Guide · The Journal
What to see in Bali:
What to see in Bali:
15 places worth the journey
15 placesWhat to see
Apr – OctThe best window
≈30 °CTropical climate
IndonesiaIsland of the gods
They call it the island of the gods — and the moment you set foot on it, you understand why. Bali is a place where every morning begins with the scent of incense and flowers left at the temples, and every sunset is a reason for silence. An island that wakes you and calms you at the same time.
Rice terraces descending like staircases to the sky. Temples on cliffs above the ocean. Jungle, waterfalls and volcanoes. And a culture in which spirituality is part of every day. We have gathered the fifteen places that keep Bali in your heart forever — from the sacred springs to the beaches of the south.
1. Ubud — the cultural heart of the island
If Bali has a soul, it lives in Ubud. Surrounded by jungle and rice fields, this is the centre of the island’s art, craft and spirituality. Here are the galleries, the temples, the markets and the finest spas. The ideal base from which to discover everything else.
2. The Tegalalang rice terraces
Minutes from Ubud unfolds one of Bali’s most photographed sights — the terraces of Tegalalang, cut into the hills centuries ago using the ancient subak irrigation system. They are loveliest at sunrise, when the mist lifts off the green staircase to the sky.
3. Tirta Empul — the sacred spring
A temple more than a thousand years old, built around a spring whose water is considered sacred. Balinese people come here for a purification ritual, bathing beneath a row of stone spouts. A place of deep calm, where the island’s living spirituality can be felt.
4. The Sacred Monkey Forest
In the heart of Ubud hides a mossy jungle with ancient temples wrapped in roots, and hundreds of long-tailed macaques who are the rightful masters of the place. A walk among the centuries-old trees and stone statues — enchanting and a little mystical.
5. Tanah Lot — the temple in the ocean
Perched on a rock amid the waves, Tanah Lot is perhaps the most emblematic temple in Bali. At high tide it looks as though it floats on the ocean. Come at sunset — when its silhouette darkens against a blazing sky, the sight is unforgettable.
6. Uluwatu — the temple above the cliffs
On the edge of a seventy-metre cliff above the ocean stands the temple of Uluwatu. In the evening the kecak is performed here — a hypnotic fire dance carried by dozens of voices without music. A spectacle against the setting sun that words barely capture.
7. The Gates of Heaven — Lempuyang temple
One of the oldest and most revered temples on the island, known worldwide for the Gates of Heaven — two stone gates that open onto the silhouette of the sacred Mount Agung. A view that has become a symbol of Bali.
8. Sunrise over Mount Batur
Climbing the active volcano Batur before dawn is one of the island’s most rewarding experiences. You reach the summit in darkness and watch the sun rise over the crater and the lake below, with a cup of coffee warmed by volcanic steam.
9. The waterfalls of Bali
The island’s interior hides some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Asia — the majestic Sekumpul, the hidden Tibumana, the easily reached Tegenungan. The way there passes through jungle and rice fields, and the reward is a swim in a natural pool beneath the cascade.
10. Nusa Penida and Kelingking beach
A short boat ride from Bali lies the wild island of Nusa Penida. Here is Kelingking — the dinosaur-shaped cliff overhanging a white beach and turquoise water. One of the most striking sights in all of Indonesia.
11. Jatiluwih — the UNESCO terraces
If Tegalalang is the most photographed, Jatiluwih is the most majestic. Vast rice terraces, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, spread across the slopes as far as the eye can see. There are no crowds here — only wind, green and quiet.
12. Ulun Danu Beratan — the temple on the lake
In the middle of a mountain lake, often wrapped in mist, the multi-tiered Ulun Danu Beratan temple is reflected in the water. Cool, calm and fairy-tale, it is among the island’s best-loved images — the Balinese harmony of water, mountain and faith.
13. The southern beaches — Seminyak and Jimbaran
For the sea, the sunsets and beach life, head south. Seminyak is elegant, with refined beach clubs and restaurants; Jimbaran is known for evenings of fresh fish on the sand; Nusa Dua for its calm resort beaches. The perfect finish to a Balinese journey.
14. Balinese spa and yoga
Bali is the home of a particular kind of calm. The traditional Balinese massage, sunrise yoga overlooking the jungle, rituals with flowers and herbs — this is not luxury but a way of life. Set aside at least one day entirely for yourself; the island seems made for it.
15. The taste of Bali
The island’s cooking is an experience in itself — from fragrant nasi goreng and bebek betutu duck to tropical fruit and Balinese coffee. A cooking class in a rice field or dinner at a long table in the jungle will bring you closer to the island than any sight.
When to go
The best time for Bali is the dry season from April to October, at its finest in May, June and September — less rain, comfortable humidity and clear sunrises over the volcanoes. The island is warm all year at around 30 °C, so it also makes an excellent escape during the European winter, provided you are ready for short afternoon showers.
How to experience Bali properly
Bali is an island of contrasts — and it reveals its best when someone can lead you through it. Which temple to visit before sunrise so you have it to yourself; which terrace to choose away from the crowds; which villa holds the finest view. That is exactly what we do — boutique journeys for small groups of up to eight guests, woven from real moments. Have a look at our journey to Bali and let the island return you to yourself.
Bali — the island that returns you to yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Everything about travelling to Bali
What should I see in Bali?
The essentials are Ubud with the Tegalalang rice terraces and the sacred spring of Tirta Empul, the temples of Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, the Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang, sunrise over Mount Batur, the island’s waterfalls, Nusa Penida with Kelingking beach, and the southern beaches.
How many days do you need in Bali?
To feel the island without rushing — the culture of Ubud, the temples, the nature and the beaches — allow at least eight to ten days. If you add neighbouring islands such as Nusa Penida, allow another two or three.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
The dry season from April to October, at its finest in May, June and September. The island is warm all year at around 30 °C, which also makes it a good destination during the European winter.
Do you need a visa for Bali?
Indonesia offers a Visa on Arrival for tourist stays of up to 30 days for many nationalities, including Bulgarian citizens, and it can be extended. A valid passport is required. Check the current requirements before travelling.
The journey
Discover Bali with us
A boutique journey across the island of the gods — temples at sunrise, rice terraces, waterfalls and evenings by the ocean, for a small group of up to eight guests.
See the journey