Bali Bucket List: Top 10 Must-Visit Spots

1. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Probably one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bali is the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, a sacred Hindu temple located on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountainous area of the island.

The temple complex is situated at an altitude of 1,231 meters (4,039 feet) above sea level, and it is surrounded by some of the most scenic landscapes in Bali, with its serene Lake Bratan and volcanic mountains set in the background.

The temple is also known for its iconic eleven-tiered meru, dedicated to the goddess Dewi Danu, who is considered the goddess of water, lakes, and rivers. That is why they built the temple right by the bank of the lake.

If you are wondering why the temple seems familiar to you, it's because it is often used as a picture-perfect representation of Bali in most tourism marketing materials, as well as being prominently featured on the 50,000 Indonesian rupiah banknote.

Since it is located quite far from Denpasar, you are going to have to either rent a motorbike and drive here or hire a driver to drive you here. I recommend getting here as early as possible to beat the crowds. The temple is open from 7 AM to 7 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 30,000 IDR (2 USD).

2. Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Another iconic landmark in Bali that you shouldn't miss is the Tegallalang Rice Terrace, a photogenic rice terrace located right along the main road just north of Ubud.

Here, you will find plenty of nice viewpoints where you can appreciate the popular rice terraces that Southeast Asia is famous for. The viewpoints provide a great vantage point for you to capture that iconic photo of an idyllic rice terrace with a beautiful lush tropical forest in the backdrop.

Since it is located right by the road, it can get pretty crowded during the day. If you want the whole place to yourself, I highly recommend waking up in the morning and being there during sunrise. The first time I was here, it was mid-day and it was extremely crowded, while the second time, I was there at 6 AM sharp and had the whole place to myself.

You can go down to the rice terrace, walk along the dirt path, and immerse yourself in nature or find a nice cafe nearby and enjoy breakfast and a cup of coffee as the sun goes up. The area is open 24/7, and there is an entrance fee to enter the area.

3. The Holy Springs of Tirta Empu

One of my favorite temples in Bali is Tirta Empu, a Balinese Hindu water temple located near the town of Tampaksiring, not too far from Tegallalang Rice Terrace.

The temple is famous for its holy spring water, where you can bathe and participate in purification rituals and ceremonies as the locals do. The sacred spring feeds various purification baths and pools within the temple complex, and you will often see people in traditional attire walking into the pool, washing their faces with the water, and praying.

The temple complex is quite expansive, with many attractions to see, and you do not have to participate in the ritual if you do not want to. There are many temples and shrines inside waiting for you to explore, or you can observe other people performing the purification ritual from the bridge above.

To enter the temple, you have to pay around 25,000 IDR for the entrance fee. Once you are inside, you can expect to spend at least 30 minutes covering much of the temple ground on foot. The temple is open from 8 AM to 6 PM every day. If you are visiting Ubud, be sure to drop by Tirta Empu.

4. Tirta Gangga Water Palace

Located on the northeastern side of the island, you will find another water temple called Tirta Gangga, a former royal palace built in 1948 by the last king of Karangasem. It is best known for its unique fusion of Balinese and Chinese architectural styles.

One of the highlights of visiting Tirta Gangga is exploring its beautiful water gardens, which consist of a network of pools, fountains, and statues surrounded by an incredibly lush green forest. The main pool is decorated with stepping stones featuring unique intricate designs, beautiful fountains, and koi fish swimming in the ponds.

You can even step on these stepping stones and navigate around the pools and ponds of the temple while observing all the beautiful koi fish surrounding you. It is a popular spot for photos, so be sure to check out the temple while you are in Bali.

The temple is open from 6 AM to 7 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 45,000 IDR per person. The place attracts quite a lot of tourists during the day, so if you prefer to avoid the crowds, be sure to plan your visit during the early morning or late evening.

5. Ubud Palace

Located right at the center of Ubud, you will find Ubud Palace, an iconic temple where you can attend the incredible Legong dance shows that are often held daily in the evening.

The palace itself is not very big, and as a tourist, you can often only get access to the first courtyard. However, if you visit the temple around 7:30 PM, you will be able to buy a ticket and witness the incredible Legong dance shows, known for their fast-paced movements and elaborate costumes.

