Bali Island is often called as the Island of God. Probably, if you are never there before, you may wonder for the nickname attached to an island at the eastern end of Java Island. However, if you, even just once pay a visit to the island, then you will surely understand.
It is definitely a beautiful place.
It is not only one part of the island but beauties can be found all over the island. From the waterfront to the center, the prettiness, uniqueness seem to wait people to adore. With addition of friendly people and unique culture seems to make Bali Island somewhat looks like a heaven where Gods usually stays.
Exaggerating? I really don’t think so.
You can just ask people who ever stayed or visited Bali, then you will get them excited to talk. You will hear about their wishes to be given another chance to come again. The island is so wonderful.
If you don’t believe, let me take you to make a little journey to Bali with this article. There are at least 20 places that can surely show you how beautiful the island is. Those mentioned here are just small parts. There are many more still unwritten.
Here is the 20 places worth to visit in Bali Island
20 Places To Visit in Bali
1. Bedugul
Bedugul is one tourism destination in Bali. It is located around 40 kilometers from the Capital of Bali province, Denpasar.
Two main attractions here are the Ulun Danu Bratan Temple and Eka Karya Botanic Garden.
The Ulun Danu Bratan is a temple of Shivaite, Shiva God worshiper. It is located on the shore of a lake, Bratan Lake. The Lake Bratan itself has a nickname as the Lake of Holy Mountain.
It is also one of the oldest temple in Bali established in 1663. The temple is often called as Water Temple as it is used to worship the water, river, and lake goddess, Danu Goddess. You can see the above picture.
The other main attraction is Eka Karya Botanic Garden. The garden was younger than the first Botanic Garden in Indonesia, Bogor Botanical Gardens. It was built in 1959, 130 younger than its colleague. However, this garden is the largest one in Indonesia with 157 hectare area.
It has a collection of more than 18,000 types of plants from 2000 species. There is also a herbarium with more than 10,000 preserved collection here.
2. Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most famous tourist attractions on the island. The place offered amazing scenery. In Balinese Language, the name means Land of Sea. It represent the appearance of the place which cliff formed by rock on the seaside.
Tanah Lot is situated in the village of Beraban, district of Kediri, Tabanan. It is approximately 13 km to the west of the city of Tabanan. Its location is not too far from the main aiirport in Bali, the International Ngurah Rai. It takes only one hour driving or riding.
What amazing thing is in Tanah Lot?
An old temple, Pura (Temple) Dang Kahyangan sits at the edge of the cliff. The temple is said to be a heritage from 16th century era. There is a story about the Dang Hyang Nirartha, a Brahmin from Java who traveled and arrived at the place. Later on, he considered the place as a holy site to worship the God of the Sea. That’s why the deity worshiped here is Baruna God, or the Sea God.
The temple is a part of the seven mythology in Bali.
For its locating near waterfront, the cliff and the temple is often surrounded by water in high tide.
The place will offer very amazing view when sun rises or sets.
One other thing related to the mythology is that under the temple there is a small cave where a unique sea snakes live. The animal have a characteristic of having flat tail like a fish. Its colors are yellow with black stripes. According to the legend of the sea serpent is the incarnation of a shawl who founded this temple, the Dang Hyang Nirartha. The existence of the serpent is said to guard the Tanah Lot.
3. Cape of Benoa (Tanjung Benoa)
If you are an active person and visiting temples or sitting on a beach sound boring to you, then probably Tanjung Benoa (Cape of Benoa) should be chosen instead of other destinations.
The cape is located adjacent to Nusa Dua beach.
This is a spot that offer more activities for tourists as it is known as the center for water sports in Bali. Tourists coming to the cape are often with intention to enjoy various type of water activities here.
Snorkeling, scuba diving are provided for the ones who want to enjoy the clear water of Bali. For visitors who just want to enjoy playing with water, several activities are available, such as waterski, banana boat, sea walkers and many others.
If you want a bit adrenaline pumping activities , parasailing should be suitable for this purpose.
However, if relaxing is your main purpose but your family want to have sports, Tanjung Benoa can offer for both. The Tanjung Benoa beach has also typical white sand beach as many other beaches in Bali. So, you can enjoy your time relaxing while your faily doing more active recreations.
4. Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach, The heart of Bali. It is the nickname of the white sand beach not too far from Ngurah Rai International Airport, only 15 minutes driving.
There are reasons why the nickname is given to this beach. This place is one of the best and most famous beach in Bali Island. It is widely known not only in Indonesia but also worldwide, especially among surfers.
The beach, besides its beautiful scenery, also offers more in form of high and long tides. This condition makes the beach as the most favorite among surfing lovers.
