
11 Top Things to Do in Bali: Attractions & Activities

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Thinking of heading to Bali but stuck wondering what the hell there is to actually do there? You’re not alone. A thousand Pinterest boards, ten contradictory YouTube vlogs, and one too many Instagram reels can turn paradise into full-blown analysis paralysis.
Is it all temples and smoothies? Should you hike volcanoes or sip cocktails on beanbags? Are you about to find yourself in some kind of Eat Pray Vomit situation or actually have the trip of a lifetime while you stay in Bali? I’ve been there scrolling through travel content until my eyeballs twitch, trying to decode which experiences are soul-stirring and which are just overhyped photo ops.
I’ve been a travel agent for over a decade now, building custom itineraries that balance freedom and fun, culture and chaos. I’ve seen every type of traveler: barefoot yogis, type-A spreadsheet warriors, honeymooners, solo adventurers, and confused backpackers just trying to find their next plate of nasi goreng. I know what actually works.
From sunrise hikes that leave your calves cursing your name, to street food that makes your taste buds do backflips (and your stomach sometimes do somersaults), to holy temples that drip with incense and history, I’ve scoped out what makes a Bali trip unforgettable. I’ve haggled in night markets, surfed sloppy waves, dodged scooter traffic, and meditated in bamboo treehouses that cost less than your last Uber ride.
This isn’t one of those soulless “50 Things to Do in Bali” posts written by someone who’s never left their couch. This is the real-deal, boots-on-the-ground, flip-flops-in-the-mud guide to the best things to do Bali has waiting for you right now.
So if your brain’s been fried by decision fatigue and you’ve started confusing Canggu for a skincare brand, take a deep breath. This list is your escape route.
We’ll cover can’t-miss temples, adrenaline-pumping surf spots, monkey standoffs, waterfall pilgrimages, cooking classes, snorkeling, street eats, cliff views, spa bliss, traditional Balinese dancing, and market chaos. Basically, 11 rock-solid reasons to get your ass to Bali in 2026 and make it count.
You don’t need another reel. You need this list.

1. ⛰️ Start Your Day with Awe from the Summit of Mount Batur
⭐ Rating: 5.0/5.0 (based on 38 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $50 (Includes guide, transport, and basic breakfast.)
If you’re asking what are the top things to do in Bali, waking up at 2 AM to hike a volcano should not make sense, yet somehow, it absolutely does. Watching the sunrise from the summit of Mount Batur feels like standing on another planet, coffee in hand, sweat on your back, and the clouds laid out like a damn buffet.
There’s a moment when the sky turns from pitch black to deep indigo, and suddenly, the entire valley starts to glow like it’s waking up with you. That moment alone makes the early wake-up call feel like a genius idea instead of pure madness.
This isn’t just one of the top attractions in Bali. It’s a rite of passage. A hazy, headlamp-lit pilgrimage up loose volcanic gravel that pays off with one of the best sunrises you’ll ever see, period.
The stars are insane. If you haven’t looked up in a while without light pollution, you might cry a little. Or blame your sweat. Either works.
I’ve done this trek half-awake, sore, and jet-lagged out of my skull. Still wouldn’t trade it for anything. Except maybe a post-hike massage.
And let’s talk about the weird joy of eating eggs cooked in volcanic steam at 5:45 AM. It’s rustic, it’s hot, and it feels mildly illegal. In the best way.
Then there are the mountain dogs. Stoic little legends. They guide you up like furry sherpas then pose in your selfies like seasoned influencers.
You get to the top, and suddenly the pain in your calves, the rock that’s been in your shoe since 400 meters up, and your regret over skipping leg day, all of it disappears. It’s just you, the mountain, and one hell of a view.
Then, just when it feels like you’ve peaked (pun intended), the clouds part and you have a view of Mount Agung and even Lombok in the distance. That’s when it hits you: Bali doesn’t play fair. It’s gorgeous, raw, and borderline smug about it.
And the hike down? Still gorgeous. Still slippery. Still full of people doing it for the first time in sandals. Bless ‘em.
- Book a guided sunrise trek. Trust me. Unless you have night vision and a personal mountain goat, don’t go solo.
- Bring layers. It gets cold enough to make your nipples question your life choices.
