Denpasar is the capital of Bali. Although it shows its face in being a city (pollution, traffic jams and streets packed with shops) and does not have the rural charm of the smaller towns and their rice-paddies, it doesn’t have to be avoided. Especially when you’re into the regular dance performances, you should visit the Balinese Art festival in June-July. Besides that, this is the place where you’ll find the island’s best museum and where you can do a lot of air-conditioned shopping.

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This Denpasar travel guide will give you an idea of the place you are visiting and help you properly plan your holiday. Denpasar is the capital and largest city of Bali, Indonesia. It is a multicultural city situated in the southern district of Bali, and is home to several ancient temples, museums and palaces.

Travel

Once you get to Bali by air, you can take the major highway from there to Denpasar. You have a choice of taking a bus, taxi or bemo to get to Denpasar. The city's main bus terminal is located at Ubung. You can explore Denpasar by walking around the city center, but be sure to carry a bottle of water. You also need to be aware of the pollution in the city. You can take a taxi, a bemo or rent a motorbike and explore the place.

Accommodations

The city of Denpasar is a friendly destination for budget travelers, and there are several choices when it comes to budget accommodations. These budget accommodations will cost you only US $10 or less per night. If you want to stay in a more upscale place, you can try the Aston Denpasar Hotel and Conference Centre. Inna Bali Inn and Genesis Hotel and Spa offer cozy rooms for $100 or less per night.

Attractions

This city has huge collection of precious landmarks like Alun-Alun Puputan, the Palace of Satria and the Royal Temples, Pura Maospahit and Pura Agung Jagatnata. If you want to learn the diverse culture and history of Denpasar you can visit the Taman Wedhi Budaya Cultural Centre, the Sidik Jari Museum and the Bali Museum. Nature lovers will be interested in visiting the GWK Cultural Park and the botanical garden, as well as the beautiful beaches in Kuta and Sanur.

Eating Out

There are several good restaurants in Denpasar. You might want to try out some of the local favorite dishes like satay, noodle soup, babi and murtabak. You can find all of these and more at the Kereneng night market. There are also restaurants that offer authentic Indonesian and Balinese cuisines such as Cianjur, Kak Man and Warung Wardani.

Shopping

Your journey wouldn't be complete without shopping for some souvenirs to take home. Great places to go shopping are the Badung Central Market, Komplex Duta Permai, Matahari Duta Plaza and the multitude of small crafts stores located all around the city center.