Things to do in Bali

What to do in Bali

If you’re looking for relaxation, authentic cultural experiences and breathtaking scenery – and, come on, who isn’t? – Bali is the ideal place for you… This list will tell you exactly what to do in Bali to get the most out of your trip.

  1. Take part in a temple festival
  2. Go surfing
  3. Take a dive
  4. Embrace your inner party animal
  5. Explore the Gunung Batukaru foothills
  6. Discover Balinese history
  7. Visit Bali’s holiest shrine
  8. Find yourself in Ubud
  9. Kick back in Canggu
  10. Relax at one of Bali’s spectacular spas

Bali has been welcoming backpackers, divers, sun-worshippers and culture vultures since the 1930s. Take one look at the island and you’ll see why. Bali is a unique, all-in-one paradise, guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on any traveller. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Bali holiday now!

1. Take part in a temple festival

With so many amazing things to do in Bali, it’s hard to know where to start! Visiting a temple festival is definitely a good place to experience the culture. The temple festivals take place somewhere in Bali almost every day and they provide a great opportunity to see the island decked out in ceremonial splendour. Replete with incense, offerings, food, music and dance, these festivals provide an authentic taste of the island’s culture.

Must see: Galungan is an island-wide five-day festival where ancestral souls are believed to visit their descendants.

2. Go surfing

Bali is renowned for its great surfing spots. The peak surf season is April to October when the southeast trade winds blow offshore and the full force of the southern ocean swells hit the reefs around Kuta, Nusa Dua and the Bukit Badung peninsula. For novices and surfers of intermediate ability, there are plenty of mellow beach breaks.

Must see: Surf camps and ‘surfaris’ are available for those who wish to discover secret surf spots with local professionals.

3. Take a dive

Bali offers divers and snorkelers some of the world’s finest tropical reefs. The water is warm and the marine life is abundant. Reputable dive schools, dive resorts and operators offer facilities, equipment and tuition for every PADI course from beginners’ discovery dives to the highest recreational level. Diving is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Bali!

Must see: Bali’s premier dive site is around the wreck of the Liberty, at Tulamben on the east coast.

4. Embrace your inner party animal

Gili Trawangan is the most famous of the Gili islands, with a reputation as ‘the party island’ – thanks to the wild parties held at its bars and restaurants. Familiarly known as Gili T, Trawangan still maintains its timeless tropical paradise charm, but now has a wider range of facilities to cater to a broader spectrum of travellers.

Must see: There is good snorkelling just off the shore with waters that teem with a still abundant variety of tropical fish species.

5. Explore the Gunung Batukaru foothills

With its tropical rainforests, gentle volcanic slopes and ancient terraces, Gunung Batukaru and its hinterlands are some of the most scenic places in all of Bali. There are some lovely rural hideaways up there: comfort in Wongayagede, eco-chic in Sarinbuana or escapism near Jantiluwih.

Must see: If you don't have a night or two to spare, the north-south road from Seririt to Antosari gives an excellent overview and can be done in one day.

6. Discover Balinese history

A great repository of Balinese culture, the Bali Museum (Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali) is Denpasar’s top attraction and provides an excellent introduction to the island’s culture, past and present.

Must see: The museum features a massive second-century BC stone sarcophagus and an upstairs gallery given over to traditional paintings and woodcarvings.

7. Visit Bali’s holiest shrine

Marooned on a craggy, wave-lashed rock just off the southwest coast, Pura Tanah Lot is the island’s holiest temple. Fringed by white surf and black sand, its multitiered shrines are an unofficial symbol of Bali, appearing on countless souvenirs.

Must see: When the waters are low enough, you can take a sip of holy water from the spring that rises beneath the temple rock (donation requested).

8. Find yourself in Ubud

Also known as Bali’s arty heart, Ubud has beautifully sited accommodation, great restaurants, shops and galleries; set amid lush, terraced rice paddies, there’s plenty of scope for hikes and bicycle rides.

Must see: Ubud is a recognized centre of spiritual tourism, a place where visitors can get stuck into yoga and meditation, and visit local healers.

9. Kick back in Canggu

An engaging mix of surf beaches, organic cafés and paddy fields make Canggu a mecca for Bali’s creative, leisured crowd: think stylish hotels, uber-luxe villas, pilates studios and hipster barber shops where beard grooming is an art form.

Must see: Echo Beach and Batu Bolong are the real hubs and not to be missed!

10. Relax at one of Bali’s spectacular spas

Herbal medicines and massages using oils and pastes made from locally grown plants have long played an important role in traditional Indonesian health care. Spas and salons offering traditional beauty treatments can be found all over the island, catering to a range of budgets. What better way to relax in Bali than with a traditional spa treatment?

Must see: Indonesia's best known traditional treatment is the Javanese exfoliation rub, mandi lulur, in which you’re painted and then massaged with a turmeric-based paste.

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