Bali is famous for its beach parties and Bintang, but there’s more to Bali than fantastic beaches and booze. There are plenty of nature adventures and cultural experiences to try on your Bali holiday.
It can be overwhelming to choose activities and tours if it’s your first time visiting. So we’ve done the work and narrowed it down to the 18 of the best things to do in Bali for first-timers.
Keep scrolling to know our top picks:
1. Go on a day trip to Nusa Penida
You can’t miss exploring the breathtaking coast of Nusa Penida! Credits: @alleciangeline on Instagram
Going on a Nusa Penida Day Tour is one of the best things to do in Bali for first-timers. Embark on an epic tour where you'll find the famous T-Rex shaped cliffs, Kelingking Beach, and other highlights on the island. The best part? If you book on Klook, we’ve got your transfers, lunch, and admissions to attractions covered!
2. Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Experience
Watching the sunrise at Mount Batur is also an experience you can’t miss. In this Mount Batur sunrise trekking experience, you’ll be journeying on one of UNESCO's Global Geopark Networks until you reach the picturesque peak that offers exquisite sunrise views.
3. Try one of Asia’s longest water slides at Waterbom Bali
Feel the rush and the splash of water as you slide down the Constrictor. Credits: @waterbombali on Instagram
Getting a hit of adrenaline on The Constrictor, one of the longest water slides in Asia, is one of the most adrenaline-inducing things to do in Bali. You can enjoy this famous slide at Waterbom Bali, a waterpark park that also features an assortment of slides and a lazy river.
4. Go on a Bali safari
Go from sandy beach to an African safari in Bali!
Bali is not only home to fabulous beaches, but also to diverse wildlife. At Bali Safari Park, there are no enclosures for animals, so you can get up close and personal with them inside a vehicle. Watch the elephants, tigers, leopards, and more roam freely as if in their natural habitat.
5. Witness the Uluwatu Kecak Fire and Dance Show
This fire and dance show offers an authentic Balinese experience. Credits: @satyawinnie on Instagram
Watching the Kecak Fire and Dance Show is a cultural experience that should definitely be on your bucket list when you visit Uluwatu! Immerse in authentic Balinese culture and be in awe of the hypnotic movements and traditional costumes as the flames flicker with the dance.
6. Go river rafting and ATV riding
River rafting and ATV riding are great ways to get a hit of adrenaline in Bali.
Bali holidays are usually chill moments by the sea, but they can also be heart-pounding experiences rafting through the Ayung River. Get combo ATV and Ayung River Rafting tickets on Klook and encounter thrilling twists and turns with river rafting, as well as marvel at Bongkasa Pertiwi’s verdant countryside on an ATV.
7. Go snorkelling at Manta Bay
Bali also offers plenty of amazing spots to go snorkelling, where the diverse sea life is vivid. Credits: @snorkelingnusapenida on Instagram
Snorkelling at Nusa Lembongan and Manta Bay is truly one of the most magical things to do in Bali. Swim amidst the colourful aquatic life at Manta Bay—keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles, sea horses, and more! You’ll also get the chance to explore Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan when you book on Klook.
8. Visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is home to many monuments, such as the Lotus Pond, Wisnu Plaza, and more. Credits: @paula.buratte on Instagram
Acquaint yourself with Indonesian culture and heritage at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. This park is home to numerous stunning statues, the most famous being the statue of Vishnu on a Garuda, one of the biggest and highest monuments in the world!
9. Have breakfast with orangutans and other wildlife at Bali Zoo
Have a one-of-a-kind experience having breakfast with the wildlife at Bali Zoo
Breakfast is important to start your day. In Bali, you can take it up a notch. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast with baked goods, fresh veggies, and tropical fruits surrounded by the orangutans and other wildlife in Bali Zoo. On the zoo’s Breakfast With Orangutans, you can also go on an elephant mud activity!
Here’s a Klook Tip: you can save up on admission for up to five activities with the Klook Bali Pass!
10. Swing in the jungles of Bali
Experience a unique way of sightseeing on a giant Bali swing!
Feel free as a bird as you relish in the Balinese breeze on a giant Bali swing. Enjoy the sights of the lush green jungle and Tegenungan Falls. On the Bali Swing and Waterfall day tour in Ubud, you’ll also get the chance to explore the surroundings and have round-trip transfers from your hotel.
11. Pose at the Gates of Heaven
The Gates of Heaven is one of the most photographed temples within the Lempuyang Temple Complex. Credits: @Whereisbree on Instagram
Snapping photos at the famous “Gates of Heaven” at the Lempuyang Temple Complex is a must thing to do in Bali. The complex is home to the oldest and most important temples for Balinese people. The “Gates of Heaven” is one of the most famous as the reflection on the still water makes for majestic images.
12. Check out the Tegallalang and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Both rice terraces use an irrigation system used as early as the 8th century. Credits: Ilya Zoria on Unsplash
A Bali holiday is also your chance to see the picturesque emerald green Tegallalang and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces—both of which use a UNSECO-recognized irrigation system called “subak.” The beauty of both rice terraces is so renowned they became the subject of many paintings and the backdrop of tourists’ photos.
13. Visit Bali’s most beautiful waterfall
Get your phone storage ready when you visit Sekumpul Waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful falls in Bali. It’s part of a series of seven falls nestled on a rugged cliff dotted with lush plant life. With equally breathtaking surroundings, you’ll also enjoy the three to four-hour trek to go there.
14. Catch a wave at Kuta Beach
Aside from being a surfing destination, Kuta Beach is also a famous sunset spot. Credits: George Bakos on Unsplash
Bali is home to many wonderful beaches, but if you want to catch a wave, Kuta Beach is the place to be. This famed surfing destination has gentle waves that are ideal for first-timers. You can book lessons or you can simply relish the beauty of a Balinese beach.
15. Shop at Sukawati Art Market
A great place to shop for souvenirs and other fun finds is Sukawati Art Market. You’ll find an assortment of paintings, handcrafted accessories and decor, statues of Vishnu, and handbags and colourful dresses with intricate patterns to bring home the spirit of Bali.
16. Visit Tanah Lot Temple
You can walk to the temple during low tide when the sandbar is visible. Credits: Eyestetix Studio
One of the most awe-inspiring sights in Bali is Tanah Lot Temple, which is a Hindu temple that rests on an intriguing rock formation. The temple can only be accessed on foot during low tide, when the connecting sandbar is visible, adding to the temple’s mystique. During high tide, the rock formation turns into a stunning island.
Want to find more hidden gems in Bali? Check out our guide:
17. Make furry friends at Ubud Monkey Forest
Second to the last on our list of best things to do in Bali is visiting Ubud Monkey Forest, a holy site with thousands of Balinese macaques which are sacred to Balinese Hindus. You’ll also find monuments sprinkled around the flora of the forest, where these adorable furry creatures also frequent. Just hold on to your jewellery and food as these macaques can be cheeky!
Want to free yourself of the hassle of planning your Bali holiday? Check out our 4D3N Bali itinerary:
18. Visit Ulun Danu Temple
Visit one of the most stunning and breeziest parts of Bali at Ulun Danu Temple. Credits: @2the.er on Instagram
Ulun Danu Temple sits at the perfect nature getaway destination on the island: on a plateau that overlooks the clear and calm Lake Beratan. Aside from the astonishing series of temples, you’ll also relish in the soft mountain breeze made possible by the temples being 1,500 metres above sea level!
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