It is also known as sunset beach. This is based on a fact that the beach most beautiful view can be found during sunset, everyday. That’s why visitors usually go to the beach at dusk.
Kuta have been nicknamed as the heart of Bali is also because in the area, there are many facilities that support tourism. Shopping mall, hotels, cafes can be found easily n the area. Therefore, many tourists prefer to stay in this area as they can have what they need here.
5. Uluwatu
Three words, hidden, temple, Kecak should represent Uluwatu.
Hidden beach is the nickname. It is not as famous as Kuta Beach. Uluwatu beach is a bit different from others. if other beach is easily reached as their location is near main road, to reach ULuwatu beach visitors must spend some of their energy to climb down stairs.
The beach is located several under main roads in Pecatu Village. It has quite high tide that will be loved by surfers.
Temple shows that on the rock near the beach, there is Pura Luhur Uuwatu (The Great Uluwatu Temple). The temple is considered as sea temple and dedicated to worship Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.
What makes the Uluwatu temple unique is monkeys. The temple is inhabited by monkeys. They are known to steal belongings of visitors.
The last is Kecak. Kecak is the name of Balinese dance specially and only performed in Uluwatu temple. The dynamic and rythmical dance has been known widely by visitors. In fact, the dance was created with main intention for attracting foreigners by the creator.
6. Ubud
Ubud is an area on the foothill. It is famously known because of its green view and amazing landscape of paddy field and steep ravines surrounded the town.
The town has been known to have large variety of business focused for tourism industry. Most of its area are occupied by restaurants, hotels, art galleries and also handicraft stores.
Ubud is famous for its art and culture. Majority of its population, which is 30 thousands people, earn a living from making handicraft or souvenirs for tourists. Besides making souvenirs for tourists, many people in the town also work in fields related to tourism, such as dance performer, painting artists.
If you want to look for something unique as souvenirs, you can come to Ubud. There are so many art galleries from which you can choose from large collections offered. Or if you want to see art performances, Ubud is a right place to go. Every night, there are art or cultural performances
7. Seminyak
If you are fond of nightlife, probably Seminyak can be your choice.
The area is a home of the most luxurious hotels and resorts, a number of finest restaurants and boutiques in Bali. There are also many fashion stores and top dining spots that served international taste cuisines.
It has a beach, called Petitenget beach that offers more secluded ambiance compared to its sisters, Kuta and Legian Beach.
When nights come, the atmosphere will change. The nightlife scenes will take over.
Seminyak to be faous also for the ones who want to relax by enjoying massage. The service can be found all over Seminyak.
8. Sanur Beach
Since long time ago, Sanur Beach has become a heaven for surfers. The waves in the beach is considered as one of the best for surfing. Unsurprisingly, the beach has many regular surfer customers who visit the beach regularly.
Sanur beach is located at the east direction of Denpasar city . In the beach, tourists can do also diving or snorkeling as the water is known to be clean.
On contrary to Kuta beach, the beach is nicknamed Sunrise beach. The dazzling and wonderful panorama when the sun sowly appear on the horizon is the cause. The panorama has been famous among Bali visitors. It is said that many of visitors willingly wake up so early just to wait for that moment.
9. Legian Beach
Do you know why many Australians says that Bali is their 2nd home. It shows that how often they visit this island.
One of their main favorite place to visit is Lebian Beach. Comapred to its nearest sister, Kuta beach, Legian beach has similar shape. It is not a wonder because both beaches are not too far each other.
The Legian beach has also what most of beaches in Bali have, white sand. However, it is quieter than Kuta. Probably, that’s why the beach is favorite among Australians and Domestic visitors.
The panorama, when sunset and sunrise comes are wonderful here.
10. Lovina Beach
Lovina Beach is located approximately 9 Km west of Singaraja, one of the tourist attractions in Northern Bali. What to enjoy in this beach? please see Lovina Beach
You will have a bit different type of attraction here. Or can you guest seeing the picture?
11. Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang Beach in Bali is also known by the name of the Labuan Sait Beach. Sometimes locals call it Suluban Cliff Beach.The place is quite known in the eyes of domestic and foreign tourists.
The location is not too far from Uluwatu.
Julia Robet with her Eat, Pray, and Love has boosted the name of the city when she used this beach to shoot several scenes for the movie in 2010.
The white sandy beach and also nice panorama are the main attraction here.
12. Garuda Wisnu Kencana
This park is located on the headland of Nusa Dua, Badung regency, about 40 kilometers south of Denpasar, capital of Bali province. In this cultural garden area, planned to be established a landmark or mascot of Bali, which is a giant statue of Lord Vishnu who is riding his mount, Garuda, as high as 120 meters.
