Bali is a destination that I have traveled to a lot. I even lived there for three years, using the island as a base and taking advantage of visa renewals to get to know neighboring countries. Even knowing the island so much, until now, I had not decided to make an article where I would include all the most incredible places on the island. Call me selfish, but there are places that I wanted to keep to myself... I'm looking forward to going back to Bali and I hope to be able to travel soon, but in the meantime... I'm going to tell you about some of the best places in a couple of articles from Bali.
If you are thinking of traveling to Bali and it is the first time you come to the blog, here is a complete travel guide to Bali. In this post I will explain about the 50 incredible places that you cannot miss if you are going to travel to Bali. Depending on the days you are on the island, you will not have time to visit them all, but I assure you that whichever you choose from this list, you will love it.
50 INCREDIBLE PLACES TO SEE IN BALI, INDONESIA
Bali is a very complete island. You have from more tourist areas and cities with all kinds of activities and leisure, beaches (not very spectacular for swimming, but beautiful and perfect for surfing), rice fields, waterfalls, jungles... the landscapes of Bali are incredible.
1. Visit Ubud city
Ubud is one of my favorite areas. It is located in the interior and is surrounded by jungles, rice fields, incredible waterfalls and a very charming population. In addition, it is one of the best areas to stay in Bali.
In Ubud city you will find the temples of Puri Saren and Pura Taman Saraswati, two essential stops to make in Ubud city. The local market is a perfect place to eat cheaply, plus you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the locals buying fresh produce.
Some of the most recommended museums to visit in Ubud are the Neka Gallery, the Puri Lukisan Museum and the Arma Museum.
Walk aimlessly through its streets, enter the small alleys and marvel at the typical Balinese architecture. Note that each house has a temple. Some locals even open their doors to travelers so they can enter their gardens and visit their private temple.
2. Monkey Forest
One of the main "attractions" to do in Bali is to visit the Monkey forest. It is a small tropical forest where a huge community of monkeys lives. The walk is very pleasant, you can also find the different temples that are in this place.
The monkeys can seem very funny and playful, but try not to give them objects or not to have objects that are easy to remove (such as sunglasses on the head or hanging from the shirt, mobiles in the hand without looking, food etc...) if you They steal the mobile, give it up for lost.
Above all, respect the place, do not try to catch the monkeys, do not overwhelm them and please do not throw garbage in the forest.
I love this area of the Monkey forest, its lush forests and jungles hide wonderful temples and it is a recommended visit.
3. Enjoy the sunrise on the terraces of Tegalallang
These terraces are the most touristy and at noon and in high season it can be a bit overwhelming. For this reason, in addition to the fact that I recommend traveling in the low season, the best time to visit them is at dawn, when the sun's rays filter through the trees, creating a magical atmosphere.
4. Walk the Campuhan Rige Walk
If you like hiking, a great option to do on the outskirts of Ubud is to walk this path. It is surrounded by rice fields and from here you will have privileged views. In addition, you can see the volcano, the rice fields, the towns...
5. Goa Gajah
The Goa Gajah temple is one of the essential temples to see in Bali, located in the Ubud area. It is known as the elephant cave. And it stands out for being a huge elephant carved into the rock and the mouth, carved into the rock, gives way to the temple.
6. Climb Mount Batur
One of the best things to do in Bali is to visit and climb Mount Batur. Most travelers limit themselves to photographing it from afar, but going up at night before dawn to see the sun rise from the top while having a warm coffee (even if it's a thermos lol) is one of the best things to do. It is an unforgettable experience.
To climb to the top you must hire an organized excursion. Forget about going on your own and even less if you don't know the area. Now there are several tours that also include part of the tour in 4x4.
Waterfalls near Ubud
In the surroundings of Ubud you can also find some waterfalls that the more adventurous will want to explore, since some of them will need to go into the forest along paths that are not very accessible to see them (especially if you travel after the rainy season, since the vegetation is more abundant than usual). Although it will be worth it. The best are:
7. Tibumana Waterfall (about 15 min from Ubud)
8. Tegenungan Waterfall (just 10 km from Ubud)
9. Kanto Lampo Waterfall (about 11 km from Ubud).
10. Pura Besakih, the largest and most sacred temple in Bali
Pura Besakih is located in the east of the Island of Bali, right at the foot of Mount Agung. The temple is rather a huge complex made up of 23 buildings spread over 6 levels. Touring the temple will take you half a morning, wandering aimlessly, entering and exiting the buildings and marveling at the details.
