Let's see, what are the 7 most amazing things to do in Bali? The paradise island is full of all kinds of adventures and things to do for every taste. Everyone will find something to their liking here. In this review, we have collected the very best of them. We have tried to make our list as diverse as possible and cover as much of what Bali has to offer as one could. Especially for those who don't have much time to spend.
Among the 6,000 inhabited islands of Indonesia, Bali is the only one where Hinduism is practiced. This unique feature affects all aspects of local life and makes tourism on the island truly authentic and memorable. Therefore, it is not surprising that among the must-do things in Bali, we offer to focus on immersion in the local culture and acquaintance with the traditions of the Balinese. After all, there are many great islands in the world, but Bali is one of a kind.
The bucket list of what to do in Bali if you're short on time:
Visit one of Bali's famous sea temples
Uluwatu Temple is rightfully considered one of the main cultural attractions of the island. It rises on steep cliffs, into which raging waves pierce. Despite the large number of tourists, you can still feel the sacred power of this sacred place. It is best to come in the afternoon to admire the colors and shades of the setting sun. The sunsets in Bali are simply stunning.
One of the must-see tourist events in Kuta is the Kecak Dance in Uluwatu. Kecak Dance is a local folk dance (or rather, a performance) with scenes from the Ramayana accompanied by fire scenes. Balinese Kecak Dance is the most atmospheric and fascinating of all the dances on the island. This is a male dance that can be danced by 30 to 150 men.There are 2 shows every day, the first one starts at 6 PM and the next at 7 PM, both shows allow you to catch beautiful sunset views. The dance is held in a special amphitheater with a view of the setting sun. The tickets can be purchased at the box office at the entrance to the temple or before the performance on the temple grounds.
Pura Tanah Lot Temple is also a must-visit place in Bali. Tanah Lot is one of the nine main sacred temples in Bali, so there are always a lot of people around. It is located on a small island and is completely surrounded by water during high tide. You can approach it at low tide, but tourists are prohibited from entering the temple itself. Before entering the temple, believers must undergo a symbolic purification ritual - say a prayer and drink water from a holy spring. For a small donation, tourists can also undergo this ritual, but they are still not allowed to the altars. Not far from the temple itself, along the shore, there are 2 observation decks. Do not be lazy to walk to them. Magnificent photos will be a great reward for your effort. Tanah Lot is also a great choice for sending off the passing day.
Take a walk along one of the rice terraces
The most famous among them are Tegallalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces. The multi-tiered Tegallalang Rice Terrace is located near the city of Ubud. These terraces are popular because of their location. Next to them there is a road where anyone can stop and look at the panorama spread out before them. When entering the plantation, you must pay an entrance fee, or sometimes on the paths of the terrace you will meet locals who ask for an additional donation. The entrance to the Tegallang terraces is through several cafes, where you can sit quietly, drink a cup of coffee and enjoy the view. For those who are tired of walking along the undulating steps of the hills and sitting in the local cafes, there are swings on the terraces of Tegalalang overlooking the rice fields. Photos from this particular swing appear on the Instagram of many people who have visited Bali.
Almost in the very center of the island of Bali, at the foot of Mount Batukaru, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces stretch over an area of more than 300 hectares. Their main feature is that the terraces offer a view of the Batur volcano. In 2012, UNESCO recognized Jatiluwih as a national heritage. There are several walking trails on the terraces, from 1 to 5 km long, and on some you can ride a bike. Certainly they are must-visit places in Bali.
Watch a traditional Balinese dance performance
Perhaps one of the most colorful and memorable spectacles available to tourists on the island of Bali is traditional Balinese dancing - an art that dates back to ancient times, when the pre-Hindu ancestors of modern islanders performed their bizarre rituals of worshiping the spirits of nature.
Modern Balinese dances are an amazing mixture of various movements, in which you can notice features of a variety of world dance styles. The most famous of them are Kecak, Barong and Legong dances.
Basically, you can watch this spectacular event in almost any popular tourist area of Bali. However, many tourists go to Ubud specifically for this. This city is considered the center of cultural life on the island of Bali. In the evenings, colorful lights are lit on its streets and open areas and local dancers begin their performance. One of the best places in Ubud, where you can see Balinese dances in all their glory, is the Ubud Water Palace, located in the Saraswati Temple. In addition, there are many other places in Ubud where traditional Balinese dances are performed.
