16 Top Things To Do in Kuta and Legian, Bali [2026]

Kuta is Bali's original tourist resort town and one of the most budget-friendly spots in the south of the island. Far from being our favourite area of Bali, we’ve spent enough time here to see why it’s a popular choice with families and couples looking to make their money go further.

While parts of Kuta might be a little overdeveloped, we can't deny that it has some great resorts, a lively nightlife scene, and plenty of fun attractions. So here are all of our favourite things to do in Kuta, Bali.

Map of Kuta

Things To Do in Kuta

1. Spend the day at Waterbom water park

There was absolutely no contest when it came to deciding on our favourite thing to do in Kuta... of course, it had to be Waterbom, Bali's biggest water park! It's the main reason we come down to Kuta at least once every couple of months.

Consistently voted one of the best in the world, the massive water park is packed with thrilling water rides, from near-vertical drops to twisting tube slides. There’s also a lazy river, several swimming pools, and water play areas for kids.

The scariest ride has to be Climax, where you stand in a small capsule until a trap door swings open and drops you onto the slide at full speed. So far, we’ve been too scared to try it, but maybe one day!

Our favourite ride at the park is Boomerang, a two-person tube slide that sends you flying down a steep drop before shooting you up an almost vertical wall and back down into the splash pool below. It's so much fun!

There are gazebos, sun loungers, and plenty of shaded relaxation areas, plus a large food court and a swim-up bar, so we usually stick around for the entire day. The park closes at 6pm, so arrive early to make the most of it.

Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or a group of friends, Waterbom is great for everyone and every occasion. We even spent Christmas Day here with friends a few years ago!

2. Learn about Balinese culture at Experience Bali Culture

One thing that's very much lacking in Kuta is local Balinese culture. That's why we were so happy to discover Experience Bali Culture (EBC), a hands-on cultural workshop run by Komang, a lovely young woman from a rural Balinese village who now lives in Kuta.

We joined a two-hour workshop in which Komang offered some fascinating insights into life growing up in her small village and shared loads of details about Balinese culture, beliefs, and traditions.

Even after spending a long time in Bali, we were surprised by many interesting new things we learned, and even picked up some new Bahasa too. We loved hearing Komang's first-hand stories, especially about her village’s unique beliefs surrounding twins.

In the first half of the workshop, Komang shared photos and videos on a screen and answered our many questions. The most interesting part for us was learning about traditional Balinese shamans and black magic - but you might want to skip this section with young children, as it was a little creepy.

The second half of the workshop was more interactive and hands-on. We got to try traditional jamu (a medicine drink), learn how to make the daily offerings, and even tried on traditional Balinese outfits to take some photos.

Komang and her family were so lovely and extremely passionate about sharing their culture - we've even stayed in touch with them since the workshop. We loved the entire experience and think her workshop is a fantastic addition to Kuta!

3. Relax at Azul Beach Club

Azul is a small yet upmarket beach club in Legian (just north of Kuta) with an infinity pool, a large jacuzzi, and a cool treehouse-style bamboo restaurant that's perfect for an afternoon soaking up the sun.

Compared to other beach clubs in Bali, Azul had a refreshingly laid-back vibe, with chilled music and a handful of daybeds and sun loungers overlooking the pool.

After a chill afternoon by the pool, it’s worth staying into the evening to watch the sunset over the ocean from Azul’s restaurant while enjoying dinner, cocktails, and music. On Saturdays, there's live music, with vocals and a saxophonist, while Sunday afternoons are for social salsa.

While slightly more expensive than other restaurants in Kuta, the fantastic food and creative tropical cocktails make it a great choice for a day into night beach club experience. The restaurant's crispy Balinese pork belly and roasted lamb loin were both *chef's kiss*.

We managed to sit in one of the first-come, first-served sunset pods, which had the most amazing sunset view across Kuta Beach - it's worth arriving early to get one of these.

Azul is free to visit, although the larger day beds do have a minimum spend. Kids are allowed in the downstairs restaurant area, but the rest of the beach club, including the pool and jacuzzi, is adults-only (16+).

4. Take a surf lesson in Kuta

Kuta Beach is one of the best beginner surf spots in Bali. It has gentle but consistent waves that are perfect for learning to balance and control a board. It’s also one of the few surf spots on the island with a sandy bottom, so there's no need to worry about cutting your toes on corals.

With plenty of space to spread out along the break, there’s less chance of bumping into other beginners, which we've found to be a problem at other beginner surf spots like Canggu.

