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Bali Bucket List: Essential Things to Do in Bali

Benjamin Juster

Who doesn’t want to immerse themselves in the luscious tropical majesty of Bali? Whether it’s your first, second, third visit (or beyond), we’ve got the ultimate Bali bucket list that has everything you need to do to get your Balinese fix.

Before You Go

Bali Bucket List

We’ve made a list that combines both the ESSENTIAL & UNIQUE things to do in Bali.

This way, you can make sure you’re covering the must-see and -do bases in Bali, while still jazzing it up and adding some one-of-a-kind experiences to your Bali itinerary.

 

Read on to dive into our essential bucket list in Bali!

Gunung Kawi near Ubud

Gunung Kawi

Starting off our Bali bucket list strong, the monumental tombs at Gunung Kawi were our absolute favorite place we visited in Bali.

The majestic stone effigies carved into the hillside was so exotic and evocative of something out of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider.

Best of all, if you visit early in the morning, you’ll probably have the mystery and quiet at Gunung Kawi all to yourself, like we did.

Banjar Penaka, Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552, Indonesia

 

Try the Local Cuisine at Bale Udang

Bale Udang, a beautifully landscaped restaurant near Ubud, offers upscale Balinese and Asian cuisine in floating huts.

Dining at Bale Udang is one of the top things to do in Ubud for the way it perfectly melds local Balinese influences with a modern, elegant touch.

Jl. Raya Goa Gajah, Peliatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

 

Rent a Motorbike

Any bucket list for Bali couldn’t be complete without renting a motorbike.

For those who feel comfortable doing so, riding a motorbike is the best way to experience all the beauty Bali has to offer.

With your own wheels, you’ll be able to go anywhere you want, including some hard-to-reach hidden gems.

A motorbike rental in Bali is also more affordable than taking taxis, setting you back between 30 – 50k IDR a day.

If you do decide to rent a motorcycle, please drive safely and make sure you follow all local laws.

Visit here if you want to arrange your motorbike rental in advance.

 

Abandoned Airplanes

Hidden away in a limestone quarry south of Kuta lies a mysteriously abandoned Boeing 737.

No one really knows how it got there, but it’s rumored that it was destined to house a tourist restaurant.

22 Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan
Kuta Selatan
Indonesia

But that’s not all!

Just five miles north, there is yet another abandoned airplane. A wingtip of this one almost touches a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts, and it’s easily visible from the street.

Like the other plane, this one is also rumored to have been a future restaurant.

No matter how the airplanes got there, a visit to one is definitely one of the unusual things to do in Bali your next visit.

63 Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai
Kedonganan
Kuta
Indonesia

 

Eat Grilled Seafood on the Beach at Sunset

Eating seafood right on the beach at sunset is one of the best Bali activities for couples you’ll find. Jimbaran Beach in southern Bali hosts many seafood restaurants where you can dine with your toes in the sand with cocktail in hand as you await your freshly grilled seafood.

 

The restaurants grill the food over coconut husks, which imparts a unique flavor into your meal.

Eating at one of these restaurants was one of our favorite Bali activities for couples on our trip, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way!

You can book your Jimbaran Beach seafood experience here.

 

 

Kecak Fire Dance

Chances are you’ve seen images or video of this one. This dramatic traditional dance at the Uluwatu Temple takes place every night right at sunset.

A must for a Bali bucket list, the Kecak Fire Dance uses theatrics, chanting, and fire to tell stories from the Hindu Ramayana. The stunning cliffside location at Uluwatu adds to the grandeur and drama of the dance, and it’s definitely worth ticking off of your Bali bucket list.

Get your Kecak Fire Dance ticket here. 

 

Dine with Incredible Views of Mount Agung

Bali is home to some incredibly beautiful restaurants, and Bali Asli stands proudly at the head of the pack with its stunning views of the island’s highest point, volcanic Mount Agung.

At Bali Asli, diners enjoy refined Balinese cuisine while soaking up gorgeous vistas over lush rice fields towards the towering Mount Agung. There’s also cooking classes at Bali Asli for those looking to learn more about Balinese cuisine.

Jl. Gelumpang, Karangasem, Kec. Karangasem, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80811, Indonesia

 

Pura Ulun Danu temple is a must-visit on our Bali bucket list

Visit Temples

Bali’s 20,000 Hindu temples are world-famous, both for their exotic architecture and the rituals connected with them. A Bali Bucket list simply wouldn’t be complete without including at least a few of Bali’s temples.

Some of Bali’s most famous temples include Pura Ulun Danu (Bali Lake Temple), Pura Tirta Empul (Bali Water Temple), Pura Lempuyang (Gates of Heaven), Pura Besakih (Bali Mother Temple), Pura Tanah Lot, and Pura Uluwatu (home of the Kecak dance).

It’s also fun to explore random temples you come across in your travels around Bali — you never know what you’ll find.

