The mere mention of Bali evokes images of a tropical paradise. And for good reason! Bali is more than just a place; it's a mood, a dream, maybe even a state of mind. The magical combination of tropical beaches, serene spirituality, culinary delights and extravagant pleasure that Bali offers is unrivalled by any other place in the world.
From the exquisite flower-petal offerings, to the incredible traditional music and dance performed across the island, Bali’s rich and diverse culture is clear to see in every aspect of life on the Island of the Gods. Spirituality lies at the heart of Balinese culture. In fact, Bali is one of the world's most vivid centres for spirituality and is home to over 20,000 intricately carved temples scattered across the island.
Whether you’re looking for a tranquil journey of self-discovery, a thrilling surfing adventure, or a culinary extravaganza, Bali is sure to fulfill your holiday dreams.
Here are our top 10 places to visit in Bali.
No. 10 - Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga is a 1.2-hectare former royal water palace, built for the last raja of Karangasem in 1946. This Balinese fantasyland was almost fully destroyed by the eruption of Gunung Agung in 1963, but has subsequently been rebuilt. The name Tirta Gangga translates as “water from the Ganges” - the most sacred river according to Hindu tradition.
The complex is home to magical fountains, such as the 11-tiered Nawa Sanga fountain, ponds filled with huge koi carp and lotus blossoms, intricately sculpted statues of mythological beasts and stone spring water pools - one of which you can even swim in.
No. 9 - Batukaru Temple
One of the most visually stunning garden temples in Bali, Batukaru Temple is a sacred and holy site, located on the southern slope of Mount Batukaru - Bali's second-highest volcano.
Originally built during the 11th century, Batukaru Temple was adopted and consecrated by the rajas of Tabanan, who declared it their state temple and dedicated the shrines to their ancestral gods. The temple was destroyed in 1604, but rebuilt in 1959. The temple's most important shrine is a 7-tiered meru, which was built in honour of Mahadewa, the God of Mount Batukaru.
Today, Batukaru Temple remains an extremely sacred site for Bali's Hindu population. Local Subak groups visit the temple to draw holy water for use in agricultural ceremonies. Many of the complex's grounds remain off-limits to visitors for various ceremonies and events throughout the year.
No. 8 - Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Rising from the rugged hills of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, Garuda Wisnu Kencana is a fascinating 60-hectare cultural park. The park is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, and Garuda, the mythical bird who became his companion.
The park's main attraction is the iconic monument of Garuda Wisnu Kencana. Standing an impressive 120m tall, the statue is 30m taller than the Statue Of Liberty in the USA and is the largest monument dedicated to Vishnu in the world. The gargantuan statue was designed by Nyoman Nuarta, Indonesia’s finest contemporary sculptor. Made from copper, brass, stainless steel and concrete, the monument weighs a whopping 4000 tonnes.
The park provides a glimpse into Bali’s fascinating heritage through intriguing cultural performances, legendary folklore tales, immense sculptures, and dramatic cinematic presentation. There are also restaurants and souvenir shops at the park and fantastic panoramic views over the island.
No. 7 - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
What might look like an open-air zoo attraction on the face of things, Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest is actually a holy site which is home to over 1200 long-tailed Balinese macaques in their natural habitat. This 31-acre dense swath of jungle officially houses three 14th-century holy temples and boasts 186 species of plants and trees.
Although a popular tourist attraction in Bali, the park is also an important place for rare plant and animal research and conservation programs. Researchers from various educational institutions around the world have conducted studies at the sanctuary, particularly on the monkey’s social interaction with each other and how they behave with their natural environment.
No. 6 - Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is a popular and culturally important 16th-century temple on Bali’s southwestern coast. The temple is one of a few directional temples designated to protect the island from evil spirits.
For the Balinese, Tanah Lot is one of the most important and respected sea temples. Like Uluwatu to the south, and Rambut Siwi to the west, it is closely associated with the Majapahit priest Dang Hyang Nirartha. It is believed that each of the temples was intended to be within sight of the next, forming a chain along Bali’s southwestern coast. At the base of the rocky island, venomous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders.
The dramatic location of the three-acre temple complex - detached from the shore and sitting at the top of a rocky outcrop - makes it a top spot for sunset views and is an iconic destination for photographers.
