Legian

Stretching north from Kuta, Legian offers the same easy access to shops and bars but a slightly more relaxed and less chaotic feeling. It is a low-key area where you can still get the low prices of Kuta without some of the hassle. The northern area of Legian bordering Seminyak offers a bit of an escape from the crowds and is also a popular surf beach.

Orientation

This is a small area fronting the beach which stretches from Jalan Melasti (where Kuta ends), north to Jalan Arjuna (better known as Jalan Double Six) where Seminyak begins. Most of the popular Legian hotels are on or close to the beach. The whole of Legian is no bigger than a few blocks in a large city, but despite its small size, this area has a very high profile with visitors due to the lovely beach frontage, and proliferation of mid-market hotels.
The most popular stretch of Legian Beach is at the bottom of Jalan Padma, and is sometimes called Padma Beach. It is more relaxed than Kuta, has a better and less crowded surf break, and is home to many nice vendors selling beers under umbrellas. There is easy parking here for Rp 1,000 per motorbike.
There is a long north-south road between the beachfront hotels and the beach, which is only open for authorised vehicles when there is a ceremony being held. Otherwise it is a well paved footpath, and makes for an excellent walking route, allowing users an easy beach-side stroll along to restaurants, bars and nightclubs on Double Six Beach.
The main road is Jalan Legian which can get very jammed indeed. All roads to the beach run westwards, more or less perpendicular to Jalan Legian.

The airport is located south of Legian and a taxi or car journey from there will take about will take about 20 minutes. A pre-paid coupon taxi fare from the airport is Rp 55,000.
Kuta and Seminyak are either side of Legian and you can walk, drive or bike in from both those areas.

Most of Legian can be covered on foot if you are not in a hurry, but taxis are plentiful as are motorbike rental outlets. Expect to pay Rp 50,000 to 80,000 per day for renting a motorbike.

Aside from the obvious (the gorgeous beach!), there is not a great deal to see in Legian. It is a place where visitors stay, shop, eat, drink and go to the beach. Legian Beach is one of the best in Bali for viewing the sunset.

The beach

Head into the ocean with boogie boards (Rp 20,000/hour) and surfboards hired from at beach or take surfing lessons from the Surf School based at Blue Ocean beach.

• Quiksilver surf school

  phone: +62 361 791 2220
  Offers lessons lasting 2.5 hours for Rp 390,000. They also rent boards for Rp 50,000 per hour, but if you have taken lessons with them, you can get a reduced rate of Rp 20,000 per hour. If renting from locals on the beach, be sure to use this fact to get a good price.

On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the beach front is packed with tourists, expats, locals and motorbikes, with fire pois and musicians jamming on the beach - you'll be more than welcome to join in.
Almost every evening at about 17:00 a game of beach football begins right in front of de ja vu on Blue Ocean Beach. Visitors are normally welcomed if they want to join in.
A more leisurely beach pursuit is to situate yourself, cocktail in hand, at one of the many beach front cafes on this stretch, and watch one of the world's great sunsets. Be in position by about 17:30.

Spas and treatments

Informal massages, manicures, pedicures and hair braiding, are all widely available while you relax on the beach in this area.

• Glow Spa At Mandira

  phone: +62 361 751381
  address: Jalan Padma 2
  A spa treatment based upon the principles of restoring balance, beauty and harmony to mind and body

• Legian Beach Spa

  phone: +62 361 751711
  address: Jl Melasti
  A full range of treatments on offer including from basic therapeutic massage, to Javanese 'Lulur' body scrub and "Rempah and Honey" treatment, a traditional massage followed by a body mask of honey, clay, flowers and roots.

• Talaga Spa

  phone: +62 361 8733831
  address: Jl Dewi Sri 16
  A high-end day spa offering a variety of treatments and packages lasting from 90 minutes to three hours. Specialise in the use of VCO (virgin coconut oil).

Legian is crammed full of shops selling everything from the latest designer surfware to Balinese souvenirs to take home. This is a shopping destination. Covering the main shopping area in Legian will not take too long. It encompasses Jalan Melasti, Jalan Padma, Jalan Werkudara and Jalan Arjuna, all of which run perpendicular to Jalan Legian on the beach side. Jalan Padma is especially good for beads, shell work and other similar trinkets. Jalan Arjuna is lined with small stores selling sarongs and fabrics. On Jalan Legian look for slightly more upmarket boutiques, and the ubiquitous surfwear/sportswear stores (although the larger of these are in neighbouring Kuta).
There are two markets on Jalan Melasti. Close to the beach at the western end there is a large art market selling Balinese handicrafts and other items for tourists. You could easily buy all of your presents to take home in one visit here. At the eastern end where Jalan Melasti becomes Jalan Sri Wijaya, there is a morning fresh produce market which opens from about 5AM.

