Things to Do in Bali
Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, volcanoes and surf beaches on one island.
See top-rated activities »About Bali
The things to do in Bali are shaped by its unusual culture. It is the only Hindu-majority island in Muslim-majority Indonesia, and daily offerings of flowers and incense appear on doorsteps, temples and even car dashboards. Most visitors split their time between Ubud in the green hills of the interior and a beach area in the south, and hire a car and driver for day trips, since the roads are slow and public transport is limited.
Ubud is the cultural center, with traditional dance performances in the evenings, craft villages around it and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a temple forest full of long-tailed macaques that will grab anything loose. The Tegallalang rice terraces are a short drive north, and the Jatiluwih terraces in the west, part of a UNESCO-listed traditional irrigation system called subak, are even larger. At Tirta Empul, Balinese Hindus bathe in holy spring water, and visitors may join respectfully in a sarong.
Bali's sea temples are its most photographed sights. Tanah Lot stands on a rock just offshore on the west coast, cut off at high tide, and Uluwatu Temple sits on a cliff above the Indian Ocean at the southern tip, where a Kecak fire dance is performed at sunset; guard your sunglasses from the monkeys. For an early start, guided treks climb Mount Batur, an active volcano, in the dark to watch the sunrise from the rim.
In the south, Seminyak and Canggu have beach clubs, cafes and surf, Nusa Dua and Sanur have calmer water and big resorts, and boats run to the island of Nusa Penida, with the dramatic cliffs of Kelingking Beach. Visitors to Bali pay a tourist levy in addition to the Indonesian visa, best done online before arrival, and should dress modestly with a sarong and sash at temples.
Don’t Miss
A forest of temples and long-tailed macaques in the middle of Ubud.
Holy spring pools where pilgrims and visitors bathe in purification rites.
A clifftop temple with a sunset Kecak dance performance.
Guided pre-dawn treks to watch the sunrise from the crater rim.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Bali
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TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Asia may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in Bali
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Get free trip quotes »Bali — FAQ
Where should I stay in Bali?
Ubud for culture, rice terraces and temples; Seminyak or Canggu for beaches, surf and nightlife; Nusa Dua or Sanur for calm water and families. Many visitors split their stay.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
The dry season, roughly April to October. The wet season brings heavy afternoon rain, and Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence in March, closes the whole island, including the airport, for a day.
Do I need a driver in Bali?
It is the easiest way to see the island. Drivers can be hired by the day, and many tours include hotel pickup.
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