Surf schools are abundant along Kuta Beach. With some good negotiation skills, you can usually turn up and find an instructor for a good price. However, we advise booking ahead if you're not prepared to barter.

5. Enjoy the sunset on Kuta Beach

Located on the island's west coast, Kuta Beach offers some of the best sunsets on the entire island. Head to the beach in time for golden hour to enjoy an evening stroll and a fresh coconut (or cold Bintang) from vendors who set up tables and beanbags on the sand.

But keep in mind that Kuta Beach is far from a quiet oasis. It’s one of the busiest beaches on the island, packed with people and beach bars. Plus, with the crowds also come persistent locals trying to sell you everything under the sun.

For a more peaceful experience, head down to Jerman Beach in South Kuta. It's not as manicured as Kuta's main beach, but we like its authentic and laid-back atmosphere. There are no busy bars or persistent vendors, just a few street dogs enjoying the sand and a handful of visitors.

On Jerman Beach, look out for the giant statue of Varuna, the God of the oceans in Balinese Hinduism. You can also watch the planes taking off from Bali's main airport, which is just behind the beach.

6. Watch a traditional dance performance at Bali Mandira

For a family-friendly evening activity in Kuta, head to the Bali Mandira (one of our favourite resorts) on a Thursday night for their weekly cultural dinner and dance show. It is a private hotel, and we watched the show during our recent stay, but outside guests are welcome too.

On the evening we visited, the show was split into three performances, each showing a different style of Balinese dance. The first was a typical Legong dance, the second was a modern twist on Balinese dance (which we'd never seen before!), and the third was an impressive fire-dance show.

Afterward, the enthusiastic host invited guests onstage to take photos with the performers and try a few simple Balinese dance moves with the dancers, which ended up just being Kieren and multiple children!

The price for the cultural evening includes an Indonesian buffet, which has many of our favourite local Balinese foods, including babi guling (suckling pig) and ayam betutu (chicken in Balinese spices).

The dinner and dance usually take place in the beachfront garden area. But due to bad weather during our visit, it was moved into the indoor restaurant. We recommend booking a table to get a good spot near the front.

7. Visit the Kuta's top shopping malls

Kuta is home to many of Bali's biggest and best shopping malls, housing a range of local and international retail brands, food courts, entertainment, and more. We often head to the mall on a rainy day or to escape the sun for a while. There are 5 major malls in Kuta, but our favourites are Beachwalk and Discovery.

Beachwalk

In a great location overlooking Kuta Beach, Beachwalk is one of our favourite malls in Bali. The huge complex has many international fashion brands, including Zara, Pull & Bear, H&M, Adidas, and more. There are also local boutiques, high-end shops, and a new rooftop terrace with several dining options!

We love visiting the Beachwalk XXI Cinema. It shows the latest blockbusters in English and costs just 50,000 IDR ⓘ per ticket, which is a steal compared to back home. For a little extra luxury, upgrade to VIP, where you can cosy up on armchairs with blankets, side tables, and food delivered to your seat (see listings).

Discovery Shopping Mall

To the south of Kuta is Discovery Mall, a large three-story building with mostly Indonesian shops selling everything from clothes and jewellery to gifts and electronics. You can find some great bargains without the pressure of pushy sellers like the markets.

The highlight of Discovery Mall is its regular entertainment, which includes live music, traditional dances, and cultural shows - all for free! Find the latest schedule on their Instagram.

8. Ride the 5GX Reverse Bungee

If being launched 50m into the air sounds like fun, Kuta’s 5GX Reverse Bungee might be the activity for you. On this unusual swing, 3 people are buckled in and fired into the sky like a slingshot. We're too scared to try it ourselves, but we've seen people do it plenty of times!

A ride costs around 350,000 - 400,000 IDR ⓘ per person, depending on how many people you have. The 5GX is open until 2am, so there’s plenty of time for a little liquid courage before you ride. After dark, the capsule is illuminated so everyone will see you flying into the night sky!

9. Release turtles at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre

Located behind the boardwalk is the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Centre (KBSTCC), one of several organisations in Bali that helps protect endangered sea turtles.

They rescue eggs from the beaches and raise the hatchlings in a safe environment until they're strong enough for release into the sea. The hatchery is open to the public where an education program helps you learn about their efforts.

Once the turtles are ready to venture out into the big wide world, tourists can take part in releasing them into the sea.

Due to the hatching season of turtles, the centre is only open between March to September (exact dates vary by year). The turtle release program starts around mid-April.

