The distant tropical island of Bali cannot be called a tourist mecca, where everything works exclusively for the hotel business. This is a beautiful island with its own character, which you either fall in love with right away, or you never come again.
Bali is a kingdom of volcanoes, impenetrable rainforests and stunning sunsets by the ocean. The vibrant traditions of the locals are a bizarre blend of Buddhist, Hindu and ancient island beliefs. Balinese gods live in unusual temples on the water, numerous religious ceremonies and holidays - an incredible extravaganza of intricate colors.
The landscapes of Bali's beaches can be safely placed on an exemplary picture. White sand, blue ocean, inaccessible coastal cliffs and bright tropical sun - there is everything that a tourist exhausted by the long winter needs.
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What to see and where to go in Bali?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Ubud city
Ubud is located away from the island's beach resorts. It is known as the cultural center of Bali for its many galleries, museums, workshops and antique shops. Art festivals of international level are often held here. Hotels and restaurants of the city were created according to individual design projects. Ubud is surrounded by scenic terraced rice paddies that sit on the slopes of the volcanic ridge.
Ubud Monkey Forest
The monkey can be considered the unofficial symbol of Bali. There are several places for group residence of these animals on the island. One of them is located in Ubud. This is a monkey forest, which is considered sacred by the Balinese; on its territory is the Pura Bukit temple. Numerous inhabitants of the forest are not at all afraid of tourists. They make great contact with people, sometimes they even become very impudent and steal sunglasses, jewelry and everything that is bad in the bag.
Waterbom Bali water park
The water park covers an area of 4 hectares. It is famous not only for its water attractions and swimming pools, but also for its many tropical gardens and magnificent spa facilities. After an exciting ride on the slides, the tourist will be offered a relaxing Balinese massage, mineral baths or a boat ride on a quiet river. The water park has a floating bar and restaurant where you can sample local coffee.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
An architectural and park complex with numerous ponds, fountains and canals, which are interconnected by alleys and bridges. It was erected in 1946 for the royal family. Despite its relatively small age, the palace looks like an ancient landmark due to its traditional architecture and high humidity, due to which the walls of buildings are overgrown with green moss after a few months.
Ujung Water Palace
Ujung Palace, like Tirta Gangga, was built by the last king of the Karangasem dynasty, who received his architectural education in Holland. The complex was built in a mixed architectural style. In its outlines, you can see the European and Balinese features. The palace was built in 1921, but after the earthquake in 1976 it stood abandoned for a long time. The restoration was carried out in the period 2001-2003.
Agung Rai Art Museum
The museum is located in the city of Ubud. It was opened in 1980 with funds from the patron and collector Agung Rai. The collection is dedicated to Indonesian painting from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 21st century. There are also rare works of European artists who lived and worked in Bali. The space of the museum is actively used for organizing temporary exhibitions.
Pacifica Museum
The museum exhibits a unique collection of painters from the Asia-Pacific region. The museum funds contain the works of more than 200 masters. The gallery is also known for its extensive collection of antiques. The space of the museum is divided into 11 rooms dedicated to different areas of art. Paintings by Indonesian artists are exhibited in five rooms.
Neka Museum
The museum bears the name of its founder, local artist and collector Suteji Neka, who is the son of the famous Balinese woodcarver Wayan Neka. The gallery was opened in 1982. Suteji devoted his life to studying Bali culture, developing art in Indonesia and collecting. The exposition of the Neka Museum consists of traditional Wayang paintings, photographs, wood and bronze sculptures.
Jatiluvi Rice Terraces
Rice terraces are a famous and popular attraction in Bali. They are located in the west of the island on the slopes of Mount Batukaru. Jatiluwi is not only a tourist attraction, but also a real agricultural land. Special varieties of rice are grown here. The terraces are located at 700 meters above sea level. The object is included in the list of natural attractions by UNESCO.
Pura Tanah Lot Temple
The temple is located on a rock washed by sea waters, so you can get into it by land only at low tide. Pura Tanah Lot is a particularly revered temple. It is believed that every Balinese should visit it at least once in their life. Only believers can climb to the top of the cliff and visit the temple, tourists are not allowed further than the stone staircase, so you have to photograph the structure from afar.
Pura Besakih temple
Pura Besakih is the main Hindu temple complex in Bali. It consists of 22 religious buildings located on terraces at the foot of the Gugung Agung. Local residents call the complex "Mother of all temples". Together with the mountain, it is considered the main holy place in Bali. Unfortunately, tourists are allowed to enter the first level of Pura Besakih, only Hindus can go further.
Uluwatu Temple
The temple is located in the southern part of Bali. It was erected to protect the gods of the island from the attack of sea demons. The building is located on the very edge of a 90-meter steep cliff. The temple was founded in the 11th century by Javanese brahmanas. The goddesses Rudra and Devi Laut are worshiped on its territory. Religious ceremonies are held in the courtyard, which is not publicly accessible, but tourists can visit the outer courtyard.
Tirta Empul Temple
The temple complex is located near the village of Tampak Siring. It is surrounded by rice paddies and rainforests. It is believed that Tirta Empul was founded over a thousand years ago near a natural source where the god Indra healed his warriors and gave them new life. People come to the temple to take water from a healing spring and take a bath in one of the temple pools.
Gunung Kawi Temple
It is believed that Gunung Kawi was founded in the 11th century, which is why it is the oldest cave temple on the island of Bali. The complex is a system of caves carved into the rock. With the help of a stone staircase, you can go down to the sacred temple source. On the territory of Gunung Kawi there are royal tombs, marked with burial towers and bas-reliefs. Locals believe that the temple is a powerful place of power for the island.