- Wear real shoes. Trail runners, hiking boots, hell, even gym shoes. Just not flip-flops. Your dignity will thank you.
- Don’t skip the packed breakfast. Eggs steamed in lava heat? Yes, please.
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp. Phone flashlights are weak, just like your Wi-Fi at the top.
- Keep your camera ready. That golden hour light doesn’t wait for your fumbling fingers.
- Smile at the mountain dogs. They’ve seen it all and judged no one. Except that one guy vaping mid-hike.
- Hydrate the day before. Hiking dehydrated is a one-way ticket to Sucktown.
- Go slow but steady. It’s not a race, it’s a climb. Unless you’re being chased by monkeys, then it’s a race.
- Pack light but smart. Water, snacks, windbreaker, camera. No need to bring your whole damn apartment.
- Tip your guide. They woke up earlier than you and probably saved someone’s ass last week.
- Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun gets intense, and sunburnt retinas are a bad souvenir.
- Laugh with strangers at the top. You all just did something slightly unhinged together before dawn. Bond over that.
- Celebrate with a post-hike coffee at a local warung. You’ve earned it. And you’ll need it.
Mount Batur doesn’t just give you views. It gives you stories, sore thighs, weird breakfast bragging rights, and that punch-in-the-gut reminder that this world is still wildly beautiful. Totally worth it.

2. 🌾 Stroll Through Iconic Rice Terraces That Feel Like a Dream
⭐ 4.3/5.0 (based on 31 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $5 (Entrance fee + a coffee or snack nearby.)
This isn’t just a walk through the countryside, it’s a full-on immersion into one of the most hypnotic landscapes on Earth. The rice terraces in Bali twist, curve, and cascade like green poetry written by a farmer with a machete and a serious eye for symmetry.
The air smells like earth and morning mist. Roosters call out from distant huts. And every step feels like you’re floating through some ancient, slow-moving painting.
If you’re ticking off the best activities in Bali, this should be top three with zero debate. There’s something borderline spiritual about it, like the land is whispering in some language you don’t understand but totally feel.
Even if you’ve seen the pics a hundred times, nothing prepares you for that first panoramic gasp. It’s lush, layered, and unapologetically extra.
Tegalalang rice terraces get all the love, but don’t sleep on Jatiluwih. It’s quieter, bigger, and you won’t be dodging selfie sticks every five feet.
These terraces aren’t just for show. They’re living, working farms. Local families have cultivated these hillsides for generations, with nothing but grit, intuition, and a deep respect for the land.
You’ll see farmers with sickles and wide-brimmed hats doing actual backbreaking work while you contemplate angles for your next photo dump. Just try not to get in their way.
The irrigation system, called subak, is an ancient Balinese method that looks like wizardry but functions like Swiss engineering. It’s why these terraces have that perfectly chaotic vibe.
Don’t rush it. These are the kinds of views that deserve your full attention, your silence, and maybe a few internal “holy shit” moments.
- Head to Tegalalang early. Like roosters-crowing early. The light is pure magic and the tour buses haven’t rolled in yet.
- Or go late afternoon. Golden hour turns the paddies into melted emeralds. No filter required.
- Wear real shoes. These paths get slippery, and you don’t want to slide into someone’s paddies like a clueless TikToker.
- Bring small cash. Local farmers maintain the trails and a donation box isn’t optional.
- Respect the signs. Some areas are off-limits. Don’t be that person hopping into restricted fields for a “candid” shot.
- Take your time. Don’t power walk through like it’s cardio. This is slow travel at its best.
- Stop for a fresh coconut or a ginger tea halfway up. Hydration with a view hits different.
- Strike up a convo with the warung owners. Balinese hospitality is the real deal, and they’ll probably give you better tips than Google.
- Snap your photos, but then put your damn phone down. You’re literally standing inside a UNESCO Instagram filter.
- Practice gratitude. You’re in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Let that sink in.
- Be mindful of your noise. Nature’s got a soundtrack here, don’t drown it out.
- Visit in both dry and wet seasons if you can. One gives you clarity, the other gives you drama.
Of all the top attractions in Bali, these rice terraces remind you that nature doesn’t need a marketing team. It just shows up and stuns you. And for a few blissful hours, you get to be part of that beauty.

