Uluwatu, Bali

Uluwatu, Bali is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Summer Holiday Destinations in Asia.

Perched dramatically atop towering limestone cliffs, Uluwatu occupies Bali’s remote and rugged southwestern tip. This drier, less-developed corner of the island is blanketed in savannah-like bushland, which gives way to breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and jagged coastline below. Uluwatu is home to Pura Luhur, one of Bali’s most revered sea temples, believed to protect the island from ocean spirits. The temple’s clifftop setting, 70 metres above the crashing surf, makes it as spiritually powerful as it is visually spectacular.

Uluwatu is equally famed for its mesmerising Kecak dance performances, held at sunset in an open-air amphitheatre beside the temple. As the sun sinks into the ocean, dancers in traditional costume enact scenes from the Ramayana epic, accompanied by a hypnotic chorus of chanting men. This unforgettable cultural experience is made even more atmospheric by the dramatic coastal backdrop and the golden glow of twilight.

Beyond its spiritual and cultural allure, Uluwatu has earned a global reputation among surfers for its world-class reef breaks. The waves here draw seasoned surfers year-round, while cliffside cafés and beach clubs offer front-row seats to the action. Hidden beaches such as Padang Padang and Suluban are tucked beneath the cliffs, perfect for a swim or simply soaking up the laid-back vibe of Bali’s southern shores. Uluwatu's unique blend of natural beauty, spirituality and surf culture makes it a truly captivating destination.

The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.
Rudyard Kipling