Last Updated on July 7, 2022 by Aswetravel
Best Places To Visit In Bali – Despite being such a small island, Bali is packed with so many beautiful areas and awesome experiences. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in the world.
What I love the most about Bali is how much cultural heritage they have, their colorful traditions and celebrations that seem to happen pretty much every day.
Best Places to Visit in Bali Indonesia
Almost every day we learned there was a religious celebration going on in some part of the island that we should go and see.
If you haven’t visit Indonesia (visit in Bali) yet, get a plane ticket and book a hotel.
Enjoy all this amazing destination offers.
- Best Places To Visit In Bali Indonesia
Ubud
After the movie ”Eat Pray Love” it’s probably quite busy in this little town in the middle of the island, but even before that movie, Ubud was popular for a very good reason: it’s the artistic hub of Bali.
Surrounded by rice paddies (which for the record you have to see – they’re beautiful!), this town was originally important as a source of medicinal herbs and plants, which is perhaps the reason why there are so many detox- and spa centers there.
If you have a few days to spare I’d really recommend trying a detox program, it totally goes with the spirit and vibe of Bali, and it’s so much cheaper than in the West.
In fact it might be cheaper even when including the cost of cheap flights to Bali, than a detox would at home.
Today Ubud is also known for the abundance of art and crafts sold there, and it’s a great place to base yourself when doing day trips to the nearby villages.
- Amed
Amed
Amed is perhaps one of the trickiest places in Bali to reach.
This can also be seen as a good thing, as there are pretty much NO tourists there, yet it’s the perfect place to go snorkeling or diving, find empty beaches and, for those who want to feel like they’re in the middle of nowhere – Amed is prefect.
Tenganan Village
A short moped ride away from Candidasa, you’ll find Tenganan Village, one of the ancient villages where the native Balinese people live.
Here houses and customs are the same as they always have been.
Apart from showing a few tourists around the village, inside their homes, and sharing their rare craft and art – things go on as normal.
- temples in Bali
Tanah Lot
There are way too many temples in Bali to count, but if you can only visit one temple, make sure it’s Tanah Lot.
This temple is unique because it’s located in such a beautiful location.
It’s a temple on a rock, surrounded by water and when the tide is high it’s actually inaccessible, even by boat because of the rocks.
The best time to visit is when there is an event or celebration going on.
It is definitely a highlight to check out the Balinese celebrations, where the locals dress up in beautiful traditional costumes, sing, dance, and carry large plates of food on their heads to sacrifice to the gods.
A good time to visit is May, as there are no school holidays in Australia, it’s not a high season for tourists and we’ve found some really cheap international flights to Bali around that time.
Things To Do In Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a small but compact island in Indonesia – with so much to see and do there, and such a strong local culture, it almost seems like a country in itself.
To see and do everything you need at least one month, but today we’ll show you some highlights for a short trip to Bali.
- The Artist Villages, Ubud
The Artist Villages, Ubud
Ubud is known as the artist center, it’s the hub where people from nearby villages come to sell their art.
Many of the local artists live in the outskirts of Ubud, and every village has their special art specialty.
Painters live in one village, wooden craft people in another, and jewelry makers in a third etc.
Visiting these places one by one is a great experience, as you get to meet the whole family of artists (the art form is normally inherited from father to son) and see them work.
Also make sure you check out the nearby monkey forest!
Visit Tenganan
Tenganan is an ancient village in the middle of nowhere, 5 km off the road from Candidasa.
It’s the oldest village in Bali, where the people have also kept their old pre-Hindu customs.
This village is a Bali Aga village (from the people who were there before the Hindu Javanese came to Bali).
It’s a really charming place to visit for a day.
You can walk around the village, visit a local’s home, let them weave you something using their traditional technique, or paint you something (like a traditional Aga story).
They normally just ask you for a small donation on entry – which goes toward keeping the village running.
Close to Tenganan, you can find a little village called Jasri where you can have a true local experience with the villagers and have an amazing rice field walk in Bali.
Relax in Amed
This is a place MOST people don’t even know about – we didn’t meet a single tourist while there for 7 days.
It’s easy to understand why celebrities choose this place as a drug-rehab location for a few months – no one will be able to find you!
If you want to relax in a place in the middle of nowhere, snorkel and enjoy some solitude, then Amed is the place to go.
There is not much to do here, but just relaxing and enjoying the green nature and good swimming.
WARNING: there are no shops, ATM machines or anything there, so make sure you bring enough cash before you leave Kuta – we made this mistake! :p
Shop and Surf in Kuta
If you’re into surfing and shopping – then you’ll love Kuta.
The shopping here is cheap, and all the main surf brands have set up huge stores full of surf clothes- plus the beach is nice and the surfing can be awesome!
You can easily hire a surfboard on the beach and go play in the water – Kuta is also the center for partying in Bali.
- Green Bali Rice Fields
Rice Fields
Bali is the greenest place I’ve ever seen. Nowhere else have I seen so many different shades of green, in such a beautiful scenery.
The best way to enjoy the nature is to visit a rice field and walk through the middle of this green heaven.
There are some beautiful photo moments to get there.
Bali Rice Fields
When I think about Bali, the first thing which comes to mind is GREEN – everything there is such an incredible shade of green.
To really experience this green-ness, make sure you head out to the Bali rice fields.
Balinese Dance Show
A show full of colors, amazing dresses, dances and humor – the story is the same but they always change their approach depending on the audience.
If you for example watch when the audience is full of teenage school classes, they will put in more childish humor and sex jokes, while for an older audience they stress other things.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is a temple built on a rock by the sea, in the most beautiful setting.