The origin of the temple is unknown, but it has been a place of Hindu worship since the first Hindus who arrived in Bali. The temple expresses the belief known as Tri Hita Kirana, which consists of the balance with which we must live on earth and the plants in the complex also represent the different layers that the universe has, according to Hinduism.
The most important temple in the complex is the Pura Penataran Agung. Here you can see many offerings that the Hindus of the island leave every day.
11. Tanah Lot, one of the most beautiful temples in Bali
This temple was built in the 16th century, and today it continues to receive thousands of visitors a year, who come to it called by the curiosity that its many legends arouse. And it is that, according to popular belief, thousands of snakes live at its base that protect this sacred place from intruders.
What makes it even more special and unique is its location, on a large rock that is almost completely covered when the tide is high.
12. Green bowl beach, discover the most beautiful beach in Bali
In the Uluwatu area you will find the most beautiful beaches in Bali and perfect for surfing. One of the most impressive beaches for its location is Green Bowl Beach. To visit it you will have to park at the top of the cliff and go down to the beach through some stairs.
It is a small beach, where you will have a green landscape full of leafy vegetation behind you and an intense blue sea in front of you. Here on calmer sea days it is ideal for snorkelling. The days of more tide you can surf. There is space with white sand to sunbathe and enjoy a day at the beach in a paradisiacal place.
13. Discover the beaches of Uluwatu
Despite what it may seem, distances in Uluwatu are long. The best option to explore it is to rent a motorcycle or a car. The roads throughout this area are quite good, there is not as much traffic as in the Kuta, Canggu and Ubud area, and you can park quite easily.
The most incredible beaches in Uluwatu are Padang Padang, Nyang Nyang Beach, Blue Poin Beach, Suluban Beach, Thomas Beach and my favorite Green Bowl Beach. For the latter you will have to park at the top of the cliff and go down to the beach through some stairs. (The photo at the beginning of the post is from this beach). It is a small beach, where behind you will be a green landscape full of lush vegetation and in front of you will be an intense blue sea. Here, on days with calmer seas, it is ideal for snorkeling. On days with higher tides you can surf. There is white sand space to sunbathe and enjoy a day at the beach in a heavenly place.
If you want to enjoy a quiet beach day on a large beach with space to lie down and sunbathe, you can do it at; Nusa Dua, dreamland beach, seminyak beach, binbin beach, balangan beach, pandawa beach, and jimbaran beach.
Although these are not the only beaches in the area, there is also the famous Uluwatu beach, where the tide usually comes in strong and surfers come in droves.
14. Uluwatu temple
At the top of a 70 meter high cliff is the Uluwatu temple. It is one of the best places to see in Bali. Its construction dates back to the 11th century and despite some renovations it still preserves Balinese architectural and religious details.
The temple is only open for Hindu prayer and not for tourists. However, getting here to appreciate the temple from the outside and enjoy the spectacular views is already worth it. I recommend visiting it in the afternoon, you can tour the complex and just before sunset, stand on the edge of the cliff to be in the front row. The sunset from here is beautiful and not something you can miss.
The complex where the temple is located is full of monkeys, be careful because they are little thieves. Glasses, cell phones, food... they love everything and they are very fast.
Monkeys usually have fleas so I recommend that you avoid picking one up to take a photo, not only are you getting in the way of their space, but you could end up covered in bites. Also, some are not very friendly and may bite you. So enjoy the ride, take pictures, but be careful.
15. Nung nung Waterfall
Nung Nung Waterfall (Air Terjun Nungnung) is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali. Once you park on the road as you can, you must go down a path and some wooden stairs (be careful not to slip because they have a lot of moss and humidity). The area of the river and the waterfall is full of rocks and you have to be careful until you reach a natural pool that is created under the waterfall a few meters away. The waterfall has a drop of 50 meters and is usually a waterfall with an abundant flow throughout the year.
It was not well known despite being very close to a main road because it was a waterfall hidden in a deep valley and not visible. As travelers and content creators have been posting it on social media, this waterfall has been gaining in popularity among travelers.
16. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
The Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is one of the most beautiful temples to see in Bali. It is dedicated to the water goddess Dewi Danu and is a very important pilgrimage site in Indonesia. You will find it located on the shores of Lake Bratan, creating a beautiful picture.
17. Bali Handara Gate
It is possible that you have ever seen this photograph when you search for Bali in any search engine or among the publications you find on social networks. It is a door that simulates the entrance of a temple, but in reality it is the entrance of a golf resort. In Bali there are several, but the most photographed is the Bali Handara Gate.
