Just about 1.5 hours drive from Denpasar, Sidemen can be a getaway from the crowd, traffic and all the noise. As most of the inhabitants are farmers, this village has large area of rice field and woods.
The villas and guesthouses are dotted along the village streets, with view of green hills, river and rice field. There are accommodations suitable for your budget here, from luxury like Wapa Di Ume, Samanvaya, or some small guesthouses with stunning view. Unlike Canggu or Kuta, here you can enjoy quietness, not-traffic streets. There are small restaurants and warung where visitors can try local foods.
You can read books at balcony with rice terrace view or just we-time with spouse, but you can also explore the village and do some activities here.
Yellow Bridge is situated not far from the mainstreet. This 200 meters long bridge connects east and west side of the region divided by Tukad Yeh Unda river. The bridge is narrow that 4 wheel vehicles can not pass this, only motorbike, pedestrian and bicycles can pass by this bridge.
Silver Workshop is other thing you can do here. You can join the activity for IDR 300,000 making silver jewelry for yourself. The silver workshop is situated right at one end of the yellow Bridge. If you are into traditional woven textile, you can browse Sidemen endek weaving here as well.
Cycling in Sidemen is indeed will be fun, you will be passing villages, traditional markets, farms, rice fields, river, bridges and seeing local activity. As Sidemen is hilly, some road is very steep that we must push our bicycles though. But it was fun to enjoy the village.
Cooking Class is available at some restaurants or accommodations here. You can cook Balinese menus selections for lunch or dinner time.
Gembleng Waterfall is a hidden waterfall in Sidemen situated in lush green surrounding. This waterfall has natural infinity pool which is definitely instagramable. The view from the waterfall is emerald forest, village and rice field. It does not take long walk to the waterfall, that it is also suitable for family.
Walking around the village and enjoying the fresh air of Sidemen is refreshing and rejuvenating. During sunset, sunrise or even day time is interesting. I met beautiful collared kingfisher flying while walking at the village street, and seeing local children swimming in the river.