34 Best Things To Do in Bali, Indonesia [2026]

From ancient temples and beautiful beaches to theme parks and ATV adventures, Bali is an island that has something for everyone.

And after countless trips around the island, we've tried hundreds of activities, seen every iconic attraction, and visited countless hidden gems. Now, we're sharing our highlights in this ultimate guide to the best things to do in Bali.

Top Things To Do in Bali

1. Visit Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Bali is famous for its picturesque rice terraces, cascading dramatically down its rolling hills. As well as being an important source of food and income for local farmers, the terraces are recognised by UNESCO as part of Bali’s unique 'subak' irrigation system.

We've visited rice terraces all across Bali (Tegallalang, Sidemen, etc), but none are bigger or more impressive than Jatiuluwih Rice Terraces. They're truly one of the most striking and mesmerising landscapes we've ever seen.

There's a fee of 75,000 IDR ⓘ to enter the area, helping to preserve the terraces and support the local community. You can then explore freely by yourself.

We suggest parking near Jatiluwih Resto and following one of the well-marked walking trails. We chose the shorter 45-minute route, but the longest is 3-4 hours. A huge map near the trail entrance explains everything. You can also join a guided cycling or e-bike tour of the terraces.

Jatiuluwih is quite far from all major tourist towns in Bali, so it's best to visit on a day trip and combine the terraces with other nearby attractions, such as Leke-Leke Waterfall, Sangeh Monkey Forest, or Junglegold Chocolate Factory.

2. Experience sunrise from Mount Batur

Mount Batur is one of two active volcanoes in Bali. It's spiritually significant among locals and a popular spot for sunrise hiking or jeep tours. We've done both, and they are equally awesome experiences, so pick whichever suits you.

The hike wasn't difficult and took us around 2 hours to reach the summit. In some areas, the rocky terrain was a little loose, but anyone with moderate mobility and fitness should manage.

Although the trail is easy to follow, locals charge an "entrance fee" for visiting without a guide or force you to hire one on the spot at an inflated price, so it's best to book a guide in advance.

Alternatively, the jeep tours run up the northern side of Batur to parking areas where you can enjoy the view while tucked up under a cosy blanket. If it's a clear morning, you can enjoy stargazing before the sun shows itself. After sunrise, most jeep tours include a visit to the black lava fields.

Whichever you choose, you'll enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the iconic volcanic landscapes, accompanied by a hot coffee and a banana sandwich - the classic Mount Batur breakfast.

To reach the summit for sunrise, hikers meet at the start point around 3am, while jeep tours start around 4am. The actual pick-up time from your accommodation will depend on where you're staying, but could be as early as 1:30am in South Bali.

You can visit on a day trip from most tourist spots, including Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, etc. But if your itinerary allows, we recommend spending a few nights in Kintamani, the area around Mount Batur. It has some gorgeous cafes overlooking the volcano, as well as hot springs, kayaking, temples, and more.

3. Chill out on Nusa Lembongan

The Nusa Islands are three islands off the east coast of Bali, accessed via a 30 minute public ferry from Sanur Harbour. These picturesque islands are known for their natural beauty, crystal-clear water, and vibrant underwater life.

While Nusa Penida is the most popular (we'll explain why later), we much prefer Nusa Lembongan, its laid-back and less crowded neighbour. It's somewhere we visit regularly for a peaceful getaway from the mainland.

Lembongan is home to some of Bali's most beautiful white sand beaches, and they're far easier to reach than those on Penida. Some of our other favourite things to do are taking a boat trip through the mangroves, hiring stand-up paddleboards at sunset, and hanging out on the floating pontoon.

Snorkelling or diving around the Nusa Islands is a must-do in Bali. It's the only place where you can see giant manta rays (up to 9m wide!!). We’ve done three snorkelling trips on Lembongan and saw them each time, but it’s never 100% guaranteed. We also saw turtles and lots of colourful fish, including clown fish.

You can take a day trip to Lembongan, but we think it's worth staying for a couple of nights to really experience the island's relaxed way of life. There are plenty of rustic beachfront bars, cute cafes, and chilled beach clubs to spend a couple of days relaxing in the sunshine.

