Things to Do in Denpasar

Denpasar is Bali's administrative and commercial capital, not a beach resort, and most tourists fly past it entirely on the way from the airport to somewhere else — which is part of why the markets and street food here feel considerably less staged than the coastal towns. Pasar Badung and the surrounding streets are where a lot of Balinese people actually shop, and a guided food walk through them gives a very different picture of the island than any resort itinerary. The city also holds museums covering Balinese art and history that rarely make it onto a standard south-Bali route. It's not somewhere to base a whole trip, but a half or full day here, ideally in the morning before the heat and crowds build, rounds out a trip that's otherwise spent entirely in tourist zones. Below are the top-rated tours and food experiences in Denpasar.