3. 🐒 Get Up Close with Nature and Spirituality in Ubud’s Monkey Forest
⭐ 4.2/5.0 (based on 35 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $8 (Ticket + maybe some bananas you instantly regret buying.)
The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud is where wild macaques run the show and you’re just a respectful guest in their leafy kingdom. It’s chaotic, spiritual, and a little unhinged, all in the best possible way.
Among the top attractions in Bali, this forest temple complex hits that rare sweet spot between serene and slightly feral. One minute you’re marveling at centuries-old stone carvings, the next a monkey is trying to steal your water bottle and your soul.
You’ll walk under ancient banyan trees with roots like tentacles, through mossy temples that whisper old magic, all while dozens of monkeys size you up like you owe them rent. And somehow, it all feels balanced.
This place is spiritual, yeah, but it’s also a straight-up primate circus. It’s like the jungle version of Times Square, but with more tail-grabbing and less capitalism.
You’ll spot monkeys grooming each other like they’re running a day spa, wrestling like tiny gladiators, or chilling on statues like they own the damn place. Which, to be fair, they kind of do.
And yet, despite the chaos, there’s this weird calm that blankets the forest. Between the screeches and banana-fueled chases, the temple air hums with something ancient and sacred.
You feel it when the sun filters through the trees just right. When the incense curls from a hidden shrine. When a local priest walks by and every monkey respectfully clears a path.
If you want things to do in Bali that actually let you feel the island’s pulse, its nature, spirit, and wild unpredictability, this is the place. Just remember, you’re visiting their home. And they don’t do refunds.
- Enter with zero food in your pockets unless you want to get mugged by a monkey. No snacks. No wrappers. No mercy.
- Walk slowly and keep your camera strap tight. These little bastards are cute but have sticky fingers.
- Take a breath inside the ancient temples that feel older than time and cooler than your meditation app.
- Watch for ceremonies. If you catch one, stay quiet and soak it in. This is living, breathing Bali.
- Respect the signs and don’t get cocky. I saw a guy try to pet a monkey once. He walked away with less pride and a bloody finger.
- Don’t wear loose jewelry. That necklace you love? Gone in 0.3 seconds.
- Keep your bag zipped. Treat it like you’re walking through a very adorable but untrustworthy airport.
- Step off the main paths. The deeper trails are quieter and full of hidden carvings and quieter monkey drama.
- Come early or late. Midday is when the buses unload and things get way too selfie-stick.
- Talk to the staff. They know the monkeys by name. And yes, the monkeys have personalities, some sweet, some spicy.
- Watch for grooming circles. It’s like monkey brunch. Weirdly fascinating and oddly soothing.
- Embrace the unpredictability. You might leave with a monkey on your head or a new understanding of impermanence. Maybe both.
This isn’t some curated jungle zoo. It’s raw. It’s alive. And it doesn’t give a damn about your itinerary. That’s exactly why it’s one of the best activities in Bali.

4. 💧 Refresh Your Spirit Chasing Hidden Waterfalls in the North
⭐ 4.4/5.0 (based on 37 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $40 (Scooter rental or driver + multiple entrance fees.)
Exploring Bali’s secret waterfalls punches stress in the face and leaves you drenched in awe. These hidden falls are nature’s way of saying “fuck off” to crowds and “come get humbled.” When you stumble upon Sekumpul or Munduk tucked into jungle valleys, the jungle orchestra kicks in and your city-brain takes a holiday.
These secret cascades rank high among the best activities Bali hides behind its beaches and Ubud cafés. One minute you’re sweating under the tropical sun, the next you’re staring at water crashing from jaw-dropping heights and realizing you’ve forgotten how heavy life used to feel.
Gonna show you how to do it right:
- Pick a waterfall like Sekumpul or Munduk that feels sacred and remote. Google maps is a joke out here so pre‐plan your route.
- Hire a local guide or driver who reads muddy gravel roads like a native. That way you don’t end up stranded in some rooster‐crowed nowhere.
- Lace up proper shoes. Flip‐flops are a death sentence on mossy jungle trails that get slippery as hell.
- Pack a second outfit in a dry bag. Trust me you are getting soaked chasing the cascade.
- Jump in headfirst, swim under the curtain of water, or just stand with arms spread and let the mist scrub off city life.