18. Munduk Waterfalls
Munduk is a very little known area in Bali since its charm lies in natural places and it does not have leisure or tourist places as such. Here are two incredible waterfalls. The Twin Waterfall and the Munduk Waterfall.
To visit the "twin waterfall" of Munduk you must bear in mind that the path to reach this waterfall is narrow and in very poor condition. First you can make a journey by car, but it is usually full of mud, so if you do not have a suitable car, it is better not to access it by car so as not to get trapped. If you decide to walk the path from the beginning, you must first walk the path of about 2 km along the main path and then start the trail until you reach the waterfall. We actually got stuck in the mud on the way back (after seeing the waterfall) and luckily we found a tow truck in the nearby town who helped us get it out of the mud. They say that in the dry season, when it doesn't rain every day, the path is more accessible and easier.
For the next waterfall, Munduk Waterfall, you must park in an enabled area that they have and pay 5,000 IDR. From there, you will walk about 15 minutes along a dirt path, it is an easy path. When you go down to the waterfall you will have to pay an entrance fee of IDR 20,000 per person. You can contract the service of going down and going up by motorcycle and locals take you down and up. Sometimes it's a bit crazy because there are quite a few motorcycles, which makes you lose a bit of the charm of the place. Then you will walk to the base of a beautiful 50-meter-high waterfall in the middle of the lush jungle. The water falls vertically and is too powerful to be below and is not an ideal place to swim as a pool is not created below the fall. What you really get here with is to marvel at the place and enjoy the environment that surrounds you.
19. Jatiluwih Rice Fields
Near Munduk are the Jatiluwih rice fields, one of the most beautiful in Bali. As this area is rarely visited, you can walk among the rice fields without more people. If you go there early in the morning you will see the farmers harvesting the rice. I advise you to go at dawn, but don't forget the mosquito repellent, there are a lot!
20. Tirta Empul
Tirta Empul is a Hindu temple built above a spring of sacred waters. For Hindus, these waters are healing. And it is important that you keep this in mind when you travel to Bali and it seems like a great idea to get into the pool to take a photo for Instagram. You must have respect for the cultures and religions of others and understand that this is a place of worship.
21. Taman Ayun
Pura Taman Ayun is one of the temples in Bali that can only be visited outside as entry is not allowed inside. From the outside you can see different pagodas and their gardens. This temple is located on the route to Tanah Lot, so it is a good option to visit it on the same day.
Access is only allowed for their festivities and only to Hindus. If you are Hindu, you must comply with the clothing regulations and you can follow the different rituals and offerings.
22. Colonial Munduk
The Dutch also came to Munduk during colonial times, so there are some colonial-style Dutch houses in the village. Some of these buildings today are lodgings and are a good option to spend the night. In the town there are also some small local food restaurants for lunch or dinner.
23. Seminyak, a good area to stay in Bali
Although my favorite area to stay in Bali is Canggu, Seminyak is a good alternative, somewhat cheaper and where you will find all kinds of accommodation. From villas with private pools to hostels.
In addition, Seminyak has a beautiful beach with "chiringuitos" where you can have a drink and watch the sunset, sitting in colorful pubs.
Both Seminyak, Kuta and Canggu are good options if your intention is to surf in Bali. Here you will find the majority of surf schools and places to rent a board.
In Seminyak you have a couple of temples that you can visit; Pura Petitenget, Pura Tanah Lot (I've told you about him before) and Pura Masceti.
24. Kehen Temple
The Kehen temple is a Hindu temple that stands out for having a certain architectural similarity with the Pura Besakih temple. To access you must climb 38 steps. Once up you can see many Balinese folklore statues. The temple is located in the town of Cempaga, an area that stands out for its fruit fields and rural landscape.
25. Taman Tirta Gangga
The Taman Tirta Gangga is one of the most popular temples to visit in Bali, in the Sidemen area. In reality, it is not a temple as such, but a Royal Palace. Its gardens full of vegetation are one of the best things to see in the Palace, with a beautiful pond full of huge carp.
26. Mount Agung
This conical volcano has the highest summit in Bali. It is an active volcano and its last eruption was in 2019. Although the most aggressive and devastating eruption in the history of Indonesia dates back to 1963, where there were 2 eruptions with some 1,500 deaths.
This Mount also has some hikes that take you to the top. It is not as popular as Mount Batur. And this is a point in favor if you are looking for a little crowded trekking in Bali.
27. Gunung Kawi Temple
This temple is beautiful, surrounded by rice fields, lush vegetation, next to a river and a waterfall, making this place one of the most magical places in Bali. It is not only worth getting to know the temple, but also the place where it is located.
