Bali, a stunning Indonesian island, is renowned for its rich culture, vibrant traditions, and breathtaking natural landscapes. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Bali in February 2023, marking my second trip to this magnificent island. Bali is familiar to many travelers, with numerous flights available from various locations around the globe. I took an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar Airport. Rather than writing a detailed account of my entire journey, as there’s an abundance of resources available online about Bali and various tour operators, I want to focus on the key attractions and experiences that you shouldn’t miss during your visit to this enchanting island.The ideal time to explore Bali is from April to October, which are the months outside of the monsoon season.
1. Tirta Empul Temple
Bali is well-known for its beautiful Balinese Hindu temples, and Tirta Empul is one of the most famous water temples among them. This unique temple offers a holy water bathing area for self-cleansing and purification. Initially, I was hesitant about participating in this ritual, but those who did seemed to have a remarkable experience. The large pond at the center of the temple, filled with numerous Koi fish, serves as a picturesque spot for visitors. The temple is about an hour’s drive from Kuta town.
2. Tegalalang Rice Terraces and Luwak coffee tasting.
Despite coming from a tropical country like Malaysia, I find the rice terraces in Bali, especially in the Ubud region, utterly captivating. Alas Harum Bali is a fantastic one-stop destination where you can enjoy stunning views of the rice terraces. Although we spent only about three hours there due to time constraints, I recommend allocating a full day to fully enjoy various activities like Luwak coffee tasting, giant swings, strolling across the rice terraces, swimming in the infinity pool, and dining at the restaurant overlooking the paddies. The photo opportunities here are truly Instagram-worthy. Afterward, we had lunch at Bebek Joni, where we enjoyed serene views of the fields.
Instagram reel: Click here
3. Garuda Wishnu Kencana Cultural Park & Kecak Dance
One of my favorite places to visit in Bali is the Garuda Wishnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, located near Uluwatu. The park features magnificent statues of the two iconic deities of Balinese Hinduism, Vishnu and Garuda, including the impressive newly constructed 122-meter tall GWK statue—the tallest in Indonesia. One of the highlights of visiting this location is the Kecak performance, where a group of performers repetitively chants Kecak while narrating a storyline about Garuda and Vishnu. This performance takes place in the evening around 6 PM at an open-air auditorium (be sure to check the GWK website for the latest schedules).
4. Uluwatu
Uluwatu, located at the southern tip of Bali, offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean from its clifftops. It’s only about a 30-minute drive from GWK and Denpasar Airport. Uluwatu is home to several attractions, including the Pura Luhur Temple, panoramic cliff views, and the Kecak dance performance at sunset. However, this location can get quite crowded and hot during midday, which is why I skipped it during my recent trip.
5. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
This temple is undeniably one of the most picturesque in Bali, dedicated to the Balinese lake goddess, Dewi Danu. It is my favorite temple due to its unique location in the middle of Lake Bratan, giving it a floating appearance and a refreshing ambiance from the higher elevation of the area.
Instagram: Click here
6. Tanah Lot Temple
Another temple you must see in Bali is the Pura Tanah Lot, an ancient Hindu temple perched on a large rock (resembling a small island) in Tabanan. I skipped this temple during my recent visit, but from my previous experience, I remember the iconic view of the temple from the cliff, the short walk along the shore to the temple, and participating in local Balinese Hindu rituals, including placing a holy grain of rice (like a bindi) as a sign of purification. Many reviews highlight the stunning sunset views from the cliffs near this temple.
7. Legian Street and Hard Rock Cafe Bali
Legian Street is famous for its vibrant nightlife in Bali, offering an array of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and souvenir shops that stay open until late. However, I noticed that many businesses have struggled to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to the closure of several establishments. My Balinese friend mentioned that nightlife has shifted focus to other areas of Bali like Ubud and Seminyak, which are now popular among tourists and content creators returning to the island. I also recommend a visit to Hard Rock Cafe Bali, which hosts live performances daily and offers excellent service with ample seating—something I find less common at HRCs in other countries.