- Snap a million photos but also put your phone away. Let your eyes do the drinking in too.
- Grab a chilled coconut or fresh snack at a warung on the way back for that perfect post-justice refresh.
These waterfalls force you to slow the fuck down and feel every droplet of life. They belong right at the top of your list of things to do in Bali because they confront you with wildness and serenity all at once. If you want to tick unforgettable things to do Bali style off your list, this waterfall trek is non-negotiable.
But don’t expect a spa retreat. Expect adventure. Expect slippery trails, an occasional rogue chicken crossing your path, and the kind of serenity that roars louder than any temple gong. When you’re standing under that cascade, the world simplifies down to water, rock, and breath, and damn, that clarity hits different.
I’ve seen seasoned travelers get weirdly emotional staring into these hidden pools. That’s Bali doing what it does best. It throws you into something bigger than your itinerary. Something that reminds you you’re alive and so is nature.
So are you ready to chase one of Bali’s best kept secrets? Lace up those shoes, hire a pro driver, and go get yourself humbled by a waterfall. Your soul will thank you.

5. 🏄 Ride World-Class Waves and Feel the Rush in Uluwatu
⭐ 4.7/5.0 (based on 32 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $25 (Board rental + optional quick lesson.)
If you’ve ever fantasized about riding waves with a view that makes you believe in gods and camera filters, Uluwatu is where it hits peak magic. This southern Bali icon doesn’t just offer surf, it serves a full-on spiritual rinse with a side of sea spray and bragging rights.
The cliffs look like they were carved for cinematic drone shots. The surf breaks will either baptize you in glory or spank you into humility. Either way, you’ll walk out feeling alive.
Here’s how to dive in without getting wrecked:
- Choose your wave wisely. Padang Padang is your go-to if you’ve got skills but still value your collarbones. It’s got a friendly vibe, rolling swell, and local surf crews that are laid-back but fiercely talented.
- Feeling cocky? Paddle into Uluwatu’s main break. It barrels hard, moves fast, and has a reef floor ready to chew you up if you slip up. Only take it on if you’ve got the experience, or a healthy disregard for safety.
- Rent like a pro. Boards are everywhere, but go for the warungs on the cliff. They’ve got decent gear, cold drinks, and owners who’ve probably been surfing longer than you’ve been alive.
- Need help? Book a lesson. It’s worth it. Bali surf instructors are part coach, part therapist, part lifeguard. They’ll get you standing and grinning instead of flailing and swallowing seawater.
- Respect the lineup. Locals rip hard and don’t suffer fools. Don’t snake waves. Smile, nod, and let your surfing do the talking.
- Post-surf paradise. Dry off, snag a Bintang, and grab satay or nasi campur from a cliffside stall. There’s no better meal than one earned by a wipeout and a win.
- Golden hour is non-negotiable. Stay for sunset. That sky bleeds every damn shade of orange and pink. With waves crashing and guitars strumming from nearby cafes, it’s the kind of moment that resets your entire life.
- Soak it up slowly. Walk the cliff paths, stop at a beach bar, chat with other wave-chasers. Uluwatu’s not just a destination, iit’s a damn state of mind.
- Sleep nearby. If you surf in the morning, you’ll want to crash in a local guesthouse. Nothing fancy. Just a fan, a shower, and a hammock for your surf-addled bones.
- Come back better. No one nails Uluwatu on the first try. You’ll leave salty, bruised, inspired—and itching for another go.
- Tell the tale. You surfed Uluwatu. That makes you part of a wild, global brotherhood of people who chose adrenaline and soul over safety and predictability.
Among the top attractions Bali throws your way, surfing here isn’t just a bucket-list activity. It’s a ritual. One part ocean worship, one part pure badassery. You’ll curse, cheer, maybe bleed a little, but you’ll also walk away hooked.
This isn’t a beach day. This is the shit legends are made of. 🏄♂️🌊

6. ⛩️ Step Back in Time Exploring Bali’s Sacred Temples
⭐ 5.0/5.0 (based on 38 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $20 (Multiple entrance fees + sarong rental or guide.)
If you haven’t wandered barefoot through incense-thick air while staring up at moss-covered stone gates, have you even been to Bali? These temples aren’t just photo ops, they’re living, breathing places that will make you feel tiny in the best way.
