What to do in Bali

Activities, attractions and tours

A sandy beach with palm trees and a clear blue sky.
Colorful surfboards lined up on a beach with umbrellas and lounge chairs.
A temple complex with stone structures, a garden with manicured hedges, and visitors walking around.
A coastal cliff with a pathway and a small building.
A temple entrance with intricate carvings and a stone bridge leading up to it.

Things to Do in Bali

The Indonesian island of Bali is one of the world’s most famous tropical destinations. A humid climate, verdant volcanoes, pristine beaches and thousands of temples have all earned Bali the nickname the ‘Island of the Gods’. Enjoy a sunrise hiking excursion on Mount Batur, book a full day private art and culture tour to the fascinating museums and art galleries in the mountain town of Ubud or just kick back, with a book and a coconut shell full of your favourite cocktail, on spotless white sands. Bali truly is a heavenly getaway.

Areas & Neighbourhoods in Bali

Denpasar — Denpasar is Bali’s capital and the island’s busiest tourist destination. A visit here ticks off many of Bali’s key attractions, including the Bajra Sandhi Monument and Serangan Island, which is popular for surfing. Denpasar is also where you’ll pick up a souvenir, such as a local batik sarong or a Hindu-inspired sculpture.

Kuta — Once a fishing village, Kuta is now a luxury resort renowned for its white sands, temperate waters, active sports and exciting nightlife. Perched atop a 70-metre high cliff nearby, you’ll find the luwatu Temple, one of Bali’s key spiritual sites. It’s definitely worth seeing if you need a break from the beach.

Ubud — Bali isn’t all about beaches and watersports. The hillside town of Ubud is one of Bali’s key centres of culture. It is home to museums, galleries, the famous Kings' Tombs at Gunung Kawi temple and the Ubud Monkey Forest – a specialised nature reserve brimful with macaques!

Mount Batur — Although visible from almost anywhere on Bali it is surprising how quickly Mount Batur blends into the landscape. A visit to this active volcano is, therefore, well worth the trip. Offering unsurpassed views across the island’s liquid blue coastline, the volcano also has some wonderfully relaxing natural hot springs.

Things to See in Bali

Escape the tourist hotspots with a half-day Bayad eco-trek, where you’ll discover exotic creatures, beautiful cave systems and crashing waterfalls under the watchful eye of a local guide. Alternatively, get a tropical workout through the island’s iconic rice paddy fields with a Jatiluwih rice paddy bike tour. If you prefer to keep it local and escape the heat, a private morning tour of Denpasar is perfect for seeing the archaeological and cultural heritage sights of the city before the afternoon sun begins beating down.

Things to Do in Bali

If you tire of the great outdoors or need a break from the sun, why not discover Bali’s unique blend of flavours with a Balinese Cooking Class in Seminyak? Otherwise, simply exfoliate and rehydrate with an Aroma Spa Retreat. Perhaps you’d rather have a go at paddle boarding? If so, there’s no nicer to place to fall in the water than in Bali’s warm ocean waters. However, with a private stand-up paddle boarding lesson you’re sure to keep on top of things. With so many things to do in Bali, it’s quite likely that you’ll be planning your next visit before you’ve even finished your first!

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Things to do


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Top places to visit

1. Kuta Beach

Relax under an sun umbrella or swim, snorkel and surf at one of the most visited spots in Bali. Famous for its warm water, great surf, affordable massages and impressive sunsets, lively Kuta Beach attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.
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A beach with red umbrellas, footprints, and palm trees.

2. Sanur Beach

Geographically, Sanur Beach is less than 10 miles (15 kilometers) from the bright lights of Kuta Beach, yet in many other respects it’s a world away. Although it’s one of Bali’s earliest resort areas, Sanur Beach and its village has managed to hold on to its relaxed, unhurried atmosphere, making it a popular destination for families and couples of all ages.
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A colorful boat with text on its side, a sandy beach, and a clear blue sky.

3. Seminyak Beach

At Seminyak Beach you can relax in style as it is quieter and more upscale than the nearby beaches of Kuta and Legian. Spend your days sunbathing and swimming and enjoy the sea breeze on the long sandy beach. At the end of the day, indulge in fine dining in a world-class beachside restaurant while watching the brilliant sunset.
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A beachside restaurant with outdoor seating, palm trees, and ocean views.

4. Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua Beach is a stunning stretch of sand along a scenic peninsula in southern Bali. High-end resorts and rows of palm trees decorate the back of the beach, while the warm blue-green seawater laps the shoreline. Sunbathe on this postcard-pretty beach to enhance your tan.
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A sandy beach with palm trees and a clear blue sky.

5. Legian Beach

Pull up a beach chair or grab your surfboard ride the waves at Bali’s idyllic Legian Beach.
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A beach with waves, umbrellas, and people.

6. Ubud Monkey Forest

The Ubud Monkey Forest is a site for Balinese Hindu worship and every aspect of the grounds has sacred meaning, from its trees and temples, to its long-tail macaques. This site is also a research center where you can learn more about the monkeys and some 115 species of trees. The site is also known as the Padangtegal Monkey Forest because it is owned by the village of Padangtegal, one of Ubud’s communities.
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A stone balustrade with intricate carvings, including mythical creatures and floral patterns.

7. Double Six Beach

Double Six Beach, or 66 Beach, is a stretch of sand along the village of Seminyak. This is a quieter spot than Kuta Beach, but still offers many activities. A visit to Double Six offers your choice of a relaxing experience or invigorating and energetic exercise.
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A sandy beach with footprints, colorful umbrellas, and people relaxing.

8. Jimbaran Beach

Secluded Jimbaran Beach is an attractive place for a quiet getaway in popular Bali. See colorful wooden boats bobbing in the bay, watch the local fishermen come back from a night out at sea and enjoy tasting the catch of the day on the beach at sunset. With beach clubs among the restaurants and bars that line the waterfront, there is even some nightlife to be found.
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A beach at sunset with calm waters, a distant shoreline, and a few people walking along the shore.

9. Seminyak Square

Seminyak Square is a small, but modern and elegant shopping complex where you can treat yourself to a day of indulgences. The many high-end restaurants and bars within the mall are popular with guests of the surrounding villas, hotels and resorts. In the shops you’ll find anything from international fashions and expensive jewelry, to small souvenirs and decorations from Indonesia.
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A bustling outdoor market with various stalls selling clothes and accessories.

What to do in Bali


Stay near popular Bali attractions

Where to stay in Bali

Find the best Bali areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Bali
Learn more about Bali

Sanur

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of Sanur. Make a stop by Sanur Beach or Sanur Night Market while you're exploring the area.

Ubud City-Centre

Ubud City-Centre is beloved for its spectacular forests. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Ubud Monkey Forest and Ubud Traditional Art Market.

North Legian

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to North Legian. A stop by Seminyak Beach or Legian Beach might round out your trip.

BTDC

Travellers to BTDC praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Nusa Dua Beach and Bali Collection Shopping Centre.

Petitenget

Petitenget is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, abundant dining options and relaxing spas. You might want to check out attractions like Seminyak Beach or TAKSU Bali Gallery while you're exploring the neighbourhood.


 

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Day trip destinations from Bali

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