Our 9 Favourite Day Trips From Kuta [+ Itineraries]

Kuta is a lively tourist town in southern Bali, with a vibrant atmosphere, budget-friendly nightlife, great surfing beaches, and plenty of malls, markets, and places to eat.

It is not the most authentic part of Bali and can feel very touristy, but it works well as a base. From here, you can easily take day trips to explore temples, rice terraces, and beautiful white sand beaches in other parts of the island.

In this guide, we have put together a list of our favourite day trips from Kuta, along with suggested itineraries and practical tips to help you make the most of your time.

1. Discover the cultural highlights of Ubud

What Kuta lacks in cultural attractions, Ubud more than makes up for. Right in the heart of the island, the popular tourist town is packed with busy art markets, historic palaces, and local artisan studios, while lush rice terraces, dense jungles, and ancient temples sit just a short distance away.

There's so much to do in Ubud that we think it deserves a longer stay. But if you're limited on time, you can still see some of the town's main highlights on a day trip from Kuta.

Suggested Itinerary

With just one day to see the best of Ubud, we'd recommend something like this:

• Join a melukat purification ceremony at Pura Tirta Empul

• Snap some photos of the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces

• See the wild monkeys at Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest

• Stroll through Ubud Town Centre for the art markets and palaces

• Take a sunset walk along the Campuhan Ridge Walk or Sweet Orange Trail

• Watch a traditional Balinese dance performance at Ubud Palace (book here)

How to get from Kuta to Ubud

Ubud is just over 30km north of Kuta, and typically takes around 1hr30 by car, depending on traffic. When starting with the rural attractions north of Ubud (temples and rice terraces), add an extra 15-20 minutes.

If you're following the itinerary we suggested above, you can either drive yourself by scooter or hire a private driver for the day. But you only want to visit the attractions of central Ubud (markets, monkey forest, palaces), you can get a taxi or Grab/Gojek (online taxi) to drop you in Ubud.

2. Climb Mount Batur & enjoy volcanic views in Kintamani

The stunning, mountainous region of Kintamani is best known as the home of Mount Batur, the island's second-largest volcano. Trekking to the volcano's summit for sunrise is one of the top things to do in Bali and a popular day trip from Kuta.

The famous sunrise hike took us around 2 hours, so required a very early morning, but the epic views were more than worth it! If the hike is too much, you can also take a 4WD jeep tour for a later start and similar views. We've done both and enjoyed them in their own way!

After Mount Batur, many people head straight back to Kuta. But if you’re not too tired, we'd highly recommend sticking around to enjoy some of Kintamani's other attractions. We love hopping between beautiful cafes on the volcanic crater's edge and relaxing in the area's natural hot springs.

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s a recommended day trip itinerary to Kintamani:

• Watch the sunrise from Mount Batur (via hiking or jeep tour)

• Enjoy a relaxing soak at Toya Bungkah or Cinze Hot Springs

• Visit Kintamani's floating temple, Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur

• Have brunch/lunch at one of Kintamani's amazing crater-edge cafes

• Learn about Bali's volcanic landscapes at the Batur Geopark Museum

How to Get from Kuta to Kintamani

Kintamani is over 60km from Kuta, and typically takes around 2hr15 by car. The sunrise hike took us 2 hours, so you need to leave Kuta around 1am to start the hike at 3-3:30am and ensure you’re at the top in time. Most people book a private driver for the day from Kuta.

The sunrise hike of Mount Batur needs to be done with a local guide. A private driver can help arrange this for you, or you can book it here yourself.

3. Go on an ATV and white water rafting adventure

For one of the most adventurous days out from Kuta, head to the outskirts of Ubud and enjoy an exciting day of ATV riding and white water rafting. We've done this day trip several times, and it's often one we take friends on when they come to visit.

The day starts with an ATV adventure in the jungle, splashing through muddy riverbeds, speeding under waterfalls, and driving through unusually-shaped caves (the most famous being the Gorilla Face Cave). It's a fun and thrilling way to enjoy Bali's stunning natural landscapes.

After a lunch break (which has been nasi goreng every time!), the afternoon continues with a white water rafting tour on the famous Ayung River. The long, scenic river has class II and III rapids, meaning it's fun yet suitable for beginners - we've always felt very safe!

How to take an ATV/rafting day trip from Kuta:

Many companies offer organised ATV and rafting day trips in Bali. Most also have the option to add transfers from all across the island, including Kuta. Just book the trip, give them your accommodation details, and everything is organised for you - super simple and easy!

4. See the iconic sights of Nusa Penida

Just off Bali's east coast sit the three Nusa Islands. Nusa Penida is the biggest and most picturesque of the three, which makes it one of the top day trips from Kuta.

Known for its pristine white sand bays and a dramatic, rugged coastline, the island has countless iconic sights and viewpoints, such as the T-rex-shaped headland at Kelingking Beach and the natural infinity pool at Angels Billabong.

