34 Best Things to Do in Bali 2026: Prices, Hours & Tips

At Tirta Empul, a 10th-century water temple north of Ubud, Balinese Hindus queue at a row of carved spouts to be cleansed by spring water, a ritual called melukat. Visitors can join in, respectfully, in a bathing sarong.

Pair it with Goa Gajah on the way. If the crowds put you off, Gunung Kawi Sebatu, about 20 minutes north, is a calmer, greener water temple.

Just south-east of Ubud, Goa Gajah is an 11th-century cave sanctuary whose entrance is carved as a demon's mouth, with ancient bathing pools in front.

Most people stop at the cave, but the steps down to the river and the old relics below are the quiet, beautiful part.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands on a 70-metre cliff on the Bukit, and at sunset a choir of men chants "cak" in the open-air amphitheatre beside it, telling the Ramayana story with fire.

It's one of Bali's great evenings. Seats are first-come, first-served, so arrive early in high season.

Tanah Lot, a sea temple on a rock just off the Tabanan coast, is Bali's most famous sunset view. At low tide you can walk to its base to the holy spring.

Non-Hindus can't climb into the temple itself, but the cliff paths around Batu Bolong are perfect for golden hour.

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in central Ubud is home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques living among moss-covered temples and huge banyan trees.

The rules are there for good reason: don't feed, touch or stare at the monkeys, and leave food and loose items in the lockers at the entrance.

Penglipuran, in the hills of Bangli about an hour from Ubud, is one of the cleanest and best-preserved traditional villages in Bali: identical family gates line a single stone street, with a bamboo forest behind.

Walk up to the temple at the top, loop back through the bamboo forest, and try loloh cemcem, the village's herbal drink.

Every evening the courtyard of Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) becomes a stage for traditional dance, Legong, Barong and more, with a live gamelan orchestra.

Seating is unassigned, so arrive early for the front row. The palace courtyard is free to visit during the day.

On the road from Denpasar to Ubud, each village has its own craft: woodcarving in Mas, silver in Celuk and painting in Batuan. In Mas, see the Njana Tilem Museum and Siadja Gallery.

For a souvenir you'll keep, Bali Silver Class in Singapadu, next to Celuk, lets you make your own silver piece.

Opposite Ubud Palace, the Ubud Art Market, rebuilt in 2023, is packed with sarongs, baskets, woodcarvings and jewellery.

There are few fixed prices, so bargain politely and bring cash. Mornings are cooler, and some sellers offer a "first sale" discount.

On the slopes of Mount Batukaru, the Jatiluwih terraces are part of Bali's UNESCO-listed subak irrigation landscape, and the most spectacular rice fields on the island.

Your ticket includes the waymarked trails, from a one-hour loop to a four-hour walk deep into the working fields.

The classic Bali adventure: a pre-dawn hike up an active volcano to watch the sun rise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. The climb takes about two hours and is moderate.

You must go with a local registered guide; operators pick you up between 1:30 and 2:30 AM.

In the north, Sekumpul is a set of tall falls dropping into a green gorge, often called Bali's most beautiful waterfall. It's about 320–365 steep steps down.

Choose the viewpoint only, a medium trek to the falls, or a long trek that adds Fiji waterfall; treks include a village guide.

Near Singaraja, Aling-Aling is known for its natural rock slides and cliff jumps of up to 15 metres into deep pools.

Jumping and sliding are only allowed with a village guide, and can close in the wet season.

You don't need to drive north for a waterfall: Tegenungan, Tibumana and Kanto Lampo are all within 15–30 minutes of Ubud.

Tibumana is best for a swim; Kanto Lampo's stepped rock face is the most photogenic, and it even sells private 6 AM photo slots.

White-water rafting on the Ayung, past jungle walls and waterfalls near Ubud, is class 2–3 and suits first-timers and kids from 5. For bigger rapids, Telaga Waja in East Bali is class 3–4.

Mason Adventures, running since 1989, includes lunch and transfers.

