Bali is one of the most peaceful and beautiful places on the planet. Stunning beaches, magical temples, lush greenery, gorgeous waterfalls, and iconic rice fields make up the landscape of Bali. Bali became a popular tourist destination particularly after the book and film “Eat, Pray, Love”. Plan your first trip to Bali now.
Here is a quick guide to the 15 best tourist attractions to visit in Bali to help you discover the mustn't-miss experiential treasures of Bali!
1. Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot means ‘Land in the Sea’, and Tanah Lot Temple is a religious and cultural landmark of Bali. Located some 300 meters offshore, it offers incredible tropical offshore views, especially at sunset.
As one of seven “sea temples” around the Balinese coast, Tanah Lot Temple was built to worship Bhatara Segara or ‘the sea god’.
The best time to visit Tanah Lot is during its Odalan (“anniversary” of building) festival (lasting for 3 days, sometimes longer), which is celebrated every 210 days. Contact us for dates. During the Odalan, you can expect a traditional ceremony with rows of Balinese women gracefully carrying offerings on their heads to pray at the temple of Tanah Lot.
2. Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud Monkey Forest also known as Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is only about a 10-minute walk from the upland tourist hub of Ubud.
There are over 700 gray long-tailed macaques, and it is a good place for animal lovers or photographers. Besides the monkeys, you can have a relaxing walk through a leafy nutmeg forest as well as visit several ancient temples under dense foliage.
Make sure you follow the guidelines that can be read at the entrance: secure your belongings inside pockets and bags and avoid direct eye contact with the monkeys (and smiling). Avoid wearing any loose jewelry or items (that the monkeys may grab/steal).
Ubud Monkey Forest3. Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is another Balinese Hindu sea temple located 4 km (2½ miles) southeast of Uluwatu, 16 km (10 miles) south of the Kuta Beach.
It is famous for being on the edge of a 70-meter-high (230-foot-high) cliff or rock (watu) projecting into the sea. You can have a spectacular outlook over the waves of the Indian Ocean, which is especially splendid at sunset.
A Kecak dance (a telling of the Ramayana) is performed every 6 p.m. by many local men in loincloths outside Uluwatu Temple on the cliffside. The performance is outdoors, so you can enjoy the show and the beautiful sunset together.
4. Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul Temple is a Hindu Balinese water temple, famous for its holy spring water. There is a spring that produces fresh water constantly and many Balinese Hindus go for ritual purification using ritual bathing practices.
If you would like to join the locals in the cleansing ritual, make sure you respect the customs: you need to enter the water fully clothed, wearing a sarong and sash. Usually, it is very busy, especially approaching noon till evening, so it is better to go in the early morning.
Tirta Empul TempleWhat Our Customers Said
|
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
A special shoutout to our last guide in Bangkok - Ms. Ka-Noon who spoiled us with her kindness and then got us through check in and security for our flight home in record time at that huge Bangkok airport. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
|
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Albee Ning arranged everything perfectly. Not a flaw in the whole 3 weeks. Guides, flights (7 in total), hotels, private tours…everything was excellent. Travelling on a private tour gave us so much freedom to change our day if we chose to rest or go somewhere else. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
|
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Asia Highlights is the way to go without any question. Next overseas trip will be booked with them for sure. Thank you for a wonderful and stress free vacation experience. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
|
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia…
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Sharon was fantastic. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible. MoreTodd Atwell, Feb 2023
|
Family Trip to Thailand
Our trip to Thailand comprised three generations of the family , ten people and an age range of 4 to 70 so a potentially difficult brief.Our itinerary over two weeks involved four locations, and a number of different trips and tours.From out arrival at an extremely busy Bangkok airport Asia Highlights were terrific.In each location we were met by a smiling , knowledgeable and professional guide who simply made everything easy and stress free for everyone.Our transportation was clean and comfortable . Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. The floating houses , railway market and elephant sanctuary were particular favourites.We had one minor glitch with the accommodation in Phuket which was immediately dealt with by Tip. I think we would have struggled to resolve the problem by ourselves. So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. MoreRoger Pyle, Feb 2023
|
Family Trip to Thailand
So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. MoreRoger Pyle, Feb 2023
|
Trip of a lifetime from Asia Highlights!
I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Our travel consultant Albee took the time to connect with us during the planning process to make sure we were comfortable with our itinerary. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. They picked great hotels and tours. I often describe our trip as the trip of a lifetime! Would definitely use them again when we come back to Asia MoreNancy Parker, Feb 2023
|
Asia Highlights and Albee - highly recommended
Asia Highlights is very reliable agency and Albee is an amazing representative of the company. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Definitely we will approach you again for our next Asian trip MoreAZ, Feb 2023
|
5. The Tegalalang Rice Terraces
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are a part of the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province UNESCO World Heritage site. It is famous for its scenic terraced layout and the traditional Balinese subak irrigation system.
The rice terraces are greenest or most colorful and photogenic in March/April and September/October before the biannual harvests. The best times of day to visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are early in the morning or late afternoon for sunrise or sunset.
