In a nutshell
- Bali isn’t just an island to just relax at your hotel. Make sure to explore the rich culture and its stunning nature.
- There are endless cool activities in Bali. We’ve listed the top activities you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
- You can do most activities regardless of where your hotel in Bali is located. Most of them don’t cost much, either.
Snorkeling in Bali
- Locations: East coast, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
- Duration: flexible
- Cost: free on your own, tours from around 280,000 IDR
Bali’s east coast and the Nusa Islands are home to huge reefs that are still in great condition. You’ll find countless colorful fish, and with a bit of luck, even spot a sea turtle or two. Snorkeling here isn’t just a recommendation, it’s one of the top activities in Bali you simply can’t miss on your trip to Bali.
On the east coast near Amed, you can easily snorkel straight from the beach. The reefs are just a short swim away.
If you want to see even more, join a guided snorkeling tour. Boats take you out to the best spots and provide all the gear. One of the absolute highlights: snorkeling with manta rays around Nusa Penida. Just remember: watch them, but don’t chase them.
Book a 3-hour snorkeling tour on Bali’s east coast
Book a full-day snorkeling tour with manta rays to Nusa Penida
Balinese Massage
- Locations: all over Bali
- Duration: usually 15-60 minutes
- Cost: full body massages from around 190,000 IDR
- Great activity in the rain
Balinese massages are world-famous, and trying one is simply a must when you’re in Bali. It’s the perfect way to relax and recharge during your trip. The best part? They’re incredibly affordable compared to what you’d pay elsewhere.
We recommend going for a full body massage, but you can also ask the therapists to focus on certain areas if you prefer.
Massage studios are literally on every corner, so you’ll never have trouble finding one. And if you book the experience we’ve linked below, you’ll even get picked up directly at your hotel in Bali and brought to the spa. A great option for a rainy day and a great thing to do in Bali.
Balinese Ceremony
- Locations: all over Bali
- Duration: about 2–3 hours
- Cost: free
Bali is known as a deeply spiritual island, with thousands of Hindu temples scattered across the landscape. Each temple hosts ceremonies to mark important days like celebrating its opening every 210 days.
During a ceremony, locals wear traditional dress, perform dances, play gamelan music and take part in age-old rituals. Joining one is a truly unique experience and should definitely be on your Bali travel itinerary.
You are usually warmly invited by your host and dressed appropriately before taking part.
When we joined, we were among just a handful of visitors – no crowds, no touristy staging. That’s why we recommend skipping the commercialized ceremonies often sold through big platforms. Instead, let it happen naturally during your trip.
Surfing in Bali
- Locations: Uluwatu, Kuta, Canggu
- Duration: flexible, lessons usually last 1-2 hours
- Cost: surf lessons and board rentals available from around 280,000 IDR
Bali is one of the best surf spots in the world and a must if you’re thinking about what to do in Bali. The island has waves for every level, from complete beginners to seasoned pros.
If you’re an experienced surfer, Uluwatu is legendary. The reef break here can deliver waves up to 3-6 meters high and is a dream spot for advanced riders. Be sure to read our article with the best hotel tips for Uluwatu.
Kuta and Canggu, on the other hand, are perfect if you’re just starting out. We took a surf lesson in Kuta and the conditions were ideal for learning. Across all the main surf beaches, you’ll always find plenty of board rentals and surf schools, making it one of the top activities in Bali.
We joined this surf course and can highly recommend it:
Book a surf course at the Up2U Surf School
Balinese Cooking Course
- Locations: all over Bali
- Duration: about 4-5 hours
- Cost: from around 380,000 IDR
- Great activity in the rain
If you love Balinese food as much as we do, then a cooking class is a must on your trip. It’s one of the top activities in Bali and a great way to take a little piece of the island home with you. Who knows – maybe you’ll end up cooking some of the dishes again in your own kitchen.
