Quiet Travel in Bali: 6 Peaceful Places to Stay (Away From the Crowds)

There’s a new term floating around lately: quiet travel. But if you’ve been following this blog (or simply following your heart when you travel), it’s probably something you’re already familiar with.

Quiet travel isn’t about seeking complete silence or being totally off-grid. It’s about choosing places that soothe your nervous system and truly invite you to slow down. Places that help you feel the earth beneath your feet, reconnect with yourself, and notice how beautiful life feels when you’re not rushing through it.

And if there’s anywhere in the world that naturally supports this way of travelling ~ it’s Bali.

Yes, it can be busy. Over-touristed in parts, even. But it can also be one of the most peaceful, sacred, soul-stirring places you’ll ever experience… if you know where to go.

I’ve spent a total of eight months living in Bali, and with my natural inclination towards quiet, slow living, I sought out and stayed in some deeply calming gems during that time (that also did not break the bank).

So whether you’re planning a healing escape, a solo chapter, or simply want to feel more connected to the land and yourself ~ here are six peaceful places to stay in Bali that I hands-on-heart recommend for quiet, intentional travel.

Let’s begin in Ubud…

1. Pondok Tropical Guesthouse ~ Ubud

For my second visit to Bali in 2024, I stayed at Pondok Tropical Guesthouse for two months ~ a small, family-run place with just three rooms, tucked away in the middle of rice fields yet only an eight-minute scooter ride from the centre of Ubud.

That contrast was absolute perfection. I’d spend my days zipping around Ubud on my scooter, working from cafés and meeting people… then come home to complete stillness. No sound but birds, geckos, and the occasional soft rain at night.

Every morning I woke up to endless green rice fields, enjoying breakfast on the balcony while the family made their offerings at the temple just metres away. That sense of space and quiet allowed me to breathe deeper ~ and hear myself more clearly.

If you love being close to Ubud but crave a nature-wrapped place to return to at the end of the day, this is one I truly loved. It’s also very affordable, which is always a plus.

A little side note while you’re here: if you’re curious about what to do in Ubud, I’ve created a digital guide of my favourite 33 spots and spiritual experiences which you can download if it calls to you. I hope it adds a little extra magic to your time there!

2. Embang Homestay ~ Sidemen

If Ubud is the spiritual heart of Bali, Sidemen is its soft, rural soul. Everything moves even more slowly there. Someone told me “it’s Bali, as it used to be” and at Embang Homestay, I felt like I was given a front-row seat to that former way of life.

This is a simple, family-run place in the heart of an authentic countryside, surrounded by an endless sea of green. You wake up to the rice fields stretching out in every direction and fall asleep to a soundtrack of chirping crickets.

There’s no polished “retreat” branding here but should you wish (and I recommend that you do!), you can have a massage right there in the middle of the fields. Small luxuries like this, combined with the fact that there are only a handful of restaurants nearby, make it easy to settle into a much quieter rhythm, where decision-making drops to a minimum.

I remember waking up early one morning debating whether to jump on my scooter to catch the volcano at sunrise, or visit a waterfall I had saved in my “things to do” list.

But in the end, when I checked in with myself, I realised all I actually wanted was to take it slow ~ drink tea while listening to podcasts on the balcony, read another chapter of my book, wander the lovely village on foot and simply enjoy the small pleasures as they appeared.

So that’s pretty much what I did… for four days straight. This is the kind of effect Embang Homestay has on you ~ a quiet encouragement to let stillness become your new baseline.

3. Birdhills Bali Tree House ~ Sidemen

I began my 32nd birthday morning at Embang (with a surprise Balinese cake the family brought out alongside breakfast 🥹 ~ and then made my way up into the mountains to Birdhills Bali Tree House.

This stay was my own little luxurious gift to myself and honestly, it made the beginning of my next journey around the sun one to remember.

I’ll let the photo below do most of the talking, because even now I struggle to fully put into words what it felt like lying under the covers of an open-air treehouse bed at sunrise.

