Bali is one of those islands that has it all: clifftop temples, terraced rice fields, volcanoes, waterfalls, surf beaches and a Hindu culture you can see every day in the offerings on the street. In this article we tell you what to do in Bali, where it is, how to prepare and which temples and beaches are worth it in 2026.

If you want it all organized (a 13-day itinerary, plus restaurants, cafés and hotels by area), you'll find it in our Bali travel guide PDF, with more than 200 places saved in Google Maps. There's also our Bali map for Google Maps on its own.

Where is Bali

Bali is an island in Indonesia, in Southeast Asia, between Java (to the west) and Lombok (to the east). The international airport is in Denpasar, in the south, and from there it's a short ride to the most visited areas: Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua and, a bit farther inland, Ubud.

Bali's areas in a nutshell

• Uluwatu: on the southwest tip, with cliffs, the Pura Luhur temple and surf beaches like Padang Padang or Bingin. It's our favorite spot on the island.
• Ubud: the cultural center, surrounded by jungle and rice fields, with galleries, traditional dance and the Monkey Forest.
• Canggu: a stretch of coast with trendy cafés, rice fields and beach; it draws surfers and digital nomads.
• Seminyak: north of Kuta, more upscale, with boutiques, great restaurants and beach sunsets.
• Kuta: beach, surf and lots of nightlife.
• Sanur: quiet and traditional, with a seaside promenade and ferries to the Nusa islands.
• Nusa Dua: high-end resort area with calm-water beaches.
• Amed: a fishing village on the east coast, with black sand and reefs for diving.

How to prepare for your trip to Bali

Visa and tourist tax (2026)

To enter as a tourist you need a visa: the VOA, valid for 30 days and extendable for another 30 in person. You can apply online for the e-VOA at molina.imigrasi.go.id or pay for it at the airport: 500,000 rupiah (about €25). Before you arrive, you need to fill out the All Indonesia form (free, up to 72 hours ahead) and pay the Bali tourist tax, 150,000 rupiah (about €7.50), at lovebali.baliprov.go.id. If you want to stay 60 days, there's the C1 visa (formerly B211A), for 1,000,000 rupiah (about €50).

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival and have 2 blank pages, and it's a good idea to carry proof of onward travel.

What to pack

Light, breathable clothes, a swimsuit, a rain jacket, comfy sandals, hiking shoes (for Batur and the waterfalls), mosquito repellent, sunscreen and a pair of long linen pants or a sarong for the temples. The guide has the full list of clothes, toiletries and first-aid kit.

Money, apps and insurance

The currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Carry some cash for warungs and markets, although many places take cards. The apps you'll use most are Grab or Gojek (car, scooter and food), WhatsApp (to talk to hotels and drivers) and Google Maps, carefully, because it sometimes suggests routes down dead-end roads. And travel with insurance: we always use IATI Seguros.

Bali weather: when to go

Bali has a tropical climate and two seasons:

• Dry season (April to October): more sun and less rain, around 30 °C during the day and 22–24 °C at night. It's the best time for the beach, surfing and day trips. July and August are the busiest months.
• Rainy season (November to March): frequent downpours, especially in the afternoon, and around 28 °C. A good time for temples, culture and the island's interior, with fewer tourists.

What to see in Bali: the must-visit temples

Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu)

It sits on the edge of a cliff above the ocean, in the south of the island. Go at sunset and stay for the Kecak dance, performed with the sea as a backdrop. Watch out for the monkeys: they're famous for grabbing sunglasses, caps and phones.

Tanah Lot

A temple on a rock in the sea, on the west coast. At sunset, with the waves crashing around it, it's one of Bali's most iconic images. It pairs perfectly with a few days in Canggu.

Ulun Danu Beratan

The temple on Lake Beratan, in the central mountains, dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water. When the mist rolls in and the temple is reflected in the lake, it looks like it's floating.

Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi

Near Ubud. At Tirta Empul, Balinese people perform purification rituals in its sacred springs; Gunung Kawi has monuments carved into the rock among rice fields. On our itinerary we visited both in the same afternoon.

Other temples you can add

• Besakih: the "Mother Temple," on the slopes of Mount Agung.
• Goa Gajah: the "Elephant Cave," with an entrance carved into the rock.
• Taman Ayun: a royal temple with gardens and ponds.
• Pura Luhur Batukaru: deep in the jungle, very peaceful.
• Pura Ulun Danu Batur: next to the volcano and Lake Batur.

At every temple you need to cover your legs with a sarong (they usually lend or rent them at the entrance) and be respectful of ceremonies.

Nature: rice fields, volcanoes and waterfalls

• Tegalalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces: Jatiluwih is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the traditional "subak" irrigation system; go early or at sunset.
• Sunrise on Mount Batur: an easy hike you can do with friends or family. You can book it at any stall in Ubud.
• Waterfalls: our favorites are Leke Leke, Nungnung and Suwat, an hour from Ubud by scooter or car. Tegenungan is also worth it.
• Hot springs: Toya Devasya in Kintamani or Banjar Hot Springs, in the north.

Bali beaches

The southern beaches, especially on the Uluwatu peninsula, are the most beautiful: cliffs, turquoise water and waves for surfing. Our favorites:

• Thomas Beach: perfect for spending the day, with shops and cafés nearby.
• Dreamland: lots of atmosphere and one of the best sunsets.
• Bingin: tucked between rocks, with great surf.
• Nyang Nyang: wide and wild, for switching off.
• Padang Padang: small and famous; it gets packed, so go early.
• Melasti: cliffs and turquoise water.

Outside the south: Canggu (Batu Bolong and Echo Beach) to learn to surf, Sanur for a quiet day, Jimbaran for a seafood dinner on the sand, Amed for diving and Lovina, in the north, for a sunrise boat trip to see dolphins.

Nearby islands: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida

Ferries leave Sanur harbor regularly. On Nusa Lembongan we recommend Dream Beach, Mushroom Beach, the Yellow Bridge and the Sunset Point viewpoint; on Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach and Crystal Bay for snorkeling.

What to eat in Bali

Balinese cooking uses lots of turmeric, ginger and chili. Try nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), nasi campur and babi guling (roast suckling pig). For cheap, tasty food, go to warungs: In Da Compound Warung in Ubud or Warung Local and Yeye's in Uluwatu. And if you love brunch, Canggu and Uluwatu have tons of cafés; the guide has our favorites by area.

Other things we'd do

• Surf lessons with locals, in Canggu if it's your first time.
• A Balinese cooking class.
• Yoga in Ubud or Uluwatu (we list our favorite spots in the guide).
• Partying at Single Fin, in Uluwatu, on Wednesdays and Sundays.
• If you have more days, a boat trip around Komodo leaving from the island of Flores.

Plan your trip to Bali

If you want the full itinerary (Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Lembongan, Lovina and the north), hotels by area and price, useful apps and all the cafés and restaurants we recommend, it's all in our Bali travel guide with a Google Maps map. If you just want the places saved, take a look at the Bali map.

If you already have dates and want a concrete route, here's our 10-day Bali itinerary, day by day.

On a tight budget? Also read how to travel to Bali on a budget: 10 tips and real prices.