No. 5 - Uluwatu Temple
Perched precipitously at the top of a sheer cliff on the southwestern tip of the island, Uluwatu Temple is believed to be one of the six spiritual pillars of Bali and is renowned for its magnificent location. Built in the 11th century by Javanese priest, Empu Kuturan, Uluwatu Temple, made from black coral rock, is an architectural wonder and one of Bali's most spectacular temples.
Enter through the grand archway, flanked by statues of Ganesha and through the forest, where you’ll find an abundance of native monkeys. Inside, the walls of coral bricks are adorned with intricate carvings of Bali’s mythological creatures.
Only Hindu worshippers can enter the small temple that is built on to the jutting tip of land. However, you can still take in the spectacular views of the Indian ocean from the clifftop. As the sun sets, be sure to watch the dramatic Kecak fire dance performance in the amphitheatre beside the temple.
No. 4 - Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
These stunning, vibrant Rice Terraces will truly test your ability to find superlatives to describe the word green. Jatiluwih, which means ‘truly marvellous’, is home to over 600 hectares of centuries-old rice terraces, which follow the flowing hillside of the Batukaru mountain range. It's certainly not hard to see why the terraces received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012.
You can explore the vast expanses of green terraces and palm trees via several trekking routes, viewpoints and even a cycle track. The rice fields at Jatiluwih go through a cycle of 3 stages — planting, pre-harvest, and post-harvest. Each phase offers a different but equally beautiful landscape. The greenest months, and arguably the best times to visit, are when the fields are ready for harvest, between October and March.
No. 3 - Kelingking Beach
Located in the south-west of the island of Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach is one of the world’s most stunning stretches of sand. An incredible hidden beach which is framed by towering, vibrant green cliffs, Kelingking is an 80-metre long stretch of pure white sand, which is met by vivid turquoise blue waters. It’s no wonder the beach was crowned the ‘Most Instagrammable Beach In The World 2021’.
The secluded beach is accessible via a rugged 400m cliffside hike, however, the view of Kelingking is arguably more popular than the beach itself. From the Cap de T-Rex viewpoint, visitors can look down onto the white sand, enveloped by the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex shaped limestone headland that reaches out into the Indian Ocean. Manta ray and dolphin sightings are common at Kelingking and hundreds of darting swallows inhabit the caves.
No. 2 - Banyumala Twin Waterfall
Nestled in the secluded picturesque highlands north of Munduk, you will find the powerful cascades of the stunning Banyumala Twin Waterfall. You’ll realise that the 15 minute hike down to the falls, via bamboo-railed stairs, was more than worth it as soon as you set your eyes on arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Bali.
The falls are both impressively big and beautiful. Although the name suggests there are 2 falls, Banyumala actually looks more like hundreds of tiny waterfalls flowing down the rock face. The epic twin falls, separated only by the rocks they cascade down, tumble 35m down into a beautiful jungle swimming hole. The crystal clear mountainous waters are crisp and refreshing, perfect for a rejuvenating swim after the walk down. This hidden paradise, often able to be enjoyed totally alone, will definitely be one you will remember.
No. 1 - Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
An iconic image of Bali, this important Hindu-Buddhist temple was built by I Gusti Agung Putu in the 17th century. Depicted on the 50,000Rp note, Ulun Danu Beratan is a mesmerising temple complex dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of the waters, and is built on small islands on the shores of Lake Beratan. This religious wonderland, consisting of five temples and one Buddhist Stupa, is set in 160 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens.
Lake Bratan, on which the temple sits, is the second largest lake in Bali and is a water source for the local rice terraces. The lake was formed 30,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption. Pilgrimages and ceremonies are held at the temple to ensure that there is a supply of water for farmers all over Bali as part of the Unesco-recognised Subak system. The temple sits approximately 1200 metres above sea level and is surrounded by the most beautiful scenery and mountainous landscape. This place has become one of the icons of travel in Bali and should be a must-visit attraction during your time there.
For tickets to the best tours and attractions in Bali, click the button below:
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best places to visit in Bali. We'd love to hear your feedback in the comments and do let us know your favourite places to visit in Bali.
You can check out our 'Top 5 Places To Visit In Bali' video here:
Comments