This view and experience have stayed with me ever since, and I have no doubt that I will stay here again one day. It’s absolutely magical and an experience I’d 100% recommend, even just for a night or two.

A small note for solo travellers: once you’re taken up to the accommodation by the host (along a winding dirt road into the mountains), you’ll be completely alone up there ~ aside from a few stray dogs that might wander by. It’s wonderfully peaceful, but worth keeping in mind if that level of solitude feels uncomfortable for you.

4. D’uma Amed Homestay ~ Amed

From the quiet hills of Sidemen, we continue east to Amed ~ a coastal village known for its snorkelling, volcano views, and slow pace of life.

Here I stayed at D’uma Amed Homestay, a humble and very affordable guesthouse tucked into the rice fields. If you’re booking ~ definitely ask for one of the two rooms upstairs.

You’ll understand why as soon as you experience sunset here. The views of Mount Agung from the balcony are absolutely unreal. The volcano seems to glow and it genuinely feels like you’re watching the Earth breathe.

It’s not fancy or luxurious, but it’s clean, the hosts are incredibly kind and those peaceful mornings with your feet resting on the balcony railing and a cup of tea in hand are a gift in themselves.

I actually returned to Amed for a second visit, and because D’uma was fully booked, I stayed closer to the beach which was a big mistake. The music from nearby bars echoed late into the night and completely disrupted the calm I’d loved so much the first time.

So please take this from me ~ book somewhere slightly removed from the main strip if you’re craving a truly peaceful stay. And if you’re ready to book right now and see that D’uma Homestay is available, secure it right now 🙂

5. Munduk Cabins ~ Munduk

Heading into the north of Bali, Munduk somehow feels like stepping into another realm altogether. The air is cooler, the clouds hang low across the mountains, and everything seems to move just a little slower.

Munduk Cabins is more of a splurge than the other places on this list ~ but it’s also so peaceful, so beautifully designed and so aligned with the spirit of quiet travel that it’s absolutely worth it. I really mean that. 

Think floor-to-ceiling windows opening out onto jungle-covered hills, evenings by the firepit roasting marshmallows under the stars. There’s room service for absolutely anything if you want it (even massages to your cabin can be ordered with one Whatsapp message), but also uninterrupted stillness if you don’t.

It’s perfect for couples, solo travellers who love a bit of comfort, or anyone craving a nature escape. And the sunsets here ~ ufff,  they’re easily in the top three I’ve ever seen!

6. Padi Bali Eco Villas ~ Jatiluwih

You know I’m a huge lover of Ubud ~ but it has to be said: Jatiluwih does rice fields better. This quiet, sacred region in the west of Bali is home to UNESCO-protected terraces that roll across the land like green waves.

Padi Bali sits right in the middle of it all. Simple wooden cabins that open out to wide skies and expansive mountain/ rice field views that, if you posted a photo, people would genuinely wonder whether it was AI-generated. 

The cabins aren’t fancy, but they have everything you need. The owners are warm and welcoming, there are hidden waterfalls to explore nearby, and the still mornings invite journaling, reflection, and reconnection in the way only nature can.

I originally planned to stay for just a couple of nights and ended up staying a full week. That alone probably says everything, doesn’t it? If you’re curious,  I shared a real-time video on Instagram while staying here with reflections and visuals of the view I’ve described so lovingly.

Final Thoughts: Quiet Travel in Bali

I promise you, Bali doesn’t have to be fast. It doesn’t have to be full. And it definitely doesn’t have to be about ticking off “top 10” lists or Instagram hot spots. There’s a slower, softer, and more meaningful way to experience this special island. 

Each of these six places gave me the gift of presence and the new perspectives that come from it. If you’re wanting more intention in your travels ~ I hope they offer the same for you.

And if you’ve already been to Bali and found your own peaceful gems, it would be wonderful if you could comment your favourite below, so we can continue sharing such quiet places between us.