The temples in Bali also happen to be some of the top attractions on offer.
- Start at Pura Lempuyang, aka the “Gates of Heaven,” but get there early unless you want your soul-searching moment ruined by selfie-stick warfare. The queue gets long and the clouds don’t wait.
- Trek the seven temples up the mountain if you’re feeling bold. Most people bail after the first gate. Don’t. The deeper you go, the fewer the tourists, and the more sacred it feels.
- Next up: Pura Tirta Empul. Here you can literally bathe your bad vibes away in holy spring water (just don’t chug it unless you want to spend the afternoon on the toilet).
- Follow the ritual. You’ll move from spout to spout, each with its own meaning, and each a chance to rinse off whatever existential gunk you’re carrying.
- Visit Ulun Danu Beratan. This one floats on a lake like it fell out of a Studio Ghibli film. Mornings are misty, quiet, and downright mystical.
- Watch how locals use these spaces. This isn’t a museum. It’s real. People pray here. Offerings are fresh. The gods, apparently, still read their mail.
- Bring small bills. Not for bribes, but for sarong rentals and donation boxes. Karma points included.
- Don’t just take photos. Sit for five minutes and listen. Roosters crow, bells chime, kids laugh, incense curls upward. It’s not silent—but it’s deeply peaceful.
- Add Goa Gajah to your list. This “Elephant Cave” near Ubud is all moody carvings and mossy quiet. It feels ancient because it is.
- For sunset drama, go to Tanah Lot temples. It’s perched on a rock out at sea. Waves crash, the sky lights up, and the whole thing feels impossibly cinematic.
- Uluwatu Temple is for sunset with edge. Literally. It’s on a cliff. Plus, monkeys. Watch your sunglasses.
- Hire a guide. Not for every temple, but for at least one. You’ll learn stuff. Like, actual stuff. Stuff that’ll stick with you.
- Wear a sarong. Yes, even the guys. Respect is part of the deal. No one wants to see your boardshorts in a sacred space.
- Go early or go late. Avoid the tour buses and you might get moments of real stillness.
- Don’t touch the offerings. Seriously. They’re not souvenirs. That little woven tray with flowers and rice is someone’s prayer.
Exploring Bali’s sacred temples is not just one of the best activities Bali has to offer. It’s one of the most soul-jolting, perspective-shifting things to do in Bali, full stop.
You’ll walk in as a tourist trying to get a glimpse of Balinese culture and walk out feeling like you brushed up against something ancient and eternal. And hopefully not with monkey scratch fever.

7. 🐠 Dive into Underwater Wonderlands with Crystal-Clear Views
⭐ 4.5/5.0 (based on 34 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $60 (Includes gear rental and boat tour.)
Some people come to Bali for the temples or the smoothies. I came for the fish and forgot to leave.
If scuba or snorkeling isn’t already on your radar, add diving in Bali now because this is easily one of the best activities Bali has to offer. Honestly, it’s like stepping into a trippy aquarium that doesn’t charge admission and might slap you with a wave if you get cocky.
- Start in Amed. It’s sleepy, volcanic, and blessed with black sand that shimmers under your flippers. The snorkeling is legit right off the beach, and the vibe is pure “I left the world behind and I’m cool with it.”
- Visit the Japanese shipwreck near Banyuning. It’s shallow enough to free-dive and haunted enough to give you that edge-of-adventure thrill.
- Swing by Jemeluk Bay. They’ve got underwater statues that feel like Bali said, “What if we made scuba diving spiritual?”
- Book a dive or snorkel trip to Tulamben’s Liberty Wreck. This US Army ship got torpedoed in WWII, then lava pushed it into diving history. Coral now grows on every inch, and fish treat it like Times Square.
- Bring a GoPro or waterproof phone case. But don’t stare at your screen the whole time. Look up. Look down. Spin in circles. This place is freakin’ magic.
- Nusa Penida is a whole different beast. The currents are wild, but so are the manta rays. I saw one with a wingspan bigger than my rental scooter.
- Manta Point is the main draw. You’ll float above these gentle giants while your heart does cartwheels.
- Crystal Bay lives up to its name. You’ll find turtles, reef sharks, and visibility so good it’s borderline unfair to other dive spots.
