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Among the many things to see and do in Bali are spectacular sunrises at Gunung Batur volcano and icy-cold spring water at the Pura Tirta Empul temple.
Places where you may even undergo spiritual purification dazzling green rice terraces near Ubud and bustling Canggu with its fashionable cafes and surfer beaches.
10 Top-Rated Places in Bali (With My Best Insider Tips)
One feature sets the Pura Tirta Empul temple complex apart from the rest: the cleansing force of its sacred and crystal-clear spring water.
You can do like the Balinese do and cleanse your soul in the freezing waters of the ponds.
To get the most out of this experience, you need a guide who can explain each step in detail, from pre-washing preparation to the actual ritual itself, and who will be with you throughout the procedure.
For example, as part of my Panchakarma treatment in Ubud, I visited Pura Tirta Empul’s hallowed springs.
On the first day of my Ayurvedic week, I needed to get rid of excess weight and mental clutter by participating in this ritual.
Holding my head under the ice-cold water three times each jet, I had to visualize what I wanted to let go of for good. Definitely one to remember.
My guide also escorted me to an authentic Balinese shaman after the purification.
Make sure you pack a bikini or trunks if you visit the Pura Tirta Empul shrine in Indonesia.
Because the water is so freezing, bringing a thick sweater for later is a good idea.
I know it’s true for someone who has suffered frostbite because I did.
The Gunung Kawi Royal Tombs are one of Bali’s most popular tourist attractions.
Near the holy springs of Pura Tirta Empul and the city of Tampaksiring, the Royal Tombs of Gunung Kawi seem like something out of an Indiana Jones film.
In total, there are about 300 stairs leading down to 10 stone tombs that have been carved out of solid rock. There are rumors that they were made by an enormous creature’s claws.
The location of the royal burial plots is likewise notable.
Gunung Kawi is a valley of rice fields and a bubbling river, a magnificent sight to see.
Take a stroll through the beautiful rice terraces and forest surrounding the royal graves while at the sprawling temple grounds.
Watch the sunrise from the top of Gunung Batur, Indonesia’s most active volcano.
At 1,717 meters above sea level, Gunung Batur is Bali’s tallest and most active volcano.
Volcanic eruptions have often demolished entire villages in the fertile plain beneath it, spewing red-hot lava rocks.
This hasn’t happened in almost two decades. If you ever get the chance, don’t miss out on seeing Bali’s gorgeous highlands before morning.
There are three ways to go on a tour like this: For example, you may join a professional guide on a half-day climb to Gunung Batur’s crater rim in the early morning to witness the sunrise.
However, if you choose this option, you may expect to be picked up from your hotel at 1 a.m. And that a 2-hour hike up a somewhat steep hill may be tiring.
After that, you may unwind in Kintamani’s hot thermal springs.
As a final choice, I settled on the following: Gunung Batur is clearly visible from Kintamani’s various cafes and restaurants’ terraces, which are located right next to the volcano.
As the town’s main highway meanders through Kintamani, its homes and amenities are woven together like pearls.
Simply choose the most visually appealing café or restaurant and watch the dawn from there.
The terrace is a great place to curl up a blanket from your hotel room. Since Kintamani is at 1,470 meters above sea level, the mornings may be cool up there! My guide and I rode our mountain bikes back to Ubud after the sun had risen, and I had a delicious breakfast.
For over three hours, you’ll be descending through some of Bali’s most breathtaking countryside. This is a must-try!
Camping on the rim of a crater is another option. Two days are required for this fascinating guided tour.
Organizers furnish the tents and all of the supporting infrastructure.
Gunung Batur is a great place to see both sunrise and sunset. I’d love to make this trip again the next time I’m in Bali!
The Bali Volcano Tour of Gunung Batur
The most beautiful rice terraces on the island of Bali are found here.
With its lush green rice terraces tucked into the Indonesian hillside, Bali is one of the world’s most beautiful places to visit.
Bali has no “best” rice terraces since there are so many gorgeous rice fields to be seen in the island’s many small villages.
Although Bali has many beautiful terraced fields, I’d want to focus on two in particular: Ubud and Canggu.
It would be a disgrace to award a prize for Bali’s most beautiful rice terraces to anyone other than Tegallalang!
Those little rice plants are clearly seen here in their vibrant green hues. It is gorgeous in the early morning when the sun just begins to break through the palm trees’ foliage.
Your life will be forever changed by a trek over the high slopes, constantly balancing the narrow dividing lines between the several fields!
Several warungs and cafes are lining the street.
They include little terraces from which you can take in the surrounding rice fields.
Between the cafés and restaurants, little alleys go down the slope and into the lush greenery below them.
Take your time and explore thoroughly, as the light, shadows, and fundamental perspective change with each new hill!
Tegallalang, on the other hand, does not charge visitors or parking fees. The locals, though, have been known to pay a small fee. A parking lot and checkpoints were set up among the rice terraces.
Paying for it would be a good idea, wouldn’t you? The rice growers are appreciative of the small token of appreciation.
