If you are in search of a true exotic beauty, look no further than Karangasem. Located in the eastern part of Bali Island, this region might lack fancy beach clubs, modern chic cafés, and fine dining scenes, however, we are pretty positive that you will sense unmatched vibes you cannot discover anywhere else, except right here. There are plenty of things to do in Karangasem, such as exploring a vast, magnetic savanna in Tianyar, as well as some culinary ventures to taste some of the iconic delicacies from Karangasem, and many more.

Bali Villas R Us’ list below is surely going to be the perfect road trip itinerary you need when you are planning to go for an awesome long drive to the area. Make sure to prepare your batteries and camera because you are going to take a lot of snaps. We measure the time distances to go to these destinations from Denpasar city so you can adjust the time if you are not from our starting point.

#1 Bias Tugel Beach, Karangasem 

• 1 hour 11 minutes
• To reach this tranquil white sand beach, you need to pass through a short trek from the harbor. This beach is one of the most pristine and clean beaches in Padang Bai. The alluring vibe is just perfect for a laid-back beach day where you can sink in the sand, or swim your worry away. There are small warungs on the shoreline where you can order from their menus, or simply enjoy some coconut freshness. If you ever visit this beach, please do keep the cleanliness around the area.

#2 Tukad Yeh Ning, Karangasem

• 1 hour 20 minutes
• Tukad Yeh Ning is a water body the people of Rendang often use as a bathing place. The freshwater derives from mountains in Karangasem. The depth of the river is about 1 meter. To reach it, you need to go down a few stairs which might get slippery in the rainy season, you can also encounter a bamboo forest. It offers a cool ambiance where you can spend quality time with your loved ones. Parking spots are also available for cars and motorbikes. Swimming is practically fine in Tukad Yeh Ning for children the age of 10 and above. You might still need to keep an eye on them, just to be safe.

#3 Besakih Temple or Pura Gunung Besakih

• 1 hour 30 minutes
• This is not just an ordinary temple; it is notably the Mother Temple in Bali. When you first step your feet down this holy site, you can sense the strong, pure energy coming from it. It is the largest and the most ancient temple in Bali which also became the landmark of many religious Hindu rites. Until today, Balinese people acknowledge diverse castes where each has its special temple in Besakih. However, there is also the main temple where castes can do their worshipping there altogether.

#4 Taman Jinja, Karangasem

• 1 hour 34 minutes
• Taman Jinja makes an epic stop nearby the Besakih Temple. Coming to this place gives you a Japanese vibe featuring the Japanese gates. You can admire the beautiful garden landscape and at the same time, the mountain view. Although the place is not so large, you can take some snaps here and there because almost everything set up in Taman Jinja is incredibly stunning.

#5 Mina Carik

• 1 hour 37 minutes
• Mina Carik specializes in the fish local menu that comes in various preparations. Their taste is fantastic and the restaurant has a wonderful interior design and a paddy field landscape that is very calming to enjoy while having your meals. One of the most requested food items in Mina Carik is Gurame Nyat-Nyat where the fish is fried until it’s crisp and showered in a Basa Genep (Balinese complete seasoning). It is just top-notch! The seasoning simply sinks in and makes a great combination with white rice.

#6 Bukit Asah

• 1 hour 37 minutes
• As you are driving uphill to Bukit Asah in Bugbug Village, your eyes will be blessed with the stunning greenery all around you, and the blue ocean as well. There is a campsite here too, where you can stay the night while admiring the scenery of the magnificent Indian Ocean on a high cliff. The hill is facing a little island that looks like a whale. That’s exactly where the name of Whale Island came from.

#7 Samsara Living

• 1 hour 37 minutes
• In Bali, every cycle of life is celebrated in a certain holy rite inherited by our great ancestors to teach us to live in gratitude and to see positivity in life itself. Situated in a vast two-hectare area that is filled with calming greenery, Samsara Museum is a museum of life in Jungutan Village. The museum serves as an amazing introduction to a Balinese life journey that is culturally commemorated in a meaningful ceremony where you can learn some of the tools used and their symbolic meanings. You can also join an entertaining experience of “Megibung”, a food feast culture in Karangasem that is usually held during holy rituals, and buy a handicraft made by the locals to take home with you.

Balinese Hindus believe in the philosophy of Samsara. It is a condition where human spirits are continuously reborn on earth until we reach the perfection of death known as Moksa. Living itself holistically means misery as we have to undergo a series of stages of life that are not always pretty. This is the essence of Samsara.

