Top 10 things what to do in Bali - Travel Guide

You’ll not be short of things to do in Bali. Although it’s perfectly possible to hit the beach and not leave until your flight home to Changi departs, you’d be missing out on a treat. Read this guide on what to do in Bali to fix your plans and make sure you get the most out of your trip.

We’ll walk through what to do in Bali, and also introduce Wise as the perfect way to save money when spending in IDR. That means your dollars will stretch to even more fun things to do in Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. Let’s dive in.

Table of contents
Hit the beach at Seminyak or Canggu Check out some culture in Ubud Bali Museum, Denpasar Kuta Beach for beginner's surf Take a tour with locals Bali Bird Park Have a romantic sunset dinner on the beach Get in your movement with some yoga Gitgit waterfall Try some adventure activities

1. Hit the beach at Seminyak or Canggu

It’s what lots of people come to Bali for. Hitting the beach to relax and people watch is one of the top fun things to do in Bali - and boy, do you have a good choice of beaches. While there are lots of quieter coves out there, if you want to experience the buzz of Bali for real, consider Seminyak or Canggu. They can both be fairly busy, but that means you’ll find it easy to get a cold beer on a beanbag to watch the world go by. Beware if you’re swimming, as there are rip tides so it’s important to watch out for lifeguard flags and stay in guarded areas of the beach where you can.

2. Check out some culture in Ubud

Bali has a genuinely unique culture, and this shows through strongly in Ubud. You’ll wander through palaces and shrines, in a town which can be restful and calm in a strong contrast to the party areas by the beach. Ubud is a perfect place to check out some traditional Balinese dance, which can include Kecak - male chanting which is unbelievably atmospheric and often held in beautiful surroundings, traditional Barong and Rangda, and graceful Legong dancing. You’ll find performances nightly throughout Ubud - look out for posters or ask your hotel what’s on while you’re in town.

3. Bali Museum, Denpasar

If you’re flying into Denpasar it’s tempting to move on immediately, but there are a few attractions here that can help you learn more about Bali and what to look out for on your trip - including the Bali Museum. You’ll find artefacts from throughout the ages, pieces of cultural importance and significance, and textiles. While some items have English labels, not all do - so either wander round and appreciate the mystery, or get a guide if you want to get deeper into the content.

Address: Jl. Mayor Wisnu No.1, Dangin Puri, Kec. Denpasar Tim., Kota Denpasar, Bali

Opening hours: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm most days, early closing at 1:00 pm on Fridays

4. Kuta Beach for beginner's surf

Surfing is one of the big attractions in Bali - but the waves can be vicious in some locations on the island. If you’re a newbie, try Kuta where the surf tends to be a little more gentle, and there are plenty of instructors offering lessons for all ages and stages. If you’re looking for fun outdoor things to do in Bali with kids, this could be an easy win.

Address: Kuta beach road, Kabupaten Badung, Bali

Learn more: Kuta Beach Surf - surf lessons for all levels

5. Take a tour with locals

Bali has loads to offer, but it’s very easy to spend your time on the beaches which are packed with Aussie tourists and expat surfers; or to hang exclusively with the travellers and gap year kids here to explore their spiritual side. Get out and about with the real Balinese locals with tours arranged by JED, an ecotourism network which offers day trips and longer tours which can help you unlock some of the secrets of Balinese life, from rice terraces to turtle conservation. Activities available throughout the island.

Learn more: JED

6. Bali Bird Park

If you’re interested in wildlife, this can make a fun stop, particularly if you’re heading from the airport in Denpasar to Ubud. Bali Bird Park is about half way from Denpasar to Ubud, and home to thousands of birds including many endangered species. There are shows as well as places to wander around and look at the attractions - fun for all the family.

Although some of the wildlife attractions in Bali are dubious in terms of animal welfare this is generally considered to be of a pretty high standard ethically.

Address: Jl. Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir, Singapadu, Batubulan, Gianyar, Bali

Opening hours: Open daily - timings vary by season

Learn more: Bali Bird Park

7. Have a romantic sunset dinner on the beach

While there are plenty of fun things to do in Bali for couples, a sunset dinner on the beach is iconic. The west side of Bali is famous for sunsets which are unbeatable, with vivid colours and awe inspiring views. Many beachside restaurants put tables right on the sand on the popular beaches here, and there are resorts along the coast with scenic restaurants designed to make your dinner a memorable experience for you and someone special. The great thing about this is that you can do it on any budget - grab some street food if you’re on a shoestring, or hit a luxury resort if you’ve got money to burn. The views are the same, either way.

Learn more: Ayana Estate - for top end luxe; or browse the options on the beach for something more low key

8. Get in your movement with some yoga

If you’re in Bali to relax and get away from it all, the chances are that yoga will feature in your plans somewhere. If you’re staying in a hotel you may well find there are free drop in classes you can join - but you can also book one off classes, courses and retreats. Ubud is a centre for all things spiritual, including yoga, so it’s a good place to head if this will be key to your Bali getaway. There are lots of different providers depending on your budget and exactly what you’re looking for - we’ve included one that’s well rated and which has a broad range of options, below, to kickstart your research.

Address: Throughout Bali - but particularly popular in Ubud

Learn more: The Yoga Barn - one of many options in Ubud

9. Gitgit waterfall

One of the most photographed places in Bali, Gitgit waterfall is truly stunning. In fact, Bali has a lot of waterfalls to visit which can make a nice change if you want to get away from the crowds and into nature. Gitgit is a good one if you’re in the north of Bali, although tours can be arranged from many hotels throughout the island. It’s a short hike, but then you can get your Instagram snaps, cool off, and take a deserved break.

Learn more: The easiest option is to arrange a tour from your hotel or online - trips can be arranged with hotel pick up for convenience

10. Try some adventure activities

Adventure activities may not be what springs immediately to mind when you think of Bali, but there are places for white water rafting, trekking, kayaking, cycling and more. It could be the perfect contrast if you’ve had a few peaceful days in Ubud, or wandering the paddy fields - get energised and get the blood flowing with some adrenaline fueled fun. You can even do helicopter tours if you’ve got the budget and the head for heights!

Learn more: Mason Adventures

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