Bali pocket guide.
Ascending the steps of Pura Besakih Temple (📷)
A jewel in the crown of Indonesia, the culturally rich island of Bali is jam-packed with countless activities and experiences that can't be paralleled anywhere else on Earth.
Fill your itinerary with visits to dramatic ancient Hindu temples nestled in the mountainous highland region, with side trips to gargantuan waterfalls buried deep in the jungle.
Stroll through enchanted forest sanctuaries that countless curious monkeys call home, and enter an ancient cave through the mouth of a stone-carved demon.
🏖 Discover paradise on stunning beaches.
The sheer amount of incredible beaches scattered across the island has made Bali a haven for travellers. You will be able to find an idyllic beach to suit your needs, whether you venture out to sea where surfers catch the waves or relax on the golden shores often populated by families and party-goers shaking off the remnants of last night's hangover.
The heart of nightlife is undoubtedly Kuta, along with its neighbour Double Six Beach. Home to the most lavish nightclubs and beach bars in Bali, the beaches themselves aren't the most jaw-dropping compared to others found close by, but the vibrant nightlife that ensues here every night makes a visit to Kuta absolutely essential. During the day-time, hit up one of the chilled out beach bars dotted along the coast to socialise and enjoy some drinks.
The high concentration of beautiful beaches found in the Bukit Peninsula completely solidifies Bali's position as one of the best coastal destinations in the world. Two of its most prestigious and luxurious hotel resorts are found on the shore surrounding Geger Beach.
This stunning white sand beach stretches for miles to merge with another firm favourite — Nusa Dua Beach (📷) — in the north. Both of these beaches exhibit the best of Bali. Crystal blue waters gently lap inland to greet the shimmering white sands. The western coast of the peninsula is more lively and attractive younger travellers, offering unforgettable experiences in open-air beach clubs and bars.
Any traveller willing to stray off the beaten path will be rewarded by uncovering hidden gems. Secluded Bias Tugel is located just over an hour outside of Kuta, accessible by completing a short trek. The beach is a strip of white sand surrounded by lush vegetation, giving the feeling of perfect isolation.
Although not unknown these days, the strenuous journey and dedication that it takes to reach Kelingking Beach (📷) on the neighbouring island of Nusa Penida certainly prevents it from being as overrun as the beaches on the mainland. The view from above this rugged and gorgeous beach is amongst the most picture-perfect spots on Earth.
🍹 Chilled-out beach bars + party attitude.
Bali’s diverse nightlife runs the gauntlet from laid-back swanky cocktail bars perched on rooftops to expansive outdoor music venues catering to the young and lively. The nightlife hubs of Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu are most certainly the places to be after the sun sets on the island.
Located in Canggu, the expansive venue of Old Man's is a firm favourite with travellers to the island, who rave about the warm atmosphere radiating from its lively outdoor pavilion. With frequent live music and events scheduled throughout the year, Old Man's is a definitive entry to any itinerary.
Meanwhile, the huge indoor venue of Motel Mexicola offers a unique clubbing experience with excellent live DJs.
A great spot at any time of day, colourful beach shack La Plancha glistens under the stars during the evening, affording an assortment of rainbow-coloured beach parasols adorned with magical fairy lights and beanbags for lounging on.
The bar closes at about midnight each night, so this is a highly recommended spot to grab a few drinks before heading out to dance the night away. Literally just down the street from La Plancha is Blue 9, another great beach bar that offers a similar vibe, with cocktails and beach-side lounging.
For an incredible sunset that will forever etch itself in your memory, Single Fin in the Bukit Peninsula serves up food and a wide array of drinks to guests as they admire scenic view of the ever-expanding ocean from the comfort of its terrace. Make sure to come here slightly earlier in the day if you would like to secure a seat for sunset, because it is totally worth the trip.
Perhaps the crown jewel of Kuta, the Sky Garden is a renowned venue complex comprising of a classy rooftop lounge and a bustling nightclub featuring performances from DJs.
🌸 Immerse yourself in ancient Balinese culture.
As you venture outside of central Bali, you will unearth mystical ancient sites that captivate imaginations and draw tourists en-mass, in search of a deeper understanding of rich Balinese history.
From the towering spires of the holy Hindu temple Pura Besakih to enchanting water temples replete with ancient fountains and pools, the highlands of Bali offer the truly otherworldly experience of taking a step back in time.
The surreal exterior of Goa Gajah (📷) is one of the most compelling sights on the entire island. A nightmarish glare guards the entrance to a cave, and is enough to give you goosebumps when standing in its presence. Although small inside, simply imagining the context in which this eerie sculpture was carved is fascinating enough.
