Things to Do in Bali - 25 Experiences by Area

Bali packs an astonishing amount into a small island: volcanoes and rice terraces, cliff-top temples and hidden beaches, jungle waterfalls, coral reefs and some of the warmest hospitality in Asia. The trick is knowing what's where, because Bali's traffic means you'll enjoy it most if you match experiences to the area you're staying in.

Here are 25 of the best things to do in Bali, grouped by area, with notes on what suits honeymooners, families and luxury travellers.

Ubud and Central Bali

1. Walk the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. About 20–30 minutes north of Ubud, these terraces cascade down a valley in shades of green. Go early - by 7:30 or 8 AM - to beat the crowds and the heat. Small donations are collected at entry points along the paths.

2. Bathe at Tirta Empul. This sacred water temple, about 30 minutes from Ubud, has purification pools fed by a holy spring. Visitors can join the ritual: wear a sarong (available to rent), follow the order of the fountains and be respectful.

3. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. In central Ubud, this forest temple complex is home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques. Secure your sunglasses, phones and snacks - the monkeys are expert thieves.

4. Watch a traditional dance performance. Legong, Barong and Kecak dances are performed most evenings at the Ubud Palace and other venues.

5. Hike the Mount Batur sunrise trek. A pre-dawn climb (pick-ups around 2–3 AM) up an active volcano, reaching the summit in about two hours for sunrise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. Moderately strenuous, but very rewarding.

6. Chase waterfalls. Tegenungan, Tibumana, Kanto Lampo and Tukad Cepung, where light beams fall through a cave, are all within an hour of Ubud.

7. Take a Balinese cooking class. Visit a local market, then learn to cook dishes like sate lilit and gado-gado. Vegetarian classes are widely available.

8. Try the Bali Swing. Swing out over the jungle valleys near Ubud - touristy, but great fun for photos.

Seminyak, Canggu and Kuta

9. Watch the sunset at Seminyak Beach. Bali's west coast sunsets are famous. Find a spot on the sand or at a beach club and watch the sky turn orange and pink.

10. See Tanah Lot at sunset. About 45–60 minutes from Seminyak, this temple sits on a rock in the sea and is one of Bali's most iconic sights. At high tide it's surrounded by water. Go early to avoid the worst of the crowds and traffic.

11. Learn to surf. Kuta and Canggu have gentle beach breaks and plenty of surf schools for beginners, including kids.

12. Spend a day at Waterbom Bali. In Kuta, one of Asia's best water parks - a hit with families.

13. Shop and spa in Seminyak. Boutiques, homeware stores and spas offering Balinese massage at very reasonable prices.

Uluwatu and Jimbaran

14. Watch the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple. Perched on a cliff 70 metres above the ocean, Uluwatu Temple hosts a nightly Kecak performance at sunset - a chorus of chanting men, fire and the Ramayana story, against the sky. Unforgettable. Watch out for the temple's monkeys.

15. Explore Uluwatu's beaches. Padang Padang, Bingin, Suluban and Melasti are reached by steps down the cliffs - beautiful, but some involve steep climbs.

16. Have a seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach. Tables on the sand, fresh grilled seafood and the sunset over the bay.

17. Visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. A huge statue of Vishnu riding Garuda, one of the tallest statues in the world, set in a cultural park with performances. Indian visitors often find it especially meaningful.

The Nusa Islands

18. Take a day trip to Nusa Penida. A fast boat from Sanur (around 30–45 minutes) takes you to dramatic landscapes: Kelingking Beach's T-Rex-shaped cliff, Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong and Crystal Bay. Roads are rough and the days are long. Consider an overnight stay.

19. Snorkel with manta rays. At Manta Point off Nusa Penida, you can snorkel or dive with giant manta rays - one of Bali's greatest wildlife experiences.

20. Relax on Nusa Lembongan. Smaller and calmer than Penida, with mangroves, white-sand beaches and the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan.

North and East Bali

21. Visit Ulun Danu Beratan. The beautiful lake temple at Bedugul, in the cool highlands, seems to float on the water.

22. See the "Gates of Heaven" at Lempuyang Temple. In east Bali, this temple gate frames Mount Agung. Note that the famous "reflection" photos use a mirror trick, and queues for photos can last hours.

23. Explore Tirta Gangga water palace. A former royal water garden with stepping stones, fountains and koi ponds.

24. See the Sekumpul waterfalls. In the north, often called Bali's most beautiful waterfalls, reached by a trek through the jungle.

25. Dive or snorkel at Amed and Tulamben. On the east coast, known for the USAT Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben, coral reefs and black-sand beaches.

Experiences for Honeymooners, Families and Luxury Travellers

Honeymooners: a floating breakfast in your private pool villa, a couples' spa treatment, a candlelit dinner on Jimbaran Beach, the Kecak dance at Uluwatu at sunset and a jungle swing in Ubud. Many villas and resorts offer honeymoon packages that bundle these together.

Families: Waterbom Bali, the Monkey Forest (with care), a beginners' surf lesson, the Bali Swing, waterfalls, snorkelling at calm Nusa Dua or Sanur, and the Garuda Wisnu Kencana park. Keep day trips short and avoid long drives in peak traffic.

Luxury travellers: a private villa in Ubud's Ayung valley or on Uluwatu's cliffs, a private guide for temples and rice terraces, a helicopter tour, a sunset cruise, a private chef dinner and a day at one of Bali's finest spas.

Tips for Indian Travellers

• Hire a car and driver for the day. It's the easiest way to explore - and drivers often double as excellent guides. Typical day rates are modest; agree hours and destinations in advance.
• Dress respectfully at temples. Cover your shoulders and knees, and wear a sarong and sash, usually available to rent at the entrance.
• Plan around traffic. Avoid crossing south Bali between 4 and 7 PM.
• Vegetarian food is easy to find, especially in Ubud, and Indian restaurants are common in Kuta, Seminyak and Nusa Dua.
• Use sunscreen and stay hydrated. The tropical sun is strong year-round.
• Drink bottled or filtered water, not tap water. "Bali belly" - a stomach upset - is the most common traveller complaint. Eat freshly cooked food, be careful with ice and salads at small roadside stalls, and pack basic stomach medicines.
• Carry cash for small purchases. Entry fees at temples, waterfalls and rice terraces are usually small and paid in rupiah, and many places don't take cards. ATMs are common; use those attached to banks.
• Respect temple customs. Don't climb on shrines or walls, don't stand higher than priests during ceremonies, and step around the small offerings (canang sari) you'll see on pavements. By Balinese custom, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter temples.
• Check drone rules. Flying drones is restricted at many temples and sacred sites, and some require permission.
• Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's appreciated - around 5–10% at restaurants without a service charge, and a little extra for drivers and guides who look after you well.
• Book popular experiences ahead in peak season: the Mount Batur trek, Nusa Penida tours, cooking classes and the Kecak dance seats at Uluwatu.

Where you stay shapes what you can do. Ubud is the best base for culture and nature, Seminyak for sunsets and dining, Uluwatu for cliffs and temples, and Nusa Dua for calm family beaches.