Best Places to Visit in Bali – Bali Island’s Specialty
When planning a trip to Bali, one of the first things you’ll likely research is the top tourist destinations on the island. If you’ve never been to Bali before, you may not be familiar with the best places to visit. But don’t worry, in this guide, we’ll outline the top 20 destinations that are perfect for first-time visitors to Bali.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is categorized as Pura Sad Kahyangan Jagat, which serves as a shield from the island’s wind currents. It is positioned on a coral hill, standing at a height of approximately 97 meters above sea level. The temple’s location on the cliff has earned it the name Uluwatu, which means “the tip of the rock” in Sanskrit.
Due to its location, visitors who come to the Uluwatu temple can appreciate not only its sacred and religious significance but also the stunning and distinctive scenery. Furthermore, tourists can observe the sunset and witness the Kecak dance performances.
Tanah Lot Temple
Foreign tourists who revisit Bali often hold Tanah Lot temple in high regard, as it is one of the most popular places to witness the sunset. Tanah Lot is one of the six main temples of Bali, featuring multi-tiered Meru (pagodas) built on a rocky outcropping in the sea. During sunset, the temple is set off against the hazy colors of the sky, creating a magnificent view.
This location attracts visitors from all over the world, especially during sunset when the ambiance becomes incredibly romantic and the view is breathtaking. Bali Island is renowned for its temples, culture, and sunset. Numerous locations offer stunning sunset views in Bali, and Tanah Lot Temple is among the most popular.
Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach Bali is a renowned tourist destination that draws many visitors to Bali. Its white sandy beach and sunset views are captivating and alluring. This beach is one of the most well-known beaches on the island. Kuta Bali beach’s location is exceptionally strategic, which is why it is so popular. If you walk towards the northern section of the shoreline, you will come across Legian beach, and then Seminyak beach.
Sanur Beach
Sanur Beach is situated in the eastern region of Denpasar city and boasts a shoreline of fine white sand and shallow waters. The water’s edge is around 100 meters away from the beach, making Sanur an ideal location for family-friendly activities. The Sanur tourist area encompasses several beaches, but the most commonly referred to as Sanur Beach. All the beaches in Sanur feature stunning white sand. Each beach area in Sanur is designated for different activities, such as swimming for children, fast boat crossings, or water sports.
Besakih Temple
Besakih temple, also known as Pura Besakih, is situated in the Besakih countryside, Rendang, Karangasem regency, in the eastern part of Bali. The temple lies on the southwest side of Mount Agung, the tallest mountain on the island, which is considered the holiest.
Pura Besakih is the largest Hindu temple in Bali and is renowned for its breathtaking view from the top of the temple area. Visitors can see an extensive panorama of nature that extends to the ocean. For this reason, the temple is a popular destination for tourists from all around the globe.
Penglipuran Village
Penglipuran Village is an exceptionally clean and well-maintained village, with no visible litter thanks to the efforts of the villagers. The village is a motor-vehicle-free zone and smoking is only allowed in designated areas. Each house in the village has a gate called Angkul-angkul, and while they may appear identical, they are in fact uniquely designed and meticulously arranged for aesthetic appeal.
Furthermore, the village boasts a vast 75-hectare bamboo forest, which has been nurtured and developed by the villagers for generations. The lush bamboo forest provides a refreshing and shady atmosphere. For those seeking photo opportunities during their Bali private tour, our Bali private driver highly recommends visiting this picturesque village.
Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is an island located southeast of Bali with minimal development. While it lacks fancy beach clubs, organic cafes, and trendy restaurants, it is still worth visiting due to its photogenic scenery. The island is home to stunning cliffs, coasts, and hills, and its beaches are particularly noteworthy for their natural beauty and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can not only enjoy sightseeing but also participate in various water activities.
Nusa Lembongan Island
Nusa Lembongan is a small island located southeast of Bali, alongside Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. Despite its size, it offers a variety of recreational activities. Visitors are welcomed by white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters teeming with colorful fish and beautiful coral reefs. The island is located in Klungkung Regency and is mostly separated from Bali by the Badung Strait.
