What is Singaraja best for?
Singaraja is best for colonial history, the old Buleleng harbour and the Gedong Kirtya manuscript library, usually seen as a half-day trip.
Discover the city, rich culture, beautiful nature, and food
Singaraja is a working city rather than a resort town, and we think that is exactly why it is worth a few hours. It was the Dutch colonial capital of Bali, and the old Buleleng harbour on the north coast still shows it.
Gedong Kirtya holds a collection of lontar palm-leaf manuscripts and is the reason we would make the trip. Ling Gwan Kiong temple stands near the old harbour. The north coast is drier than the south, which makes walking around more pleasant than you might expect. Almost nobody stays here: Lovina is about ten kilometres west and has the hotels. Treat Singaraja as a half day out from there and you will get the best of it.
EXPLORE local INSIGHTS
DISCOVER YOUR DREAM DESTINATIONS IN SINGARAJA
quick fact
Singaraja is the main city of the Buleleng regency.
It served as the Dutch colonial capital of Bali.
The old Buleleng harbour lies on the north coast.
Gedong Kirtya holds a collection of lontar manuscripts.
Ling Gwan Kiong temple stands near the old harbour.
Lovina is about ten kilometres west of the city.
Most visitors stay in Lovina rather than in the city.
The north coast is drier than the south of Bali.
Find the Right Part of Bali
Who should stay here
History-minded travellers, road-trippers touring North Bali and visitors based in Lovina who want a half day of city sightseeing.
Who May Prefer Another Area
Travellers looking for beach resorts, nightlife or a wide choice of hotels will find far more in Lovina, Ubud or the southern beach areas.
Where to Eat
Singaraja centre for local Indonesian food
Kalibukbuk for restaurants and cafés
The city market for cheap warung meals
Lovina beachfront for seafood
The old harbour for simple cafés
Air Sanih for quiet roadside warungs
Where to Stay
Lovina: best for beaches and hotels.
Singaraja centre: best for a short stopover.
Kalibukbuk: best for restaurants and bars.
Anturan: best for a fishing village beach.
Air Sanih: best for a quiet coastal base.
Munduk: best for hills and waterfalls.
best Things to Do
Walk the old Buleleng harbour front
Visit the Gedong Kirtya library
See the Ling Gwan Kiong temple
Look for the colonial-era architecture
Browse the busy central city market
Drive to Gitgit or Sekumpul waterfalls
Continue west to Lovina for the beach.
Best Time to Visit
April to October generally brings drier weather, and the north coast stays drier than the south. The mountain roads are easier outside heavy rain.
Recommended Length of Stay
Half a day to a day, usually combined with a stay in Lovina.
Getting There and Getting Around
Singaraja is roughly two and a half to three hours by road from Ngurah Rai International Airport over the central mountains, so allow extra time. A private driver or scooter is the practical way to get around, as public transport is limited.
Singaraja is a half-day city stop, so base on the coast nearby
Singaraja is North Bali's old capital, usually seen from a Lovina base, so start with hotel prices for the coast close by. Then look at activity packages, since the old harbour, the Gedong Kirtya library and the drive to Gitgit or Sekumpul waterfalls fill the day. A car with a driver is essential up here, because North Bali is spread out and three hours from the south. The three links below go straight to each.
frequently asked questions
Is Singaraja worth visiting?
It depends on your interests. It rewards travellers who want colonial history and local city life rather than beaches.
Should you stay in Singaraja or Lovina?
Lovina, in most cases. It has far more hotels and restaurants, and Singaraja is only a short drive away.
How long is the drive from the airport?
Usually two and a half to three hours over the mountains, and longer again in heavy rain or traffic.
Does Singaraja have a beach?
Not a swimming beach. The city fronts the old harbour, and the usable beaches lie west around Lovina.
What is Gedong Kirtya?
It is a library in Singaraja holding lontar palm-leaf manuscripts, and it is the city’s best-known cultural site.