★ Top sights 20
A Hindu temple on a wooded hillside 2 kilometres north of Bangli town, serving as the royal temple of the Bangli Kingdom. Inscriptions reference the site from the late 9th century when it was named Hyang Api. The innermost sanctum contains an eleven-tiered meru tower. The outer courtyard features a 400-year-old banyan tree and is decorated with Chinese porcelain plates inlaid into the walls. Stone demon carvings flank the main entrance, and three terraced courtyards ascend to the principal shrine.
Former royal court of the Klungkung kingdom. Famous painted ceiling depicting punishments in the afterlife. Floating pavilion (Bale Kambang) with elaborate murals.
Former home of Spanish-Filipino artist Antonio Blanco. Flamboyant art and eccentric personality preserved. Beautiful garden overlooking the Campuhan valley.
Outstanding museum of Balinese and Indonesian art set in beautiful gardens. Traditional and contemporary works. Dance performances, art classes. Peaceful atmosphere.
Ancient Bali Aga village on Lake Batur accessible only by boat. Open-air cemetery where bodies are placed under a banyan tree instead of cremated. Unique and eerie cultural experience.
One of the oldest Bali Aga villages maintaining pre-Hindu traditions. Famous for geringsing double-ikat textiles, the rarest weaving technique in the world. Calm and authentic.
Presidential retreat built in 1957 by Indonesia's first president Sukarno. Modernist architecture set among gardens with valley views. Next to Tirta Empul temple. Limited opening hours.
Royal family temple of Mengwi surrounded by a moat and beautiful gardens. Peaceful and uncrowded alternative to major temples. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
11th-century village temple with some of Bali's most elaborate stone carvings. Intricate reliefs covering every surface. Quiet, uncrowded. Local guide available. Beautiful example of Balinese temple art.
Beautiful cliff-backed beach popular with surfers. Simple warungs on the cliff. Less developed, more authentic feel. Gorgeous at low tide.
Traditional fishing village with black volcanic sand beaches. Colorful jukung boats line the shore. Relaxed pace, great snorkeling right off the beach.
Calm black sand beach on Bali's north coast. Famous for early morning dolphin watching boat trips. Quiet alternative to the south.
Secluded white sand beach reached by 300+ steep steps. Cave with bats at one end. Pristine and uncrowded thanks to the challenging access.
Hidden cove beach near Diamond Beach with dramatic rock formations and a natural arch. Steep steps down. Less visited than other Nusa Penida beaches. Stunning scenery.
One of Bali's most secluded beaches. 500+ steps down a cliff. Vast stretch of white sand usually deserted. Abandoned shipwreck on the beach. Bring water. No facilities.
190 sq km of monsoon forest, mangroves and savanna. Home to the endangered Bali starling. Hiking, bird watching, and diving at Menjangan Island. Rarely visited.
Tranquil valley with terraced rice paddies and views of Mount Agung. Much quieter than Ubud with authentic village life. Excellent trekking and homestays. The real Bali.
Historic residence of the Ubud royal family, partially open to visitors. Beautiful traditional architecture. Nightly dance performances in the courtyard. Free entry to grounds.
Grand water palace built in 1919 by the last King of Karangasem. Mix of Balinese and European architecture. Reflecting pools, bridges, and ocean views. Beautifully restored.
One of the cleanest and most well-preserved traditional villages in Bali. Identical bamboo-roofed houses along a stone path. No motorized vehicles. Living heritage site.
Activities & local 13
Pre-dawn boat trips from Lovina to see spinner dolphins. Boats depart at 6am, trips last 1-2 hours. Large pods frequently spotted. Combine with north coast sightseeing.
Open-air zoo and safari park with Indonesian and African animals. Night safari, elephant rides (ethical debate), water park. Good for families. Full day needed.
Giant swings over a tropical ravine with rice terrace views. Multiple swing heights (up to 78m drop). Photo packages included. Very popular, expect queues. Book online.
Natural sulphur hot springs on Bali's north coast. Water flows from dragon-head fountains into tiered pools. Lush tropical garden setting. Quiet and affordable. Restaurant on site.
Bali's trendiest surf area with multiple breaks. Echo Beach for experienced surfers, Batu Bolong for beginners. Packed with cafes, coworking spaces, and yoga studios.
Cultural park featuring the 121m tall Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, one of the world's tallest. Balinese dance shows, exhibition halls. Impressive scale. Sunset views from the plateau.
Traditional Balinese market in Semarapura selling textiles, spices, ceremonial items, and local crafts. Very few tourists. Best in the morning. Great for authentic souvenirs.
