Bali Bucket List: 33 Best Things to Do in Bali
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Heading to Bali and want to know the best things you can see, do and experience when you get there? This Bali bucket list is here to help you out!
Bali is a destination that’s got SO much to offer. For a pretty small island, it’s overflowing with epic experiences, great places to explore and tons of things to see and do. (So I totally get if it feels overwhelming!)
When I visited Bali, we crammed a lot into a few weeks and there are still places I could visit in the future. It’s worthy of its bucket list status and has so much to fall in love with!
So- if you’re trying to make sense of it all and want to know what to do in Bali and what’s worth seeing – this post is for you! This Bali bucket list covers all the top spots to take in so you can plan the best trip possible.
Best Bali bucket list ideas
1 Visit the Tegalalang Rice Terrace
First on the list is Bali’s iconic Tegalalang Rice Terrace. This was one of the places I was most excited to visit when I first went to Bali! It’s located just outside Ubud and is one of the most famous rice fields in Bali.
Because it’s such a popular place, the Tegalalang Rice Terrace has admittedly lost some of its charm, BUT, it’s still a top place to have on your Bali bucket list. If you want to avoid some of the crowds, I recommend visiting early in the morning to get a more peaceful vibe (and soft light that’s perfect for photos!).
If you want to experience something a little different, you could also join this half-day e-bike tour. It’s a fun way to take in the rice terraces and see more of Ubud’s beautiful scenery.
2 Say hi to the monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud is probably one of the most famous and must-see attractions in Bali. It’s a nature reserve and temple complex that’s home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed monkeys.
If you don’t like monkeys, you might want to give this a miss. (I loved the forest and the scenery but hated the monkeys!!) That said- most people don’t have monkey-related anxieties like me… so if that’s you, then this place is absolutely worthy of a spot on your Bali bucket list!
3 Hike Mount Batur at sunrise
An epic experience for your Bali bucket list itinerary is hiking Mount Batur at sunrise. This is a popular active volcano trek that you can do with a guide.
It depends on where you’re staying, but guided trips typically start around 2am. You can book private or group tours, which will include return transport, a guide and breakfast. The hike only takes around 1-2 hours to reach the top and it’s well worth the early start to catch sunrise at the summit.
4 Have a floating breakfast
Dreaming of having a floating breakfast? Bali is where the floating breakfast originated so obviously it has to be on your Bali bucket list! So many resorts across the island do floating breakfasts, but Ubud is my top place for it.
Tons of resorts in Ubud offer floating breakfasts and brunches (some are available to non-staying guests, too). I absolutely recommend adding this to your trip if you want a unique and romantic experience!
5 Have a spa day
If you love a spa day as much as me, you’ll be in heaven in Bali. There are loads of amazing spas across Bali – it’s easily one of my favourite things to do on the island! (It’s also a great thing to do in Bali if it rains during your trip!)
The best part is that spa treatments are affordable in Bali (but tipping well is appreciated!). You’ll be able to have traditional Balinese massages, luxury flower baths and treatments like facials and manicures.
6 Chase waterfalls
There are waterfalls all around Bali (especially around Ubud and Munduk) so you could spend your time visiting several.
READ MORE: Best 3 Day Ubud Itinerary, Bali
Tegenungan, Tukad Cepung and Kanto Lampo Waterfall are some popular options that you can visit easily from Ubud (just bear in mind that they can get pretty busy). I also like Tibumana and Manuaba Waterfall, which are a little quieter. As well as Banyumala and Sekumpul near Munduk.
This private personalised tour is a brilliant option if you want to visit several of Bali’s best waterfalls without having to plan it all yourself.
7 Go beach hopping
In my opinion, there are better places than Bali if your main goal is finding white-sand beaches. However, there are still some gorgeous options if you know where to look!
For the best, I recommend heading to the areas around Uluwatu in southern Bali. You’ll find super pretty beaches like Padang Padang, Nyang Nyang and Green Bowl Beach.