Tirta Empul Temple
The Melukat site, located in the sacred region of the Tirta Empul Tampak Siring temple in Manukaya village, Tampak Siring District, Gianyar, Bali, is a well-known destination. The natural springs are collected in a basin and then channeled into a bathing area through a series of showers. The Genah Melukat at Tirta Empul is believed to have the power to cleanse the physical and spiritual impurities, thereby eliminating all negative elements from the body.
Moreover, Pura Tirta Empul Tampak Siring has an interesting story related to the despotic king Mayadenawa who was eventually defeated by Lord Indra. Tirta Empul, in addition to being a site for Genah Melukat, is also a popular tourist attraction for those visiting Bali.
Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran Beach in Bali is a well-known destination renowned for its pristine white sand and fine texture. The sand varies in color from white to yellow-brass. The beach is always kept clean and tidy thanks to the presence of officials who maintain its cleanliness. The scenic beauty of the beach, featuring stunning sunsets and clear waters, has made it a popular destination for seafood lovers, as it is famous for its seafood restaurants.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Culture Park
GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana Culture Park) is a popular tourist destination situated in the southern region of Bali. The park is located in the village of Ungasan, in the district of South Kuta, Badung Regency, which is approximately 40 kilometers south of Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali.
The focal point of the park is the Garuda Plaza, which is surrounded by a vast hallway of limestone-carved pillars spanning over 4000 square meters of open space, known as the Lotus Pond. The colossal limestone pillars and the monumental statue of Garuda at the pond’s center create an exotic atmosphere.
Sekumpul Waterfall
The Sekumpul Waterfall is unique due to its secluded location that requires visitors to put in extra effort to reach. Accessing this attraction requires navigating through numerous slippery stairs, and those who wish to get a closer view must first cross the river.
Despite the challenging path, the Sekumpul Waterfall remains a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. Its main allure is the collection of seven waterfalls that make up the Sekumpul tourist spot.
Kintamani Village
The Kintamani tourism area is situated in the northeast region of Bali and lies beneath the caldera of the active Mount Batur volcano. Along with the volcano, tourists can also witness the natural beauty of Lake Batur in the area.
Several villages are part of the Kintamani tourism area, including Penelokan, Abung, Songan, Toya Bungkah, Batur, Kedisan, and Kintamani, all of which fall under the Bangli district government. Even though tourists may vacation in one of these villages, they commonly refer to it as Kintamani.
Tourists favor three villages, namely Penelokan, Batur, and Kintamani, to see the breathtaking views of Mount Batur and Lake Batur since these villages are situated in highlands. Along with the natural scenery, tourists also enjoy bathing in the natural hot spring pools located in Toya Bungkah village while vacationing at the Kintamani tourist attractions.
Buyan Lake
Located in Pancasari Village in Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency, Bali, Buyan Lake is an excellent natural tourist destination worth visiting. While Bali is renowned for its beaches, temples, and culture, it also boasts beautiful lakes such as Buyan Lake, one of three twin lakes formed in a vast caldera, accompanied by Tamblingan Lake in the west and Beratan Lake in the east.
The Buyan Lake area is ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, cycling, and hosting events. It has well-distributed campgrounds and parking areas, and some parts around the lake have been made more attractive, with public restrooms, food stalls, and tent rentals available for visitors.
Monkey Forest
The Monkey Forest is a popular destination in Ubud, Bali and is a small rainforest inhabited by various tropical animals including several groups of monkeys. In Balinese, it is called Wanara Wana and is an essential part of the island’s ecosystem as it provides a natural habitat for the monkeys. The local community plays an important role in maintaining the forest and ensuring the smooth living of the animals.
Another beautiful, peaceful lake in this amazing country. This is north Bali next to Lake Tamblingan and is one of the twin lakes. If you go up the hill you can get some beautiful views. You may be asked up the hill if you want to hold a snake, bat or some other animal for a price – not a good idea as I feel sorry for the animals and the less people do it, they may stop this bad habit.