However, most people don’t realise quite how big Penida actually is. It took us several days to see all the main sights here. With just one day, it’s best to choose either the east side or the west side of the island to focus on. Or stay overnight and explore both.

Suggested Itinerary

• East Penida – This is our favourite side as it’s a little quieter. It’s home to Goa Giri Putri (a huge underground temple) and several beautiful beaches such as Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach. You can also stop by the new Cactus Beach Club which we really enjoyed.
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• West Penida – The west side of the island is where the island's most famous sites are found, including Kelingking Beach (the one that looks like a T-rex) and Angel's Billabong. You can find some hidden gems over here, but most day-trippers stick with the highlights.

A snorkelling tour is another of our favourite things to do on Nusa Penida. The Nusa Islands are home to some of the most incredible snorkelling spots we’ve ever visited, with huge schools of colourful fish and giant Manta Rays. But you'll need to sacrifice some land attractions to make time for a boat trip.

How to get from Kuta to Nusa Penida

To get from Kuta to Nusa Penida, you first need to get to Sanur Harbour, which is a 30-45 minute drive. From the harbour, you can catch a 30-minute ferry over to Penida Island. Ferries run regularly throughout the day and can be booked online.

To get around on Nusa Penida, most people pre-organise a private driver who meets you on arrival. We usually hire a scooter from Doel Rental near the harbour and drive ourselves - but the roads on Penida aren't the easiest for new drivers, so be careful!

If you'd rather avoid organising everything separately, you can also book an all-inclusive Nusa Penida day tour, which includes everything from your morning hotel pick-up to evening drop-off back in Kuta. It's more expensive, but less hassle.

5. Relax on the quiet beaches of Nusa Lembongan

Right next to Nusa Penida is the much smaller island of Nusa Lembongan. This lovely little island may not have as many iconic sights, but its peaceful sandy shores make it a fantastic escape from the crowds and noise of Kuta Beach.

Lembongan is our favourite place for a quiet beach getaway, with several accessible white sand beaches and many chilled oceanfront cafes and bars. Its small size also means you can easily explore the island’s main sights in a day, including its mangrove forest and several scenic bays.

Nusa Lembongan is connected to the tiny Nusa Ceningan via its famous yellow bridge. You can cross the bridge on foot or by scooter to see the stunning waters of the Blue Lagoon, explore cliff jumping spots, or visit Ceningan’s several luxury beach clubs.

Suggested Itinerary

Here's our itinerary for a day trip to Lembongan:

• Go kayaking or take a boat ride through the mangrove forests

• Snorkel with tropical fish at Mangrove Point

• Enjoy brunch on the sand at Jungutbatu Beach

• See the huge crashing waves of the Devils Tears

• Visit the picturesque Dream Beach

• Cross the Yellow Bridge and see the local seaweed farms

• See the vibrant waters of the Blue Lagoon on Ceningan

Alternatively, you can spend the day just hanging out on Jungutbatu Beach, enjoying a drink on the floating pontoon bar, or relaxing at one of the island's luxurious beach clubs.

How to get from Kuta to Nusa Lembongan

Just like getting to Penida, you'll need to catch a ferry to Lembongan from Sanur Harbour. You can book ferry tickets here. On Lembongan, the ferries drop off/pick up at Jungutbatu Beach, the island’s longest and most popular beach.

Getting around on Nusa Lembongan is more difficult than on Nusa Penida, as many roads aren’t made for cars. The best option is to rent a scooter or a buggy and drive yourself. The island is small and easy to navigate.

If you don’t want to drive yourself around, it may be better to pre-book a full-day guided tour from Bali, which includes hotel transfers, ferry, and transport on Lembongan.

6. Take the kids to Trans Studio Theme Park

Kuta has plenty of family-friendly attractions, from lively beaches to the exciting Waterbom Water Park. But if you get a rainy day on your Bali vacation, you can keep the little ones entertained with a day out at Trans Studio Mall & Theme Park.

Just a short drive from central Kuta, the modern mall is home to a huge indoor theme park. It has a full-sized go-kart track, river rapids, 5D simulators, a Ferris wheel, and even a huge roller coaster sticking out of the roof.

The theme park also has some slightly more unique attractions, including a Titanic Zone with a replica of the infamous ship, a Ninja Warrior-inspired obstacle course, and indoor skydiving.

While it's great option for families, we also had a fun day out at Trans Studio as a group of adult friends. The boomerang roller coaster was surprising and terrifying, and we really enjoyed the shows, especially the stunt show, which had motorbike tricks and lots of fire!

How to get from Kuta to Trans Studio

Trans Studio Mall is pretty close to Kuta, and takes around 15-20 minutes to drive, depending on where you're staying. If you don't have your own transport, we recommend taking a Grab/Gojek (online taxi) rather than hiring a driver.

While the mall itself is open until 10pm, the theme park is only open until 6pm on weekdays and 7pm on weekends. Make the most of it by going early and enjoying a full day here - we spent 6 hours at the park and just about tried all the main rides. We also grabbed dinner in the mall after.

