Bali is bursting with amazing places to visit and explore, so to help inspire your Bali itinerary and to ensure you don’t miss out on the best things to do and and see, I’ve put together this epic guide of all the best places to visit in Bali.
This guide will explore the best places to visit all over the island alongside some top things to do there.
It’ll also showcase the best places to visit in Bali for couples, families and on your honeymoon, so keep reading to find out more!
Kuta is known as the party capital of Bali and it’s very very westernized.
When I first visited years ago, there was no beach shopping mall with designer stores or a range of fabulous beachfront restaurants. But when I visited again in 2019, I was actually shocked by just how “not Bali” Kuta is!
But saying that, if you’re craving something more Americanized, or you want to go clubbing, then Kuta is a good place to be.
There’s also the famous Kuta Beachwalk, which is literally a beachside shopping mall right across the beach. It’s actually a nice place to cool down on days that are just too hot.
The beach itself now has a great sidewalk that goes on for kilometres, so you can walk along it, go on a run, etc, if you don’t feel like walking on the sand.
Plus, there are many street food vendors along the beach selling local favourites like bakso!
Seminyak is one of the great places to visit in Bali for couples as well as families.
Seminyak for me has a little more class and sophistication to it and it’s home to a strip of the best beach bars and restaurants in Bali.
It’s probably one of my favourite places in Bali to visit.
It’s also a popular area among both local and foreign tourists, so it’s pretty fun as you can meet all sorts of people here.
The best way to explore Seminyak is on foot. Whether you’re staying the area or just visiting, skip the car and motorbike, and just… walk.
This way, you can pop in and out of all the shops, and trust me, there’s a lot!
From boutique shops, gelato stores, awesome cafes, and even night clubs, Seminyak has all you need and it caters wonderfully for vegans.
Read: Romantic Things To Do In Bali
I love Uluwatu for many reasons and it’s one of the great places to visit in Bali, especially if you want epic sunsets.
I still haven’t found a sunset that beats the one I experienced at Uluwatu Temple.
(On that note, this is one of Bali’s most famous temples, and don’t miss out on its breathtaking kecak fire dance performance).
Uluwatu is also the “it spot” for intermediate surfers. The beaches here are home to some of the best waves on the island.
And the beaches in this area are all incredible!
They’re the type with white sand and turquoise blue waters, and a lot of them are surrounded by cliffs, making for quite a picturesque sight.
Then, there’s the iconic Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, or ‘GWK’ for short. It’s a 121-metre Vishnu monument that stands on a 46-metres pedestal. In other words, very tall and impressive.
Uluwatu is located in south of Bali, so you’ll either need to hire a driver, or ride a moped to visit.
Take a tour of the best spots in Uluwatu with this all-inclusive tour!
Balangan is a small region of Bali located south west and it’s home to some of the bluest waters on Bali island.
Because you will soon notice, Bali doesn’t really have “pretty” waters or beaches, compared to say the Philippines, or even the Gili Islands and other areas of Indonesia
But in addition to the nearby Uluwatu, Balangan beach is absolutely beautiful.
Not to mention that it offers great surf.
If you’ve heard of Dreamland Beach, which is popular for surfers, Balangan Beach is pretty much next to it, separated only by a huge cliff rock.
It’s not very crowded compared to other more popular areas in Bali, making it the perfect place to stay if you want to chill, laze around, and enjoy the beach.
A beautiful seaside village or fishing town, Jimbaran offers tranquil beaches which are perfect for sunbathing.
There aren't any waves here (at least when I visited) so it was perfect for swimming too!
But what Jimbaran is truly known for is their incredible seafood.
People from all over the island would travel to Jimbaran just to enjoy the freshest, most diverse selection of seafood.
From king prawns and lobsters to mussels, various fishes, and calamari, you name it. This is where you can feast like a king.
It’s home to iconic fish markets where some of Bali’s most famous restaurants get their fish from daily.
And indeed, there’s nothing quite like the experience of an epic seafood dinner by the beach, which is a must-do in Jimbaran!
Buleleng is an area in north Bali that is home to some of the best waterfalls in Bali (which you can read all about here), including Gitgit waterfall.
The capital of the area Singaraja is a great base for some unique Airbnbs (I can suggest sunset sala for the most epic accommodation among rice paddies).
Another major area in Buleleng province is Lovina, best known for the dolphins that swim freely in its beaches. And yes, you can swim with the dolphins!
Buleleng itself has a host of art galleries and cooking workshops, hot springs, temples, rice terraces, and scenic lakes.
Basically, it has a bit of everything!
And because it is located quite far out from the airport, it’s not as crowded as places like Kuta or Seminyak, which makes it a nice change of pace for when you want some quiet.
Book your all-inclusive Bali Waterfalls tour here!
Sidemen is one of those rare, almost undiscovered places to visit in Bali.