Natural hot spring pools on the shore of Lake Batur with direct volcano views. Multiple temperature pools. Great after a sunrise trek. Modern facility with restaurant.
Full-day trip to Nusa Penida island. See Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong, Crystal Bay. Speedboat from Sanur (30-45 min). Roads are rough - rent a scooter or hire driver.
Small local night market on the main road in Sanur. Authentic Balinese food at local prices. Satay, bakso, nasi campur, grilled seafood. Open from 5pm. Budget-friendly dining.
Walk along the beach from Seminyak to Echo Beach at sunset. Pass famous beach clubs (La Plancha, Potato Head). Live music, fire dancers, cocktails. Bali's best sunset scene.
Jungle swing and nest photo platforms overlooking the rice terraces. Multiple installations along the road. Popular Instagram spot. Usually included in rice terrace tours.
Award-winning waterpark in central Kuta. 22 slides, lazy river, kids' area. Consistently rated best waterpark in Asia. Well-maintained, clean. Full day of fun.
Beaches & coast 23
Small Japanese patrol boat wreck in 3-12m depth, easily accessible from shore. Covered in coral, full of tropical fish. Great for both snorkelers and divers.
Secret white sand cove hidden behind the headland at Padang Bai. Short jungle walk to reach it. Crystal clear water, excellent snorkeling.
Popular snorkeling spot next to Padang Bai. Sheltered bay with colorful coral and abundant fish. Easy access from the beach. Boat trips also available.
Nusa Penida's main beach for swimming and snorkeling. White sand, palm trees, coral reef. Famous sunset spot. Good manta ray diving nearby.
Stunning white sand beach on Nusa Penida's east coast. Newly built concrete stairs make access easier. Dramatic cliff scenery. Less crowded than Kelingking. Crystal clear water.
Wide golden sand beach with good surf. Part of the Pecatu development area. Strong currents, use caution. Stunning cliff backdrop.
Busy surf beach at the end of Canggu strip. Consistent left-hand break. Lined with beach bars and restaurants. Great sunset views. Rocky at low tide.
Sheltered bay in Amed with pristine coral reef starting just 10m from shore. Calm waters, excellent visibility. Great for beginners. Underwater sculptures.
Scenic crescent bay near the airport. Famous for open-air seafood restaurants on the beach at sunset. Calm water, golden sand.
Iconic T-Rex shaped cliff on Nusa Penida. Steep dangerous trail to the beach below. Viewpoint is the main draw. One of Bali's most photographed sights.
Wide sandy beach famous for surfing and sunsets. Busy tourist area with bars and shops lining the shore. Great for beginner surfers.
Stunning white sand beach framed by towering limestone cliffs. Dramatic access road carved through rock. Crystal clear water. Instagram hotspot.
Protected island in West Bali National Park. Pristine coral walls, 40m+ visibility. Fantastic wall diving and snorkeling. Deer swim to the island.
Sheltered white sand bay on Nusa Lembongan. Calm, shallow water perfect for swimming. Beach bars and restaurants. Boat arrival point. Good for families.
Pristine white sand beach in Bali's luxury resort enclave. Calm turquoise water, great for families. Well-maintained, less hawker pressure.
Excellent drift snorkel site between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Strong currents carry you over vibrant coral. Organized tours include this stop.
One of the best places in the world to swim with oceanic manta rays. Year-round sightings at this cleaning station. Boat trip from Nusa Penida or mainland.
Tiny cove beach accessed through a rock crevice. White sand, clear water, dramatic cliffs. Featured in Eat Pray Love. Arrives quickly at capacity.
Home to the world's largest Biorock coral reef restoration project. Swim through underwater structures growing new coral. Calm water, excellent visibility.
Calm, shallow beach on the east coast with a long paved promenade. Protected by reef, no big waves. Charming old-school Bali feel.
Trendy beach with high-end beach clubs like Potato Head and Ku De Ta. Beautiful sunsets, strong currents. The place to see and be seen.
WWII cargo ship torpedoed in 1942, now resting in 5-30m depth. Covered in spectacular coral growth. Accessible from shore. One of the world's best wreck dives.
Dramatic surf beach below Uluwatu cliffs, accessed through a cave. World-class left break. Rocky reef, experienced surfers only.
Culture & history 12
Bali's Mother Temple on the slopes of Mount Agung. Largest and holiest Hindu temple complex with 23 separate temples. Over 1000 years old. Hire a local guide.
9th-century rock-cut cave with a demon face entrance. Ancient bathing pools and fountains. Compact site with Buddhist and Hindu elements. UNESCO-listed.