RELATED: Bali or Thailand: Which is Better?
Bali is also known for its black sand beaches, which are mostly found along the east coast. Plus, the popular areas of Canggu and Seminyak have lively beaches. They’re not so pretty, but they’re a great place to relax, have a drink and watch the sunset.
If you have the time for a longer trip and want really good beaches, I highly recommend heading to the Gilis or Nusa Islands which have more beautiful choices!
8 Take photos at Lempuyang Temple
Lempuyang Temple in east Bali is well worth a visit. It’s one of the oldest in Bali and has a load of great places for photos – it’s where you’ll find the Gates of Heaven.
As well as having one of Bali’s most famous photo spots, this is a huge temple complex set in the hills, so it’s a beautiful and fascinating place to explore.
9 Head to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
I’ve mentioned the Tegalalang Rice Terrace which I loved when I first visited in 2016. However, my top recommendation now would be to visit Jatiluwih! The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are currently less crowded and feel a lot more authentic and serene.
RELATED: Is Bali Worth Visiting in 2024? (Honest Pros & Cons of Bali)
The location is about a 1.5-hour drive from Ubud and is really beautiful. It’s the perfect place to explore for a more peaceful rural experience.
10 Visit Uluwatu Temple
I loved visiting Uluwatu Temple and it’s a popular place for a lot of visitors. The temple is in a really pretty and dramatic setting, perched on a cliff over the coast in southern Bali.
As well as being a great place for photos, Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali’s most holy places and is still a sacred site of worship. If you’re interested in experiencing a kecak fire dance performance, you can also see that here in the evenings!
11 Explore the Campuhan Ridge Walk
If you love nature but don’t want an epic hike, the Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud is a good one to add to your Bali bucket list. It’s a picturesque walking trail that’s easy to get to from central Ubud.
The path is only around 2km so it’s ideal if you want something leisurely while still taking in beautiful scenery. It’s best to walk in the mornings before it gets too hot – sunrise is even better if you can make it!
12 See Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is the temple that you’ve probably seen all over Bali travel guides. It’s a super pretty place to add to your bucket list, on the shores of Lake Beratan in northern Bali (near Munduk).
The temple is dedicated to the water goddess Dewi Danu and is set in mountainous highlands. It’s a beautiful place and an absolute must-visit for an iconic Bali experience!
13 Go cafe hopping
Cafe culture is huge in Bali, with amazing options everywhere. If you’re anything like me and food plays a big part in your vacations, you’ll want to go to so many cafes, coffee shops and brunch spots in Bali!
There are tons of trendy, super aesthetic places to take in with some of the best options around the popular areas like Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu and Ubud. If you’re vegan, you’ll also find loads of plant-based options (like Kynd) as well as casual and cute places for smoothie bowls, lunch and dinners.
14 Take a photo on a Bali swing
Bali is the home of famous swings so I know you’ll have seen images of them overlooking rice paddies and jungle. There are a number of swings dotted around the island but the original one is in Ubud.
Bali Swing in Bongkasa Pertiwi (Ubud) is one of the best and most popular. It has several jungle swings at different heights, all above gorgeous scenery. It’s also where you’ll find some hanging Bali Nests, which are amazing for bucket list photos.
Another place to consider for swings, nests and photo platforms is Wanagiri Hidden Hill in northern Bali.
15 Go white water rafting
If you love an adrenaline hit, you’ll want to add white water rafting to your Bali bucket list. There are a few spots in Bali where you can do it – including the Ayung River near Ubud, Telaga Waja River and the Melangit River.
The Ayung River near Ubud is the most popular place and is perfect for first-timers and all levels. It has medium rapids and a route that takes in beautiful scenery.
16 Take surf lessons
Bali is an epic destination for surfers. Canggu and Uluwatu are two of the best places in Bali. If you’re a beginner and fancy some lessons, I recommend Canggu because Uluwatu is more of a pro surf spot. This 2-hour surf lesson is a great option.
