Everything You Need to Know About Bali

Bali is the most popular island holiday destination in the Indonesian archipelago, with good reason. Here you’ll experience a fine combination of sandy beaches and rolling surf, an ancient culture known for its warm hospitality, and exotic temples and palaces set against stunning natural backdrops. Travel inland and towering volcanoes and pristine jungles await with plenty to see and do, although most can’t stay away from the beach for long. Meal times on Bali offer endless choice of local or far-flung cuisine and, after sunset, famous hotspots come to life offering exciting clubbing scenes and packed dancefloors. Choose from amazing beach resorts to unparalleled luxury resorts in any of Bali’s famous resorts such as Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur or Nusa Dua, where great hotels and villas are right on the beach. Explore the scenic central highlands of Ubud with its flowing rice fields, valleys and forested rivers – it’s not only a place for cultural day trippers, but also for adventure seekers and shopaholics. Plus, the many more off-the-beaten-track spots around this magical island. Not convinced yet?

1 Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot must be the island's most iconic temple. This temple is perched on top of a huge rock, and surrounded by the sea with waves constantly crashing on to its base. As among Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot pays homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. The temple serves as foreground to the most picturesque sunsets

2 Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu is among the Bali's most important sea temples, perched on a cliff edge in the southwestern Bukit peninsula. Here you can catch dramatic sunsets such as at Tanah Lot, Uluwatu also features an open amphitheatre close by, where sunset kecak fire dances can be enjoyed. A monkey forest also borders the temple grounds.

3 Besakih Temple

Besakih Temple, also known as the 'mother temple' of Bali sits on the slopes of Mount Agung, at a lofty 1,000m. Besakih is the largest of all the Balinese temples. Eighteen separate sanctuaries belonging to different caste groups surround the three main temples dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu.

4 Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Ubud is famous for its scenic expanses of rice fields. And the paddies with the best vantage point are just up north from the main Ubud centre, along the road of Tegallalang. Here, roadside stalls and art shops offering items and curios of all kinds line the street, as well as small restaurants offering diners great views.

5 Ubud Monkey Forest

On the fringes of the Ubud main centre, Ubud Monkey Forest is one of Bali’s several grey long-tailed macaque-inhabited forests and perhaps the best known. Also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, and by its official designation as Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana, Ubud Monkey Forest is a place of scientific research as well as a site of spiritual and cultural aspects with temples sanctified by the local villagers deep within its grounds.

6 Ubud Art Market

The Ubud Art Market, locally referred to as 'Pasar Seni Ubud' is located opposite the the Puri Saren Royal Ubud Palace and is open daily. Here you can find beautiful silk scarves, lightweight shirts, handmade woven bags, baskets or hats; statues, kites and many other hand-crafted goods.

7 Kintamani and Mount Batur

Kintamani, located in the Karangasem Regency, is home to Mount Batur and the Caldera Lake. A favourite stopover on tour itineraries to this region is Penelokan, which aptly means 'scenic stopover'. The still-active Mount Batur volcano has erupted about 24 times since 1800, each time reshaping the surrounding landscape.

8 Bali Safari and Marine Park

Bali Safari & Marine Park is Bali’s largest animal theme park. The park is home to over 60 species, all roaming freely within their enclosures built to closely mimic their natural habitats. Bus safaris take visitors on tours 'around the world', and animal talent shows are held regularly. Aquariums holding exotic fish specimens are nearby.

9 Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Jatiluwih rice terraces pretty much cover the region of the namesake upland village in West Bali, most famous for its landscapes that are both dramatic and truly exotic. The site is one of the island’s must-see natural panoramas on par with Mount Batur and the caldera of Kintamani. The cool highlands and the breathtaking scenery of this village at the foot of Mount Batukaru makes for wonderful photo opportunities, and serves as a soothing retreat away from the island’s crowded south.

10 Goa Gajah

Goa Gajah ‘Elephant Cave’ is an archaeological site of significant historical value that makes it a special place to visit. Located on the cool western edge of Bedulu Village, six kilometres out of central Ubud, you do not need more than an hour to descend to its relic-filled courtyard and view the rock-wall carvings, a central meditational cave, bathing pools and fountains.