- Go with a legit dive shop. Bali has plenty, but ask about safety standards. You want to come back with memories, not an ear infection.
- Skip the body spray. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Coral doesn’t care about your scent game, but it does care if you kill it.
- Don’t dive hungover. This isn’t a hangover cure, it’s a recipe for barfing through your regulator. Hard pass.
- Respect the reef. Don’t touch, don’t take, don’t be a jackass. Pretend the ocean’s your grandma’s living room.
- Check the tides and visibility reports. Conditions change fast. Don’t let FOMO drag you into choppy water when tomorrow might be perfect.
- Try a night dive if you dare. The ocean turns alien after dark. Octopus, bioluminescence, and the kind of silence that wraps around your bones.
- Stay for sunset if you’re diving the north coast. The sky goes full watercolor and the warungs light up with grilled fish and cold Bintang.
With visibility that’ll make you feel like you’re swimming inside a National Geographic special, Bali’s reefs are unreal. Out of all the top attractions Bali boasts, these ones live below the surface and they’ll stay with you long after you surface.
And hey, if you lose a fin to a sneaky current or get mildly stalked by a curious parrotfish, just roll with it. Bali’s underwater world isn’t just a sightseeing stop. It’s a damn baptism.

8. 🍳 Master Authentic Flavors in a Hands-On Balinese Cooking Class
⭐ 4.1/5.0 (based on 38 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $35 (Includes market visit, full meal, and recipes.)
Want to understand Bali on a deeper level? Learn to cook its food. It’s spicy, soulful, and occasionally smells like something died but ends up tasting like heaven.
I signed up for a cooking class in Ubud and left knowing how to make sambal that could start wars and win hearts. My apron was soaked in sweat and chili oil, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
- Start your day at a local market where your guide will point at alien produce and say, “Yes, you eat that.” You’ll smell durian before you see it, and wonder if that weird hairy fruit is alive.
- Buy spices that sound like spells and roots that look like they were dug from Mordor. Turmeric, galangal, kaffir lime leaves. Bali doesn’t mess around.
- Then roll up your sleeves and get busy with a mortar and pestle. No blenders. This is grandma-style cuisine. Your arms will hate you, but your taste buds will throw a party.
- Learn to make ayam betutu, a ceremonial chicken dish so flavorful it deserves a national anthem. Stir up gado-gado until it smells like peanut heaven. Pound lawar with your bare hands and feel like a culinary demigod.
- Most classes include lunch, which is convenient because you’ll be starving from all that culinary foreplay. Plus, you get to eat what you just made like a badass local.
- Don’t skip dessert. Balinese sweets hit different. Black rice pudding is criminally underrated and tastes like smoky, sticky magic.
- If you’re lucky, you’ll get to try klepon, those little green rice balls filled with palm sugar that explode in your mouth like sugary grenades.
- Many classes are taught in open-air kitchens with rice field views. It’s paradise with cutting boards.
- Ask questions. Your instructor probably has more stories than your family group chat and way better recipes.
- Come hungry, leave full, and take recipes home. You’ll crave this stuff weeks after you’ve left the island.
- Cooking Balinese food isn’t just one of the best activities Bali offers. It’s a full-body cultural experience. It gets under your skin, under your nails, and into your spice cabinet back home.
- Pro tip: bring wet wipes. You’ll get sauce everywhere. Embrace it.
- And yeah, you’ll probably cry while chopping shallots. Just blame it on the soul-stirring flavor of Bali.
Out of all the things to do in Bali, this one feeds your belly and your soul. It won’t just follow you home. It’ll live rent-free in your kitchen.

9. 💆♀️ Treat Yourself to Deep Relaxation with a Traditional Spa Day
⭐ 4.9/5.0 (based on 37 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $30 (1.5–2 hours at a mid-range spa.)
Sometimes you just need to shut up, lie down, and let someone knead your stress into another dimension. In Bali, spa days aren’t a luxury, they’re a goddamn necessity. Especially in Nusa Dua.
Out of all the best activities Bali delivers, few beat getting slathered in coconut oil while birds chirp and gamelan music plays like a lullaby for your nervous system.
