Bali is an island province of Indonesia situated between Java and Lombok. Owing to its beaches, diving sites, food, history, and culture, this island has become one of the most popular vacation spots in the world. Some of the best things to do in Bali, Indonesia include exploring the beaches, admiring temple architecture, experiencing spirituality, partying your heart away, immersing in nature, witnessing the underwater world, feeding the thrill with adventure sports, tasting local cuisine, immersing in local culture, appreciate the craftsmanship and just chill. There is something about the general vibe of this island that says “Relax and Enjoy Life”. This general idea is reflected in many of Bali’s tourist attractions.
The island is divided into six regions, each has a unique experience to offer. South Bali is known for its beaches and happening lifestyle. It is one of the best places to visit in Bali for honeymoon couples. It is also the party capital of the island with several clubs, pubs, beach shacks, and bars to let loose when you visit Bali.
Central Bali is home to the mountains and is considered the cultural heart of the island. This region has the most historical and cultural Bali attractions. You will find peaceful temples, ancient architecture, fields, lush forests, waterfalls, and mountain trails. West Bali sightseeing revolves around nature, wildlife, and adventure. This region is home to forests, national parks, and marine reserves. The varied landscape in this region allows for a lot of fun activities in Bali such as hiking, trekking, scuba diving, snorkeling, river rafting, and so on.
The beaches of the North region are among the most beautiful things to see in Bali. These black sand beaches of Bali are also known for dolphin sightings. Other Bali tourist spots in this region include ancient temples, nature trails, diving sites, hot springs, and the old capital city. The East Bali region is home to an active volcano and several natural wonders. The region also has several coastal villages where you can see the traditional way of life in practice during Bali travel.
The sixth region is actually south eastern islands that sit in the Badung Strait. This region is well known for beaches, bays, surfing, swimming, boat cruises, and island hopping tours. It is also one of the best places to go in Bali for scuba diving and island stay experiences.
Anytime other than monsoon is the best time to visit Bali, Indonesia. The island is also one of the most popular staycations and remote working destinations in the world.
The Top 33 Tourist Places to Visit in Bali, Indonesia
1. PURA TANAH LOT
This is one of the most iconic and well-known temples on the island. The temple sits in the ocean with waves frequently washing over it. It is also one of the most sacred sea temples for the Balinese people. Owing to its location and cultural significance, this temple has become popular as one of the best places to visit in Bali for honeymoon couples. You would need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this temple. Be mindful of the tides though, the temple is not accessible during high tides.
2. MOUNT BATUR (GUNUNG BATUR)
This active volcano is considered sacred by the locals. The summit rises about 1700 meters above sea level. The mountain is also associated with some of the best things to do in Bali, Indonesia such as hiking, trekking, camping, nature trails, and so on. There are marked trails and you can also get a guide for the trek if you so wish. One of the finest experiences on this mountain is the volcano-cooked meal, which you can get at one of the picnic spots on the trail. The mountain is also home to a few cultural and historical Bali tourist attractions including the Puru Ulun Danu Batur temple. Atop the mountain lies Lake Batur and its natural hot springs. These springs are believed to have therapeutic and healing properties. You will need at least a day to explore various attractions and activities on this mountain when you visit Bali.
3. ULUN DANU BERATAN TEMPLE / PURA BRATAN
This temple is situated on the banks of Lake Baratan. The central temple is dedicated to the goddess of the Lake, but there are other shrines in the temple complex. The temple is built in such a way that it looks gracefully floating atop the water in some seasons. You will 30 to 45 minutes for this temple.
4. ULUWATU TEMPLE
This temple stands almost at the edge of the cliff and it is named after its location. Ulu in Balinese means “land’s end” and Watu means “Rock”. The history of this temple goes back to the 10th century. It is said to guard the island from evil spirits. It is one of the best Bali attractions to witness the sunset. As the sun descends into the ocean, the Kecak dance is performed in the temple complex. This is definitely a must-do in Bali as a cultural experience. You will need about an hour to experience this place.
