Stretching north from Kuta, Legian offers the same easy access to shops and bars but a slightly more relaxed and less chaotic feeling. The northern area of Legian bordering Seminyak offers a bit of an escape from the crowds and is also a popular surf beach.
This is a small area fronting the beach which stretches from Jalan Melasti (where Kuta ends) north to Jalan Arjuna (where Seminyak begins). Most of the popular Legian hotels are on or close to the beach. The whole of Legian is no bigger than a few blocks in a large city but despite its small size, this area has a very high profile with visitors due to the lovely beach frontage and proliferation of mid-market hotels.
There is a long north-south boulevard between the beachfront hotels and the beach which is only open for authorised vehicles when there is a ceremony being held. Otherwise it is a well paved footpath and makes for an excellent walking route giving users the advantage of any easy beach-side stroll along to restaurants, bars and and to the nightclubs at the end of Jalan Arjuna.
How to Get in
The airport is located south of Legian and a taxi or car journey from there will take about will take about 20 minutes. A pre-paid coupon taxi fare from the airport is Rp 55,000.
Kuta and Seminyak are either side of Legian and you can walk, drive or bike in from both those areas. The main road is Jalan Legian which can get very jammed indeed as it serves Legian, Kuta and Seminyak. All roads to the beach run perpendicular to Jalan Legian.
How to go around
Most of Legian can be covered on foot if you are not in a hurry but taxis are plentiful as are motorbike rental outlets. Expect to pay Rp 50,000 to 80,000 per day for renting a motorbike.
What you can see
Aside from the obvious (the gorgeous beach!), there is not a great deal to see in Legian. It is a place where visitors stay, shop, eat, drink and go to the beach. Legian Beach is one of the best in Bali for viewing the sunset.
What you can do
Head into the ocean with boogie boards (Rp 20,000/hour) and surfboards hired from at beach or take surfing lessons from the Surf School based at Blue Ocean beach. Quiksilver surf school offers lessons lasting 2.5 hours for Rp 390,000 (+62 361 791 2220. They also rent boards by the hour for Rp 50,000 per hour but if you have taken lessons with them, you can get a reduced rate of Rp 20,000 per hour. If renting from locals on the beach, be sure to use this fact to get a good price.
Have a manicure, pedicure or hair braiding all while you relax under your ocean view sun umbrella.
Take a break from the beach for lunch at one of the reasonably priced restaurants on the beachfront.
Watch the stunning sunset over an arak madu (local spirit with honey and lime) or a Bintang (local beer).
Have dinner at Blue Ocean restaurant which has live music on Friday nights.
On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the beachfront is packed with tourists, expats, locals and motorbikes, with fire pois and musicians jamming on the beach - you'll be more than welcome to join in.
Play football on the beach. Almost every evening at about 5PM a game of beach football begins right in front of de ja vu. Visitors are normally welcomed if they want to join in.
Souvenir
Legian is crammed full of shops selling everything from the latest designer surfware to Balinese souvenirs to take home. This is a shopping destination.
There are two markets on Jalan Melasti. Close to the beach at the western end there is a large art market selling Balinese handicrafts and other items for tourists. You could easily buy all of your presents to take home in one visit here. At the eastern end where Jalan Melasti becomes Jalan Sri Wijaya, there is a morning fresh produce market which opens from about 5AM.
Find food
Legian's beachfront restaurants are popular spots for sunset and people watching.
Budget
You can get bakso (soup with meat balls), mie goreng (fried noodles) and nasi goreng (fried rice) from the small warungs (outdoor cafe's) on the beach. Very cheap and very tasty.
Mid-range
Fresh Warung, Jl Legian, Legian (Just south of Jl Melasti, right next door to Crown Restaurant), ☎ +62 813 37573332. Fresh Warung specialises in local & international dishes. It is small but cheerful, clean & serves up well-priced quality food. Nice cold beers too!
Lanai, Jl Blue Ocean (Jl Pantai Legian) , +62 361 731 305. On the site that used to be Benny's Cafe, Lanai serves up big portions and has great views of the beach from the upstairs balcony.
Seaside, Jl Pantai Legian, No14. This used to be called Cafe Warna. Now only open from mid afternoon. Food is good and they have great bar. Closest restaurant to Hotel Jayakarta.
Tekor Bali, Jl Blue Ocean (Jl Pantai Legian). +62 361 735 268. Their Indonesian menu is excellent and all food is beautifully presented. An excellent choice for breakfast on the beach.
Waroeng Asia, Jl Arjuna No23. [mailto:tradewindsbali@hotmail.com), +62 361 742 0202. Popular Thai restaurant with very affordable prices. Great range of mid-priced meals (Rp 15,000-Rp 65,000).
Zanzibar, Jl Blue Ocean (Jl Pantai Legian), +62 361 733 529. A well-established restaurant with excellent international cuisine and especially good pasta dishes. Right on Blue Ocean Beach. A great spot to watch all the action whilst enjoying a high quality meal.
Find Drink
de ja vu, Jalan Blue Ocean 7X (''Jalan Pantai Legian''), Legian (go to the beach end of Jalan Double Six, turn left and it is 50 metres on the left hand side), ☎ +62 361 733 777. A very happening beach-side dance bar. Popular with the pre Double Six crowd from about midnight until 3AM. Lightweight clubwear is appropriate here and they can get sniffy about singlets and sandals. Check local listings for special events and name DJs.
