Best Places to Visit in Bali

Tanah Lot is arguably Bali's single most photographed landmark. This 16th-century Hindu temple sits on a rocky outcrop just offshore, completely surrounded by crashing Indian Ocean waves at high tide. Founded by the Javanese priest Dang Hyang Nirartha during his travels across Bali, Tanah Lot remains an active place of worship dedicated to the sea gods who protect the island. The temple itself is off-limits to non-worshippers, but the real spectacle is the setting. Arrive around 5:00 PM to secure a good vantage point along the cliffside walkway. As the sun drops toward the horizon, the temple becomes a dramatic black silhouette against bands of orange and purple sky. The surrounding area has been developed with manicured gardens, cultural park performances, and a string of souvenir shops, but the sunset view remains genuinely breathtaking. At low tide you can walk across the exposed rock to the base of the temple where priests offer blessings and there is a small freshwater spring that locals consider sacred despite being surrounded by saltwater. The entire complex also includes a smaller temple on a cliff directly above, which offers a less crowded perspective for photographs.

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces, located about 20 minutes north of central Ubud, are the most visited rice terraces in Bali and for good reason. The steep valley creates a cascading amphitheater of bright green paddies that follow the contours of the hillside in sweeping curves. This landscape is maintained using the traditional Balinese subak irrigation system, a UNESCO-recognized cooperative water management method that has sustained Balinese agriculture for over a thousand years. Walking through the terraces involves descending narrow paths between paddies, crossing bamboo bridges, and navigating steps carved into the earth. Several swing attractions and Instagram-friendly photo spots have been built along the route, which can feel commercial, but if you push past the first section and walk deeper into the valley, you will find quieter stretches where farmers still tend their crops by hand. The terraces cycle through distinct visual phases: flooded and mirror-like during planting season, vivid emerald green as the rice grows, and golden yellow just before harvest. There is no single best time because each phase has its own beauty. The rice is typically harvested every three to four months, so the exact appearance depends on when you visit.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu commands one of the most spectacular positions of any temple in Southeast Asia: a narrow limestone promontory jutting 70 meters above the Indian Ocean on Bali's southwestern tip. One of six key directional temples believed to protect Bali from evil spirits, Uluwatu dates back to the 10th century and is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in his manifestation as Rudra, the god of the wind. The temple grounds are home to a large population of long-tailed macaques who are considered guardians of the temple. They are entertaining to watch but notoriously skilled at snatching sunglasses, hats, phones, and anything shiny or dangling. Secure your belongings in zippered pockets or bags before entering. The undisputed highlight is the nightly Kecak fire dance performed at the open-air amphitheater on the cliff edge. Starting at 6:00 PM as the sun sets behind the stage, a chorus of 50 or more bare-chested men chant rhythmic vocal patterns while enacting scenes from the Ramayana epic. The combination of the hypnotic chanting, dramatic fire elements, and the ocean sunset backdrop creates an unforgettable performance. Tickets sell out quickly during high season, so book through your hotel or arrive by 5:00 PM to secure seats.

Tirta Empul is one of Bali's holiest water temples, founded in 926 AD around a natural spring that Balinese Hindus believe was created by the god Indra. The temple is located in the village of Tampaksiring, about 30 minutes northeast of Ubud, and attracts both worshippers and visitors who come to participate in the melukat purification ritual. The purification pools are the centerpiece of the experience. A series of carved stone spouts pour sacred spring water into two long rectangular pools. Balinese worshippers and respectful visitors enter the waist-deep water wearing sarongs and move from spout to spout in a specific order, bowing their heads under each stream while offering prayers. Each spout is believed to have a different spiritual purpose, from cleansing negative energy to bringing prosperity. Participation in the purification is open to visitors, but it is a genuine religious practice rather than a tourist activity. Proper etiquette requires wearing a sarong and sash provided at the entrance, following the correct sequence of spouts (staff will guide you), and approaching the ritual with sincere respect. Women who are menstruating are traditionally asked not to enter the pools. Beyond the pools, the inner temple courtyard contains beautifully carved stone shrines and the actual spring source, visible as sand bubbling up through crystal-clear water in a walled pool.

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, known locally as Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, covers roughly 12.5 hectares of dense tropical forest right in the heart of Ubud town. Home to over 1,200 Balinese long-tailed macaques and three ancient Hindu temples dating back to the 14th century, this is a place where nature conservation and Balinese spiritual life coexist in the same space. Walking through the forest on paved pathways, you will pass towering banyan trees draped in hanging roots, moss-covered stone statues that look centuries old, and a picturesque ravine spanned by a dragon-themed bridge. The monkeys roam freely and are accustomed to humans, making for incredible wildlife encounters. They are generally calm if you follow the rules: no food, no direct eye contact interpreted as aggression, no touching, and no sudden movements. The temples within the forest are active places of worship. Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, the main temple, is dedicated to Shiva and features elaborate stone carvings being slowly consumed by moss and tree roots. The bathing temple at the bottom of the ravine, with its carved fountains and pools, is particularly atmospheric. While the inner sanctuaries are restricted to worshippers, the exterior architecture and the interplay between carved stone and living forest create an almost mystical atmosphere. The forest also serves as an important conservation area. Staff conduct regular health checks on the monkey population and manage the forest ecosystem to protect rare tree species and the natural spring that feeds the ravine.

Bali's top attractions are spread across the island, which means strategic planning is essential to avoid spending your entire holiday in a car. The key is to group destinations by geographic proximity rather than trying to visit everything in a single marathon day. For a south-based itinerary from Seminyak, Kuta, or Canggu, pair Tanah Lot with Taman Ayun temple for a western half-day trip, and save Uluwatu for a separate afternoon-into-evening outing that culminates with the Kecak dance at sunset. Both trips require about 45 minutes of driving each way. For the Ubud area, combine the Monkey Forest with Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Tirta Empul in a single full day. Start early at the Monkey Forest when it opens at 8:30 AM, drive 20 minutes north to Tegallalang for mid-morning, then continue another 15 minutes to Tirta Empul. You can add Gunung Kawi on the return route. Hiring a driver for the day typically costs IDR 500,000 to 700,000 (approximately USD 32 to 45) including fuel, and is far less stressful than navigating Bali's narrow roads yourself. If you have limited time, prioritize based on your interests: Uluwatu and its Kecak dance for dramatic scenery and culture, Tirta Empul for spiritual experiences, Tegallalang for iconic photography, and the Monkey Forest for a unique nature encounter within walking distance of Ubud's restaurants and shops.