7. Visit Bedugul's famous floating temple and scenic lakes

Sitting in Bali’s mountainous central highlands, Bedugul is one of the longer day trips from Kuta, but one of our favourites. It's worth visiting if you want to see a very different side of the island, with its cooler climate, stunning natural scenery, and three of Bali's four major lakes.

Bedugul’s most famous attraction is Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, which is known as Bali's floating temple as its pagodas appear to float on the surface of Lake Beratan.

The temple complex itself is a bit too touristy for us - it's now packed with cheesy photo spots and unusual kids’ attractions (owls, why!?). Instead, we hired a Jukung (a traditional Indonesian rowing boat) to explore the lake and temple, which was a much more peaceful and unique experience.

Other than the iconic temple, there’s plenty to do in Bedugul to fill a day out in nature, from strawberry picking at local farms and exploring the beautiful Botanic Gardens to enjoying one of the viewpoints or picturesque restaurants overlooking the lakes.

Suggested Itinerary

• Take a boat ride on Lake Beratan to see the famous floating temple

• Snap a photo at Handara Gate (a good alternative to the Gates of Heaven)

• Have a picnic lunch in a giant greenhouse at Rumah Gemuk

• Go strawberry picking at a local farm in Bedugul Village

• Meet friendly goats, donkeys, and llamas at Bali Farm House

• OR explore Bali Botanic Garden, the largest in Indonesia

How to get from Kuta to Bedugul

The journey from Kuta to Bedugul takes around 2 hours. Most attractions in the rural region are spread out, so we'd recommend either hiring a scooter to drive yourself around or booking a private driver for the day.

Around halfway between Kuta and Bedugul is a local restaurant called Warung Dedari, which we often stop at for tasty Indonesian food in a lovely setting overlooking a pond. It's a great dinner stop on the way back to your accommodation at the end of the day.

8. Go beach hopping on the Bukit Peninsula

While Kuta beach has amazing sunsets and great surfing, the beach itself isn't the prettiest (in our opinion, at least). Luckily, there are loads of other amazing beaches in Bali. Our favourites are down in Uluwatu and on the south coast of the Bukit Peninsula, not too far from Kuta.

From accessible, family-friendly stretches of coastline and luxurious beach clubs to quiet, hidden bays, there are so many beautiful beaches that are perfect for a laid-back beach day.

To break up a day at the beach, you can also visit the GWK Culture Park, home to Indonesia's tallest statue, or watch the famous Kecak dance and fire show at Uluwatu Temple.

Here are a few of our favourites beaches on the Bukit:

How to get from Kuta to the Bukit Peninsula

The Bukit Peninsula is just a short drive south of Kuta, past the international airport. Depending on which beaches you're headed for, the journey can take anywhere from 45 mins (to Dreamland Beach) to 1hr15 (to Uluwatu Beach).

If, like us, you prefer hopping around to a few different beaches and attractions, it's best to hire a scooter or book a private driver for the day.

If you only want to visit one beach or beach club for the day, it may be worth taking a taxi or Grab/Gojek instead. But keep in mind that some of the beaches on the peninsula (such as Pandawa and Melasti) don't allow online taxis to pick up, so you may have to negotiate with local drivers.

9. Spend a day in luxurious Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is one of Bali’s most luxurious resort areas, filled with amazing 5-star beachfront resorts. Most hotels here are a little out of our budget, but we still enjoy visiting on a day trip now and again.

With just one day, you can easily explore the top things to do in Nusa Dua. The resort area has beautiful white-sand beaches with gentle waves for swimming, a lovely promenade to walk or cycle along, and two “islands” (peninsulas) with well-maintained gardens and parkland.

But our favourite thing to do in Nusa Dua has to be the Devdan Show. This mesmerising cultural performance takes you through the diverse islands of Indonesia, with dance, acrobatics, and special effects. The show runs three days a week, so plan your day trip accordingly, as this is a must-do!

Suggest Itinerary

Our perfect day trip to Nusa Dua would look something like this:

• See artwork from across Asia Pacific at Museum Pacifika

• Stroll around Peninsula Island and see the Nusa Dua waterblow

• Relax on the beautiful Nusa Dua Beach

• Enjoy some shopping and dinner at The Bali Collection (open-air mall)

• Watch the Devdan Show at Nusa Dua Theatre

The Tanjung Benoa Peninsula, just north of Nusa Dua, is known for watersports, with everything from parasailing to jet skis and banana boats. Check here for booking information.

How to get form Kuta to Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is only a 30-minute drive or so from Kuta, making this an easy day trip or half-day trip. We prefer to head down late morning and stay late for the Devdan Show in the evening.

All attractions we suggested in the itinerary (except the watersports) are walkable within Nusa Dua's central tourist district. You don’t need a private driver for the day, just take a taxi there and back from Kuta.