#8 Virgin Beach

• 1 hour 38 minutes
• This serene beach makes one of the best beaches in Bali to chill and swill in the water. It has little to no waves featuring turquoise water and white sand. The mesmerizing scenery is perfect if you just come here for daydreaming while being warmly kissed by the sun. It is not hard to locate the beach as well by car or motorbike. The beach is very seldom to be packed despite the lines of fishing boats owned by the local fishermen and vendors nearby. Don’t forget to support the locals there and buy some of the items they are selling.

#9 Padang Bunga Kasna, Karangasem

• 1 hour 38 minutes
• The garden stretches with a lush space of edelweiss flowers. Located in Rendang Village, Karangasem, Padang Bunga Kasna has quite challenging roads and turns, but makes a pleasant experience for a biking tour. The garden is exactly by the parking lot. Sitting on a plateau, the garden presents stunning scenery, a perfect getaway to reset from the busy city. The cool ambiance is also relaxing, especially in the morning when you catch the sunrise, you can almost breathe in as much pure oxygen as you like.

#10 Taman Soekasada Ujung, Karangasem

• 1 hour 40 minutes
• Also known as Water Palace and you will see why. Its pool is just super wide and full of bulky koi fish. The visitors can feed them with the meals prepared by the staff for a very cheap price. This palace used to be a health resort for the Royal Family of Karangasem and the wise men in the kingdom to perform yoga. It makes sense why it feels so calming here. The gigantic size of the place is very nicely maintained. The building in the center of the pool has a historical landmark that you should definitely not miss. The bridge also makes a beautiful spot to capture your happy moments. There is a damaged building that you can visit for a few steps of stairs and you can have a cool shoot background featuring the blue ocean.

#11 Warung Belayag “Dek Ani”

• 1 hour 44 minutes
• Not very far from our last resort, have a quick belly fulfilling trip to Warung Belayag “Dek Ani”. You need to walk a little through an alley to find it. This warung is small but the kitchen is always busy. It serves an authentic dish that you can rarely find in the bustling city in Bali, but you can find only in Karangasem, “belayag”. It is a rice cake topped with a lot of condiments such as fried sweet tempeh, jack fruit stew, shredded chicken, and many more, the last one is a shower of Balinese coconut soup and If you don’t like it spicy you can just politely ask the madam to not include the sambal. The taste of belayag is just so mouthwatering and we sincerely think it will be very hard for you to forget about this cuisine. Dine-in and takeaway are available.

#12 Museum Pustaka Lontar Desa Wisata Dukuh Penaban

• 1 hour 51 minutes
• This small museum was established because of the local’s awareness of the importance of having safe storage for their ancient heritage of dried palm-leaf manuscripts. This place also offers restoration and preservation services where they voluntarily strive to revive and maintain the cultural manuscripts intact from the locals who have one at home and are not sure on how to keep them. Some of the manuscripts have been documented in a paper and translated so you can read them easily. The staff will be very happy to serve you their unique shallot tea and tell a history of the place as well.

#13 Maha Gangga Valley

• 1 hour 53 minutes
• It is a lovely trekking destination where you can visit with your loved ones. Maha Gangga Valley is best if you can come in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the sun heat. It was basically a rice terrace but well-managed with various farms and gardens that are nicely decorated. As you walk down the area, you can also find a small stream and several benches for you to enjoy and cherish the gorgeous views. Exclusive tents are available if you fancy spending the night there. Contact the staff for reservation.

#14 Savana Tianyar, Karangasem

• 2 hours 10 minutes
• You can catch the best views during the rainy season when the grasses are full-grown and the land becomes green. Many of the visitors recommend going there at sunrise time or in the early morning before it is getting too hot and burning. People love coming here for a photography session featuring the amazing savanna, Agung Mt., and wild horse background.

#15 Amed Beach

• 2 hours 14 minutes (from Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra, Denpasar)
• This is not a beach that provides great surf breaks, it has almost no waves and is serene, making it perfect for snorkeling. There are two majestic views that will keep you missing this destination; the marine life scenery and the Agung Mt. The black sand beach is a diver’s paradise and you can rent scuba diving and snorkel gears too.

Related article : What To Do In Canggu at its Best

You Should Give Bali Villas R Us’ “List of Things to Do in Karangasem” above a Try!

There are still many gems that we have not yet covered in our list of things to do in Karangasem. There are so many spots for a great escape to a more peaceful part of Bali. Are you planning to spend more than a day in Karangasem Regency? Find our Bali villas for rent nearby and tag us in your favorite staycation moments, we will be very glad to have you featured!