Planning a trip to Bali ? I’ll list here the top places to see in Bali.
From the best waterfalls to the most unique temples, including the most amazing viewpoints, I’ll make a list of the best things to do on the island with all the details you need to get there !
My favorite beach is Dreamland Beach, in the South of Bali. It is long white sand beach, the water is beautiful and there are not too much people there, it is very calm. Entrance fee was 20 000 IDR or 1,11€.
In close second is Balangan Beach, in the South of the island. We parked near the viewpoint and it was 10 000 IDR or 0,5€.
It is also a vast beach with crystal clear water, and an awesome spot for the sunset !
Another great beach was Melasti Beach, also in the south of Bali. Entrance fee was 25 000 IDR or 1,4€. This one attracts a bit more people but it is sill very enjoyable to spend a morning there and swim in the very calm sea.
For an off-the-beaten path beach, you can head to Pantai Pasut. It’s a black sand beach, not that far from Denpasar. We were completely alone there and the water on the black sand makes a complete mirror of the sky, it is breathtaking. Parking was free as well.
Last but not least is Suluban Beach, also in the South. Nested between two rocks, it’s a little gem, but unfortunately it has became victim of its success and we found that there were too much people for the size of the beach to really enjoy it. I would say it’s still worth going there and walking to the top to see the view from above. Parking was 5 000 IDR or 0,3€.
First of all, note that there are dozens of waterfalls in Bali, so we didn’t go to all of them, but we definitely got our favourites.
I won’t list here the most famous ones as it was either a photoshoot-op more than anything else, or because the price and way to get there were just not worth it.
For example, Kanto Lampo Waterfall was beautiful but you had to get in (a long) line to go under the waterfall and it was only to take your picture, not to enjoy the waterfall (Fee was 50 000 IDR for 2 people or 2,8€).
The best one that we went to was NungNung Waterfall, located in the center of the island. Quite the walk to get there (easy but lots of steps), but once you are there it is a spectacular place. The waterfall is very powerful and in the middle of the jungle. We were alone for most of our time there. Entrance fee was 45 000 IDR for 2 people or 2,5€.
Second best was Tukad Cepung Waterfall, in the Ubud area. You have a little walk to get there (lots of steps !), and then you will arrive to an impressive waterfall. It is like a water wall, heavy and strong waterfalls. You can enjoy going under it, there’s not much people and the landscape is still untouched. If you walk on the other side, there’s a smaller waterfall as well (see picture 4 below). Entrance fee was 60 000 IDR for 2 people, or 3,4€.
The best ricefields were definitely Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, in the center of Bali. This is a truly unique place. The whole area is huge and there are ricefields as far as the eye can see. There are little shops or restaurants along the road but the landscape is untouched, you can walk around and get lost in the ricefields. Entrance fee was 40 000 IDR per person or 2,2€.
Second best would be Tegallalang. It is more developed (swings, pools..), but if you move past that and walk in the rice terraces, you can be completely alone as well (we went around 1pm). We went to the complete opposite direction of the Cretya pool and we saw very few people on our one-hour little walk. Entrance fee will depend where you enter. We chose the easy option and entered through Alas Harum Bali, which was 50 000 IDR per person, or 2,8€. But honestly, we didn’t wait more than 5 minutes to get in, we got some explanation regarding the making of Luwak coffee (most expensive coffee in the world), and got to discover many kind of tea.
You can also enter a bit further on the road, “Ceking Rice Terrace” on Google maps. Here it’s 25 000 IDR per person or 1,4€, and you will have a coffee or tea tasting while admiring the view :
We loved that it was a bit less touristy and that iced tea tasting was so welcome on this hot day !
Last but not least Mancingan rice terrace. This is the most “local” place among the three in that list. It is a small path between rice fields, you will get to meet and discuss with locals, and when we were there (around 3pm) we were completely alone !
First one would have to be Pura Tirta Empul (meaning Holy water spring).
Located not far from Ubud, the entrance fee was 50 000 IDR per person, or 2,8€ plus 5000 IDR for parking (0,2€).
