Things to Do in Bali: 13 Picks with Real Costs

Quick answer

For a first trip, prioritise Uluwatu Temple with the sunset Kecak dance, the Tegallalang rice terraces and Ubud, a Nusa Penida day trip, the Mount Batur sunrise trek and Tanah Lot. Add water sports at Tanjung Benoa and a beach-club sunset in Seminyak. Group sights by area, because Bali traffic is slow and 30 km can take 90 minutes.

13 things worth your time in Bali

01
Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak fire dance
Landmark
A cliff-top temple about 70 m above the Indian Ocean, followed by the Kecak dance at sunset. The story is the Ramayana, so Indian families recognise Rama, Sita and Hanuman at once.
3 hoursAbout ₹1,100 (IDR 50,000 temple + IDR 150,000 Kecak)
Hold on to sunglasses and phones; the temple monkeys snatch them. Kecak seats fill an hour before the show in peak months.
02
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Nature
The classic terraced paddies 20 minutes north of Ubud. At 7–8 am you get soft light, cooler air and paths without tour groups.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹270 (IDR 50,000) plus small farmer donations
The jungle swings and photo nests charge ₹1,500–3,000 per person. They're photogenic but poor value; the terraces themselves are the point.
03
Ubud Monkey Forest and town centre
Landmark
A forest sanctuary with three temples and several hundred long-tailed macaques, in the middle of Ubud. Combine it with Ubud Palace, the art market and the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
Half dayAbout ₹550–650 (IDR 100,000–120,000) for the forest
Don't carry food or plastic bags in; the monkeys will open them.
04
Mount Batur sunrise trek
Experience
A 2–2.5 hour climb up an active volcano (1,717 m) to watch the sun rise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. Moderate fitness is enough.
2 am pick-up, back by 11 am₹3,000–5,000 (IDR 550,000–900,000) with guide, transfers and breakfast
Going with a licensed local guide is effectively mandatory. Carry a fleece; it's 10–12°C at the top before dawn.
05
Nusa Penida day trip
Day trip
Kelingking Beach's T-rex cliff, Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong on the island's west side, 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur.
10–11 hours₹6,000–9,000 per person with fast boat, car and lunch
Roads are rough and the viewpoints crowded. Not ideal for seniors or anyone with back trouble; Nusa Lembongan is the gentler alternative.
06
Tanah Lot sea temple
Landmark
Bali's best-known sea temple sits on a rock that becomes an island at high tide. At low tide you can cross to the base and receive holy spring water.
2 hoursAbout ₹400 (IDR 75,000)
Sunset brings huge crowds and traffic. Arrive by 4 pm, or visit on the way to or from the airport.
07
Tirta Empul water temple
Landmark
A spring-fed temple where Balinese Hindus bathe under carved spouts for purification. Visitors may join in respectfully, following the order of the spouts.
1.5 hoursAbout ₹400 (IDR 75,000), sarong included
Bring a change of clothes and a towel. Women who are menstruating are asked not to enter temples in Bali.
08
Ulun Danu Beratan and Jatiluwih
Day trip
A lake temple in the cool highlands at about 1,200 m, paired with the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih rice terraces, which are wider and quieter than Tegallalang.
Full dayAbout ₹400 (IDR 75,000) at the lake temple; Jatiluwih about ₹300
Carry a light jacket. Combine with Tanah Lot on the way back for a long but efficient day.
09
Water sports at Tanjung Benoa
Experience
Calm, reef-sheltered water north of Nusa Dua, popular with Indian families. Operators bundle three or four activities into a package.
Half day₹1,500–3,500 per activity (parasailing, jet ski, banana boat)
Agree the per-person price and duration before you get on anything; beach prices are negotiable.
10
Seminyak and Canggu beach-club sunsets
Experience
Sunset drinks and DJs on the west-facing beaches. A good honeymoon evening, and most clubs serve decent vegetarian menus.
EveningBar entry often free; daybeds carry a minimum spend of about ₹4,000–15,000
Book daybeds a day ahead in July, August and December.
11
Balinese cooking class in Ubud
Food
A morning market visit, then cooking six to eight dishes in a family compound. Most schools run fully vegetarian versions on request.
4–5 hours₹2,200–3,800 (IDR 400,000–700,000)
Tell them at booking if you avoid onion and garlic; good schools can adapt.
12
Balinese massage at a day spa
Experience
Bali's spas are excellent value compared with India's metro hotels. A traditional massage after the Batur trek or a Penida day is the best money you'll spend.
1–2 hours₹800–2,500 for 60–90 minutes
13
Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven)
Landmark
A split gate framing Mount Agung on clear mornings. The temple complex itself is beautiful and spiritually important.
Full day (2.5 hours each way from the south)About ₹300–550 (IDR 55,000–100,000) with sarong and shuttle
The famous reflection is a photographer's mirror trick, and the photo queue can take 1–3 hours. Go only if you start very early.

What should you not miss in Bali?

Bali rewards slow travel more than box-ticking. Traffic is the single biggest constraint: the 30 km from Seminyak to Ubud can take 90 minutes in the afternoon, so plan by area rather than by list. Most first-timers split their stay between the south (Seminyak, Kuta or Nusa Dua) and Ubud, and do day trips from each.

Grouping sights by area

South and the Bukit: Uluwatu Temple and Kecak, Tanjung Benoa water sports, beach clubs, and the Nusa Penida boat from Sanur.
Ubud and around: Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, cooking classes and the Mount Batur sunrise trek.
West and highlands: Ulun Danu Beratan and Jatiluwih in one long day, with Tanah Lot on the way back.

Is a private driver worth it in Bali?

Yes, for almost everyone. A car with driver costs about IDR 700,000–900,000 (₹3,800–4,900) for a 10-hour day, fuel included. That's cheaper than stringing together app cabs, and drivers know which temples need a sarong and when the queues build. Ride-hailing apps work in the south but are restricted at some pickup points in Ubud.

What to skip or scale down

The Instagram swings around Ubud are expensive for what they are. The Lempuyang Gates of Heaven photo relies on a mirror trick, and the wait can run to three hours. If you're travelling with parents, Nusa Penida's rough roads and steep cliff paths make for a hard day; a Nusa Lembongan snorkelling trip is gentler.

Every temple requires a sarong and sash. Most lend them at the gate, but carrying your own saves time and small rental fees.

For timings and costs, see our 6-day Bali itinerary, the Bali trip cost breakdown and where to stay in Bali. Vegetarians should read the Bali food guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Bali?

Six nights is the sweet spot for a first trip: two or three in the south for beaches, Uluwatu and a Nusa Penida day, and three in Ubud for rice terraces, temples and the Batur trek. Five nights works if you skip Nusa Penida. Honeymooners often add a night or two in a private-pool villa.

Is Nusa Penida worth it?

For fit travellers who want dramatic cliff views, yes; Kelingking and Broken Beach are spectacular. But it's a long day, with an early boat, rough roads, crowded viewpoints and a late-afternoon return. Seniors, small children and anyone prone to seasickness may enjoy a calmer Nusa Lembongan snorkelling trip more.

What is the dress code for temples in Bali?

Cover your shoulders and knees, and tie a sarong and sash around your waist at every temple. Most temples lend sarongs at the entrance, sometimes for a small fee or donation. Women who are menstruating are asked not to enter temple grounds, and you shouldn't climb on shrines or stand higher than priests.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.