8. Tranquil Villa Stay in Ubud
As I mentioned earlier, Ubud is home to stunning rice terraces. It’s worthwhile to spend at least one night in a villa to relax, unwind, and reconnect with Bali’s lush greenery. There are many options available—just do a quick Google search. I’d like to share my experience at Black Penny Ubud, where we spent about MYR 1000 per night (we received a discounted rate for customizing our tour with a friend). The villa was spacious and featured wooden interiors, a large private infinity pool with breathtaking views of the rice terraces and the Ayung River. You could even hike down the valley for a closer look. Make sure to select a villa with the right view for an unforgettable experience.
9. Handara Gate
The Handara Gate is an iconic traditional Balinese gate that perfectly completes your Bali photography collection. During my visit, I appreciated the manageable crowd, especially compared to Pura Lempuyang. There was also staff available to assist tourists with their photo-taking, including capturing reflective shots.
This gate is located near Bedegul Temple and Banyumala Waterfall, making it easy to include these spots in your itinerary.
10. Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
These stunning twin waterfalls, surrounded by lush greenery and a swimming area, are perfect for rejuvenation after a tiring journey. You can rent a scooter or transport to the Munduk area and then drive another 30 minutes to the parking area. After that, it’s a 30-45 minute hike to reach the waterfalls. The entrance fee is a mere USD 2, making this one of the most beautiful sights in Northern Bali.
11. Pura Lempuyang @ The Gate of Heaven – an experience that was not quite pleasant.
This temple is extraordinary due to its massive traditional Balinese gate with a backdrop of Mount Agung. It houses the triple sanctums of the Pura Penataran Agung temple. Unfortunately, this place has become quite commercialized, often flooded with tourists from early morning. For a single Instagram photo, people frequently wait in line for 7-8 hours, and the temple staff usually do not limit the number of shots per group or individual, despite the lengthy line. The view of Mount Agung is often obscured by clouds. There are few shops nearby to relax or eat before it’s your turn. We waited around four hours, but had to leave for our evening flight. If you’re short on time, I would recommend skipping this site instead. Alternatively, you could take pictures of the sanctums themselves, the view from behind the gate (as we did), or at the nearby lotus structure at the base of the hill that offers a similar view of Mount Agung. It might be beneficial to make this stop early in the morning and visit Tirta Ganga on your return, which is also located in Eastern Bali.
12. Day Trip to Nusa Penida Island
Nusa Penida is an island situated on the southeastern side of Bali, known for its breathtaking viewpoints, stunning beaches, and lush rainforests. I found the views of the Indian Ocean from the cliffs absolutely awe-inspiring. During our visit, we were also fortunate enough to spot Manta Rays swimming gracefully in the waters far below. I would highly recommend spending at least one night here to fully explore various sights like Kelingking Beach viewpoint, Broken Beach, Diamond Beach, and Rumah Pohon. Due to time limitations, we opted for a day visit, selecting one main viewpoint from each the eastern and western parts of the island. You can easily take a ferry from Bali (I suggest asking your agent to assist with this) or purchase tickets from the Sanur jetty, approximately 10 kilometers from Denpasar.
Views from the cliffs at Diamond Beach (left) and Kelingking Beach (right)
These are just some highlights of my many experiences in Bali. I also suggest visiting the Mount Kintamani viewpoint where you can enjoy lunch with a stunning view of the volcano. I’ve heard they now have beautiful spots for photography as well. I’m looking forward to returning to Bali in the future, adding Seminyak to my itinerary for water activities, and exploring various cafes and bars with scenic views of the Balinese coast. Rockbar Bali, in particular, is quite tempting.
If you choose to hire a private agent, you can create a customized itinerary that includes all the places mentioned above. Renting a private car is advisable for long-distance travel, and you might also rent a bike to explore nearby areas like Legian Street. Writing this blog has helped me gain a better understanding of Bali while also reminiscing on cherished memories. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
“Before you run out of time.”
