Singaraja is the largest city after Denpasar. The population includes many ethnic and religious groups. In the time of the Dutch reign, Singaraja was the capital of Bali, it was Bali's main port. But since the capital of Bali has moved to Denpasar, this area become so quiet, leaving in peace. The Dutch influence still can be seen on its streetscape.

Singaraja has a historical library, The Gedong Kirtya Museum (old manuscript on palm leaf) that collects more than 3,000 Balinese manuscripts. The Dutch established it in the late 1920s. It has the finest collection of lontar, which is a traditional books emblazoned on palm leaf strips and potted between two pieces of wood or bamboo.