West Bali
Amid a growing number of villas, there is a dramatic outcrop of black lava rock jutting out into the pounding waves. Perched on top is the photogenic Pura…
Must-see attractions in Bali
East Bali
The exterior wall of this fascinating temple of the dead features vivid relief carvings of evil-doers getting their just desserts in the afterlife. One…
Ubud Region
This is one of the best views of rice-field terraces in Bali, so it's not surprising that tourists flock here from Ubud to indulge in a frenzy of…
East Bali
A hugely popular location for wedding photographs and romantic saunters, this complex five kilometres south of Amlapura dates to 1921, when the last king…
Central Mountains
The extraordinary geology of the Gunung Batur area is explained in fascinating detail in this museum right near the crater rim. Using interactive displays…
Ubud Region
Located 1.4km north of Blahbatuh's massive Kebo Iwa statue, this roadside temple compound has Bukit Dharma (Dharma Hill) as a backdrop. Climb up the hill…
North Bali
Pemuteran is home to the nonprofit Proyek Penyu, run by Reef Seen Divers' Resort. Turtle eggs and small turtles purchased from locals are looked after…
Kerobokan
The sand narrows here but there are still some good places for a drink, both grand and simple. Easily reached via Jl Batu Belig, this is a likely place to…
Singaraja
This small historical library was established in 1928 by Dutch colonialists and named after the Sanskrit for 'to try'. It has a collection of lontar …
Bukit Peninsula
This diminutive temple (one of seven devoted to the sea gods) is reached by a twisting narrow road through a mostly barren red-rock landscape that changes…
North Bali
Sawan, 7km inland from Jagaraga, is a centre for the manufacturing of gamelan gongs and instruments. You can see the gongs being cast and the intricately…
Nusa Dua
Just south of Gegar Beach is a bluff with a good cafe and a path that leads up to Pura Gegar, a compact temple shaded by gnarled old trees. Views are…
Ubud Region
More than 1000 birds from 250 species and seven regions of the world flit about here, including rare cendrawasih (bird of paradise) from Papua and the all…
Ubud Region
The majestic and tranquil Pura Samuan Tiga (Temple of the Meeting of the Three) is on a small lane about 200m east of the Bedulu junction. The name is…
Bukit Peninsula
About 100m west of Jl Pantai Bingin on Jl Melasti, you'll see another turn towards the ocean. Follow this paved road for 700m and look for a scrawled sign…
Ubud Region
Discovered in AD 962 and believed to have magical powers, the holy springs at this water temple close to the ancient site of Gunung Kawi bubble up into a…
Central Mountains
The village of Trunyan is known for the Pura Pancering Jagat, which is very impressive with its seven-roofed meru. Inside the temple is a 4m-high statue…
Ubud Region
The western approach to this water temple in Sebatu offers wonderful views down on to the complex – many visitors are content to admire these from the…
East Bali
One of Bali's highest waterfalls (40m), Yeh Mampeh is in the hinterland at Les, near Tejakula. The entrance is about 2.5km off the main road, look for the…
Ubud Region
The temples around Batubulan are noted for their fine stonework. Just 200m to the east of the busy main road, Pura Puseh Desa Batubulan is worth a visit…
Nusa Lembongan & Islands
Surges of stunning turquoise waves tumble into jagged black rock formations at this cliffside cove overlooking the Bandung Strait. Posted signs point to…
Canggu Region
The most northern of the Canggu-area beaches, laid-back Pererenan is next in the sights of developers. Villas, guesthouses and beach bars are found near…
Denpasar
Established in the 14th century, at the time the Majapahit arrived from Java, this temple was damaged in a 1917 earthquake and has been heavily restored…
North Bali
Pulaki is famous for its grape vines (Bali's Hattan Wines owns many), watermelons and for Pura Pulaki, a coastal temple that was completely rebuilt in the…
Singaraja
In the village of Jagaraga, Pura Dalem is a small, interesting temple with delightful sculptured panels along its front wall. On the outer wall, look for…
Padangbai
Walk southwest from the ferry terminal and follow the trail up the hill for about 1.3km to Bias Tugal, also known as Pantai Kecil (Little Beach), on the…
Canggu Region
Surfers and those who like to watch them flock here for the high-tide left-hander that regularly tops 2m. The greyish sand right in front of the…
Kuta & Legian
This hidden gem is reached by a tiny access road along the fence on the north side of the airport. There's shade, a couple of tiny warungs (food stalls),…
Central Mountains
Spiritually, Gunung Batur is the second-most-important mountain in Bali (only Gunung Agung outranks it), so this temple, the ever-more-flamboyant Pura…
Sanur
Orchids thrive in Bali's warm weather and rich volcanic soil. At this garden you can see thousands of orchids in a variety of settings. It's 3km north of…
Kuta & Legian
The beach becomes less crowded as you go north from Legian until very popular Double Six Beach, which is alive with pickup games of football and…
Padangbai
See the place where Empu Kuturan – who introduced the caste system to Bali in the 11th century – is said to have lived by following a path up to this…
North Bali
Completely out of character for the Yeh Sanih area is a place run by Symon, the irrepressible American artist. It's bursting with a creativity that is, at…
Canggu
A couple of drinks vendors and a large parking area are the major amenities at this beach, which is rarely crowded. The large temple is Pura Dalem…
Bukit Peninsula
This is one of the best markets in Bali for a visit because it’s compact, so you can see a lot without wandering forever. Local chefs swear by the quality…
Bukit Peninsula
While others paddle out to the Ulu Watu surf breaks, you can linger on this strip of sand in an uberdramatic setting: limestone cliffs and caves surround…
Ubud Region
One of the premier galleries in the Ubud area, showing top-notch Balinese tribal and contemporary art. Come to browse, buy and to enjoy lunch or a coffee…
Sanur
Built in the Sukarno-era, this vast hotel is now slowly fading away. Local leaders, properly horrified at its outsized bulk, imposed the famous rule that…
Pura Puseh Batuan & Pura Dasar Batuan
Ubud Region
Just west of the centre, these twin temples are among Bali's oldest. They're accessible studies in classic Balinese temple architecture, with elaborate…
Ubud Region
Just south of Mambal, this school has enjoyed a lot of hype as much for its unorthodox curriculum as its flamboyant and innovative bamboo architecture by…
