Bali – island of the gods. A paradise of its own.
No wonder Bali has this distinctive name. The Indonesian island has it all: beautiful nature, delicious and healthy food, amazing culture, and friendly folks.
Couples, families with kids, singles, surf addicts, food enthusiasts and other types of travelers alike love coming to Bali and we are not surprised. It is a magical place and there are so many fun things to do in Bali.
No matter if you stay in Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu, there are many fun must-dos and must-sees in Bali that are not to be missed. But don’t worry, we will help you to find the 10 best and most fun things that you must do in Bali.
Indulge in Balinese cuisine with a hands-on experience!
Taking a Balinese cooking class is another fun thing to do in Bali if you are a foodie and want to do something different. Especially Ubud is popular for taking a half-day or full-day Balinese cooking class in which you visit a local market or even stay on an organic farm where you can harvest fresh ingredients for cooking traditional and authentic Balinese dishes.
Honeymooners, friends, families and individual travelers alike get the opportunity to dive into Balinese culture through delicious food and meet like-minded travelers.
What does it cost: The vast majority of Balinese cooking classes are fairly cheap and won’t break the bank. Expect prices to start at around $25, which includes a market tour and usually around 5 dishes or more that you will learn to cook and enjoy eating afterwards.
2. Visit the Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Explore the stunning nature of Bali – a must do for every traveler!
One of the most beautiful and top things to do in Bali is to visit the Tegalalang Rice Terrace in Ubud. The design of the rice paddies creates a marvelous lush scenery, popular for taking Instagram-worthy pictures.
You can explore the Tegalalang Rice Terrace by walking around yourself or take a guided tour. You will also find a number of restaurants and cafes from where you can enjoy the breathtaking view. Due to the location of the Rice Terrace 600m above sea level, it’s not too hot, but rather breezy.
Entrance fee: There is an entrance fee of around $1, but visitors are oftentimes required to make small donations to the farmers for walking around their rice fields.
Opening hours: There are no official opening hours for the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, but it is advisable to visit between 9am to 6pm (opening hours of the restaurants).
How to get there: The Tegalalang Rice Terrace is located in the Tegalalang village, only a half an hour drive north of Ubud. You can easily drive here by motorbike or hire a driver to bring you here.
Good to know: Due to its popularity, it can get crowded at the Tegalalang Rice Terrace during peak season. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting Jatiluwih instead. The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are located closer to Tanah Lot than Tegalalang.
3. Learn how to Surf
Learn surfing at some of the best surf spots in the world!
Bali is not only known for its beauty and culture, but also for providing some of the best surf spots in the world. No matter if you are a beginner, intermediate or a pro, in Bali you can test the water and this is definitely a must do.
Surfing season in Bali: The best time to go surfing in Bali is basically throughout all year, because Bali is consistently blessed with waves. The two seasons, dry and wet season affect several surf spots of Bali in a different way.
Good to know: Most surf beginners and intermediate surfers come to Bali during dry season from April to October. During dry season, the best surf spots for beginners are located on the West coast of the island.
If you happen to come to Bali during rainy season between November and March, it will be less crowded and prices will generally be lower. During this time, the East coast is preferable.
Best surf spots in Bali: If you are a surf beginner, you should definitely check out Canggu. In the hipster hotspot Canggu you can take your first surf lessons at Batu Bolong Beach and enjoy drinks at the Old Man’s with the cool kids afterwards.
Other popular choices for surf beginners in Bali are Kuta Beach, Airport’s and Dreamland where you will find many surf schools, but mind that it can get quite crowded there during high season.
More experienced surfers should check out Padang Padang and Uluwatu.
4. Hang out at a Beach Club
Enjoy awesome food and drinks in a fun & stylish venue!
Bali is the perfect place to spend a relaxed day at one of Bali’s trendy beach clubs. Mingle with other travelers or lounge in the sun while you enjoy the view of beach and ocean from an infinity pool.
You will find a great choice of excellent beach clubs in Bali where you can easily spend all day (and night). We have listed some of the best ones for you!
Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak: One of the hippest places you will find in Seminyak. It offers three restaurants, two bars, an infinity pool and international DJs playing electronic music.
Opening hours: 10am – 2am
Entrance fee: None, but for day beds the minimum spend is about $35.
Address: Jl. Petitenget No. 51 Seminyak, Bali 83061
Finn’s Beach Club in Canggu: A popular spot that attracts a trendy crowd at Berawa Beach. Finn’s Beach Club knows how to impress with a marvelous infinity pool, underwater speakers and a swim-up pool bar.
Opening hours: 9am – 10pm
Entrance fee: None, but for day beds the minimum spend is about $18.
Address: Jl. Pantai Berawa, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Sundays Beach Club in Uluwatu: The Sundays Beach Club offers a spectacular beachfront location and a great restaurant where you can indulge in luxurious views of the ocean.
Opening hours: 9am – 10pm
Entrance fee: About $22 for a day pass incl. $10 food and beverage credit
Address: Jalan Pantai Selatan Gau, Banjar Wijaya Kusuma, Ungasan, Kuta Selatan, South Kuta, Bali 80362
Admire a breathtaking scenery like you have never seen it before!
Tanah Lot Temple is one the most famous temples in Bali located in the Southwest. Surrounded by water and located on a beach, it is the perfect location to admire Bali’s beauty and we recommend this as one of the top fun things that you must do in Bali.
The best time to visit Tanah Lot Temple is in the evening when the sun starts to sink into the ocean, creating dramatic effects that leave even the most seasoned travelers stunned.
Entrance fee: The entrance fee is about $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Opening hours: 7am – 7pm
How to get there: From Kuta the distance to Tanah Lot Temple is about 21km, from Ubud the distance is about 31km. You can either get there by motorbike, taxi or car. Hiring a taxi from Kuta will cost about $22 for a round trip.
Good to know: Visitors are not allowed to enter the temple, only the temple area.
You can also enjoy a Balinese cooking class combined with a Tanah Lot Temple tour:
6. Bath in the Holy Water of Tirta Empul Water Temple
Experience a purifying temple visit!
Bali is well-known for its many temples and rituals that shape the local culture, but Pura Tirta Empul is a very special place for Balinese worshipers. They come to the temple to bathe in its holy waters to purify their minds, bodies, and souls.
As a traveler you can either visit this peaceful temple and watch Balinese people taking holy baths or take the opportunity to purify yourself in a spiritual ceremony.
What to wear: The dress code is a sarong wrapped around the lower body. You can rent sarongs at the temple for less than 1$.
Entrance fee: The entrance fee is about 1$.
Opening hours: 9am – 5pm
How to get there: The Pura Tirta Empul Water Temple is located 15km North of Ubud so you might consider combining the visit with the Tegelalang Rice Terrace.
Good to know: If you plan to get into the water, don’t forget to take a spare set of dry clothes with you.
7. Catch a Yoga Class in Ubud
Connect body and mind at Bali’s spiritual center Ubud!
Ubud is a sanctuary for everyone who would like to calm down and nourish their soul with meditation and deep stretches. With an abundance of different yoga studios, beginners and advanced yogis alike will find the right place for them.
Yoga classes in Ubud are quite cheap and they come in different styles. We listed some of the most popular yoga studios for you!
The Yoga Barn: The Yoga Barn is the biggest yoga studio in Ubud, offering a great variety of different classes and teacher trainings. Be aware that classes are often packed, so you might not always get the attention needed.
Address: Jl. Raya Pengosekan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Ubud Yoga House: At Ubud Yoga House you will be doing Yoga in much smaller classes. The studio has a more relaxed and personal atmosphere overlooking the rice paddies but offers less variety in classes.
Address: Jl. Subak Sokwayah, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Radiantly Alive: Radiantly Alive is another popular yoga studio where you will find interesting options and a great number of classes. Classes can get quite packed during high season.