Nusa Ceningan, the smallest of the three islands, is connected to Lembongan via the famous Yellow Bridge. Cross over to spot seaweed farmers at work and watch cliff jumpers at the Blue Lagoon.

4. Explore Central Ubud

Ubud is the main tourist town right in the heart of Bali, surrounded by lush rice terraces and dense jungles. If it’s your first time on the island, visiting is a must.

We recommend taking at least one day to explore the town centre, where you'll find many of Bali's most iconic cultural landmarks, including Ubud Palace, Ubud Water Palace, the Sacred Monkey Forest, and the art markets.

Central Ubud is very walkable, so it's easy to wander around and explore by yourself. However, our favourite experience was joining Ubud Story Walks for their Past to Present walking tour.

Lasting 3.5 hours, our lovely local guides took us to some of the town's top attractions and a few secret spots, while teaching us about the history of Ubud and Bali. They were very open about their own experiences and really felt like friends by the end of our tour.

Beyond the town centre, there are many great things to do around Ubud, from craft workshops and yoga retreats to pool clubs and ATV tours. We recommend basing yourself near Ubud for at least part of your trip.

5. Discover the waterfalls of Northern Bali

Bali is home to some of the most impressive waterfalls we've seen in our many years of travel. You can find them across the island, but the best of the best are in the island's north.

Here are some of our favourite waterfalls in Bali:

6. Join a Balinese water purification ceremony

Melukat is a Balinese water purification ceremony that's believed to help cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. Most Balinese Hindus practice it each month around the full moon and on special occasions.

It's typically done in water temples with holy springs, but can also be done in the sea, rivers, or waterfalls. Tourists are welcome to join (as long as you’re respectful), and it's a lovely way to connect with Balinese culture.

We've taken part in Melukat ceremonies in several different places in Bali. Each was slightly different, but always involved making offerings to the gods, then wearing a special sarong to enter the water and perform small rituals.

Here are some tourist-friendly spots we'd recommend:

7. Hit the slides at Waterbom

Waterbom is Bali’s biggest water park, packed with dozens of water slides and other aquatic activities such as a lazy river, water playgrounds, and swim-up bars. It's been voted one of the best water parks in the world, and we'd have to agree.

Try to arrive early, as there are plenty of activities to fill an entire day. Our favourite slides were in the Oasis Garden, especially the Boomerang, where you’re launched up a giant wall in an inflatable tube.

If you're an adrenaline seeker, Climax is their scariest slide. You stand in a capsule waiting for the trap door to swing open and drop you onto the slide at full speed - not for the faint-hearted!

Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or a group of friends, the park is suitable for everyone and for every occasion - we even spent Christmas Day here last year! For bigger groups, we recommend renting a gazebo for the day.

8. Go beach-hopping in Uluwatu

Many of Bali's beaches have black sand due to the island's volcanic origins, especially in the north. But Uluwatu lies far enough from the volcanoes to offer idyllic golden sand beaches and turquoise blue waters.

Whether you’re looking to sunbathe, surf, or sip cocktails by an ocean-front infinity pool, Uluwatu is the perfect place for a little downtime in the sun. Just be mindful that the area also has many huge limestone cliffs, so some of the best beaches are tough to reach.

A few of our favourite beaches in Uluwatu are:

9. Visit Pura Besakih, Bali’s most important temple

Pura Besakih is one of the best temples we’ve visited in Bali. Not just because of its extraordinary size and commanding position with Mount Agung in the background, but because it’s a place of cultural significance and a great opportunity to learn about Balinese Hinduism.

Besakih isn’t just a tourist attraction. It’s the biggest and most important temple in Bali, which still sits at the centre of many Hindu traditions. Depending on what time of year you visit, you might even get to witness one of these.

Visiting the temple costs 90,000 IDR ⓘ per person, which includes a guide who’ll lead you around the huge complex, sharing facts about its history and what locals do here. The price also includes a shuttle from the parking area to the temple and a sarong.