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces6. Ubud Art Market
Located in the center of Ubud itself, Ubud Art Market is a strategic shopping place for Balinese handicrafts and souvenirs.
You can find many traditional, unique, and authentic products that represent the island of Bali in Ubud Art Market, for example, silk scarves, lightweight shirts, statues, kites, handmade woven bags, baskets or hats and many other hand-crafted goods. Even if you don’t buy anything, viewing the various items on display from one stall to another is a highlight of visiting.
The market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and bargaining is expected and encouraged as part of the fun of shopping in Ubud Art Market.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7. Mount Batur
Mount Batur (Gunung Batur) is an active volcano located near Bangli in central Bali, 1½ hours north of Ubud. A sunrise trek to Gunung Batur Volcano crater is the most popular and epic hiking experience on Bali. You can catch amazing views of the sunrise from the top of the mountain, usually in a sea of orange clouds.
Usually hiking up Gunung Batur takes about 2 hours. If you’re staying in Ubud, in order to catch the sunrise, you may need to depart at 2 a.m.
8. Ubud Royal Palace
Ubud Royal Palace is the palace of the Ubud royal family, and it is a prominent landmark in Ubud, known for being a cultural repository of arts, dance, and literature. It offers interesting and unique things to explore like Balinese architecture and charming gardens.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., every visitor is welcome to enter Ubud Palace for free during opening hours. Every evening at about 7:30, there are dance performances outside. Tickets to these performances are usually available in the afternoon at the palace.
9. Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran Bay is fringed by one of the best beaches in Bali and is well known for its popular seafood restaurants, pristine beaches, and unique shopping destinations.
It is recommended to arrive at around 5 p.m., then take a seat in one of the restaurants located on the beach, order food and drink, and enjoy the romantic sunset while waiting for your fresh seafood. The sunsets in Jimbaran are very beautiful. After the sunset, there are live entertainments such as a mariachi band (guitarists, violinists, and trumpeters) or traditional dances.
10. Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach is not just sand and sea. It is also a bustling commercial and social hub, for both international tourists as well as local Balinese people. Located on the southwestern coast, Kuta is good for sunsets, surfing, and sunbathing.
In order to get a spot on the sand, it is better to get there earlier. For surfing, the dry season (April–September) generally enjoys the most conducive waves.
Kuta Beach11. Seminyak
Seminyak is an 8-kilometer (5-mile) beach that stretches north from Kuta and Legian. Not only can you enjoy the beach, but also Seminyak is famous for shopping and the best beach restaurants, bars, and cafés.
Many people stay around Seminyak for its nightlife, flamboyant designers, and fabulous shopping. Some nice boutiques are Biasa, Magali Pascal, and Bamboo Blonde for your reference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Nominated for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces comprise over 6 square kilometers (2 square miles) of hillside rice fields and it is the only place in the world that has three annual rice harvests (on rice terraces).
It offers beautiful panoramas of contoured rice terraces without hordes of people crowding around, because it is located further away from Ubud, needing about 1½ hours’ driving. The best time to visit Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is in the dry season, when you will have the best chance to see clear blue skies and views of the mountains and volcanoes.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces13. Nusa Dua Beach
Located on Bali's southern peninsula, Nusa Dua is the capital of Bali Province and the beach is a gated resort area, so you can escape from Bali's urban buzz there. Just enjoy sunbathing on the beach, and listen to the gentle slosh of surf on silky white sands.
If you would like to be more active, Nusa Dua has good conditions for leisurely water sports like swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.
14. Sekumpul Waterfall
Sekumpul Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali with a collection of seven waterfalls — the centerpiece of a lush, green, bamboo-forested valley. Located in the northern mountains of Bali, it takes around a 2½-hour drive to get there from the main tourist hubs of Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Ubud.
To access the waterfall, you need to trek about 2 hours past rice terraces and local villages rimmed with rambutan and durian trees and through a dense tropical jungle.
Nusa Lembongan15. Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is a small island off the coast of Bali and the most popular of the three Nusa islands (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida). It is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) offshore from Sanur and easily accessible by speedboat. It is an excellent choice for an island-hopping day trip.
You can have the best experience of surfing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding there without the crowds, traffic, and tourist touts of the main beaches of Bali.
Visiting Bali with Asia Highlights
Bali is a place of culture, ethnic peoples, nature, adventurous and leisurely activities, lovely weather, culinary delights, nightlife, and beautiful accommodation. Asia Highlights is happy to help you to explore and enjoy this magical destination. Contact our travel advisor team for a tailor-made tour and for any help planning a memorable journey to this charming place.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights During the Pandemic
- Tailor-made experience: All of your ideas/needs will be carefully considered to create your ideal trip.
- Worry-free planning: Your 1:1 travel consultant in Asia will take all the uncertainty out of your planning, helping you navigate any travel restrictions.
- No-risk booking: 100% refund policy! (prior to 3 weeks before departure, more details)
Get Inspired with Our Sample Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
