Penglipuran is a traditional Balinese village located in the Bangli Regency, renowned for preserving authentic Balinese culture and architecture. One of its standout features is its cleanliness and organised layout, with traditional houses and streets meticulously maintained, which invites many tourists to visit.

We managed to reach the village quite early by our standards. Despite the early hour, the stone-paved main alley was already bustling with people. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said it was one of the most crowded places we visited in Bali. Lining the alley on both sides were traditional Balinese houses with distinctive roofs, all in excellent condition. This not only reflects the residents’ commitment to preserving their cultural heritage, but also their reliance on tourism as the village’s main source of income. Almost every household had something to sell – from clothes and toys to a wide variety of souvenirs.

  Photo: Penglipuran Village in Bali

Photo: Penglipuran Village in Bali

At the end of the main alley, we noticed a sign pointing towards a café. Walking there, we felt like we were stepping into someone’s backyard – which was probably the case. Nestled amongst lush greenery, we discovered a small bamboo café. We spent about 30 minutes there, enjoying coffee and fried bananas, while the children played on the swings and ran around on the grass. Compared to the bustling main alley, the café was cosy and intimate – a perfect spot for a late morning snack.

Photo: Café in Penglipuran Village, Bali

Photo: Us at the café in Penglipuran Village, Bali

After our break, we headed back to the main alley, this time towards the opposite end of the village. The alley itself isn’t long, roughly half a kilometre. It was time for some shopping – Marianna and her mum picked out gifts for the family, and we bought some Luwak coffee. We also couldn’t resist picking up a few items of clothing. Moving from shop to shop, we eventually reached the far end of the village, where a path led to a restaurant set in the heart of a bamboo forest. The fried bananas hadn’t kept us full for long, so we decided to give it a try.

Photo: Bamboo grove in Penglipuran Village

Photo: Gate to the bamboo forest where the café is located

The atmosphere in the restaurant was incredibly peaceful and full of natural charm. The ground was paved with stones, and the dense bamboo provided plenty of shade, casting the area into a soft twilight. I really liked the place. If we were to return to that restaurant, it would be mainly for the unique setting, as the food itself was fairly average.

Photo: Bamboo restaurant in Penglipuran Village

Photo: Eating in the bamboo restaurant in Penglipuran Village