At first glance, Amed looks like one small village.
But once you arrive, you quickly realize Amed is actually a long stretch of coastal villages, hills, beaches, fishing areas, dive spots, and hidden corners spread across Bali’s east coast.
And that’s exactly why choosing the best area in Amed is not as simple as it seems.
Because honestly?
There isn’t one “best” area.
It completely depends on the lifestyle you’re looking for.
Some people want to walk everywhere.
Some want ocean views and silence.
Some want easier access to schools and daily life.
Others are chasing that version of Bali that feels untouched by time.
Before deciding where to stay or live, it’s important to understand how Amed is structured — especially because transportation here works very differently compared to southern Bali. (You can read more about that in our guide on how to get to Amed.)
Central Amed: The best area without a scooter
If you don’t have your own scooter or car, staying in central Amed is honestly the smartest choice.
Unlike places like Canggu, there’s no real Gojek network here, taxis are expensive, and moving around daily without transport quickly becomes frustrating.
The central area gives you the easiest access to:
- local warungs
- cafés
- small shops
- diving centers
- snorkeling spots
- ATMs
- beach access
And because most things are stretched along one coastal road, being able to walk matters more than people expect.
This part of Amed feels alive without becoming chaotic.
You still hear fishermen in the morning.
You still see boats lining the beach at sunrise.
But you also have the comfort of daily conveniences nearby.
For first-time visitors or anyone planning long stays without driving, this is usually the easiest place to settle into life in Amed.
Bunutan: Cooler air, ocean views, and quiet living
Just outside central Amed, heading west, you reach one of my favorite areas: Bunutan.
This area slowly climbs onto the first hills overlooking the coast, and the atmosphere changes immediately.
The air feels fresher.
There’s more wind.
The humidity drops slightly.
And the views become incredible.
From many accommodations in Bunutan, you can see:
- the ocean
- fishing boats
- sunrise over the sea
- and on clear days, even the volcano dominating East Bali’s landscape
Compared to central Amed, Bunutan feels quieter and more residential.
It’s ideal if you:
- work remotely
- prefer calm environments
- want sea-view villas
- don’t mind using a scooter daily
This is one of the best areas in Amed for long-term living if your priority is peace and atmosphere rather than walking distance convenience.
Lipah Beach: The last beach with full services
Heading east from central Amed, the coastline eventually reaches Lipah Beach.
This is one of the most popular areas for snorkeling and long stays — and for good reason.
Lipah still has restaurants, accommodations, dive shops, cafés, and small local businesses, while feeling calmer than the center itself.
It’s also famous for something unusual in this part of Bali:
sand.
Most beaches around Amed are volcanic black pebble beaches, but Lipah has one of the few sandy beach areas nearby, making it especially attractive for families and swimmers.
The snorkeling here is excellent, the sunsets are beautiful, and daily life feels balanced between convenience and quietness.
For many expats, Lipah is the perfect middle ground.
Beyond Lipah: The Bali that barely exists anymore
If you continue driving east beyond Lipah, everything changes again.
The road becomes rougher.
Services disappear.
The drive feels slower and more isolated.
And suddenly, it feels like stepping back into an older version of Bali.
This part of East Bali is raw, quiet, and incredibly beautiful.
You’ll mostly find:
- tiny warungs
- small roadside shops
- fishing boats
- empty coastline
- local villages
- endless ocean views
Tourism becomes minimal.
Infrastructure becomes minimal too.
But for some people, that’s exactly the appeal.
Living here means accepting inconvenience as part of daily life. Roads can feel uncomfortable, transport becomes essential, and access to services gets harder the further you go.
But it also offers something increasingly rare in Bali:
silence.
Celuke: Quiet, central, and family friendly
Back toward inland Amed, there’s the area of Celuke.
This is one of the most practical areas for families and long-term residents.
Celuke feels more local and residential compared to the beachside road, while still remaining very close to central Amed. It’s also the area leading toward the village’s international school, making it especially attractive for expat families living in East Bali.
What makes Celuke interesting is the balance:
- close to services
- less tourist traffic
- quieter nights
- easier daily routines
You’re near everything without feeling inside the busiest parts of the village.
Melasti and Melasti 2: The growing expat areas
In recent years, the areas of Melasti and Melasti 2 have grown incredibly fast.
New houses, villas, and long-term rentals seem to appear constantly, especially among expats looking for a quieter alternative to central Amed while still keeping restaurants and warungs nearby.
These areas work well for people who:
- want long-term rentals
- work remotely
- prefer residential environments
- still want easy access to town
You’re outside the center without feeling isolated.
And compared to southern Bali, there’s still a sense that these neighborhoods are growing organically rather than being overdeveloped.
Tulamben: Cheaper, more local, and incredible diving
About 20 minutes from Amed, there’s another village that deserves attention: Tulamben.
Known worldwide for diving and coral reefs, Tulamben feels even more local and slower than Amed itself.
Prices here are usually lower:
- accommodation
- local food
- rentals
- land
And while it’s quieter and less developed, reaching Amed is still relatively easy by scooter.
For divers especially, Tulamben can be an amazing alternative for long-term living in East Bali.
The underwater world here is honestly spectacular.
The Hills Around Amed: My favorite part of East Bali
Personally, one of the things I love most about Amed is not directly on the coast.
It’s the hills.
Scattered across the first elevations around the village, you’ll find accommodations with breathtaking views over the sea, cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and constant ocean breeze.
Even during the hottest months, these areas feel noticeably more comfortable.
Sunrises from the hills can feel unreal.
But this lifestyle comes with trade-offs.
If you choose the hill areas around Amed:
- you absolutely need your own transport
- roads can be steep and difficult
- access during rain can become challenging
- reaching shops or restaurants takes planning
Still, for many people, waking up above the coastline with volcano and ocean views makes every inconvenience worth it.
So, What is the best area in Amed?
Honestly?
The best area in Amed depends less on the location… and more on the kind of life you want.
If you want convenience:
stay central.
If you want peace and views:
choose Bunutan or the hills.
If you want balance:
Lipah or Melasti work beautifully.
If you want old Bali:
keep driving east.
And if you want a slower, simpler life built around the ocean, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually find your own favorite corner somewhere along this coastline.