Things to Do in Bali
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Bali, Indonesia, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Bali. Rice terraces cut into the hillsides, temples on nearly every corner, and surf breaks that draw people from across the globe, for once, I understand the fuss. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Bali: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the scooter ride. Seven main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Bali is famous for elaborate hillside rice terraces, farmed using an ancient irrigation system known as subak, a cooperative water management system recognised by UNESCO for its cultural and ecological significance, and still in active use today, not a preserved museum piece. Tegalalang, near Ubud, is the most visited and photographed terrace, dramatic stepped green hillsides that photograph exactly as well as you'd hope.
It gets busy, particularly midday with tour groups, an early morning or late afternoon visit gives a considerably calmer sense of the place, and better light for photos regardless.
Best time Early morning or late afternoon
Getting there About 20 minutes from central Ubud
Tanah Lot & Uluwatu Temples
Unlike most of Indonesia, Bali's population is predominantly Hindu, a distinct religious identity that shapes much of the island's temples, festivals, and daily rituals, small offerings placed on doorsteps and pavements are a constant, quietly beautiful part of everyday life here. Tanah Lot, a temple perched on a rock formation just offshore, and Uluwatu, set dramatically atop coastal cliffs, are the two most iconic temples for visitors, both especially striking at sunset.
Uluwatu also hosts a traditional Kecak fire dance performance most evenings, worth combining with a sunset temple visit if your timing allows.
Best time Sunset, for both temples
Hours Daily, roughly 7am–7pm
Surfing in Bali
Bali is world-famous among the surfing community for the quality of its breaks, consistent swells have made this one of the most popular surf destinations anywhere, with spots suited to every level from complete beginners at Kuta Beach to serious reef breaks at Uluwatu and Padang Padang for experienced surfers.
Lessons are widely available and reasonably priced, a good way to try the sport even if you've never surfed before, most beginner-friendly beaches offer board rental and instruction as a package.
Best time Dry season (Apr–Oct) for the most consistent conditions
Ubud
Bali's cultural heart, surrounded by rice terraces and jungle, and home to a properly strong arts scene, traditional dance performances, painting, woodcarving, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a shaded temple complex where long-tailed macaques roam freely (keep sunglasses and food well out of reach, they're skilled opportunists).
Ubud's markets and yoga studios have made it something of a wellness-tourism hub in recent years, but the older cultural core, gamelan music, traditional dance shows in the evening, remains well worth seeking out beneath the newer layer.
Hours Monkey Forest daily 8.30am–6pm
Address Ubud, central Bali
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
An active volcano in central Bali, and one of the island's most popular sunrise treks, roughly two hours of hiking in the dark to reach the summit before dawn, rewarded with sweeping views over the crater, Lake Batur below, and, on clear mornings, all the way to neighbouring Mount Agung.
Guides are effectively mandatory and worth having, both for navigation in the dark and local knowledge of the safest route, most treks include a simple breakfast cooked using the volcano's natural steam vents near the summit, a nice, if slightly gimmicky, touch.
Best time Start around 3–4am to reach the summit for sunrise
Getting there About 1.5–2 hours from Ubud or the southern beach areas
Seminyak & Canggu Beach Clubs
Bali's southern coast has developed a properly lively beach club scene, particularly around Seminyak and Canggu, infinity pools, DJ sets, and sunset cocktails right on the sand, a different side of the island from Ubud's rice terraces or Uluwatu's temples. Canggu in particular has become a real hub for the island's digital nomad and surf crowd.
Many beach clubs are free to enter with a minimum spend on food or drinks, worth checking individual venue policies, as they vary and some charge a straight entry fee during peak periods.
Best time Late afternoon into sunset
Address Seminyak and Canggu, southern Bali
Nusa Penida (day trip)
A rugged island a short boat ride from Bali's east coast, dramatic clifftop viewpoints (Kelingking Beach's T-Rex-shaped cliff is the famous one), turquoise water, and considerably fewer crowds than the main island's busier beaches. It's a full day trip in practice, factor in the boat crossing and the island's rough, hilly roads.
Renting a scooter or hiring a driver for the day are the two realistic ways to see the island's scattered viewpoints, public transport doesn't really cover it.
Getting there Fast boat from Sanur (about 45 minutes)
Best time A full day; go early to beat the crowds at the main viewpoints
Best time to visit Bali
April through October is the dry season and the best window for consistent weather, ideal for the Mount Batur trek, beach days, and rice terrace visits alike, though it's also the busiest and priciest stretch given how popular Bali has become.
The wet season (November through March) brings heavier, more frequent rain, particularly in the afternoons, still workable if you plan around it, and temples and cultural sights remain just as good regardless of season.
Getting around Bali
Scooter rental is the most common way to get around Bali, cheap and flexible, though traffic and road conditions demand real caution, particularly around Ubud, Kuta, and Seminyak. Ride-hailing apps work in most areas and are the easier option if you're not comfortable driving yourself. A private driver for the day is the practical choice for longer trips like Mount Batur or Nusa Penida.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bali worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, genuinely varied for one island, rice terraces, surf, temples, volcanoes, and beach clubs all within reach of each other.
- How many days do you need in Bali?
- Seven days gives a comfortable pace across Ubud, the southern beaches, and at least one day trip (Mount Batur or Nusa Penida); ten allows a more relaxed, less rushed itinerary.
- Is Bali expensive?
- Generally affordable, particularly for food, scooter rental, and temple entry, though Seminyak and Canggu's beach club and dining scene can run considerably higher than the rest of the island.
- What is Bali famous for?
- Its Hindu temples and religious culture (unusual within predominantly Muslim Indonesia), the subak rice terrace irrigation system, and being one of the world's most popular surf destinations.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