The Tegallalang rice terraces are best visited early in the day to avoid crowds. Scooters traveling north from Ubud can take you there in 20 minutes.
Nearly 700 meters above sea level, Jatiluwih is Bali’s second most gorgeous rice terrace area after Tegallalang.
Ubud’s rich jungle-like flora of palm trees, shrubs, and bushes may be seen in Tegallalang. However, Bali’s highlands lack the luxuriant vegetation found there.
You can see the horizon across the broad plain of green-glowing fields. You can even see the ocean on a clear day!
It’s not as busy in Jatiluwih as in Tegallalang, and the sunrise views of the sea are framed by the gigantic Gunung Batukaru volcano, which towers 2,276 meters above sea level, are just magnificent.
In 2012, the Jatiluwih rice fields were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Because of this, the roadside barrier charges a parking fee of 5,000 rupees (or 30 cents) and an admittance price of 40,000 rupees (or 2.60 euros).
You’ll find a slew of warungs and eateries along the main street serving delicious local food.
I went to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces with Fairaway, a German travel agency, as part of a private day trip.
Due to this company’s strong commitment to supporting the local economy, it uses only drivers and guides from the island to ensure a truly authentic and memorable experience for all its guests.
My favorite place in Bali is unquestionably the city of Ubud!
However, even though many people are now expressing dissatisfaction with how much Ubud has changed over the years, I still find this region simply magical.
I think the atmosphere here is one of the best I’ve ever experienced, and the surrounding countryside is a dream come true with its lush rice paddies and jungle-like beauty!
Yes, I’ve been to a retreat before. For those of you who have always wanted to do anything like this, Ubud is the spot.
Learning how to eliminate energy blockages in the body took me a week. This yoga retreat in Ubud included a trip to see an authentic Balinese shaman, and it was an incredible experience!
There is so much to see and see in and around Ubud. A separate post will be written about this in the coming weeks.
One of my favorite restaurants is The Pomegranate.
Enjoy a nice Bintang beer while watching the sunset over the lush green rice terraces on the horizon.
The Cafe Pomegranate sits in the center of some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. To be honest, even the trek there is an experience in and of itself.
Intuitive Flow is a small yoga studio nestled on a hill overlooking the lush flora and bustling streets of Ubud. She’s a beautiful person and an excellent teacher. Yoga Barn and other places like this are a terrific alternative!
Try the delicious vegan fare at Alchemy, a nearby restaurant, to get the most out of your yoga practice.
At the very least, make a trip here. Please join us for one of our freshly crafted smoothies after your yoga session. In addition, the Campuhan Ridge Walk, one of Bali’s most beautiful excursions, is just a short drive away.
Tegalalang’s Rice Terraces
It’s simply a 20-minute scooter ride to the gorgeous Tegalalang Rice Terraces, as previously mentioned in the essay.
On the left and right of this street, you’ll find several businesses where the most exquisite handicrafts, such as furniture and decorations, are made.
Perhaps you should pay a visit to see what we have to offer! Ubud’s Monkey Forest Road, as far as I’m aware, is the city’s busiest tourist attraction.
Despite this, I find it fun to go around the vibrant shops and inviting cafés. In the end, there’s the Monkey Woodland, a jungle-like woodland filled with monkeys, stone temples, and flora.
It’s a pity I haven’t taken a stroll through Monkey Forest. My next trip to Bali will absolutely include this as a must-see on my bucket list!
The magnificent Saraswati Temple may be found in a little garden off of Ubud’s main drag.
It’s hard to believe that such a beautiful place can coexist with all the chaos, pollution, and noise! The many lotus ponds in front of the temple bring serenity and tranquillity.
My Recommendation Hotels to Stay in Ubud
Rice fields, steep slopes, and thick jungle vegetation abound in the Ubud region, making it a genuine wonderland for nature lovers.
As a result, I strongly recommend that you book a hotel outside of town. Watu Kurung, a hotel of the Pramana chain, is an excellent example.
As you enter through the stone entrance gate, you’ll see the hotel’s meticulous attention to detail: countless stone elephants, demons, and gods are framed by exotic flowers and foliage in every hue imaginable.
The hotel’s Lembah Ayung restaurant, which serves delectable fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, overlooks the stunning infinity pool and a portion of the breathtaking Ayung Valley.
Deep in the forest, the same-named river, which offers rafting opportunities, has cut out a stunning valley. T
his breathtaking view can only be surpassed by the Jetty. A wooden terrace in front of the cliff has a few outdoor tables.
You are welcome to take a morning stroll through the rice fields and the surrounding area of the hotel for free.
As you go along, you’ll learn a lot about rice farming, grain harvesting, and Balinese village life.
I strongly recommend that you attend a 7 a.m. yoga class at Watu Kurung, which is also free.
Above the reception, there is a fascinating design element in the yoga shala: a palm-leaf ceiling!
The Ayung Valley Suite has an expansive and wonderful patio with views across the Jetty into the valley and is my top pick for accommodations.
The combination of the comfortable accommodations, the patio’s lounge chairs, and the pool just a few feet away is remarkable.