There is no set schedule for the turtle releases, so the best way to find out about is by keeping an eye on the KBSTCC Facebook page or the Bali Sea Turtle (BTS) Society Instagram.

The release program is donation-based. On release days, tickets are given out from 4pm. But with limited turtles and LOTS of tourists, it’s best to arrive at least an hour early to ensure you don't miss out.

10. Try local dishes at the Dewi Sri Food Centre

Unlike other Southeast Asian countries, Bali isn’t known for its street food markets. One of the closest you’ll find is the Dewi Sri Food Centre on the outskirts of Kuta, a wide road that’s closed to traffic with lots of open-air warungs (local restaurants) lining each side of the street.

There are around 20 warungs in total, serving a range of Asian cuisines, including Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian. This is the perfect place to eat in Kuta if you love curries, seafood, or rice dishes.

It’s not just tourists who come here. Many locals eat at the food centre regularly. Our local friend recommended Pandoloka, a restaurant in the market serving up amazing dim sum (they have restaurants all across Indonesia).

All food at the market is super affordable, and the food tastes great. The vendors are used to catering to tourists, so while it's always good to be cautious, you don’t need to worry too much about Bali belly (still follow our Bali belly tips).

When we visited in the afternoon, only a handful of restaurants were open, but the market supposedly comes alive in the evening, with most vendors opening around dinnertime and staying open late.

11. Shop for souvenirs at the Big Gallery

If, like us, you don't particularly enjoy haggling with pushy street vendors in Bali, the Big Gallery in Kuta is a must-visit for picking up souvenirs. The huge shop is packed with local crafts and tourist knick-knacks, from t-shirts and beauty products to traditional statues and local snacks.

Unlike most of Bali's tourist markets, the prices here are fixed at fair rates, and they even accept card payments for larger purchases. Best of all, you won’t have anyone following you around, trying to upsell you overpriced sarongs or multiple pairs of elephant pants.

We don't often go souvenir shopping in Bali, but visiting the Big Gallery was a nice experience, and we even ended up taking away a couple of little things.

12. Ride the Bali Beer Cycle

There's certainly no shortage of bars and clubs in Kuta, but the Bali Beer Cycle easily takes the crown for the most unique drinking experience.

While beer bikes are common in Europe, this was our first time seeing one in Asia. Unlike the pedal-powered versions we’re used to, these come with motor assistance, so you can spend less time working out and more time enjoying the ride.

Big groups can hire out the entire bus for private parties. It’s also possible to join a group session and make new friends along the way. Choose from multiple daily departures using the booking form on their website.

The Bali Beer Cycle isn’t cheap, but with two hours of free-flow drinks included, it's pretty good value for money. You can choose from beer, cider, sparkling wine, or non-alcoholic drink packages. Certain times are family-friendly and include a magician on board for the first hour.

13. Escape from the Pandora Experience

One of the top things to do in Legian (north of Kuta) is the Pandora Experience, several escape rooms based on legends and mysteries around the world. If you’re unfamiliar with escape rooms, it’s where you're locked in a room and must find clues and solve puzzles to escape before the time expires.

At Pandora, there are five themed rooms to choose from: Area 51, Alcatraz, Legend of Eldorado, Shutter Asylum, or N.E.V.E.R.L.A.N.D. They're suitable for 2-10 people, making it ideal for large groups.

We tried the Shutter Asylum room with friends, and it was one of the best escape rooms we've done in Asia (and we love escape rooms). The experience was super interactive, so get ready to work hard for your freedom!

Each game lasts 120 minutes, which is longer than most escape rooms we've done before. There are only a few sessions per day, so make sure to message them to confirm a time slot.

14. Follow in the footsteps of the Dalai Lama at Pura Vihara Dharmayana

Unlike many other areas of Bali, Kuta doesn’t have any notable Hindu temples that tourists can visit. You'll need to take some day trips to see these. But we did recently discover a stunning Chinese Buddhist temple, tucked away on a busy street corner in Kuta, called Pura Vihara Dharmayana.

The 200-year-old complex has beautiful architecture, with colourful murals from Chinese mythology and many Buddhist statues. It still has some typical Balinese touches too, including several koi fish ponds.

Although it's only a small complex, Pura Vihara Dharmayana (also known as Kongco Leeng Gwan Kuta) earned a name for itself when the Dalai Lama visited in the 80s. The temple is well-maintained and often busy due to the large population of Chinese Indonesians living in the area.