It’s located quite close to Mount Agung, an active volcano that’s also the highest point on the island. So you can see the mountain range decorating the backdrop all over Sidemen.
Granted, it has gained a bit of traction recently, and there are certainly more tourists there than before, but it’s still relatively underrated and peaceful.
It holds the most beautiful rice paddies in all of Bali, which I think is way better than Ubud.
With its lush green landscapes and welcoming locals, Sidemen has such a welcoming and warm atmosphere that I love.
The accommodation options are filled with beautiful villas that are settled among the paddies and it’s just a dream.
Sidemen is also home to some of the island’s most talented silver smiths, and a lot of silver jewelry sold in gift shops around Bali comes from here. And you can actually attend a silver class and make your very own silver jewelry!
Gianyar is a great place to visit in Bali that’s very close to Ubud, so it doesn’t take much effort to get there.
It’s also got some great waterfalls and the famous Bali Zoo.
It’s the first zoological park in Bali that’s home to more than 600 rare animals over 12+ hectares of land, and very unique experiences, like breakfast with orangutans.
Lemurs, Bali mynas, zebras, and baby elephants… You name it. This is the perfect place to visit if you’re travelling with kids!
You can take a mud bath with the elephants & this tour is a pretty good option.
The Amlapura region is one of the less discovered areas of Bali and therefore one of the best places to visit in Bali if you’re looking for something different!
It’s located about 2 and half hour drive from Canggu, or less than 2 hours from Ubud.
It’s the regency seat of Karangasem on the eastern side of Bali and home to some stunning palaces, some of which are the residence of the local royal family!
This area is not very bustling and thus ideal if you want to escape the more crowded hotspots of Bali.
Sanur is located on the east coast of Bali and it’s one of the most popular places to visit in Bali for families.
This is thanks to the family-friendly resorts, the great beaches, and the popular water sports activities.
The most epic of them all is probably wakeboarding! You’re standing on a wakeboard and getting pulled around by a boat. It’s like surfing, but easier.
Kitesurfing is also a popular choice for water adventures in Sanur.
Sanur’s coastline runs about 8km, including Mertasari Beach, Segara Ayu Beach, Sindhu Beach, and more.
You can rent an e-bike (or regular bike) and cycle along the coasts.
If you’re into cultural sights, Le Mayeur Museum showcases the artwork of Brussels-born artist, Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur.
Oil paintings and local artifacts, and the building itself has traditional Balinese architecture.
There’s also Blanjong Temple, home to artefacts from AD 914, a turtle hatchery and conservatory, and even an 18-hole golf course.
The food scene in Sanur is nothing short of impressive too. You’ll find a good mixture of local street food, nice restaurants, and great cafes.
Lempuyang is a region which has grown in popularity over recent years due to the beautiful Bali Gates of Heaven, an iconic photo spot that when taken at the right time of day, gives you a backdrop of Mount Agung.
When I first visited Bali, this wasn’t even on the radar of things to do, now it’s too popular!
These “gates” are actually a Hindu temple called Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang, and of the most important ones in Bali.
Most people come to Lempuyang just for this temple, but there are actually other attractions nearby.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace is a complex of pools and fountains with koi fishes you can feed.
Then, there’s Bukit Cinta, a Mount Agung viewpoint where you can catch a magical sunrise.
Amed is an area located on the north east coast of Bali, in the Karangasem Regency.
This is the spot to go for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Whether you’ve never gone diving before or are a seasoned diver, you really shouldn’t miss Amed.
The corals and underwater sceneries here are extraordinary, and some of the best you’ll find in the world.
But even if you don’t like diving, it’s home to some beautiful beaches, such as Amed Beach, Jemeluk Beach, and Lipah Beach.
There are plenty of nice resorts and hotels here and a great place to visit in Bali for families.
Amed is also known for its salt farmers, and you can visit the Sea Salt Farm to see first-hand the traditional process of extracting salt from seawater.
So I’ve listed Mount Batur as one of the best places to visit in Bali, because you can visit the area without even hiking.
The mountain itself is located in Kintamani, where you can also find the beautiful Lake Batur and Pura Ulun Danu Batur, which is an important temple found on a tiny island in the middle of the lake!
The temple's name itself is a nod to the fact that it’s located on the lake, which represents the importance of water to the prosperity of the locals.
On the 10th full moon of every year, a huge, traditional ceremony known as odalan is held here.
There are tons of cute cafes with the most breathtaking mountain views in Kintamani. We recommend visiting one of them at around 5 am, just in time to catch the sunrise!
Last but not least, people do a sunrise hike to Mount Batur, which is honestly one of the best things to do in Bali, it’s amazing!
Book your all-inclusive Mount Batur Tour with hot springs right here.
Jatiluwih is one of the places in Bali that’s up and coming.
