Things to Do in Sidemen: It Depends What You're Looking For
Not every holiday needs a checklist.
The first thing most people notice when they arrive in Sidemen isn’t what there is to do—it’s how different they suddenly feel.
The traffic disappears. The constant noise of South Bali fades away. Your shoulders drop, you breathe a little deeper, and somehow you’re in absolutely no rush to be anywhere.
Sidemen has a way of slowing you down.
To some people, that sounds like there’s nothing to do. We hear it all the time.
“Won’t we get bored?”
Actually…quite the opposite.
Whether you’re here for two nights or a full week, there is far more to experience than most people expect. The beauty of Sidemen is that you can fill your days with adventure, creativity, incredible food and wellness—or simply spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing, and feel completely content.
So rather than giving you another long checklist, here’s our guide depending on the kind of traveller you are.
If you’re here to slow down
Some guests arrive with no plans at all.
And honestly? We encourage it.
Wake naturally. Watch the mist lift from the rice fields over breakfast. Spend an afternoon by the pool with a book. Book a massage. Wander through the village. Finish the day with dinner overlooking Mount Agung.
Seven days in Sidemen doesn’t feel too long—it feels exactly right.
Sometimes the best thing to do here is… less.
If you love authentic Balinese culture
Sidemen is one of the few places in Bali where daily life still feels wonderfully local.
Visit the traditional morning markets where villagers shop for fresh produce, flowers and spices. Watch offerings being prepared, ceremonies passing through the streets and farmers tending the rice terraces just as generations before them have done.
For an unforgettable experience, spend a morning at Green Kitchen Cooking School.
You’ll visit the local market, pick vegetables straight from the gardens, cook traditional recipes over an open fire and finish by sharing what might just be some of the best Balinese food you’ve ever tasted.
It’s authentic, relaxed and one of our absolute favourite
If you love making something to take home
Sidemen has long been known for its talented silversmiths.
Instead of buying jewellery you’ll find elsewhere in Bali, spend a few hours creating your own.
During a silver-making class you’ll melt, shape, hammer and polish your own ring, pendant or earrings under the guidance of local artisans.
You’ll leave with something far more meaningful than a souvenir.
If wellness is your love language
One of our favourite hidden gems is Ananda Spa & Bathhouse.
Their beautiful hydrotherapy circuit includes hot pools, cold plunge, sauna, steam room and relaxation spaces overlooking the valley.
After a morning trekking through the rice fields, there’s nowhere better to unwind.
Don’t miss their Sud & Mud ritual—a traditional cleansing treatment that leaves your skin feeling incredible.
If you’re chasing waterfalls and hidden swimming spots
Yes, Sidemen has waterfalls.
But our favourite is Sidemen Springs.
It’s not quite the secret it once was, but if you arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon, you’ll often find yourself sharing the crystal-clear pools with only a handful of people.
It’s peaceful, refreshing and one of those places that perfectly captures why people fall in love with Sidemen.
If food is the reason you travel
This surprises almost everyone.
For a quiet valley tucked away in East Bali, Sidemen has an unbelievably good food scene.
You can spend one evening eating authentic Balinese dishes at a tiny local warung, then enjoy wood-fired pizza and Aperol Spritz in the gardens at Asri Dining the next.
Need lunch? Head to Citrus & Vine for gourmet sourdough toasties, fresh salads, beautiful coffee and what might be Bali’s best passionfruit cooler.
The best meals here aren’t rushed—they’re enjoyed slowly, with a view.
If you only have two or three days
Prioritise the experiences that make Sidemen…Sidemen.
- Walk through the rice terraces.
- Book a Balinese massage.
- Visit Sidemen Springs.
- Enjoy a long lunch overlooking the valley.
- Try a silver-making class.
- Finish with sunset cocktails and dinner.
Don’t try to tick everything off.
Sidemen isn’t somewhere you conquer—it’s somewhere you experience.
If you’re staying a week
You’re one of the lucky ones.
A week gives you time to discover why so many guests arrive planning two nights and immediately wish they’d booked longer.
- Spend one day exploring.
- Spend another doing absolutely nothing.
- Take a cooking class.
- Visit the markets.
- Read a book by the pool.
- Book the hydrotherapy circuit.
- Enjoy long dinners.
- Watch the weather change over Mount Agung.
By the time you leave, you’ll understand why Sidemen has a habit of calling people back.
Our final tip
Don’t arrive with an itinerary that’s packed from morning until night.
Leave room for slow breakfasts, unexpected conversations, afternoon swims and those moments where you simply sit and admire the view.
That’s where the real magic of Sidemen lives.