Honestly, don’t come to do the purifying ritual in the pools, the men and women pools are small and crowded (plus there are other less touristy temples to do the same). Instead, go discover the holy water source within the temple, it is simply beautiful :
Second one is definitely Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan. Lost near a lake in the North of Bali, it is not a touristy area at all, locals come here to fish and for family time. The whole atmosphere was very peaceful and authentic. Don’t expect to see a lot, it is “abandoned” and not really maintained, but beautiful nonetheless. Entrance fee was 60 000 IDR for 2 person (3,4€).
Next up is Taman Ayun temple, a bit south of Ubud. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the most beautiful hindu temple in Bali. Entrance fee was 30 000 IDR per person (1,7€).
Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu is a peaceful little temple with purification pools (not nearly as crowded as Pura Tirta Empul – it was empty when we visited) and fish ponds. Entrance fee as 30 000 IDR per person (1,7€).
Last one : Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple. Now bear with me : it is indeed a touristy place, and a photoshoot-op, BUT the temple in itself is really nice, plus the view is actually stunning. Entrance fee for two including the shuttle to get there is 235 000 IDR (13€). I consider this way too expensive for the area, it has become famous for their “mirror effect” pictures and price have jumped since then. Honestly don’t wait in line for the picture, we did it because it was less than 20 minutes and we wanted to enjoy the view anyway, but in peak season it can be up to 2 hours wait, which is crazy.
If you are looking for more recommendations, here are the ones that didn’t make it to the Top 5 but are right behind :
Tirta Gangga, located on the East of the island. The layout of the water pools is stunning, there are many gardens as well. I did not put it in the top 5 because people only come here to take Instagram pictures and it denatures the atmosphere of the place. Entrance fee was 140 000 IDR for two (7,9€).
Tanah Lot : This traditional Balinese temple is located on a small, rocky island on the south west of Bali. Surrounding area is enchanting, but as the previous one, a bit too touristy for us. Entrance fee was 150 000 IDR for 2 people (8,5€).
We saw a ceremony while visiting Tanah Lot, which was really interesting to learn more about the culture and traditions :
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple : other than the small temple on water, this one has nothing special and is a bit expensive for what it has to offer : 150 000 IDR or 8,5€ for 2 people. Plus it is way too crowded for a temple.
Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati : this one is located in Ubud, not worth visiting honestly, they dress you before coming in but it has a restaurant inside and not much to see for 50 000 IDR per person (2,8€).
First one has to be Balangan sea view for sunsets. We saw our most wonderful sunset here :
Next one is the viewpoint from La Montagne Coffee, it is just an unmatched view of the ricefields :
If you type in Google Maps “Wanna Sunrise volcano & rice view“, you’ll arrive in an enchanting location in the middle of nowhere, with a view of the volcano and ricefields :
Next one is the the Karang Boma cliffs located in the south of Bali. Entrance fee was 20 000 IDR for 2 people (1,1€) and we were alone all of the time.
The last one is quite similar from the previous one as it is Uluwatu temple, located close the cliffs as well. The perpective is different and definitely worth it :
To finish this article, I thought it could be interesting to share the hotels we stayed at and loved in Bali. Both are small hotels with not many rooms, a lot of charm and built in authentic balinese style : bamboo bungalows, bathroom open to the outdoor, big pool…. Guests were quiet, the staff was very kind and helpful, plus it was very good value for money.
First one is in the south, close to Denpasar : Mailaku House.
Second one was located in Ubud, but not in the busy center. Green Space Villa was the perfect little hotel to visit the Ubud area while being in nature and without getting stuck in traffic all the time.
And that wraps up the best places to see when in Bali !
It was truly a magical and wonderful trip, if you plan on going there check out my article about the food specialties and best places to eat in Bali.
I have also wrote an article about a day in Nusa Penida, an unmissable when coming to Bali.
If you need a personalized itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll find you the best accommodations, flights and itinerary !