Relaxing when on vacation, especially with a good book. If you are bored, take advantage of the free shuttle service to Ubud’s central business district.
This frequently happens during the day.
How about a relaxing spa treatment? Why not consider that as well?
The Cliff-top Temple in Uluwatu, Indonesia.
The cliffs of Uluwatu are among the most breathtaking on the island.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is an incredible temple located 70 meters above the ground, and the world-class surfing waves, white beaches (rare in Bali), and breathtaking landscapes make this area one of Bali’s most popular destinations.
A few days in Uluwatu can keep you entertained for a long time!
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is best visited in the late afternoon.
The small rock temple perched atop the rugged coast is bathed in a golden shimmering glow due to the bright sunshine.
To be honest, I could have stood on the precipice for hours, listening to the waves crashing below and gazing out to sea.
This was one of the most memorable places I visited throughout my five-month stay in Bali.
It’s best to leave your valuables in the hotel’s rock temple if you can because the monkeys in the area near Pura Luhur Uluwatu are notorious pickpockets.
One of them even tried to remove my flip-flops from my feet! The temple holds a Kecak fire dance every evening at 6 p.m.
This may be an excellent option if you haven’t seen anything like it before in Bali!
One of Uluwatu’s most incredible spots is Single Fin.
Surfers go to Uluwatu because of its spectacular cliffs and excellent waves. To show off their skills, the best surfers from across the world go to this site.
The reef just below the surface of the water is the main challenge here, and it usually results in nasty cuts and bruises if you fall.
Single Fin Bar is the ideal place to watch what’s happening in the ocean below you.
It’s awe-inspiring to see the entire coast from this balcony!
Spend some time at Uluwatu’s laid-back environment with a chilled Bintang beer. Pizza is an excellent option if you’re still hungry when you return home.
Walk down the last set of stairs to the beach.
This is only accessible at low tide, but it’s worth the trip because of the interesting rocks, tunnels, and pathways.
Villa Hari Indah, where I stayed for three nights, is an attractive choice.
You’ll feel at home in our charming boutique hotel near Bingin Beach.
Sunset watchers will like Jimbaran Beach in Bali because of its prime location.
Jimbaran Beach, a four-kilometer-long stretch of fine sand and shallow water, entices visitors with its light, fine sand and the absence of dangerous currents.
The best location to watch the sun go down over the ocean is at one of Jimbaran Beach’s world-class seafood restaurants. Without a doubt, your toes will be much more content on the soft sand!
Make sure to try the freshly caught fish if you’re not a vegetarian when you visit.
This is what makes Jimbaran famous.
Once you’ve picked your fish, mussels, crabs, and other marine critters from a large selection, your dinner is weighed (always charged per 100 grams), marinated, and grilled with garlic. It’s incredibly delicious!
Recommendation: I was under the assumption that the only things to do in Jimbaran were to swim and have dinner on the beach.
However, the table arrangement in the sand with the bright Balinese flags is a beautiful sight.
Is Jimbaran Beach an excellent spot to spend your last night in Bali?
In reality, it just takes 15 minutes to travel to Ngurah Rai International Airport!
The perfect beaches of Bali’s neighbor island; Nusa Lembongan
Small and readily accessible by motorboat from southern Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan, and Penida make up the “Lembongan Trilogy.” Dream beach (it really is called that), the scenically beautiful Devil’s Tears (a picturesque spot on the cliffs where the spray of the waves splashes impressively high).
That and the shallow lagoon where local farmers harvest seaweed all day are just a few things to see on Nusa Lembongan, a nearby island of 8 square kilometers.
The main beach is a mile long, and just behind it is a slew of luxurious boutique hotels where you can genuinely unwind.
The best way to see the island is by renting a scooter and doing it alone. It is possible to cross the seaweed lagoon through a yellow suspension bridge while simultaneously touring the island of Nusa Ceningan!
For convenience, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide of Nusa Lembongan’s top attractions on this page.
Tulamben Wreck Diving and Snorkeling
Bali’s northeast coast, near the fishing village of Tulamben, is where I had the most amazing scuba and snorkeling experiences.
There is still a rich and diverse underwater ecosystem there.
At a depth of 5 to 30 meters, the 120-meter-long USAT Liberty wreckage is my particular favorite.
You could even dive into a nearby mackerel shoal during my stay!
Gunung Agung, Indonesia’s most famous volcano.
There is also a stunning view of the 3,142-meter Gunung Agung area near Tulamben.
Massive lava spills from the perpetually active volcano have been recorded as recently as 1963. Views from the summit are spectacular on a clear day!
If you want to see the volcano, I’d recommend staying at the lovely Alam Batu Beach Hotel, which I did for five nights.
However, the hotel’s other features are impressive, including a stunning infinity pool and kind owners. Definitely worth a try!
My top 10 views in Bali were as follows: Of course, the Island of the Gods has much more to offer.
I hope this post gave you a taste of what Bali offers and whetted your appetite for more.
Please feel free to leave a comment on my travel blog; I eagerly await your response!