5. UBUD MONKEY FOREST (MANDALA SUCI WENARA WANA)
This forest is beautiful, mystical, historical, mythical, artistic, and wild. If you are looking for adventurous activities in Bali, Indonesia this is the place to explore. The forest is the domain of grey long tail macaques and they swing the trees without a care in the world. The forest is also home to beautifully carved trees and to historical temples. The trail of this forest feels like the journey of a hero through a fantasy forest. The best time to visit Bali, Indonesia forests is post-monsoon. This is when nature is at its most expressive. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this forest and the attractions within its foliage.
6. TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACE
These rice terraces are among the most photographed landscapes during Bali sightseeing. The terraces follow the Subak irrigation system by utilizing the mountain slope. This style of farming dates back to the 9th century and is recognized by UNESCO for its historical and cultural significance to the region. The best time to go to Bali rice fields is prior to the harvest season. This is when the farms are most dense. You will need about an hour to explore and enjoy these fields.
7. BALI BEACHES
The beaches in Bali are considered some of the most wonderful aspects of the island. This particular white sand beach is known for both leisure and activities. You can sit back with a cool drink in your hand gazing at the ocean and people. On the other hand, you can unleash adrenaline to enjoy beach activities to do in Bali like swimming, surfing, paragliding, jet ski rides, jetpack ride, and other water sports. The beaches are also popular Bali honeymoon places as they offer candle-light dinners, romantic getaways, and night-stays by the ocean-side. The beaches are quite popular nightlife spots as well with several bars, restaurants, clubs, and shows spread all over the island’s coast. Some of the best beaches in Bali, Indonesia are Amed, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran Bay, Sanur, Seminyak, Crystal Bay, Legian, Kuta, Mushroom Bay and Padang Padang. There are several other Bali beaches, each with a unique vibe and experience. You can easily spend a couple of hours or more at any of the beaches.
8. BESAKIH TEMPLE (PURA BESAKIH)
This is the largest temple complex in Bali and has a history going back a thousand years. It is one of the holiest Hindu temple on the island. The complex comprises of several large and small temples dedicated to different deities. It is one of the most popular Bali tourist spots for its historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic significance. You will need an hour to explore the temple complex.
9. NUSA ISLANDS (NUSA PENIDA / NUSA LEMBONGAN / NUSA CENINGAN)
This set of 3 islands is considered the most serene place. The islands are home to pristine coastal spots, beautiful beaches, rock formations, and lush forests. These islands are also popular Bali tourist places for their resorts, restaurants, unique hotels, nightlife venues, and so on. They also serve as hosts for several entertainment events. The islands are also the best places to visit in Bali for honeymoon couples as they offer a variety of romantic experiences and couple retreats. You will need at least a day to explore these islands.
Situated in the highlands of Mount Lempuyang, this temple is home to the famous Gates of Heaven and Dragon Staircase structures. These are the most photographed places to go in Bali. If you are planning to visit this temple, you should know it is 1700 steps away from the ground. But once you are at the top, you get to see the breathtaking Gates of Heaven structure and take a creative picture there. You will need about an hour for this temple.
11. SIDEMAN VILLAGE AND VALLEY
This valley gives you the experience of the pastoral side of the island. You will see small village houses, rice fields, and Mount Agung in the background. It is one of the most peaceful places to see in Bali, simple and serene. You can also engage in cultural experiences in this village including traditional crafts, farming, traditional dance, and so on. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore this valley.
12. SEKUMPUL WATERFALL
This series of seven falls are located in the jungle and requires a long trek to reach. The site is considered one of the most beautiful waterfall on the island. The trek itself is among the top things to do in Bali for nature lovers. You will need 3 to 4 hours to trek to the waterfall and back.
13. TIRTA EMPUL TEMPLE
With a history going back to 960 BCE, this temple is known for its sacred purification ritual. The temple complex is included among Indonesia’s National Cultural Heritage Sites. It is one of the beautiful Bali tourist attractions for its architecture and natural surroundings. The temple is built around a rectangular pond that is fed by the mountain springs. You will need an hour to explore this temple.
