Bali is a small island with a big personality. Part of Indonesia, it is the only province where most people follow Balinese Hinduism, and you feel it everywhere: in the temple gates at the end of every lane, the woven palm-leaf offerings placed on doorsteps each morning and the processions of people in white and gold heading to ceremonies.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
April to October, the dry season, with May, June and September a little quieter.
How long
Seven to ten days to combine Ubud, the highlands and the coast.
Getting there
Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport in the south of the island.
Why visit Bali
Bali packs an extraordinary range into a compact space. In a single day you can watch a traditional dance in a palace courtyard, walk through rice fields shaped by a thousand-year-old irrigation system, and end with a sunset over the Indian Ocean.
The island also suits many kinds of trips. Surfers come for the reef breaks of the Bukit Peninsula, divers for the coral and wrecks of the east coast, hikers for the volcano trails, and families for the calm beaches of Sanur and Nusa Dua.
Ubud and the central rice country
Ubud town and the Sacred Monkey Forest
Ubud, in the foothills north of the airport, has long been Bali's cultural heart, home to painters, wood carvers, dancers and musicians.
Allow a full day for the town and an hour or two for the forest.
Tegallalang rice terraces
North of Ubud, the Tegallalang rice terraces step down both sides of a palm-filled valley. The terraces are watered by subak, the cooperative irrigation system that Balinese farmers have managed through water temples for centuries.
Allow one to two hours. Practical tip: arrive soon after sunrise to beat the heat and the crowds, and expect farmers to ask for small donations at points along the paths, which help maintain the fields.
Tirta Empul
Near Tampaksiring, northeast of Ubud, Tirta Empul is a temple built around a sacred spring.
Allow one to two hours. Practical tip: you will need to wear a sarong and sash, usually provided at the entrance, and a separate cloth for entering the water.
Jatiluwih rice terraces
West of Ubud in the Tabanan regency, beneath the slopes of Mount Batukaru, Jatiluwih has the most extensive rice terraces on the island. The area is part of the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province, inscribed by UNESCO in 2012 for its subak system.
Allow half a day including the drive. Practical tip: combine Jatiluwih with Pura Ulun Danu Beratan and the highlands in one day, and bring a light layer, as it can be cool and misty.
Highlands, volcanoes and the sacred east
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
In the cool highlands near Bedugul, Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a water temple on the shore of Lake Beratan, dedicated to the goddess of the lake.
Allow one to two hours. Practical tip: go in the morning, when the lake is often calm and before afternoon clouds roll in, and stop at the fruit and vegetable market in Candikuning on the way.
Mount Batur
Mount Batur is an active volcano within a wide caldera in the Kintamani area, with a crescent-shaped lake at its foot. A pre-dawn hike to the summit is one of Bali's most popular adventures.
Allow most of a day, including an early pickup. Practical tip: hike with a licensed local guide, wear sturdy shoes and a warm jacket, and check current conditions, as access can be restricted when volcanic activity increases.
Pura Besakih
On the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung, Bali's highest and most sacred volcano, Pura Besakih is the island's mother temple, a complex of more than twenty temples climbing the mountainside.
Allow two to three hours. Practical tip: wear a sarong and sash, and use the official visitor services at the entrance.
Sidemen, Amed and Lempuyang
Beyond Besakih, the Sidemen valley offers rice fields, weaving workshops and quiet guesthouses with views of Mount Agung.
Allow at least two nights if you want to explore the east properly.
Planning a trip to Bali?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Bali on Expedia.Book nowThe south coast and the islands
Uluwatu Temple
At the southwest tip of the Bukit Peninsula, Pura Luhur Uluwatu clings to a cliff high above crashing waves. It is one of Bali's important sea temples, and paths along the clifftop give sweeping ocean views.
Allow two to three hours, including the dance. Practical tip: the monkeys here are notorious for snatching glasses, hats and phones, so secure everything.
Tanah Lot
On the southwest coast, beyond Canggu, Tanah Lot is a temple perched on a rock island that is cut off by the sea at high tide.
Allow one and a half to two hours. Practical tip: check tide times, as access to the base depends on low tide, and arrive in the late afternoon to find a good viewpoint along the cliffs before sunset.
Beaches of the south
The south has several distinct beach areas. Seminyak and Canggu are known for surf, sunset bars and cafes.
Allow as much time as you like. Practical tip: rip currents are common on the west coast, so swim between the flags where lifeguards are present.
Nusa Penida
Southeast of Bali across the Badung Strait, Nusa Penida is a rugged island of limestone cliffs and turquoise coves.
Allow a full day, or better, one or two nights. Practical tip: fast boats run from Sanur; roads on the island are rough and narrow, so hire a local driver rather than riding a scooter.
Food and local flavors
Balinese food is built on a spice paste called base genep, which blends shallots, garlic, galangal, turmeric, chilies and other aromatics.
For an everyday meal, try nasi campur, rice with small portions of vegetables, meats, peanuts and sambal, or nasi jinggo, a small packet of rice and toppings sold at night. Look for sambal matah, a fresh relish of raw shallots, lemongrass and chili.
Popular dishes to try in Bali
Where to stay
Ubud suits travelers interested in culture, crafts, wellness and rice-field walks, and makes an ideal base for central Bali.
Seminyak and Canggu suit those who want beaches, surf, nightlife and cafes.
For a slower pace, consider a few nights in Sidemen or Amed in the east, or Munduk in the highlands.
Where to stay in Bali
Best time to visit
Bali is warm all year. The dry season, from roughly April to October, brings sunnier days, lower humidity and the best conditions for volcano hikes and diving.
The wet season, from about November to March, brings heavy afternoon showers and high humidity, but also lush landscapes and fewer visitors.
Getting there and getting around
Ngurah Rai International Airport, also called Denpasar airport, is in the south of the island between Kuta and Jimbaran, with flights from across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Public transport is limited, so most visitors hire a private car with a driver for day trips, which is affordable and removes the stress of navigating busy, narrow roads.
A suggested itinerary
First and second days
Base yourself in Ubud. Walk the Campuhan Ridge at sunrise, visit the Sacred Monkey Forest and the Ubud Art Market, and watch a dance performance at the palace in the evening.
Third and fourth days
Hike Mount Batur for sunrise on the third day and rest in the afternoon. On the fourth day, drive west to Jatiluwih and Pura Ulun Danu Beratan in the highlands.
Fifth and sixth days
Head east to Pura Besakih and the Sidemen valley, then spend a night in Amed to snorkel or dive at Tulamben.
Final days
Move to the south coast.
Practical tips
- Wear a sarong and sash at all temples, and cover your shoulders.
- Do not step on the small offerings, called canang sari, on pavements and doorsteps.
- Pay the Bali tourist levy online before arrival and keep the confirmation.
- Drink bottled or filtered water and be cautious with ice and raw food in small stalls.
- Keep your distance from monkeys and stray dogs, and seek medical advice after any bite or scratch.
- Hire a driver for long day trips rather than riding a scooter in heavy traffic.
- Swim between lifeguard flags; rip currents are common on the west coast.
