30 Most Enchanting and Beautiful Places to See in Bali
Having journeyed through all the amazing Bali landscapes ourselves, we fell head over heels in love with this island, as most do. Whether you’re looking for the rice terrace aesthetic or the cultural experience of exploring old beautiful temples, Bali for sure has an endless potential for gifting you breathtaking sights. We’re thrilled to share our favorite spots with you, and we hope this list inspires your own unforgettable adventures in Bali. Now let’s get into the island’s most enchanting destinations and beautiful places to see!
Beautiful Places to See By Location
Ubud
1) Monkey Forest Sanctuary
A sacred sanctuary home to hundreds of monkeys and a few temples. However much I recommend this place, you obviously do need to be careful. If you are not experienced with monkeys roaming around freely, you’ll need to learn to always be aware and hide your valuables at all times. Don’t ever let your guard down around a monkey for real.
2) Ubud Palace
This is a historical palace with stunning traditional Balinese architecture, all located in the center of Ubud.
3) Campuhan Ridge Walk
Not far from Ubud Palace there’s a little trail that offers beautiful views of rice paddies and hills in the area. It is quite a hike to be able to see all the views so do be aware it is not the easiest of trails.
4) Tegalalang Rice Terraces
You can’t go to Bali without seeing the rice terraces. Ubud is known for being near the most beautiful rice paddy fields, this being one of them.
5) Mount Batur
An active volcano known for its sunrise treks and stunning views. Book online before your trip. However, make sure you feel fit enough for a long and challenging hike in the early morning. It’s totally worth it!
6) Pura Tirta Empul
A popular and beautiful Hindu water temple famous for its holy spring water.
7) Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple, the largest temple complex in Bali, is situated on the slopes of Mount Agung. This makes it one of the most scenic drives through the island. The views are breathtaking and undeniably worth the trip. However, it’s important to note that the temple’s authenticity has been somewhat compromised by tourism. While it remains a significant cultural and historical site, its primary function seems to have shifted towards catering to tourists rather than serving solely as a place of worship.
This is from my own perspective and experience visiting the temple. But we have seen several temples in Bali. Most had that same feeling, and it is much more prevalent at the Besakih Temple as compared to others.
Amed
8) Tirta Gangga
A former royal palace known for its beautiful water gardens, ponds, and fountains. It gets pretty busy and it’s a fairly small garden area, so make sure you go early enough to get the best pictures.
9) Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang
Famous for its “Gates of Heaven” with stunning views of Mount Agung, this temple is the best place for iconic pictures of Bali. While it’s a beautiful temple, it can be quite crowded, and may not be worth the wait for some people. However, such iconic pictures of Bali you can’t miss. So if you have the time to see it, you should absolutely visit!
10) Ujung Water Palace
An enchanting water palace located along the north east coast of Bali. There you can see the volcanoes and the ocean on the other side, all in a beautiful garden setting. This definitely tops one of the most beautiful places to see in Bali.
Uluwatu
11) Nyang Nyang Beach
Not far from Pandawa Beach, Nyang Nyang Beach also has stunning cliffs in a secluded and laid back beach setting in Uluwatu.
12) Karang Boma Cliff
A breathtaking cliffside viewpoint perched high above the beach, making it one of the most stunning views of the ocean. It’s popular at sunset time, and you will have to pay a small fee to enter during those hours. But it is totally worth the trek to the cliff as it offers stunning views of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks below and you’ll witness probably the best sunset you’ll ever see.
13) Uluwatu Temple
A cliffside sea temple in Uluwatu with absolutely breathtaking ocean views. There is a performance every evening of a traditional Kecak dance at sunset. So you can choose to watch the performance or relax by the temple to see the most aesthetic sunset views over a cliffside beach.
Best Cliffside Views
14) Thousand Islands Viewpoint
Has the best panoramic views of the ocean and rugged coastline. It’s both gorgeously green and blue with the cliffs and the ocean.
