Things to Do in Bali

Things to Do in Bali: A Local Expert’s Guide

There are endless things to do in Bali, and that’s exactly why first-time visitors can feel a little overwhelmed. Temples and rice terraces, surf beaches and volcanoes, sacred culture and buzzing beach clubs — the Island of the Gods packs a lot into a small space. As a local Indonesian team that’s guided travellers across Bali and beyond since 2006, here’s our honest guide to the experiences worth your time, who each one suits, and how to weave them into a trip that’s truly yours.

For the practical side of planning — when to go, how long to stay, getting around — see our other Bali guides. This page is about the what to do.

Explore Ubud, Bali’s Cultural Heart

If Bali has a soul, it lives in Ubud. Set among emerald rice fields and river valleys, this town is the centre of Balinese art, dance and spirituality. Wander the Ubud Royal Palace and the lively art market. Meet the cheeky residents of the Sacred Monkey Forest. In the evening, watch a hypnotic Legong or Kecak dance performed to live gamelan.

Ubud is also the base for many of our trips. Our Bali Cultural Discovery Tour digs deep into this side of the island, while our Bali Adventure Tour uses Ubud as a springboard for active days.

Best for: culture lovers, first-timers, couples.

Walk the Rice Terraces & Chase Waterfalls

Bali’s landscapes are postcard-famous, and rightly so. The sculpted Tegallalang rice terraces near Ubud are the classic shot. For something grander and quieter, the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih terraces stretch to the horizon. Dotted across the island are dozens of jungle waterfalls — Tegenungan is the easiest to reach, while Sekumpul and Aling-Aling reward a longer trip.

These gentle nature outings suit almost everyone, and they’re a lovely contrast to temple days and beach days.

Best for: photographers, families, anyone who loves green scenery.

Visit the Iconic Temples

Bali is dotted with thousands of temples, and a few are unmissable. Tanah Lot sits on a rock just offshore and is magic at sunset. Uluwatu perches on a dramatic clifftop, with a fiery Kecak dance each evening. Inland, the holy spring of Tirta Empul offers a purification ritual, and Besakih — the Mother Temple — rises on the slopes of Mount Agung.

A quick tip from us: dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered, and a sarong (usually provided) at temple entrances.

Best for: culture and history lovers, sunset chasers.

Chase Adventure: Volcanoes, Rafting & Cycling

Bali rewards the active traveller. The pre-dawn trek up Mount Batur, an active volcano, delivers a sunrise you won’t forget. The Ayung River near Ubud offers white-water rafting that’s exciting yet beginner-friendly. Downhill cycling through rice-field villages is a gentle way to see rural Bali up close.

We bundle the best of these into our Bali Adventure Tour — a six-day active trip with the volcano, the river and more.

Best for: active couples, families with teens, groups of friends.

Relax on the Beaches of the South

When it’s time to slow down, Bali’s south delivers. Seminyak brings stylish beach clubs and sunset cocktails. Jimbaran is famous for fresh seafood grilled on the sand. Uluwatu’s clifftop beaches draw surfers and sun-seekers, while Sanur and Nusa Dua offer calm, family-friendly water.

Each corner has its own mood, so we match the beach base to the kind of trip you want.

Best for: beach lovers, honeymooners, families.

Island-Hop to Nusa Penida & Lembongan

Just off Bali’s southeast coast lie the Nusa islands, and they’re spectacular. Nusa Penida has Bali’s most dramatic scenery — the T-Rex-shaped Kelingking cliff, the natural pool of Angel’s Billabong, and manta rays at Manta Point. Nearby Nusa Lembongan is calmer and great for families.

Our Bali and Nusa Penida Tour makes the most of these islands without the logistics headache.

Best for: adventurous couples, photographers, snorkellers.

Snorkel, Dive & Reach the Gili Islands

Bali’s waters are full of life. You can snorkel coral gardens at Menjangan Island in the northwest, or dive the famous wreck at Tulamben in the east. Many travellers also use Bali as a launch pad to Lombok’s car-free Gili Islands, where turtles glide over the reefs.

If island time calls, our Bali and Gili Islands Tour pairs Bali’s culture with the Gilis’ beaches.

Best for: snorkellers, divers, island-hoppers.

Bali for Families & Honeymooners

Bali is wonderfully welcoming, whatever your trip. Families love the gentle waterfalls, wildlife parks, calm beaches and the famous jungle swings — all built into our Bali Family Holiday Tour. Couples come for the romance: private villas, floating breakfasts, couples’ spa days and clifftop sunsets, which is the heart of our Bali Honeymoon and Wellness Tour.

Best for: families with kids, honeymooners, anniversary trips.

Combine Bali With More of Indonesia

One of the best things about Bali is how easily it connects to the rest of the country. Add Java for the temples of Borobudur and the volcanoes of Bromo on our Java and Bali Trip. Sail east to see the dragons on our Bali and Komodo Tour. Or cross to Lombok and the Gilis with our Bali and Lombok Trip.

Best for: travellers with 10+ days who want more than one island.

Planning Your Bali Trip

A few quick local pointers. The dry season, around April to October, is the most popular and reliable time to visit. The wet season is greener, quieter and still very doable, with short afternoon showers. Three to four days covers the highlights; a week lets you mix culture, nature and beach; ten days or more opens up the Nusa islands or a second island. Distances look small but traffic is slow, so a private driver-guide is the easiest way to get around.

Let’s Plan Your Bali Days Together

The real joy of Bali is how freely these experiences combine — adventurous or restful, cultural or coastal, just the two of you or the whole family. As a local team on the ground since 2006, that’s exactly what we love to help with.

Tell us what you’re dreaming of and we’ll craft a private, tailor-made trip around it. Message us anytime on WhatsApp, or browse our full range of Bali tours and packages. As always, we’re happy to share a local’s advice — whether you book with us or not.