Things to do · Bali · Indonesia
19 best things to do in Bali
19 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Grayswoodsurrey, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Bali are Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance, Tanah Lot and Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Of the 19 picks below, 1 is free, 1 work on a rainy day and 7 suit children. Allow about 10 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance
- Free sights
- 1
- Good on a rainy day
- Bali Museum
- Time to see the highlights
- 10 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance | Uluwatu | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Tanah Lot | Tabanan | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Tegallalang Rice Terraces | Ubud | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary | Ubud | 1–1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Tirta Empul | Tampaksiring | 1–1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | Bedugul | 1–1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Lempuyang Temple | Karangasem | 2–5 hours | Low cost |
| Mount Batur sunrise trek | Kintamani | 6–8 hours including transfers | Mid-priced |
| Besakih Temple | Karangasem | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Jatiluwih rice terraces | Tabanan | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Campuhan Ridge Walk | Ubud | 1.5–2 hours | Free |
| Goa Gajah | Ubud | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Tirta Gangga | Karangasem | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park | Bukit Peninsula | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Bali Museum | Denpasar | 1–1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Tegenungan Waterfall | Gianyar | 1–1.5 hours | Low cost |
| USAT Liberty wreck, Tulamben | Tulamben | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Waterbom Bali | Kuta | Half a day | Expensive |
| Ubud Palace and evening dance | Ubud | 1.5 hours | Low cost |
The 19 best things to do
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Religious site · Uluwatu
1.Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance
Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali's six key directional temples, stands on a cliff about 70 metres above the Indian Ocean at the island's south-western tip. At sunset, an open-air amphitheatre stages the Kecak fire dance, in which a chanting male chorus tells episodes of the Ramayana.
Remove sunglasses, hats and dangling earrings: the resident macaques snatch them and trade them back for food.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Kecak tickets sell out in peak season; buy them early in the afternoon or online.
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Tabanan
2.Tanah Lot
This 16th-century sea temple sits on a rocky outcrop that becomes an island at high tide, on the coast north of Canggu. Only worshippers may enter the temple itself, but visitors can cross to its base at low tide, and the cliffs around it are a classic sunset spot.
Arrive mid-afternoon to see it at low tide and stay for sunset from the cliff-top cafés.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · Ubud
3.Tegallalang Rice Terraces
About 20 minutes north of Ubud, Tegallalang's terraces step down a palm-fringed valley. Paths lead down and across the terraces past farmers, cafés and swings, and small donations are requested at several points by the landowners.
Go at 7–8am for soft light and few people; the terraces are greenest a few weeks before harvest.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Ubud
4.Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
On the edge of central Ubud, this forest of giant banyan trees and moss-covered temples is home to several hundred long-tailed macaques. Paths and a stone bridge cross a ravine to the 14th-century Pura Dalem Agung temple.
Bring no food or loose items, avoid eye contact with the monkeys and keep children close; seek medical advice after any bite or scratch.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Tampaksiring
5.Tirta Empul
Founded in the 10th century around a sacred spring, Tirta Empul is where Balinese Hindus bathe in purifying stone pools under rows of carved spouts. Visitors may join the ritual if they wear the proper sarong and follow the order of the fountains.
Go early, bring a change of clothes and ask a local guide to explain which spouts are skipped.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Religious site · Bedugul
6.Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Built in 1633 on the shore of Lake Beratan in the cool highlands, this temple dedicated to the lake goddess appears to float on the water when the lake is high. Its 11-tiered meru shrine is one of the most photographed images of Bali.
Bring a jacket; Bedugul is often misty and cool, and the morning has the calmest water for reflections.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Architecture
- Kids
Religious site · Karangasem
7.Lempuyang Temple
Pura Lempuyang Luhur is one of Bali's oldest and most sacred temples, on a mountain in the east. Its lower split gate, framing Mount Agung, is known as the 'Gates of Heaven'; the much-photographed reflection is created by photographers holding a mirror under a phone. The full climb to the summit temple involves about 1,700 steps.
Arrive at dawn to beat the photo queue, which can last hours, and to see Mount Agung before clouds form.
- Time needed
- 2–5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Active
- History
Nature · Kintamani
8.Mount Batur sunrise trek
An active volcano of 1,717 metres, Mount Batur rises over the crater lake of Batur. Treks start around 4am with headlamps and take about two hours to reach the rim for sunrise over Mount Agung and Mount Abang; local guides are required.
Wear proper shoes and bring a warm layer; it is cold at the top before sunrise.
- Time needed
- 6–8 hours including transfers
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Book through a reputable operator that includes the local guide association fee.
