Viewpoints in Bali don’t get much sweeter than Lahangan Sweet. This epic viewpoint in Karangasem Regency in eastern Bali is just the place to get that iconic photo of Mount Agung. Instagram whores (and normal people like you and I) should not miss Lahanang Sweet if you want to see and photograph one of the most scenic vistas in Bali.
Never heard of Lahangan Sweet? Yup, it is a new Bali attraction and well worth a visit. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting Lahangan Sweet below.
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).
What is Lahangan Sweet?
In short, Lahangan Sweet is a visual treat whipped up by Mother Nature herself, sprinkled with a touch of human creativity for good measure.
To be more precise, Lahangan Sweet is the freshest face on Bali’s scenic viewpoint scene. It’s perched on a mountain in East Bali, and man, does it have a view! From this viewpoint, you’ll get the ultimate Bali vista of Mount Agung, a conical volcano and the highest point on the island, standing 3,031 meters tall.
Don’t think you’ll just get one view and call it a day. Lahangan Sweet offers up a handful of viewpoints where you can pose like a pro against the backdrop of Agung’s majestic cone, with lush forests and sprawling fields playing their part.
Trust me, you might just break Instagram with all the double-taps coming your way.
What’s cooler than the view? The whole setup. The cleanliness impressed us, and when I asked who owned Lahangan Sweet, an employee told us it’s all community-owned and operated. It’s a community gig, and they’re running the show like pros. It’s heartwarming to see a bunch of folks taking charge and running the place like clockwork.
What’s else? There’s a café just a hundred meters down the road from the entrance, serving food and drinks with genuine smiles. And, in signature Lahangan Sweet style, you can munch while gazing at Agung’s iconic profile. Plus, don’t miss the chance to snap a pic at the café’s deck with a goose-shaped photo spot. There is petrol if your scooter needs juice before heading back home.
Where is Lahangan Sweet & How to Get There?
Lahangan Sweet is tucked away in eastern Bali, in the Karangasem Regency. It’s a good stretch away from the typical tourist hubs like Ubud, Uluwatu, and Canggu. But honestly, that’s the best thing about it. It’s not overrun with influencers wearing oversized orange skirts and crochet tank tops yet.
The closest town is Amed on the coast, under 15 km away. Amed is a haven for snorkeling, diving, and those craving a tranquil and picturesque beach escape in Bali.
This Google Maps location gets you to Lahangan Sweet.
If you’re starting from Amed, hop on a scooter for a breezy 40-minute ride up the mountain. This route treats you to a scenic road that weaves through rural villages, rice terraces, and hidden temples. Brace yourself, though—this road has sharp turns and steep climbs.
If that’s not your jam, you’d better get a car with a driver in Amed.
If you’re coming from Ubud or Canggu, here’s a reality check: You’re looking at a solid three-hour scooter journey EACH WAY to make it to Lahangan Sweet. Yup, it sounds like a questionable plan.
The smarter move: Come to Amed for a day or two, and then make Lahangan Sweet a sweet side trip (if you can tear yourself away from the stunning Amed beaches).
If the Instagram cravings decide that hitting up Lahangan Sweet from Amed isn’t in the cards, your best bet is to get a private car and a driver from Klook (from USD 36 for 10 hours) to drive you from Ubud or Canggu.
You might as well take this private day tour, which includes Lempuyang Temple, Lahangan Sweet, Tirta Gangga Water Garden, Sideman Rice Terrace and Gembleng Waterfall.
Lahangan Sweet Entrance Fee
When you arrive at the entrance to Lahangan Sweet, you have two options to reach the viewpoints. It’s still a steep and rough uphill path to reach the top.
You could walk up for free, which should take about 15 minutes. Or you could get a jeep ride for IDR 50K per person. You can also ride your scooter right to the top if you’re stupid, but remember, the road is rough.
At the top of the mountain is a ticket booth where you need to pay IDR 30K per person to enter the Lahangan Sweet Viewpoint.
