If you ask for a relaxing and quiet place in Bali, Sidemen is often recommended. The place is not particularly large and is therefore not necessarily on the agenda of the classic Bali round trips. Where exactly Sidemen is located, whether the place lives up to its reputation and what you can experience there, you will learn in the following article.
Where is Sidemen located?
The cozy little village of Sidemen is nestled in beautiful green countryside in the east of Bali. The village lies south or southwest of the mighty Gunung Agung, which is easily visible from Sidemen on a clear day. The coastal village of Padang Bai is south of Sidemen, while Ubud is to the west.
From Ubud, it takes about an hour by car to reach Sidemen. From Padang Bai, you should allow about an hour to an hour and a half. From the international airport in the south of Bali it takes a similar amount of time. However, from there the trip can take longer – depending on the current traffic situation in the densely populated south.
If you are in the mood for an intensive exchange with your host, you are in good hands in Sidemen at “Chez Bisma”. The family man named Gede follows the concept of offering his guests not only accommodation, but also cultural exchange. Gede accepts inquiries and bookings by calling (WhatsApp) +62 813 5326 94 96.
Sights in and around Sidemen
The region of Sidemen is scenically beautiful and therefore invites you to extensive discovery tours. Just driving around on a scooter is a lot of fun and gives you wonderful views of the green surroundings. Of course, there are also very specific destinations that are worth a visit.
Rice Terraces
Sidemen is characterized by the beautiful landscape that surrounds it. There are some mountains that rise steeply and many hills where rice terraces have been built quite often. The latter should definitely be visited on occasion and viewed up close through a walk or hike. Between the rice terraces, other crops are often grown, such as chili peppers. While wandering through the fields, you often meet rice farmers, whom you can watch a little at work. The laborious and loving work is well worth seeing and many of the rice farmers show the typical Balinese friendly side.
Sidemen Market
Very early in the morning the traditional market in Sidemen takes place. If you want to see and experience the real market action here, you should get up early. It is best to be there at 7 o’clock at the latest, because at 9 o’clock the market is almost empty again. The hustle and bustle and the bright colors of the fruits and spices make for a great experience. The market is located directly on the main street. There and on an area directly adjacent to the street the market takes place.
Waterfalls
For lovers of natural spectacles, there are several waterfalls around Sidemen. Some of these have become infamous as Instagram hotspots and are thus often heavily visited, such as the Tukad Cepung waterfall. The Gembleng waterfall is also no longer an insider tip due to its natural pool, in which you can swim. But there you can still linger comfortably and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Besakih Temple
From Sidemen you can easily reach the Besakih Temple. This is the largest temple in Bali, also known as the Mother Temple. It is located on the slope of Gunung Agung, the largest volcano on the island. The huge temple area offers a wonderful view of the summit of the mighty volcano in good weather. This impressive image creates a very special atmosphere. Due to the high location of the temple, one has a great and wide view over the landscape of Bali. You can reach the temple from Sidemen by taxi in about 40 minutes.
Tirta Gangga
East of Sidemen is the famous water palace Tirta Gangga. The palace is beautifully landscaped and awaits with several water pools where large koi carp live and can be observed. There are also several fountains, beautifully landscaped gardens and of course its own temple on the grounds. It is recommended to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon. At these times, the day tourists, some of whom arrive in droves with tour buses, are not yet there or have already left. For the drive from Sidemen to the water palace Tirta Gangga you should plan about 45 minutes.
Conclusion: Is a visit to Sidemen worthwhile?
If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing place in the middle of green surroundings, you should spend a few days in Sidemen. The beautiful landscape alone is reason enough to travel there. Besides the beautiful surroundings, which often offer a view of the mighty volcano Agung, there are some exciting destinations and sights to discover. So Sidemen offers the best conditions for variety and relaxation.
