Best Attractions in Bali — Top Things to See & Do
From ancient Hindu temples and sacred spring pools to volcanic sunrise hikes, jungle monkey forests and UNESCO-listed rice terraces — Bali's top attractions span every interest. This guide covers the must-see sites organised by category, with links to full visitor guides for each.
🛕 Temples & Sacred Sites
Tirta Empul Temple
Tampaksiring, near Ubud
Bali's most famous holy spring temple — 30 sacred spouts host the melukat purification ritual. A national heritage site founded in 962 CE.
Besakih Temple (Mother Temple)
Karangasem, East Bali
A vast complex of 23 sacred temples set high on the slopes of Mount Agung — the spiritual centre of Balinese Hinduism.
Gunung Kawi Temple
Tampaksiring, near Ubud
Ancient 11th-century royal tomb complex with 7-metre shrines carved into a sheer cliff face above the Pakerisan River.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tabanan, West Bali
Bali's most photographed temple — a dramatic sea temple on a rocky islet, silhouetted against the sunset sky.
🏔️ Nature & Adventure
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
Kintamani, Central Highlands
Pre-dawn climb of an active 1,717 m volcano for one of the great sunrises in Indonesia — the classic Bali bucket-list adventure.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Gianyar, near Ubud
UNESCO-recognised stepped rice paddies cascading down a dramatic valley north of Ubud — arrive early for the best light.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Sukawati, near Ubud
Bali's most accessible jungle waterfall — a 15-metre cascade with swimming pools and cliffside cafés, 30 minutes from Ubud.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Ubud, Central Bali
A peaceful 2 km paved ridge walk through emerald hills just outside central Ubud — best at sunrise, free of charge.
🐒 Wildlife & Forest
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Ubud, Central Bali
A 12-hectare jungle sanctuary in the heart of Ubud — home to 700+ Balinese long-tailed macaques and three ancient Hindu temples.
Bali Bird Park
Singapadu, near Ubud
Over 1,000 birds across 250 species, including rare Bali starlings, in a lush tropical garden setting.
🍽️ Food & Culinary
Cooking Class with Market Tour
Ubud & across Bali
Learn to cook authentic Balinese dishes with a local family — most classes begin with a guided visit to a traditional produce market.
Evening Street Food Tour
Seminyak & Denpasar
An evening walking tour through Bali's night markets and warungs, sampling satay, martabak and other local street-food favourites.
Coffee Plantation Visit
Kintamani & Ubud highlands
Tour a highland coffee plantation, taste Bali's famous luwak coffee and see how the beans are grown, picked and roasted.
Fine Dining in Ubud
Ubud, Central Bali
Ubud's best fine-dining restaurants — tasting menus and jungle-view settings from some of the island's top chefs.
Cocktail Bars in Ubud
Ubud, Central Bali
The best craft-cocktail bars and speakeasies in Ubud for a relaxed night out after dinner.
🧘 Wellness, Yoga & Spa
Drop-In Yoga Class in Ubud
Ubud, Central Bali
Drop in to a single yoga class at one of Ubud's world-famous studios — no membership or full retreat booking required.
Traditional Balinese Massage
Island-wide
The classic full-body Balinese massage — deep stretching, acupressure and aromatherapy oils at spas across the island.
Flower Bath & Body Ritual
Ubud & Seminyak spas
A soak in a bath scattered with fresh tropical flowers — Bali's most photogenic spa ritual, often paired with a massage.
Sound Healing & Cacao Ceremony
Ubud, Central Bali
A guided sound-healing and cacao ceremony — meditative gong and singing-bowl sessions popular in Ubud's wellness scene.
Multi-Day Yoga Retreat
Ubud & the hills
Multi-day yoga and wellness retreats in Ubud and the highlands — daily classes, healthy food and quiet jungle surroundings.
🍹 Beach Clubs & Nightlife
Beach Club Day Pass
Seminyak, Canggu & Uluwatu
How day passes work at Bali's top beach clubs — pools, daybeds and sunset DJs from Seminyak to Canggu.
Potato Head Beach Club
Seminyak, South Bali
Seminyak's iconic Potato Head — an amphitheatre of daybeds around an infinity pool facing the sunset.
La Brisa Beach Club
Canggu, South-West Bali
Canggu's rustic, reclaimed-wood beach club right on Echo Beach — laid-back sunsets and fresh seafood.
Ulu Cliffhouse
Uluwatu, Bukit Peninsula
A clifftop beach club above the Uluwatu surf, with an ocean-edge pool and famous sunset sessions.
Uluwatu Cliff Sunset Bars
Uluwatu, Bukit Peninsula
The best cliff-edge sunset bars around Uluwatu — Single Fin and beyond, perched high above the surf breaks.
Sky Garden Kuta
Kuta, South Bali
Kuta's multi-level nightlife complex — rooftop bars, clubs and one of the busiest party spots on the island.
⛵ Day Trips & Island Escapes
Nusa Penida Snorkel Tour
Nusa Penida (boat from Sanur)
A boat snorkelling day trip to Nusa Penida — Manta Point, Crystal Bay and the island's famously clear waters.
Gili Trawangan Day Trip
Gili Islands (fast boat)
A fast-boat day trip to Gili Trawangan — turquoise water, snorkelling with turtles and a car-free island vibe.
Lovina Sunrise Dolphin Trip
Lovina, North Bali
A sunrise boat trip off Lovina in North Bali to watch wild dolphins play in the calm morning sea.
Bali Zoo Night Safari
Singapadu, near Ubud
An after-dark safari at Bali Zoo near Ubud — meet nocturnal animals and dine among the enclosures.
🏞️ Nature, Temples & Highlands
Wanagiri Hidden Hills
Bedugul, Central Highlands
The Instagram-famous swings, nests and viewpoints above Lakes Buyan and Tamblingan in the cool central highlands.
Aling-Aling Waterfall
Sambangan, North Bali
North Bali's adventure waterfall — a sacred twin cascade with natural rock slides and guided cliff jumps.
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Bedugul, Central Highlands
The 'floating' lake temple on Lake Bratan — multi-tiered shrines rising from the misty highland waters.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Bedulu, near Ubud
The 9th-century Elephant Cave near Ubud — a rock-cut sanctuary with a carved entrance and ancient bathing pools.
Handara Gate
Bedugul, Central Highlands
The iconic Balinese gateway framing the Bedugul mountains — a quick, hugely popular highland photo stop.
Bali Botanical Garden
Bedugul, Central Highlands
A vast highland botanical garden at Bedugul — orchids, ferns, a treetop adventure park and cool forest walks.
Plan Your Visit
- Best Destinations in Bali — Where to base yourself near the top attractions.
- Bali Experiences — Surfing, cooking classes, wellness retreats and more.
- AI Bali Trip Planner — Build a personalised day-by-day itinerary for free.
- Bali Costs Guide — Entry fees, transport and what attractions actually cost.