RELATED: Uluwatu or Ubud? Where’s Best to Stay in Bali?
If you’re heading further afield, Nusa Lembongan island off the coast of Bali is also amazing for surfing with options for all levels.
17 Visit Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most important and famous sea temples. It’s close to Canggu in the southern part of the island. It’s a picturesque place and is popular with both worshippers and tourists (so it can get busy).
This Hindu temple sits on a rock formation just off the coastline – depending on the tide, you can walk across to the outcrop to get closer. Foreign tourists can’t actually enter the temple, but it’s still worth visiting. It’s also a gorgeous setting for taking in the sunset!
18 Take in the scenery at Twin Lake View
Bali’s Twin Lakes Viewpoint is a beautiful spot overlooking the two lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan. It’s a free viewpoint so it’s well worth checking out if you want some bucket list photos.
The viewpoint is in Munduk in the north, mountainous region of Bali. It’s also close to Wanagiri Hidden Hill so you could combine it to get Bali swing or nest photos, too.
19 Bathe in holy water at Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul Temple is famous for its holy springs and purification pools. The main highlight is the Jaba Tengah area, where you can take part in a traditional cleansing ritual in the sacred pools.
You’ll want about an hour to explore the whole complex, or longer if you want to dip into the waters. It’s a unique and spiritually enriching experience so I definitely recommend it if you’re staying in the Ubud area!
20 Watch a famous Bali sunset
You can’t go to Bali and not catch the sunset. The sunsets in Bali are super pretty and there are tons of great spots to enjoy them from.
The island’s southwest coast is best for the most magical sunsets. Canggu and Seminyak have lively beach bars with cosy beanbags that are perfect for an evening by the sea.
I also love Uluwatu Temple and the cliffs in this area for watching the sunset. They’re so beautiful with views across the ocean.
21 Browse markets and shops for souvenirs
There are so many brilliant places to shop across Bali – from malls and cute boutique stores to traditional markets filled with handicrafts and souvenirs.
There are tons of markets in Canggu (like Love Anchor Bazaar) that need to be on your Bali bucket list. The Ubud Art Market is also one of the most famous spots in Bali for getting all kinds of gifts, products and souvenirs.
I also love Seminyak for shopping in Bali. It’s known for its trendy stores and malls.
22 Take a tour of Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga is a royal water palace and a beautiful garden known for its stepping-stone water pools, lotus ponds and fountains. It’s a gorgeous place to explore.
The site is located in eastern Bali so many visitors combine it with a visit to Pura Lempuyang Temple. This private guided tour takes in Tirta Gangga as well as Lempuyang Temple so you can tick off these two key places in the easiest way possible!
23 Join a yoga retreat
Bali (and in particular Ubud) is famous for its wellness and spiritual community, so you’ll find tons of amazing retreats and yoga classes you can join.
Even if you don’t join a multiple-day retreat or something more intense like yoga teacher training, there are brilliant places where you can drop in for some wellness and self-care.
We visited The Yoga Barn in Ubud which is a popular place with tourists. You’ll obviously find yoga classes here, but they also offer other wellness activities like meditation, sound healing and breathwork classes.
24 Relax at a beach club
Bali is a brilliant destination for beach clubs and there are SO many amazing options. Some of the most famous are Finns, The Lawn and Potato Head. I also love Sundays Beach Club in Uluwatu.
If you’re looking for more nightlife, Gili Trawangan in the Gili Islands has an amazing beach bar scene as well as full moon parties and venues with live music.
25 Try a Balinese cooking class
I love joining cooking classes when I’m travelling – it’s a fun way to immerse yourself in local culture and try the yummiest dishes!
There are lots of options for cooking classes across Bali. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to create traditional Indonesian dishes and it’s perfect if you want to recreate some foodie memories when you get back home!
26 Visit a coffee plantation
There are several plantations in Bali where you can learn about coffee production and also try the famous (and expensive) kopi luwak coffee (AKA civet poop coffee!!).
