Bali · Travel guide
Things to Do in Bali
Bali is not one trip but a chain of very different places. Use this hub as your map, from Ubud's rice fields and temples to southern beaches, island day trips, food and late nights.
8 neighborhoods · 14 things to do · 2 itineraries
Bali in brief
What should I not miss in Bali?
Do not miss Ubud's culture and inland scenery, Uluwatu's cliffs and beaches, a southern beach area such as Canggu or Seminyak, and an offshore island such as Nusa Penida.
What are the top 5 things to do in Bali?
Start with temples and rice landscapes, beaches or surfing, Ubud, snorkeling or diving, and a boat trip to the Nusa islands.
What are the best things to do in Bali at night?
The best nightlife is concentrated in Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta, with sunset dining, relaxed beach bars and local markets adding quieter evening options.
Explore by neighborhood
Bali's neighborhoods, mapped
Bali's best bases each set a different pace: Ubud for temples, rice landscapes and food, Uluwatu for cliffs and surf, Seminyak and Canggu for beaches and nightlife, and Sanur for an easier shoreline. Kuta is practical and lively, Nusa Dua is resort-focused, and Nusa Penida is the offshore adventure. Tap a place to see what belongs there.
Ubud
Rice terraces, temple compounds, galleries and some of Bali's strongest restaurants.
Uluwatu
Clifftop temples, surf beaches and sunset performances on the Bukit Peninsula.
Seminyak
Beach clubs, restaurants, shopping and a broad sunset beach.
Canggu
Surf breaks, cafés, casual bars and busy beach-club evenings.
Kuta
Beginner surf, family attractions, nightlife and easy airport access.
Sanur
A calm promenade, sunrise shoreline and the main launch point for island boats.
Nusa Dua
Orderly resort beaches, calm reef-sheltered water and cultural stops.
Nusa Penida
Dramatic cliffs, coves and viewpoints reached by boat from Bali.
See & do
The best things to do in Bali
The best things to do in Bali combine temple visits, inland scenery, surf beaches, sunset viewpoints and meals that go well beyond resort food. Start with Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Uluwatu Temple and a Kecak performance, then choose a beach or Nusa Penida according to the sea conditions and your appetite for travel time.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace
In Ubud
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
In Ubud
Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu)
In Uluwatu
Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple
In Uluwatu
Padang Padang Beach
In Uluwatu
Seminyak Beach
In Seminyak
Potato Head Beach Club
In Seminyak
Batu Bolong Beach
In Canggu
Waterbom Bali
In Kuta
Sanur Beach Promenade
In Sanur
Kelingking Beach
In Nusa Penida
Diamond Beach
In Nusa Penida
Locavore NXT
In Ubud
Desa Potato Head
In Seminyak
Highlights across the city; each neighborhood guide has the full list for its area. Ratings link to each place's Google listing; prices are approximate, per person, in USD.
Plan your trip
Bali itineraries, from a weekend to a week
Five days can give you a focused mix of Ubud and the southern coast, while seven days makes room for more beaches, food and an island trip. For a genuinely balanced first visit, allow about nine days or more, since traffic makes cross-island transfers slower than the map suggests.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Bali
Ubud suits culture, food and inland scenery; Uluwatu suits cliffs and surf; Seminyak and Canggu suit restaurants, beach clubs and nightlife. Choose Sanur for a calmer base and boat access, Nusa Dua for family-friendly resorts, Kuta for convenience near the airport, or Nusa Penida when the island itself is the focus.
Popular areas to stay
Tap an area to preview it, then open the full where-to-stay guide.
Know before you go
Bali travel essentials
The practical answers shape a better Bali trip: visit in the drier April to October period, budget in Indonesian rupiah, and plan road journeys with patience. Ngurah Rai Airport is in the south, there is no train, and temple visits require a sarong and sash, so transport and respectful dress deserve advance thought.
When to visit
April to October is generally drier; July and August bring the busiest peak-season conditions.
Bali costs
Budget trips can work, but resorts, private drivers, diving and peak dates raise the total quickly.
Where to eat
From warungs to Ubud tasting menus and Seminyak seafood, Bali rewards planning beyond the hotel restaurant.
Bali nightlife
Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta lead the evening scene, with sunset dining and beach bars elsewhere.
Bali on screen
Bali on screen
Bali has often played itself on screen as a place of spiritual searching, creative retreat and tropical escape. Its temples, rice fields and beaches became especially familiar to a global audience through a major 2010 film.
- Film, 2010
Eat Pray Love
The Bali section follows Liz Gilbert in Ubud, where she seeks balance, romance and a new daily life.
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