 

Pura Lempuyang, also known as the Gates of Heaven, is an amazing temple in Bali

 

Enjoy a Meal in the Ubud Rice Fields

Terracotta Ubud offers a high-end dining experience smack dab in the middle of vibrant rice fields near Ubud. Dine on Balinese dishes while you drink up the views over the fields. The location is so beautiful it looks more like a resort than a restaurant!

Jl. Raya Lungsiakan, Ubud 80571 Indonesia

 

Shack Up in an Eco Villa

One of the best Bali activities for couples has got to be cozying up in a private eco villa. When thinking of Bali, one of the top things that comes to mind is a luxurious and exotic villa on the edge of rice fields. Throughout the island, you’ll find villas for a wide range of budgets — they aren’t just reserved for the super-rich.

 

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Explore Rice Terraces

Bali’s iconic rice terraces proudly claim their spot on a Bali bucket list. The miles of lush exotic terraces, so evocative of Bali, definitely can’t be missed. While more famous sites like Tegalalang have been influenced by tourism and development, there’s still acre upon acre of sprawling terraces  to explored — best seen by motorbike.

 

Jungle Fish Bali

Jungle Fish Bali

If you’re not able to lock down your own Bali villa with a private pool, Jungle Fish Bali provides the experience you’re looking for. This upscale pool club at the Chapung Sebali resort lets you swim in the middle of the jungle with absolutely jaw-dropping views. Jungle Fish is one of the best places to visit in Ubud if you’re looking for a taste of the high life in Bali.

Read about our experience at Jungle Fish.

Book your Jungle Fish reservation here.

Climb Mount Batur in Bali, Indonesia

Climb Mount Batur

Climbing to the top of 5,633′ Mount Batur makes its way on to the adventurous bucket list in Bali. This active volcano hosts a crater lake and can be relatively easily hiked, offering unbeatable views of Bali and Batur’s crater lake.

You can hike Mount Batur either with or without a guide.

 

Mount Agung Sunrise View

Mount Agung Sunrise View (Bukit Cinta)

Bukit Cinta, a hill in East Bali, offers one of the best sunrise views in Bali over beautiful rice fields and the towering Mount Agung.

Bukit Cinta, Abyandauh,Pangi Karangasem, Karangasem, Kec. Karangasem, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80811

Surfing

Bali has been a surfing hotspot for decades, attracting surfers from around the world with its reliable surf and tropical water temperatures.

But surfing in Bali isn’t just for the experts. Why not add surfing to your bucket list Bali experiences? Lessons are available around the island for those who want to learn how to surf.

Book your Bali surfing lesson here.

 

Get a Massage

Is there anything more relaxing than a good massage? As massage lovers, getting a massage is one of the best Bali activities for couples to enjoy. We think that getting a massage is one of the top things to do in Ubud, Bali’s spa mecca.

Indulge yourself in Balinese massage and work out the sore muscles from all the motorbiking and trekking you’ve been doing!

You can book your Bali massage here.

 

Sekumpul Waterfall

Visit a Waterfall

As a lush tropical island, Bali is home to an untold number of waterfalls, both named and unnamed. Visiting some of Bali’s beautiful waterfalls has got to be on your Bali bucket list — some of the most famous are Nungnung, Tegenungan, and Gitgit.

You can book a Bali waterfall tour here.

Leke Leke Waterfall

Swim with Turtles

The Gili Islands are known as “The Turtle Capital of the World”, and offer the chance to swim right next to sea turtles. One of the most fun things to do in Bali with kids, swimming with turtles is something your whole family will always remember!

 

Dolphin Watching

Bali offers dolphin watching tours out of Denpasar and Lovina, if you’re interested in wildlife viewing. These tours are a great addition to a family’s Bali bucket list.

Get your Bali dolphin watching tour here.

 

Nusa Islands

The iconic view of Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida Island has become one of the top Bali bucket list items. The nearby three Nusa Islands — Penida, Lembongan, and Ceningan — are popular as day trips or quick getaways from Bali.

You can book your Nusa Islands tour here.

 

Visit Lombok

Lombok, Bali’s less-visited neighbor island to the east, offers a different experience than Bali itself. In Lombok, you can lounge on beaches, trek 12,224′ Mount Rinjani, and visit the popular Gili Islands, themselves worthy of a spot on a Bali bucket list.

Check out some Lombok tour ideas here.

 

Gili Islands

The three Gili Islands — Gili Air, Gili Trawangan, and Gili Meno — near Lombok are all car-free. These small islands, the perfect size to be explored by foot, are the perfect spot to soak in the rays under swaying palms as you gaze out into turquoise waters.

Each island has a different vibe, so make sure you do research into which island is the one for you. The Gilis are reachable from both Bali and Lombok.

You can book a private Gili Islands tour here.

