From sunrise temple visits to the best places to do absolutely nothing — this is a working list of what to do in Bali, organized by mood rather than map pins.
Bali's temples aren't museum pieces — they're active places of worship. Dress respectfully (sarongs are usually provided at the entrance) and keep your voice low during ceremonies.
Perched on a cliff edge on Bali's southern tip, Uluwatu is best visited in the late afternoon, when a traditional fire dance performance plays out against the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
A sea temple built on a rock formation just off the coast, reachable on foot only at low tide. An iconic silhouette at sunset, and famously crowded because of it.
A holy spring temple near Tampaksiring where local Hindus come to perform ritual purification. Visitors can join the bathing ritual with a guide's instruction.
Central and eastern Bali hold most of the island's dramatic landscape — best explored slowly, ideally by scooter or a hired driver.
Stepped, hand-cultivated rice paddies just north of Ubud, farmed using a centuries-old community irrigation system. Walking paths wind through the terraces themselves.
A pre-dawn hike up an active volcano near Kintamani, timed to reach the summit for sunrise over Lake Batur and, on clear days, a neighbouring peak in the distance.
A short boat ride from Sanur, Nusa Penida holds some of Bali's most photographed coastline — a cliff shaped like a dinosaur's back, and a natural pool cut into the rock.
The coastline and rivers offer everything from beginner surf breaks to full-day whitewater runs.
Canggu's beach breaks suit beginners and longboarders; Uluwatu's reef breaks are for experienced surfers chasing some of Indonesia's best waves.
Amed's black sand beaches sit near an old shipwreck; Menjangan, inside a national marine park, offers some of the island's clearest water and coral walls.
A half-day rafting run through jungle gorges near Ubud, passing waterfalls and rice paddies along the way. Suitable for most fitness levels.
Bali rewards a slow afternoon as much as a full itinerary. These are the days built around food, quiet, and not much else.
Most classes begin with a market visit to pick ingredients, followed by hands-on preparation of local dishes — spiced vegetable salads, satay skewers, and the island's signature spice paste, all made from scratch.
Ubud's reputation as a wellness hub is well earned — studios offer everything from single drop-in classes to multi-day retreats overlooking the jungle.
Skip the resort restaurants for a stretch and eat where locals do. Small, family-run local eateries serve some of the island's best mixed rice plates and slow-roasted pork — simple, and hard to beat.
"We used BaliBound's list to skip the places we'd feel obligated to see, and just went to the ones we'd actually enjoy."Reader, two-week trip, Ubud & Uluwatu
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