Legian offers an alternative beachfront stay on Bali
Lying to the north of the well-known Kuta, Legian is a small town or suburb in the southern tip of Bali. Whilst offering a quieter experience than the hectic and full-on Kuta, the area still provides the opportunity to have quick access to the beachfront. Although known for its upmarket accommodation, Legian has a broader appeal which can be felt when exploring the area. Restaurants range from high-end extravagance to street stalls and the same can be said of bars and shopping opportunities. Staying in Legian therefore provides an ideal balance of accessibility and excitement with extra comfort and composure.
An area focused around its beach
The clear focal point of Legian is its beach, an extension of the main Kuta beach which then stretches north to Seminyak. Legian itself accounts for a couple of kilometres of sandy beach and pristine ocean which is well-frequented by the mainstream surfer crowd. Along the coastline lie several Legian hotels in the area just behind the beach, these include multiple high-end luxury resort style properties. However, amongst the grandeur, smaller independent properties can be found, offering an alternative stay equally close to the water’s edge. Running parallel to the beach a few blocks behind the hotel line is the street of Jalan Legian which provides much of the access to the district. The section in between Jalan Legian and the beach is where most of the restaurants, markets and general tourist attractions are located. Therefore it is possible to find everything necessary within minutes of the beach, demonstrating Legian’s convenient location for a holiday.
Activities in and out of the water
A prime activity on the beachfront is surfing, and Legian is home to several surf schools and stores renting boards to tourists. The water is full with a mix of complete novices amongst expert surfers, a trip to Bali is not complete without taking to the water. If surfing seems a bit too active, there are boogie boards to rent, plus simply relaxing on the beach is also a common option. Further activities take place out of the water, with regular beach football or volleyball matches available for tourists to join in with. As the evening progresses the beach often becomes busy with groups partying or listening to musicians play around campfires, it is certainly a social and engaging environment. The beach itself faces west and thus the sunsets here can be spectacular, however this is usually the busiest time for sellers and hustlers, a factor that is useful to be aware of. It is said to be one of the best sunsets across Bali, thus is certainly worth catching at least once.
Varied cuisine and a lively nightlife
As with Kuta, nightlife is a significant element of the modern day culture of Legian. There are an array of bars and clubs in the neighbourhood, including many along the beach. Many of the hotels in Legian also have popular bars, often beside luxurious swimming pools with Balinese decor. Cocktail drinking is certainly one of the things to do in Legian, whether beside the beach or a pool. Bars and clubs also offer an array of live music and international DJ’s throughout the week, although everything really steps up a level for the weekends. Travellers are presented with a wide range of dining options in the area, with a multitude of cuisines represented. General Indonesian dishes obviously make up a sizeable amount of what is on offer, but regional Balinese cuisine plus a variety of local seafood is popular. With regards to international options, there are several well-established Western-style eateries plus multiple Italian and Thai restaurants. Again, many of the resort style hotels also contain in-house restaurants, several of which offer tables to non-residents.
Shopping opportunities and exploring further afield
In terms of shopping opportunities, Legian also offers a variety of choice. Firstly, there are dozens of market stalls selling an assortment of souvenirs and replica products, which can be found lined along the smaller streets between the beach and Jalan Legian. Additionally there are multiple surf stores selling gear and surf style clothing, which are located along Jalan Legian. In terms of the larger shopping centres containing Western stores, heading to Kuta is the best and easiest option. Kuta is within walking distance of any hotel in Legian, but there are also countless taxis and motorbike taxis looking for business which can provide a convenient link. Indeed reaching the International Airport of Bali, can be made via taxi or minibus, but most accommodation choices offer a service or advice for this. Renting a scooter can be an exciting and useful mode of transport especially if looking to explore further into Bali. Heading up to experience the culture of Ubud, or the mountainous terrain in the centre of the island for instance, is much easier with personal transport.