Unfortunately, civet coffee often isn’t ethical, so it’s important to keep this in mind when choosing where to visit or what coffee to try. (Luwak coffee uses civet cats for its production so they can be kept in cages and treated cruelly to produce higher quantities of coffee.)
If you’re a coffee lover and are still interested in a visit, you could check out Wanagiri Coffee Plantation, which is a family-run business in northern Bali. To be fully transparent, I haven’t visited this plantation so I can’t be 100% sure of the validity, but it claims to operate ethically using wild luwaks rather than caged animals.
27 Stay in a luxury resort or villa
There’s no shortage of incredible hotels and bucket list villas you can stay at in Bali. This is one of the BEST things about the island, so if you’re dreaming of a next-level luxury stay – add some dream accommodation to your Bali bucket list!
I love that luxury is also a lot more affordable in Bali, so it’s a great place for a one-of-a-kind stay. You’ll find that even the mid-range resorts have gorgeous rooms (some with private pools) and stunning scenery to make the most of.
We rented a luxury 3-bed villa, which unfortunately is no longer available to hire – but it had a roof terrace and private pool for about £100 per night! I’ve also stayed at The Kana Kuta because I wanted somewhere cheap and close to the airport – it cost £30 per night.
READ MORE: 21 Best Romantic Hotels in Bali for Couples
If you want to go all-out, there are also high-end options that are perfect for a honeymoon or extra special vacation. They are absolute GOALS and a stay in one of these places is 100% worthy of being on your Bali bucket list!
Bali bucket list: Things to do near Bali island
28 Go island hopping
Even though there’s tons to do just on Bali island itself, if you’ve travelled a long way to get to Indonesia, I definitely recommend adding in some island hopping!
The most popular places that people visit from Bali are the Gili Islands and Nusa Islands. The Gili Islands are a little further away (about 1 hour 30 min by fast boat from Padangbai in eastern Bali), but they’re all about relaxed, tropical island life.
Gili Trawangan (Gili T) is the most famous of the Gili Islands trio – it’s popular with backpackers and has a lively scene with great beach clubs and nightlife. Each Gili Island is a little different so I recommend having a few days there so you can visit them all.
Another island hopping option is the Nusa Islands, which are much closer – you could even visit on a day trip if you’re limited on time. Nusa Penida is the most famous of the three and is where you’ll find breathtaking scenery and so many bucket list spots (more on these below!)
If you have even more time on your Bali itinerary and want to travel further afield, you could also consider visiting other islands like Lombok, Sumba and Flores.
29 Marvel at the Thousand Islands Viewpoint
The Thousand Islands Viewpoint is a gorgeous cliffside spot on the east coast of Nusa Penida island near Bali. It’s an iconic Instagram setting and so SO beautiful. You’ll get panoramic views of the surrounding ‘thousand islands’ and rock formations.
30 Take photos at Rumah Pohon Treehouse
Linked to point #29 is Rumah Pohon Treehouse. This has become a super popular attraction on Nusa Penida. This Nusa Penida treehouse is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Thousand Islands Viewpoint. You can visit the site during the day or even stay overnight (you can book on Agoda).
31 Take the stairs to Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach is quite possibly the most beautiful beach on Nusa Penida island. The viewpoint to the beach is like a postcard – it’s an incredible spot to add to your Bali bucket list!
The beach is located on the east coast of Nusa Penida. If you want to visit the beach itself (rather than just enjoy the viewpoint), there are stairs carved into the cliff which take around 20 minutes to walk down. This beach isn’t safe for swimming, but it’s super beautiful and well worth seeing!
32 Visit Kelingking Beach and Viewpoint
There are so many gorgeous spots on Nusa Penida Island and Kelingking Beach is another of them. This is the cliff that looks like a T-Rex and is a beautiful spot for photos (it was crowned ‘Most Instagrammable Beach’ in 2021!)
