Rice terraces, clifftop temples above the ocean, a volcano at sunrise and surf breaks people fly halfway round the world for.
Jungle right in the middle of Ubud: moss-covered ancient temples, banyan roots and hundreds of long-tailed macaques.
Price: IDR 130,000 for a foreign adult (since April 2026)
Insider tip: Put glasses, earrings and food in a zipped bag. Don't stare monkeys in the eye or try to grab back what they steal: call a ranger.
Bali's most famous terraces: green steps dropping into a valley between palm trees.
Price: Small entry fee; swings and photo "nests" cost extra
Insider tip: Come at 7–8 a.m.: soft light and hardly anyone around. Farmers ask for a donation to cross some plots, which is normal.
A free path along a hilltop ridge between two rivers: waist-high grass, palms and jungle views.
Price: Free
Insider tip: Go at sunrise or before sunset: there's no shade on the ridge at midday. At the end of the path there are cafés overlooking rice fields.
The royal palace with carved gates and the market opposite: sarongs, baskets, coffee and souvenirs.
Price: Courtyard entry is free
Insider tip: Legong dance is often performed in the courtyard in the evening; tickets are sold at the gate during the day. Haggle at the market, starting at half the price.
The temple of holy springs, where Balinese walk through a row of fountains in a purification ritual.
Price: Paid entry; sarongs provided
Insider tip: Visitors can bathe too, in the sarong provided and respecting the queue. Come at opening time: by noon it's crowded.
The 11th-century "Elephant Cave": an entrance carved as a demon's mouth, ancient bathing pools and a jungle path down to a stream.
Price: Paid entry; sarongs provided
Insider tip: Take the steps down behind the pools: it's quiet there and almost empty.
Culture, yoga, jungle. The heart of the island: temples, rice terraces, cafés and retreats. No sea, the beaches are an hour or more away, and evenings are quiet.
− Not for daily swims: the sea is far away.
Surf, cafés, nightlife. The trendiest area: surf breaks, coffee shops, beach clubs and coworking spaces.
− Not for peace and quiet: building sites, scooters and music until late.
Restaurants, shopping, sunsets. Stylish and convenient: everything is close, with a wide beach, spas and boutiques. Pricier than Canggu but calmer in the evenings.
− Not for saving money: prices are among the highest on the island.
Cliffs, beaches, views. The island's south: white-sand coves, a clifftop temple and villas overlooking the ocean. You need a scooter or a driver, as everything is spread out.
− Not if you don't ride a scooter: without transport you'll be stuck at your villa.
Quiet, good with kids. A calm area on the east coast: a flat sea without big waves, a seafront promenade, and the boats to Nusa Penida leave from here.
− Not for parties or surfing: it's quiet in the evenings and there are no waves.
All-inclusive resorts. A gated resort area with big hotels and well-kept beaches. Clean and safe, but with very little local life.
− Not for the "real Bali": it's just hotels all around.
Snorkelling and diving. Villages on the north-east coast below Mount Agung: black sand, coral right off the shore and a shipwreck at nearby Tulamben.
− Far away: 2.5–3 hours from the airport, with few cafés and shops.
Close to the airport. Noisy, budget-friendly and full of tourists. Handy for your first or last night before a flight.
− Not for a whole holiday: noisy, so-so beaches and lots of pushy sellers.
Many passports get a visa on arrival (VOA) or an e-VOA in advance at molina.imigrasi.go.id: IDR 500,000 for 30 days, extendable once for another 30; some, including ASEAN passports, are visa-free. Everyone also pays the IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy (Love Bali) and fills in the free All Indonesia arrival card within 72 hours before landing. Check the current rules for your passport before you travel.