Is It Worth Holidaying in Legian

Are you planning a trip to Bali and wondering if you should stay in Legian?

Have you stayed in a Seminyak holiday villa before and thought it would be a good idea to stay in a Legian villa on your next trip to Bali?

The following will provide you with comprehensive insights into Legian and its evolution over the years (especially after COVID), helping you to make a better decision about staying here.

Also read: The Ultimate Travel Guide To Legian, Bali

The Honest Truth About Legian (from people who live in Bali)

Let’s be honest here; Legian has had a bit of a bad rap over the last couple of years with the Aussie bogan stigma attached to it. Legian is Kuta’s neighbour, and it’s sort of a case of guilt by association, as Kuta has become full of bars, pubs, and cheap local shops. The natural progression for this has been to head north into the Legian area. While I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, it has brought a certain element along with this, which, over the last decade, has tarnished the image of Legian.

Legian has struggled to shake off the shackles of being a party, bogan, and backpacker area. With the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought everything to a halt, many people thought that Legian would never recover; it was a ghost town. People assumed that travellers would bypass Legian and head to Seminyak or Canggu to avoid all the riff-raff, dilapidated accommodation and shady bars.

However, Legian has survived COVID and is now starting to polish its image, standing on its own two feet as an attractive neighbourhood worth spending time in. The area has metamorphosed into a cool hangout with lovely cafes, sports bars, decent, newly built hotels and villas. And, best of all, staying in Legian is more affordable than other, more popular parts of the island. So the question remains: is Legian worth visiting? In a word, yes! Legian is packed with local vendors, great family-friendly restaurants, and private villas. The main beach is great for surfing, swimming, and long afternoon walks. So, why not spend your next Bali holiday in Legian?

Why was Legian so popular?

Legian, believe it or not, used to be a small, sleepy fishing village with quiet beaches, local cheap warungs (local restaurants) and a few vendors selling souvenirs, which was the original appeal back in its day in the early 1980s. Surfers and backpackers would come to Legian to escape what was then crowded Kuta, which was already considered crowded. Surfers back then wanted quieter beaches and places to hang out, as did travellers. Little did they know what would happen years down the track with the advent of social media and mass tourism.

How Legian Has Changed

Legian has undergone significant changes since the days of the occasional surfer passing through on his scooter, to a thriving neighbourhood with hotels, villas, bars, and more. You name it, and Legian has it. Legian now caters to tourists from all over the world wanting a slice of Bali paradise. The appeal of Legian now is that it’s right next door to Seminyak and Kuta, putting it smack bang in the heart of tourist central.

Why You’ll Love Legian

Legian is a great place to stay and a lot of fun – check out the reasons below.

Loads of Nightlife

Legian offers a vibrant nightlife scene for partygoers, featuring mega clubs along Jalan Legian that extend all the way to Kuta. There are also lots of sports bars and pubs to spend the night catching up on the footy with your mates. The beauty about Legian (as it’s wedged between the two) is that you can also party in Seminyak and Kuta, so you get the best of both worlds.

The Beaches

Legian Beach is a black-sandy beach that’s great for surfing, sunbaking, and enjoying the vibes at sunset, when everyone comes to hang out at the beach cafes and enjoy a few Bintangs. Legian Beach tends to be quieter than Kuta Beach, with fewer tourists, but it still attracts a large number of visitors, especially in the area around the Double Six.

Loads of things to do

One thing is for sure: you’ll never get bored in Legian, as there are numerous things to do. In fact, holidaymakers specifically come to Legian for the shopping at local vendors, sports bars, tattoo parlours and cafes. While there may not be the same Canggu cafe culture, Legian is slowly evolving with new cafes catering to a newer market that demands quality food.

Close to the airport

The last thing you want to do after a long flight with the kids is spend more time in dreaded Bali traffic. This makes Legian an ideal holiday destination, as it’s only about a 30-minute drive from the airport. If you arrive outside peak traffic hours, you might make it quicker. There are late-night flight arrivals from Australia that get in about 9 or 10 pm, so you’ll only need about 20 minutes in a taxi before you’re in the hotel or villa.

Legian’s Downside

Ok, I’ve raved on enough about Legian, but there has to be a downside that you should know about.

Outdated

Legian appears to have bypassed the gentrification that has blossomed with the advent of Instagram social media influencers in areas like Seminyak, Ubud, and Canggu. Legian has changed only slightly, with a few new cafes and bars, but is still clinging to the remnants of its past glories. COVID-19 really hit Legian hard, and it’s only now that it appears to be recovering and beginning to shine, standing alone with its persona and unique characteristics.

Traffic Chaos

Bali suffers from traffic chaos. It’s rampant all over the island, and Legian is no exception. The traffic getting into Legian and around the area can be hectic, especially if you’re travelling via Jalan Legian (the main thoroughfare from Seminyak to Kuta). Having said that, once you’re in Legian central, you’re most likely to walk everywhere, as things are all close by, so traffic won’t be a problem. And, if you’re game enough, you can travel by GoJek scooter so you can weave in and out of the traffic, making life so much easier.