Coming here during a celebration or ceremony is a great experience.
When we went there – there was a huge party where locals had traveled from long distances (many of them had walked the whole way), bringing food and other sacrifices, dressed in their special outfits.
Balinese music was playing, they were singing and there was golden decorations and dragons everywhere.
Top 5 Attractions In Bali Indonesia
From spectacular beaches to majestic temples and unique cultural displays, Top 5 Attractions In Bali Indonesia is a favored destination for travelers in search of something exotic.
This Indonesian province encompasses the isle of Bali as well as a few neighboring islands, and is home to most of the country’s Hindu minority.
Bali is treasured for its rich culture, with music and arts that date back several centuries.
Whether you’re staying at a hotel or renting one of the many available villas in Bali, make sure you plan to visit some of these memorable Top 5 Attractions In Bali Indonesia attractions.
Besakih Temple Bali Indonesia
Perched 1,000 meters up on Mount Agung, Besakih is known as Bali’s “Mother Temple”.
It is the largest and holiest temple on the island, with a breathtaking view of rice paddies and nearby hills and streams.
It is said that the first revelation from Balinese Hindu God Hyang Rsi Markendya was received here.
The main structure consists of three temples, dedicated to the Hindu trinity.
Also, Besakih is the only temple open to devotees from any caste group.
Mount Batur Bali Indonesia
Also known as Kintamani, this active volcano is renowned for majestic views of its surrounding valley.
The beautiful Lake Batur fills a large part of its caldera, and down below are three ancient villages set among hot springs and fertile lava fields.
With its mineral-rich soil, this area is a noted producer of high quality fruits and vegetables.
Hiking up Mount Batur usually takes at least three hours, and official guides are recommended.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces/Ubud
Ubud is famed for beautiful rice paddies that employ subak, a traditional cooperative irrigation system originally brought by a revered holy man from India in the 8th century.
Tegallalang is a perfect spot from which to view this dramatic scenery.
Its high roadside location is a favorite among painters and photographers, as it looks down across a green terraced valley of rice paddies.
The nearby village of Pakudui is full of woodworking artisans, making it an ideal place to shop for authentic Balinese sculpture and other wooden crafts.
Tanah Lot Temple
Along with Besakih, this is one of Bali’s most important temples.
It sits on an offshore rock, which has been shaped by years of ocean tides.
Tanah Lot is revered for a mystic beauty that includes gorgeous sunset backdrops.
According to legend, a high priest from East Java traveled here in the 15th century to spread Hinduism and established the site to honor the sea god Baruna.
Bali Indonesia Safari And Marine Park
Covering 40 hectares in the Gianyar regency, this park is home to over 60 species of animals that roam free in large enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitats.
There are animals from Indonesia, India and Africa, including sharks, baboons, Himalayan bears, and the famous Indian white tiger.
Camel and elephant rides are available, and there are fascinating exhibits such as a replica of the ancient Indian fort where white tigers roam free.
There’s also a guided safari tour that offers the chance to see and photograph exotic wildlife in the open range.
Balinese Day Of Silence (The Bali New Year)
Last year we had the fortune – or misfortune – to celebrate the Balinese New Year during our visit in Bali.
In the western world you open the new year by painfully trying to figure out what the hell happened the night before.
In Bali you open the new year very different- by softly reflecting on your life.
The Balinese New Year is a day of 100% silence – and by the time we had woken up it was already silent, deafeningly silent.
The only thing making any noise were the ocean waves.
Even the birds kept quiet! Sounds like a dream, right?
It was HELL!
Sunset In Bali On The Day Of Silence
You know that pleasant soothing sound of waves breaking by the shore?
It’s nice as a background sound, but being the only thing making a noise was slowly driving me crazy.
I felt like I couldn’t even hear my own thoughts!
On the Day of Silence everything is closed – even the AIRPORT in Bali is closed down for 24 hours.
Nobody is allowed to go outside their houses, and you’re not allowed to play music or watch movies.
We stayed in a pretty little hotel right by the sea with an amazing view over the water and beach (see the picture above).
But we weren’t allowed to go swimming in the ocean.
So it was over 30 degrees and this hotel had no pool, no TV, and no internet.
They had hung up big heavy curtains on the hotel to shut off the street, which was empty.
And as if that wasn’t enough, for some reason I still can’t understand, Nathan convinced me to do a food fast for the whole day.
Fast! No food?!
And I agreed?!
When there is nothing to do, you EAT!
You really make some strange decisions in strange situations.
Bali Bombing Memorial
This was such a sad event, and it was really moving to be walking through the middle of Kuta and see this memorial.
So many young people lost their lives there, and it really makes you appreciate the moments we have in this life.
I had a funny feeling that fate had something to do with it all, and I was certain of it when I soon realized that the only book I had to read in my room was called.
‘The Science of Self- Realization’
I felt as if Life was laughing at me playing its little tricks.
But it’s well thought through, this day of silence – it really does the job, and serves its purpose.
Because when there is nothing to do and it’s completely quiet, there is nothing to distract me, stimulate me and blind me from my ego and my thoughts.
So I found myself for the first time in a long while, sitting silent and alone in my room, hearing my thoughts – and for once, actually listening to them.
Transformation takes place, leaving you feeling so peaceful and happy!
Well these are some of the best things to do next time you visit in Bali.
Also a great way to see many of these in 1 day is to hire a taxi and tour guide for the day (it’s really cheap!).
We got one guy and he took us for an 8 hr tour around Bali, which turned into 14 hrs for the same price.
Amazing and really great to have a local tell you about everything.
