Things to do in Bali
Bali's attractions are the places you travel to see rather than an activity you book by the hour — clifftop and lake temples, waterfalls, rice terraces, monkey forests, and family parks with a fixed entry ticket.
Most sit around Ubud in the island's centre (Tegallalang, Tegenungan, the Sacred Monkey Forest) and along the southern coast at Uluwatu, Jimbaran and Seminyak, with day-trip temples such as Ulun Danu Beratan further north.
Temples require a sarong and sash — usually supplied at the gate or included with a tour. Arrive early to avoid both the heat and the tour-bus peak, and allow for slow traffic between the south and Ubud.
16 experiences
AttractionsEntry to Bali Bird Park in Gianyar, home to hundreds of bird species from across Indonesia and around the world, set in landscaped tropical gardens with daily bird shows and free-flight aviaries. Convenient hotel transfers are included.
AttractionsExplore Bali Reptile Park with an entrance ticket and get close to pythons, crocodiles, Komodo dragons and other reptiles, plus birds and wildlife set in tropical gardens near Ubud.
AttractionsJungle swing platforms, nests and viewing decks over the Ayung valley, usually combined with nearby waterfall or terrace stops.
AttractionsFresh grilled seafood served on the sand at Jimbaran Bay as the sun sets — prawns, fish, calamari and clams plated family-style at a beachfront warung table, one of Bali's most popular dinner experiences.
AttractionsOne of Bali's oldest and holiest temples, high in the Karangasem mountains. The split gate frames Mount Agung on a clear morning — go at sunrise to beat the photo queue, and bring a sarong as it is an active place of worship.
AttractionsA private full-day Ubud circuit: Sacred Monkey Forest, a village temple, Tegenungan waterfall, the Tegallalang rice terraces and a Bali coffee plantation tasting, with hotel transfers and an English-speaking driver.
AttractionsA walk through the temple complex and forest reserve in central Ubud, home to several troops of long-tailed macaques.
AttractionsA hands-on private silver jewellery workshop with a local guide in Seminyak and Legian. Design, cut, solder and polish your own ring or pendant, then take home the piece you made.
AttractionsBali's most photographed sea temple, perched on a rocky outcrop off the south-west coast. Gates open 07:00–19:00 and the crowds thin early, but sunset between 18:15 and 18:45 is the classic shot. A Kecak fire dance runs nightly at 18:00 near Batu Bolong.
AttractionsThe tiered green amphitheatre north of Ubud, carved by the thousand-year-old subak irrigation system. Walk the valley paths, stop for coffee with a terrace view, and combine it with the swings and coffee plantations nearby.
AttractionsThe easiest big waterfall to reach from Ubud or Seminyak, open daily 06:30–18:30 with a small cash entry fee. Arrive before 08:00 to swim in the plunge pool before the tour buses land; riverside cafes overlook the gorge.
AttractionsA 10th-century spring temple near Tampaksiring where Balinese Hindus perform melukat, the purification ritual under a row of carved fountains. Visitors can join with a guide, a sarong and a change of clothes.
AttractionsA full-day admission ticket to Trans Studio Bali, Indonesia's largest indoor theme park. Enjoy roller coasters, family rides, immersive attractions and live entertainment across air-conditioned themed zones — an easy rain-or-shine day out for couples and families.
AttractionsA full-day guided loop through the best of Ubud: the Sacred Monkey Forest, traditional art villages of Mas and Celuk, a working temple, a jungle waterfall and the Tegallalang rice terraces. Includes hotel transfers, a local guide and lunch, with every classic Ubud highlight packed into one easy day.
AttractionsExperience a hands-on Balinese silver jewellery-making class in Ubud. Learn traditional silversmith techniques from local artisans and craft your own unique piece of silver jewellery to take home.
AttractionsThe floating lake temple in the cool highlands of Bedugul, about two hours north of Seminyak. Mist over Lake Beratan, manicured gardens and a photogenic multi-tiered meru make it a favourite stop on North Bali day tours.
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