A sea temple at sunset, rice terraces that climb the hills, a volcano you climb before dawn and a kecak dance on a cliff - plan the whole island with a map and a free trip planner on WhatsApp.
Tap a number to see the place. Distances are rough driving times from the city centre.
Chosen for first-time and returning visitors. Add the ones you like to your trip - we turn them into a plan.
#01Arts & cultureUbud, GianyarBali's cultural heart: a royal palace with evening dance shows, a busy art market, the Sacred Monkey Forest and the Campuhan Ridge walk through green hills.
#02Sea templeTabananA small Hindu sea temple perched on a rock just off the shore, with waves crashing around it - Bali's best-known sunset view.
#03Cliff templePecatu, BadungA sea temple on a high limestone cliff above the Indian Ocean, with a chanting kecak dance staged at dusk as the sun sinks into the sea.
#04Rice terracesTegallalang, GianyarSteep green terraces stepping down a river valley just north of Ubud, with palm trees, walking paths and cafes looking over the fields.
#05Lake templeBedugul, TabananA water temple dedicated to the goddess of lakes and rivers, whose tiered shrines seem to float on Lake Beratan in Bali's cool central highlands.
#06Island day tripNusa Penida, KlungkungA rugged island with dramatic cliffs, the famous Kelingking T-rex headland and clear blue water, reached by fast boat from the mainland.
#07Beach & sunsetKuta - Seminyak, BadungA long sandy shore from Kuta to Seminyak with surf lessons, beach clubs, restaurants and shops, and sunsets that draw crowds onto the sand.
#08Calm beachSanur, DenpasarA relaxed east-coast beach behind a reef, with a paved seafront path for walking and cycling, fishing boats, cafes and the harbour for Nusa Penida boats.
#09VolcanoKintamani, BangliA pre-dawn climb of about two hours up an active volcano to watch the sun rise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung, often with a breakfast cooked by steam vents.
#10UNESCOJatiluwih, TabananWide terraced rice fields on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, part of Bali's UNESCO-listed subak water-sharing landscape and far quieter than the better-known terraces.
Starting points we adjust to your dates, budget and hotel choice. Prices depend on the hotel and season, so we quote them for you.
👥 First visit, couples, families
🏨 4-star hotels in Ubud and on the coast
👥 Friends, active travellers, photographers
🏨 4-star hotel in Ubud, then near Sanur
👥 Honeymoons, special occasions
🏨 5-star resort and private villa
Pick the places, your dates and the kind of hotel you like. We reply on WhatsApp with a suggested plan and today's prices - no obligation.
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is in the south, near Kuta. Seminyak and Sanur are usually 30-45 minutes away and Ubud about 1-1.5 hours, longer in heavy traffic. Many travellers also arrive by ferry from Java.
The dry season, roughly April to October, brings the clearest skies for beaches and volcano treks. The rainy season (about November to March) is greener, with showers mostly in the afternoon. Nyepi, the Day of Silence (usually March or early April), closes the airport and keeps everyone indoors for a day - we check the date for your trip.
Wear a sarong and sash in temples (often lent at the gate), cover shoulders and knees, and do not step on the small offering baskets on the ground. Bali is mostly Hindu: halal restaurants and mosques exist in the main tourist areas, and menus may include pork, so ask if it matters to you.
Sights are spread across the island and public transport is limited, so a car with driver is the easiest choice. Traffic is heavy around Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud. Scooters are popular but many tourists are hurt on them - we advise a driver instead.
Opening hours, tickets, access and rules change (for example visitor quotas, volcano or sea conditions and closures) - we check them for your dates. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each picture; map: OpenStreetMap. Last checked 10 October 2026.