Bali is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. When planning a trip to Bali, the question often arises of where to go in Bali.
The island of Bali is small, but there are so many different towns, villages, and areas that all offer something different.
Whether you’re heading to Bali for the food, culture, beaches, parties, or anything else, there is an ideal place in Bali for you.
Bali’s wide range of offers for all types of travelers is one of the reasons it’s such a popular and sought-after travel destination.
It’s best to move around to different cities and towns while traveling in Bali. Each place is so different and the distances between them are minimal.
Prepare to be blown away by Bali and the beautiful towns and villas within it. Some people consider Bali an overrated travel destination, while others LOVE it. It’s for you to decide!
This guide will surely solve your problem of where to go in Bali, so be sure to pick the destinations that suit you as a traveler.
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Where to Go in Bali
1. Seminyak
- Best Place for Beach Clubs, Great Food, and Beach Days
Seminyak is a beautiful resort area in Bali that sits right along a huge white sand beach. The area is full of luxury resorts, private villas, and high-end hotels. There are also affordable accommodations as well.
Seminyak is the ideal place to visit for travelers looking for a comfortable stay in Bali with the ideal mix of relaxation and excitement.
The huge beach offers ample opportunity for a beach day or two. This along with the sunbeds to rent and restaurants lining the beach make for the perfect place to have a beach vacation.
Bali is most commonly known as a tropical beachy travel destination, but it’s also a great place for foodies!
After an amazing day relaxing on the beach, you can then venture to one of the many delicious restaurants in Seminyak. There are so many incredible restaurants to choose from that offer delicious food and beyond-stunning interiors!
Here is a nasi campur and avocado smoothie from Made’s Warung, a popular place to eat in Seminyak. Photo credit: Life Of Doing
Also, if you need your daily dose of caffeine, check out these incredible cafes in the area.
Another thing many travelers come to Seminyak for is the beach clubs. The entire area is full of beach clubs that are ideal for daytime drinking and relaxation and nighttime parties.
Most beach clubs offer impressive views of the ocean and sunset, making them the ideal place to spend the night enjoying the buzzing atmosphere and magical surroundings.
Read More: How to Spend a Day in Seminyak
2. Uluwatu
- Recommended Area for Luxurious Accommodation, Cliff Views, and Private Beaches
Uluwatu is located on Bali’s Southern tip, just a short distance from the busier areas in Bali, and offers a welcome escape from reality.
This is a trendy place to visit in Bali that has a more relaxed and chill vibe. Uluwatu is not as touristy and popular as other places which makes it the ideal place to escape to.
A visit here will supply you with a ton of unique and interesting things to do.
This amazing destination is best known for its magical cliff views, semi-private beaches, high-end beach clubs, and perfect surfing spots.
Around Uluwatu, you’ll find cliff viewpoints that showcase the jaw-dropping white cliffs of the area. Uluwatu Temple has lovely views as well.
Uluwatu Temple has a nice walking path to see the ocean. Photo credit: Life Of Doing
Unlike Seminyak and Kuta, Uluwatu has more than one beach and most of them offer an intimate beach day experience.
Beaches like Thomas Beach, Suluban Beach, and Padang-Padang Beach are the perfect white sand, blue water beaches to escape to for a private beach day amongst pretty surroundings.
Uluwatu is also famous for its luxurious cliffside beach clubs, and the most famous is Ulu Cliffhouse. This beach club is new and offers a memorable beach club experience with sunbeds and a swimming pool that extends over the cliffs of Uluwatu.
If you’re wondering where to visit in Bali for an exciting and luxurious stay, Uluwatu is for you!
Check out this post on how to spend 3 days in Uluwatu.
3. Ubud
- Perfect Place for Nature Adventures, Culture, and Waterfalls
You can’t visit Bali and not go to Ubud.
As the cultural capital of Bali, a visit here to explore and soak in everything this jungle paradise has to offer is a must.
Ubud is full of things to do and see and one could easily spend a few days here exploring all the wondrous sites, attractions, and places to eat.
This town is very different from most of the other popular places in Bali because it’s not a beach town and offers a more nature and jungle-focused adventure.
The jungle area of Ubud is a top reason to visit. Photo credit: Sam Sees World
One of the main attractions in Ubud is the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. People from around the world come to view these interesting and unique land formations and to learn about rice growth in Indonesia.
These stunning green rice terraces are open to the public for a small fee and visiting them is definitely a bucket list experience.
Ubud is the best area to experience greenery and jungles in Bali. Photo credit: Sam Sees World
Since Ubud is located within the dense jungle of Bali it is full of nature and wildlife like monkeys! Ubud has its own sacred monkey forest which is home to over 700 monkeys. It’s the perfect place to see the natural inhabitants of Bali and enjoy the jungle scenery of Ubud.
