Uluwatu is Bali at its most cinematic: limestone cliffs, turquoise water and a sunset every single evening. It is also slower and calmer than the island's busier towns, which makes it perfect for two. Here is how we would spend a few days here together.

Why Uluwatu for two

Uluwatu sits on the Bukit Peninsula at Bali's southern tip. The coast faces west, so every day ends with the sun dropping into the Indian Ocean. Between the beaches, the clifftop bars and an excellent restaurant scene, there is enough to fill a week without ever feeling rushed.

Where to stay

Large resorts can feel anonymous; standalone villas can feel remote. For couples we suggest something in between: a small boutique hotel with your own private room, a beautiful shared pool, and staff who can book a table or a driver in minutes.

Nema has a handful of private studios around a 16m pool in central Uluwatu. Each studio has a queen bed with premium linen, blackout curtains for lazy mornings, its own balcony and a private outdoor rain shower. Thomas Beach is a short walk away, and rates are under US$150 a night even in peak season, which leaves more for long dinners.

“Absolutely stunning. A beautiful little sanctuary, such a relaxed vibe with complete attention to detail.”

Kirran, Australia · Booking.com

Date nights

  • YUKI: a date-night favourite close to Nema. Show your Nema keyring for a guest discount.
  • Tabu: sleek and atmospheric, made for a long dinner. Also a Nema partner.
  • Mana Uluwatu: cliffside dining above the surf.
  • El Kabron: a clifftop classic for dinner as the sun goes down.

Sunsets and day clubs

Spend an afternoon at a cliffside day club: OneEighty's glass-bottom pool, Ulu Cliffhouse, or Sundays Beach Club on the sand below the cliffs. Then stay for sunset, or move to Single Fin for live music. Our full guide to the best sunset spots in Uluwatu has more.

A perfect day for two

  1. 7:30 A swim at Thomas Beach before the day warms up.
  2. 9:30 A reformer class together at Bluvana Studio, close by, then brunch at Suka Espresso.
  3. 13:00 Back to the pool, or side-by-side massages at Spring Spa, five minutes' walk away.
  4. 16:00 Sunbeds at a cliffside day club.
  5. 18:00 Sunset, then the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple.
  6. 20:00 Dinner at YUKI or Tabu, and a short ride home to a quiet studio.