Things to do in Bali

Bali is an exciting holiday island destination that combines great facilities and hospitality with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. The island has been popular since the 1970s, and has developed modern medical facilities, a range of international restaurants and world-class resorts and hotels. The main attractions include the beaches, mountains and the sea, though there is also a strong cultural heritage, with countless Hindu temples to see.

Hindu temples

Bali's most famous attractions are its numerous Hindu temples. Even the smallest hamlets usually have at least three, but the most remarkable are the nine directional temples, or kayangan jagat. Uluwatu, at the southern tip of Bali, is easy to reach and hence immensely popular with tourists. Tanah is also popular, though the most important temple for locals is the ‘Mother Temple’ of Besakih, located on the slopes of Mount Agung.

Denpasar

Denpasar is the capital of Bali, and the administrative and economic heart of the island. Much of the development of the island and its wealth has been centred on this city, with an inevitable rise in traffic and pollution. Nonetheless, the tree-lined avenues of the city remain attractive and there are a number of museums to visit. The main features of the city are the Bali Museum, which is renowned for its many remarkable art treasures; the traditional market, where you’ll see locals plying their trades; and the Art Centre, with its large open stage and exhibition hall.

Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach is vibrant with tourists, vendors and locals, and is still the most popular beach on the island as well as the centre of much of the after-hours entertainment. The area originally attracted surfers and travellers, but the influx of visitors has changed the face of the resort. Though the area is still popular among surfers, it’s more synonymous, nowadays, with hectic nightlife and shopping. There’s a wide variety of accommodation, restaurants and entertainment in the town and the beach is always nearby.

Sanur Beach

Though many other areas of Bali have become over-developed, Sanur remains virtually unchanged. Sanur is also the location of one of Bali’s largest traditional villages, and is a good place to savour Balinese culture and local life. There are also many excellent hotels in the area as well as restaurants and entertainment venues that stage local drama and dance productions.

Balis mountains and forests

Visit Bali's interior and see the island from a different perspective. Rice fields cover around a fifth of the island, while there are dense jungles in much of the interior. The Bali Elephant Safari Park in the jungle forest of Desa Taro is an interesting excursion in the Ubud area, offering an opportunity to see the Sumatran elephant and to wander along jungle tracks.

Also in the island’s interior is the revered mountain of Gunung Agung. This is one of the most challenging treks on Bali, and it’s best to start before dawn. You should arrange to climb with an experienced guide and bring the necessary equipment. The dry season between April and October is the best time of year to tackle the mountain, though you should bring waterproofs regardless of the season.

Ubud

Ubud is at the heart of Bali's cultural life. Situated in the cool of the mountains, only 1 hour's drive to the north of the airport and the resorts of southern Bali, this traditional town is home to the Balinese royal family and is a thriving centre for Balinese art.

With the inspiration of the beautiful environment and festivals, the artists of the region were attracted to the town as early as the 1930s. Many European painters, writers and artists also chose to locate here for much of the year, which led to an increase in the numbers of tourists. Many of the villages that surround Ubud are also synonymous with many of the island’s indigenous arts. Villages such as Camphuan, Penestanan, Peliatan and Batuan have a tradition in many crafts that include jewellery, woodcarving, textiles and painting.

Museums

Many of Bali's museums and galleries are located in Ubud. The Museum Puri Lukisan is in the centre of Ubud and has a permanent collection of Balinese paintings dating from the turn-of-the-century. Neka Museum, in Campuan, is another interesting museum that houses extensive collections of traditional Balinese paintings by Balinese artists and foreigners who lived here. Museum Nyoman is also in Ubud and exhibits works of art on all three storeys.

Back in Denpasar, you can also find many fascinating museums. The most notable includes the Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali, with exhibits of tools, costumes and archaeological artefacts.