Jaya Pub, Jl Legian (junction of Jl Legian and Jl Nakula - down a small lane, well signed), ☎ +62 361 730937. This live music bar has been around forever and gives a distinct impression of being stuck in a timewarp. Still, the bands are fun and beer is cheap.
Check in
This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget Under US$ 25
Mid-range US$ 25 to 130
Splurge Over US$ 130
Squeezed between Kuta and Seminyak this area has a wide variety of accommodation options especially in the mid range market. Legian is a bit more upmarket compared to the surfer and backpacker oriented Kuta but distinctly downmarket from hip Seminyak.
Budget
Blue Ocean, Jl Blue Ocean (''Jl Pantai Legian''), Legian. This legendary surfie hangout from the 70's remains an oasis in the midst of the many mid range hotels on Legian beachfront and beyond. For Rp 120,000/night you can get a large room with a couple of single beds or a double, an outdoor bathroom and kitchen facilities. Of course there's no pool (but the beach is right on the doorstep), you'll only get one thin blanket, toilet rolls and towels (only if you ask) and a noisy fan. No extra charge for mosquitoes and dust. For Rp 30,000 more you can get air-conditioning. The place has an ambience all of its own and the staff are a delight - once you get through the door. Depending who's on duty you are likely to be told the place is 'full' but be persistent, there's nearly always a room available.
Su's Cottages I, Jl Pura Bagus Taruna ('' Jl Werkadura'') No 532, ☎ +62 361 730324 (fax: +62 361 762202). This popular hotel has several rooms, a pool and friendly staff. It's located only 3 minutes from Legian's beach. The cheapest rooms go for Rp 170,000 and come with hot water, breakfast and TV. For a bit more you can get air conditioning as well. A lot of long stay expats here.
Mid-range
Mid-range accommodation abounds in Legian and there is an almost endless selection. Shop around and look for the best deals. Outside of the peak seasons you can get substantial discounts from decent beachfront hotels in this area.
All Seasons (formerly the Bali Dwira Hotel), (Jl Padma Utara), ☎ +62 361 752840. A bright and breezy contemporary hotel. In-house spa, restaurant and bar and a large swimming pool. Excellent value for money and in a very convenient location. From US$73.
Bali Mandira, Jl Padma No.2, Legian, ☎ +62 361 751381. Nicely situated hotel at the beach end of Jl Padma. Beach views and good dining options.
Bali Matahari Hotel, Jl Melasti, Gang Lebak Bene, Legian, ☎ +62 361 763707 (reservations@hotelbalimatahari.com). 44 rooms with basic amenities, facilities include restaurant, swimming pool, with WiFi connectivity. From US$33. edit
Hotel Jayakarta, Jl Werkudara, Legian, ☎ +62 361 751433. Huge hotel with is a long time favourite with Aussie and Kiwi familes especially. It has seen better days and is looking more than a bit tired. Also have a club section which offers managed timeshare service apartments with kitchens. One and two bedroom units available for nightly rental from Rp 850,000.
The Island Hotel, Jl Padma Utara, Gang Abdi #18, Legian, ☎ +62 361 762722 (reservations@theislandhotelbali.com). Boutique accommodation featuring 10 luxurious double rooms (with facilities that include cable TV, ensuite, super comfy beds) & for the budget conscious, a dorm (US$25) that includes (personal locker, super comfy beds, very spacious.) Hotel features wi-fi throughout, infinity pool, cafe, yoga studio and massage services. From US$60.
Kumala Pantai, Jl Werkudara, Legian, ☎ +62 361 755500 (kumalapt@indosat.net.id). A very good value mid-range option on the beach. The standard of service and decor is high for such a reasonably priced hotel. From Rp 600,000.
Puri Raja, Jl Padma Utara, Legian, ☎ +62 361 755902 ), (sales@puriraja.com). Recently refurbished , pleasant grounds , good value and has loyal regulars.
Rama Garden Hotel, Jl Padma, Legian. This place has been around a long time and has well appointed rooms and notably good service.
Splurge
Bali Niksoma, Jl Padma Utara, Legian, ☎ +62 371 751946. A boutique hotel on the beach which would happily be at home in chic Seminyak. Beautifully designed with top quality spa, restuarant and large pool. The rooms are very contemporary in design and decoration. Forty four rooms in the main building and then several detached cottages including a private 2 bedroom villa.
The Padma Hotel, Jl Padma No1, Legian (right on the beach at the end of Jl Padma), (reservation@padmaresortbali.com). It has perhaps seen better days and there are signs of an extensive refurbishment and re-branding program. That would be good news as this hotel is in a fabulous spot right on the beach. In-house spa, gym and restaurant. Fronm US$ 220.
Outrigger OCN Apartments, Jl Blue Ocean (''Jl Pantai Legian'') 88x, Legian, ☎ +62 361 737400. A huge luxury apartment hotel right on the beach. Offers one and two bedroom apartments with full 4 star standard hotel facilities. From US$ 197.
Villa Naga Maya, Jl Werkudara, Gg Arjuna 7B, Legian, ☎ +62 361 763387, [14]. These holiday villas have resort amenities and provide nice gardens, elegant pools and a traditional Balinese atmosphere. The swimming pool has a unique water curtain and is surrounded by lush tropical landscaping. Nestled back in the quite lanes of Legian, 400 metres from Legian Beach. From $US150.
Get out
The international airport is only a 20 minute drive from Legian and once you are out of the often congested streets close to the beach, this area is well connected to the main road network of the island.
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