The Agung Viewpoints
Get ready to strike a pose because Lahangan Sweet offers several vantage points for nailing that perfect snap with Mount Agung as your backdrop.
On the left side, you’ve got front-row seats to Mount Agung’s magnificence, while the right side treats you to sweeping vistas of Bali’s east coast and even a glimpse of Lombok. Seriously, no matter which way you glance, the views are nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Soon after the entrance, you’ll spot an intriguing project in progress. They’re crafting a replica of the famed Gates of Heaven, that spot at Lempuyang Temple that’s practically a pilgrimage for influencers, tourists, and just regular folks wanting a taste of that photo magic.
During our visit, it was still under scaffolding, but once it’s all set, you can snap Agung right smack in the centre of those gates (without standing in line forever for your turn like at Lempuyang Temple).
Next up, you’ll find a wooden platform, perfect for those candid from behind shots – Oh, I didn’t even realize you were snapping a pic of me while peering out towards Agung.
Then comes the pièce de résistance: not one, but two wooden platforms nestled up in the trees. Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. And here’s the kicker – there’s an employee on hand to play photographer for you (for free). He’ll happily wield your phone or camera and might even toss in some guidance on how to nail that pose for maximum impact.
On the opposite side of the ridge, a few more photo havens await. We’re talking a wooden boat, a heart-shaped setup, and a minimalistic wooden structure with mountains and the sea as a backdrop.
Our Experience at Lahangan Sweet
We’re forever sceptical over these viewpoints that were purely made for Instagram. While the scenery is usually worth the trip, those oversized orange skirts, crochet tops, pouting, and posing ruin it for us.
So, after lunch in Amed one day in August, we scootered out and headed to the mountains. We are excited but have lowered our expectations.
The tar road heading up to Lahangan Sweet wastes no time to wow us. We pass rice terraces, The Five Holy Springs, villages, temples and cows grazing by the side of the road.
About halfway there, the road starts to climb steeply. We follow Google Maps, and eventually, we spot the signpost at the turnoff to the entrance.
We park, pay for the Jeep ride to the top, pay the entrance fee, and soon after entering, realise we have everything to ourselves. The views in all directions are incredible.
The employee taking photos of us at the tree platforms says the one on the left is the most popular, so we climb up. He takes photos with my camera while directing us to look there, lift that hand, pop your leg or point that way. It’s all good fun.
We were wrong about Lahangan Sweet. Instead of bottle blonds prancing and pouting or skinny dudes covered in tats, we find incredible views and a very enjoyable experience. We hope it stays that way.
After about 30 minutes and roughly a hundred photos, we walk back to the entrance to get the Jeep back down.
The Café
Before returning to Amed, we enjoyed an iced coffee and watermelon juice at the cafe. Our waiter says it only opened in March 2023. If you need more of the Agung views, the cafe provides your last chance to drink it in. There is one last photo station in the shape of a flying goose on the cafe deck.
The cafe has a clean toilet (also available on top of the mountain). You can get some petrol next to the cafe before heading back down the mountain.
Is Lahangan Sweet Worth Visiting?
If you’re coming from Amed or elsewhere in eastern Bali – YES, ABSOLUTELY.
It’s a beautiful drive to get there and an easy and worthwhile side trip from the beach. We visited Lahangan Sweet comfortably between lunch and was back on the beach in Amed before sunset.
The views are incredible, it’s not tacky, and it’s community-owned and run.
Maybe we got lucky, but no photoshoots and Instagram shenanigans were going on during our visit.
If you’re coming all the way from Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu and the like, it will be a long day on the road. You’ll spend hours on the road to be there for maybe an hour max. It would be worthwhile if you tour eastern Bali’s attractions in addition to Lahangan Sweet. But still, prepare for a long day on the road.
And that’s the short and sweet of Lahangan Sweet. Hope the light is good and the influencers few when visiting this sweet spot
✌️