14. WATERBOM BALI
After exploring the boundlessness of nature, you should also try man-made entertainment venues. This waterpark has a lot of fun rides, games, entertainment facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs. It is especially popular for surfing, waterboarding, waterskiing, and kneeboarding rides. It is among the most fun things to do in Bali for family tourists. The park has a special segment dedicated to kids and families called Aqualand. You can easily spend half a day or more at this waterpark.
15. UBUD TOWN
This town is considered the cultural heart of Bali and was made very popular by the book and film “Eat, Pray, Love”. This colorful town is known for its tropical gardens, quirky cafes, spiritual retreats, yoga studios, traditional crafts, regional art, shopping streets, and art galleries. It is integral to the Bali sightseeing experience. The town is also considered the birthplace of the Balinese art movement. Ubud has several museums dedicated to regional art and crafts, both modern and traditional. You need a couple of days to thoroughly explore this town.
16. BALI ZOO
This zoo does not confine the animals in cages, rather it has pseudo-natural enclosures with glass panes and distance viewing points. You can see the animals without metal bars hindering the view. Some of the highlight animals and birds at this zoo include African Lion, Crocodile, Tortoise, Cockatoo, Bali Mynah, Siamang Monkey, Pademelon, Parrots, Peacock, Bengal Tiger, Sun Bear, Deers, Asian Elephant and Sumatran Elephant. The zoo is also popular for animal interaction activities in Bali such as Elephant Mad Fun, Night at the Zoo, Breakfast with Orangutan, Pony Ride, Petting, and even Jungle Wedding. You will need an hour or two to explore this zoo.
17. BALI SAFARI AND MARINE PARK (TAMAN SAFARI INDONESIA III)
On the flip side, if you want to see the animals roam free while watching them from a safe space, you should head for a safari. This safari park has several animals including tigers, elephants, lions, rhinoceros, hippos, zebra, giraffe, kangaroo, leopard, and komodo dragon. You can explore the zoo in a variety of ways including caged safari, elephant back safari, night safari, jeep safari, and more. It is among the most popular Bali tourist spots for animal interaction activities as well such as breakfast with lions, interaction with elephants, otter show, and so on. The park also has entertainment zones and hosts cultural shows. You will need at least half a day from Bali travel to explore this safari park.
18. CHOCOLATE FACTORY TOUR
Indonesia is one of the top chocolate producers in the world, so naturally, there would be a chocolate factory on this island as well. A tour of the chocolate factory will give you insight into cocoa farming, harvesting, processing, and chocolate manufacturing. Some facilities even allow you to participate in the process. It is one of the most fun activities to do in Bali. You can also taste chocolate at various stages of production and enjoy several cuisines, drinks, and desserts made from chocolate during the tour. They also make great souvenirs to remember your trip to Bali. A farm and factory tour usually takes about an hour.
19. MENJANGAN NATIONAL MARINE PARK & ISLAND
This protected marine reserve is popular for its temples, forests, marine animals, and coral reefs. The best time to visit Bali to explore marine life is between May and November. Marine life around this island includes several colorful fishes, octopuses, turtles, crabs, rays, eels, and coral reefs. The island is also home to temples and shrines. As you approach the island, you will see a white idol of the Hindu deity, Lord Ganesha, gazing toward the ocean. Menjangan island is also quite well known for its nature trails and is home to a thriving deer population. The island is full of experiences and wonderful things to see in Bali. You will need an entire day to explore it.
20. WEST BALI NATIONAL PARK (TAMAN NASIONAL BALI BARAT)
This national park encompasses 3% of the total landmass of the island. The national park has safari tours, hiking trails, trekking trips, overnight camping stays, and more activities. The forest is home to more than 160 species of animals including banteng, leopard cat, Javan lutung, wild boar, flying fox, rusa deer, crested serpent eagle, milky stork, Bali myna, sacred kingfisher, and so on. You will need at least 3 to 4 hours to tour this national park.
