What to do in Bali: beaches, temples, rice fields and nature
- Mar 2
- 6 min read
Bali is a destination that truly has it all: postcard-perfect beaches, sacred temples, endless rice fields, jungle waterfalls, and a relaxed energy that instantly makes you slow down.
In this guide, we share our must-dos in Bali to help you combine nature, beaches, culture, and downtime.
Quick Guide: What to Do in Bali
Best Things to Do in Bali
🌊 Beaches and Surf Spots
Bali’s beaches are incredibly diverse: cliffs, surf-friendly waves, stunning sunsets, and a laid-back yet lively atmosphere. They genuinely look like something out of a postcard.
Surfing in Bali 🏄♂️
Best beaches for surfing
Kuta Beach: Very popular with beginner surfers. Plenty of nightlife, bars, and a young, energetic vibe.
Canggu (Echo Beach / Batu Bolong): Waves for intermediate surfers, trendy cafés, live music, and a more bohemian feel.
Uluwatu (Padang Padang / Suluban): For more advanced surfers. Dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear water, and excellent beach clubs.
Beaches to simply enjoy the sea 🌴
Nusa Dua Beach: White sand and very calm water. Ideal for families, swimming, and relaxing without strong waves.
Jimbaran Beach: Famous for its beautiful sunsets and peaceful atmosphere.
🏝️ Nusa Penida beaches
If Bali already feels incredible, wait until you see Nusa Penida. It’s a neighboring island that feels like the raw, untamed version of paradise. You won’t find luxury beach clubs or perfectly paved roads here, you’ll find massive cliffs that take your breath away, bumpy roads that are absolutely worth it, and intensely blue water.
You can easily reach Nusa Penida from Bali by fast boat.
Most common departure points:
Sanur (the most popular and fastest)
Padang Bai
Benoa or Serangan (less frequent)
The journey usually takes 30–45 minutes depending on the sea conditions.
Highlights
🌊 Kelingking Beach: The cliff looks like a giant T-Rex diving into the ocean, and the color of the water is unreal. You can stay at the top for the iconic photo, or if you’re fit and up for a steep rocky descent, hike down to the sand. It’s a wild beach with strong waves.
🌊 Crystal Bay: If you’re craving something calmer after all those cliffs, this is the spot. A much more relaxed bay lined with palms, perfect for sunset with a beer in hand. You can also snorkel right there.
🌾 Walk through Bali’s rice fields
Walking through these fields isn’t just a tourist activity, it’s stepping into the spiritual and social heart of the island, where the ancient Subak irrigation system connects water, nature, and community.
Tegallalang (Ubud): One of the most iconic rice terraces in Bali, surrounded by jungle.
Jatiluwih: If you want Bali on a monumental scale, Jatiluwih is an ocean of rice stretching to the horizon at the foot of Mount Batukaru. No crowds here, just wind and flowing water through ancient canals.
Tirta Gangga: Around this famous water palace, the landscape feels refined and spiritual. Walking here is like wandering through a royal garden spilling into the hills.
Sidemen: In this deep valley, the paths aren’t made for tourists, they’re the same ones locals use to tend the land beneath the watch of Mount Agung.
🍹Relax at Bali’s beach clubs
Bali isn’t only about spirituality, it’s also a global hotspot for design-driven leisure. Its beach clubs are essential stops if you want to combine architecture, great food, and unforgettable sunsets.
Canggu
Finns Beach Club: Probably the island’s most iconic club. Multiple beachfront pools and international DJs create a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
La Brisa: Built entirely from reclaimed fishing boats, it has a rustic, bohemian aesthetic. One of the most magical places for sunset cocktails.
Seminyak
Potato Head: A Bali icon with cool design, music, cocktails, and great food. Perfect for art and music lovers.
Ku De Ta: More refined and elegant. Ideal for a relaxed luxury experience by the sea.
Uluwatu
Sundays Beach Club: At the base of a cliff with a private crystal-clear beach. Perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, and a full beach day.
Savaya (antes OMNIA): The ultimate party destination. Its iconic glass cube suspended over the ocean hosts Bali’s most exclusive events.
Mana Uluwatu: A peaceful oasis with panoramic views. Calm atmosphere and nature-integrated design make it exceptional for sunset.
Many beach clubs require a minimum spend or reservation, which varies by venue.
At Mana Uluwatu, the minimum is around €35 and includes loungers and towels. Considering you’d spend something similar on a meal out, we found it absolutely worth it.
