Bali is one of my favorite places on this earth. I have spent a LOT of time in Bali (here, here, here and here). I previously did an Ubud Travel Guide and now I am sharing my Top 5 Places to Visit in Bali. If you are planning a trip to Bali or visiting Bali for the first time - these top 5 destinations need to be on your list!
1. Seminyak
Seminyak is one of the main tourist's destinations in Bali. It's a coastal area that is home to gorgeous sprawling beaches. This is also one of the go-to places if you are looking for fun nightlife and great parties. You can pick from the many beachfront restaurants to enjoy a meal and watch the sunset across the water. At night the restaurants all turn on colorful lanterns and set up DJ stands to get the night party started.
While we were in Seminyak we rented a beautiful Airbnb villa for 2 nights right down the street from Ku De Ta. For breakfast, we went to the Straw Hut every morning for our coffee and breakfast. I highly recommend adding these spots to your must-see list:
- CooCoo Beach Club
- Ku De Ta
- Double Six Rooftop
- Potato Head Beach Club
2. Uluwatu
Uluwatu is on the southwest tip of Bali. This is one of the best surf areas in the world. Surfers come from all over to surf off the coast of Uluwatu. I recommend spending 1-2 days in Uluwatu area. There are lots of surf villas and lodges you can stay at in the area.
One of the more famous places to visit in Uluwatu is the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. This Temple that has gorgeous cliffside views. This template is laid out across a large space so you can spend a few hours wandering around the cliffs and taking in the views. Be aware of the monkeys at the template - they love to go after hats, sunglasses and water bottles.
After Uluwatu temple, you can take a taxi down to Uluwatu Beach and explore all the cave and inlets. There are tons of different bars and restaurants built into the cliffsides of Uluwatu for you to stop and get refreshments. Its the perfect way to end the day by watching the surfers and the sunset. This area is much more relaxed than Seminyak and Canggu and can offer a nice change of scenery from the more busy nightlife of those high tourist areas.
3. Ubud
Ubud is inland from the coast and is about a 2-hour drive from Uluwatu. I recommend at least 3-4 days in this area. I did a whole travel guide around Ubud, Bali. See more of what I recommend to do in Ubud: here. My favorite spots in Ubud are Monkey Forest, The Swing Set, The Ridge Walk and Ubud Markets. I highlight recommend visiting the Elephant Sanctuary. It was one of the highlights of my trip. I also recommend taking a walk among the lush rice fields. Monkey Forest is a beautiful park that you can wander around in and get your photo taken with monkeys - but be careful they do bite! Wander around downtown Ubud and shop in their large market. The Ubud Swing Set is a popular Instagram destination - the lines can be long but worth the trip!
Make sure to read my Travel Guide for Ubud, Bali for more!
4. Canggu
Canggu is a coastal village just north of Seminyak. This area is also very popular for surfing. Echo beach is one of the more popular surf destinations. This areas also has beautiful island temples that are dedicated to the Sea Gods. One of the popular tourist destinations in this area is Tanah Lot Temple.
One of the most popular beachfront hangouts is The Lawn. This beachfront bar has tons of cute bean bags and lawn chairs for you to hang-out and watching the crashing waves. I recommend going early to get a seat and staying to watch the sunset. Night time is really when the music gets going and the dance floor gets popping.
5. GILI ISLANDS
Gili islands are one of my favorite destinations in Bali. There are 3 different islands to choose from - each with its own charm. You can either take a 2 1/2 hour flight or a 4-hour ferry ride from Bali. It has amazing scuba diving, snorkeling, and beautiful beaches. No cars or motorbikes are allowed on the islands - the best way to get around is walking, biking and horses. These islands have some of the best beaches in the world. One of the more famous locations in the Gili Islands is the Trawangan Swing - just like the Ubud Swing - expect long lines to get that perfect Instagram snap.
What do you think of my top 5 places? Did I miss any key locations - tell me in the comments below!