21. BATUBULAN VILLAGE
This town is known for its sculpting prowess. The artistic village is one of the most wonderful Bali tourist places for its temples, cultural events, traditional crafts, carved temples, and sculptures. You will see several craft shops and sculpting studios creating various items including animals and religious figures. The temples in the village also exhibit intricate carvings and elaborate statues. The Pura Puseh temple in this town is especially well known for these features as well as for the traditional Barong dance ceremony. You will need 2 to 3 hours from Bali travel to explore this town.
This is the oldest museum in Bali. It exhibits several historical artifacts, architectural pieces, artworks, sculptures, military equipment, religious items, traditional creations, textile, and so on. It is one of the best places to visit in Bali, Indonesia to learn about the region’s history and culture. The museum building itself looks like a temple complex. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.
23. MAS VILLAGE
As Batubulan is known for stone carving, Mas village is known for wood carving. The village has many shops and studios which create idols and statues carved from wood. It is one of the most popular Bali tourist attractions for purchasing unique souvenirs. You order a custom-carved creation for yourself and the amazing artists would make one for you. You will need an hour or so to tour this village.
24. DON ANTONIO BLANCO MUSEUM / THE BLANCO RENAISSANCE MUSEUM
Antonio Blanco was a Philippines-born Spanish national who settled in Bali. He became a prominent artist while living in Bali and this museum is housed at his former residence. The museum focuses on his creations and his life. His house is quite an opulent place to visit. It blends European and Balinese aesthetics almost seamlessly. This makes it quite intriguing among Bali attractions. You will need an hour to tour this museum.
25. GOA GAJAH CAVE TEMPLE
Also known as the Elephant Cave, the origins of this carved temple go back to the 9th century AD. The cave temple is included among UNESCO World heritage sites. It is believed to be built as a sanctuary for meditation. The temple has carvings, statues, and images from Hinduism and Buddhism. It is one of the most fascinating places you will come across during Bali sightseeing. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this site.
26. BADUNG MARKET (PASAR BADUNG)
This huge market is especially known for vendors selling local produce. You get to explore regionally popular fruits, vegetables, and spices. The market also has several street food stalls and handicraft shops. It is one of the most interesting places to go in Bali for produce shopping and to just watch the local folks going about their day. You will need half an hour or so at this market.
27. UBUD PALACE (PURI SAREN AGUNG)
Also known as Puri Saren Agung, this palace dates back to the 1800s and is used to house the royal family. It now serves as a museum and a cultural center. The palace is one of the most beautiful places to see in Bali. It is renowned for its architecture, art collection, orchards, and gardens. The palace hosts numerous cultural events and performances. The best time to go to Bali palace is after 4 p.m. Every evening you can see traditional music and dance performances at this palace. You will need about 2 hours to tour this palace.
28. BALI BIRD PARK (TAMAN BURUNG BALI)
This Bird Park presents birds from South America, Africa, Sumatra, Borneo, Papua, Java, and Bali. It also has a botanical garden exhibiting indigenous plant life. The park is also popular for several interactive activities in Bali such as bird shows, bird petting, bird feeding, and so on. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore this park.
29. LOVINA BLACK SAND BEACH
We have compiled beach experiences at one point, but this one is a little different. Lovina is a black sand beach. This color of the sand comes from high mineral content and volcanic ash. The beach is also quite popular for Dolphin spotting. The best time to visit Bali beaches is usually in the evening, but you should visit Lovina close to sunrise as this is the time you can see dolphins frolicking in the ocean. You can easily spend an hour or so at this beach.
30. ADVENTURE SPORTS
Bali has a coastline, beaches, cliffs, mountains, forests, rivers, ocean rock formations, and more. These landscapes open up the possibilities for a lot of fun things to do in Bali, Indonesia. Starting with hiking, trekking, and camping; the island is lush with rainforests spread over a variety of terrains to explore. The island has coastal trails, forest trails, mountain trails, cliff trails and more. You can also embark on wildlife safari trails with overnight camping. There are certain parks that let you explore the forest with safari 4x4s, ATV rides, and bikes. There are also safari and nature trails which you can tour on horseback or elephant back. The next terrain to enjoy are the rivers, you can swim, river raft, paddleboat or experience a cruise in a traditional Balinese boat. As you approach the ocean, you find more adventurous activities to do in Bali, Indonesia. These include Surfing, Swimming, Fishing, kayaking, Paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, water jetpack ride, kitesurfing, paragliding, sea-wreck diving, and so on. Scuba diving is perhaps the most popular oceanside activity associated with Bali travel. You can enjoy guided dives or take lessons to be a certified diver. Some of the fascinating things to see in Bali under the ocean include marine life, coral reefs, archeological sites and shipwrecks. You can dedicate days after days to experience adventure sports in Bali and still, there would be much left to experience. This island reeks of adventure.