The official Bali Swing park, now in Sidan east of Ubud, has swings that launch you out over the jungle, plus nests and photo platforms.

Many copycats use the name, so book direct on the official site.

Tandem flights launch from the clifftops of the Bukit peninsula and soar over the Indian Ocean. Riug Paragliding flies from Gunung Riug near Nusa Dua in the dry season.

Flights depend on the wind, so leave your afternoon flexible.

At about 1,200 metres, the Bedugul highlands are cool and misty, with the twin lakes Buyan and Tamblingan, hydrangea farms and forest trails.

Camp by Lake Buyan, or join a guided forest walk and traditional canoe crossing on Tamblingan.

At sunrise, small boats from Lovina head out to watch wild dolphins in the Bali Sea. It's a lovely morning, but a 2024 study found most boats get too close.

Choose a captain who keeps at least 50 metres away and doesn't chase the pods, and skip any swim-with-dolphins add-on.

Manta rays feed year-round off Nusa Penida's south-west coast, and snorkelling above them is unforgettable. Bali Hai's Nusa Penida Adventure Cruise adds Kelingking, Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach.

Certified divers can join a Manta Point dive trip instead.

Bali Hai's Ultimate Lembongan Day Cruise includes hotel transfers, a day on a pontoon with a 35-metre waterslide, snorkelling, SUP and kayaks, and a barbecue lunch at its beach club.

It's an easy, family-friendly day at sea.

Fast boats from Sanur reach Nusa Penida in about 45 minutes, for Kelingking Beach, Crystal Bay and Diamond Beach, or the slower pace of Lembongan and Ceningan.

Hire a driver on Penida, as the roads are steep and rough.

The USAT Liberty, a WWII cargo ship lying just off the beach at Tulamben, is one of the world's most accessible wreck dives. Amed and Menjangan Island are also superb.

AquaMarine Diving, a PADI 5 Star centre, runs day trips from the south.

Kuta's long sandy beach break is where generations of surfers stood up for the first time. Odysseys Surf School keeps groups small, with at most four students per instructor.

Canggu's Batu Bolong is the other classic beginner wave.

The calm water off Tanjung Benoa is Bali's water-sports hub: banana boats, jet skis, parasailing, flyboards and sea walking.

Prices vary widely, so agree the exact price and duration before you pay.

The three Gilis off Lombok have no cars, just bicycles and horse carts, with turtles in the shallows. Gili Getaway's fast boat from Serangan takes under four hours.

Gili T is the lively one, Gili Air the balanced one, and Gili Meno the quietest.

The Bukit's beaches are Bali's most beautiful: white-sand Melasti below limestone cliffs, Padang Padang tucked through a rock crevice, and wide, wild Nyang Nyang.

Entry is a small fee in cash at the gate.

A Balinese massage, a lulur scrub and a flower bath are the island's signature treat, from jungle spas in Ubud to classic day spas in Seminyak.

See our guide to the best day spas in Bali for prices and where to book.

From Seminyak to Uluwatu, Bali's beach clubs mix infinity pools, daybeds and DJs at sunset.

See our guide to the best beach clubs in Bali for minimum spends and booking tips.

Learn to grind your own bumbu spice paste and cook a Balinese feast. Paon Bali, in a family home in Laplapan near Ubud, is one of the best-loved classes.

The morning class includes a visit to the local market.

Nasi campur, babi guling, sate lilit and jaja Bali sweets are cheap, delicious and everywhere, from warungs to night markets.

See our guide to Bali's best street food for where to go.

Breakfast served on a tray floating in your pool is a Bali icon. If your villa doesn't offer it, Kamandalu Ubud sells it to non-guests too.

Kamandalu's version comes with a bottle of sparkling wine.

Bubble Hotel Bali has transparent bubble rooms in the jungle near Tampaksiring and on the cliffs at Nyang Nyang, made for stargazing.

Book direct for the lowest rate.

Trans Studio Bali in Denpasar is an indoor theme park with more than 16 rides and three shows, a good plan for a rainy day with kids.

Buy tickets online before the day you go.