The viewpoint itself is worth it for most people and you might not want to head down to the beach. The hike to the beach can feel tough so it’s not recommended for everyone. However, if you DO make it down, you’ll be rewarded with the most beautiful setting!!
33 Go snorkelling or swim with manta rays
Bali isn’t the first destination that comes to mind when I think of snorkelling (that would be Maldives or Fiji!). But there are still good opportunities if you love being in the water and want another bucket list experience.
Near Bali, the Gili Islands in particular are good for snorkelling and scuba diving. These islands are known for their sea turtles, coral reefs and underwater statues at Gili Meno. You can easily rent gear locally and you’ll also find lots of dive centres.
Bali’s Nusa Islands are also fab for snorkelling and diving. This tour in particular, takes you from Bali to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan to snorkel with manta rays and turtles.
Places to skip in Bali
I mentioned above that I stayed in Kuta but mainly it was because it was close to the airport. I did explore Kuta as part of my first trip to Bali and I didn’t like it… I’ve also seen a lot of bloggers saying the same thing.
Kuta’s got a bad reputation and it’s a place that’s not at all representative of what the best of Bali is about. It’s a resort town that’s popular with hardcore partygoers (there are all-you-can-drink clubs), and it’s busy and touristy with a dirty, trash-covered beach. Honestly, I’d skip it and head elsewhere.. You won’t be missing anything!
Elsewhere in Bali, you’ll want to think about your main interests and priorities when planning your bucket list trip.
Bali is an Instagram DREAM but with that obviously comes a lot of crowds and a lot of overly touristy places. A lot of these spots are not at all authentic. That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit them, but it’s something to keep in mind and go with realistic expectations!
How to get around Bali
There are no trains in Bali so the best ways to get around are by scooter hire, taxis or a private driver. Bali’s roads can be pretty dangerous, especially for inexperienced or nervous drivers, so I much prefer getting a private driver or a taxi (Bluebird is best). It’s also convenient and relatively inexpensive!
Rideshare apps like Grab and Gojek are available in many areas of Bali, too. I also love guided trips and day tours – they’re perfect if you want minimal hassle!
Popular Bali bucket list tours
If you don’t want to drive yourself around Bali (or you want the easiest option), tours are fab. Here are some great options to check out if you want an easy way to work through your bucket list!
- Bali Instagram Tour: The Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive)
- Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey
- East Bali Tour: Gate of Heaven, Water Palace, Sleeping Gajah
- All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour
- ️Nusa Penida Instagram Tour: The Most Famous Spots (Private All-Inclusive)
Bucket list Bali map
How long do you need in Bali?
I recommend having at least 2-3 weeks to explore Bali. There’s SO much to see and do, that you’ll want enough time to enjoy it all. Having a longer stay also means you can go at a more relaxed pace and include some nearby islands into your trip, too.
READ MORE: Best 3 Week Bali Itinerary
Bali bucket list – Final thoughts
Bali’s absolutely deserving of its bucket list status. There are tons of incredible things you can see, do and take in across the island. From epic experiences like hiking an active volcano to beach hopping, visiting cultural sites and relaxing at a retreat – there are so many things to add to your Bali to do list!
Now you’ve discovered the best things to do in Bali, I hope it’s inspired you to plan the most amazing vacation!
READ MORE:
- Is Bali Worth Visiting in 2024? (Honest Pros & Cons of Bali)
- Uluwatu or Ubud? Where’s Best to Stay in Bali?
- Best 3 Week Bali Itinerary (2024)
- Best 3 Day Ubud Itinerary, Bali (2024)
- 21 Best Romantic Hotels in Bali for Couples
- 15 Best Things to Do in Bali When It Rains
- Bali or Thailand: Which is Better?
- Bali vs Fiji: Which Is the Best Vacation Spot?
- 14 Best Places Like Bali (Fewer Crowds + Similar Vibes)
- Where to Have a Floating Breakfast (15 Best Destinations + Resorts)
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