10. Enjoy Bali's world-class beach clubs

Bali’s beach clubs are undeniably some of the best in the world, with huge infinity pools, sweeping ocean views, and lively atmospheres. Some clubs are better for lounging around in the sun all day, while others are epic party spots with world-famous DJs and amazing drink deals.

Here are some beach clubs we'd recommend:

11. Take a traditional boat ride to the floating temple

Known as the “Island of the Gods,” Bali is famous for its deep-rooted spirituality, which impacts every aspect of daily life. You can see this most clearly in the thousands of temples spread all over the island.

No trip to Bali is complete without visiting a temple or two. They range from small family shrines in every home to larger village temples and the huge directional temples (the most important ones), such as Ulun Danu Beratan.

Ulun Danu Beratan is known as the floating temple since its pagodas appear to float on the shore of Lake Beratan in Bedugul. Ceremonies and offerings to the Balinese water and river Goddess, Dewi Danu, take place here regularly.

While you can walk around the temple complex with a standard entrance ticket (75,000 IDR ⓘ), it does get very busy and has become a little too touristy for our liking.

We much preferred seeing the temple from the water. We paid a local to take us out on the lake in a Jukung (traditional Indonesian boat) and enjoyed a more peaceful experience. The best place to arrange this is at a small counter in the parking area just east of the main temple (more info here).

12. Ride Jungle Carts through rural Bali

One of the more unusual ways we've ever explored Bali's jungles was karting through northern Ubud with Jungle Cart Bali. This unique experience lets you live out your real-life Mario Kart dream by zooming through rural villages on a custom tricycle.

During our experience, we were speeding down hills, swerving around corners, and flying over speed bumps along the well-paved 4.5km track. Don’t be fooled by the little gravity-powered carts - they can hit impressively high speeds!

Jungle Carts has an agreement with local villages to use this stretch of road (they support the villages in return), which has been outfitted with signs, barriers, and even a halfway pit stop for a quick refreshment.

As you can see from our photos, we weren’t the luckiest with the weather on the day we did it. But once we committed to getting drenched, it was great! We wouldn't let the weather deter you from booking - it's one of the most fun things we've done in Bali with friends.

The karting start point is around 40 minutes north of Ubud, but transport is included back and forth from their office in Central Ubud.

13. Surf Bali's legendary breaks

Bali is known as one of the top surfing islands in the world. It has more than 60 surf breaks and is one of the few destinations that’s great for surfing year-round.

The best place to surf depends on your ability:

If you’re extra keen to improve your surf skills, consider staying at a surf camp or retreat. You'll join like-minded surfers for lessons with the island's top instructors, equipment, accommodation, and a great social atmosphere. See upcoming surf retreats here.

14. Go trekking in Sidemen

If you’re looking to see a quieter side of Bali, Sidemen is a great place to escape the busy south and get a glimpse of real Balinese life. Our favourite activity was trekking with local guide Komang Adi from Sidemen Trekking.

Having grown up in the area, he knew a great route so that we could admire the paddies with Mount Agung in the background. He was friendly with the local farmers, which made us feel at ease walking through their fields and taking photos while they worked. The route we took wasn't on any maps.

Before heading out on the 2 hour trek, we met Adi at the local market in Sidemen village, where he showed us some of the produce grown in the region.

During the trek, we chatted with Adi about all aspects of Balinese life, from families, religion, and traditions, to marriage, schools, and agriculture. He showed us local plants and farming techniques used in Sidemen along the way. He even stopped to make Emily a necklace out of Cassava leaves.

15. Try traditional batik painting

There are many traditional craft workshops you can join in Bali, but our favourite was a batik painting class at Five Arts Studio, just outside Ubud. The traditional Indonesian art of “batik”, or fabric painting, involves using hot wax and colourful dyes to create elaborate designs.

We began by choosing a design and tracing it onto a piece of fabric. The tricky part was then using a special hot wax pen to go over the design, before painting them with bright fabric paints. At the end, the wax was melted off, revealing the final design.

The entire workshop took a few hours, and we ended up with two beautiful homemade sarongs to take home - a fantastic souvenir from Bali.