As more and more people flock to the rice terraces of Ubud, others are seeking some solace in new ones. Well, Jatiluwih has that for you.
With some of the most stunning rice terrace landscapes in Bali, Jatiluwih itself is a village in the Tabanan Regency.
Perhaps the most famous attraction here is the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, which is a 600-hectare paradise of picturesque rice fields. It’s actually a UNESCO heritage site.
These terraces are nestled about 850 meters above sea level, making it a cool and refreshing area. Perfect for a break from the beaches!
Between February and April is the best time to visit as this is when the rice plants are in their most vivid green colors.
This is also a great place to see the traditional Subak irrigation system in practice, which has been used by local farmers for many centuries.
The village of Munduk is nestled in the Buleleng Regency of Bali.
It’s best known for its lush green landscapes, many plantations, hidden waterfalls, and gorgeous valleys.
Munduk is one of my favourite places to visit in Bali if you’re looking for a cooler climate.
Bali can get scorching hot, but if you head to Munduk, it’s a little colder, and in the evenings, you may even find you need a jacket!
The plantations in Munduk are home to a variety of crops, from cloves and coffee to vanilla, chocolate, and second crops.
For one of the most iconic photo spots in Bali, you won’t want to miss the Handara Gate. It’s unbelievably picturesque with its striking carvings, and it’s actually an entryway to a golf course!
Again, when I first visited Bali years ago, trips to the nearby Nusa islands weren’t really a thing.
But in recent years tourism there has soared, which has thankfully resulted in them fixing the roads (they used to be so small and beyond dangerous!).
Now, you should know that the Nusa islands are comprised of three major islands: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, as well as 12 even smaller islands.
There’s no need to visit all three, and people usually stay in one island for a few nights, before taking day trips to the other islands.
Nusa Penida is the largest of them all and has the most options in terms of things to do.
You get a short boat ride from Bali (usually Sanur port) and you can spend the day or even a couple of days on Nusa Penida.
There’s so much to see and do on these beautiful islands and it’s totally different from Bali!
Ps, you can do an Instagram tour of Penida in a day that will take you to ALL the best spots! Book it here.
Another one of the Nusa islands is Lembongan, and it’s even closer from Bali by boat.
Lembongan is the perfect place if you want to do snorkelling on beautiful blue, clear waters (The type of waters that Bali doesn’t really have!)
Nusa Lembongan is up and coming too, and since it’s smaller than Nusa Penida, it’s very popular to do a day trip to this island.
It’s approximately only 8 square kilometres in area and has a population of around 5,000.
But the best thing is that there’s a suspension bridge linking Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, and it’s super easy to cross by foot or motorbike, so that you can tackle both islands at once.
Book your Nusa Lembogan Instagram Tour to get al the best photos spots right here.
Nusa Dua is located in the south east of Bali, but it's the home of watersports in Bali.
Ps. Don’t get this mixed up as one of the Nusa islands. Nusa Dua is located in South Kuta and very close to the airport area.
It’s only around 20 minutes from Kuta and 15 minutes from Jimbaran.
The beaches are beautifully sandy with blue waters and it’s the cheapest place to get your jet skis and have fun in the water.
Other than being a hotspot for water sports, Nusa Dua is best known for its enclave of five-star resorts and luxury hotels.
In other words, this is the place to go for couples on a honeymoon and those wanting to indulge during their holidays.
There are a line of great restaurants in the area too, although they’re a little pricey, as it’s targeted towards couples and families. But still one of the great places to visit in Bali!
Ubud is certainly one of the more touristy areas in Bali, and it’s no surprise why, it’s home to some great sights!
As well as many of the most stunning Airbnbs available anywhere on the island.
You may be tempted to skip Ubud because you’re worried it’s going to be overcrowded, but I can say that it’s still worth it. Especially if this is your first time in Bali.
It’s the cultural and artistic heart of the island, and you’ll find many interesting activities to keep you occupied. From fire dance performances, art galleries and museums, to ATV courses, rafting, and more.
Not to mention that it’s home to some iconic attractions, such as: the Monkey Forest, Ubud Art Market, Pura Tirta Empul, Ubud Palace, and Campuhan Ridge Walk.
You can easily spend a few days relaxing here. Ubud is really famous for it’s yoga retreats and natural beauty. Think of the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”.
Make the most of your time in Ubud with a tour.
Canggu is like the western corner of Bali. All the locals call it the "white city" or something similar, I can’t remember what she told me.
But that's not necessarily a bad thing! It’s basically very well-developed and a hub for the digital nomads.
You can easily find a comfy spot in a cafe or even a co-working space here, so you can get in some work while you’re travelling.
There are lots of amazing cafes and restaurants, selling everything from Asian comfort food and Balinese babi guling to the most modern, elevated western fare. Truly a foodie’s dream!
