Indonesia

15 Best Things to Visit in Bali (Indonesia)

For good reason, Bali, often known as the “Island of the Gods,” is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world it is one of the most picturesque places on the planet. Bali is undoubtedly a surfer’s paradise, and if you’re looking for a beach vacation, there isn’t a better spot to find it than this stunning island located in the middle of Indonesia. Bali is also bordered by golden beaches. In addition to the sea and sand, though, Bali has a vast array of other sights to explore, including temples, caverns, waterfalls, museums, and marketplaces. If you are interested in history and culture, you may spend hours in locations like Ubud learning about local tales and Balinese traditions. If you enjoy adventure activities, a trip here won’t let you down either. You may enjoy a wide variety of water sports, muck and wreck diving, and the opportunity to soar through the jungle canopy like Tarzan. In summary, you may spend a month in Bali and still only experience a small portion of the attractions there. Whatever you choose to do, you will likely find it there. The most difficult part of a vacation here is deciding where to go first and what to see.

Tanah Lot Temple

Marvel at Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple

Hindu temple Tanah Lot Temple, which is perched atop a sizable and picturesque rock formation, is arguably Bali’s most well-known tourist destination. One of the most incredible sites in Indonesia is the rock that has been cut off from the mainland through time by the sea. At high tide, the rock is totally encircled. Make sure you arrive there early to secure the best place to view the show because a lot of people come here to watch the sunsets around the temple. You can traverse the sand to the temple when the tide is low.

Watch a Kecak dance

Watch a Kecak dance
Kecak dance

The Kecak dance, which was created in the 1930s, is one of Bali’s well-known dances. The dance takes its name from the ‘cak’ sound that is repeated throughout and is based on the story of the Hindu epic called the Ramayana. The dance is performed all across the island, and many of the presentations are held outside under the stars.

Go snorkeling in Amed

Amed
MarklchavesCC BY-SA 4.0

Amed is a terrific option if you’re searching for a less busy area of Bali away from the hordes of visitors who swarm here. This area of the island, which is still largely unknown, consists of a string of settlements near the water rather than a town. Since the visibility is outstanding and diving is quite affordable in comparison to other places in Bali, this location attracts a lot of visitors who come for snorkeling and diving.

Water sports in Tanjung Benoa

Tanjung Benoa
Christophe95CC BY-SA 4.0

If you want to enjoy water sports in Bali, Tanjung Benoa is the place to go because there are many different activities available. But one of the most thrilling is donning a water jetpack, which will enable you to soar up to a height of 10 meters. Sessions last around 20 minutes. One of the main attractions of jetpacking is the opportunity to view Bali’s beauty from the air. Even if you have never flown before, the committed instructors will show you how to do it in a safe and controlled setting.

Buy some silver in Celuk

Jalan Raya
Fabio Achilli from Milano, ItalyCC BY 2.0

A community in Sukawati called Celuk is well-known for its silversmiths. You may easily visit for the day and stroll down Jalan Raya Celuk’s main strip, where you will find a great variety of silver studios with ornately crafted silverware for sale. It is only around 30 minutes away from the nearby town of Ubud. It is customary to haggle here, so don’t be afraid to do so if you see anything you like. You can buy a variety of traditional souvenirs here or even have anything you want made to order.

Take a cooking class at Bumbu Bali

 Bumbu Bali
Windi UtariCC BY-SA 4.0

Heinz von Holzen is the owner of Bumbu Bali, one of the island’s most renowned dining establishments. The restaurant also offers cooking workshops, which include a trip to a nearby market in the morning to learn all about the local ingredients before returning to the restaurant kitchens to prepare an incredible traditional Balinese meal. The program concludes with a shared lunch, and you will receive a certificate of participation as a souvenir.

Visit Ulun Danu Temple

Visit Ulun Danu Temple
Ulun Danu Temple

In Bali’s Bedugul, Ulun Danu Temple is located next to Baratan Lake. One of the calmest and most peaceful areas on the island is this charming structure, which is dedicated to the goddess of the lake. Check out all the shrines, each of which is devoted to a different deity, and keep an eye out for elaborate architectural details like intricately carved gates.

