Serene Indonesia: A guide to the best food, wellness and beach experiences in Bali and beyond

The mere point out of Bali provokes photos of paradise.

Final 12 months, shut to 2 million Europeans touched down on Indonesian soil, with most guests making a beeline for the well-known seashores.

However past the sun-soaked coasts and vibrant nightlife, big swathes of Indonesia stay unexplored, providing tropical jungles, historic temples, and gorgeous pure magnificence. 

In 2025, Indonesia has shifted its focus from mass tourism to a mannequin that emphasises size of keep and regenerative tourism, and is now shining a highlight on lesser-known areas. 

Chatting with Euronews Journey at ITB Berlin 2025, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, deputy minister for advertising and marketing on the Ministry of Tourism and Inventive Economic system in Indonesia, explains that high quality tourism is the brand new precedence, with a deal with every little thing from sustainability to gastronomy.

Listed below are the very best locations in Indonesia to expertise all of it, in Bali and past.

Clear up your act in Likupang

Eco-friendly journey is a priority for an growing variety of holidaymakers, main Indonesia to launch a nationwide ‘clear tourism’ marketing campaign, backed by the federal government.

“Within the midst of the worldwide downside of waste and plastic, we’ve got a marketing campaign throughout Indonesia to be sure that rivers and oceans are clear,” explains Marthini.

“The ministry works with native authorities, with college students, and with the group to choose up the trash and educate individuals [on sustainability].”

Likupang in North Sulawesi affords an eco-friendly haven in case you’re in search of to discover Indonesia’s pure magnificence responsibly. 

The realm is thought for pristine seashores, vibrant coral reefs and dense tropical forests, and is at the moment being designated as a Particular Financial Zone (SEZ), an space designed to generate constructive financial development.  

Not like most SEZs in Indonesia, nevertheless, Likupang’s focus is on resort-themed tourism, balancing cultural, pure and financial facets whereas preserving its magnificence by means of zero waste administration and a round useful resource economic system.

The area is dwelling to a vibrant underwater ecosystem, together with uncommon species just like the inexperienced sea turtle which, in case you’re fortunate, you may quietly observe for your self. 

Likupang Seaside is the place to take action, with its huge white sandy shore and crystal-clear waters which can be excellent for diving, whereas close by Lihaga and Gangga Islands additionally supply spectacular diving experiences. 

Swim with the rays in Nusa Tenggara

Residence to over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is packed stuffed with marine experiences, from high-octane watersports to animal encounters.  

“You could have seashores, you may go diving, snorkelling and discover the most important coral reef on the planet,” says Marthini. “We wish to promote that alongside scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and extra.”

With spectacular diving, magnificent waterfalls and effervescent scorching springs, the province of Nusa Tenggara ticks all of the packing containers.

A one-hour flight from Bali’s Denpasar Worldwide Airport, the 500-strong chain of volcanic, coral-ringed islands affords technicolour volcanic lakes, limitless surf breaks and barrels, and underwater worlds teeming with vibrant creatures.

In Flores, you may snorkel straight off the seaside with an limitless quantity of shipwreck-laden dive websites swarming with whale sharks, manta rays, and fish. 

Gobble gado-gado in gastronomic Ubud

“We now have hundreds of dishes in Indonesia and all of them have spice, that is why we’re often called the Spice Islands,” says Marthini. “We wish to elevate that and introduce Indonesia as a gastronomic vacation spot.” 

Ubud, positioned within the central hills of Bali, is already identified for its inventive aptitude, however in 2024 it was additionally chosen by the UNWTO Gastronomy Tourism Product Improvement Challenge as a gastronomic tourism vacation spot. The mission goals to strengthen the area as a pillar of cultural and gastronomic heritage whereas boosting the native economic system, creating jobs and driving sustainable growth.

The bounty of worldwide delicacies in Ubud befits a cosmopolitan metropolis, however the native delicacies shouldn’t be ignored.

Past the budget-friendly ‘warungs’ (small, family-owned eateries), you will discover a vary of upscale eating places providing genuine Balinese and pan-Indonesian dishes. Right here, you may take pleasure in delicacies like ‘babi guling’ (whole-roasted suckling pig) and ‘gado-gado’, a satisfying platter of cooked greens drizzled with a wealthy peanut sauce.

Uncover serenity in Borobudur

There is a good cause why wellness seekers flock to Indonesia, and whereas the Balinese therapeutic massage is a spotlight on the numerous wellness resorts throughout the nation, Borobudur in Java affords one thing actually particular. 

 Surrounded by serene landscapes and wealthy cultural heritage, the realm invitations you to attach deeply with each nature and spirituality. 

Reaching to the heavens, Borobudur Temple dates again to the eighth century and is the biggest Buddhist temple on the planet. Right here you’ll discover a peaceable power that enhances yoga and meditation periods, whereas native wellness retreats supply holistic therapies corresponding to Javanese massages and natural therapies.

Depart the vacationer path in Sumba

Dare to depart the crushed observe? Properly then jungle treehouses, riverside lodges and seaside shacks gives you a heat welcome all through the archipelago.

Villagers in distant areas usually open their doorways to vacationers, with cosy homestays often called ‘penginapan’, providing an genuine style of Indonesian life.

“Greater than 6,000 villages in Indonesia are able to welcome vacationers in rural areas,” says Marthini. “We wish to be sure that tourism isn’t just for large firms, but in addition for the those who stay their life within the villages, so it is for them, by them. 

“Vacationers keep within the villager’s homes, in order that they get pleasure from financial advantages whereas preserving the tradition.”

Homestays are in style throughout Indonesia, although lesser-known locations usually present a extra real journey expertise. 

For one thing actually distinctive, try the island of Sumba positioned within the southern a part of the nation, the place tranquil villages home monolithic stone tombs, stilted homes, and picket church buildings.