15) Kelingking Beach
Similar to the Thousand Islands Viewpoint, this beach is known for its dramatic, green cliffs overlooking the bluest ocean and with a secluded beach below. It is a challenging climb down to the beach and an even more challenging scale up, so do be aware that it is a bit secluded for a reason. However it is totally worth the adventure!
16) Diamond Beach
Another stunning beach with crystal clear waters and dramatic cliffs, located on Nusa Penida, just by the Thousand Islands Viewpoint. This is very popular among adventurous tourists for good reason, as it truly is one of the most beautiful places to see on the island.
Waterfalls in Bali
Bali is known for their waterfalls in the north parts of the island. And you cannot travel Bali without visiting at least one waterfall as they are some of the most beautiful places to see and experience in Bali. Here are my top recommendations, though there are much more waterfalls you can explore.
17) Gitgit Waterfall
18) Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
19) Tukad Cepung Waterfall
20) Aling-Aling Waterfall
21) Sekumpul Waterfall
22) Nungnung Waterfall
Shopping
23) Sukawati Art Market
A market where you can find local handicrafts, souvenirs, and artworks.
24) Ubud Art Market
A market in the center of Ubud offering a wide range of Balinese crafts, clothing, and accessories.
25) Kuta Art Market
Similar to Ubud Art Market, the one in Kuta is just next to the beach, which is perfect for casual beach day shopping.
Other Beautiful Places To See in Bali
26) Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
A picturesque water temple located on Lake Beratan, known for being a beautiful old temple surrounded by the lake.
27) Tanah Lot Temple
An aesthetic beach temple perched on a rock formation, and is especially beautiful at sunset.
28) Pandawa Beach
A hidden gem in Ulutwatu, it is a beach with white sand and clear waters surrounded by beautiful green cliffs.
29) Lovina Beach
Known for their black sand beaches and dolphin watching in the north coastline of Bali.
30) Amed beach
Amed also has the black sand beaches, which I highly recommend visiting as well, especially with the views of the volcanoes beyond the village.
All in all, no matter where you go in Bali, you’re bound for an adventure and beautiful memories. These are the locations we found to be the most memorable, and we hope you all find your own hidden gems in Bali during your travels as well.
Safe travels!
Maeve & Kart
Ram ram!
We’re Maeve & Kart – an introverted American girl with a love for letters, flowers, and chai on one side, and an introverted extrovert nature enthusiast Indian boy with a sweet tooth on the other.
Get yourself a cup of tea and a spoonful of chini and settle in.
We write for all aspiring travelers, folks in long distance and multicultural relationships, and those kindred spirits out there looking for advice on life in India as a foreigner.
As an American/Indian couple, we are currently living together in India in a cross cultural relationship as a result of one of few successful long distance love stories.
Come along with us as we share stories and advice on multicultural discussions, long distance relationships, and the beauty of travel.
Maeve & Kart
Our Long Distance Story
We are Maeve and Kart – a long distance married couple from America and India.
To all kindred spirits out there trying to navigate a multicultural or a long distance relationship, you’re not alone. Learn from our own experiences of how we finally found each other from across the world and remain together living with a blend of both cultures and languages.
Get a cup of tea and a spoonful of chini and take in the advice from those who have successfully created a strong cross-cultural relationship from a distance.
Come along with us for the journey
Subscribe to our newsletter for discussions on long distance and cross cultural relationships, as well as travel tips and stories of living in India.
About Us
We're Maeve and Kart – an introvert with a love for letters, flowers, and chai on one side, and an introverted extrovert nature enthusiast with a sweet tooth on the other. Get yourself a cup of tea and a spoonful of chini and settle in. To all aspiring travelers, folks in long distance and multicultural relationships, and those kindred spirits out there looking for advice on life in India as a foreigner - consider this place your sanctuary. As an American/Indian couple, we are currently living together in India in a cross cultural relationship as a result of one of few successful long distance love stories. Our journey is unique, and we're here to share insights and advice for anyone in similar circumstances. Come along with us as we share stories and advice on multicultural discussions, long distance relationships, and the beauty of travel.
