board/ body board. 



• Beach chairs/umbrellas are owned by Balinese who will rent them to you for as many hours as you like.  Prices vary depending on high season/low season, weather, busyness etc!  We were paying around 150,000 for two chairs and an umbrella for around 4 hours. You can buy drinks, rent surfboards etc. from the same place. 
• Carla Spa on Jalan Padma Utara does great massages (approx. $7.50AUD for 1 hour full body massage) and manicures etc. with OPI or shellac.  Generally no appointments needed.

In Kuta

• Kuta square is a good landmark to use- not much there except tourists shopping and a McDonalds etc.



• Kuta art market (Jalan Kartika plaza, just past Kuta Square opposite Ramayana hotel) is basically is a big maze of market with tshirts, souveneers etc. where you can have some fun bargaining but it’s nothing you would find elsewhere in Kuta or Legian
• Kuta beach front is busy and full of tourists, the beach at legian is much better.  Hard rock hotel and the beachwalk mall are on this strip.
• The bali bombing 'Ground Zero Memorial' is worth a visit.  It is in the spot where the old Sari nightclub and Paddy's bar stood before the bali bombings in 2002.  There is a carved momument and plaques with the names of the victims killed in the terrorist attack.  Worth a look.



• Waterbom park
• This is waterpark in Kuta is definitely worth a visit if you are into rides. Wetnwild only recently installed some of the rides that they have here in Bali.
• Try 'climax' and 'boomerang'- they are the best. 
• Entry is a steal at only $33USD per adult and $21USD per child
• Nightclub strip
• Even if you don't go out, take a walk past the nightclub strip on Jalan Legian between Kuta and Legian.
• Here you will find famous clubs such as Paddy's Bar, The Bounty and Skygarden.
• If you do go out be careful because pickpockets and gangs do exist especially in this area.  Don't take anything valuable with you, drink from bottled drinks only and ideally take someone along who is sober and can get you home!

Shopping

You will get a good bargain in the markets/street stalls around Legian (prices usually cheaper than kuta and definitely cheaper than Seminyak).  Garlic Lane (off Jalan Padma) is a good place to start.

• Silver instinct
• Excellent quality silver at good prices, they also copy jewellery and do custom designs
• Garlic Lane, Legian
• Dolphin leather
• Well known leather tailor in Legian. I had calf boots copied perfectly here for $110AUD which were very well made.
• Garlic Lane, Legian.
• Victory Collection Tailor
• Tailor that made great suits/shirts for my partner and copied a complicated flowy dress perfectly at great prices.
• Jalan Padma Utara

Four Tailor made pants and three shirts for $150AUD total (2012)

 

• Leather shop in Legian
• There is an excellent leather maker working just down from the Ramayana in Legian (cannot remember the name).  It is a small simple shop displaying mostly handbags. 
• If exiting the Jayakarta go straight then turn right (I think along Jl Padma Utara). The shop is about three down on the left.
• Tommy's
• Tommy's leather is famous for their copies of designer handbags.  Although they are good quality, they are overpriced.
• Jalan Padma (beach end)

Haggling

If you are not in a fixed price shop, Balinese will expect you to haggle.  Start at roughly 1/4 or 1/3 of what you are prepared to pay, then work your way up.  If you start haggling, it is rude to walk away if the owner if giving you a fair price.  It's also rude to start really low the refuse to go any higher.  The Balinese believe making a good first sale for the day will bring them luck and may often make a first sale at a lower price ("morning price").  Shopkeepers will also ask you where you are staying.  Don't tell them you are staying in a 5 star luxury hotel if you want to get a good price bargaining!

  A few tricks to get you started . . .

• "I'm buying two/three/four so you should give me a better deal"
• " we only paid $$$ yesterday "
• "I'm staying nearby and might buy more if you give me a good price"
• "give me your morning price"

Restaurants

• Mozzeralla
• There are a few franchises of mozeralla around legian now (one on Jalan Padma and one at the ? hotel) but the best one is on the beach (next to the Bali Niksoma Hotel).  Two for one cocktail specials are on nearly every night. Nice western and indo food and well priced for the lovely setting overlooking the water.
• Mozzeralla by the sea (best one) - Jl. Padma Utara, Legian (on the beach just near the Bali Niksoma hotel)



• Café Marzano
• Casual atmosphere and great pizza, definitely worth a visit.
• Jalan double six (down the beach end ¾ of the way down, on the left when facing the beach)

• Tekor
• This place has had a major overhaul since we last came to Bali when it was basically a shed!  Lovely Indonesian food and vego options and very reasonably priced.
• Try the bailey’s comet cocktail.
• Jalan double six (on the corner where double six meets the beach, on the left when facing the beach).



• Indonational
• Casual warung, cheaply priced.
• Jalan Padma No. 17, Legian. 



• Made’s Warung
• Is a famous restaurant in Bali, has a sister store in Seminyak.
• Known for their local Indonesian dishes.
• Jalan Pantai Kuta (not far from kuta square)
• Febris
• Restaurant attached to Febris’ hotel where the owner who looks a little like Fabio (presumably named Febris!) sings karaoke during your dinner. Hilarious and the food is actually okay for a touristy area. Try the satays.
• Jalan Kartika (Tuban end)
• TJ's Mexican
• Average tex mex, is best one in Kuta.  Try seminyak for something more authentic.
• Poppies Lane I, Kuta
• Havana Club
• Western favourites in a relaxed setting.
• Poppies Lane I, Kuta

Questions?

Please email me. For a general overview of what to do and where to stay in Bali please see my Seminyak post from my most recent trip.