Over developed

Bali is going through a massive development phase, and if you check any social media post, you’ll see people complaining about this all the time. Legian, unlike Canggu or Ubud, has had its development spurt, but the area is crammed with hotels, villas, shops, bars, and locals. Gone are the rice fields and open spaces; Legian is a proper urban neighbourhood. If you want the authentic Balinese experience, places like Jatiluwih and North Bali are better options. On the other hand, the upside is that everything you want, including supermarkets and convenience stores, will be on your doorstep.

Bogans

The Aussie bogans have made their way to Legian over the years and cemented their foothold as a true bogans paradise. You’ll see the mullets, tats and footy t-shirts roaming the shops, cafes with Bintang in hand till they make their way to the sports bars.

Head into Legian and you’ll see lots of Aussies enjoying a few beers.

What Sort Of People Want to Visit Legian

Legian is a popular tourist area and has been attracting tourists for decades. All sorts of people come here, like:

Budget Travellers

Legian is not as cheap as Kuta, but it is cheaper than Seminyak, putting it in an ideal position for budget travellers who want to be near all the action yet don’t have deep pockets. When it comes to Legian accommodation, it’s value-packed with moderately priced budget hotels catering specifically to the Australian family market who want to spend most of the day by the pool drinking Bintangs, and be close to the beach, sports bars so they don’t miss any of their beloved footy action and restaurants where they can take the kids for a cheap meal. It’s a bogans’ paradise, and Legian definitely knows how to cater to this big Aussie market.

Party people who love cheap beer and basic local pubs

Seminyak has the high-end nightlife, Canggu has the beach clubs, chic Canggu villas, and Legian has the sports bars and local bars where you can buy buckets of cheap-priced Bintangs (locally made cocktails – be warned of ethanol poisoning) and spend the whole day drinking with your mates. It’s where you come to party hard, sing Jimmy Barnes songs as the night progresses, and the beer and shots flow. Oh, yes, the occasional fight is a must! But most of the bars are on the main driving strips, so once you’ve finished for the night and head back to the villa or hotel, you’re not going to hear the doof doof thumping music.

Legian has a big drinking culture and you’ll notice it very quickly.

Day Trippers

Day trippers come to Legian from all over Bali to grab a bargain while shopping, hang out at a beach cafe, explore the small alleyways, hit the sports bars, or grab a cheap massage or a one-off tattoo.

Legian has some of the best sunsets in Bali. Grab a beachside chair, Bintang and enjoy the mellow vibes.

Shopping expeditions

Legian has a treasure trove of shops, all selling the usual fare of Bali souvenirs and homewares that can be found throughout Bali. However, Legian has the highest concentration of local vendors, apart from Kuta, to capitalise on the tourist market. There are also large shopping malls in Kuta next door, so when you’re done with the bargain hunting, you can get into Kuta quickly and shop for all the usual designer brand names.

Is It Worth Visiting Legian as a Family?

100% Yes! Legian boasts a fantastic beach, numerous restaurants, cafes, and a range of affordable hotels and villas, making it an excellent option for budget-friendly accommodation in Bali. For families, the beauty of Legian is that you can find affordable accommodation while easily accessing nearby areas such as Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, or Kuta, which offer numerous family-friendly entertainment options, including Trans Studio Mall, Icon Mall Bali, and Seminyak Square.

Is Legian Good for Couples?

As always, it depends on what you both want on your holiday. If the idea of being near a beach, cheap eats and bars is appealing, then Legian is great for the two of you. However, couples seeking rice fields and serenity won’t find it in Legian, as Legian is primarily known for its shopping, food, nightlife, surfing, and nearby beach clubs. For Aussie couples wanting a cheap hotel deal who are happy to chill at the beach and the local area, Legian is perfect.

Is Legian Good for Seniors?

Legian is ideal for seniors, as it offers numerous cafes, restaurants, and affordable accommodation options, making it a great choice for seniors or pensioners looking to travel to Bali on a limited budget. Plus, if you’re an Aussie senior, you’ll feel right at home as Legian and Kuta are where most of the Aussies hang out.

When Is The Best Time of the Year To Visit Legian

It’s best to visit Legian during the dry season, which runs from March to November, when there’s virtually no rain. Having said that, the weather in Bali has been unpredictable lately, with brief rain showers occurring throughout the day. If you decide to come to Legian in the wet season, you’ll probably get better villa and hotel deals as they are vying for your business.

Budget travellers: come in the wet season as flights, food, and hotels are cheaper

Families: come in the dry season, as you want to be able to go to the beach with the kids

Couples: both the wet and dry seasons are suitable, provided you can adjust your holiday itinerary accordingly.

Singles looking to party: any time of the year is fine, as the bars, pubs, and nightclubs are always open.

FAQs about Legian

Is It Better to Stay in Legian or Seminyak?

Legian and  Seminyak  are entirely different. Seminyak is much more upmarket, home to upscale villas, trendy beach clubs, and boutique shops, while Legian is somewhat downscale and more of a party area. While Seminyak attracts families with deeper pockets and those looking to shop and dine out at 5-star restaurants, Legian still caters to the same holiday wishes, but it appeals to a completely different demographic.

