If you think Bali is all about fancy beach clubs and Instagrammable swings, you couldn’t be more wrong. Sure, you’ll definitely encounter the Bintang Bro’s and girls wearing huge dresses, but this Indonesian island has so much more to offer. Its beautiful beaches, lush nature, and kind people stole our hearts. So whether Bali is already on your bucket list or not, check out the 13 best things to do there. We promise they’re worth every moment of your time! 

Visit Sekumpul Waterfall 

Nestled in the northern part of Bali, Sekumpul Waterfall is often considered the most beautiful waterfall on the island. With good reason, if you ask us! 

You hear the waterfall before you see it. And once you spot it from the place where you’ll start your hike down, you immediately notice its sheer power. 

Once you’re at the foot of the Sekumpul Waterfall, you get literally blown away. The wind, the sound of the water pouring down… It’s a feeling (and view) we’ll always remember!

We arrived quite early in the morning, around 9AM, and had the waterfall almost to ourselves. Even when we left around 11AM, there were only a few other people enjoying their morning dip. 

Hike Mount Batur for sunrise

Although you can find quite a few places to watch a stunning sunrise in Bali, the one you see on top of Mount Batur beats all the others! 

We got picked up around 1AM at our hotel in Ubud, started hiking at 3 and reached the top around 5.30. The hike can get steep, but is very doable. And once you’re sipping from your hot chocolate while the sun rises, the physical effort is long forgotten. 

TIP: Don’t forget to bring a flashlight (as you’ll be hiking up in the dark) and some warm clothing. 

Explore the rice terraces 

Bali is home to lots and lots of rice terraces. The most famous ones are without a doubt the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, close to Ubud. As they’re UNESCO World Heritage, no one can deny they’re worth the visit. 

However, it can get quite busy throughout the day. That’s why we would recommend visiting very early during sunrise. Yes, early wake-up calls are a thing during your trip to Bali! 

If you don’t mind going off the beaten track, we would suggest going to the rice terraces in Sidemen instead. This little village is a 1.5 hour drive from Ubud and still very untouched. We did the Rice Terrace Trekking and saw only 2 other tourists. Incredibly peaceful to walk here and get a glimpse of Bali’s traditional farming methods.

Watch the Kecak Fire Dance

The Kecak Fire Dance is a traditional Balinese dance and music drama and one of the best things to do in Uluwatu. It’s very touristy, but worth it! 

The ritual always takes place around sunset with Uluwatu Temple in the background, which makes it extra special. 

Tickets tend to sell out fast, so make sure to reserve your spot beforehand. We bought our tickets for the Kecak Fire Dance here. 

Eat at a local warung

Experiencing local cuisine is a vital part of any trip, if you ask us. That’s why eating at a local warung (small family-owned restaurant) is a must! Not only can you taste the delicious, authentic Balinese dishes such as Gado Gado, Babi Guling, and Nasi Campur, it’s also very budget-friendly. 

Two of our favorite warungs are In Da Compound in Ubud and Tirta Unda in Sidemen. 

Explore Bali with a scooter

We found that renting a scooter was the best way to explore Bali. The freedom it gives you is amazing. You just hop on your scooter and are on your way to get lost between the rice paddies, go off the beaten track and travel at your own pace. 

However, we do want to emphasize that hiring a scooter is not recommended if you’re not familiar with driving one. Traffic can get crazy around Ubud and Canggu and accidents do happen quite often. Oh, and always wear your helmet! 

Relax on Gili Air

Although the Gili islands are technically part of Lombok, they’re easily accessible from Bali and perfect for a relaxing getaway. 

The three Gili islands between Bali and Lombok are Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. While the first one is known as the party island, the second one is called honeymoon island due to its peacefulness. Gili Air is the best of both worlds, so that’s why we choose this island. 

With no cars and not much more to do than snorkeling, relaxing and enjoying the sunsets, life is lived at a slower pace. If you love a laid-back vibe like this as much as we do, don’t skip Gili Air during your trip to Bali.

Swim with sea turtles

While you’re spending some time on Gili Air, you might as well tick off this box on your bucket list! The Gili islands are a snorkeling paradise, so get up early to meet these beautiful creatures.

We booked a private tour at our hotel with an early pick-up at 6AM so we could avoid the crowds from the group tours. The early morning is also when the sea turtles are most active! 

Get pampered in a spa

We planned on experiencing a Balinese spa once and ended up going three times. With prices being way lower than at home and a truly impeccable service, you sometimes got to grab an opportunity when it serves itself, right? 

We went to Jeans Spa in Ubud for a well-deserved foot massage after climbing Mount Batur, Slow Spa on Gili Air for a relaxing afternoon, and Goldust Spa for a facial before going home. 

Visit Kelingking Beach

Have you really been to Bali if you didn’t post a picture of Kelingking Beach? Although it’s very popular, it’s still worth it to visit this iconic spot in our opinion. It’s important to know that you’ll have to catch a 30 minute boat ride to Nusa Penida first.

We tried to avoid the big crowds by going first thing in the morning, around 9AM. Mission accomplished, as we were one of the first visitors of the day and had plenty of time to admire the view and take some pictures. 

Side note: This was in October. During peak season, in July and August, it’s probably busier and more difficult to avoid the crowds. 

Watch the sunset in Uluwatu

It’s no secret that Bali offers some of the finest sunsets. We experienced the best ones during our time in Uluwatu. Enjoy the sunset while watching the Kecak Fire Dance, or simply while relaxing on one of Uluwatu’s beautiful beaches. 

TIP: The sunset we saw while having dinner at Abracadabra Restaurant really was something else. Thank us later! 

Campuhan Ridge Walk at sunrise

You probably noticed we’re suckers for sunrises and sunsets by now. That being said, there really is no better way to start your day in Ubud than enjoying the Campuhan Ridge Walk while it’s still cooler. 

We enjoyed the peaceful sunrise together with some locals on their daily morning walk and headed over to Reina Jungle afterwards for some breakfast. Ah, take us back please! 

Breakfast right between the rice paddies

Although Ubud has a lively center, it’s easy to escape the busyness and soak up the peace and quiet amidst the rice fields. 

Huma Cafe is only a 15-minute drive away from the center of Ubud, but feels like a different world. Talking about breakfast (or lunch) with a view! 

With so many fun things to do on the island, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Discover all our articles about Bali here for more inspiration.