Ahh Bali… Where should we even start? From beautiful temples, tranquil beaches, and lush rice paddies, to thirst-quenching bars, and endless food to try. Bali’s diversity means there’s something for everyone! However, we understand that your time in Bali may be limited, and we’re here to help you make the most of it. Without bothering to find out for yourself, take a look at our list of what Bali has to offer for you and what you shouldn’t miss!
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is one of Sad Khayangan Jagat or Six Main Temples in Bali Island, including the biggest Besakih Temple. This magnificent temple is located in Pecatu Village, South Kuta – on a high cliff jutting out into the sea on the Uluwatu coastline. The temple is very popular among locals and tourists for its beautiful ocean views, magical ancient temples, sacred tranquil atmosphere, wild monkeys, and of course – kecak dance performances.
The Kecak Fire Dance is usually the main reason for tourists to visit this place. This dance is usually performed at 17:00 – 18:00 every day and tells the story of Ramayana.This is the most special because in addition to enjoying the atmosphere on the cliff with a wide ocean view, in the afternoon you will see the dancers wearing luxurious traditional Balinese costumes, performing with fire, facing the sunset, majestic! Top tip: come early because after 3 pm the road to Uluwatu usually starts to jam, and tickets will most likely be sold out.
Bali Swing
Bali swings are becoming very popular nowadays with many people visiting just to find an Instagrammable spot. There are many places that provide these swings and they have different heights overlooking a beautiful valley of palm trees with a river, or even rice fields. This gives a green Balinese atmosphere that will captivate your heart! Here’s where you can get it:
- Wanagiri Hidden Hills
- Terrace River Pool Swing
- Alas Harum Bali
They usually provide bright, long-tailed dresses that you can rent, which I advise you to rent because wearing a t-shirt with baggy jeans won’t make you look amazing while up in the air, especially if you plan to take photos to update that Insta feed. Make sure you visit at the right time (early morning, 9 to 11 am) as this place is very popular and attracts many visitors, and don’t forget to check the weather forecast beforehand.
Ulun Danu Beratan – The Floating Temple
Ulun Danu Beratan is one of Bali’s most popular temples among tourists. The temple is known as a floating temple as its pagodas appear to float on the shores of Lake Bratan. Ceremonies and offerings to Dewi Danu, the Balinese goddess of water and rivers, are performed at this temple on a regular basis.
While you can wander around the temple complex with the standard entrance ticket (IDR 75,000), it is quite crowded and feels a little too touristy. That’s why I prefer to rent a Jukung (Indonesia’s traditional rowing boat) to explore the lake and the temple, which is much quieter and gives me a more memorable experience!
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace
Jatiluwih comes from two words. Jati means “real” and Luwih means “good” or “beautiful”. So from the name alone you can tell that this place is very lovely! Jatiluwih rice fields consist of over 600 hectares of rice paddies that follow the topography of the hillsides of the Batukaru mountains – making it one of the best places to visit in Bali.
The terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage site – offering visitors the perfect blend of stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Picture yourself standing amidst a sea of vibrant green, with rice paddies flowing downhill like a stairway to the sky. The air is fresh, the landscape is tranquil, and the only sounds are the breeze rustling the rice stalks and birds chirping in the distance. This is one of those places where time seems to slow its pace.
Note that to get here, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee which is about IDR 50,000 (approx. US $3.30) for international visitors, while children aged 12 and under can enter for IDR 20,000 (around USD 1.30).
Nyang Nyang Beach
This list wouldn’t be complete without a beach as one of the spots, and maybe you’re wondering, of all the best beaches in Bali, why Nyang-Nyang? What’s so special about this place? Aside from being one of the cleanest beaches with sparkling white sands and turquoise waters, Nyang Nyang beach’s serene landscape is also bordered by sloping cliffs with a light mist hanging over the ocean – making it a stunning place to spend the end of your day. You’ll often see natural coral reefs that break the incoming waves, allowing calm, clear waters to border the shore.
I recommend visiting early in the morning before it gets too hot in the midday sun – but if you decide to visit in the afternoon, consider staying until sunset, which is usually around 6pm. Bukit Peninsula’s sunsets are hard to beat! The beach is also popular with campers as its quiet atmosphere makes it a great place for a campfire under the stars. You can pitch your tent for the night right on the beach.
Conclusion
Instead of focusing on the nightlife and beach clubs that you’ve heard so much about (which is fine), let’s focus on nature a little bit sometimes – life has to be balanced, right?
The five listed above are some of the best tourist spots in Bali, and trust me, you’ll regret it if you don’t go to one of them, why? Because apart from the beach, you won’t get those spots anywhere else but Bali. So while you’re here, try to hit one up, and thank me later.