Is It Worth Staying In Legian on your Bali Holiday?

Yes, if you’re looking for real value for money and affordable hotels and villas. Plus, if you want to visit other parts of the island and only want to spend a couple of days in Legian, it’s a great launch pad to areas like Sanur, Amed, Nusa Dua, Gili Islands and Ubud. And, if you want to save on accommodation and spend your money on shopping and nightlife in Seminyak and Canggu, then Legian is also well worth visiting.

How Long Should I Stay In Legian?

Most Aussie families tend to spend their annual holidays here in Legian for about 7 to 10 days. Other local travellers from Java and other parts of Indonesia will come to Legian on public holidays and spend a couple of days here. On average, a week is a decent amount of time to spend in Legian, which should be enough to explore the area, do some shopping, and perhaps enjoy one or two nights out.

What’s better to stay in: Canggu or Legian?

Canggu is renowned as the tourist hub of Bali, boasting the newest and hippest beach clubs, vibrant nightlife, top surf, great shops and amazing Canggu cafes, with loads of stunning villas and accommodation options. And with new areas like Pererenen becoming more popular, Canggu is definitely a great place to holiday for everyone. However, Legian is still a top place to holiday for those who prefer a more modest style of getaway, where the focus is on local shopping and more affordable accommodation.

Why Is Legian So Popular?

Legian is super popular because of its proximity to the beach, Kuta and Seminyak. It’s also popular because there are lots of local cheap hotels where you can stay for less than AUD 50 per night. Additionally, food and shopping in Legian are more affordable than in other parts of the island, which appeals to budget travellers. People also love Legian because of the number of sports bars and small local bars where the beer and spirits tend to be cheaper and where you’ll find more Aussie tourists enjoying partying with local Indonesians.

Is It Easy To Travel Around Legian?

Legian is flat, making it easy to walk around, which makes it perfect for seniors or families with small children. Legian has footpaths without missing sections, which is ideal for walking, unlike other parts of Bali. And, you’ll find transportation easily with taxis and Go-Jek all zipping around the area looking for business. And, if you want a car and driver, they are also easily available. Just ask any local, and they’ll likely have a cousin, family member, or friend who’s a driver with a car.

Is Legian Safe?

Yes, Legian is safe for families, couples and singles. There’s also always someone around, so it’s safe during the day. But, at night, it can in some areas get a bit rowdy near the pubs and bars, so it can become unsafe for girls, especially late into the evening, once the guys have had a few too many beers. In terms of local crime and pickpockets, Legian is relatively safe, but always be vigilant and keep your valuables, jewellery, and cash close to you. Crime in popular tourist areas is very rare, and it generally emanates from other tourists who are drunk. In terms of health safety, Legian, like all parts of Bali, can have outbreaks of dengue from mosquitoes, so stay protected at night and avoid stray dogs that may have rabies. However, most villas and hotels will eliminate mosquitoes through regular fogging, and they’ll also keep dogs out. So, if you’re in a villa compound or larger hotel, you should be fine. And, if you’re worrying about volcano eruptions, then don’t, as Legia is far, far away from the nearest volcano. Having said that, if there is an eruption on a nearby island, there may be flight disruptions, so make sure you have the appropriate travel insurance.

Is Legian Expensive?

Nothing in Bali is as cheap as it was before COVID. The world has changed, and gone are the days when you could buy a $2 or Rp 20,000 nasi goreng or $1 Bintang. Prices in Bali and Legian are no exception and have increased, but Legian is still relatively cheaper than other more popular areas like Canggu or Seminyak, where cafes, fine dining, and beach culture have boomed. The following are things that are cheap in Legian:

Taxi fares from the airport: Legian’s proximity to Denpasar Airport means the ride to the hotel is cheaper.

Food: Local, budget-friendly restaurants can still be found in Legian, where the food is approximately 30-40% cheaper than in Seminyak.

Accommodation: Legian has some great deals for accommodation

Can you Party in Legian?

Yes, you can, and there are sports bars and local pubs where you can hit it hard. There are also a few larger nightclubs along Jalan Legian, aimed at 20-somethings, that are notorious for partying until late in the morning. If you’re up at 6 or 7 in the morning, going for a walk, you can see a few stragglers heading home.

Conclusion: Should You Visit Legian?

Legian is a great place to spend a couple of days if you’re into the beach, shopping and cheap eats. Its central location means it’s a convenient base for easily visiting other parts of the island. So, give it a try and enjoy the area, even if it’s just for a few days.

About the author

Steven is a true Bali enthusiast and passionate surfer who knows the island like the back of his hand. When he’s not crafting articles or capturing videos of the latest restaurants, hidden gems, and must-see spots, you’ll find him riding the waves at Echo Beach or zipping around Seminyak, Berawa, and Canggu on his scooter. As part of the Bali Villa Escapes marketing team, Steven has been living in and out of Bali for over 15 years, soaking up the culture, beaches, and vibrant local scene. He loves sharing insider tips and favourite experiences to help visitors make the most of their Bali adventures.