Jungle pool clubs in the rice fields
If you prefer jungle over ocean, Ubud offers stunning pool clubs immersed in greenery:
🍹 Cretya Ubud: Currently the most famous, with terraced pools overlooking Tegallalang rice fields.
🍹 Wanna Jungle Pool & Bar (Kayon Jungle Resort): Three infinity pools, lush views, elegant and very relaxed.
🛕 Bali temples: the island’s spiritual soul
Exploring Bali means immersing yourself in a living spirituality expressed through thousands of temples (Puras). Each one tells a story and offers a unique landscape.
📍Pura Tanah Lot: Built on a rock formation in the sea, Bali’s most iconic temple silhouette. At high tide it’s completely surrounded by water, creating a mystical atmosphere. Famous for sunset.
📍Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu): Perched on a 70-meter cliff above the Indian Ocean. Don’t miss the Kecak fire dance at sunset.
⚠️ Watch out for the monkeys
Yes, just like you’ve seen in videos: they’re expert thieves.
Avoid loose sunglasses, jewelry, or accessories.
📍Pura Besakih: On the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s largest and holiest temple complex, made up of 23 temples.
📍Ulun Danu Bratan: On Lake Bratan in the cool highlands. When water levels rise, it appears to float.
📍Tirta Empul: Famous for its sacred spring waters. Visitors can participate in purification rituals.
📍Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven)
World-famous symmetrical view of Mount Agung through the gates. Arrive very early to avoid long waits.
🌋 Sunrise hike on Mount Batur
Mount Batur is an active volcano in northeast Bali, famous for sunrise treks.
Duration
Ascent: 1.5–2.5 h
Descent: 1–2 h
Tours usually start between 3:30–4:00 AM and include transport.
Price: around €25 per person.
Tips if you’re unsure
👟 Anyone with basic fitness can do it
👟 The sunrise makes every step worth it
👟 The descent is tougher on knees than expected
If it’s very cloudy, the experience loses a lot of its magic.
💦 Bali waterfalls
Sekumpul: The island’s wild jewel. Multiple falls hidden deep in jungle. The hike is tough and humid, but the view is unforgettable.
Tibumana: An easy palm-lined walk leading to a perfect single cascade with a calm swimming pool below.
Tukad Cepung: Not a typical open waterfall, water filters through a cave ceiling. If you arrive at midday, sun rays create an incredible light effect.
🛍️ Local markets and food 🍜
Ubud Art Market: The most famous for crafts, clothing, and souvenirs.
Compare prices and bargain.
Night markets: Perfect for cheap local snacks and dishes..
Must-try dishes:
Nasi goreng: Indonesia’s classic fried rice with spices, vegetables, fried egg, and crispy crackers.
Mie goreng: Sweet-savory fried noodles comforting and everywhere.
Babi guling: Balinese celebration dish: slow-roasted pork with ultra-crispy skin.
Restaurants we recommend in Uluwatu
⭐️The Cashew Tree: Healthy spot with fresh bowls and juices.
⭐️Single Fin: Famous ocean view. A bit pricier but excellent food.
Fun fact: they sell empanadas — we tried them and they were surprisingly good.
⭐️Mana Uluwatu: Resort-style pool and bar. Very calm, no loud music or flashy vibe. Minimum spend is easy to reach and totally worth it.
Our experience in Bali
As a vacation destination, Bali felt incredible to us. It has a hippie-bohemian energy that pulls you in immediately, and it’s quite affordable (depending on your travel style).
There’s so much to do, but above all it’s a place to slow down, relax, and reconnect with nature. We highly recommend it.
But… we can’t end without sharing a personal story 👀
⚠️ WATCH OUT FOR THE MONKEYS
One of my biggest doubts (Flor) was whether to enter temples wearing glasses. I watched countless videos and asked many people how aggressive the monkeys were… but honestly, it’s pure luck 😅
I decided to go in with them anyway, and yes, they snatched them straight off my face without even touching me.
They also tried to grab my phone. Luckily, temple staff often barter with food to recover stolen items.
It doesn’t happen to everyone, but we saw many monkeys wearing sunglasses, hats, and personal items. Trust us: fighting a monkey is not an experience you want. And if they bite, there’s disease risk and you’ll need medical care quickly.
Despite all that… they were fascinating to see 🐒
🇮🇩 Still planning your Bali trip?
If it’s your first time on the island (or you want to plan your route well), start with our main Bali guide, where we explain how the island works, when to go, and which areas to choose.
Bali offers an incredible variety of experiences, and how you plan your itinerary will shape your trip completely.
In our other guides we cover everything you need to plan your trip smoothly:
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