16. Go white water rafting

Bali's rugged volcanic terrain and tropical weather have resulted in fast-flowing rivers packed with natural rapids - perfect for an adrenaline-fuelled rafting adventure. The two main places for rafting are the Ayung River near Ubud and the Telaga Waja River near Sidemen.

Technically, the Ayung River is more intermediate, with class II to III rapids, compared to the Telaga Waja River’s class III to IV rapids. But we've tried both and would say they're very similar experiences, so choose the one that’s most convenient for your trip.

17. Explore West Bali National Park

At the very northwest tip of Bali is West Bali National Park. This protected area includes rainforests, beaches, and extends offshore to Menjangan Island and the surrounding coral reefs.

It was created to protect endangered species, particularly the Bali starling (just 50 left in the wild), Javan rusa deer, and Javan lutung monkeys.

The best way to experience the national park is by taking a snorkelling trip to Menjangan Island. This was the best snorkelling we've done in Bali, with great visibility and thriving corals full of colourful fish and turtles. We stopped on Menjangan Island for lunch, where we also saw the free-roaming deer.

We also went on a land safari inside the park with West Bali Explorer. Two guides picked us up in a cool, converted VW safari van and drove us around the park for 3 hours, where we spotted rare monkeys, deer, lizards, and birds.

There is an entrance fee to visit West Bali National Park, so the activities cost more than elsewhere in Bali. But it's worth it to see some of the best preserved nature and wildlife on the island.

18. Watch the Devdan Show in Nusa Dua

The Devdan Show is our favourite cultural performance in Bali. The show runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening at the modern Nusa Dua Theatre, starting at 7:30pm and lasting just over an hour.

The mesmerizing production showcases the diverse cultures of Indonesia, taking you on a journey through the islands of Bali, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Papua.

The show has a dynamic blend of traditional and modern dance, breathtaking acrobatics, and state-of-the-art special effects. There are colourful costumes, elaborate props, amazing pyrotechnics, water performances, illusions, and so much more!

19. See wild dolphins in Lovina

Lovina is a quiet resort area on the north coast of Bali that's best known as the place to see wild dolphins. On a morning boat trip, you can see dozens of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the water not far from the coastline.

You’ll need to wake up fairly early in the morning and hop on board a local boat to catch a glimpse of these playful creatures as they leap and swim around you. Many tours even let you get in the water with a snorkel and swim close to the dolphins.

Most dolphin spotting tours take you to a spot around 10 minutes from the shore, where you're guaranteed to see dozens of dolphins. However, it's very popular, so you'll be joined by hundreds of other tourists and often 50+ boats.

We also did the alternative tour with Popeye Lovina, who took us further along the coast. While it took almost 1.5 hours to find any dolphins, when we did, there were only 7-8 other boats around, making it a much calmer and nicer experience.

We understand why people choose the popular option, but if you have the patience to wait and won't be totally disappointed if you don't see them, we'd recommend this more ethical option.

20. Take a trip to the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are three tiny islands, around 2 hours from mainland Bali by boat. Although technically part of Lombok, many people include them on a Bali itinerary, so we covered them on this blog too.

The islands' laid-back, hippy vibe is quite different from mainland Bali. With no motor vehicles, the only way to get around the islands is by walking, cycling, horse and cart (not recommended), or e-bike.

Some of the highlights of the Gilis include snorkelling trips, white sand beaches, watersports, and luxury catamaran trips. We also love just soaking in the chilled vibe at the many rustic beach bars.

While all three islands are worth visiting, it's best to choose one as a base. Gili Trawangan (Gili T) is the largest and most built-up, known for its lively party scene, with many bars and nightclubs spread along the coastline. The main town has an easygoing backpacker vibe.

Gili Meno is the smallest of the three and is nicknamed "honeymoon island." With only a handful of luxury hotels, it's great for couples wanting a quiet getaway. Gili Air is a happy medium between the other two. There's always something to do, with plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants, but without the crazy nightlife.

Given the time it takes to get from Bali to the Gilis, it's not possible to visit on a day trip. We'd suggest spending at least 2-3 nights here. The best way to get to the Gilis is by public ferry from Padangbai. The crossing can be choppy, so it's best to travel with Eka Jaya, who have the largest boats (buy tickets).