 

Sunset at Uluwatu Temple

Catch a Sunset at Uluwatu

The cliffs at Uluwatu are one of the best places to visit in Bali to catch the sunset — perhaps while rounding out your bucket list in Bali while watching the Kecak dance.

Hidden Canyon

Hidden Canyon, a beautiful ravine carved out by the Oos River, offers a unique Bali canyoneering experience for the adventurous. Scramble for 3km over boulders and rushing water to get your adrenaline up!

Jalan Sahadewa, Banjar Wangbung, Guwang, Sukawati, Guwang, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia

Book your Hidden Canyon experience here.

 

Eat a Tropical Smoothie Bowl

Bali’s tropical smoothie bowls from places like Nalu Bowls have become one of the top things for travelers to Bali to try.

These bowls are not only pleasing to the eyes, but are quite tasty as well, and are available at many places throughout the island.

 

Take a Cooking Class

A great way to experience the local Balinese culture is to get to know the cuisine through a cooking class.

You’ll learn how to cook authentic Balinese dishes from scratch, and most cooking classes also feature a visit to a local market. If you’re a foodie, don’t leave a cooking class off your Bali bucket list!

Check out some Bali cooking classes here.

 

Campuhan Ridge Walk is one of the best things to do in Bali with kids

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Campuhan Ridge Walk is a gentle stroll along a ridge near Ubud and one of the best things to do in Bali with kids.

It’s a perfect place to experience the natural beauty of Bali without being as risky as other spots (waterfalls, treks, etc).

Kelusa, Payangan, Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

 

Shopping

If you’re a shopper, you’ll find that shopping is one of the best things to do in Seminyak.

In areas like Seminyak you’ll find stores selling cute and chic beachware, resortware, coffee, bags, handicrafts…the list goes on and on.

While the stores in places like Seminyak won’t be the cheapest around, they do offer a wide range of goods from Bali.

Shopping is also one of the things to do in Kuta, Bali if you find yourself needing to pass the time.

Check out a Coffee Plantation

For the coffee drinker, one of the top things to do in Ubud is to visit one of the local coffee plantations.

And one of the more unusual things to do in Bali is to try kopi luak — partially digested coffee beans that are fished out of the feces of Asian palm civets.

It’s one of the must expensive kinds of coffee in the world, and definitely worth a try if you like unusual food and drink!

Book your Bali coffee tour here.

Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the top places to visit in Ubud

Ubud Monkey Forest

The Ubud Monkey Forest stands out from other Ubud attractions as a way to get up close and personal with the local wildlife. Over 1000 monkeys live in the sanctuary here.

There are also three 14th-century temples in the jungle.

Exploring the Monkey Forest and seeing the cheeky monkeys up close makes this one of the top places to visit in Ubud.

Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

 

 

Wanagiri Hidden Hills

Wanagiri Hidden Hills makes it on to the Instagram bucket list in Bali for its whimsical swing and hanging nest.

The swing overlooks the beautiful Lake Buyan, making for those perfect Instagram shots you’ve been craving.

The entrance fee to the Wanagiri Hidden Hills is expensive at $35/person, but many other imitations have sprung up around Bali.

Jalan Munduk – Wanagiri, Wanagiri, Sukasada, Pancasari, Kec. Sukasada, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali

The Bali swing is one of the most picturesque activities on our Bali bucket list

Swing into the Sky

One of Bali’s most Instagrammed spots, the Bali Swing hosts several giant swings where you can swing into the endless view of Bali’s lush landscape.

While the original Bali Swing may be currently closed, there are several other spots around the island where you can swing to your heart’s content. Here’s one for less than half the price of the entrance to Wanagiri Hidden Hills.

Visit the Bali Beaches

A bucket list in Bali certainly wouldn’t be complete without visiting a few of Bali’s lovely beaches.

Bali’s beaches range from surfing havens to strands studded with romantic beach dining.

Our favorites were Jimbaran for dining and Suluban for its rugged cliffs, but it seems like the best beach areas in Bali are to be found near Amed and out on the Nusa Islands.

Check out this Bali beach tour here.

Explore Ubud

Ubud has everything that comes to mind when people think of Bali: spas, villas, temples, dining, and shopping.

There’s lots of places to visit in Ubud for every interest, whether it’s natural sights, spa pampering, or simply just strolling around.

When in Ubud, it’s worth tramping off the main streets and getting to the outskirts of the town.

That’s where you’ll find some of the most beautiful spots around Ubud, where the town and the landscape begin to meld together.

Here are some Ubud attractions to get you started:

 

 

 

Bali Bucket List: Final Thoughts

There you have it: our Bali bucket list.  We’ve covered the best things to do and sights to see on your first Bali visit, from the Bali swings to the temples to the waterfalls. There’s so much more to see in Bali than any single list can offer, but we’ve got the basics down for you to ensure you have an epic Bali trip!

Are we missing something? Let us know in a comment below or hit us up on Instagram or Facebook!

 

 

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