Lake Bratan and Pura Ulun Danu Temple
Bali's main water temple is located at Lake Bratan, which is located at an altitude of more than 1200 meters above sea level. The complex is a symbol of the island and one of its most popular attractions. The lake is considered sacred as it provides water for irrigation of the surrounding agricultural land. The Pura Ulun Danu Temple was built in the 17th century under King Mengwi in honor of the goddess of water.
Elephant Cave - Goa Gaja
An ancient cave temple located near the city of Ubud. "Goa Goja" is translated from Indonesian as "elephant cave". Apparently, the temple received this name thanks to the bas-relief located at the entrance. It vaguely resembles the face of an elephant. Another explanation is difficult to come up with, since the elephants themselves have never been found in Bali. Inside the temple are sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist gods. The cave complex was discovered in the middle of the 20th century.
Bat cave - Goa Lawah
The cave system, which is the oldest Shivaite sanctuary. As the name suggests, a large number of bats live here. One of the legends claims that at the beginning of the 20th century in one of the caves there was a huge statue of a dragon. Once the Dutch entered there and, frightened, shot the sculpture with guns. On the same night they disappeared without a trace. According to another legend, a 30-kilometer underground passage leads from Goa Lawakh to Pura Besakih.
Bali bird park
A natural area inhabited by more than 250 species of birds brought to the island from different parts of the world. Most of the birds fly freely in the park, for the rest there are rather spacious cages. The Bali Bird Park is home to several species of parrots, peacocks, toucans, prehistoric cassowaries and many other species. Some birds can be fed on their own.
Safari and Marine Park
A huge park, home to over 60 species of exotic animals, including Komodo dragons and white tigers. Tourists are taken around the territory by transport, as during an African safari. The park has restaurants for traditional Balinese food and bungalows for overnight stays. The marine part of the reserve is home to a huge number of fish species brought from different seas.
Bali elephant park
Bali is not home to elephants. These huge animals were brought here from the island of Sumatra and a nursery park was organized. On its territory, you can observe the habits of elephants, ride on the back of an animal or feed the elephants; it will also be interesting to visit a small museum. The park was organized by the enthusiastic Australian N. Mason. In addition to the elephant area, there are rice fields and green walking alleys.
Bali Barat
Natural reserve covering an area of 760 km². Within its boundaries are tropical forests, savannahs, mangroves and swamps, jungles and high-mountainous plains. In the marine part of the reserve there are several beaches, very popular with divers, and a large coral reef. The fauna is represented by dozens of species of birds and mammals. Most of the reserve is closed to the public, movement is possible only along special paths.
Volcano Agung
Mount Agung is Bali's highest point (3142 meters) and a sacred place for the inhabitants of the island. According to one of the widespread legends, the volcano was created by the Hindu god Pasupati. Over the entire history of observations, Arung erupted four times, as a result of the last cataclysm in the 20th century, more than 2 thousand people died. Several hiking trails of medium difficulty lead to the summit, the ascent takes about 6 hours.
Volcano Batur
Gunung Batur is located in the northeastern part of the island, the mountain reaches a height of 1717 meters. There is a volcanic lake in the pit at the top. The volcano is active, the last eruption was recorded in 2000. Gunung Batur is a popular natural attraction. Climbing to its top takes about an hour and a half. Picturesque views of the island can be seen from almost two kilometers in height.
Tegenungan waterfall
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali, located 16 km. from the city of Denpasar. The observation deck for tourists is located at the top of the stream, from where you can admire the fall of powerful jets. Below are the baths and a small temple. Tegenungan is located in the bed of the Petanu River, which is considered sacred by the Balinese. In the evenings, you can watch a picturesque sunset from the observation deck.
Sekumpul waterfall
Sekumpul is located in northern Bali near Singaraj. Water currents gain their maximum power during the rainy season. It was during this period that the waterfall is especially picturesque. Sekumpul is a group of six waterfalls that plunge into a deep lake at the foot of the cliff. The road to the attraction runs through rice fields, cliffs over an abyss and fern thickets.
Munduk waterfall
The waterfall is located in the vicinity of Lake Tamblingan. It is a powerful stream of water, as if escaping from a rock overgrown with dense jungle. This form is very typical for Balinese waterfalls. At the height of the tropical rainy season, Munduk is filled with maximum power. So far, there are few tourists in the area of the waterfall, since the main routes pass away from this place.
Nusa Dua beach
Nusa Dua is a great place for sunbathing and swimming in the clear waters of the ocean. The beach is located in the southern part of Bali. There is no tourist infrastructure and no significant attractions, after sunset, life in the vicinity of the beach "dies out". The place will be interesting, first of all, to lovers of nature and solitude, seeking tranquility and peace of mind.
Balangan beach
The beach is not very suitable for swimming due to the abundance of algae and inconvenient entry into the water. It is famous for its picturesque natural views, so there are still a lot of visitors here. The beach is surrounded by rocks, from where you can admire the sea surface and take spectacular photos. Balangan is perfect for surfing when the weather conditions are right.
Pandawa beach
Pandawa is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali and is located in the southern part of the island. Despite the fact that the beach was opened relatively recently, a decent tourist infrastructure has already been created on it, which includes a cafe, rental of water vehicles and beach equipment. The coastal strip of Pandava is quite long, on both sides it is limited by rocky ledges.
Trail of artists
Hiking trail of about 3 km, which starts in Ubud and passes through picturesque hills, fields and jungle. The best time to walk along the Trail of Artists is early in the morning, before the hot sun has yet begun to burn mercilessly with its incandescent rays. Take great panoramic shots or pose against the lush Balinese backdrop as you hike along the trail.