I’ve had massages in a few places around the world, but nowhere comes close to Bali. It’s the combo of herbal oils, flower petals, jungle air, and therapists who seem to have magical hands passed down by their ancestors.
- Head to Ubud for jungle-view massage tables where you’ll get your knots worked out while geckos cheer you on from the ceiling.
- Go all in with a traditional lulur treatment. That’s massage, body scrub, yogurt slather, flower bath. You’ll walk out glowing like a newborn and smelling like tropical dessert.
- Try reflexology even if it makes you squirm. A good reflexologist will make you forget you have feet and convince you your spleen has trauma to release.
- Seminyak has oceanfront spas where you can listen to waves crash while your face gets steamed and your chakras realigned. It’s woo-woo paradise, and it works.
- Many spas offer Ayurvedic options too, with warm oil poured over your forehead in a way that makes your brain float. Seriously, it’s trippy.
- Look for boreh wraps if you want to feel like a spicy burrito. They slather you in warm herbs, wrap you tight, and let you bake until your muscles say thank you.
- Don’t skip the ginger tea afterward. It’s hot, spicy, and makes you feel like you just unlocked a cheat code to calm.
- If you’re in Canggu, check out the boutique wellness spas tucked behind rice fields. Think minimalist decor, top-shelf oils, and therapists who moonlight as bodywork wizards.
- Some spas even offer energy healing, if you’re into that sort of thing. Whether it’s real or placebo, I walked out feeling like someone vacuumed my soul.
- Book a package. The “just a massage” approach is for amateurs. You came all this way, get the works.
- Ask for the boreh treatment if you’re nursing a hangover. It’s like being exorcised but in the gentlest, spiciest way possible.
There are tons of things to do in Bali, but don’t overlook the power of doing absolutely nothing while someone else melts your tension away. This isn’t self-care. It’s survival. Your body will thank you, your brain will shut up for once, and your spirit might just start humming.

10. 🛍️ Taste, Shop, and Soak Up Local Life at Bali’s Night Markets
⭐ 4.3/5.0 (based on 32 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $15 (Dinner, snacks, and some fun souvenirs.)
Night markets in Bali are like stepping into a controlled explosion of flavor, color, and chaotic joy. It’s more than just a hidden gem You show up thinking you’ll grab a snack and leave looking like you blacked out in a food truck orgy.
This is the beating, sizzling, sweet-smelling heart of local culture. You’ll hear five languages, dodge scooters, and spend 50 cents on food that tastes like it should have a Michelin star.
It’s one of the top attractions in Bali for a reason. You don’t just visit a night market. You survive it and come out better, sweatier, and stuffed.
- Start with Gianyar Night Market, where grandmas deep-fry things that defy physics and serve them with chili sauce so intense it could legally be called a weapon.
- At Sanur, wander through smoky alleyways where fish sizzle, neon lights flicker, and the smell of pandan cake floats like a dream made of sugar and coconut.
- Go to Kuta if you want loud music, counterfeit sneakers, and nasi goreng that slaps so hard you forget your name.
- Don’t even try to eat clean. You came here to live a little, not to nibble on kale in a corner.
- Bring small bills and a sense of humor. Prices are low, but the banter is priceless.
- Say yes to weird things on sticks. If it’s skewered and grilled, it’s probably delicious or at least a good story.
- Try the martabak. It’s like someone deep-fried your best sugar fantasy and topped it with cheese and chocolate because Bali has zero chill.
- Order es campur for dessert. It’s a bowl of ice, fruit, jelly blobs, syrup, and sweetened condensed chaos.
- Shop between bites. Sarongs, incense, fake Ray-Bans, mystery teas. There’s no logic, only vibes.
- Smile at the auntie who’s selling fried tofu with a side of life advice. She’s the real MVP.
- Don’t dress fancy. You’ll spill sambal on yourself before you even find a table.
- Bargain, but don’t be a jerk. Everyone’s trying to make a living, not reenact a Netflix haggling drama.
- Chat with locals. They might invite you to their cousin’s wedding or at least share the good satay cart location.
Out of all the things to do in Bali, night markets remind you this island isn’t just about temples and beaches. It’s about life, loud, spicy, joyful life with sauce on your chin and smoke in your clothes.
