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Glorious tropical beaches, glistening rice paddies and cool green forests mean that the Indonesian isle of Bali more than lives up to its moniker, “The Island of the Gods”. This deeply spiritual destination offers an enormous array of heavenly laid-back destinations for honeymooners in search of a blissful place to kick back and begin married life.
There are also plenty of options for lovebirds who prefer to get their adrenaline pumping with activities a little more adventurous than a trip to the beach, with world class surfing and volcano trekking amongst the most popular choices.
Novel Ways to Explore
Bali is home to a plethora of cultural attractions and historical sites of interest, and to remain in keeping with the honeymoon vibe newlyweds often prefer to rent their own vehicle so they can explore independently. Cuddling up to your partner on a motorbike is an excellent way to dial romance up a notch as you wind your way along the stunning coastal route. Perched on a rock overlooking the ocean, the temple of Tanah Lot is undoubtedly one of the island’s most admired spiritual destinations and should definitely feature on the list of destinations to visit on a motorbike tour of the island. According to mythology, Tanah Lot is guarded by poisonous sea snakes. Honeymooners that don’t fancy battling the crowds to enjoy this popular site can hop on a scenic helicopter tour of the island, taking in all the sites from above – talk about that for unbeatable post-wedding wow factor!
Coastal Adventures
Lounging on a tropical ice-white beach with a chilled glass of champagne in hand features somewhere on the honeymoon itinerary of most couples. For many travellers, the word ‘Bali’ has become synonymous with the word ‘beach’, and it’s hard to imagine a location where talcum powder sand, swaying palm trees and crystal jade waters could be any more enticing – or romantic. Stretching across 5 kilometres of Bali’s coastline is Sanur Beach, a serene strip that’s home to a few low-key resorts and a quiet, unhurried ambience. For loved-up couples seeking a livelier ribbon of sand, Jimbaran beach is a pleasant alternative. Not only are there plenty of places to savour drinks or a sumptuous seafood dinner for two, but the bay is protected by an unbroken coral reef, which means the surf remains pretty placid in comparison to other beaches like Kuta.
Laid Back Destinations
To maintain the starry-eyed honeymoon bubble, many couples will want to steer clear of busier resort towns like Kuta, which have developed a lively backpacker vibe over the years. Seminyak, which began life as a quaint fishing village, offers a laid-back spot for an afternoon of retail therapy, with many upmarket boutiques scattered along Jalan Laksmana. Situated towards the interior of the island, Ubud is a fantastic destination for newlyweds that want to plunge straight into the cultural heart of Bali. Nestled amongst shimmering layers of tiered paddy fields, Ubud is home to a wealth of temples and cultural treasures, and is often used as the jumping off point for those that wish to get out and explore local villages, such as Sidemen.
Taste the Romance
Your honeymoon is, perhaps, the one time in your life when you can indulge in as many opulent three-course feasts as you like. Bali is home to an overwhelming array of magnificent eateries, whether you’re hankering after gourmet cuisine or local grub. Situated close to Seminyak, Sardine boasts a traditional Balinese vibe and offers serene views out over sparkling expanses of rice paddies – the perfect eatery to kick start your honeymoon. Metis is another of the island’s most elegant eateries, and is a fabulous dining destination for those who want to go all out and get dressed up for a special night out. The grilled seafood platter of lobster, crab, prawns and scallops comes highly recommended. Over in Ubud, there are plenty of options for a classic date night dinner. The menu at Mozaic features an irresistible array of Indonesian dishes, all prepared using French culinary techniques. This melt-in-your-mouth eatery is not to be missed!
Preened and Pampered
Like many other destinations across Southeast Asia, Bali is prized for its abundant selection of high end spas and wellness centres. Many venues offer specialised couples packages, which are the ideal activity for lovebirds that want to soothe the aches and pains of a long haul flight to the island. A package at the Casa Day Spa includes a full body massage and a manicure or pedicure. The Thermes Marins Spa within the Rimba resort in Jimbaran is another appealing wellness destination, offering a mind-boggling array of couples treatments. Kickstart your pamper session with a spread of strawberries and champagne before taking a dip in the resort’s aquatonic seawater pool. Rounding things off with a diamond miracle massage overlooking the ocean will leave you feeling uber relaxed.
Top tips
- While you may be enjoying a romantic honeymoon abroad, it’s best to keep public displays of affection to a minimum in Bali. The island has a more conservative culture than many Western countries, and touchy feely behaviour is unlikely to be well-received.
- If dinner in one of the island’s finest restaurant hasn’t got enough wow factor for you and your new spouse, what better way to enjoy a fabulous meal than on a sunset dinner cruise? The cruise of the island’s Benoa Harbour heads out at sunset, and after dinner is served there’s even a disco lounge for couples to enjoy.
- Bali is a fantastic island for the travelling foodie, and even more so when your part of a two-person foodie team. Explore the exotic tastes of the island’s unique array of dishes by booking onto a private cooking course with your loved one. That way, you can bring all your favourite honeymoon dishes back home to enjoy for years to come.
- Adventurous couples shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to climb Mount Agung, Bali’s highest peak. Views are stupendous, and the whole excursion offers a memorable way to begin married life. Start your hike at 2 am to guarantee you reach the peak in time for sunrise.
- A trip to one of Bali’s hot springs may just be the relaxing retreat you need after the busy run-up to your wedding. Tirtangangga Water Palace is a great place to enjoy a dip, followed by a romantic meal overlooking the scenic grounds of the site.
