Kuta
Tourism in Bali has its origins in Kuta. In the 1960s, hippies and surfers discovered the former fishing village with its kilometer-long beach for themselves. However, there is not much left of the old village character in Kuta. Today, stores, bars, restaurants and hotels line the streets. Cars and scooters push their way through the dense traffic. Kuta is now mainly known for its beach, surfing and partying. The beach bars are particularly popular, where you can enjoy the sunset on colorful cushions with a delicious drink.
To be honest, I wasn't a big fan of Kuta. The stores mostly sell cheap mass-produced goods and bad, fake clothes. Although you will find a few nice cafés and restaurants here (e.g. Crumb & Coaster or BAKED.), many of them are tourist traps. In contrast to the many others I've seen, I didn't find the beach nice either. On the other hand, the accommodation here is usually cheap and you can get to Seminyak and Canggu quickly. We stayed at the Cara Cara Inn Hostel (affiliate link), for example, which I can definitely recommend.
Seminyak
Kuta borders Seminyak to the north. Here, too, you can go to the beach, surf and party. But everything is a little more elegant in Seminyak: The accommodation is more exclusive, the stores more expensive and the beach bars more chic. The place is therefore popular with international tourists for shopping followed by sipping cocktails on the beach.
I liked Seminyak much better than Kuta. That's why we preferred to go here. Overall, I also found Seminyak quieter than Canggu, but it had just as many nice restaurants, stores and (pop-up) markets. For example, I liked Kynd Community for breakfast and lunch. Recently, they also opened a store for clothes. And they organize markets where they sell clothes from local companies.
My highlight in Seminyak, however, is the beach bar La Plancha. There you can enjoy the sunset on colorful beanbags under even more colorful sun umbrellas with a cool drink alongside friends.
Sanur
If the hustle and bustle in Kuta and Seminyak is too much for you, then you can travel to Sanur. It is much quieter and less exclusive there, and Sanur is particularly suitable for families. This is because the sea to the east is somewhat calmer. There is also no party tourism there. Nevertheless, you will find some nice boutiques and good restaurants, cafés and beach bars with live music in the evenings. The palm beach in Sanur is particularly popular.
I was only in Sanur for a short time to catch the ferry to Nusa Penida. But I would love to come back to see Pulau Serangang - the turtle islands. Turtles used to lay their eggs here. Unfortunately, they were caught by humans and the eggs were collected. There is now the Turtle Conservation and Education Center, which is trying to save the turtles. If you are lucky, you might even be able to release a baby turtle into the sea yourself. Afterwards, you can relax a little on the undeveloped coastline in the south of the island.
Denpasar
Denpasar is the capital of Bali, home to around 800,000 people. It is less reminiscent of a relaxed Bali vibe than a typical Indonesian city. But here you can get to know the Indonesian culture and inhabitants. You will find many temples and traditional markets in Denpasar.
Westbali & Permuteran
Probably the least touristy part of Bali is the west of the island. You will therefore still find plenty of traditional villages and untouched nature there. If that's what you're looking for, you can pay a visit to West Bali National Park. Alternatively, it is worth going to Permuteran. From there, you can set off on a snorkeling or diving adventure to Pulau Menjangan. With its steep reefs and a shipwreck, the island is considered the best diving spot in the west of Bali. If you prefer to stay in Permuteran, then plan a beach day at Sumberkima Beach.