Close by, Ubud harbours another highlight in the form of Pura Taman Saraswati (📷) —a delightful water temple nestled in the heart of the town. This tranquil temple features lotus ponds and is dedicated to Hindu goddess Sarasvati
Deep in the untamed wilderness of the Balinese highlands, dramatic mountainous terrain backdrops Ulun Danu Beratan (📷). The view is so incredible that it continues to convince visitors to make the long journey to see this iconic temple for themselves.
Nestled on the banks of Lake Beratan, the multi-storied temple sits delicately upon a small inlet extending from the mainland, making this an incredible location to see the sun setting. Closer to the tourist circuit, practitioners of the Hindu faith make an enlightened journey to Tanah Lot (📷) — a dramatic natural rock formation just off the coast. This spot is not only popular with Hindu pilgrims, but is a favourite with opportunistic travellers looking for the perfect snap to take home.
🐒 Rugged jungle waterfalls + forest sanctuaries.
Spell-binding natural beauty is abundant. Dense jungles harbour titanic waterfalls and lush forest sanctuaries such as Ubud Monkey Forest house furry friends that aren't at all shy when it comes to interacting with humans.
The majority of well-known waterfalls on the island are located in the northern reaches of the Balinese highlands, woven inside crevasses of dense jungles. A noticeable exception to this rule is Tegenungan Falls — a distinguished highlight when it comes to natural beauty on the island. Reachable within half-an-hour from the town of Ubud, the falls thunderously cascade down the slight cliff-face, creating an imposing showcase of nature's power.
On your way to explore the cascading delights of the highlands, make sure to stop by the jaw-dropping Nungnung Waterfall (📷). Slightly isolated and encapsulated in untamed terrain, this waterfall is a hidden gem that is too often vacant from itineraries, though it is most certainly worth the effort to experience.
If you plan on exploring the bountiful treasures of the highlands, you will most likely be looking to spend a night or two in the peaceful port town of Singaraja. This is an excellent and convenient base for exploring the waterfalls nearby.
🥑 Food + Drink.
The irresistible candy coloured shack of Sea Circus in Seminyak whips up delicious Mexican inspired bar food in the form of tacos during lunch and dinner. They also offer a breakfast menu with selection of cocktails and fresh coffee.
Over in neighbouring Canggu, hip joint MyWarung Berawa boasts a flawless reputation, with customers singing praises about the incredible value for money for its hearty meals.
With the same unanimous enthusiasm thrown its way, District Canggu is tucked away on the fringes of the tourist trail, and is a true hidden gem. Offering an expansive and clean space to relax and recover after a night out on the town, District is a must visit for any visitor to Canggu.
Located in the resort town of Jimbaran, the beautiful interior of Balique draws a crowd, who subsequently stay to enjoy the great food on offer. If you find yourself exploring the Bukit Peninsula around Dreamland Beach, make sure and pop over to Balique for a bite to eat.
For a spot of fine dining in the area, the romantic Bridges Bali is sure to win over anyone who sets foot on this astounding complex. Spread across multiple levels overlooking the rivers and valleys of Ubud, the restaurant is essential if you are open to splashing out during your trip.
💤 Accommodation.
Visitors to Bali are blessed when it comes to accommodation. With incredibly affordable high quality hotels and dime-a-dozen hostels, Bali is easy on the wallet and pleasant on the senses.
Huge 5 star resorts dot the coast of the island and are the exception to this rule, with some of these resorts charging an exuberant nightly fee, but in exchange offering incredible opulence, luxury and unbeatable locations in return.
In addition, amazing private villas are available for a very reasonable price through Airbnb or TripAdvisor. Looking for your own private slice of heaven? This may be the route you want to go down.
💰 Dorms from £12.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from £388.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from £49.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from £40.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from £120.00 per night.
💰 Rooms from £49.00 per night.
Rounding off.
The island of Bali compresses countless world-class sights and experiences into its compact landmass, establishing itself as one of the prime holiday destinations in the world. The rugged north of the island is dotted with ancient temples and dense jungle populated by awe-inspiring waterfalls and vibrant wildlife, whilst the south of the island sharply contrasts this.
The south of the island is a bustling resort in its own right. Home to some of the best beaches on Earth, and a hotspot for enthusiastic travellers who value nothing more than simply sipping an ice cold cocktail at a dimly lit beach bar in the company of friends—old and new.
