Penglipuran Joins Condé Nast Traveller’s Beautiful Towns List

Bangli — Penglipuran Tourism Village in Bangli Regency, Bali, was included in Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the 53 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the World, published in March 2026, according to reports on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14, 2026.

The recognition reflects the village’s preserved traditional layout, orderly stone-paved streets, traditional Balinese houses and cultural landscape. Reports said the international travel magazine presented Penglipuran as one of the places where visitors can experience traditional Balinese life.

Penglipuran’s appeal also lies in the way its built environment and customs remain connected. The village follows Tri Mandala, a traditional Balinese spatial-planning system, while its bamboo forest and carefully maintained surroundings reinforce its distinctive setting. The listing was described as a selection rather than a ranking, so it does not mean Penglipuran was declared the single most beautiful village in the world.

Why Penglipuran’s recognition matters to Bali visitors

For foreign visitors, the recognition identifies Penglipuran as a cultural destination whose appeal extends beyond scenery. A visit offers access to a traditional settlement where architecture, village planning and religious observance remain visible in the public landscape. The coverage also highlights Galungan, a major Hindu celebration in Bali, as a particularly notable time to see the village. During the festival, decorative bamboo poles known as penjor line the main street.

The attention brings a wider audience to Penglipuran while placing greater focus on the balance between tourism and preservation. Reports described the village’s cleanliness, cultural continuity and environmental stewardship as central to its international appeal. They also noted that the village’s future challenge is to let tourism benefit residents without weakening customary values or the settlement’s authenticity.

Penglipuran’s inclusion therefore represents recognition of a living cultural landscape, not simply a scenic attraction. Its international profile is tied to the continued maintenance of village order, traditional architecture, bamboo forest and ceremonial life.

Sources

• RRI — Indonesian public radio report
• idntimes.com
• Informasi.com — Indonesian news report
• frontiersin.org