Holiday in Sidemen

About Sidemen

Sidemen in the east of Bali is the island's best-kept secret and offers the most authentic Balinese experience away from mass tourism. The fertile valley is dominated by emerald green rice terraces that rise like a green carpet up the gentle slopes, while in the background, the sacred volcano Gunung Agung majestically overlooks the scene. The region is the center of traditional Balinese weaving art: In the villages around Sidemen, artisans work on hand-driven looms, creating the famous Songket and Ikat fabrics with their intricate gold and silver threads. Visitors can watch the weavers at work and purchase unique textiles as souvenirs. Hikes through the rice fields lead past small temples, coconut palm groves, and farms where cocoa beans and vanilla dry in the sun. Pura Besakih, Bali's largest and holiest temple complex, is just a short drive away on the slopes of Gunung Agung. Sidemen itself offers charming boutique accommodations with infinity pools and views of the rice terraces, excellent cooking classes for Balinese cuisine, and rafting tours on the Telaga Waja River. The evenings are quiet and starry — here you experience Bali as it was before the tourism boom. The best time to visit is from April to October.