Sidemen is an authentic place full of majestic waterfalls, stunning rice terraces, and welcoming people. It provides an off-the-beaten-path experience as well as a chance to witness the authentic Balinese way of life.
Sidemen rice fields in Bali offer incredible walks along the trails winding up and down the tiered rice terraces. Watch local farmers working around their fields, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, and take in the views of Mt. Agung in the background.
Sidemen rice terraces are not a very touristy place, so you can wind down in the laid-back atmosphere. This palce is more authentic than Tegallalang rice fields.
Learn where to find the best views and most beautiful rice terraces, when to visit, and where to eat in Sidemen. We also share a list of the best hotels in Sidemen and the tours you should not skip.
Where are Sidemen rice terraces ?
The terraces are all around Sidemen village in East Bali. The whole area is surrounded by lush green jungles, and rice terraces with incredible views of dominating Mt. Agung.
Distance and time travel from other destinations around Bali:
- From Ubud – 1 hour and 15 minutes (33 km)
- Sidemen from Canggu – 1 hour and 30 minutes (50 km)
- Sidemen from Amed – 1 hour and 10 minutes (31 km)
You can also save the location of Sidemen rice terraces to your Google Maps app.
How to get to Sidemen
On a scooter
If you’re an adventurous person who feels confident driving around Bali on a scooter, you can certainly get to Sidemen on your own. While traffic is terrible near Canggu, Kuta, Uluwatu, and Ubud, it gets incredibly calm in North Bali, East Bali, and Amed.
The scooter rental price usually starts at around 80,000 IDR per day. However, if you have good negotiation skills, and rent a scooter for longer, you might be able to lower the price down to 50,000 IDR per day.
Additionally, road conditions are mostly good in East Bali. Some roads are narrow, but overall, it is safe to drive around here.
Private driver
For those who prefer more comfort, you can also pay a private driver to take you all the way to Sidemen. Private drivers are available at any destination around Bali. Renting a private driver in Bali is usually cheaper than renting a car.
You can either book a private driver locally at your current destination or online.
Best hotels in Sidemen
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- Bukit Luah Sidemen – the best budget-friendly place to stay in the area with beautiful views, kind hosts and excellent food
- Natya River Sidemen – an unusual glamping experience, river view room in particular
Sidemen rice terrace – best areas to explore
Sidemen village is full of rice fields, so it doesn’t matter where you go. However, these are the best areas worth a visit:
- South of Sidemen – rice fields not far from the village, you can easily walk here from your accommodation in Sidemen, there’s also a walking loop tour and it costs 25,000 IDR to enter
- Near Selat – by far the most beautiful rice terrace near Sidemen with no official entrance fee
- North of Sidemen village – another beautiful area worth a visit
Our absolute favorite was the rice terrace near Selat. We stumbled upon it when traveling back to our guesthouse from Mt Agung sunrise hike. The hill is slightly steeper, which results in even more impressive views.
The rice fields south of Sidemen are the most popular place to visit, though. The walking tour along the rice paddies here is certainly one of the best things to do in Sidemen.
Different rice fields dot the whole area around Sidemen. Because of this, it’s easy to discover gorgeous rice fields anywhere you go. So don’t hesitate to go off the beaten path and look for other hidden gems yet to be discovered.
TIP: Don’t forget to wear proper shoes. The trails are narrow, and there’s also a lot of mud. Flip-flops are not recommended.
How to explore Sidemen rice terrace
On your own
Sidemen is a small village in East Bali. In general, it is not a very touristy place. When staying in Sidemen village, you can explore the surrounding area and rice fields on foot. Wandering around the stunning landscape is one of the best things to do in Sidemen.
However, to get the most out of your Sidemen rice terrace adventure, we recommend to rent a scooter. There are few scooter rentals in the area. Many guesthouses also offer a scooter rental service.
Therefore, there’s no need to worry about not finding a motorbike in Sidemen village.
TIP: If you decide to rent a motorbike, this is the perfect Sidemen loop. Ride around on a scooter and make different stops in the most beautiful places. You have to pass a wooden bridge, which is only open for motorbikes.
Drive around the area and enjoy stunning views of rice paddies and Mt. Agung in the background. While you can visit the rice fields solo, it’s worth considering hiring a local guide.
With a guide
Exploring the rice fields with a guide is also a great option. It gives you more insight into the local life. You can learn about the processes of planting, growing, and harvesting rice. The guide can also provide interesting information about life in rural areas.
