Top 30 Attractions in Bali

The distant tropical island of Bali cannot be called a tourist mecca, where everything works exclusively for the hotel business. This is a beautiful island with its own character, which you either fall in love with right away or you never come back.

Bali is the realm of volcanoes, impenetrable rainforests and stunning sunsets on the ocean. The vibrant traditions of the locals are a bizarre mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and ancient island beliefs. Balinese gods live in unusual temples on the water, numerous religious ceremonies and holidays are an incredible extravaganza of intricate colors.

Landscapes of the beaches of Bali can be safely placed on an exemplary picture. White sand, blue ocean, impregnable coastal cliffs and bright tropical sun - there is everything that a tourist, exhausted by a long winter, needs here.

What to see and where to go in Bali?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Ubud city

Ubud is located away from the beach resorts of the island. It is known as the cultural center of Bali due to its many galleries, museums, workshops and antique shops. International art festivals are often held here. Hotels and restaurants of the city are created according to individual design projects. Ubud is surrounded by picturesque terraces of rice fields, which are located on the slopes of the volcanic ridge.

Monkey forest in Ubud

The monkey can be considered the unofficial symbol of Bali. On the island there are several places of group residence of these animals. One of them is in Ubud. This is the forest of monkeys, which is considered sacred by the Balinese, on its territory there is the temple of Pura Bukit. Numerous inhabitants of the forest are not at all afraid of tourists. They perfectly come into contact with people, sometimes they even get very impudent and steal sunglasses, jewelry and everything that does not fit well in the bag.

Aquapark "Waterbom Bali"

The water park covers an area of ​​4 hectares. It is famous not only for its water attractions and swimming pools, but also for its numerous tropical gardens and magnificent spas. After an exciting ride on the slides, the tourist will be offered a relaxing Balinese massage, mineral baths or a boat ride on a quiet river. The water park has a floating bar and a restaurant where you can taste local coffee.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace

An architectural and park complex with numerous ponds, fountains and canals, which are interconnected by alleys and bridges. It was erected in 1946 for the royal family. Despite its relatively young age, the palace looks like an ancient landmark due to the traditional architecture and high humidity, due to which the walls of the buildings are overgrown with green moss after a few months.

Ujung Water Palace

Ujung Palace, like Tirta Gangga, was built by the last king of the Karangasem dynasty, who received his architectural education in Holland. The complex was built in a mixed architectural style. In its outlines, you can see European and Balinese features. The palace was built in 1921, but after the 1976 earthquake, it stood abandoned for a long time. Restoration was carried out in the period 2001-2003.

Agung Rai Museum of Art

The museum is located in the city of Ubud. It was opened in 1980 at the expense of patron and collector Agung Rai. The collection is dedicated to Indonesian painting from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 21st century. There are also rare works by European artists who lived and worked in Bali. The space of the museum is actively used for organizing temporary exhibitions.

Pacifica Museum

The museum exhibits a unique collection of painters from the Asia-Pacific region. The museum funds contain the works of more than 200 masters. The gallery is also known for its extensive collection of antiques. The space of the museum is divided into 11 halls dedicated to different trends in art. Paintings by Indonesian artists are exhibited in five halls.

Neck Museum

The museum bears the name of its founder, local artist and collector Suteji Nek, who is the son of the famous Balinese woodcarver Wayan Nek. The gallery was opened in 1982. Sutheji has devoted his life to studying the culture of Bali, developing the arts in Indonesia, and collecting. The exposition of the Neka Museum consists of traditional wayang paintings, photographs, sculptures made of wood and bronze.

Jatiluwi rice terraces

Rice terraces are a famous and popular attraction in Bali. They are located in the west of the island on the slopes of Mount Batukaru. Jatiluwi is not only a tourist attraction, but also a real agricultural land. Special varieties of rice are grown here. The terraces are located at 700 meters above sea level. The object is included in the UNESCO list of natural attractions.

Temple Pura Tanah Lot

The temple is located on a rock washed by sea waters, so it can be reached by land only at low tide. Pura Tanah Lot is a particularly revered temple. It is believed that every Balinese should visit it at least once in a lifetime. Only believers can climb to the top of the cliff and visit the temple, tourists are not allowed further than the stone stairs, so you have to photograph the structure from afar.

Temple Pura Besakih

Pura Besakih is the main Hindu temple complex in Bali. It consists of 22 religious buildings located on terraces at the foot of Gugung Agung. The locals call the complex the “Mother of all temples”. Together with the mountain, it is considered the main holy place in Bali. Unfortunately, tourists are allowed to enter the first level of Pura Besakih, only Hindus can go further.

uluwatu temple

The temple is located in the southern part of Bali. It was erected to protect the gods of the island from the attack of sea demons. The building is located on the very edge of a sheer 90-meter cliff. The temple was founded in the 11th century by Javanese Brahmins. On its territory, the goddesses Rudra and Devi Laut are worshiped. Religious ceremonies are held in the courtyard, which is closed to the public, but tourists can visit the outer courtyard.

Tirta Empul Temple

The temple complex is located near the village of Tampak Siring. It is surrounded by rice fields and tropical forests. It is believed that Tirta Empul was founded over a thousand years ago near a natural spring, where the god Indra healed his warriors and gave them new life. People come to the temple to draw water from a healing spring and bathe in one of the temple pools.

Gunung Kawi Temple

It is believed that Gunung Kawi was founded in the 11th century, so it is the oldest cave temple in Bali. The complex is a system of caves carved into the rock. With the help of a stone staircase, you can go down to the sacred temple source. On the territory of Gunung Kawi are the royal tombs, marked by funerary towers and bas-reliefs. The locals believe that the temple is a powerful place of power for the island.