The excitement of Ubud doesn’t stop once you exit the town limits, just a short distance from Ubud are a ton of gorgeous waterfalls to enjoy!
If you’re looking for a vacation full of adventure and nature, then Ubud is for you.
4. Nusa Islands
- Ideal Area for Beautiful Views, Blue Waters, and Luxurious Villas
The Nusa Islands are the perfect place to go in Bali for a refreshing change of pace. The island vibes are relaxed and the surrounding areas are breathtaking.
The Nusa Islands are made up of 3 islands Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida.
When visiting these islands you can choose to visit on a day trip from the mainland or stay overnight on one.
The islands are all full of amazing things to see and discover. Some of the highlights are the Devil’s Tear, Angel Billabong, Broken Beach, and Kelingking Beach.
Broken Beach is a pretty place to visit in Nusa Penida. Photo credit: Life Of Doing
Every year these islands become more and more popular, and it’s clear why!
5. Canggu
- Recommended Place for Hip Cafes, Co-working Spaces Full of Ex-pats, and Trendy Shops
Canggu is one of the new hot spots in Bali that everyone can’t get enough of, especially young travelers.
This is an area of Bali that is full of hip cafes, restaurants, and trendy shops and is the place of choice for ex-pats from around the world.
You’ll find here a wide range of cafes and co-working spaces perfect for anyone who is working while traveling or needs to get something done.
The cafes in Canggu have healthy options such as smoothie bowls. Photo credit: Sam Sees World
Beyond the co-working, Canggu has a huge sandy beach and tons of beach clubs lining it.
The beaches in Canggu have many surfers practicing their skills. Photo credit: Sam Sees World
This is the perfect place to visit in Bali if you’re looking to hang out with a young crowd in a buzzing atmosphere.
Check out this 3 days in Canggu itinerary on how to spend your time here.
6. Munduk
- Perfect Area for a Quiet Getaway, Peaceful Views, and Stunning Waterfalls
Hidden in the mountains of Northern Bali sits the gorgeous region of Munduk. Bali is a very popular tourist destination and in places like Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud you’ll see the tourist packs in full force. Sometimes it can be nice for quietness and to escape the crowds.
In this Northern region of Bali, you’re away from the breathtaking coastline but are lucky enough to be within nature and high in the Balinese mountains.
In Munduk, there are plenty of viewpoints to admire like the Munduk Swing Viewpoints. Plus various cultural attractions like the Munduk water temple (Ulun Danu Bratan).
Munduk is where you’ll find some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali. They are huge and the best part is they are not at all as busy as the ones in Ubud.
Be sure to visit Munduk Waterfall and Banyumala Twin Waterfall to see some of the most spectacular falls you’ll ever see!
Banyumala Twin Waterfall in Munduk area. Photo credit: Life Of Doing
Along with this, Munduk is home to the very famous and Instagrammable Handara Gate Bali.
7. Kuta
- Best Place for Surfing and Partying
Kuta is often regarded as a place to avoid in Bali, but it’s very attractive for a very specific kind of traveler; those looking to party!
No matter how spectacular and cultural Bali is, there is still a huge amount of people who visit Bali intending to party at beach clubs.
Everyone likes to celebrate and let loose in their own way and Kuta is the ideal spot for this. Kuta also has a large beach and is a great place for surfing.
So if you’re a traveler looking for sun, beaches, surfing, and crazy nightlife, Kuta is your place.
8. Jimbaran
- Ideal Area for Beach Days, Fewer Crowds, and Less Hassle
Jimbaran is one of the few places in Southern Bali that offers a peaceful and relaxing stay.
The beach here is called Jimbaran Beach and offers a ton more space than nearby Kuta Beach and Seminyak’s beaches, and the waves here are much less extreme.
What makes Jimbaran even better is that the beach has very few people hassling you so you can enjoy your time in Bali hassle-free.
The prices for staying in Jimbaran are not overly budget-friendly. You will find accommodation prices to be closer to that in Seminyak’s.
However, for the less crowded beach and hassle-free enjoyment, it’s worth it.
When to Go to Bali
Bali is a travel destination that can be visited year-round.
There are two seasons; dry season and rainy season. The dry season is from May – September, and the wet season is from October – April. However, the rainy season only welcomes an hour or so of rain a day and it isn’t anything to cancel a trip over!
The busiest months in Bali are July – August and December – January. Try to avoid these months for fewer crowds.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post answered all your questions on what the top places to visit in Bali are and the best spots to add to your itinerary. Check out this 4 day or 2 week itinerary for inspiration.
There are so many fascinating areas, towns, and villages that this list only names a few! Be sure to see as much of this stunning island as you can and enjoy every moment.
Follow my adventures on Sam Sees World.
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