What I love so much about Bali is that it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re after boutique shopping, amazing wave breaks, deserted waterfalls, yoga retreats, romantic villas or Insta-worthy cafes. Bali truly has it all! There’s a reason why people keep coming back year after year, myself included. So while there’s a lot to love about Bali, hopefully this small teaser will entice you to visit this paradise known as the ‘Island of Gods’.
1. Temples of Every Corner
It can feel like there’s a temple on literally every corner in Bali, but some of my favourites that stand out are Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and its scenic lake backdrop, plus the Saraswati Water Palace conveniently located in the centre of Ubud. This one also makes for a great photo-op thanks to the beautiful lotus pond and water garden. The temple also plays host to a nightly traditional dance performance. Taman Ujung is also amazing due to its size all the variety of places to explore within the old palace. Lempuyang Temple can be a bit of a hit or miss depending on how cooperative the weather is. We arrived at sunrise and spent about an hour waiting for the fog to clear until you had a picture perfect view of Mount Agung. Some friends visited that same day just a few hours later and the clouds had rolled in and there was zero visibility of the volcano, so it really just depends on how lucky you are with the weather as to how much you might like this temple.
2. Sunrise at the Rice Terraces
Perhaps what Ubud is most well known for are their famed rice terraces. While you’re sure to see rice paddies scattered throughout Bali, it’s the Tegalalang Rice Terraces you’ve most likely seen splashed across postcards and Google. If you visit during the middle of the day like I did on my first visit, prepare to carefully balance across the thin terraced paths as rows of people try to pass each other in the opposite direction. There will always be someone who falls into a muddy rice paddy, just try to make sure that person isn’t you. On my second visit I went at sunrise to avoid the heat and the crowds and needless to say this was a much more beautiful and peaceful experience.
3. Breakfast Buffets
I mean honestly, isn’t this the whole point of going on holiday? The best part of breakfast buffet’s in Bali is that:
- You get to eat your breakfast outside and
- There’s normally some epic view to accompany said breakfast.
4. Infinity Pools
Bali understands that it’s not a real pool unless it’s an infinity pool and here you’ll have an endless supply of options when it comes to choosing your view.
5. Seriously Instagramable Cafes
Insta-worthy restaurants and cafes is something Bali does better than most places in the world. Truth be told, I had a list of over 30 places I wanted to eat at, but sadly there’s only so many times in a day you can eat, particularly when you spend most of the day full and questioning why you ate so much at the breakfast buffet. Some of my favourite places to eat and snap are:
Seminyak: Sea Circus, Motel Mexicola, Kynd Cafe, Sisterfields, Grocer and Grind, Cafe Organic, Bambu and Merah Putih.
Canggu: The Lawn, Finns Beach Club and Crate Cafe. Uluwatu: Nalu Bowls, Single Fin and Rock Bar.
6. Hotel Entrances
Visit the driveway of the W Bali hotel in Seminyak for some major Kyoto Bamboo Forest vibes.
7. Daily Massages and Moroccan Themed Spas
Massages are so cheap in Bali so it would be a crime not to have one while you’re here. You can find somewhere to get a massage on basically every corner but Prana Spa in Seminyak is so beautifully designed it’s a must visit if you want to teleport yourself to Morocco for the day.
8. Flower Baths
When you come to Bali you’ll find yourself asking why you don’t normally bathe in a tub of flowers on a daily basis.
9. Treehouses
Another things the Balinese do well and that’s treehouses. This particular one is located at Pirates Bay in Nusa Dua, but there are plenty in Ubud where you can spend the night.
10. Markets
Did you even visit Bali if you didn’t get yourself a Bali bag? These basket bags have become so popular across the world and you can find them throughout Bali, including the Ubud Market where they display them so beautifully you can’t help but go in.
11. Swings Anywhere There’s a View
While this swing is located in Munduk, you can pretty much find a swing anywhere there is a scenic view in Bali. This includes the rice terraces or even in the ocean on Gili Trawangan. Just look out for all the cars that are pulled up alongside the road. They usually aren’t free though and will cost a couple of dollars for a photo.
12. The Prettiest of Gates
Would you believe this is the entrance to a golf course? This iconic gate has become another Insta hot spot on the island and you’ll find it at the Handara Golf & Resort Bali.
13. Deserted Waterfalls
Bali truly has an endless supply of waterfalls that are often only visited by a small number of people each day, so if you’re lucky you might just end up with one all to yourself. Some of my favourite waterfalls include: Leke Leke, Banyumala Twin Waterfall, Sekumpul, Kanto Lampo and Tibumana. While some require a very steep walk down and make a swim even more rewarding, others are just a short walk from the car park.
14. Monkey’s Doing Crazy Shit
The monkeys in Bali are as cute as they are terrifying, but if you’re a big fan of monkeys then you’ll be in heaven at the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest. The 27 acres of protected forest are home to more than 600 banana-snatching monkeys. As cute as they may look you’ll want to make sure you secure any loose items, as these cheeky monsters are known for stealing anything they can get their sneaky little hands on. This includes sunglasses, jewellery, hats, cameras and even items from your pockets or bags. DO NOT bring any food into the forest, regardless of whether it’s in a bag or not as they’ll smell it and pounce. If you’re feeling courageous you can purchase bananas to feed the monkeys, where they’ll likely climb all over you until they’ve snatched that banana. Remember monkeys have teeth, so if you decide to taunt and tease them with food, well they might decide to bite you instead of the banana. That being said, if you’re not carrying food with you then they’ll be rather unfazed by your presence.
15. Sunsets
I don’t know what it is about Bali but I have never seen more pink skies anywhere else in the world than on this magical island.
