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What to See When Travelling to Bali?
Travelling to Bali and wondering what to see? You’re not alone. Bali, Indonesia, is one of the world’s top travel destinations with over 5 million annual tourists. With its tranquil beaches, terraced rice paddies and stunning temples, the possibilities are endless. No wonder more and more people are wanting to visit Bali and explore all it has to offer.
If you’re travelling to Bali, you can do as little or as much as you’d like, depending on the time you have available and your interests. From visiting traditional Balinese art galleries in Ubud and going on an exploratory jungle walk in Lovina, to enjoying some of the many water sports available in Jimbaran Bay and taking a leisurely stroll through the picturesque town of Sanur, there is something for everyone. To help you decide the best things to do on your next Bali trip, we put together this guide of 10 unforgettable activities that you simply can’t leave the island without doing!
1. Explore Ubud
Located only an hour from the airport, Ubud is a great starting point for exploring the Bali sights. Wander around steep lush valleys and wander through local markets on your way down to Ubud Palace. Ubud Palace is an integral part of Ubud’s ancient cultural heritage, designed by Balinese ruler Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati in the 1800s. From here, you can find high-quality art galleries that showcase local works of art, get a massage at one of the many spas in the centre or go on a cooking class to learn all about Balinese cuisine.
2. Visit the Tirta Gangga Water Palace
If you continue travelling east of Ubud, you’ll reach the gorgeous Tirta Gangga Water Palace. Located inAbang, Karangasem Regency, this palace is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and waterfalls. It was built in 1946 by the King of Karangasem, Sri Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem and was originally built as a place for bathing and meditation. To this day it still stands as a breathtaking sight to see, not only for its intricately carved statues but also for its famous fish ponds and ponds filled with lotus flowers.
3. Spend Some Time in Lovina
Lovina is one of the most popular spots for tourists visiting Bali and is located in North Bali – just four hours away from the capital city of Denpasar-Kuta. This tranquil town offers wide sandy beaches, dolphins and is the perfect place to spend some time sunbathing or surfing. For an even more adventurous experience, take a jungle walk and explore the surrounding wildlife.
4. Go Surfing in Kuta
Kuta is one of the world’s most famous surfing spots and offers everything from some of the best beginner waves to huge swells and breakers for more experienced surfers. The beach itself is quite touristy but it’s a great spot for a day trip or two if you’re staying in Ubud or the surrounding areas and want to get out into the water.
5. Take a Trip to Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran Bay is a stunning beach located just south of Kuta and is great for an afternoon or early evening outing. Enjoy a fresh seafood meal from one of the many beach restaurants or relax in one of the beachside bars and enjoy some of the traditional Balinese music. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some of the awesome water activities on offer such as sailing, kayaking or Jet Skiing!
6. Hike Up Mt Batur Volcano
Mt Batur is Bali’s highest active volcano at 1717 metres high – so making it a must visit spot if you’re seeking breathtaking views of both sunrise and sunset across Bali Island. A tour guide can take you to the crater’s edge, with most tours departing Denpasar around 3am so that you can reach the summit in time for sunrise!
7. Take a Dip at Waterbom Park
Are you looking for some fun things to do during your stay in Bali? Check out Waterbom Park – one of the most famous water parks in Southeast Asia. Waterbom Park provides over 30 waterslides, ranging from beginner slides to fun adrenaline-driven rides like Boomeranger or The Tunnel. It doesn’t matter how old you are – there is definitely something here to get your blood pumping!
8. Wander Around Tanah Lot
Set on a rocky structure that is just offshore, Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s holy sea temples – located just 20 minutes drive from Seminyak Beach. It’s said that it was founded by Dang Hyang Nirartha in 16th century and built on top of an enormous boulder encircled by crashing waves. During sunset or low tide it’s possible to walk along its incline towards it but beware! During high tide – this stunning picturesque temple will be surrounded by water!
9 . Spend an Afternoon in Sanur
Situated east of Denpasar and south of Seminyak, Sanur is known for its calm waters, golden sand beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Stroll along the coastline for an afternoon or spend some time exploring some of Sanur’s superb restaurants and cafes on foot or take a boat over to nearby Serangan Island – home of Bali Turtle Conservation Center where they provide education as well as protection and sheltering with endangered turtles!
10 . Catch a Show at The ARMA Museum
The ARMA Museum is an incredible art museum located in Ubud and home to paintings, sculptures and stone carvings from Indonesia’s renowned art community – making it an absolute must visit if you are an art connoisseur! The museum also features larger-than-life statues as well as leisurely outdoor areas perfect for relaxing or dining in its open-air café – making it a great place to end your trip with a bang!
As you can tell, there are plenty of attractions in Bali worth exploring, so it’s up to you to decide what suits your interests best! To experience it all though – I’d suggest spending at least two weeks on the island – that way you’ll be able to check out all these places and still have time for exploring other activities or simply relaxing! For more information about Bali’s sights – be sure to check out Balitourismboard.org, which has an extensive library full of helpful info and resources that will make your stay even more enjoyable!
