Top 10 Things to Do in Bali

1. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest lies within Ubud and protects a wooded ravine containing temple structures, footpaths and a large population of long-tailed macaques. It is both a religious landscape and a wildlife setting, so visitors should follow staff rules about food, belongings and respectful behavior around the animals. Because Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is also a religious or ceremonial site, check current visiting hours, services, dress expectations and any separate tower, crypt or treasury access before building the day around it. Check the official site for Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.

2. Tegallalang Rice Terraces

The rice terraces north of Ubud step down steep valley walls in a landscape shaped by Bali's long-running subak irrigation tradition. Viewpoints are easy to reach, but walking farther into the terraces reveals how water channels, cultivation and topography work together beyond the most photographed roadside scenes. Approach Tegallalang Rice Terraces through the surrounding streets before moving directly to its principal viewpoint, since the changing sightlines help explain why it became such a powerful landmark in Bali. Check the official site for Tegallalang Rice Terraces shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.

3. Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul is a major Balinese Hindu water temple built around sacred springs in the central highlands. Bathing pools used for ritual purification sit within a larger temple complex, and understanding the site's active religious role is essential to visiting it as more than a picturesque water feature. Because Tirta Empul Temple is also a religious or ceremonial site, check current visiting hours, services, dress expectations and any separate tower, crypt or treasury access before building the day around it. Check the official site for Tirta Empul Temple shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.

4. Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a sea temple set on a rocky formation off Bali's southwest coast and is especially associated with broad sunset views. Tides change the relationship between shore and temple throughout the day, while the surrounding complex and cliffs make the visit larger than the single offshore silhouette. Because Tanah Lot is also a religious or ceremonial site, check current visiting hours, services, dress expectations and any separate tower, crypt or treasury access before building the day around it. Check the official site for Tanah Lot shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.

5. Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple occupies a dramatic limestone clifftop on the Bukit Peninsula above the Indian Ocean. The setting, temple courtyards and evening kecak performances combine landscape and Balinese religious culture, though resident macaques make careful handling of loose belongings sensible. Because Uluwatu Temple is also a religious or ceremonial site, check current visiting hours, services, dress expectations and any separate tower, crypt or treasury access before building the day around it. Check the official site for Uluwatu Temple shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.

6. Mount Batur and Batur Caldera

Mount Batur is an active volcano rising within a larger caldera in northeastern Bali, with Lake Batur spread along the basin below. Sunrise hikes are popular, but even non-hikers can read the island's volcanic structure from caldera viewpoints and understand why Bali's interior differs so sharply from its resort coast. Use Mount Batur and Batur Caldera as a genuine walking block rather than a drive-by stop, and check current weather, trail, access or seasonal conditions before setting out. Check the official site for Mount Batur and Batur Caldera shortly before visiting, because opening hours, restoration work, reservation systems and access rules can change more quickly than the landmark itself.