21. Go up the GWK statue (largest in Indonesia)

The GWK Cultural Park is home to Bali's iconic Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, which at 121m tall (including the base) is the tallest statue in Indonesia and one of the tallest in the world. The huge statue is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, and his mount, Garuda, the mythical bird who became his companion.

We recommend joining the Top of Statue Tour, which was our favourite part of the park. You'll take an elevator to the 9th floor inside the statue, where there's an in-depth museum about its meaning and construction.

You then ascend to the 23rd floor, where you can enjoy views across southern Bali and walk on the glass floor if you dare.

Across the rest of the park, you can learn all about Balinese culture through its amphitheatre, art/sculptures, and a schedule of regular cultural performances throughout the day.

We wandered around the huge park on foot, but you can also take the shuttle or hire a bike to explore. We visited in the afternoon and spent a couple of hours exploring before watching the new Barong show in the theatre next door (extra fee). There’s a small food court and shops/cafes too.

22. Take a coffee tour at Munduk Moding Plantation

Bali is famous for its coffee, with mountainous areas like Kintamani and Munduk having volcanic soil and excellent growing conditions for Arabica beans.

The island is also known for luwak coffee, made from coffee beans collected from the poop of luwaks (civet cats). It might not sound appealing, but the natural fermentation inside the animal gives the coffee a smoother and less bitter taste.

Visiting a coffee plantation is a great activity in Bali. However, most of the plantations are either tourist traps or keep luwaks in tiny cages (often both!). Even those claiming the luwaks are wild aren't always being truthful.

One genuine exception to this is Munduk Moding Plantation, an eco-friendly coffee plantation and resort in Munduk. You can take a tour of the plantation, taste different coffee blends (including ethical luwak coffee), and even take a barista class.

While outside guests are welcome to visit, we stayed at the on-site eco-resort for a few nights and had the best time - it was one of our favourite luxury hotels in Bali.

Munduk Moding is one of the island’s most sustainable hotels, running on solar power, composting, and rainwater harvesting, while recycling as much as possible at their on-site centre.

23. Practice yoga in Bali

Bali has become somewhat of a haven among yogis, with numerous beautiful yoga studios all over the island. You’d be missing out if you didn’t take at least one class during your stay in Bali.

The deeply rooted Hindu culture provides a highly spiritual atmosphere that resonates well with yoga practice. When paired with the natural beauty and tranquillity of the island, it’s easy to see why the world's top yoga instructors settle here.

Ubud is at the heart of Bali’s yoga scene and is perfect for anyone interested in spirituality and wellness. However, you’ll find studios all across the island offering every type of yoga imaginable.

Emily has tried power yoga, yin, hatha, vinyasa, and even aerial yoga. Some other popular types of the island that we’ve not yet tried include kundalini and acro yoga.

If you want to take your practice to the next level, Bali also has lots of retreats that combine yoga with meditation and detox, along with a community of fellow yogis. See upcoming retreats here.

24. Take a Balinese Cooking Class

No matter where we visit, taking a cooking class is our favourite way to try the local cuisine and appreciate first-hand how it’s made. And Bali is no exception.

Classes in Bali typically include a trip to a local market to get fresh ingredients, followed by a cooking class in a traditional kitchen with local chefs. Most classes can accommodate dietary requirements, including veggie, vegan, and any allergies.

We've taken a handful of cooking classes across the island, but our favourites were:

25. Ride ATVs through the jungle

ATVs are another of our favourite adventure activities in Bali and an exciting way to enjoy the island's magnificent natural beauty. On an ATV tour, you race your way through the dense jungles around Ubud, discovering secret caves, valleys, and waterfalls along the way.

Prices vary depending on whether you want a tandem or a solo bike. We went tandem and switched drivers halfway, which was fine for us.

Lots of companies offer ATV adventures across Bali with different tracks. We’ve tried a couple, but our favourite was this one near Ubud, which includes the famous Gorilla Face cave (the waterfall photos were taken on this one).

You’ll be traversing muddy riverbeds and passing by waterfalls, so prepare to get wet and muddy. Both companies we went with gave us waterproof boots to wear during the trip.