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Religious site · Karangasem
1.Besakih Temple
Bali's largest and holiest temple complex, Besakih climbs the slopes of Mount Agung in more than 80 temples and shrines on terraced levels. It is the 'mother temple' of Balinese Hinduism and the focus of major ceremonies.
Use the official ticket office and an official guide if wanted; decline unofficial guides who approach at the car park.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Nature · Tabanan
2.Jatiluwih rice terraces
Part of the UNESCO-listed Cultural Landscape of Bali Province, Jatiluwih's terraces cover a broad valley below Mount Batukaru, watered by the cooperative subak irrigation system. Marked walking trails of one to several hours loop through the fields.
Combine it with Ulun Danu Beratan in the highlands; it is larger and calmer than Tegallalang.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
- Active
Nature · Ubud
3.Campuhan Ridge Walk
A paved path of about 2 km follows a grassy ridge between two river valleys from the Gunung Lebah temple at the edge of Ubud, past palms and elephant grass, to the village of Bangkiang Sidem and its rice-field cafés.
Walk it at sunrise or late afternoon; there is little shade at midday.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Couples
- Active
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Historic site · Ubud
4.Goa Gajah
The 'Elephant Cave' near Ubud is an 11th-century sanctuary entered through a carved demonic face, with bathing pools and Buddhist relics in a ravine below. It is a short visit but shows Bali's mix of Hindu and Buddhist heritage.
Walk down the steps past the pools into the ravine, which most visitors skip.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
Palace · Karangasem
5.Tirta Gangga
Built in 1946 for the Raja of Karangasem, this water palace has ornamental ponds, stepping stones among koi carp, fountains and spring-fed bathing pools surrounded by rice terraces in East Bali.
Combine it with Lempuyang and Amed in one day on the east side of the island.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Architecture
- History
Landmark · Bukit Peninsula
6.Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
A cultural park on the Bukit Peninsula centred on the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue of Vishnu riding the eagle Garuda, completed in 2018 and, at about 121 metres including its base, one of the tallest statues in the world. Dance performances run through the day.
Visit late afternoon and continue to Uluwatu Temple or Jimbaran for sunset.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Views
- Photo spot
Museum · Denpasar
7.Bali Museum
Bali's oldest museum, founded in the 1930s beside Puputan Square in Denpasar, displays masks, textiles, ritual objects and archaeological finds in pavilions built in traditional palace and temple styles.
Combine it with Badung Market and Jagatnatha Temple, both a short walk away.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Nature · Gianyar
8.Tegenungan Waterfall
About 20–30 minutes south of Ubud, Tegenungan is an easily reached waterfall on the Petanu River, with steps down to a pool at its base and viewpoint cafés above. It is busier than the northern falls but much closer to the main bases.
Check conditions before swimming; the current is strong after heavy rain in the wet season.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Experience · Tulamben
9.USAT Liberty wreck, Tulamben
A US Army transport ship torpedoed in 1942 lies just off the black-pebble beach at Tulamben, in depths from about 3 to 30 metres. Covered in coral and fish, it is one of the most accessible wreck dives in the world and can even be seen by snorkellers.
Dive at dawn before the day-trip groups arrive from the south.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Theme park · Kuta
10.Waterbom Bali
A water park in tropical gardens in Kuta with slides from gentle family rides to near-vertical drops, a lazy river and a separate children's play area with smaller slides.
Go on a weekday and arrive at opening to get a shaded sun lounger.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
Palace · Ubud
11.Ubud Palace and evening dance
Puri Saren Agung, the royal palace in central Ubud, has carved gateways and courtyards open to visitors by day. In the evenings, its courtyard hosts Legong, Barong and other traditional dance performances with gamelan orchestras.
Buy tickets from the sellers at the gate during the day and arrive early for a front-row seat.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- History
- Art
- Couples
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Bali Museum and Ubud Palace and evening dance |
| History | Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance, Tirta Empul, Lempuyang Temple and Besakih Temple |
| Views | Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance, Tanah Lot, Lempuyang Temple and Mount Batur sunrise trek |
| Outdoors and nature | Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Mount Batur sunrise trek and Jatiluwih rice terraces |
| After dark | Ubud Palace and evening dance |
| With children | Tanah Lot, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Tirta Gangga |
| On a rainy day | Bali Museum |
What to book ahead
- Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance: Kecak tickets sell out in peak season; buy them early in the afternoon or online.
- Mount Batur sunrise trek: Book through a reputable operator that includes the local guide association fee.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Bali?
Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance. Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali's six key directional temples, stands on a cliff about 70 metres above the Indian Ocean at the island's south-western tip.
+What can you do for free in Bali?
Campuhan Ridge Walk. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Bali when it rains?
Head indoors to Bali Museum.
+What is there to do in Bali at night?
Ubud Palace and evening dance are best after dark.