31. BALI BOAT CRUISES
Speaking of islands and the ocean, Bali has numerous natural wonders to explore along its coast. You can choose from a variety of boats and packages to enjoy time in the ocean. You can take a cruise boat, speedboat, sailing boat and so on. The cruise is not just about exploring the ocean, it is a memorable experience as you create distance between the crowd and yourself. Island hopping is also among the must-do activities in Bali if you are too fond of listlessly touring the sea. The central island is surrounded by several small islands, some of which are available for private rentals. Many of these islands have been developed for nature exploration, entertainment, nightlife, leisure, events, cultural experiences, and so on. You will discover something new on each of these islands. If you are planning for only a cruise, you would not need more than 3 hours. On the other hand, if you are planning to truly explore the ocean and the islands, you will need at least a day.
32. SHOPPING IN BALI
Bali has malls, shops, markets, craft studios, and several other places to satiate your thirst for purchase. The island is home to some of the most fascinating things you can buy on Bali travel. Let’s begin with food items. Bali is famous for its chocolates, coffee, spices, and fruits. You can purchase these items in several forms including beans, raw produce, finished products, and delicious dishes. The next most popular item is textile and clothing. Bali has both shopping malls with high-end fashion brands and traditional market shops with locally produced clothes. The textile markets are among the best places to visit in Bali for honeymoon couples as well. Many of the shops have clothes in pairs for him and her. You can also pick handicraft jewelry and accessories at these markets. If you are looking to get cultural souvenirs to remember your trip to Bali, you can get stone or wood carved statues, traditional Barong masks, ceremonial garbs, dream catchers, egg art, symbolic silver jewelry, colored stone jewelry, Batik cloth items, Ikkat print clothes, sarong dress, musical instruments, wind chimes, driftwood craft items, Balinese paintings, Dupa incense, ceramics, Gamelan ball, bamboo items, organic oils, natural fragrance, carved skulls and bones, kites and furniture items. None of these items are difficult to find, however, we have put together a list of top places for shopping in Bali. You just need to scroll down to the shopping section below.
33. BALINESE FOOD TASTING AND COOKING
A Bali trip can be a culinary delight. We will try to talk about as many popular Balinese preparations as possible in this paragraph. Some of the most prominent ingredients in local preparations are Coconut, Rice, Durian fruit, Pig, Seafood, Banana, and Chicken. Some of the most popular Bali food items include Babi Guling or Suckling Pig, Indonesian Salad called Gado Gado, Mie Goreng Stir Friend Noodles, Sate Skewer kebabs, Peps Ikan Steamed Fish dish, Laklak Rice Flour Cake, Nasi Campur mixed rice dish, Babur Sumsum black rice pudding, Pisang Goreng fried bananas, Nasi Ayam rice, and chicken dish, Es campur shaved ice dessert, Ayam betutu chicken and rice dish, Coconut Lawar, Klepon rice cake, Fish soup, Tipat Cantok salad, Es Dalumen coconut milk drink, Durian fruit, Nasi goreng, Ares soup, Serombotan, Lilit Sate, Be Lindung, Kunyit Asam, Jaje Bali, Ururtan Sausage, Balinese Coffee, Balinese chocolate, Rujak fruit salad, Martabak pancake, Bakso meatballs, Ikan Basar, Tahu snacks, tempeh snacks and there are more. The majority of these dishes are available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian variants. These cover the most well-known dishes and we have listed the best places to eat in Bali in the section below.
