Places to visit in Bali
11 places most Bali trips are built around, in the order a first visit usually takes them. Five days covers Ubud, the Kintamani rim, Uluwatu at sunset and one beach base; six or seven days adds Nusa Penida and the water sports at Tanjung Benoa; eight days lets you split the stay between Ubud and the coast without repacking every night.
- Ubud: The hill town at the centre of the island: the Sacred Monkey Forest, the palace and market, and the art and craft villages on its roads.
- Tegallalang rice terraces: The stepped paddies just north of Ubud, greenest a few weeks after planting, with the swings and cafes along the ridge.
- Uluwatu Temple: A sea temple on a 70-metre cliff at the island's southern tip, with the Kecak fire dance performed at sunset; keep glasses and phones from the monkeys.
- Tanah Lot: The temple on a rock in the sea off the west coast, cut off at high tide and the most photographed sunset on the island.
- Kintamani and Mount Batur: The rim road above the caldera with the volcano and its crater lake below; a pre-dawn hike up Batur for sunrise is the usual add-on.
- Nusa Penida: A fast boat from Sanur to the island of Kelingking cliff, Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong; a full day, and a rough sea in the monsoon months.
- Tanjung Benoa water sports: The beach for parasailing, jet skis, the banana boat and a sea walk, usually one morning of the trip.
- Seminyak, Kuta and Nusa Dua: The three beach bases: Seminyak for the beach clubs, Kuta for the surf and nightlife, Nusa Dua for calm water and resort beaches.
- Tirta Empul: The water temple near Ubud where Balinese Hindus bathe in the spring-fed pools; sarongs are provided at the gate.
- Tegenungan Waterfall: The easiest big waterfall to reach from Ubud, a short flight of steps down to the pool.
- Lempuyang Temple: The "Gates of Heaven" in east Bali with Mount Agung framed between them; a long queue for the photo, so go early.
