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Sidemen doesn’t announce itself.
There are no queues of scooters, no neon cafés, and no sunset countdowns.
If you’re not heading that way intentionally, it would even be easy to miss it altogether.
A bend in the road opens onto rice terraces. A village temple hums with quiet activity. Mount Agung looms in the distance, constant and calm.
If Ubud is Bali’s spiritual centre and Canggu its social playground, Sidemen is where the popular Indonesian island exhales.
This is rural East Bali, where tourism exists gently alongside daily life and where spontaneity beats itineraries.
Sidemen felt different immediately.
I went there for a short weekend – a break away from the busyness of Canggu – and, to be honest, I wondered if it would be worth the long drive.
That weekend felt like a week or more. I didn’t know how badly I needed a complete retreat to nature, and that’s exactly what Sidemen offers.
Sidemen was the place where I really fell in love with Bali for the first time. It’s miles away from the hype and well worth the effort to get there.
Visiting Sidemen
- Stay: even one night is enough. Stay for 2 to 3 nights for a rejuvenating break.
- Check into: Griya Valud for a luxurious retreat at an incredible rate.
- Getting there: due to its rural location, Sidemen isn’t the easiest place to get to. Rent a scooter of your own if you’re able to – it’ll help you explore more – or book a transfer in advance.
- Get an eSIM: even if you’ve depended on Wi-Fi for your entire trip, you won’t be able to do that here. Holafly lets you choose the exact number of days you need and offers unlimited data.
Why visit Sidemen
Admittedly, Sidemen isn’t the easiest place to get to in Bali. It’s quite a distance from the popular places that you’re likely to spend more time.
You’ll either need to drive your own scooter or hire a local Gojek driver to take you.
TIP | If you rent a scooter in Bali, choose one from a reputable rental company.
Which ever option you go for, you can be sure of one thing: it will be well worth it because Sidemen is truly a highlight of Bali.
It’s Bali without the noise
Sidemen offers a version of the island that many travellers feel they’ve missed.
Rice paddies instead of beach clubs. Footpaths instead of traffic. Nights quiet enough to hear insects and rain.
Vegetarian and vegan food is genuinely good
Unlike some quieter destinations, Sidemen has an excellent selection of vegetarian and vegan food.
Much of it is locally grown, simply cooked and deeply satisfying, without feeling like an afterthought.
You actually talk to people
Sidemen is small enough that conversations happen naturally.
Guesthouse owners sit down with you. Restaurant staff explain dishes. Encounters feel human rather than transactional.
Where to stay in Sidemen
Accommodation options fill excessive and limited at the same time.
This quiet valley has more rooms than visitors, and it’s worth booking a recommended option.
Or pick: Griya Valud
Griya Valud is the kind of place that defines a stay.
READ: Our full review of Griya Valud, Sidemen.
Surrounded by rice fields, it’s peaceful without feeling isolated. Rooms are simple and comfortable, and the atmosphere encourages early nights and slow mornings.
It’s an ideal base for exploring the valley on foot or scooter, and a place where it’s easy to stay longer than planned.
Where to eat in Sidemen
Sidemen punches well above its weight when it comes to food, particularly for plant-based travellers.
Blue Paradise
A standout for vegetarians and vegans, Blue Paradise offers a fully vegan menu with generous portions and thoughtful flavours.
Expect relaxed seating, friendly service and dishes that feel nourishing rather than restrictive.
Warung Tirta Unda
This is the kind of place you remember long after leaving.
The owner is exceptionally friendly and often stops to chat, sharing stories about the area and future plans. The food is outstanding, traditional and full of flavour.
At the time of visiting, the owner was in the process of building a villa, a reminder of how closely tourism and local life intersect here.
Anandinii
Another excellent fully vegan option, Anandinii focuses on fresh, wholesome dishes served in a peaceful setting. Ideal for long lunches or early dinners when the valley cools.
Things to do in Sidemen
Sidemen is extremely compact, hence there isn’t a whole lot of things to tick off a bucket list here. But that’s really part of the charm.
The best thing you can do is explore slowly, stopping to speak with locals and seeing where your curiosity takes you.
Walk the valley
Sidemen is best explored slowly. Paths weave through rice terraces, past temples and into neighbouring villages. Early morning walks offer cooler temperatures and softer light.
TIP | Make sure you can find your way back – it’s not hard to get lost and, due to the sleepy nature of the area, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to ask for directions.
We recommend installing a local eSIM with unlimited data to ensure you never get stuck when you need it most.
RELATED READ: The best eSIM for Indonesia
Telabah Lantang Desa Muncan
A lesser-known spot that rewards curiosity.
This traditional water channel is more of a guidepost than a destination. The ride here will take you through some of the area’s most scenery, so leave time for photo stops.
Gembleng Waterfall
One of Sidemen’s most beautiful natural spots and easily the most popular thing to do in Sidemen.
Despite this, it’s quieter than many of Bali’s more famous waterfalls and feels integrated into the landscape rather than staged.
Gembleng Waterfall cascades down stone steps into natural pools, creating a series of shallow basins perfect for cooling off.
At the top, there’s a small restaurant where you can sit, rest and take in the view. Order a coconut for 25,000 IDR – it tastes even better after the slightly strenuous walk up.
How Sidemen fits into a Bali itinerary
If you’re travelling around Bali, Sidemen works best after Ubud and before the coast.
It slows you down, resets expectations and adds contrast to busier destinations like Canggu or Uluwatu.
Two nights is enough to feel the rhythm of the valley, though many travellers end up staying longer.
However long you choose to stay for, it’s unlikely you’ll regret it.
MORE BALI TRAVEL GUIDES:
Indonesia Travel Planning
Despite its popularity, Indonesia isn’t the easiest place to travel.
The country is vast, varied and lacking in infrastructure in many ways.
Don’t let that put you off. For all of its challenges, it’s 100% worth it and a country that captures hearts for a reason.
That said, it pays to be prepared. Here are go to travel resources for Indonesia, whether you’re travelling to popular spots like Bali or lesser-known islands.
✈️ Internal flights: some local airlines can only be booked on Traveloka. You’ll also find great deals here.
🛜 eSIM: wi-Fi is fairly inconsistent in Indonesia, yet having connection is crucial a lot of the time. We recommend an Holafly eSIM because it offers unlimited data for one affordable price.
🛟 Insurance: make sure your insurance covers any adventurous activities you might want to do including hiking and boat trips (not all policies do!). We recommend Heymondo for frequent travellers or Safety Wing for nomads who also need health insurance.
🛏️ Accommodation: while there are many sites to choose from, booking.com and Agoda are the most reliable (and often offer free cancellation).
💻 VPN: Use a VPN to protect your data or access international sites when needed. We use and recommend NordVPN.
