Things to Do in Bali, Indonesia: 15 Experiences, Where to Go and What to Know (2026)

Bali packs an extraordinary amount into one island: emerald rice terraces, thousands of temples, cliff-top sunsets, volcano treks, surf beaches and some of Asia’s finest villas. The trick is choosing the right base and timing each sight to avoid the crowds. Here are the things to do in Bali our travelers love most, and how to plan them.

Before you go: Bali’s tourist levy

Every international visitor to Bali pays a one-time tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (around US$10) per person per trip, children included. Pay it in advance through the official Love Bali website or app; you will receive a QR code to show on arrival. It is separate from Indonesia’s visa on arrival, which costs IDR 500,000. Ignore any website quoting a different levy amount.

Ubud and central Bali

1. Tegallalang rice terraces

About 20 minutes north of Ubud, these terraces tumble down a jungle valley in shades of green. Arrive before 9am for soft light, cooler air and far fewer people. The swings and photo platforms along the valley charge extra.

2. Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest

Mossy temples, giant banyan trees and hundreds of long-tailed macaques. Keep sunglasses, food and anything shiny out of sight; the monkeys are quick.

3. Ubud’s art market and palace

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart. Browse the market in the morning, then watch a traditional Legong dance at the royal palace in the evening.

4. Volcano sunrise at Mount Batur

An early-morning hike rewards you with sunrise above the clouds and views across the caldera lake to Mount Abang. It is a steady two-hour climb in the dark, so good shoes and a guide are essential.

5. Waterfalls

Tegenungan is the easiest to reach from Ubud; Tibumana and Kanto Lampo are smaller and quieter. Further north, Sekumpul is one of the most beautiful falls in Indonesia.

6. Water temples

Tirta Empul’s purification pools, Ulun Danu Beratan on its mountain lake, and the jungle-shrouded Gunung Kawi carved into the cliffs each show a different side of Balinese Hinduism.

The south: cliffs, beaches and sunsets

7. Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak dance

Perched on a 70-meter cliff above the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu is Bali’s most dramatic temple at sunset. Stay for the Kecak fire dance performed in the open-air amphitheater as the sky turns orange. A sarong and sash are required inside the temple grounds and can be borrowed at the entrance.

8. Tanah Lot

This sea temple sits on a rock off the west coast and seems to float when the tide comes in. Visitors cannot enter the main shrine, but the setting at sunset is unforgettable.

9. Bali’s beaches

For calm water, choose Nusa Dua or Sanur. For surf and beach clubs, Canggu and Seminyak. For hidden coves below the cliffs, the Bukit Peninsula: Padang Padang, Bingin and Melasti. Jimbaran Bay is the place for a seafood dinner on the sand at sunset.

10. A day on Nusa Penida

Take a boat to Nusa Penida for Kelingking Beach’s dinosaur-shaped headland, Broken Beach and snorkeling with manta rays at Manta Bay. The roads are rough and the viewpoints steep, so a private driver on the island makes the day far more comfortable.

More experiences worth your time

• 11. A Balinese cooking class that starts at the morning market.
• 12. Cycling downhill through villages from Kintamani to Ubud.
• 13. East Bali’s royal water palaces at Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung.
• 14. Snorkeling or diving at Amed and Menjangan Island, Bali’s best reefs.
• 15. A spa day: Bali’s massage traditions are among the best in Asia.

Best places to visit in Bali, region by region

Most first-time visitors only see Ubud and the south coast, but some of the best places to visit in Bali are a two- or three-hour drive away. If you have more than a week, these are the places to go in Bali beyond the usual circuit.

Jatiluwih rice terraces

Bigger and far quieter than Tegallalang, Jatiluwih’s terraces roll across the foothills of Mount Batukaru. They are part of Bali’s UNESCO-listed subak landscape, the thousand-year-old cooperative system that shares water between farmers and temples. Walk one of the marked trails in the morning and have lunch overlooking the fields.

Munduk and the northern lakes

Up in the cool highlands, Munduk is a base for waterfall walks, clove and coffee plantations and the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan. It is the place to escape the heat and the crowds, and it pairs well with a visit to Ulun Danu Beratan.

Lovina and the north coast

Black-sand beaches, calm water and an early-morning boat trip to look for dolphins. The north feels like the Bali of decades ago and is a natural stop on the way to West Bali National Park.

Sidemen and East Bali

The Sidemen valley offers rice fields, weaving villages and views of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano. Nearby is Pura Lempuyang, famous for its “Gates of Heaven” photo; arrive around dawn, because by mid-morning the queue for the photo can stretch to several hours. Combine it with the water palaces at Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung.