26. See the iconic sights of Nusa Penida

We've already mentioned Nusa Lembongan as our favourite of the Nusa Islands, but neighbouring Nusa Penida still remains the most popular, mostly due to its many picturesque “Instagram spots.”

Famous sights include the iconic Kelingking Beach, where a T-Rex-shaped headland overlooks an untouched beach below, the idyllic turquoise waters of Diamond Beach, and the natural infinity pool at Angel's Billabong.

Beyond these better-known attractions, the island has a stunning coastline, with dramatic limestone cliffs and beautiful sandy bays like the breathtaking Diamond Beach (our favourite).

Nusa Penida is a very popular day trip from Bali, meaning there's a lot of traffic and huge crowds at the top attractions during the day. The best way to beat the crowds here is by staying overnight and exploring the island before 10am or after 4pm.

There are plenty of nice cafes, restaurants, and several bars with live music in the evenings. Staying for a night or two is also a good chance to seek out some hidden gems like Goa Giri Putri, a temple inside a giant cave, or hang out at the new Cactus Beach Club.

27. Go canyoning

Canyoning is another exhilarating way to explore Bali's beautiful natural surroundings, but this time by going through the water. Several spots across the island offer these adventures:

All experiences include safety equipment, qualified instructors, lunch, and often transfers to/from your accommodation too. If you have a fear of heights or water, this may not be the activity for you.

28. Take a day trip around East Bali

Sitting in the shadow of Mount Agung, East Bali is one of the most beautiful parts of the island with picturesque viewpoints, stunning water palaces, and great foodie spots.

Whether you're staying nearby in Candidasa or Amed, or visiting from further away, we recommend hiring a private driver (or renting a scooter) and stopping at some of these landmarks:

29. See a traditional Balinese dance performance

Traditional Balinese dance can take many different forms. But the two that you are most likely to encounter as a tourist are Kecak and Legong.

Kecak Dance

A Kecak dance is known for its dramatic choreography and use of fire. It tells a story from Hindu mythology and is usually performed by a huge chorus of men chanting “cak-cak-cak” throughout.

Although it was only invented in the 1930s, the dance style is inspired by an ancient tradition known as Sanghyang, where the performers are in a trance and possessed by spirits. Some places you can watch it are:

Legong Dance

Once a form of royal entertainment, Legong acts out traditional Balinese stories and legends. It's characterised by intricate finger movements, complicated and fast-paced footwork, and intense facial expressions.

30. Learn about Nyepi at the SAKA Museum

If you want to delve deeper into Bali's culture, we recommend heading to the SAKA Museum. Here, you can learn all about the Balinese holiday of Nyepi, also known as the “day of silence”.

This unique and important Hindu celebration marks the beginning of the Balinese Saka New Year and sees the island close down for 24 hours each year, with no noise, light, work, or travel. All shops and even the airport close for the day.

Our favourite part of the SAKA Museum was seeing some of the giant demon-like Ogoh Ogoh statues, which are paraded through the streets on the night before Nyepi.

The museum is within the AYANA resort and is free for hotel guests. Outside visitors are also welcome to visit for 120,000 IDR ⓘ.

Other museums and galleries in Bali we love include Museum Pasifika, Museum Geopark Batur, and the Bajra Sandhi Museum.

31. See wild monkeys in Bali's forests

Seeing wild monkeys in Bali is an unforgettable experience. These cheeky, tree-hopping locals are an important part of Balinese culture as they're considered to embody the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. They roam freely across the island, so you can have genuine, ethical encounters in their natural habitat.

The most famous place to see monkeys is Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where over a thousand cheeky long-tailed macaques run wild in a large nature reserve. Complete with moss-covered ancient temples, bridges, rivers, and forest trails, it's like something from Tomb Raider.

The monkeys there are quite mischievous. They’ll often approach you and even jump on you. It's great for photos, but it can be overwhelming if you’re nervous.

A slightly less chaotic alternative that we often recommend is Sangeh Monkey Forest. It's another nature reserve with an ancient temple; only the monkeys are calmer and there are fewer people. We saw lots of adorable babies when we visited.