Legian's beachfront restaurants are popular spots for sunset and people watching.

Budget

You can get bakso (soup with meat balls), mie goreng (fried noodles) and nasi goreng (fried rice) from the small warungs (outdoor cafes) on the beach. Very cheap and very tasty.

Mid-range

• Bali Beach Shack Bar & Restaurant

  phone: +62 819 36222010
  address: Jl Sahadewa 7
  Live music daily, Indonesian drag cabaret every Thur, Fri, Sat at 22:15and 23:15. Good service, Australian and Indonesian food. Despite the name, it is not by the beach.

• Fresh Warung

  phone: +62 813 37573332
  address: Jl Legian, Legian
  Fresh Warung specialises in local & international dishes. It is small but cheerful, clean & serves up well-priced quality food. Emi, the owner, is cheeky and provides great service.

• Gosha Bar and Restaurant

  phone: +62 361 759880
  address: Jl Melasti 7
  A huge, cavernous restaurant. The ambience and set up is not great, but the food is very reliable and this is a popular restaurant with Australian visitors especially. Been around since 1985. Broad menu offering seafood, western and Indonesian dishes.

• Island Cafe

  phone: +62 813 5303 7096
  address: Jl Legian, Gang #19
  Italian coffee (Segafredo) , healthy food choices, Free WiFi and a relaxed environment. Wood fire pizza oven.

• Ketupat

  phone: +62 361 758969
  address: Jl Dewi Sri, Legian
  The second branch of this top notch Indonesian restaurant. Similar to the long-established Kuta venue, decked out in a traditional Javanese style and with the same menu. High quality tastes of Indonesia.

• Lanai

  phone: +62 361 731 305
  address: Jl Blue Ocean (Jl Pantai Legian)
  On the site that used to be Benny's Cafe, Lanai serves up big portions and has great views of the beach from the upstairs balcony.

• Lemongrass Thai Restaurant

  phone: +62 81 333 3392 43
  address: Jl Melasti
  Dine-in or takeaway Thai food. Lots of seafood and vegetarian options.

• Seaside

  address: Jl Pantai Legian 14
  Now only open from mid afternoon. Food is decent, beachside setting very good indeed, and they have great bar. Closest restaurant to Hotel Jayakarta.

• Tekor Bali

  phone: +62 361 735268
  address: Jl Blue Ocean (Jl Pantai Legian)
  Broad Indonesian menu and all food is beautifully presented. Great for Balinese and Indonesian specialties: try the Bebek Betutu, slow-roasted duck with Balinese spices. Perhaps the best breakfast on the beach in Bali. Midrange prices (entree Rp 50,000- Rp 100,000) for upscale food, this is one of Bali's best bargains.

• Waroeng Asia

  phone: +62 361 7420202
  address: Jl Arjuna 23, Legian
  Popular Thai restaurant with very affordable prices. Large range of mid-priced meals.

• Zanzibar

  phone: +62 361 733529
  address: Jl Pantai Arjuna
  A well-established restaurant with excellent Italian cuisine and especially good pasta dishes. On the Blue Ocean beach, and so a good spot to watch all the action whilst enjoying an excellent meal.

• 66 Corner Restaurant & Cafe

  phone: +62 361 730 403
  address: Jl. Double Six/Jl. Werkudara 23
  66 Corner offers cuisine from all over the globe. Happy hours from 16:00-18:00 with 30% off all beverages and free wifi is available. Covers also all sports games live on big screen TV, such as rugby, football, F1 and many more. Film nights every Tues and Thur.

• de ja vu

  phone: +62 361 733 777
  address: Jalan Blue Ocean 7X (Jalan Pantai), Legian
  A happening beach-side dance bar. Popular with the pre Double Six crowd from about midnight-03:00. Lightweight clubwear is appropriate and they can get sniffy about singlets and sandals. Check local listings for special events and name DJs.

• Jaya Pub

  phone: +62 361 730937
  address: Jl Legian
  This live music bar has been around forever and gives a distinct impression of being stuck in a timewarp. Still, the bands are fun and beer is cheap.

• Monsoon

  phone: +62 361 762297
  address: JL Werkudara
  Opening in the afternoon and closing at 01:00. Offers entertainment with a large collection of retro music videos from 1964-2000. A good variety of Tapas and drinks at reasonable prices. Selected smoking areas.

• cobra mushroom

  address: gang poppies 2

Squeezed between Kuta and Seminyak, this area has a wide variety of accommodation options, and especially so in the mid-range market. Legian is a bit more upmarket compared to the surfer and backpacker-oriented Kuta, but distinctly downmarket from hip Seminyak.
Room occupancy rate of classified hotel in Bali is decreasing since 2013 and in 2016 the room occupancy rate is less than 54 percent, a significant drop by about 4.5 percent from 2015. Experts predict that in 2017 and next, hotels oversupply will be more severe due to mass development of big hotels with more than a hundred rooms each. Many hotels give big discount, including 5-, 4- and 3-star hotels, make 2-star hotels and below maybe collapse. It is difficult to differentiate between Budget and Mid-range hotel as usual based on stars, so a usual 4- or 3-star mid-range hotel may be nowadays will be a budget hotel. Usually hotel in Legian is slighly cheaper than in Kuta, but due to many big discount, there are possibility discounted hotel price in Kuta nowadays is cheaper than in Legian. Legian has more small cafes than in Kuta.
The prices are stated below are normal price, except if it stated as discount price.

Budget

• Blue Ocean

  address: Jl. Blue Ocean (Jl. Pantai Legian)
  This legendary surfie hangout from the 1970s remains an oasis of crustiness in the midst of the many mid-range hotels on Legian beachfront and beyond. Rp 120,000/night for a large room with a couple of single beds or a double, an outdoor bathroom and kitchen facilities. No pool but the beach is on the doorstep, you'll only get one thin blanket, toilet rolls and towels only if you ask, and a noisy fan. No extra charge for mosquitoes and dust. Air-con is Rp 30,000 more. The place has an ambience all of its own and the staff are a delight once you get through the door. You are likely to be told the place is full, but be persistent as there's often a room available.

• Le Lima Hotel

  phone: +62 361 758317
  address: Jl. Popies 2 Gang Mangga, Legian
  Deluxe Room, 16 m², 4-star hotel.

• Sayang Maha Mertha Hotel

  phone: +62 361 751249
  address: Jl. Melasti, Lebak Bene, Legian Klod
  In Kuta. Clean budget hotel, pool, inexpensive bar. Good backpacker vibe. Slightly overpriced.

• Su's Cottages I

  phone: +62 361 730324
  address: Jl. Pura Bagus Taruna (Jl Werkadura) No 532
  This popular hotel has a tiny pool and friendly staff. It's 3 min from Legian beach. The cheapest rooms come with hot water, breakfast and TV. Air-con is a bit more. Has wifi but not in rooms and costs 15,000Rp/hour. A lot of long term expatriates stay here.

Mid-range

Mid-range accommodation abounds in Legian and there is an almost endless selection. Shop around and look for the best deals. Outside of the peak seasons you can get substantial discounts from decent beachfront hotels in this area.

• All Seasons Legian

  phone: +62 361 767688
  address: Jl Padma Utara
  Contemporary hotel with in-house spa, restaurant, bar and a large swimming pool.

• Bali Mandira

  phone: +62 361 751381
  address: Jl Padma No. 2
  At beach end of Jl Padma with beach view and good dining options.

• Bali Matahari Hotel

  phone: +62 361 763707
  address: Jl Melasti, Gang Lebak Bene, Legian
  44 rooms with basic amenities, restaurant, swimming pool, wifi.

• Bali Court Hotel & Apartments

  phone: +62 361 750242
  address: Jl Werkudara 14
  Good value rooms and 1-2 apartments in a small complex with full hotel facilities. Nice pool and passable coffee shop. Every apartment has an equipped mini-kitchen.

• Dewa Bharata Kuta

  phone: +62 361 751764
  address: Jl legian kuta bali
  Large swimming pool, restaurant with free wifi.

• J4 Hotel Legian

  phone: +62 361 8469 747
  address: Jl. Raya Legian 74, Br. Pengabetan Kuta
  Superior Room, 18 m², 4-star hotel, has large roof pool.

• Hotel Jayakarta

  phone: +62 361 751433
  address: Jl Werkudara
  Huge hotel which is a long-time favourite with families from Australian and New Zealand. It has seen better days though and is looking more than a bit tired. Has a club section which offers managed timeshare service apartments with kitchens for nightly rental from Rp 850,000.

• The Island Hotel

  phone: +62 361 762722
  address: Jl Padma Utara, Gang Abdi #18
  10 double rooms with cableTV and ensuite. For the budget conscious, there is are 2 dorms available from Rp 200,000 (low season), Rp 250,000 (high) incl tax/free cont.breakfast. Dorm has a personal locker and good personal space. Airport pickup included for stay of 3 nights or more. Infinity pool, café, high-speed Wi-Fi, massage services.

• Kumala Pantai

  phone: +62 361 755500
  address: Jl Werkudara,
  On the beach, standard of service and décor is high for the price.

• Puri Dewa Bharata Hotel & Villas

  phone: +62 361 730425
  address: Jl Nakula No. 11, Legian/Seminyak
  Budget clean hotel on the northern border of Legian where it meets Seminyak.

• Puri Raja

  phone: +62 361 755902
  address: Jl Padma Utara, Legian

• Rama Garden Hotel

  phone: +62 361 751971
  address: Jl Padma
  Small boutique hotel near Legian beach.

• Sara Residence

  phone: +62 361 738999
  address: Jl Nakula 9
  A modern style block with 14 apartments with 2-3 bedroom options. Elevator, swimming pool in a landscaped garden, breakfast included, free wifi, 24 hr security.

• Suri Wathi Hotel

  phone: +62 361 753162
  address: Jl Sahadewa 12
  Double or twin air-con rooms, large pool, simple restaurant.

• Aquarius Star Hotel

  phone: +62 361 756573
  address: Jl. Legian 116
  Located in main street Legian, only a 2-minute walk from Ground Zero Monument, 10-minute walk from Kuta Beach and a 5-minute drive from Kuta Square.

• Legian Paradiso Hotel

  phone: +62 361 752 167
  address: Jl. Legian 118

Splurge

• Bali Niksoma

  phone: +62 371 751946
  address: Jl Padma Utara
  A boutique hotel on the beach which would happily be at home in chic Seminyak. Beautifully designed with top quality spa, restaurant and large pool. The rooms are contemporary in design and decoration. Forty four rooms in the main building and then several detached cottages including a private 2 bedroom villa.

• Maharta Bali

  phone: +62 361 752946
  address: Jl. Padma Utara
  All rooms have air-conditioner, private toilet and shower, cable TV, refrigerator, mini bar, coffee/tea maker, balcony/terrace, telephone, writing desk, complimentary bottled mineral water, iron and ironing board. Some of its facilities are spa, restaurant, bars, wedding venues, swimming pool and garden.

• Padma Resort Bali at Legian

  address: Jl Padma No1, Legian
  Good spot on Legian Beach. Recent renovations at have seen it gain a modern and fresh feel after a period when it was looking very faded. In-house spa, gym and restaurant that serves very good breakfast.

• Outrigger OCN Apartments

  phone: +62 361 737400
  address: Jl Blue Ocean (Jl Pantai Legian) 88x, Legian
  A huge apartment hotel right on the beach. Offers one and 2 bedroom apartments with 4-star standard hotel facilities.

• Ramada Resort Camakila

  phone: +62 361 752877
  address: Jl Padma Utara

• Villa Naga Maya

  phone: +62 361 763387
  address: Jl Werkudara, Gg Arjuna 7B, Legian
  These holiday villas have resort amenities and provide nice gardens, elegant pools and a traditional Balinese atmosphere. The swimming pool has a unique water curtain and is surrounded by lush tropical landscaping. Nestled back in the quite lanes of Legian, 400 m from Legian beach.

• Villa Suliac

  phone: +623613701000
  address: Legian Kaja Gg. Bisma
  3-bedroom villa, open living area, dining and kitchen, pool with bale at the end surrounded by well-tended gardens while being superbly located in Legian.

A Malaysian honorary consulate is in Legian:

• Honorary Consulate of Malaysia

  phone: +62 361 752520
  address: Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort, Jl Pantai Kuta

• The airport is a 20-min drive from Legian and once you are out of the often congested streets close to the beach, this area is well connected to the main road network of the island.
• Walk 10 min north along the beach and sample one of Semniyak's super chic restaurants.