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Dreaming of Paradise? Discover 10 of the Best Places to Visit in Bali
Are you thinking of traveling to Bali for the first time, or have you been here before? It doesn’t matter! You’re sure to discover something new in this article. This island offers a wide variety of places to see and things to do. And so that you do not miss anything, Nellie Burges, a passionate traveler and a writing helper will tell you about some of the best places to visit in Bali. Get ready to lose yourself among the lush Balinese vegetation, rice fields, sacred temples, stunning beaches, and underwater life.
10 of the Best Places to Visit in Bali
1. Tanah Lot Temple
Pura Tanah Lot (Pura means temple in Balinese) is one of the most emblematic places to visit during a trip to Bali. In a rocky islet surrounded by breaking waves, its spectacular location offers incredible views and the one that indeed is the best sunset on the island. The temple constructed at the beginning of the XVI century is one of the most sacred. For this reason, you can not visit it in its entirety (they have some private prayer areas). However, you can walk across to the main temple, as long as the tide is low.
2. Ubud Monkey Forest
Although this place can seem like a zoo species outdoors, it is a sacred place, a temple, and the natural habitat of more than 1000 macaques of long tail. The Ubud Monkey Forest is located in Ubud (about a 10-minute walk from the center of town) and is a beautiful place to stroll through. In addition, the lushness of its trees cools the air, so it may be a good idea to visit during hot days. There are several paved paths through thick forests of banyan and nutmeg trees, where moss-covered statues and ancient temples peek through the dense foliage, giving an almost mystical feeling.
Be wary of monkeys. Although they look like adorable creatures, they will not hesitate to jump on you to steal an object. We recommend you not to bring anything. And nothing is NOTHING (no sunglasses, no water bottles). It is advisable to avoid direct eye contact with the animals and not show your teeth (for example, smiling), as they can become violent. Do not be afraid, if you do not carry anything and do not intimidate the monkeys, nothing will happen to you. In addition, in the forest, there are “monkey policemen”, who control tourists and animals.
3. Nyang Nyang Beach
Nyang Nyang Beach, in Uluwatu, yes that you will be able to enjoy relaxing without great multitudes. White sands, cliffs lined with vegetation, and tourists’ surprising absence make this place one of the best-kept secrets. If you have been saturated with the crowds of tourists that crowd the main beaches of Bali, Nyang Nyang is for sure one of the best places to visit in Bali.
4. Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Twenty minutes to the north of Ubud is one of Bali’s most photogenic and visited destinations: the rice terraces of Tegallalang. It is layers of rice fields that are fed thanks to an old and sophisticated irrigation system. You can explore the area on your own by following various trails.
You may find locals asking for donations or selling postcards along the most popular route through the rice fields, and some ask for entrance and parking fees along the road. The most common is to leave 10 thousand rupiahs, which is fair considering that visitors walk through their fields, sometimes stepping in the wrong place. Tegallalang is a top-rated attraction in Bali. We recommend you visit the site early in the morning (the buses of tourists arrive from the 10). You will also avoid the worst hours of sun. It takes water and solar cream. Just in the entrance, next to the road, there are cafeterias with views to the terraces.
5. Mount Batur
A two-hour trek through the mountain will take you to the best place on the island to see the sunrise. It is how the excursion to Mount Batur is done, starting the trail in the darkness before dawn to contemplate the first rays from its summit. This sacred and active volcano is located in the district of Kintamani, in the central plateau of Bali, about one hour in the car from Ubud.
The excursion, which runs along well-marked trails, is relatively easy and usually lasts two and three hours. It is made with a guide, and they typically include a breakfast-type picnic. On a clear day, the views are spectacular, taking in the volcano’s caldera, the surrounding mountain range, and Lake Batur. It is indispensable to take mountain footwear, and several layers of clothes since the temperature can be fresh before dawn.
6. Uluwatu Temple
Located to the edge of an impressive cliff in the peninsula of Bukit, the temple of Uluwatu is another almost essential place to visit in Bali. A very sacred space that has protected the islanders from evil spirits since 900 A.D. Its location is the main attraction: it is about 70 meters high on the cliff’s edge, with the mighty waves of Uluwatu beach breaking hard at its base. The sunsets are breathtaking, so it is advisable to visit this place at sunset. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the daily spectacles of dance Kecak, which we will tell you more about below.
7. Sekumpul Waterfall
If exploring the paradisiacal landscape of Bali is your priority, do not miss the waterfall of Sekumpul, considered one of the absolute best places to visit in Bali. Located to the north of Ubud, it is formed by 7 waterfalls. As it happens with most of the cascades of the north of Bali, arriving to Sekumpul will require some effort. It takes about an hour to walk the paths and descend through the leafy ravine. For what, between going down to the waterfall, to bathe and to return to raise, it can take you calmly 3 or 4 hours. Sekumpul is great for nature lovers who want to enjoy a wilder Bali, away from the tourist centers. It is good idea to hire a local guide to visit this place.
8. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
To the borders of lake Beratan, the temple Ulun Danu Beratan is one of the most important of Bali. Constructed in century XVII, it is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the water and the lakes goddess. Lake Bratan is one of the island’s main sources of irrigation and potable water. For this reason, it is one of the most important as well as picturesque temples. Its reflection in the water makes it incredibly romantic. An unusual feature is a Buddhist stupa located to the left of the entrance to the first courtyard, which reflects the adoption of Buddhist beliefs by the Balinese Hindus.
We recommend arriving early in the morning, before the tourist buses, and it is just early in the morning when cool mist sometimes covers the lake and the mountains beyond. You can also rent a canoe and paddle across the lake to explore the Meru (thatched-roof shrines) up close.
9. Tirta Empul
This sacred spring is an important place for the Balinese, who believe that the water that flows in the temple for more than 1000 years has the power to cure and clean their souls. Located in the exuberant tropical jungle of the center of Bali, near Ubud, it is divided into three patios. In its central point is the swimming pool, fed by the water emanating from several sources, where the locals go to pray and submerge the head.
It is possible to perform the cleansing ritual as long as the customs are respected. You will have to enter the pool with a sarong and a sash and follow the line that passes through all the fountains. There are changing rooms where you can change clothes. The water is super fresh, the reason why it is a perfect excursion for the hot days and a favorite on this list of the best places to visit in Bali.
10. Nusa Islands
These islands are pretty near Bali, to about 30 minutes in a boat from Sanur. In the Nusas, you will find a heap of things that to make, from the surf, snorkeling, or diving (one of the best that you can make in Bali), kayak by the mangroves or the paddleboard, in addition to a much more relaxed pace and fewer tourists. If you have the time of leftovers for your trip to Bali, it is a perfect option to spend, not even that they are 3 days, visiting the Nusa.
As you can see—Bali is a treasure trove of insanely beautiful places. We have listed only some of them. We wish you to visit as many breathtaking places as possible and get a lot of impressions and emotions out of life.
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