When I was living in Bali, my mailbox was flooded with emails from friends and acquaintances planning a trip to the Island of Gods, asking me which spots to hit. I probably should have written a standard answer to copy-paste in every reply, but just thinking about these places got me so excited that I didn’t mind carefully hand-picking the spots that would suit each person.
Today, the same question continues to pop up regularly in my inbox, and I’ve noticed I tend to recommend the same places on a loop. Anyone can open a guidebook or browse the internet for ‘things to do in Bali’, but these are the picks I recommend to acquaintances, friends, and readers alike.
Scooter trip Tirta Gangga – Amed & Bathing in Tirta Gangga’s holy waterÂ
Eastern Bali is an excellent area to explore by scooter. The small roads lead you through picturesque villages and breathtaking landscapes. Somewhere in the midst of it all lies the Tirta Gangga Water Palace. Though the palace itself is alluring, it’s the soak in the holy water that adds real pizzazz to the scene.
Spend the night in one of the charming guesthouses in Tirta Gangga and visit the palace very early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive. There’s something transcendental about taking a dip in a pool of sacred water, surrounded by nothing but the sounds of nature awakening. From there, drive to Amed and take in the natural beauty and scenes of rural Bali.
Learn to dive in Tulamben
If you’re a seasoned diver, you might not be overly impressed by Bali’s dive sites. It’s just not the most spectacular place to scuba. That said, there are still some beautiful underwater spots worth exploring.
Tulamben is especially ideal for getting your scuba certification. The coral is colourful and abundant, the visibility is excellent, and the water is warm. Right off the shore, at just a few metres’ depth, lies a shipwreck in outstanding condition. It’s one of the rare places where you can shipwreck dive as a beginner. Most dive sites are near the beach, so there’s no need to jump off a boat—you can just shuffle into the sea and gradually ease into deeper waters. Ideal for a nervous first-timer. Not into diving? Some parts of the wreck are accessible by snorkel too!
Exploring Jatiluwih rice terraces on foot
The rice terraces of Jatiluwih reflect the beauty of Balinese agriculture. I reached the UNESCO-protected fields using back roads and found myself at a non-official entrance. The only other people there were a few farmers working the land.
Get off the scooter (or out of the car) and walk through the paddies of endless green. The further you walk, the fewer people you’ll see—and the better the experience.
Coffee, cloves and strawberries in Munduk
Anyone who calls Bali an over-touristed hellhole clearly hasn’t been to the northern part of the island. In Munduk, the air is cool and the soil is fertile—perfect conditions for cultivating coffee, strawberries, and cloves.
Munduk may be unlike other Balinese towns, and while it isn’t the most memorable in terms of charm, it offers a refreshing change of scene. During colonial times, the Dutch escaped the tropical heat by retreating to the mountains here. That tradition continues: come for the fresh air, the hilly landscape, waterfalls, coffee plantations, and eating strawberries on everything—even pizza.
A Deep soul massage in Ubud
Ubud is a great base to explore the verdant centre of the island. Stay here and enjoy everything it has to offer: culture, art, spas, every type of yoga imaginable, meditation, healing, delightful guesthouses, organic restaurants catering to every allergy and food trend…
Be warned though: the town is very touristy. Still, it’s not hard to get away from the over-commercialised bits. As long as you know to expect a tiny but busy 10-street town, you won’t mind Ubud’s crowded centre too much. Let your hair down, join a yoga class, get a massage and a flower bath, eat an organic meal with a health shake, and chat with locals. All while wearing loose flowy pants and flip-flops. Groovy?
Sunset in Pantai Suluban
Narrow steps carved between cliffs lead you down to this tiny beach, which disappears at high tide. The setting between tall escarpments, soft sand between your toes, and unbelievably talented surfers riding massive waves in the background—it all comes together magnificently when the sun starts to melt into the sea.
Strangely enough, I didn’t carry my camera when I witnessed my favourite sunset in Bali. Maybe that’s what made it even more enjoyable?
Snorkelling with manta rays on Lembogan island
Nusa Lembongan is a small, tranquil island where you can truly spoil yourself—be it with stylish yet affordable accommodation or spa treatments perched on cliffs overlooking the turquoise sea.
Still, the best treat Lembongan has to offer is found underwater. Experienced divers might encounter the elusive mola mola (giant sunfish) in the right season. But you don’t need to dive to be amazed. All you need is a mask, a snorkel, and fins. Try drift snorkelling, where the currents do the paddling and carry you across vibrant coral gardens.
The absolute highlight? Snorkelling with 2-metre wide manta rays. Exhilarating!
Beach Bumming on the Gili islands
Technically part of Lombok, the Gili Islands are often included in a Bali trip—and they should be. It’s the place for a classic exotic beach getaway: no motorised vehicles, rustic shacks serving food and cocktails, beach parties, and everything in between.
There are three Gili Islands, each with a different personality. Check out my Gili post to find out which one suits you best.
Sunrise atop or at the foot of Mount Batur
Climbing Mount Batur for sunrise is one of Bali’s top attractions. Fit hikers can reach the summit (1717 m) in about two hours and enjoy a spectacular sunrise from the top of an active volcano.
That said, hanging around the slopes is just as rewarding. Watch the sunrise from the foot of the volcano by the crater lake, have breakfast on the hillsides, and bathe in nearby hot springs. Either way, the Kintamani region promises spectacular scenery.
For the insane: ascending Mount Agung
As mentioned above, Mount Batur is the popular choice for volcano hikes. But from the top of Mount Agung, Batur looks like a joke.
Mount Agung (3031 m) is the holiest site in Bali. Though foreigners are tolerated on its slopes, many Balinese won’t climb it—it’s simply too sacred. The ascent starts around midnight and takes about seven hours. From the summit, you’ll see the entire island and even catch views of Lombok’s coastline and volcanoes.
It’s a gruelling climb, and the descent is even more taxing—not to mention slightly dangerous. Pray for clear skies. If you’re looking for a physical challenge, this is it.
I’ll admit it: I cried from sheer desperation during the hike. Do I regret it? No. Would I do it again? Nope!
For more “insane” activities in Bali, read my article “5 quirky things to do in Bali“.
Bali is packed with remarkable places: secret beaches, stunning temples, lush valleys… So wherever you decide to go, there is no wrong answer.
Except Kuta. Please, stay away from Kuta. It’s crowded, polluted, and full of drunk teenagers, pimps, and dealers. McDonald’s, O’Neill, and other multi national chains ruin the town. It’s the only part of Bali I truly disliked.
One last tip: as you probably know by now, Bali is full of tourists—sometimes too full. I strongly recommend visiting the more popular sites as early in the morning as possible. It’s the only way to avoid the crowds and not come home annoyed about having seen too many other tourists/travelers.
Sure, waking up at the crack of dawn isn’t a picnic. But if it means having ancient sites all to yourself and catching that perfect golden-hour photo lighting? Totally worth it.
Don’t worry—there’s always a quaint café nearby where you can nap later in the day.
Which part of Bali have you enjoyed visiting or would you like to visit?
The post “Where to go in Bali – 10 insider tips” first appeared on Travel Cake.
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