11th-century rock-cut shrines carved into cliff faces along the Pakerisan River. 300+ steps down into a lush valley. One of Bali's oldest and most atmospheric sites.
Hilltop temple complex famous for the 'Gates of Heaven' photo spot framing Mt Agung. Long queues for the mirror photo. Several temples along the steep path.
Beautiful temple in central Ubud fronted by a lotus pond. Free entry. Traditional dance performances in the evenings. Illuminated beautifully at night.
Iconic sea temple perched on a rocky outcrop. One of Bali's most important landmarks. Spectacular at sunset. Temple interior only accessible to worshippers.
Hidden rock-cut Buddhist monastery with meditation niches carved into the cliff. Often missed by visitors despite being near Goa Gajah. Peaceful, mystical atmosphere. Free entry.
Sacred water temple famous for its holy spring purification pools. Visitors can participate in the purification ritual. Bring a sarong. Beautiful stone carvings.
Former royal water palace with tiered pools, fountains and stone carvings. Walk on stepping stones over fish ponds. Beautiful mountain backdrop. Swim in the pools.
Traditional market across from Ubud Palace. Handmade crafts, batik, paintings, wood carvings, woven baskets. Bargaining expected. Arrive early for best selection.
Iconic temple on the shores of Lake Beratan. Appears to float when water is high. Featured on the 50,000 rupiah banknote. Cool mountain climate at 1200m.
Ancient clifftop temple 70m above the Indian Ocean. Famous Kecak fire dance at sunset (tickets sell fast). Watch out for mischievous monkeys.
Getting there 4
Western tip of Bali. Car ferry to Ketapang, East Java (45 min, runs 24h). Gateway for road trips to/from Java.
Bali's only airport, located in Tuban near Kuta. Car rental desks in arrivals hall. International hub with direct flights from Asia, Australia, Middle East and Europe.
Main ferry terminal to Lombok (4-5 hours crossing). Public car ferries depart roughly every hour. Also speedboats to Gili Islands.
Departure point for speedboats to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Multiple operators, 30-45 min crossing. Book ahead in high season.
Nature 16
Natural rock pool on the cliff edge that looks like an infinity pool over the ocean. Stunning at low tide. Very dangerous at high tide. Next to Broken Beach.
Dramatic natural rock arch forming a circular bay. Crystal clear turquoise water below. Often combined with Angel's Billabong next door. No swimming allowed.
Easy 2km paved path along a narrow ridge with grass fields on both sides. Best at sunrise when light is golden and it's cool. Starts from the end of Jalan Raya Ubud.
40m high waterfall near the road from Ubud to Lovina. Easy 15-minute walk through tropical vegetation. Several smaller falls nearby. Can be combined with a north coast trip.
Iconic Balinese split gate (candi bentar) at a golf course entrance. Mountain and mist backdrop. One of Bali's most photographed spots. Quick photo stop.
UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces at 700m altitude. Vast panoramic landscapes, traditional subak system. Much less crowded than Tegallalang. Walking paths through paddies.
Large crater lake below Mount Batur. Hot springs on the shore (Toya Devasya). Stunning drive along the caldera rim. Fresh tilapia fish restaurants.
Sacred forest sanctuary with 700+ long-tailed macaques. Ancient moss-covered temples inside. Beautiful banyan trees. Secure all belongings - monkeys grab everything.
Bali's highest (3031m) and holiest mountain. Challenging overnight trek (6-8 hours up). Check volcanic activity status before attempting. Stunning sunrise from summit.
Active volcano (1717m) with a popular sunrise hike. 2-hour trek starting at 4am. Stunning caldera views with Lake Batur below. Guide required. Cook eggs in volcanic steam.
Cool highland village with several waterfalls (Red Coral, Golden Valley, Melanting). Coffee and clove plantations. Trekking through jungle. Peaceful mountain retreat.
Often called Bali's most beautiful waterfall. Multi-stream cascade in a lush jungle ravine. 30-minute trek with steep stairs and river crossing. Worth every step.
Iconic stepped rice terraces north of Ubud. Beautiful subak irrigation system. Famous jungle swings for photos. Very touristy but genuinely stunning.
Powerful waterfall just 30 minutes south of Ubud. Easy access with good facilities. Very popular, arrive early. You can swim in the pool below. Beautiful green setting.
Beautiful twin waterfall in a lush setting east of Ubud. Easy 10-minute walk from parking. Swimming pool at the base. Much less crowded than nearby waterfalls.
Hidden waterfall inside a canyon cave. When sunlight streams through the cave opening, it creates magical light beams through the mist. Short walk through a river.