Repeat after us: Bali isn’t just about beach clubs and Instagram swings. If you haven’t explored the historical sites in Bulelengโthe island’s cultural heartland where kings ruled, traders battled, and wisdom was literally carved on palm leavesโyou’re missing Bali’s most fascinating chapter.
After spending a week playing historical detectives (sans the tacky hats), the Hey Bali team brings you this unconventional guide to North Bali’s most compelling historical sites. Pro tip: These spots pair perfectly with Buleleng’s famous black sand beaches and dolphin sunrises.
Fun Fact: Hereโs the best part โ spots #1 through #4 are basically Bulelengโs “history hopscotch”! You can literally walk between Nyoman Raiโs house, Gedong Kirtya library, Puri Agung palace, and the museum in under 15 minutes total. Who needs a time machine when youโve got comfy sandals?
(Translation: Pack light, skip the scooter, and prepare for the worldโs most efficient culture crawl.) ๐๐ถโโ๏ธ
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
1. Nyoman Rai Srimben Heritage House
Where Bali met Javaโand Indonesiaโs story changed forever
๐ Paket Agung Village ( Google Map Link )
โฐ Best visited in the morning (before the tropical heat kicks in)
This unassuming traditional compound is ground zero for one of Indonesiaโs most powerful cultural mashups. Itโs the ancestral home of Nyoman Rai Srimben, mother of Soekarnoโyes, the founding father. Here, youโll get a glimpse of how 19th-century Balinese-Javanese connections quietly shaped the nationโs destiny.
Why itโs worth your time:
- Step inside the original bale (pavilion) where Nyoman Rai spent her early years
- Totally free to enter (though a small donation is always appreciated)
- Sip strong local coffee at a nearby warung with old-Singaraja charm
- Local secret: Chat with the caretakerโheโs a walking archive of juicy family tales you wonโt find in schoolbooks
For anyone diving into historical tourism in Buleleng, this is where your journey has to begin.
๐ฏRead: Exploring Karangasemโs Rich Heritage: 4 Must-Visit Historical Attractions in Bali
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
2. Gedong Kirtya Lontar Library
The OG Wikipediaโwith better penmanship and no login required
๐ Singaraja City Center ( Google Map Link )
๐ Worldโs last active lontar manuscript archive
Before Google, Bali had palm leavesโand this place proves it. Founded in 1928, Gedong Kirtya houses over 3,000 ancient lontar manuscripts covering everything from medicinal herbs to royal decrees and epic poems. Itโs a sacred haven for historical tourism in Buleleng, where heritage isnโt just displayedโitโs still alive and written (literally).
Why itโs worth your time:
- Watch a tukang lontar (scribe) carve knowledge onto palm leaves with a bronze stylus
- Learn how traditional Balinese communities stored knowledge before cloud storage was a thing
- Perfect photo op: rows of antique cabinets holding centuries of wisdom
- Entry is free, but your curiosity is the real ticket in
Local tip: Come early and ask for a mini-demoโit’s like ASMR for history nerds.
๐ฏRead: 16 Epic Things to Do in Bedugul: Baliโs Coolest Mountain Escape
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
3. Puri Agung Singaraja
Where Baliโs royal drama went downโcenturies before Netflix
๐ Just 5 minutes from Gedong Kirtya ( Google Map Link )
๐ Built in 1604 by King Ki Gusti Anglurah Pandji Sakti
Long before resorts and scooters, this was where power lived. The Puri Agung Singaraja was the political and cultural heart of North Bali. Step through its ancient gates and youโre stepping into a timeline filled with royal debates, colonial encounters, and folklore with a side of scandal.
Why itโs worth your time:
- Admire the 17th-century stone carvings in the western courtyardโsome tell uncensored Balinese myths
- Visit the wantilan, where nobles gathered to drink arak and plot history
- Still home to descendants of Balinese royaltyโso yes, the vibes are regal
- A key stop for anyone serious about cultural and historical tourism in Buleleng
Bonus: Combine this with Gedong Kirtya for a one-two punch of local history in walkable distance.
๐ฏRead: ESIM Bali With Internet Data 60 GB Valid 30 Days By Telkomsel- Only $16
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
4. Museum Buleleng
Antiques Roadshow: Tropical Edition
๐ Sasana Budaya Art Complex, Singaraja ( Google Map Link )
๐ Most underrated gem: The 19th-century kris (dagger) collectionโevery blade has a backstory
Housed in a charming Dutch-colonial building with a thatched roof and golden trim, Museum Buleleng is a time capsule of North Baliโs soul. Think prehistoric tools, royal bling, ceremonial textiles, and relics of everyday life that show how the Balinese actually lived (and ruled) centuries ago.
Why itโs worth your time:
- Check out gold-threaded endek textiles that sparkle in the island light
- See old farming tools, sea-faring gear, and weapons of legend
- A must-visit for fans of historical tourism in Buleleng looking for context beyond temples
- The building itself is a slice of colonial-era architectureโhello, vintage photo ops!