Bratan Lake and Pura Ulun Danu Temple

Bali's main water temple is located at Lake Bratan, which is located at an altitude of more than 1200 meters above sea level. The complex is a symbol of the island and one of its most popular attractions. The lake is considered sacred as it provides water to irrigate the surrounding agricultural land. The temple of Pura Ulun Danu was erected in the 17th century under King Mengwi in honor of the goddess of water.

Elephant Cave - Goa Gaja

An ancient cave temple located near the city of Ubud. "Goa Goja" is translated from Indonesian as "elephant's cave". Apparently, the temple got its name thanks to the bas-relief located at the entrance. It vaguely resembles the face of an elephant. It is difficult to think of another explanation, since the elephants themselves have never been found in Bali. Inside the temple are sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist gods. The cave complex was discovered in the middle of the 20th century.

Bat Cave - Goa Lawah

The cave system, which is the oldest Shaivist sanctuary. As the name suggests, a large number of bats live here. One of the legends claims that at the beginning of the 20th century there was a huge statue of a dragon in one of the caves. Once the Dutch entered there and, being frightened, shot the sculpture from guns. That same night, they disappeared without a trace. According to another legend, a 30-kilometer underground passage leads from Goa Lawah to Pura Besakih.

bird park in bali

A natural area that is home to more than 250 species of birds brought to the island from different parts of the Earth. Most of the birds fly freely in the park, and for the rest there are quite spacious cages. The Bali Bird Park is home to several species of parrots, peacocks, toucans, prehistoric cassowaries and many more. Some birds can be fed on their own.

Safari and Marine Park

A huge park that is home to over 60 species of exotic animals, including Komodo dragons and white tigers. Tourists are transported around the territory by transport, as during an African safari. The park has restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Balinese food and bungalows for spending the night. The marine part of the reserve is home to a huge number of fish species imported from different seas.

Elephant park in Bali

Bali is not home to elephants. These huge animals were brought here from the island of Sumatra and a nursery park was organized. On its territory you can observe the habits of elephants, ride on the back of an animal or feed the baby elephants, it will also be interesting to visit a small museum. The park was organized by the enthusiastic Australian N. Mason. In addition to the area with elephants, there are rice fields and green walking alleys.

Bali Barat

A natural reserve covering an area of ​​760 km². Within its boundaries are tropical forests, savannahs, mangroves and swamps, jungles and high plains. In the marine part of the reserve there are several beaches, very popular with divers, and a large coral reef. The fauna is represented by dozens of species of birds and mammals. Most of the reserve is closed to the public, movement is possible only along special trails.

Volcano Agung

Mount Agung is the highest point in Bali (3142 meters) and a sacred place for the inhabitants of the island. According to one popular legend, the volcano was created by the Hindu god Pasupati. In the entire history of observations, Arung erupted four times, as a result of the last cataclysm in the 20th century, more than 2 thousand people died. Several hiking trails of medium difficulty lead to the top, the ascent takes about 6 hours.

Volcano Batur

Gunung Batur is located in the northeastern part of the island, the mountain reaches a height of 1717 meters. There is a volcanic lake in the pit at the top. The volcano is active, the last eruption was recorded in 2000. Gunung Batur is a popular natural attraction. Climbing to its top takes about an hour and a half. From the almost two-kilometer height, picturesque views of the island open up.

Tegenungan waterfall

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali, located 16 km. from the city of Denpasar. An observation deck for tourists is located at the top of the water stream, from where you can admire the fall of powerful jets. Below are baths and a small temple. Tegenungan is located in the bed of the Petanu River, which is considered sacred by the Balinese. In the evenings, you can watch a picturesque sunset from the observation deck.

Sekumpul waterfall

Sekumpul is located in the northern part of Bali near Singaraj. Water flows reach their maximum power during the rainy season. It is during this period that the waterfall is especially picturesque. Sekumpul is a group of six waterfalls that plunge into a deep lake at the foot of a cliff. The road to the sights runs through rice fields, cliffs over the abyss and fern thickets.

Waterfall Munduk

The waterfall is located in the vicinity of Tamblingan Lake. It is a powerful jet of water, as if escaping from a rock overgrown with dense jungle. This form is very characteristic of Balinese waterfalls. At the height of the tropical rainy season, Munduk is filled with maximum power. So far, there are few tourists in the area of ​​​​the waterfall, since the main routes pass away from this place.

Nusa Dua beach

Nusa Dua is a great place to sunbathe and swim in the clear waters of the ocean. The beach is located in the southern part of Bali. There is no tourist infrastructure and any significant attractions, after sunset, life in the vicinity of the beach "dies out". The place will be of interest primarily to lovers of nature and solitude, seeking peace and relaxation.

Balangan beach

The beach is not very suitable for swimming due to the abundance of algae and inconvenient entry into the water. It is famous for its picturesque natural views, so there are still quite a lot of visitors here. The beach is surrounded by rocks, from where you can admire the sea surface and take spectacular photos. With the right weather conditions, Balangan is great for surfing.

Pandawa beach

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali, Pandawa is located in the southern part of the island. Despite the fact that the beach was opened relatively recently, a decent tourist infrastructure has already been created on it, which includes cafes, rental of water vehicles and beach equipment. The coastal strip of Pandava is quite long, on both sides it is limited by rocky ledges.

Artists trail

The hiking trail is about 3 km long, which starts in Ubud and passes through picturesque hills, fields and jungle. The best time to walk along the Path of Artists is early in the morning, while the hot sun has not yet begun to mercilessly shoot with its hot rays. During the hike along the route, you can take magnificent panoramic pictures or pose against the backdrop of lush Balinese greenery.