Tourists are very much welcome at the temple, although it was mostly just locals when we visited. It's free to visit with a brand new parking area behind the temple. If you’re lucky enough to be there around Chinese New Year, expect it to be much livelier, lit up with lanterns and elaborate decorations.

Things To Do Near Kuta

15. Take the kids to Trans Studio Theme Park

Hidden away on the top two floors of Trans Studio Mall, just outside Kuta, Trans Studio Bali is an enormous indoor theme park complete with river rapids, a Ferris wheel, and a full-size go-karting track. It even has a roller coaster on the rooftop, which we found far more terrifying than it looks.

Some of the more unique attractions at Trans Studio include a giant replica of Titanic, an immersive 4D ride where you fly over some of Indonesia's top attractions, a Ninja Warrior-inspired obstacle course, and a werewolf hunt where we had to shoot at animatronic creatures.

We were particularly impressed by the shows and performances that took place throughout the day, especially the Temple Raider Show which included high-action motorbike stunts and explosions, and the Disney-esque parade through the theme park to end the day.

With so much to do, you can easily spend an entire day at the large theme park. We spent the whole day there and still didn't manage to try everything. Plan accordingly, as it's only open until 6pm (weekdays) or 7pm (weekends), not until 10pm like the rest of the mall.

16. Get active at Bali Wake Park

Around 10 minutes by car from central Kuta is Bali Wake Park. This unique water sports centre has a state-of-the-art overhead cable system that pulls you around a large lake on either a wakeboard, kneeboard, or water skis.

You can book a one-hour session or get a full-day pass to use the cable park, which includes all equipment. The park is great fun for all ages and abilities, it’s one of our favourite water sports in Bali!

There's a dedicated area for beginners, where you can pick up the basics with an experienced instructor (included for free). We did this and managed to advance to the main cable park around halfway through our session - although making it the entire way around the course was quite the challenge!

Bali Wake Park also has a fun inflatable water park for younger kids called Aqualand and a cafe with an infinity pool for spectators (there’s no charge to sit and watch). You could easily spend an entire afternoon here enjoying the activities.

Where To Eat in Kuta

Where To Stay in Kuta

Kuta isn't our favourite area to base ourselves in Bali - we prefer to stay somewhere else and visit. But if you're looking for some great resorts at reasonable prices, you're in luck. Here are a few places we’ve stayed in Kuta and would recommend:

Bali Mandira Beach Resort

Bali Mandira is a lovely 5-star resort on the border of north Kuta and Legian. The popular resort offers the perfect blend of Balinese charm and modern luxury with breathtaking beachfront views.

We stayed in the beautifully designed Club Suite, which was both stylish and spacious, combining traditional Balinese decor with contemporary comforts. The room had plenty of cozy seating areas, but our favorite was the indoor daybed with a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the garden.

From the huge pool with a swim-up bar and water slides to the complimentary afternoon tea, nightly entertainment, and on-site spa, there was so much to enjoy that our two-night stay felt far too short. Plus, with direct access to Azul Beach Club and Legian Beach, it’s easy to switch up the scenery without going far.

The staff here were incredibly friendly and had a great relationship with returning guests - we can certainly see why people come back here year after year.

AMNAYA Resort Kuta

AMNAYA is a chic and modern 4-star hotel in the south of Kuta, just across the road from Discovery Mall and a 5 minute walk to Waterbom waterpark and the beach. It's also a 10-15 drive from Bali international airport.

Our room was extremely spacious and elegantly decorated, with a large private balcony and outdoor daybed that was perfect for relaxing in the sun.

The hotel also has a large central swimming pool, fitness centre, lounge area, and a great on-site restaurant. A generous breakfast is included with every room and can be ordered from a set menu - the eggs benedict was delicious!

Overall, this is the best hotel we've stayed in Kuta and would highly recommend it for a relaxing start or end of your trip!

Aryaduta Bali

Aryaduta is a large, modern 5-star hotel just a few minutes drive from the airport in southern Kuta. We were put up here for a night due to a cancelled flight and ended up having a great stay.

The room was stylish and spacious, with a lovely separate living space. But it was the huge rooftop pool with a swim-up bar that was the real highlight of our stay. We also thoroughly enjoyed the large buffet breakfast which was served at the rooftop restaurant.

The location is a little out of the way from the main attractions in Kuta, but it is ideal for a short stay close to the airport for a night before or after your flight.

Day Trips from Kuta

Don't spend your entire vacation in Kuta - set aside some time to get out and explore the rest of the beautiful island. Here are some places we'd recommend visiting from Kuta: