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. 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.
- Tourist Information Centre, Jl Veteren (at junction of Jl Veteren and Jl Gajah Mada, +62 362 25141. M-Sa 7:30AM-4PM. This is the local tourist office for North Bali and is a good source of information for local current events of interest, as well as the standard attractions
Tourist Information Centre, Jl Veteren (at junction of Jl Veteren and Jl Gajah Mada, +62 362 25141. M-Sa 7:30AM-4PM. This is the local tourist office for North Bali and is a good source of information for local current events of interest, as well as the standard attractions
- Gedong Kirtya, Jalan Veteren 20, Singaraja. M-F 8AM-4PM. A library and museum dedicated to the cataloging and preservation of old lontar (paper made from the rontal palm) scripts. Also houses some bronze inscription plates dating from the 10th century. Very much worth a visit. Rp 10,000.
- Pura Agung Jagatnatha, Jl Pramuka (close to the junction of Jl Pramuka and Jl Letkol Wisnu. This is the most important temple in the city and the largest in the whole of North Bali. Sadly non-Hindu visitors will not normally be allowed to enter. It is though still worth a visit to admire its magnificence from outside.
- Yudha Mandalatama Independence Monument, Jl Erlanga (right on the waterfront at the mouth of the Buleleng river. This rather splendid monument commemorates a local freedom fighter killed in the war against the Dutch. It is the dominant feature of the ramshackle but charming seafront of the city. Explore the surrounding area for a feeling of what Singaraja might have been like in its days as an important colonial port.
Gedong Kirtya, Jalan Veteren 20, Singaraja. M-F 8AM-4PM. A library and museum dedicated to the cataloging and preservation of old lontar (paper made from the rontal palm) scripts. Also houses some bronze inscription plates dating from the 10th century. Very much worth a visit. Rp 10,000.
Pura Agung Jagatnatha, Jl Pramuka (close to the junction of Jl Pramuka and Jl Letkol Wisnu. This is the most important temple in the city and the largest in the whole of North Bali. Sadly non-Hindu visitors will not normally be allowed to enter. It is though still worth a visit to admire its magnificence from outside.
Yudha Mandalatama Independence Monument, Jl Erlanga (right on the waterfront at the mouth of the Buleleng river. This rather splendid monument commemorates a local freedom fighter killed in the war against the Dutch. It is the dominant feature of the ramshackle but charming seafront of the city. Explore the surrounding area for a feeling of what Singaraja might have been like in its days as an important colonial port.
- Air Sanih, Air Sanih Village (about 15 km east of Singaraja on the coast road. 8AM-6PM daily. A quaint, tiny coastal village with a notable cold spring bathing area set in nice gardens. The spring water here is said to originate from holy Lake Batur. A warning that the springs are very popular with local children, and can get noisy. Don't let that put you off though, this is a very charming spot. Rp 5,000.
- Gitgit Waterfalls, Gitgit village (10 km south Singaraja on the main road to Bedugul. 8AM-5:30PM daily. You are on the northern slopes of the central mountain range here, and there are three spread out waterfalls around the village of Gitgit. When driving south from Singaraja to Bedugul you cannot miss the signs and car parks. The best of the falls is the southernmost which drops about 50 metres. Some opportunities for bathing in the cool and fresh mountain waters. Rp 6,000.
- Pura Meduwe Karang, Kubutambahan village (about 10 km east of Singaraja on the coast road. A lovely looking temple, perhaps one of the most impressive in North Bali, and the location of the famous original carving of the Dutch cyclist which you see copied all over Bali. The temple is devoted to deities of agricultural matters. donation.
- Pura Beji, Sangsit village (turn inland at Sangsit, 7 km east of Singaraja on the coast road and proceed about 600 metres to the temple. A splendid pink sandstone temple with especially dramatic stone carvings. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of rice, Dewi Sri
Air Sanih, Air Sanih Village (about 15 km east of Singaraja on the coast road. 8AM-6PM daily. A quaint, tiny coastal village with a notable cold spring bathing area set in nice gardens. The spring water here is said to originate from holy [[Kintamani|Lake Batur]]. A warning that the springs are very popular with local children, and can get noisy. Don't let that put you off though, this is a very charming spot. Rp 5,000.
Gitgit Waterfalls, Gitgit village (10 km south Singaraja on the main road to Bedugul. 8AM-5:30PM daily. You are on the northern slopes of the central mountain range here, and there are three spread out waterfalls around the village of Gitgit. When driving south from Singaraja to Bedugul you cannot miss the signs and car parks. The best of the falls is the southernmost which drops about 50 metres. Some opportunities for bathing in the cool and fresh mountain waters. Rp 6,000.
Pura Meduwe Karang, Kubutambahan village (about 10 km east of Singaraja on the coast road. A lovely looking temple, perhaps one of the most impressive in North Bali, and the location of the famous original carving of the Dutch cyclist which you see copied all over Bali. The temple is devoted to deities of agricultural matters. donation.
Pura Beji, Sangsit village (turn inland at Sangsit, 7 km east of Singaraja on the coast road and proceed about 600 metres to the temple. A splendid pink sandstone temple with especially dramatic stone carvings. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of rice, Dewi Sri
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).
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.
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.
- Pondok Cabe, Jalan Kartini (to the south of Kantor Pengadilan. 5PM- 10PM. A restaurant in the form of a pondok or village house where locals and tourists enjoy Indonesian and western cuisine. Good place to eat if you can't find any Indonesian food which suits your taste. Meals served by experienced chef with work experience overseas. The atmosphere is very quiet and relaxing. A very cheap, sanitary and quiet place to eat. Prices range from Rp 6,000 to 25,000.
- Warung Kota, Jl Ngurah Rai 22, +62 362 7009737. 24 hours. A favoured hangout of local students, especially in the evenings. Good place to make friends and chat. You will find the locals very friendly indeed. Decent, standard Indonesian food at budget prices.
- 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.
Pondok Cabe, Jalan Kartini (to the south of Kantor Pengadilan. 5PM- 10PM. A restaurant in the form of a pondok or village house where locals and tourists enjoy Indonesian and western cuisine. Good place to eat if you can't find any Indonesian food which suits your taste. Meals served by experienced chef with work experience overseas. The atmosphere is very quiet and relaxing. A very cheap, sanitary and quiet place to eat. Prices range from Rp 6,000 to 25,000.
Warung Kota, Jl Ngurah Rai 22, +62 362 7009737. 24 hours. A favoured hangout of local students, especially in the evenings. Good place to make friends and chat. You will find the locals very friendly indeed. Decent, standard Indonesian food at budget prices.
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.
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.
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.