One restaurant I can recommend is Rice Republic, a good middle ground if you're looking for a local spot with some familiar Asian menus (I'm talking fried rice, chow mein, pad thai, and the like). Not to mention that it's pretty cheap and cater to vegans too.
There are many excellent spas in Canggu, and you’ll find budget ones as well as more high-end options.
Plus, it's home to a few great beaches here for surfing, including the famous Batu Bolong Beach (perfect for beginners) and the nearby Echo Beach.
If you’re into that active lifestyle, it’s easy to find activities to try out — regular gyms, martial arts gyms, bouldering gyms, crossfit gyms, you name it!
The West Bali National Park is famous for its menjangan deer.
Yup, no one knows how or why they are there, but it’s been said that they crossed over from nearby Java island. (Which you can see from this area of Bali - epic views).
We never visited, as we kind of ran out of time, but it’s another spot we do want to see when we return (which I have no doubts we will one day!).
Located on the northwestern tip of Bali, it’s basically on the opposite site of the island from the airport. So we do recommend planning at least two days to spend here, so you can make the most of your time.
This national park is a conservation area with forests, mangroves, and savanna.
Other than the menjangan deers, it is home to rare species including the Bali starlings and wild cattle. You might also stumble upon a monkey or two (or three) along the roads here!
So there are 3 areas that aren’t on Bali's main island, but are actually part of Bali and that’s Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
You can only access Nusa Ceningan via a yellow bridge from Nusa Lembongan. Most people choose to stay on either Lembongan or Penida, as they are the bigger islands.
Ceningan is also very small so you can easily explore everything in under half a day.
We didn’t visit as we were on the island for a day trip, but it’s fairly quiet, with beautiful beaches and a few great beach clubs, so worth staying if you’ve got the time.
Only a 30-minute drive away from the heart of Canggu, Kedungu is a budding neighbourhood that is becoming more popular, especially among surfers.
While many long-termers are renting villas in the area, it is still relatively untouched by the more mainstream tourists.
It’s a small fishing village very close to the famous Tanah Lot temple and still has plenty of unexplored places.
We recommend staying in Kedungu if you want to be close to Canggu while still enjoying a predominantly quiet atmosphere with few crowds.
Ride around your bike and get off the beaten path. The area is also nice for jogging and just breathing in fresh coastal air.
Karangasem is a regency in Bali where a few popular towns are located, including Amlapura which we’ve talked about earlier.
It’s of course home to some famous landmarks such as Balai Gili Water Palace, Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Besakih Great Temple, Lempuyang Temple, and more.
But there are also plenty of hidden gems that aren’t yet overrun by tourists!
One spot we’d recommend is Bias Tugel Beach, which is relatively untouched and yet boasts an incredible view.
If you love museums, Samsara Living Museum should be on your list. This living museum is a warm, open space where you can explore Hindu beliefs, take a cooking or arak making class, make offerings, or learn Balinese dance, among others.
On the west coasts, you can also go snorkelling and witness the underwater Japanese Ship Wreck Point, remnants of a Japanese patrol ship that was sunk during WWII.
Denpasar is the capital city of Bali, and it probably sounds very familiar because it also happens to be the IATA code of the international airport (DPS).
However, a lot of people overlook Denpasar as a place to visit, even though it can be so worth it for the affordable food and unique city atmosphere.
It’s one of the few places in Bali that are still mostly filled by locals, therefore a perfect place if you want to experience where and how the young people in Bali live!
From Denpasar, you can also visit the nearby Serangan Island, famous for its temples and as the home to many green turtles.
Stop by the Turtle Conservation And Education Center, which was built to eradicate illegal turtle trading. It nurses injured turtles, collects nests from beaches, and buys turtle eggs from locals, thus preventing them from being eaten.
If you love fishing and adventures like that, this is a great place to try spearfishing!
In terms of cultural attractions, Denpasar brims with them!
The Bajra Sandhi Monument is found in front of the Balinese governor's office, which houses a diorama gallery that showcases local history from as far back as 3,000 BC.
There’s also the oldest museum in Bali: Bali Provincial Public Museum. Here, you can find everything from Dutch paintings and artefacts to weapons from Bali’s bronze age, musical instruments, and statues.
So there you go, 25 awesome places to visit in Bali!
None of these places should be missed and it’s super easy to get around Bali, so you’ll have no trouble finding them. Actually, you can read my guide on getting around Bali for some inspiration!.
I hope you’ve found this post useful and hopefully it’s inspired you to visit some lesser known areas of Bali too.
If you want to venture a little further afield from Bali, then you can take a tour to the EPIC Mount Bromo on the island of Java and the equally epic Mount Ijen (Which can be seen from Bali on a clear day).
This tour takes you on a 3-day adventure of these two spots and is a perfect alternative if you don't want to organize a trip to Java island yourself.
Happy travels!
Read Also:
Leave a comment
Let us know what you think!