Address: Jl. Jembawan No. 3, Padangtegal, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Taksu Yoga: At Taksu Yoga you will find only a few classes per day and small class sizes, making it a great choice for everyone looking for a peaceful retreat in a beautiful surrounding.
Address: Taksu Spa Restaurant Yoga, Jl. Goutama Selatan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571
What does it cost: The average price for yoga classes in Ubud is around 9$, but when you purchase a class pass for multiple classes, the lessons wills will become even cheaper.
8. Rent a Private Villa
Bali is a paradise from many perspectives and of them is that luxury becomes very affordable. If you dream of staying in a luxurious villa during your trip, Bali is the right place for you.
Especially when you travel with a group or with kids, renting a villa in Bali is very convenient. No matter if you look for one bedroom, two bedrooms, three bedrooms or even more, you will find a lot of different options to choose from. Of course, these kinds of villas usually come with a private pool.
How to find a villa: Most common are standard accommodation booking websites, but there are also plenty of websites on which you will find exclusively villas on Bali.
If you are looking to rent a villa for more than one month, it is best to take a look around your preferred location. Oftentimes locals and other travelers who are staying long-term have useful tips.
Good to know: If you opt for more affordable options, take a look at villas that do not have a beachfront. They are usually cheaper than the ones that have direct access to the beach.
9. Explore Bali on a Scooter
Hop on your scooter and just drive!
Nothing will give you more freedom than to get on a scooter and just drive around. Cheap bike rentals can be found everywhere on Bali, making it easy to explore the magical island on your own.
No matter if you just want to cruise around for a day or if you plan to explore Bali more thoroughly, a scooter can get you far and there are only a few things you need take care of.
Do’s: Wear a helmet. Although it’s hot and you might think you look cooler without one, you do not. Bring your international driver’s license along and use sunscreen while you are on the road. Be aware that people in Bali drive on the left side of the road and that there are generally not many rules to follow – just go with the flow. Oh, and honk. Honk a lot more than you are used to.
Don’ts: Don’t drive too fast. You will be able to enjoy your surroundings more when you take it slow. Sometimes you will encounter bumpy roads with holes and hectic traffic in the busier parts of Bali like Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud. Especially inexperienced drivers should be careful. An accident can ruin the rest of your trip.
What does it cost: Renting a scooter costs around 4 – 6$ a day.
Good to know: Insurance should come with the scooter, but find out what the insurance covers. You should also check the scooter for any damages before renting it and test lights, brakes as well as signals.
In most rental shops you will be asked for your passport. Make sure to have a copy on hand that you can leave with them instead of your passport.
10. Pamper yourself in a Balinese Spa
Wind down in a relaxing spa session!
One of the best ways to enjoy your trip to Bali is by pampering yourself in a Balinese spa. No matter if you want to relax by yourself or if you are looking for a romantic couple activity, the spa options in Bali are numerous.
From traditional Balinese treatments to luxurious aroma therapies and massages at the beach – no matter what you choose, pure bliss is awaiting you. We listed the best spas in Bali for you!
Bhava Spa in Kuta: Bhava Spa at Amnaya Resort Kuta offers a fantastic treatment for partners and is known to one of the best spas in Kuta offering interesting treatments paired with impeccable service and well-trained staff.
Opening hours: 10am – 11pm
Spa at The Samaya Seminyak: Not the cheapest option Seminyak but worth every cent you spend there. Especially their Balinese massage is an excellent choice if you are looking to take relaxation to the next level.
Opening hours: 9am – 8pm
Karsa Spa in Ubud: Surrounded by rice fields, Karsa Spa is the perfect place to relax in Ubud with affordable prices. One hour long massages start already at around 13$.
Opening hours: 9am – 7pm
Good to know: Even if you are traveling on a budget, you will find many affordable places in Bali to enjoy a great massage.
YES! These are the 10 most fun things that you must do in Bali!
There are plenty of fun things you can do in Bali and we hope this guide helps you to make the most of your trip. Have a great time!
