Singaraja

Singaraja is the largest city in North Bali, and the former colonial administrative capital of not only Bali, but the whole of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Singaraja still has some of the feel of an old colonial capital. The streets are wider and grander than elsewhere in Bali and some of the old houses set in large gardens recall days long gone.

Understand


Singaraja just looks different to other towns and cities in Bali. This is also a noticeably multi ethnic city. The Arabic influence is especially apparent in the district near the old docks called Kampung Arab and the largest Chinese temple in Bali is here.

This is major academic centre with two universities, and the number of students residing swells the population to just over 100,000, making Singaraja Bali's second largest city.



By car
It takes 3 to 4 hours to drive to Singaraja from the south of Bali. There are three main routes: east via Kintamani, taking in the stunning active volcano and mountain vistas, west via Pupuan, through beautiful rice-paddies, spice and coffee plantations; and central, via Bedugul with its famous market and botanical gardens. Whichever route you take, the journey is sure to be scenic and interesting.

By motorcycle
The ability to overtake on single lane roads reduces the travel time significantly especially when delays abound during peak hours.

By taxi
A prepaid taxi from the Denpasar airport will cost Rp 600,000-800,000.

By bus or bemo
Annoyingly for a city of its relatively small size, Singaraja has three bus terminals. Local bemos ferry passengers between the three terminals, many of which seem to be blue.


 * is just west of the town centre on Jalan Jendral Achmed Yani, and operates buses and bemos to all points west. Buses to and from Gilimanuk (2 hours, about Rp 30,000) and bemos to Lovina (20 minutes, Rp 10,000) arrive and depart from here. There are also several long distance bus companies here who have overnight services to and from Surabaya and further afield in Java. You buy an all in ticket which includes the ferry crossing to or from Java. Expect to pay about Rp 180,000 to get to or from Surabaya (12 hours), Rp 250,000 to Yogyakarta (15 hours) and Rp 400,000 to Jakarata (1 day).
 * Penarukan Terminal is about 2.5 km east of town and is served by buses and bemos from Batubulan terminal in Denpasar (2.5-3 hours). Local bemos arriving from and departing to East Bali also operate from here.
 * is 3 km south of the city and is served by buses from Ubung Terminal in Denpasar. This route goes via Bedugul and is the cheapest way for budget travellers to get to Singaraja (and on to Lovina) from there. Bemos may depart directly from nearby Jalan Raya Sukasada next to terminal, just before road gate and alfamart. gojek drivers will drop you there.



Get around
Almost no visitors stay in Singaraja, it is more of a passing through town. Visitors therefore normally explore the city and surrounding areas in the car they arrived in.

GoJek and Grab provides motorcycle taxi service in the area. Local bemo inside city can be more expensive than car-hailing app (e.g., bemo between the two bus terminal asking Rp 30,000 while motorbike-hailing was Rp 20,000).

Nearby






Do
Visit local temples, the museum and take in the remaining old colonial grandeur of Singaraja.

Visit the Aling-Aling waterfall, 15 minutes south of the center. Entry is 150,000rp per person and includes a tour guide (who only is paid 6,000rp).

Buy
Singaraja is a notable production centre of high quality silk and cotton ikat. There are weaving centres on Jalan Dewi Sartika and Jalan Veteren. See the weavers in action and buy direct from the makers.

Eat
Along the front in Jalan Erlangga there are some stilted restaurants with great views out over the water. The most well known of these is called Dewi Sitha.


 * Spice Beach Club, 15 minutes west of Singaraja. Expensive but delicious western food on the beach, with pool access for people visiting for lunch/dinner and special events. One of the only places to get western food in and around Singaraja.
 * Spice Beach Club, 15 minutes west of Singaraja. Expensive but delicious western food on the beach, with pool access for people visiting for lunch/dinner and special events. One of the only places to get western food in and around Singaraja.
 * Spice Beach Club, 15 minutes west of Singaraja. Expensive but delicious western food on the beach, with pool access for people visiting for lunch/dinner and special events. One of the only places to get western food in and around Singaraja.

In the city
Due to the proximity of Lovina virtually no visitors stay in Singaraja. Look for accommodation in or around Lovina and not here.



Connect
The area code for Singaraja is 0362.

If you find yourself in desperately in need of the internet, there is an uninspiring internet cafe with a slow connection close to the post office on Jalan Imam Bonjol.

Go next
Few visitors stay overnight in this town but pass through on their way west to Lovina, Pemuteran and West Bali National Park, south to Bedugul or east to Amed and Mount Agung.

It is possible to get a bus from Singaraja to Surabaya in East Java. This is an overnight journey that takes about 10 hours and the buses depart from Banyuasri station on Jalan Jendral Sudirman.