Culture tip: Visit during a local arts eventโsometimes the museum transforms into a living gallery.
๐ฏRead: 5 Surprising Facts About the Dolphin Lovina Tour You Need to Know
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
5. Old Buleleng Port
Where Bali first said โhello, worldโ
๐ Northern coast of Singaraja ( Google Map Link )
๐
Sunset with a side of history
Long before Bali became a surfer’s paradise, this port was its beating heart. In the early 20th century, it welcomed steamships, spice traders, and the earliest whispers of international tourism. Though no longer active, the Old Buleleng Port stands as a quietly powerful symbol of Baliโs gateway to the world.
Why itโs worth your time:
- Walk among crumbling colonial warehouses with epic photo energy
- Perfect spot for golden hour picnicsโhistoric and aesthetic
- Imagine Dutch ships unloading spices, supplies… and stories
- A lesser-known stop for historical tourism in Buleleng that hits different at sunset
Bonus: Locals swear the breeze here carries echoes from the past. Or maybe thatโs just the sea whispering stories.
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
5 Essential Buleleng Travel Hacks
Make the most of your historical detour in North Bali with these insider tricks:
- Dress for two climates โ Coastal areas like Singaraja are toasty, but mountain villages get surprisingly cool. Layer up!
- Carry small bills โ Many historical sites have unofficial “photo donation” boxes. A polite IDR 5k goes a long way.
- Hire a local guide โ Theyโll reveal what Google Maps canโt: hidden carvings, royal gossip, and sacred no-go zones.
- Try the street food โ Singarajaโs nasi jinggo (banana-leaf rice bundle) is tiny but mighty.
- Pair with nature โ Combine your historical tourism in Buleleng with nearby waterfalls, hot springs, or beachy black sands.
๐ฏRead: Bali New Rules 2025 for Foreign Tourists: Dress Respectfully
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
History Buffโs Bonus Round: 5 Epic Stops Near Bulelengโs Time Capsules
Psst… donโt put that sarong away just yet! While youโre busy being a culture vulture in Buleleng, these nearby gems turn your history tour into a full-blown adventure. Waterfalls? Check. Secret springs? Obviously. That perfect “old-meets-new-Bali” Instagram shot? Weโve got you covered.
Hereโs your cheat sheet for doubling the fun without doubling your travel time:
Nearby Adventures at a Glance
| Attraction | Distance from Historical Sites | Why Itโs Worth the Detour |
|---|---|---|
| Gitgit Waterfall | 25 min from Puri Agung | Swap royal drama for actual liquid drama (80m tall!). Pro tip: The hidden twin waterfall upstream is even better. |
| Singaraja Old Town | 10min from Gedong Kirtya | Where Dutch colonialism meets warung culture. Donโt miss the vintage photo ops at Toko Merah (Red Shop). |
| Air Sanih Beach | 30min from Museum Buleleng | Natural infinity pools in the ocean? Yes, Bali still has secrets. |
| Banjar Hot Springs | 40min from Old Port | Soak like royalty in sulfur-free thermal baths. The dragon-shaped spouts? Chefโs kiss. |
| Ulun Danu Tempel | 45min from Puri Agung | “Where Baliโs mountains and lakes perform divine magic.” Floating on Lake Bratan, this iconic temple isnโt just a postcard starโitโs a living water palace where farmers still come to bless their harvests. |
Local Hack: Rent a scooter via Hey Bali and hit Gitgit + Ulun Danu Tempel in one go โ the mountain route has knockout rice terrace views.
Remember: Historyโs cool, but waterfall selfies are currency. ๐ฆ๐ธ
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
FAQs: Buleleng History Edition
๐ฏRead: North Bali Tour: Lovina, Waterfall, Ulun Danu Package
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
Why This Matters
Buleleng isnโt just Baliโs “quiet cousin”โitโs where the islandโs soul actually lives. These historical sites prove thereโs so much more to Bali than smoothie bowls and infinity pools (though hey, we love those too).
Need Help Exploring?
๐ Rent a car or scooter with Hey Bali โ Because, letโs be honest, time machines donโt come with AC.
๐ถ Grab a Bali eSIM ($9 for 30 days) โ Your digital gateway to ancient wisdom (and directions to the nearest warung).
Final thought:
After this trip, youโll seriously side-eye anyone who says Bali is just about beaches. ๐
“Remember, explorers: History doesnโt have to be dustyโespecially in Bali, where even the ancient manuscripts come with beachside cocktails. So go chase those waterfalls, soak in those springs, and maybe try not to photobomb the purification rituals. Happy time-traveling!” – Giostanovlatto
ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ๐ใฐ๏ธ
Meet the Author
Giostanovlatto is a self-proclaimed “professional wanderluster” who believes that life is too short to stay in one place. When heโs not busy chasing sunsets or hunting for the best local food, you can find him striking up conversations with strangers (who often become friends by the end of the trip).