28. Pura Lempuyang
Pura Lempuyang is located more than 1000 meters above the sea on Mount Lempuyang, and is dedicated to the god of peace.
Although until a few years ago this temple was not so well known, this is the famous temple where through a mirror they take the magical photo of the water that reflects the main door and the impressive views in the background.
If you travel to Bali in high season you can find lines and lines to take your photo. Out of season there are times when you are lucky enough to visit the temple with hardly any people. And that's how you enjoy this temple the most.
29. Lovina
Lovina is a popular coastal town in Bali, much less known to travelers. It is located in the north of the island, very far from the most fashionable areas, such as Kuta, Canggu or Ubud.
Apart from wandering around and getting to know the different villages, the main attraction of the area is dolphin watching. There is a colony of dolphins living on the outskirts of the coast and there are some boat trips, and without having to go far from the thing, you can already begin to see the dolphins. You will be able to watch them swim, play and jump around your boat.
30. Ulun Danu Batur Temple
You will find the Ulun Danu Batu temple very close to the Batur Volcano, specifically in Kintamani. It is a temple that is part of a complex of 9 buildings. You can only access the interior if you are Hindu, but it is worth visiting the exterior if you are in the area.
31. Gitgit waterfall
To the south of the town of Lovina is the Gitgit Waterfall. This incredible waterfall has a drop of 35 meters high, making it one of the highest waterfalls in Bali. The waterfall is located in an incredible rural and natural environment.
32. Banjar Hot Springs
In Lovina there are the Banjar hot springs. On the Island of Bali there are several areas with hot springs, they are public baths and very popular among locals since for them they are healing waters.
33. Snorkeling in Amed
Amed's main attraction is diving and snorkeling, many say that it is the best destination on the Island. The beaches are pleasant and calm, although its coasts have coarse sand and stones.
Along the coast you will find several places where they rent and sell snorkeling equipment if you do not bring your own and the best thing is that as soon as you get into the water you start to see colorful fish and small corals embedded in the rocky ground.
34. Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan
You will find the Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan temple on Lake Tamblingan, a beautiful area to see in Bali. Adjacent to each other, there are a total of three lakes; Lake Tamblingan, Lake Buyan and Lake Bratan. You can explore the three lakes on foot or by motorcycle. It is a beautiful natural environment and although the temple cannot be visited inside, just the image of the temple on the lake, surrounded by nature, is worth getting here.
35. Sidemen's Rice Paddies
Mystical, special, unique. That's how I would describe Sidemen.
Lost in the middle of rice fields and lush vegetation is this small city, where a completely different peace and aura reigns than the rest of Bali. Tourists don't come here en masse, so it remains a very authentic area.
36. Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Visiting the Tukad Cepung waterfall is an incredible experience while you are in the Sidemen area. Although it is somewhat closer to the town of Bangli. What makes this waterfall so unique is that it is located inside a cave.
You will need to pay IDR 30,000 per person to enter and you will have to take a short 20-minute walk down some stairs to a gorge to reach the waterfall.
It's best to go early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds. The best time is between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., where you can appreciate the rays of light that filter through the opening of the waterfall.
37. Pura Luhur Batukaru
The Pura Luhur temple is dedicated to the God of Mount Batukaru and you will find it right at the foot of this mountain. It is a place of Hindu ritual, surrounded by vegetation, several sculptures covered with moss and a very mystical environment.
38. Brahma Vihara Arama
The Brahma Vihara Arama temple is one of the few Buddhist temples you will find in Bali and is located on Banjar Mountain. It bears some resemblance to the Borobudur temple on the island of Java.
39. Canggu
Canggu is one of the best areas to stay. You will find all kinds of accommodation, from luxury villas and private pools, hotels of all kinds, hostels... there are also many places to have a drink, small cafes, places to connect to high-quality internet to work, a perfect beach for surfing... but the What I like most about this area with its rice fields.
It has been my base for a long time, so getting lost in the rice fields has been a way of finding peace and tranquility. There are many trails that can be done by bike, walking, some can even be done by motorcycle. They are rice fields on a plain, so they are easily accessible and very extensive.
40. Leke Leke waterfall
This waterfall is gorgeous! It is one of the most visited waterfalls in Bali and published in thousands of posts on social networks. For this reason, I advise you to get up very early to visit it and not have to stand in endless queues to take a picture.
It is located on the way from Ubud to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan and has easy access, from the access to the waterfall it is about a 5 minute walk. To access you have to pay 50K rupees per person.