Area Garuda Wisnu Kencana is located at an altitude of 146 meters above the ground or 263 meters above sea level.
13. Besakih
Besakih is the name of oldest temple complex in Bali Island. It is considered also as the largest Hinduism temple in Indonesia.
The complex was built at a side of Agung Mountain, a main volcano in Bali. Inside the complex, there are 23 temples that are related to the center of the complex, Pura Penataran Agung (The Temple of Great Penataran).
The temple complex establishment is not known exactly but believed to be coming from prehistoric era. The history says that the temple was already used back to 13th century.
The place has been assigned as one of World Heritage Site.
14. Jimbaran Beach
One of the tourist attractions in Bali that must be visited is Jimbaran beach, beautiful beach is still an area of Badung. Its location is about 30 minutes traveling the city of Denpasar and just 10 minutes of time if from Ngurah Rai airport.
There is one unique attraction here, besides its landscape. Visitors can dine on the waterfront. Usually near to sunset, some culinary ventures on the beach will start to line tables.
Tourists then can have their dining in open sky and romantic atmosphere near the seaside. Do not worry that water will reach you because even on high tide, the water will not arrive to the tables.
15. Batur Lake
Another charm of Bali is Batur Lake.
If all others attractive places in the island are on its lowland, Batur lake provides different atmosphere since its location is on the Batur Mountain, a highland.
Batur lake is the largest crater lake in Bali. It was formed when there was a big volcanic eruption long time ago.
Yes, Mount of Batur is a volcano and actually still active.
On the west side of the lake, there was the oldest village in Bali, Bunyan Village. This village has unique funeral procession that visitors can observe.
16. Sangeh
Visiting Sangeh Village in Bali Regency is like entering into a special kingdom, the kingdom of monkeys.
Yes, monkeys are one of the things attracting people to come. In Sangeh, hundreds of monkeys rule the area. They roam all over the places and not seldom will sit on the shoulder of visitors.
The reason is because people here consider the monkeys as sacred.
The monkeys are believed as the descendant of the monkeys who fought Kumbakarna, an evil and malicious giant in the myth of Ramayana. Kumbakarna in the story was the younger brother of the giant leader Rahvana.
17. Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is another tourist destination for up-market. Its name comes from two islands at the east side of the location.
Since the first time, Nusa Dua was designed as a place to attract tourists that can pay higher prices. That’s why in the area there are more world class and luxirious hotels than the other places. In the area, there is also a 8-hole golf course. Nusa Dua is considered as the most developed area in Bali.
However, it still houses some temples as well as museums. The place is known to be the favorite of honeymoon couples.
18. Tampak Siring
Tampak Siring is actually a name of the village in Gianyar regency. The place is now also one of favorite tourist destination. There are one main attraction here, of course besides its beautifula paddy field and landscape. It is the Holy Water Temple.
The name of the temple is actually Pura Tirta Empul and it was established in the year of 962 AD. The water in the temple pool is believed by Hinduism believer as sacred or holy. People come here to take a bath as a symbol of purification.
Not too far from the temple site, there is a mansion on top of the hill. It was built in 1954 and often used as a place to welcome Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia. Now, the mansion duty is to welcome the visits of important people only.
19. Dreamland Beach
Relaxing under sun on a white sandy beach is a dream for almost everyone Probably, that’s why this beach has a name of Dreamland Beach.
It is another white sandy beach in Bali but not as famous as Kuta Beach. The location itself is a bit far away from the center of the Island. However, this has benefitted the beach. It is quiter and yet much cleaner from the crowded beaches.
The attractive points of this beach is its white sand and also the waves, which is quite big than willbe suitable for surfing.
You may need local guide to find the beach.
20. Pandava Beach
Pandava Beach is another tourist area in Bali. The beach in the village Kutuh, District of South Kutuh, Badung regency. The beach is also often known by the name Kutuh Beach referring to the name of the village.
Sometimes it is also referred to secret due to its location is behind cliffs. Before the goverment build roads as an access to the waterfront, the beach could not be seen and entered. That’s why the Pandava beach’s other name is secret beach.
In the beach there are five statues. Each statue refers to a figure in the legend of Pandava i.e. Yudhistira , Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sadewa. The five figures will be found by anyone entering the Pandavas Coast region. The fifth statue was also installed inside the cliffs, so that visitors who travel on the main access will see the five statues lined up in sequence.
Main attraction is like also other beaches in Bali, white sandy sand with great and wonderful view.
Those are twenty attractive places deserve your visit in Bali Island, the God Island. Actually, there are many more but at least those number should already show why the island has been one of the most famous tourism destination in Indonesia.
If you have any other places you prefer to go during in Bali, please put it in comment box. I would love to read it.