Watch the sunrise on Mount Batur
Bali is often called the ‘Morning of the World’ for its mesmerizing tropical sunrises, and the 1,717-meter summit of Mount Batur is perhaps the best place on the island to watch them. Mount Batur is an active volcano located in Kintamani where the caldera was formed after the eruption of a huge ancient volcano more than 30000 years ago.
People go to Batur to see the sunrise, admire the panorama of Bali in the rays of the rising sun, and look at the volcano’s crater. The trek does not require any special training. The main thing is to be lucky with the weather, otherwise there is a risk of seeing a veil of clouds instead of the rising sun.
Hundreds of trekkers set off every morning at about 3 AM for a spiritual date with the rising sun – or, in many cases, in the hope of taking the selfie of a lifetime. Don’t forget to book your guide to the summit if you stay outside Kintamani. Another option is to hire a guide on site before starting the trekking. There are always plenty of them so it shouldn't be a problem.
Mount Batur is considered by the Balinese sacred and the second most important mountain on the island, after Mount Agung. The main reason for this is that Mount Batur Lake feeds a network of many rivers, streams, and holy springs in all directions of Bali. Mount Batur and Lake Batur is home to one of the two most important gods in Bali, Goddess Ida Bhatari Dewi Danu. Through her water, she provides life to Bali. The Balinese people preserve the sanctity of Batur and do not allow tourists to climb to the top without a local guide accompanying them.
It begins to dawn around 5 a.m. And with the dawn, the breathtaking panorama of the island opens up.
Rent a scooter, enjoy the ride and explore the island's hidden gems
Let's just say Bali without a two-wheeled friend is not Bali at all. And it's not just about convenience or saving time (unless you're stuck in a traffic jam somewhere in Canggu), it is just cool. The island is full of secluded beaches and hidden spots to discover, and going by scooter means you’re free to go wherever your heart takes you. It is a lot of fun driving a scooter around the island. Just don’t forget to wear a helmet and follow the road rules.
Marine leisure: swim or sunbathe, dive or surf on one of Bali's beautiful beaches
Bali beaches are mostly not very suitable for swimming. In most places there are constant waves, which are ideal for surfing, but make it difficult to enter the water. There is also a risk that the oncoming current will carry you into the ocean. Nevertheless, you can swim and relax with children on the quiet and picturesque beaches of Sanur, Nusa Dua and Lovina: there is shallow water near the shore.
Kuta Beach is one of the best places for beginner surfers, with dozens of board rental stands and ready-made instructors lining the sand. Canggu Beach apart from more advanced surfing can also offer once in a life time fascinating sunsets.
While Bali’s wave-lapped south coast attracts thousands of surfers, divers are often amazed to find world-class diving on the sheltered north coast. Menjangan Island – just outside West Bali National Park – offers some truly spectacular snorkeling or diving, with sharks, rays, turtles and even the occasional whale shark.
Lovina and Pemuteran have reefs accessible from the beach. Amed is Bali's premier dive center, offering some unforgettable wreck dives.
Explore the amazing Bali waterfalls
Tropical rains on Bali's volcanic peaks create an abundance of waterfalls: large and small, fast and calm. The waterfalls in central Bali are not very high, but they are memorable and unusual. Some of them are hidden among rocks and crevices, so they are perfect for photo shoots - feel free to stand under their streams and take interesting shots. But in the north of the island, powerful streams rush from the mountains. Just look at the 80-meter Sekumpul, which spray of water flies 30 meters around!
Tegenungan Waterfall (15-meter drop) is one of the most popular due to its accessibility from Ubud. Meanwhile Nungnung Waterfall, which can be reached by going down 1000 steps into an untouched gorge, is more impressive.
Aling-Aling is a waterfall for the brave, where you can jump from a cliff into a waterfall, from heights of 5,10 and 15 meters. You can also slide down one of the waterfalls in the cascade like a slide in a water park. Scary and unforgettable at the same time. For those who prefer less extreme activities, you can enjoy a relaxing swim in a cool, clean lagoon beneath one of the waterfalls.
