The Best Attractions in Bali Indonesia For Your Bucket List

Are you going to visit Bali on your next vacation? This is the right decision to travel to this place - Bali - one of most captivating destinations in the Indonesian archipelago. A trip here stimulates the senses. The rich scent of incense and clove oil permeates the humid tropical air. Peanuts crackle at street vendors, flower-laden offerings burn on bustling sidewalks, and the sound of traditional gamelan music blends with the hum of mopeds.

Bali's vibrant arts scene is a fabulous attraction that was chosen by many travelers to come to this year. If you want to relax, the spa treatments and shopping are both fantastic and affordable. Spirituality also enhances Bali's charm. Visiting the beautiful temples and attending sacred Hindu ceremonies are must-do activities.

Today, we will find out all the best attractions in Bali that you must put in your travel list. Keep following for many top places to visit and what to do when coming here!

Top 5 the Best Attractions in Bali

Even with the noise and busy tourist spots, Bali is full of natural beauty and has something for everyone to discover. Surfers will definitely love the waves, hikers will definitely love to explore volcanic peaks and misty waterfalls, and cyclists definitely love to  ride through the green with rice terraces and traditional villages. Now, let’s start to discover the top 5 best attractions in Bali that you should put on your list!

Pura Tanah Lot

One of the popular destinations is Pura Tanah Lot - the island's most revered sea temple. Just 20 kilometers away from the northwest of Kuta, Pura Tanah Lot (with "Pura" meaning temple in Balinese) stands as one of Bali's most famous temples and attracts a lot of nature lovers who come here to experience it. The pagoda is located separately on 1 rocky island with many crashing waves in the surrounding, this scene is really worth watching after taking long hours to come here.

Pura Tanah Lot was constructed in the early 16th century, reportedly inspired by the priest Nirartha, who asked local fishermen to build a temple after spending the night on the rocky outcrop.

Although tourists are not permitted to go inside the temples within the complex, you can walk over to the main temple building when the tide is low. Wandering along the paths, taking some photos, and enjoying the moment in the stunning settings of this temple are one of a kind experiences that you can not find anywhere in Bali.

Pura Tanah Lot - one of the best attractions in Bali

Mount Batur

One of the other best attractions in Bali is Mount Batur which has been an active volcano for many years until now. Moreover, this mountain is also the most popular destination that travelers choose to experience hiking and watching nature. Mount Batur has the height of 1,717 meters above sea level; therefore, you can see the whole breathtaking views of the surrounding and Lake Batur when standing at the top of the volcano.

For a trek to Mount Batur, guided hikes often come with a picnic breakfast, where eggs are cooked using the steam from the active volcano. On clear days, travelers can see the full views, extending across the Batur caldera, the nearby mountain range, and the picturesque Lake Batur, which is the island's primary source of irrigation water.

The trek is quite challenging and takes about two hours to hike. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, the lake, and even the distant Mount Agung on a clear day.

Mount Batur

Ubud Monkey Forest

Exploring the Monkey Forest (a.k.a Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary) can not be missed in your travel list in Ubud, Bali. It's an excellent spot for animal lovers to see many monkeys around the forest and enjoy taking pictures with them. The sanctuary is just a 10-minute walk from Ubud's town center.

The Monkey Forest is home to lively groups of gray long-tailed macaques. Another big part of its charm is the lush jungle setting where the monkeys live freely. You can walk along paved paths through thick forests of tall banyan and nutmeg trees. Moss-covered statues and old temples peek through the dense greenery, creating a magical atmosphere.

The forest aims to show how humans and animals can live together in harmony. It also protects rare plants and serves as a place for studying macaque behavior, especially their social interactions.

When visiting the forest, travelers must keep your belongings safe and try not to make direct eye contact with the animals or smile at them, as this might be seen as a threat. Also, it's best not to bring any food into the area.

Ubud Monkey Forest

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

If you want to see the stunning emerald-green rice fields featured in Bali tourist brochures and Instagram posts, the Tegallalang or Jatiluwih rice terraces should be on your list of the best attractions in Bali, especially for photographers.

Located about a 30-minute drive north of Ubud, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces are one of the most famous spots to capture these iconic landscapes and experience their timeless beauty. Keep in mind that locals may request donations along the popular trails, and there may be fees for entrance and parking. To fully enjoy the lush scenery, consider relaxing at one of the many restaurants and cafés with views of the fields.

Approximately a 90-minute drive from Ubud, the Jatiluwih rice terraces span over 600 hectares along the hillsides of the Batukaru mountain range and are generally less crowded than Tegallalang. You'll encounter fewer tourist vendors here, making it easier to wander and explore without disturbance.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

The 17th-century Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of the most beautiful temple complexes in Bali. Located on a small island along the western edge of Lake Bratan in the cool highlands of central Bali, the temple complex is set against the dramatic backdrop of Gunung Bratan. The thatched temples are mirrored in the lake, and when the water levels are high, they appear to float on the surface.

The best time to visit this sacred Hindu temple complex, one of the best attractions in Bali, is early in the day before the tourist buses arrive. The temple is particularly stunning in the soft morning light, with cool mist often enveloping the lake and the surrounding mountains. You can also rent a canoe to explore the thatched meru shrines up close.

Nearby, the Bali Botanic Garden (Kebun Raya Bali) is also worth a visit. It features beautiful bamboo forests, begonias, an orchid collection, and medicinal plants, making it another top tourist attraction in Bali.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

Conclusion

Bali’s diverse attractions make it a destination that appeals to a wide range of travelers. From the spiritual and cultural richness of its temples to the natural beauty of its landscapes, Bali offers experiences that are both memorable and enriching. Whether you’re exploring the iconic sea temples of Pura Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, walking through the lush Ubud Monkey Forest, marveling at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, or trekking up Mount Batur for a sunrise view, each of these attractions offers a unique glimpse into the magic that is Bali. No matter your interests, these top five tourist attractions should be at the top of your list when visiting the Island of the Gods.

To enjoy these best attractions in Bali, make sure you apply for an Indonesia e-visa before your trip. We will help you through the visa process easily with simple documents. If you have any concerns, please dial +1 928 352 8770 for customer service or complete the contact form, we are always available to support travelers any time.