Included with the entrance fee was a small bag of nuts to feed the monkeys. At first, this felt overwhelming as they all hurdled towards us for a share of the food. But they were fairly gentle and waited patiently for us to hand them nuts.

32. Spend a day at Trans Studio Bali indoor theme park

Trans Studio Bali is a shopping mall near Seminyak filled with shops, restaurants, and arcade games. But it’s what’s on the upper floors that might surprise you most.

Here you’ll find the exciting Trans Studio Bali Theme Park, an enormous indoor theme park with go-karts, thrill rides, river rapids, a Ferris wheel, and even a huge roller coaster on the mall’s roof.

Some of the more unique attractions include a Titanic Zone with a replica of the famous ship, a Ninja Warrior-inspired obstacle course, and indoor skydiving.

Ticket prices start at 500,000 IDR ⓘ per adult (for foreigners). Between the mall and the large indoor theme park, there's more than enough to do to keep kids and adults of all ages occupied for an entire day.

33. Experience Bali’s vibrant nightlife scene

As the sun sets over Bali, the island comes alive with a mix of lively beach clubs, casual bars, and upmarket clubs. The best nightlife spots in Bali are found along the south-west coast:

Beyond these popular nightlife areas, other parts of Bali still have plenty going on in the evenings. Uluwatu is where you’ll find some iconic beach clubs such as Savaya and Single Fin, while Ubud and Sanur have lots of live music, open mics, and the occasional late-night bar such as CP Lounge.

34. Dive or snorkel in Amed

Bali is a renowned scuba diving and snorkelling destination. Thanks to its location within the Coral Triangle, it has crystal-clear waters and rich marine biodiversity. The island's warm temperatures also provide comfortable conditions throughout the year.

We've already highlighted the Nusa Islands and West Bali National Park in other sections, but Amed is worth mentioning too. The volcanic coastline creates healthy corals near the shore and calm currents make it very beginner-friendly.

Bonus: Explore Indonesia beyond Bali

We couldn’t round out a list of things to do in Bali without mentioning some of Indonesia's highlights beyond the "Island of the Gods":

How To Get Around in Bali

Public transportation in Bali is very limited and not particularly tourist-friendly, so most tourists will either rent a scooter, hire a private driver, or book online taxis.

Private drivers are best for full day trips, where you plan on visiting multiple destinations in one day. They'll wait for you outside, or sometimes even accompany you and share some insights, depending on the attraction.

For simpler A-to-B journeys, such as hotel transfers or visiting one attraction, it's best to book an online taxi using Grab or Gojek (apps similar to Uber). You can book cars or scooters and the cost is given upfront, so no tricky negotiations with the driver.

The final option is to drive yourself. Avoid renting a car as this is difficult on Bali's narrow and chaotic roads, but renting a scooter is possible, provided you have some experience. We always rent from Bikago (they provide insurance and excellent service). Make sure you have an International Driving Permit.

Where To Stay in Bali

Which area you stay in Bali will make a huge difference to your trip. Here are a few tips, but we highly recommend reading our full guide on Where To Stay in Bali, which provides more detail about each area, with images and our first-hand hotel recommendations.

We've mentioned Ubud several times, so no surprise that it's our top pick for first-timers. It’s Bali’s cultural capital and is very tourist-friendly, with lots of hotels, cafes, rice terraces, and temples. It's centrally located, so there are countless day trip options too.

Canggu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Sanur are all beach destinations in South Bali. Each has a distinct vibe, so choose the one that best suits you. Canggu and Seminyak are lively with great food, beach clubs, and nightlife. Nusa Dua is all about luxury resorts, while Sanur is very family-friendly.

Uluwatu deserves a mention for its beautiful white-sand beaches and famous surf spots for pros.

If you prefer less popular areas, you'll need to venture further from the airport. Amed, Pemuteran, Sidemen, Munduk, Bedugul, Lovina, Kintamani, and Candidasa are great for escaping the crowds and seeing a more peaceful side of Bali.

Don’t forget to visit some of the nearby islands (the Nusa Islands or the Gili Islands), though don't spend your whole trip there.