To reserve a spot for the Legong dance show at Ubud Palace, you can book your spot here. It should cost about 100,000 IDR per person and the show begins at 7:30 PM every day and lasts about 1.5 hours. If you want to witness something awesome, be sure to check out Ubud Palace in the evening.

Not too far from Ubud Palace, you will also find the Ubud Water Palace, an ornate temple complex similar to Ubud Palace, but with a larger courtyard that you can explore more thoroughly.

Between the two palaces in Ubud, I find this place to be a bit more interesting to visit during the day, so be sure to drop by Ubud Water Palace while you are here. The Water Palace is open from 8 AM to 7:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 50,000 IDR per person.

6. Campuhan Ridge Walk

While you are in Ubud, also don't forget to go for a walk along Campuhan Ridge Walk, a scenic trail with a breathtaking view of the lush landscapes of Ubud. It is a great place to hike around if you are looking for something active to do here.

The trail begins at the trailhead, right in the middle of Ubud Town. As you embark on the Campuhan Ridge Walk, you'll be walking along a narrow path that meanders through the stunning Campuhan Ridge, while being surrounded by the rolling green hills and rice terraces for which Ubud is known.

It should take about 40 minutes to reach the northern end of the trail and another 30 minutes to get back, as you will be going downhill on your way back. In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to experience the incredible nature of Ubud, which has been harder to come by these days.

7. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Another awesome place to visit in Ubud is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a large forested area with walking paths and a Hindu temple at the center. As you can guess from the name, the sanctuary is best known for its growing population of wild macaque monkeys that roam freely around the sanctuary.

These macaque monkeys are not as cute as they seem, though. They are extremely aggressive and will steal whatever items you have with you that attract their attention. To prevent that, avoid having anything colorful on you, such as sunglasses or a hat, and do not carry any plastic bags.

The area is quite nice to walk around and surprisingly peaceful, with many beautiful stone carvings and statues waiting for you to discover. If you are visiting Ubud, be sure to drop by the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The sanctuary is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 80,000 IDR per person.

8. Tanah Lot

Another must-see attraction in Bali is Tanah Lot, an iconic sea temple built on top of a giant rock just off the southwest coast of Bali. The unique location of the temple gives it the name "Tanah Lot", which translates to "Land in the Sea."

The temple is dedicated to the sea gods and it is one of the seven sea temples along the coast of Bali, each forming a chain meant to provide spiritual balance.

Unfortunately, foreigners can only access the temple grounds as the temple itself is off-limits to non-worshippers. Also, you won't be able to get to the temple during high tide. However, even then, the stunning coastal views and the overall ambiance of the area make it a worthwhile place to visit. The temple is open from 6 AM to 7 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 60,000 IDR per person.

9. Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida

Technically, it's not on the actual Bali island, but Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida, a remote island off the east coast, just a 30-minute boat ride away from Bali, is probably one of the most photogenic viewpoints you can see here.

The beach is best known for its spectacularly iconic T-Rex-shaped limestone cliff formation, which has become one of the most popular photo spots in Bali. You can hike along the ridge and enjoy the breathtaking view of the stunning turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean from above. It is quite a sight to behold.

To visit Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida from Bali, I highly recommend choosing one of the organized tours that will take you from Bali to Nusa Penida on a speedboat. These tours allow you to explore not just Kelingking Beach but also other awesome attractions such as Smoky Beach, Angel's Billabong, and more, all in one day. An excellent choice for people with limited time. If you are looking for a day trip to do in Bali, be sure to check out Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida.

10. The Top of Mount Batur

Last but not least, if you are looking for an adventure in Bali, I highly recommend going on a Mt. Batur sunrise hike, where you will wake up before dawn to hike the famous volcano for an incredible sunrise view over the second-highest mountain on the island.

The tour will pick you up at your hotel at around 3:30 AM and drive you to the trailhead where you can then begin making your way to the summit of Mt. Batur. It should take about 2 hours before you arrive at the top, in time to witness the incredible sunrise over the island.

The tour should provide you with breakfast, where you can enjoy it right at the summit as you wait for the sun to rise above the horizon. After an epic breakfast break, it will take you another 1.5 hours to make your way down.