Additionally, you also get to support the local economy.
Price: You’ll find a few guided tours available in Sidemen. The price is usually around 300,000 IDR. Optionally, you can also organize a Sidemen rice terrace tour in advance.
Sidemen rice terrace entrance fee
Entrance fee: free or 25,000 IDR
None of the Sidemen rice terraces is an official tourist attraction. They’re all owned by villagers living in the area, so no entrance fee needs to be paid. But you might be asked to pay a small donation.
However, if you enter through this point on Google Maps, there’s a fee of 25,000 IDR per person. Also, you can take a walking tour, which is an hour-long loop.
Be respectful when visiting the rice fields. Do not leave any trash in the area.
Sidemen rice terrace opening hours
Opening hours: no official opening times
Unlike Tegallalang, most of the fields are available for a stroll at any time.
Other activities in the area
Best Restaurants in Sidemen
Sidemen is not a big village, yet you can find a few restaurants offering gorgeous views as well as delicious food. Here’s a list of the best restaurants in Sidemen:
- Warung Dapur Kapulaga – our favorite place in the area owned by the friendliest family ever! We recommend their tuna steak, which is extremely tasty.
- 9am coffee and eatery – a place to get a warm cup of cappuccino
- Warung Tirta Unda – lovely meals with rice field views
Travel Insurance
One of the worst things you could do is travel without insurance. We never go on a trip without travel insurance. Anything can happen during your adventures.
Our go-to company is SafetyWing. They will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
If you purchase the insurance through our link, you still pay the same, and we will earn a small commission. This helps us run our blog. Thank you ❤️
Best time to visit Sidemen rice terrace
Dry season: May – October
Rainy season: November – April
The best time to visit is, without a doubt, early morning or afternoon. The sun is not too intense yet. You also have a unique opportunity to witness local farmers working in their fields.
Sunset or sunrise bring beautiful colors, and under the right conditions, you might even see Mt. Agung glow in orange-pinkish colors.
To witness the rice fields at their greenest, come either in March to April or September to October. During the dry season, which runs between May and October, you’ll more likely see brown muddy fields.
However, any time of the year, there’s a big chance some parts of rice paddies will be green. We visited Sidemen in July, and while some parts of the fields were just after harvest, others were still lush green.
Other attractions to visit in Sidemen village
Visit Gembleng waterfall
Not so long ago, Gembleng waterfall used to be a hidden gem. Nowadays, it’s gaining popularity thanks to Instagram. Gembleng waterfall is famous thanks to a beautiful natural infinity pool, which is at the top of the waterfall.
It only takes 10 minutes of uphill walking along a well-maintained staircase to reach the pool. Since Gembleng waterfall is one of the best things to do in Sidemen, plan your visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds. You can also join this tour to visit the Gembleng waterfall.
If you’re looking for a waterfall where you won’t find selfie-obsessed tourists, make sure to add Nungnung waterfall to your itinerary.
Sunrise hike to Mt. Agung
Sunrise hike to Mt. Agung is an unforgettable experience that will stay ingrained in your memories forever. Nothing compares to standing at the highest point of Bali, watching the sun rise above the horizon with a never-ending ocean in the background.
Hiking Mt. Agung is a physically demanding adventure. We don’t recommend this experience to those not used to hiking. Due to local regulations, it’s only possible to hike Mt. Agung with a guide.
Visit Tukad Cepung waterfall
Tukad Cepung is an extraordinary cave waterfall that cascades down into a deep canyon. Under the perfect conditions, you can witness magical rays of sunlight in the canyon. You can visit Tukad Cepung as a part of a guided tour.
Take a cooking class
If you’re a food lover, you’ll certainly enjoy taking a cooking class in Sidemen. Wonderful cook Ketut offers an incredible 4-hour experience. Learn more about Balinese cuisine and culture in a charming setting in the forest.
Sidemen rice terrace – conclusion
No matter if you come to Sidemen to relax, learn more about the rural way of life, or for the views, you’ll certainly fall in love with this area. Sidemen offers a perfect escape from the crowds and an insight into the more authentic Balinese life.
Sidemen rice terraces might not be the most famous, yet their beauty can be compared to Jatiluwih rice terraces. The never-ending lush green valleys with majestic Mt. Agung in the background are a sight to behold.