West Bali National Park

Monsoon forest, savanna and mangroves cover Bali’s far west. Most visitors come for the boat trip to Menjangan Island, where the walls drop away close to shore and the snorkeling is among the best on the island.

Where to stay in Bali

Split your stay: three or four nights in Ubud for culture and rice terraces, then three or four on the coast, in Uluwatu or Nusa Dua for luxury resorts and calm beaches, or Seminyak for restaurants and nightlife. Traffic between the regions is slow, so base yourself rather than day-tripping everywhere.

Getting around Bali

Distances look short on the map, but roads are narrow and traffic around Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Ubud is heavy, so allow plenty of time. A private car with a driver is the easiest way to see the island: you set the pace, and a good driver knows when to leave to beat the crowds. Ask your driver or agency to confirm they hold the right tourist transport permits.

Ride-hailing apps work in much of the south, but some villages do not allow app drivers to pick up, so bookings can be cancelled in certain areas. Renting a scooter is popular, but you need your home license plus an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles, police checks are common in the tourist areas, and riding without the right license can void your travel insurance.

Temple etiquette

• Cover your shoulders and knees, and wear a sarong and sash inside temples.
• Never stand higher than a priest or step over offerings on the ground.
• Women who are menstruating are traditionally asked not to enter temples.

Is Bali safe to visit?

Yes, for the vast majority of visitors, Bali is safe and welcoming, and millions of travelers have trouble-free trips every year. The real risks are practical ones, and a few precautions go a long way:

• Drinks: there have been cases of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or homemade spirits in Indonesia, including Bali. Drink at reputable hotels, restaurants and bars, be wary of very cheap cocktails and free shots, and never leave a drink unattended. Seek medical help quickly if you feel unusually unwell after drinking.
• The sea: strong rip currents run off many surf beaches, and lifeguards are not on duty everywhere. Swim between the flags, and choose calmer bays such as Sanur or Nusa Dua with children.
• The roads: traffic accidents are the most common source of serious injury. A driver is safer than a rented scooter if you are not an experienced rider.
• Everyday crime: bag snatching and petty theft happen in busy areas, as anywhere. Keep valuables in your hotel safe and use the 110 police line in an emergency.
• Respect local customs: disrespectful behavior at temples and sacred sites can lead to fines or deportation.

Check your government’s current travel advice before you go, and make sure your travel insurance covers the activities you plan.

A 7-day Bali plan

• Days 1 to 3, Ubud: Tegallalang at dawn, the Monkey Forest, a cooking class, a waterfall and a Legong dance at the palace. One morning for the Mount Batur sunrise trek or the water temples.
• Day 4, the north or east: Jatiluwih and Ulun Danu Beratan, or Sidemen and Tirta Gangga, on the way to the coast.
• Days 5 to 7, the Bukit Peninsula: beaches below the cliffs, Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak dance at sunset, a seafood dinner in Jimbaran and a day trip to Nusa Penida.

With ten days, add Munduk or Lovina in the north, or a few nights on the Gili Islands. Our Bali itinerary has more detail.

When is the best time to visit Bali?

April to October is the dry season and the best time for beaches, hiking and island trips. November to March brings short, heavy afternoon downpours, lush scenery and lower hotel rates. See our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Bali.

See Bali on a private tour

With a private driver and guide, you can catch Tegallalang at dawn, skip the worst of the traffic and time Uluwatu for sunset without stress. Explore our Bali tours, the Family Adventure on Bali, or combine Bali with Vietnam and Cambodia on our Southeast Asia tour. Honeymooners should read our Indonesia honeymoon guide.

Things to do in Bali: FAQ

What is Bali best known for?

Rice terraces, Hindu temples, dramatic sunsets on the Bukit cliffs, surf beaches and world-class villas and spas.

Is Bali safe to visit?

Yes. Most trips are trouble-free; the main precautions are to drink only at reputable places, swim between the flags and use a driver rather than a scooter if you are not an experienced rider.

What are the best places to visit in Bali?

The top things to see in Bali are Ubud and its rice terraces, Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot and Nusa Penida; with more time, add Jatiluwih, Sidemen and the northern lakes around Munduk.

How many days do you need in Bali?

Seven to ten days lets you combine Ubud with a beach stay and a day trip to Nusa Penida or the volcano.

Where should I stay in Bali for the first time?

Split your time between Ubud for culture and Uluwatu, Nusa Dua or Seminyak for the beach.

Do I have to pay a tourist tax in Bali?

Yes. International visitors pay a one-time IDR 150,000 levy per trip, best paid in advance through the official Love Bali site or app.

Is Bali in Asia?

Yes. Bali is an island province of Indonesia in Southeast Asia, east of Java.

Planning a Bali honeymoon?

Bali honeymoon packages: where to stay and how many nights