Denpasar is the capital of the Indonesian island of Bali, which is visited by about 10 million tourists each year. The city is its main administrative, economic and cultural centre. Although it does not make the best first impression, it gains on closer acquaintance.
When thinking of Bali, the imagination gets filled with images of rice terraces full of tourists and temples located on the cliffs. Denpasar, which is the main city of the island and a cultural melting pot, looks completely different. You can find there a lot of shopping centres, restaurants and parks (for e.g. Lapangan Puputan Margarana), where the inhabitants of the island spend time. This does not mean, however, that it is not worth spending a moment there while on holiday. What attractions does the city offer?
A walk along the crowded streets or shopping at one of the many markets is the best opportunity to get to know the daily life of Bali, enjoy the street stalls (so-called warungach) of local delicacies and see the original Indonesian architecture. It is worth going, for example, to the main square of the Alun-Alun Puputan town or to one of the many museums (for e.g. the historical Negeri Propinsi Bali or the Bali culture – Taman Wedhi Budaya Cultural Center). You cannot miss the richly decorated temples, for instance the 14th-century Pura Maospahit or palaces.
What to eat in the capital of Bali? You can enjoy authentic Indonesian dishes there, as the island's residents mainly eat in local many restaurants and bars. The best known delicacies are for instance sate ayam (chicken skewers in nut sauce), nasi campur (rice with vegetables, tofu or chicken), nasi goreng (fried rice with toppings), mie goreng (fried noodles with toppings), as well as babi guling (roasted whole pig). You have to taste exotic fruits, such as durian, as well as freshly squeezed juices and bananas fried in breadcrumbs. Where to eat? We recommend for e.g. Gong Restaurant, Tamade and Fat Gajah.
