Things to do in Bali
Bali is one of Indonesia’s most popular holiday destinations, offering a combination of beautiful beaches, lush rice terraces, temples, waterfalls, mountains, cultural experiences, adventure activities, wellness retreats and incredible food.
Whether you’re planning a Bali honeymoon, family holiday, romantic getaway, adventure trip or relaxing beach vacation, there are plenty of things to do in Bali.
Best Things to Do in Bali
Explore Bali's Beaches
Bali has beaches for almost every type of traveller, from lively surf beaches to quieter coastal escapes.
Popular areas include Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Canggu, Uluwatu and Amed.
Explore Ubud's Rice Terraces
The rice terraces around Ubud are one of Bali’s most recognisable landscapes.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace is particularly popular, while Jatiluwih Rice Terraces form part of Bali’s UNESCO-listed cultural landscape associated with the traditional subak irrigation system.
Visit Bali's Hindu Temples
Temples are an important part of Balinese culture and daily life.
Some of the most famous include Tanah Lot, Uluwatu Temple, Besakih Temple, Tirta Empul and Ulun Danu Beratan.
Watch the Kecak Fire Dance
The Kecak dance is one of Bali’s most recognisable traditional performances.
The performance at Uluwatu is particularly popular because it combines Balinese culture with a dramatic cliff-top sunset setting.
Visit Uluwatu
Uluwatu is famous for its dramatic cliffs, ocean views, temple and surfing beaches.
Watch the Sunset at Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most photographed temples, located on a rocky formation surrounded by the sea.
Hike Mount Batur for Sunrise
Mount Batur is one of Bali’s most popular sunrise hikes.
It offers panoramic views over the volcanic landscape and Lake Batur.
The official Indonesian tourism site also highlights Mount Batur sunrise trekking as one of Bali’s major nature experiences.
Explore Bali's Waterfalls
Bali has numerous waterfalls, particularly around the central and northern parts of the island.
Popular waterfalls include Tegenungan, Sekumpul, Banyumala and Gitgit.
Go Snorkeling
Bali offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling, particularly around areas such as Amed, Menjangan Island, Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.
Go Scuba Diving
Bali is a popular diving destination with reefs, wrecks and diverse marine life.
Go Surfing
Surfing is one of Bali’s most popular activities.
Areas such as Kuta, Canggu, Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Balangan attract surfers of different experience levels.
Take a Balinese Cooking Class
Food is an important part of the Bali experience.
Cooking classes can introduce visitors to local ingredients, spices and traditional dishes.
Explore Ubud's Art & Culture
Ubud is widely recognised as one of Bali’s cultural and artistic centres.
Visitors can explore galleries, traditional crafts, dance performances, markets and surrounding villages.
The official Indonesian tourism site describes Ubud as Bali’s cultural and artistic heart.
Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud is one of Bali’s best-known attractions, combining forest scenery, temples and long-tailed macaques.
Experience a Balinese Spa
Bali is famous for its spa and wellness experiences.
Visitors can choose from traditional massages, spa treatments, yoga and wellness retreats.
The official Indonesian tourism site also highlights Bali’s spa and wellness experiences.
Practise Yoga in Ubud
Ubud is particularly well known for yoga, wellness and peaceful surroundings.
Visit Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul is famous for its sacred spring water and purification traditions.
Visitors should be respectful of local religious customs and follow the temple’s rules.
The official Indonesian tourism website highlights Tirta Empul as a spiritual experience in Bali.
Explore Traditional Balinese Villages
Villages such as Penglipuran offer visitors an opportunity to experience traditional architecture, culture and local life.
The official tourism site specifically highlights Penglipuran as a traditional village experience.
Go White-Water Rafting
The rivers around Bali provide opportunities for white-water rafting, particularly around Ubud and central Bali.
Go Cycling Through Bali
Cycling is an excellent way to explore rice fields, villages and rural landscapes.
Visit Bali's Coffee Plantations
Bali is known for coffee production, including coffee grown in highland areas.
Visitors can learn about coffee production and sample local varieties.
Explore Bali's Markets
Markets are a great place to discover handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs, food and local products.
Enjoy Bali's Nightlife
Areas such as Seminyak, Canggu and Kuta are known for restaurants, bars, beach clubs and nightlife.
Enjoy a Sunset at a Beach Club
Sunset beach clubs are particularly popular along Bali’s southern coastline.
Visit Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is an island southeast of Bali and is popular for dramatic cliffs, beaches and marine experiences.
Visit Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is another popular island escape from Bali.
It is known for beaches, snorkelling, diving and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Explore Amed
Amed is located on Bali’s northeast coast and is particularly popular for diving, snorkelling and a quieter coastal atmosphere.
Explore Munduk
Munduk is a mountainous area in north Bali known for cooler temperatures, waterfalls, forests and plantations.
Visit Bali's Botanical & Natural Attractions
Bali offers forests, lakes, rice terraces, waterfalls and mountain landscapes.
Experience Balinese Culture
This is one of the most important categories for your Bali pillar page.
Bali’s culture includes temples, ceremonies, dance, traditional crafts, food and village life.
The official tourism authority specifically highlights Balinese Hindu traditions, dances, festivals, arts and crafts as major experiences.