AMED

ABOUT AMED

Amed is a small coastal town in eastern Bali and belongs to the Karangasem regency. It stands out for having one of the best places for diving on the island, for having a very quiet atmosphere and amazing views of the Agung volcano. In addition, it is very common to ride a bike or trek through the many roads to Mount Agung or go on a snorkelling tour aboard a jukung (traditional balinese boat).

Amed is located 71 kilometres northeast of Ubud and, although it doesn’t seem that far, keep in mind that traffic on the island is usually slower than we are used to.

This is not as busy as Kuta or Ubud, but it is great to spend a few days in the area because of its proximity to the temples Pura Lempuyang Luhur and Besakih Temple, to the famous Gili Islands or to the Agung volcano.

Amed itself consists of a main street that runs parallel to the coast which is full of restaurants and accommodation of all kinds.

A person doing snorkelling at Amed beach in Bali

HOW TO GET TO AMED

From the airport

Amed is located quite far from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. It is almost a 3 hour (90 km) journey from the south to the east of the island. The best option is to take a taxi to your destination, but keep in mind that it’s a long drive and you’ll have to bargain over the price before you get in the car (we warn you that the price is quite high). A cheaper option would be to take a taxi to the centre of Kuta and from there take a shuttle bus from the Perama Tour company to Amed. Check the timetable on the 12go.asia website before choosing this option as there are no daily buses.

Most travellers prefer to move around slowly, staying a few days in the south and then moving further north, stopping for a few days in Ubud and then continuing north or east. This is the best option because this way you can visit different areas of the island.

From Java through the Gilimanuk harbour

Besides the flight option to Ngurah Rai airport (Denpasar), there are travellers who prefer to enter through Gilimanuk harbour when arriving from the island of Java. This is a good option if you plan to visit Java before your stay in Bali. Very close to the harbour there is a bus station where you can take a bus to Amed (you may have to stop in Lovina or Singaraja). If you prefer to go more comfortable, you can opt for a taxi, but we advise you that it will be quite expensive.

Moving around Amed and its surroundings

The favourite option among travellers is the motorbike, given the facility to rent them and move around anytime and anywhere. Another option can be to rent a car with a driver, for the comfort it offers, without having to worry about the traffic or how to get to the destination.

⇒ Read our complete guide about cars in Bali

If you want to travel to other areas in a less expensive way, you can use a shuttle bus from the companies Perama, Trans Sarbagita or Kura-Kura. These companies operate routes linking most of the major destinations in Bali.

⇒ Read our complete guide about buses in Bali

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN AMED

As it is located on the east coast of the island, Amed stands out for the activities that take place on the beach. The town has been gradually transforming to fulfil the needs of the tourists that have been coming to the eastern part of the island. Here are some options of what to see or do in Amed.

Going for a walk or a swim at the beach

The beaches in the eastern area of Bali are much quieter than those in the south. Amed is a black sand beach with volcanic stone, therefore it’s important to wear water shoes for more comfortable swimming. Besides snorkelling, this beach is ideal for relaxing or taking a walk in a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by vegetation and views that combine mountain and sea.

Views of Amed beach, Bali

Enjoy beautiful sunsets

After a day at the beach, snorkeling or diving, there is nothing better than enjoying the sunset and the impressive silhouette of the Agung volcano. And if you combine it with a beer or a refreshing coconut, even better.

Sunset in Amed, Bali

Taste the local gastronomy

In Amed you can try some of the most traditional balinese dishes, like Nasi Goreng (fried rice) or Mie Goreng (fried noodles), in one of the warungs (traditional restaurants) in the area. If you like fish, Amed is the perfect place to eat fresh fish at a reasonable price.

Watching fishermen's everyday life

Amed is a fishing village where people spend most of their day on the sea, working on traditional balinese boats called jukung. It’s very common to see fishermen fixing their nets and getting ready to go fishing, so it can be interesting to spend some time watching them.

Discover the traditional marine salt production

In the region of Amed, they also produce marine salt using a traditional method unique in the world. The salt is extracted from the sea and then passed through a bamboo filter. Afterwards it is poured into palm trunks split in two and dried in the sun. As the water evaporates, the salt remains in the form of bright white crystals that have an intense flavour. The resulting salt is normally used to dry fish. Because of its peculiar taste this product is considered a gourmet product in some markets and it might become popular in the future.

WHERE TO STAY IN AMED

In Amed you can find accommodations for any pocket, since there is a wide offer. From simple family houses to luxury villas, you won’t have trouble finding the perfect accommodation that suits your needs and budget.

⇒ Check out our selection of accommodations in Amed

WHERE TO EAT IN AMED

In Amed you might not find as many options as in the south of the island, but you will find places that serve everything from local food to fresh fish and seafood, something very common in the area. All you have to do is go out on the main street and choose one of the many options available.

⇒ Check out our selection of restaurants in Amed

WHAT TO DO IN AMED

Whether it’s within the town or in its vicinity, Amed has a wide variety of activities you can do. Among the most popular are learning how to dive or practice freediving (apnea), snorkelling, yoga classes, kayaking, paddle boarding or climbing the Agung volcano.

⇒ Check out our selection of activities you can do in Amed

PLACES OF INTEREST NEAR LIVINA

Near Amed there are many interesting places like the famous Lempuyang Luhur temple, Taman Tirta Gangga water palace, the biggest and most important temple on the island Besakih, Mount Agung at sunrise seen from Bukit Cinta or the Gili Islands which can be a good choice if you are interested in visiting other sites in the area.

Also, most of Bali’s most important waterfalls are located in the north of the island, relatively close to Amed. If you have enough time, it’s worth seeing at least a couple of them.

⇒ Read our complete guide about waterfalls in Bali

If you have more time, you may consider spending a few days in the Gili Islands for diving or snorkelling. Although you have to take a fast boat, it is worth it because they are some of the best places in the area for scuba diving.

⇒ Read our complete guide about the Gili Islands

In the following map you can find all the places of interest in Amed that we have mentioned in this article. You can use it to organize your routes through Bali. We hope you find it useful.

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