Diving in Padang Bai

Padang Bai
Alexey KomarovCC BY 3.0

Diving at Padang Bai, which is in Bali’s east, is its main draw. Whatever your level of diving experience, there are seven different dive sites that are conveniently accessible from the coast following a brief boat ride. You can get PADI certified here and if you like muck diving, then this is one of the best places to do it in Bali and you will find a range of underwater critters like the blue-ringed octopus and pygmy seahorses. Sharks, turtles, waving fans, and coral gardens are also likely to be seen.

Spend time in Sidemen

Sidemen
rahmat nugrohoCC BY-SA 4.0

Sidemen are frequently overlooked by travelers, which is unfortunate because they provide you with the ideal substitute for busier locations like Ubud. The area is located amongst jade green rice paddies and lies in a cool valley you can go trekking in the surrounding area and walk to secluded waterfalls and stunning vantage points that let you take in the majesty of the scenery here.

Have fun at Bali Treetop Adventure Park

Treetop Adventure Park
Treetop Adventure Park

Make your way to Bali Treetop Adventure Park, where you’ll find a variety of rides surrounded by lush trees if you want an afternoon filled with adrenaline. The park features rides for kids as young as four years old and is perfect for families, groups, or couples. High up in the trees, there are a variety of circuits where you can ride nets, swings, and flying foxes to soar through the air while admiring the spectacular views of the forest canopy.

Rice fields of Tabanan

Bennylin, CC BY-SA 3.0

If you’re searching for something a little unique in Bali, visit Tabanan, an area surrounded by lush, rich paddies that shimmer with an emerald tint in the sunlight. The main attraction is that, in addition to taking in the landscape, you can participate in and discover how Bali’s rice is cultivated and harvested. You can pluck some of your own by getting knee-deep in mud in a paddy if you’re feeling very daring.

Experience the culture in Ubud

Ubud
Michelle MariaCC BY 3.0

If you enjoy art, Ubud is the place to visit because it is regarded as Bali’s cultural center. Ubud is surrounded by stunning, gently sloping rice paddies and is home to many art galleries, including the Neka Art Museum, which provides an overview of Bali’s artistic development. Additionally, Ubud is home to shops where you may purchase arts and crafts souvenirs as well as jewelry, ceramics, and sculpture-specific galleries.

Have lunch at Bebek Bengil in Ubud

Have lunch at Bebek Bengil in Ubud
Ado Pranoto, CC BY 3.0

Bebek Bengil means the ‘Dirty Duck’ in Indonesian and is one of the best-loved restaurants in Ubud. The restaurant’s major specialty is duck, which is served in a variety of different ways. It backs onto a lovely rice field. The signature style here is the bebek betutu, which is boiled in a broth made with aromatic herbs and then rubbed with local spices. After being fried till crisp and blistered, the duck is then served with plain rice and veggies.

Go surfing in Kuta

Kuta beach
Kuta beach

You must visit Kuta Beach, Bali’s most well-known beach, if you have never surfed before or are simply seeking some calm waves. The beach sits across from a sand bar, which means it has rolling surf that is free of any sharp reefs, and you can rent a board here and sign up for a surf lesson, or rent a body board if you want to try something a little less strenuous. Both locals and tourists gather here to view the sunset, so you may unwind on the sand with a cold beer while taking in the scene.

Yoga Barn

Relax at the Yoga Barn
ndian Nav, GODL-India

One of the most well-known yoga resorts on the island, the Yoga Barn, is the place to go if you want to unwind and achieve enlightenment in Bali. The Yoga Barn, which includes five distinct studios and a variety of programs for all skill levels, is situated in the serene and reflective town of Ubud. You may also reserve a stay here for a multi-day retreat, and there are detoxification and cleaning programs that will help you unwind and get used to a slower pace of life.