The view along the way is quite incredible thanks to the elevation of the volcano. You should be able to see Lake Batur, an enormous volcanic crater lake, as you make your way down after sunrise. The whole tour should take about 5-7 hours depending on the itinerary and the stops afterward. If you are interested in the hike, be sure to book the tour in advance here.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Indonesia

I hope this travel guide will help you plan your trip to Indonesia. I have visited Indonesia more times than I can count and have written numerous articles about the country.

If you are looking for more articles about Indonesia, here are some articles that might help you plan your trip to Indonesia even better.

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Indonesia? One Month Itinerary for Indonesia.
• Are you planning to travel to Indonesia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Jakarta is a massive city unlike any other, and there is much to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 8 Best Things To Do in Jakarta.
• Yogyakarta is a great cultural and historical place to visit in Indonesia, and there are plenty of things to see and do there. Here are the 9 Best Things To Do in Yogyakarta.
• Did you know that there is an island in Indonesia that is free of tourists? One of them is Karimunjawa, a true hidden gem island of Java. Here's a complete guide on how to travel to Karimunjawa Island.
• Looking for an article that summarizes a trip through the Java island? Check out my photo essay of Java, Indonesia.
• Lombok is now gaining in popularity, but one of the best things you can do on the island is to trek Mount Rinjani, a volcano on a lake in another volcano on an island. Here's a complete guide on how to trek Mount Rinjani.
• Gili Trawangan is one of the most popular Gili islands in Lombok, and even though it's crowded, you can often find solitude if you know where to look. Plus, it's cheap. Here's an article about exploring Gili Trawangan.
• I bet visiting the Komodo Island is among the top of your bucket list. If so, you are going to need this: Here's a complete backpacking guide to the Komodo Islands.
• Flores is another great island that deserves way more credit than it receives. There are the Komodo islands, Kelimutu tri-colored lakes, and so much more. Here is a 10-day travel guide for Flores and Komodo Island.
• Talking about Kelimutu, here’s a complete travel guide on how to get to Kelimutu lakes in Flores.
• For a complete itinerary to Sumatra, check out: One Month Backpacking Sumatra Itinerary.
• Being the largest volcanic lake in the world, you can't visit Sumatra without visiting Lake Toba. Here are the 10 Awesome Things to do in Lake Toba, Sumatra.
• Want to travel to Lake Toba from Medan, but not sure how? Here's a guide for you: How To Get From Medan To Lake Toba.
• Berastagi is home to some of the most accessible volcanoes in Sumatra. It's definitely worth a stop if hiking a volcano is on your bucket list. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Berastagi.
• Want to see orangutans in the wild in Indonesia? The best place is Bukit Lawang and here's A Complete Guide to Orangutan Trekking in Bukit Lawang.
• For West Sumatra, your journey will likely begin in Padang, the capital city of the province, with a ton of things to do. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Padang.
• Get off the beaten path in Sumatra and visit Bukittinggi, the old capital of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, and explore the highlands with this guide: 12 Best Things to Do in Bukittinggi.
• Want to visit Bukittinggi? Here are all the best ways you can travel there: How to Get to Bukittinggi: A Complete Guide
• One of the best islands to visit in Sumatra is Mentawai. It's not just a place for surfers. You can enjoy the beach, snorkeling, and even spend days living with the Mentaway tribe. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mentawai.
• If you want to visit and live with the Mentawai Tribe in the jungle for a few days, this guide is for you: Visiting the Mentawai Tribe: A Complete Guide.
• Not sure how to get to the Mentawai Islands? Here is all the information you need from ferry schedules, costs, and more: How to Get to Mentawai: A Complete Guide
• Watch a travel video I made about Bali, Lombok, and Flores here: Nusantara, a journey through Bali, Lombok, and Flores, Indonesia.
• Not convinced by my words about Indonesia and Southeast Asia? Check out my photographic journey through the subcontinent: 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia.
• Wondering where you want to go next? How about Timor Leste? Visit the Timor Leste Travel Guide page for more travel guidance about Timor Leste.
• To see all articles about Indonesia, visit the Indonesia Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.