41. Sekumpul Waterfalls
To get to Sekumpul you must reach the small town of Sawan. During the journey you make along the paths to the waterfalls you will find a landscape full of jungle (where mosquitoes abound) with many endemic plants of Indonesia. As well as many fruit trees such as mango or guavas, and other types of aromatic plants such as cloves and ginger.
The trail begins with a steep stairway into the jungle with several viewpoints of the many waterfalls. At the bottom, there is a bridge to cross the river that forks between the two waterfall areas.
It is one of my favorite places in Bali, and they are not usually very visited waterfalls, so they are usually quieter than others like Leke Leke.
42. Rambut Siwi
This temple is one of those that never appears on the lists and it is one of those temples that can go unnoticed. I discovered it by chance and I found it beautiful and very intimate. This temple is located in Jembrana in a privileged location, right on the coast.
43. Sheer Bukit Saree
This temple is one of my favorites. Keep in mind that if you search for it on Google, there are several with the same name that only have the last word as a variant. This particular one is located in the south of the island of Bali, in the Uluwatu area.
Among lush forests, the strangest sculptures that simulate demons, and among a huge number of monkeys is this Pura. There are several pagodas and small Buddhist temples within the grounds that you can visit. I recommend in this temple not to make offerings in the temples that are food, the monkeys are little thieves!
44. Kertha Gosa Park
This temple is located in the city of Klung Kung and there is a pavilion that represents Balinese architecture, without the influence of other styles. The pavilion is surrounded by a small artificial lake filled with lotus flowers. Visiting it first thing in the morning with open flowers is gorgeous and the best option to avoid the masses of visitors. Although it is not one of the most popular temples, its proximity to cities such as Ubud (30 minutes by car) or Sidemen (20 minutes by car) make this pavilion an essential stop for those who visit this area of Bali.
And since you are in the area, the next temple is quite close and you must visit it on the way to the Blue Lagoon Beach.
45. Blue Lagoon Beach
This area of Bali has a beautiful cove, quiet and perfect for those looking for small accommodation and areas less frequented by tourists. From here you can snorkel in the same cove or take a boat that will take you out to sea from where you can see sea turtles, manta rays... Nearby is the Bias Tugel Beach, which is also a beautiful beach.
46. Pure Goa Lawah
You can find this temple on the way from Kertha Gosa Park to Blue Lagon Beach. It has a very similar entrance to the temples that are all over the island, yet it is located in a beautiful place and I recommend you visit it. The most peculiar thing about this temple are the thousands of inhabitants that reside in it, the bats.
If it weren't for the fact that it is located in an area where there are many things to see, perhaps I would not include it on the list, but as I tell you already, you should visit Blue Lagon Beach (One of the best beaches in Bali) it is on your way so make a stop.
47. Nusa Penida, the perfect excursion to do from Bali
Nusa Penida is beautiful and worth spending two or three days on. But if you don't have that much time, there are day trips from Bali.
You cannot miss the Karang Dawa viewpoint in Keling King Beach, Angel's Billbong Beach, Broken Beach, the teletubbies hills, Peguyangan, Goa Giri Putri Temple or some of its most incredible beaches for surfing such as Atuh Beach or Crustal Bay.
48. Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
If you have time to add more destinations to your trip in Bali and you are going to spend some time in Nusa Penida, you cannot miss Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
These islands belong to the Nusa Islands and are not as popular as Bali, so you can unwind on their incredible beaches.
49. Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are a paradise in Indonesia. These three islands Gilo Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, are located near the island of Lombok, in my case I visited them and spent a few days on them when I traveled to Lombok, but now they can also be visited from Bali.
If you want to add these islands to your trip to Bali, I recommend that you take the speedboat and stay on them for at least 3 nights.
50. Top coffee in Bali
If you are going to travel to Bali or spend a long time there, you should bear in mind that it rains a lot on the island, so there are times when you should protect yourself. The best option to avoid locking yourself in the hotel is to enjoy its beautiful cafes. Throughout the island there are many places where you can have a drink in a quiet, more disco atmosphere... there is something for all tastes.
I personally love coffees and all kinds of fruit smoothies. In addition, the vast majority serve breakfast bowls full of tropical fruits and seeds, toast with local fruit jams, hot breakfasts...
Living in Canggu, I visited its cafes a lot, looking for a good internet connection and a tasty coffee. These are my favourites:
Betelnut Coffee
Doppio Coffee
Coffee the Daun
Canggu Coffee
Motion Coffee
Love Coffee
Magcel Coffee
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A hug and see you soon!