The best activities Bali offers aren’t curated experiences with waitlists. They’re found under tarps, between stalls, with a plastic stool, a hot plate, and a cold drink.

11. 🌊 Escape to Nusa Penida for Jaw-Dropping Coastal Adventures
⭐ 5.0/5.0 (based on 31 client ratings)
💰Cost: Approximately $70 (Fast boat + driver or tour package + entrance fees.)
When Bali starts feeling too chill, Nusa Penida hits like a slap of saltwater to the face in the best way. This island just off the coast cranks the drama up to eleven with cliffs, beaches, and views that’ll short‑circuit your brain. It’s not just one of the top attractions Bali can claim in its orbit. It’s the kind of place that makes you say “holy shit” out loud with absolute conviction.
This place doesn’t fuck around when it comes to scenery. Every time I’ve visited I nearly fell off a cliff, drunk on awe and fear in equal parts. Biking down to Kelingking Beach feels like strapping yourself to the side of a velociraptor just to snap a photo. And I don’t even care about the sweat and knees that exploded on the way down. Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach are the kind of geological ego-trip that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about nature. Once the tide shifts and light hits that curved cliff pool just right you swear Mother Earth flexed on you.
If you’re chasing the best activities Bali has nearby, Nusa Penida drops the mic. Rugged, wild, and photogenic as hell it’s your coastal escape with teeth. I’ve taken the fast boat from Sanur more times than I can count and every single time I end up soaked, exhilarated, and in love with sea salt hair. I’ve rented scooters from sketchy peddlers and played dodge‑crash with potholes enough to earn genuine war stories. Each time it ended worth it.
Here’s how to squeeze the most out of your Nusa Penida detour:
- Book an early fast boat from Sanur and bring waterproof shoes because there’s no heroes journey here, just soggy sneakers and salty grins.
- Hire a driver if gravity scares you or rent a scooter if you enjoy living dangerously on dirt roads carved into nothingness.
- Hit Kelingking Beach first thing to avoid crowds. It’s the T‑rex cliff you’ve seen online and yes it’s exactly as badass in real life.
- Walk the arc at Broken Beach and peer into Angel’s Billabong when the light hits it right. It feels like nature made a private infinity pool just to show off.
- End your day snorkeling at Crystal Bay with a cold Bintang in hand and hope you spot a mola mola if weird‑looking fish float your boat.
- Bring sun protection that even your past self would think excessive because those cliffs reflect sunlight like a signal flare.
- Pack snacks even if you plan to eat warung food because hunger on the edge of paradise is a punchline and a pain in the ass.
- Always have your camera ready. You’ll want to catch every shifting shadow, every wave breaking in slow motion, and every moment you think you might implode from beauty.
- Say hi to locals selling coconut ice cream on the roadside—they’re legends and their treats are sweeter than most souvenirs.
- If you’re there at sunset grab a cliffside vantage point, sip something cold and feel tiny in the best way possible.
This isn’t just another tick‑box attraction on your Bali list. Nusa Penida is the kind of place that reminds you why you even bother leaving home. If you walk away without bruised knees, sunburned cheeks, and a dozen screengrabs labeled “holy shit”, you didn’t try hard enough.

Bali is not the kind of place you “do.” It’s the kind of place that does something to you. It slips under your skin when you’re not looking and suddenly you’re two bowls of mie goreng deep, sun-kissed, slightly buzzed on arak, and wondering if it’s too soon to extend your trip by another month.
If this list didn’t light a fire under your ass, check your pulse. Seriously. Either you’re dead or you’ve been scrolling travel inspo so long you’ve forgotten what actual excitement feels like. Bali has a way of pulling you out of your head and straight into the moment, one holy temple, cliffside sunset, or laughing monkey at a time.
You’ve now got 11 ridiculously good reasons to stop overthinking and just go. Volcano sunrises, monkey standoffs, and enough beachside magic to make you forget your Wi-Fi password. This place isn’t just a destination. It’s a full-body reset with better scenery and less small talk.
So buy the damn ticket. Pack light. Leave room for sarongs, sambal, and surprises. Bali’s waiting, and it doesn’t do half-assed.
So what’s calling you first? The hike, the surf, the waterfall, or that glorious plate of babi guling? Tell me. Seriously. Email me which activity you’re booking first.