Make the most of your island vacay with these awesome activities in Bali, from waterfall jumping and beach club hopping, to temple exploring and Seminyak shopping!
Bali is without doubt one of the world’s best travel destinations – and it’s easy to see why. With its pristine beaches, rich culture, world-group dining destinations and awesome family attractions in every neighbourhood, Bali is a wanderluster’s dream come true. Whether you want a sun-soaked beach getaway, a relaxing spa break, an off-the-beaten-path adventure, or you just want to wine, dine and shop your way across the island, there really is something for everyone. And the good news? We’ve tried and tested it all to bring you the best of the best. So no matter what your holidaying fancy, be sure to tick off these 55 awesome things to do in Bali – straight from the people in the know!55 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN BALI1. Soak up some rays at Bali’s best beachesSun, sand & sea – Bali’s best beaches tick all the boxes!
Cool ocean air, salty hair, sun-kissed skin and that book you’ve been dying to get stuck into for months – beach life doesn’t get much better than that, right? Well, Bali’s best beaches also come with glamorous sunset cocktails, world-class surfing, some wild water sport adventures and world-class beach clubs to boot. So pack your sunscreen, wrap up your sarong and prep a summer playlist, because you’ll want to tick Bali’s best beaches off your bucket list.2. Adventure off the beaten path
South Bali is where you’ll find the island’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, but if you’re after traditional villages and beautiful natural backdrops, then you’ll want to venture elsewhere to Bali’s off-the-beaten path regions. We love Pemuteran in north-west Bali with its calm bays and majestic mountain tops, or head east to the highlands of Sideman for lush jungle and volcano views.3. Explore Bali’s jewellery-making heritage
If you’re into fine, handcrafted jewellery and unique architecture, you’ll want to visit the bali777 John Hardy Kapal Bamboo Boutique & Workshop at Mambal. Nestled amidst Bali’s lush greenery and hidden inside a stunning structure made entirely of bamboo and sustainable materials, it’s here where you can browse this iconic brand’s handmade, sustainable and artisanal pieces, including archival heritage collections that showcase Bali’s jewellery-making traditions. Not only a dazzling boutique, you can also join a jewellery masterclass to learn how each intricate creation is made, and you can witness more than 700 craftsmen and craftswomen designing, carving, shaping and hand-weaving John Hardy’s signature pieces. You can even try chain-weaving for yourself, before taking home your very own John Hardy piece that you’ll treasure forever…Where: Br. Baturning no 1 Desa Mambal, p. +62 361-469-888, WA. +62 811-385-2233, e. [email protected]4. Chase waterfallsDon’t go chasing waterfalls – unless they’re as beautiful as Bali’s!
A must for your island hit-list is without doubt an adventure to one of Bali’s best waterfalls, all of which you can either jump off, swim underneath, or simply admire from a distance. Our fave has to be Aling-Aling waterfall thanks to its natural slide that has formed over the years. Pop on a lifejacket or grab a floatie and slide your way down the smooth rocky slope – weeeee!lima. Go island hopping
Indonesia is home to over 17,000 islands, made up of lush jungle, volcanic peaks, myriad wildlife, and some of the world’s most biodiverse diving sites. Naturally then, island hopping when in Bali is an absolute must – and luckily, some of our faves are just a hop, skip and a short boat ride away. Just 40 minutes from Bali’s mainland you’ll find Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida, and The Gili Islands. Or, for a slightly further adventure, you can fly to Kuta Lombok, Sumba, Flores and the southern tip of Java. Swim with turtles, laze about on pristine white beaches or surf empty waves – the choice is yours!6. Eat like a local at a roadside warungFeast your way through Bali’s must-try local dishes
A warung is a small locally-owned restaurant that typically serves traditional Indonesian and Balinese dishes. For just $dua you can feast on a mountain of delicious, authentic grub including nasi goreng, babi guling, beef rendang, tempe anggun and so.much.more. To get you started, tuck into 7 of our fave must-try dishes in Bali (we’ve even included the best warungs where you can find them!).7. See a traditional healer
Sorry to go all “Eat, Pray, Love” on you, but visiting a traditional healer when in Bali has got to be done! For years and years, the ancient ritual of traditional Balinese healing has been used to cure all sorts of ailments, using divine energy, herbal medicines and massage to balance the mind and spirit. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it – Bali’s best local healers really do work wonders.8. Be like the cool kids of CangguThe original hipster hangout, Canggu is Bali’s boho capital and the place to see and be seen
Bali’s boho capital – AKA Canggu – is fast-becoming a number one destination on every island itinerary. Come here for the spas, cool bars, the so-hot-right-now boutiques, and of course, the ever-growing collection of Canggu’s best cafes and restaurants. You’ll want to come hungry, and you’ll want to try everything from the vegan brunches to date night delicacies.9. Explore the island on a scooter
The quickest way to get around Bali is without doubt by scooter, and you can rent a trusty two-wheeled whip from almost every corner of the island. Available for daily, weekly and monthly hire, the price will cost a mere $4 per day – just make sure you wear a helmet and don’t give it a go unless you’ve ridden one before; the roads can seem lawless at times, with bumps and potholes hidden on every bend…10. Get a new ‘do at a top salonDe-tangle your salty tresses with a trip to one of Bali’s best salons
World-group cuts, boho balayage and blow drys with a Cosmo cocktail – you name it, Bali’s best hair salons do it. And the best bit is, they come at a fraction of the cost compared to back home. So go on, get a fresh ‘do, grab yourself some blonde highlights and finish it with a blissful head massage… You’re worth it!11. Download GO-JEK & live the dream
For Bali’s residents and expats alike, Go-Jek really is a godsend. Honestly, we can’t remember how we ever survived before this all-in-one app fell from heaven. So, do yourself a favour and download the app as soon as you arrive – you’ll then have access to cheap transport, home-delivered food from all of your fave Bali restaurants, in-villa massages, on-call cleaners, at-home beauty services, personal shoppers, postal services and even home removal vans – all available at your fingertips!12. Get wet with some wild water sportsWhatever aquatic adventure you choose, water sports in Bali is a must!
With its aquatic playgrounds in every ‘hood, Bali is a mecca for every kind of water sport under the sun (and sea). Got a need for speed? Try jet skiing, banana boating, wake boarding and jet packing. Or take things slow with a stand-up paddle board, or search for Nemo with a snorkel. Whatever aquatic path you prefer, water sports in Bali is a must.13. Get something custom made
Whether it’s furniture, shoes, homewares, clothes or jewellery, get something unique and made-to-measure when in Bali, exactly how you like it! You’ll spot signs for countless tailors lining the streets on your Bali adventures, from leather specialists to dressmakers and even artisans of ceramics.14. Watch a postcard-perfect Bali SunsetSettle in to one of Bali’s best sunset bars for a golden hour that really glows
For a golden hour that really glows, settle into one of Bali’s best sunset spots to watch the sky turn to candy. Beach or jungle, if the view fits we say go with it. And if you’re not sure where to start, check out our pick of Bali’s 30 best sunset bars to ruminate while the sky illuminates.15. Get a cream bath
A cream bath is a traditional Balinese hair treatment used almost daily by Indonesian women (hence their shiny, healthy-looking hair) and works wonders on softening sun-kissed locks too. It starts with a head, neck and shoulder massage, followed by a homemade mask that is left on the scalp for 30 minutes under a steamer, followed by even more massaging and conditioning. It’s sheer budget bliss that we highly recommend (and can’t get enough of!).16. Stretch it out at a yoga studio with a viewYoga in Bali isn’t complete without a breathtaking view