There are numerous d reasons to visit Bali, whether the object of your trip is to soak up some local culture, sprawl out on the beach, or have your own unique adventure.
Bali’s attractions are incredibly diverse. The island is home to many thriving wildlife habitats, thousands of historically fascinating sites, and gorgeous scenery – enough to keep every type of traveller entertained!
But what exactly puts Bali on the map, and what is the island best known for?
For truly unmissable experiences during your trip, let’s take a look at what the island of Bali is most famous for.
Temples: Why Bali is called “The Island of Gods”
Also known as ‘The Island of a Thousand Temples,’ or ‘The Island of Gods,’ Bali is home to literally thousands of Hindu temples. These temples are tucked into every corner of the island and range from magnificent, intricate structures to lesser-known shrines and holy sites.
Balinese Hinduism is unique to the island and combines strong influences from Indian culture and Bali’s traditional animistic beliefs. The temples here are therefore unlike those found anywhere else, and visitors shouldn’t miss the opportunity to explore this fascinating religion.
Top must-see temples in Bali
Pura Lempuyang Luhur: Pura Lempuyang Luhur is actually a collection of smaller temples set out along the hiking path of Mount Lempuyang. The highest of these is Pura Lempuyang Luhur itself, which is perched way up on the peak of the mountain. It’s a little more effort to get to, but determined explorers will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mt Agung to the west.
Tanah Lot: Located a 30-40 minute drive outside of Seminyak, Tanah Lot is built atop a large rock a short way out to sea. At high tide the temple is completely isolated from the mainland by water, making for some spectacular photographs.
Tirta Empul: The largest and most impressive of Bali’s water temples, Tirta Empul is just a 30-minute drive from Ubud. This temple is home to two purification pools, each supplied with streams of holy spring water. Hindu worshippers travel from far and wide to take part in purification rituals here, where they submerge themselves beneath the streams.
Nightlife
Most of Bali’s nightlife is confined to Kuta and the upmarket neighbouring town of Seminyak. Here bars, restaurants, and clubs stay open until the early hours throughout the week, attracting partygoers from around the globe.
If your preferred party vibe is typically more chilled out, not to worry! There are plenty of evening activities and parties in Bali that don’t involve noisy crowded clubs.
Head to Canggu for edgy bars and live music, Gili Trawangan to dance on the sand, or to Uluwatu for the famous, biweekly Single Fin party.
Luxury lifestyle
You will not find a place on Earth with a bigger number of infinity pools, luxury spa, stunning villas, unique restaurants and beach clubs. What is even more appealing is the fact that in Bali all this remains accessible for various types of travellers. Literally, it is the island where luxury is affordable!
Not surprisingly, all this makes Bali one of most popular destination among celebrities and travel bloggers – many of them even opt for permanent living on the island, exploring it endless luxurious activities and beautiful nature.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes represent another thing that is Bali famous for. Indonesia is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area in the Pacific basin with most of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic activity. A whopping 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes can be found here, many of which are in Indonesia. The two most active of these – Kelud and Mount Merapi – are located on Java, which lies close to the western coast of Bali.
Bali’s mountainous midsection is also home to not one, but two active volcanoes; Mount Batur and Mount Agung, which most recently erupted at the end of 2017.
Mount Batur is one of the most visited places on the island, where adventurous travellers can strap on their hiking boots to climb to the summit for sunrise. The panoramic views from the peak are astonishing, and are guaranteed to make that middle-of-the-night start worthwhile!
Rice fields
Visitors to Bali are often blown away by the unique beauty of the islands many rice terraces, which span an area of 20,000 hectares. These lush, verdant fields are at their most spectacular between October and March when the crops are at their peak growth.
These rolling rice paddies are managed under a complex irrigation system known as Subak, which was developed in the 9th century. This ecologically sustainable system is of great cultural and religious importance in Bali and is under the authority of priests in the island’s water temples.
Subak became an established UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 and is a must-see for anyone considering a trip to Bali.
Beaches
It’s a no-brainer, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Bali’s spectacular coastline. As with everything else on the island, Bali’s beaches vary significantly from one spot to the next. Beach bums can expect to find white-sand paradise and turquoise waters, black volcanic beaches, world-class surf spots, and much more besides.
For sunbathing: Let’s face it, you can lie in the sun everywhere – but if soft, white sand is what you’re looking for, head to Balangan Beach on the south of the island. This quiet strip of coastline is still largely underdeveloped and is more laid-back than many of Bali’s more touristy spots. This makes it the perfect spot to kick back and relax with a beer and a good book while you work on your holiday tan.
For swimming: If swimming is your preferred beachside activity, head to Sanur on the south-east coast of the island. The calm, clear waters in this region make for perfect swimming conditions, and there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and bean bags for you to relax in afterward.
For snorkelling: Menjangan island is located a few miles off Bali’s north-west coast, and has some of the best snorkelling spots in the region. This unspoiled island is accessible only by boat and is home to many tropical fish species, including angelfish and clownfish. If you’re lucky, you may even spot green sea turtles or hawksbill turtles here.
For surfing: The best place to surf in Bali is undoubtedly Uluwatu. With six different reef breaks, this town on the peninsula of the island sees epic waves all year round, attracting thousands of world-class surfers. If you’re a beginner, try out Canggu a little further up the coast, where the waves are a little smaller and more manageable.
Marine life
Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, a region with the greatest marine biodiversity on earth. This area is home to 76% of all known coral species in the world, as well as Giant Manta Rays, Giant Moray Eels, Hammerhead Sharks, Reef Sharks, and Hawksbill turtles. Over 3000 species of fish inhabit this region, and snorkelers and scuba divers will be amazed at the vibrancy and diversity of life on the reefs.
The Coral Triangle is also home to the Whale Shark, the world’s largest species of fish. These gentle giants are rarely spotted by tourists, although they are sometimes seen around the southwestern island of Nusa Lembongan.
Waterfalls
A trip to Bali isn’t complete without a trek to a few of the island’s spectacular waterfalls. Many of these can only be reached on foot, so hunting down these hidden gems is a great holiday activity for the adventurous.
Make sure you don’t miss:
Niagara Munduk, Buleleng: Located in the jungles surrounding the scenic village of Munduk, the Niagara Munduk is known as Bali’s Niagara Falls. Both the waterfall and it’s surrounding area are spectacular and well worth a visit.
Sekumpal Waterfall, Singaraja: Widely considered to be Bali’s most beautiful fall, Sekumpal Waterfall requires a little more effort to get to. Trek down dirt roads, through jungles and up steps to reach this natural beauty – trust us, it’s worth it!
Yeh Mampeh Waterfall, Singaraja: Yeh Mampeh means ‘flying water’ in Balinese, and this waterfall is Bali’s tallest. Yeh Mampeh is still a little off the beaten track and is quiet and peaceful as a result.
Art
Balinese painting, sculpture, music, and dance are an integral part of the island’s rich cultural heritage. Balinese art is Hindu-Javanese in origin and can be seen throughout the island in many different forms, most notably at the island’s many temples.
If you happen to be on the island between early June and early July, be sure to check out the Bali Art festival. This celebration of the island’s art history is held every year at the Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Centre in Denpasar. Here, you can immerse yourself in the cultural history of the island by learning about the traditional performances of Bali.
Shadow puppetry, traditional dances, and music compositions are just some of the performances featured at the festival each year. This event is a true treat for visitors with a thirst for history and culture, and shouldn’t be missed out on!