Top Attractions

1. Uluwatu

Due to its tranquility, natural beauty and variety of cultural shows on offer, Uluwatu is a favorite tourist attraction in Bali. Especially for lovers of surfing, a visit to Uluwatu is a must. The beaches in this area are world-renowned for their perfect waves, where many surfers can be spotted "getting barreled". If you go to even higher grounds nearby the Uluwatu temple itself, you will be rewarded with breathtaking view and sunsets. The temple, perched at the steep cliff of 70 meters above the Indian Ocean, is itself a majestic structure, constructed and expanded since the 11th Century.

2. Kuta Beach

Being Bali's most famous tourist area, especially among the young, Kuta holds an allure for backpackers and travelers from all over the world. With bars, clubs, souvenir shops and shopping centers lining the streets, Kuta is always filled with tourists. The 5km stretch of beach is ideal for activities such as surfing, sunbathing or simply watching people go by while you enjoy the sunset. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists, than anywhere else in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with locals as well as visitors from abroad.

3. Ubud

Known as the cultural center of Bali, Ubud is all about tranquility, culture and natural landscapes. The rice fields surrounding Ubud use an ancient water irrigation system known locally as "Subak" and are some of the best to be seen in Bali. Ubud has the atmosphere of a traditional village, with panoramic views of green paddies, perched among the terraced rice fields that climb up the foothills of Bali’s central. Ubud is home to the island’s most important museums, including the Neka Art Museum with its expansive collection of Balinese paintings. Tourists can also visit the surrounding areas of Mount Kawi, Pura Kehen, Puri Saren Agung, Tirta Empul and Yeh Pulu, while the cave at Goa Gajah was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also well worth a visit.

4. Garuda Wisnu Kencan (GWK)

Garuda Wisnu Kencana also known in short as GWK, is a 240-hectare cultural park located on the Bukit Peninsula. Standing at a height of 20 meters once completed, the statue of the Hindu god, Vishnu, will be the highest statue in the world. Visitors can enjoy views of the sunrise and sunset from the park as well as theatrical dance performances at the display area depending on show schedules.

5. Sukawati Market

Sukawati Market is a well-known traditional art market situated in the village of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. The market sells traditional Balinese clothing, batik and crafts at affordable prices, and is a good place to practice your bargaining skills.

6. Jimbaran Beach

Best visited at night, Jimbaran beach is felled with cafes and restaurants that line the edge of the beach bustle with activity. Dinner by candlelight is a popular choice for couples as well as families looking to spend an enjoyable evening on the beach as well as seafood barbeques. There is also a fish auction center where you can purchase the daily catch.

7. Tanah Lot

The most renowned and one of Bali's most important sea temples would be the Tanah Lot temple. The temple sanctuary at Tanah Lot is perched on a large rock in the middle of the sea and only accessible at low tide when you can cross over and walk to the base of the temple, making it so unique. It is most popular for its serenity and cultural significance as it is associated with the Balinese mythology as one of the seven temples that form a ring in the southwest of Bali. It is a very popular tourist destination, especially in the late afternoon, towards sunset. The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.

8. Sanur Beach

Another famous tourist spot on the island of Bali would be Sanur Beach. Located just east of Denpasar, it is particularly popular with foreign tourists who come to surf the good waves. There are also several diving and snorkeling locations not far off Sanur Beach. Sanur Beach is also known as Sunrise Beach, as opposed to Kuta Beach, which is famous for its spectacular sunsets.

9. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

At the bottom of Monkey Forest Road lies a Balinese Hindu site called The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary populated by cheeky long-tailed macaques. It's a popular site with visitors to Ubud who come to see the hundreds of monkeys living in and around the monkey forest and the temples within the sanctuary. You can purchase food for them at the entrance gate but be warned that the monkeys are aggressive in their pursuit of food. They will think nothing of climbing on you or raking through your bag in search of something edible.

There are 3 temples within the forest, Pura Dalem (death temple), the Holy Bathing Temple and Pura Prajapati (funerary or cremation temple). All 3 of these temples are sacred, as is the forest and the monkeys, who are believed to protect the area from evil spirits.

10. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

Also known as Bali’s temple by the lake, this famous temple rests serenely at the edge of Lake Bratan. Do remember to bring a camera to capture the picturesque image of the beautifully structured temple along with its reflections on the clear lake.