Considered one of the most renowned tourist destinations in Asia, an endless array of fun things to do in Bali awaits tourists of all ages. From its exquisite beaches, stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural traditions, and historic religious sites to its relaxing retreats, upscale nightlife, lavish lifestyle, and appealing dining options, Bali will surely make your travel a memorable one! With a wide range of beautiful attractions to choose from, don’t miss out on these top 10 interesting places in Bali!
Located on the southwest coast of Bali and north of Kuta, Seminyak is a fancy beach town that features charming beaches and surfing spots, along with a relaxing vibe and mesmerizing sunset views. With upscale fine-dining restaurants and stunning beach clubs, bars, and cafes that fill the coastline, tourists will never go hungry or thirsty during their stay as there are plenty of food and drink options available. You can also visit the boutiques and designer shops as you walk along the shopping streets in Seminyak.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a nature reserve and habitat for over 700 macaques or Balinese long-tailed monkeys at Padangtegal Village in Ubud. It is surrounded by Hindu temples, statues, and over 186 species of trees, making it a significant aspect of the village’s spiritual practices, economic life, educational research, and conservation efforts. With 12.5 hectares of lush forest, tourists can enjoy an abundant amount of fresh air while exploring the sanctuary. Take note that several guidelines must be followed, particularly about feeding the monkeys with bananas and other types of food and knowing the proper dress code when visiting the temple area.
Located at Denpasar in Southeast Bali, Sanur offers a serene destination for those who want to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the island. You can start your day watching the beautiful sunrise before diving into an array of fun activities. If you want to look around the island, the paved beachfront path is perfect for a bicycle ride in the morning. For those who are looking for some action, you can try some water sports like paragliding, sea walking, wakeboarding, and windsurfing. You can also rent a boat to visit the nearby islands like Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida to dive and snorkel. Besides these activities, Sanur is also famous for its wide range of resorts, warungs, tourist shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood and have a drink at night.
If you want to take a break from the usual beach trips and temple stops, there are off the beaten track Bali attractions like Mount Batur that you can visit. Mount Batur is an active volcano located at Kintamani in Bangli regency, standing at 1717 meters (5633 feet) above sea level. Climbing your way up to the top would require you to set off early in the morning, but catching the magical golden sunrise piercing through the clouds at the peak while enjoying a delightful breakfast prepared by your guide makes it a worthwhile experience.
Located at Candikuning Village in Tabanan Regency, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is a scenic landmark sitting atop the plateau area of Beratan lake in Bedugul. Considered as one of the nine significant Kahyangan Jagat Temples surrounding the island of Bali, it houses five temple compounds and one Buddhist Stupa. Tourists also often compare it to an amusement park as there are several recreational activities available besides visiting the temples. You can enjoy the crisp weather while fishing, ride a speedboat or pedal boat to appreciate the impressive views of the lake, let the kids play at the small garden park, or snap a moment with the exotic animals via professional photography services. There are also two dining options inside that serves local Indonesian cuisine, as well as Chinese and Western fares.
Goa Gajah, locally known as the Elephant Cave, is an archaeological site built in the 11th century at Bedulu village in Gianyar Regency. The temple complex has two bathing pools, fountains, rice paddies, a garden, and a courtyard that contains several stone carvings and fragments of relics with Hindu and Buddhist influences. Some of these include the remains of a lingam (phallic symbol of god Shiva), a yoni (symbol of goddess Shakti), and the elephant-headed statue of Shiva’s son (god Ganesha). Take note that a visit to Goa Gajah requires the wearing of sarong and sash.
With picturesque terrain of greenery and beautifully-landscaped rice paddies, Tegalalang Rice Terraces is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bali. Located at Tegalalang Village in Gianyar Regency, there are several paths you can take with donation spots set up by locals and farmers on the entrances. If you want to see the magnificent views of the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, visiting during the harvest season is the best time. Don’t forget to take souvenir photos at the famous spots like the I Love Bali sign and the swing rides. A visit to the terraces will also not be complete without trying the renowned Luwak coffee at any of the small cafes and shops on the adjacent streets.
If you want to immerse yourself in the local traditions in Bali, the Tirta Empul Temple is one of the best places to visit. Situated at the Manukaya village in Gianyar Regency, it is a national cultural heritage site known as the Holy Water Temple that draws worshippers of Balinese Hinduism for a purification ritual called Melukat. This magical temple complex consists of three sections: the Jaba Pura (outer courtyard), the Jaba Tengah (central courtyard), and the Jeroan (inner courtyard). The Jaba Tengah is the main and the most popular section of Tirta Empul as it contains the sacred springs where Hindu believers line up and wait to dip their heads under the 30 water spouts. The temple also follows a dress code, so make sure to wear a sarong and a sash before entering to pay respect.
Recognized as the Mother Temple of Bali, Besakih Temple is a grand temple complex situated in the South-western slopes of the sacred Mount Agung. It houses more than 80 temples and shrines for Balinese Hinduism believers. With its high altitude and breathtaking location, Pura Besakih offers panoramic views of the countryside and the surrounding mountain scenery. There are three main temples you can visit with your local guide: Pura Penataran Agung (Shiva), Pura Kiduling Kreteg (Brahma), and Pura Batu Madeg (Vishnu). Like in other temples, make sure to wear a sarong and a sash.
Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu) is one of the must-visit places in Bali well-known for its outstanding location perched atop the edge of a cliff at Pecatu Village in Kuta South District of Badung. Its high setting offers magnificent views of the Indian Ocean waves over a captivating sunset. Recognized as one of the six temples symbolizing Bali’s spiritual pillars, the Uluwatu Temple requires wearing a sarong, scarf, or sash during your visit. Make sure to watch the daily Kecak fire dance performances at the amphitheater before ending your temple tour.
If you're looking for a beach escape, Bali is definitely the place for you. At this world-famous island scattered with various cultural hotspots, don't miss out on a visit to the iconic water temple that is Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. Spend a morning at the Tegalalang Rice Field and marvel at the beauty of lush green fields.
Challenge yourself and hike up Mount Batur at dawn and be rewarded with an amazing sunrise view at the top. Don't forget to try out adventurous water activities like flyboarding and diving, before partying the night away at the Seminyak district where the night is forever young.
Bali is best known for its gorgeous beaches, iconic rice terraces, abundant marine life and coral reefs, forested volcanic mountains, and gushing waterfalls and rivers. The island is also famous for its relaxation and meditation retreats, ecotourism, cultural sites and festivals, luxury lifestyle, and trendy nightlife.
Bali’s tropical climate allows tourists to visit all year-round, but it is best to visit during the dry season from April to September. The peak season is around July and August when there are mostly sunny days. Some events and festivals to include are the Bali Arts Festival (June), Bali Kite Festival (July), and Nyepi (date may vary).
Bali offers a wide range of best places to stay during your travel. With stylish nightlife, laid-back beaches, great surfing spots, and a variety of dining options, Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu are perfect for backpackers and first-timers. Ubud, Nusa Dua, and Sanur, on the other hand, are ideal for families and solo travelers who want to go on a relaxing retreat, spend time with nature, or do some sightseeing and outdoor activities. With upscale resorts and beach clubs, Jimbaran and Uluwatu are the most popular places for couples who want to enjoy their honeymoon.