Things to do in Bali
Surf in the morning, temples in the afternoon and a beach club at sunset. Bali is small, but it has endless ways to spend a day.
Ku De Ta, Seminyak
Bali's beach clubs come into their own at sunset, with music, cocktails and the Indian Ocean as a backdrop.
Bali holidays: the island of good vibes
Bali is the dream destination for surfers, yoga lovers, party people and families alike. The island is small enough to explore in day trips, but each area has its own character, so choose your base carefully.
Seminyak and Canggu are trendy, with boutique shops, cafés and beach clubs. Kuta and Legian are busy and good value. Ubud, in the green interior, is the cultural heart of the island, while the Bukit Peninsula in the south has clifftop hotels, white beaches and world-class surf.
Best places to visit in Bali
In short: split a first week between Ubud in the green interior and the coast, either Uluwatu for cliffs and surf or Seminyak and Canggu for restaurants and beach clubs. With more time, add Sidemen or Munduk for quiet, and Amed or Nusa Penida for the sea.
1. Ubud: rice terraces and temples
The cultural heart of the island, with the Tegallalang rice terraces, yoga studios and dance performances in the evening. Traffic in the centre is heavy, so stay a little outside town. Read about things to do in Ubud.
2. Uluwatu: cliffs, surf and a temple at sunset
Beaches at the bottom of limestone cliffs on the Bukit peninsula, world-class surf breaks and the Kecak fire dance at the Uluwatu temple at sunset.
3. Canggu: surf town with cafés
Black-sand surf beaches, coworking cafés and beach clubs. It has grown fast, and some streets are now crowded with scooters.
4. Seminyak: restaurants and beach clubs
The most polished part of the south coast, with boutiques, restaurants and sunset at the beach clubs. Read about sunset at the beach clubs.
5. Sanur: calm water for families
A long beach path, shallow water protected by a reef and boats to the Nusa islands. Quieter and slower than the west coast.
6. Nusa Penida: cliffs and manta rays
Dramatic viewpoints such as Kelingking, and snorkelling with manta rays. The roads are rough and the steep paths to the beaches are not for everyone.
7. Amed and Tulamben: snorkelling and diving
Black-sand fishing villages on the east coast, with coral close to shore and a shipwreck at Tulamben that divers and snorkellers can reach from the beach.
8. Munduk: waterfalls in the highlands
Cool air, clove and coffee plantations and waterfalls in the hills of the north, with lake temples nearby.
9. Sidemen: rice valleys and Mount Agung
A quiet valley in the east with terraced rice fields and views of the volcano, for the Bali many hope to find in Ubud.
10. Jimbaran: seafood on the beach
A sheltered bay close to the airport, best known for grilled fish served on the sand at sunset.
More ideas: things to do in Bali and our Bali honeymoon guide.
Surfers' paradise
Kuta's long sandy beach is a classic place for a first surf lesson, while experienced surfers head for Uluwatu.
The best things to do in Bali
Learn to surf or take a yoga class, walk through the Tegallalang rice terraces near Ubud and visit the sea temples of Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, where traditional Kecak dances are performed at sunset. Take a day trip to see waterfalls in the north of the island or head out on a boat to snorkel off Nusa Penida.
Bali's food scene is just as much of a draw. Try nasi campur, babi guling and fresh fish grilled on the beach at Jimbaran, then end the day at one of the very best beach clubs in Bali.
Party at Finns
Finns in Canggu is one of the island's biggest beach clubs, with pools, restaurants and DJs.
Where to stay in Bali
Base yourself near the beach in Seminyak, Legian or Canggu for restaurants and nightlife, or in Ubud for peace and nature. Many visitors split their stay between the coast and the jungle.
Picolo's pick in Legian is The Bandha Hotel & Suites, a calm, elegant hotel with a lagoon pool and everything you would expect from a five-star stay, at a price that will not break the bank.
For a honeymoon we like Ubud, and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan is our Bali pick among the best honeymoon destinations. Travelling in June? See honeymoon destinations in June.
Six hotels for newlyweds, from the jungle to Gili Meno, are in our Bali honeymoon guide.
The Bandha's lagoon pool
After a day on the beach, the lagoon pool at The Bandha is the perfect place to cool off.
Best time to visit Bali
The dry season from April to October is the best time to visit Bali, with sunshine, lower humidity and good surf on the west coast. July, August and the Christmas holidays are the busiest periods, so book early.
November to March is the wet season. Showers are usually heavy but short, the landscape is at its greenest and prices are lower. Note that Bali shuts down completely for one day during Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence, usually in March. Read more about the rest of the country in our Indonesia holidays guide.
Bali holidays: frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in Bali?
It depends on your style of holiday. Seminyak and Canggu suit couples and friends who want restaurants and beach clubs, Ubud is best for culture, yoga and nature, Nusa Dua and Sanur are quieter and family-friendly, and Uluwatu is the place for surfers and clifftop sunsets.
How many days do you need in Bali?
A week is enough to enjoy the beaches and spend a couple of days in Ubud. With ten days or more, you can add a trip to Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands or the quieter north and east of the island.
Is Bali expensive?
Bali can suit most budgets. Local warungs serve delicious meals for very little, and there are plenty of good-value guesthouses. At the other end of the scale, the island has some of Asia's most luxurious villas and resorts.
What should I wear when visiting temples in Bali?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and wear a sarong and sash, which are often provided or can be rented at the entrance. Be respectful during ceremonies and follow any signs or instructions from temple staff.
What is the most beautiful part of Bali?
Many would name the rice valleys around Sidemen and Ubud, or the cliffs of Uluwatu and Nusa Penida.