You're planning your trip to Bali but you're unsure which neighborhoods to avoid in Denpasar and which areas are best to stay in. Whether it's for a business trip or a stop on a tourist itinerary in Indonesia , you're looking for accommodation in Denpasar.

Indeed, Denpasar is a bustling city with many different neighborhoods, each of which has its own vibe and attractions. Whether you are looking for a hotel just for one night or for a short tourist stay, it is better to find out in advance before choosing your accommodation.

Indeed, we can ask ourselves if Denpasar is a dangerous city, if there are neighborhoods to avoid? This is why I offer you below a guide to the neighborhoods of Denpasar to locate the areas to avoid but above all the best places to stay.

Is Denpasar a safe city in 2024?

To find out if Denpasar is a safe or dangerous city, I was able to check its crime level and compare it with that of other major cities internationally.

Indeed, the website Numbeo.com publishes a ranking of cities worldwide based on their crime index. For the year 2024, while Bali has an average crime index (see map below), Denpasar has a very low index of only 27.52.

In comparison, Denpasar is even less dangerous than already very safe cities like Lisbon , Madrid , and Edinburgh . However, according to this same ranking, Denpasar is considered more crime-ridden than Prague , Vienna , Munich , or Dubai.

And when we study other rankings like statista.com or populationu.com on dangerous cities in the world, we find that Denpasar never appears on them.

Is Denpasar dangerous for tourists?

No Denpasar is not a dangerous city for tourists. On the contrary, the capital of Bali is a very safe and welcoming city.

However, as in all tourist towns, crime is still present. This is confirmed by France Diplomatie which indicates:

“The level of security is generally satisfactory in Indonesia. However, we are witnessing an upsurge in petty crime (purse robbery) in tourist areas (Bali, Lombok, Jakarta) with a sharp increase in the number of crimes as major holidays approach (New Year's Day, Idul Fitri). Several cases of loss of consciousness have been reported after ingesting drinks offered by strangers. Once drugged, people are dispossessed of their property and wake up with no memory of their attackers. Cases of credit card fraud have been reported. It is advisable to show great caution when using this means of payment (do not take your eyes off your card). »

It is important to note that the majority of crimes committed in Denpasar are petty theft, such as pickpocketing and bag theft.

Map of Denpasar neighborhoods

Denpasar, the capital of Bali, has about 700 inhabitants. It is organized into 000 major districts (North, East, West and South) which are divided into 4 sub-districts with 16 neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are called kelurahans in Indonesia.

To help you better locate the areas to avoid in Denpasar, here is a map of the city's main districts.

Are there dangerous neighborhoods in Denpasar?

When I checked government sites, travel blogs and forums, I was amazed to find that there are no dangerous neighborhoods in Denpasar.

Indeed, Internet users and press articles refer to neighborhoods that are poorer than others, more populated or less equipped, but never dangerous neighborhoods in Denpasar.

However, I have read that the safest areas in Denpasar are mostly in the north and east of Denpasar.

Which neighborhoods to avoid in Denpasar?

Some of the areas to avoid in Denpasar include the city center as it is crowded, noisy, chaotic and with a lot of traffic. Although Denpasar City has some interesting attractions, such as the Bali Museum or the monument in Puputan Square, it is best to visit it during the day and avoid this area to stay at night.

Other neighborhoods to avoid in Denpasar are areas that are of no interest to tourists or are too far from tourist sites.

If you are a woman and you are traveling alone, it is advisable not to walk alone at night in some isolated or poorly lit areas of Denpasar. These areas to avoid in Denpasar are not because of Balinese but rather because of other tourists who can represent a danger if they are alcoholic or simply badly attentive.

Finally, the bustling street of Jalan Teuku Umar and the area around Pasar Badung market are notorious for pickpocketing. It is important to be extra vigilant in this area and to avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables.

Best areas to stay in Denpasar

Denpasar is a very sprawling city reaching to the famous resorts of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak in the west and Sanur in the east.

Among the most popular areas to stay in Denpasar, some will recommend the famous beach resort of Kuta , which is only 8 km from Denpasar city centre and 3 km from the airport.

But I wouldn't recommend it. In fact, all the charm Kuta had about ten years ago has completely disappeared. It's become an overly touristy resort where I wouldn't advise staying. See the article: adventurouskate.com/kuta-the-worst-place-in-bali/

On the other hand, I would recommend Sanur for its family-friendly and calm atmosphere or Seminyak for its beach and surf spots.

Accommodation in Sanur for families

Sanur is a nice and quiet seaside resort just 15 minutes from Denpasar city center. Certainly its beach is less beautiful than that of Seminyak but the sea is calmer and suitable for swimming.

Its atmosphere is more authentic and calmer than on other seaside resorts invaded by mass tourism for some.

Finally, its location is perfect for taking ferries to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan or other islands to explore.

If you are looking for accommodation, you can stay at the Hyatt Regency Bali facing a magnificent private beach and surrounded by tropical gardens.

The location of this hotel is perfect for a tourist stay: 15 minutes drive from the tourist sites of the center of Denpasar, 15 km from the Bali Zoo, 3 km from the Bali Beach Golf Course and 14 km from the 'airport.

Staying close to Denpasar in Seminyac

Just a 30-minute drive from Denpasar city center, Seminyak Beach is one of Bali 's most popular . Stretching from Kuta Beach to Canggu , it's renowned for its surf spots and stunning sunsets.

It is a chic seaside resort with trendy bars, good restaurants, beautiful shops.

If you are looking for comfort, design and proximity to the beach, then I recommend the Double Six, Luxury Hotel – Seminyak.

Best area to visit Denpasar

Denpasar is a dynamic and lively city that offers many things to see and do: The Bajra Sandhi Monument, the Agung Jagatnatha Temple, the Bali Museum, its night markets and many other tourist attractions.

If you want to visit Denpasar, you will probably want to stay in the city center of the capital.

Among the best neighborhoods to stay in central Denpasar, I recommend the Renon district . It's a quieter, greener, and more upscale area of ​​Denpasar. Government offices, the Bali Museum, and Lapang Puputan Renon Park are all located in this district.

Here is a hotel well located in the city center:

Where to stay near Denpasar airport?

Located in Tuban in the south of Bali, Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport is the second busiest airport in Indonesia.

Located 13 kilometers south of Denpasar, the airport is surrounded by a hotel offer for all budgets.

If you arrive late in Denpasar and you only have to spend one night, I recommend that you stay as close as possible to the airport to leave the next day for more pleasant Balinese destinations.

The closest hotel to Denpasar Airport is Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport .

Indeed, this hotel is located in Denpasar International Airport with direct access to the international departures and arrivals areas.

This guide summarizes the data published on the web in 2024 on the neighborhoods of Denpasar. It is a summary of information from press articles, travel forums and rankings or statistics. It therefore does not contain any judgment or discriminatory statement.