The course usually starts with a visit to the local market, where you’ll pick out fresh ingredients together with your host. Afterwards, you’ll learn how to prepare 4-6 dishes – anything from Balinese chicken curry to traditional spice pastes or a local dessert.
The class we’ve linked takes place in Ubud, but you’ll find cooking courses all over Bali. It’s one of those things to do in Bali that combines culture, food, and fun in the best way.
Book the Balinese cooking course in Ubud
Walking Through Rice Fields
- Best starting points: Ubud, Munduk, Sidemen and Lovina
- Duration: flexible
- Cost: free, only the most famous terraces cost around 20,000-55,000 IDR
Rice fields stretch across the heart of Bali. They’re lush green, incredibly photogenic, and perfect for a peaceful walk. Honestly, just being there and taking in the view is already one of the best things to do in Bali.
The most famous terraces are the Jatiluwih and Tegallalang Rice Fields. These are not really hidden gems in Bali, but Jatiluwih has marked hiking trails, so you can easily plan how long you want to walk.
Smaller, lesser-known rice fields usually don’t charge an entrance fee. Still, it’s always polite to ask the local farmers before walking through their land.
To reach the rice terraces, you’ll either need a private driver or you can rent a scooter in Bali.
Discover Waterfalls
- Best starting points: Ubud, Lovina and Munduk
- Duration: around 30-60 minutes per waterfall
- Cost: most charge about 20,000-55,000 IDR
We’ve explored some of the most impressive waterfalls in Bali, and each one has its own unique charm. Visiting them belongs on every list of things to do in Bali.
Some of our favorites are the Gembleng Waterfall, the Nung Nung Waterfall and the Goa Rang Reng Waterfall.
Reaching them often means walking down lots of steps through the jungle and, of course, climbing back up again. It usually takes about 20 minutes, but the views and the atmosphere make the effort more than worth it.
To get to the trailheads, you can either rent a scooter, hire a private driver, or join a guided tour that combines several waterfalls with a stop at the rice terraces.
Book the waterfalls and rice terraces tour
Visit Temples
- Places: all across Bali
- Duration: around 30-60 minutes per temple
- Cost: most charge about 20,000–55,000 IDR
Visiting a temple in Bali is a special experience, even if no ceremony is happening.
Balinese temples are made up of several small shrines, many of them open-air and designed like pavilions. You’ll find family temples within homes, village temples for local communities, and grand temples that serve the entire island.
The most famous temples include Pura Tanah Lot (a sea temple set on a rock in the ocean), Pura Tirta Empul (the sacred water temple where purification rituals take place), and Goa Gajah (the elephant cave temple).
To enter a temple, you’ll need a sarong wrapped around your waist. You can bring your own or borrow one at the entrance. Your shoulders must also be covered. Yo can get there by scooter, with a private driver, or on a guided tour.
Book the temple and sunset tour
Tour to Mount Batur
- Best starting point: Ubud
- Duration: 7-10 hours
- Cost: from about 720,000 IDR
Hiking Mount Batur is a great thing to do in Bali and an unforgettable adventure. The active volcano is famous for its sunrise hikes, where you reach the summit just in time to watch the sky turn golden. It’s no longer a hidden gem, but it’s still absolutely worth it.
A guide is required for the hike, as trekking on your own is no longer allowed. Most of the time, the guide walks up with just your group, though during peak season groups are sometimes combined.
The climb is about 500-600 meters in elevation and takes roughly 1.5 hours. Your guide will go at a pace that suits you, and once you reach the summit, you can enjoy a simple breakfast while watching the sunrise.
Tours are available with or without hotel pick-up at your hotel in Ubud or another city and are among the most popular choices when deciding what to do in Bali:
Book the sunrise tour on Mount Batur
Watching the Sunset
- Locations: west coast
- Duration: flexible
- Cost: free
We’ve already shown you an incredible sunrise, and now it’s time for the other highlight: spectacular sunsets. Bali offers some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see, with the sky literally exploding in colors – just like in our photo.
The best way to enjoy it is to sit back comfortably on one of the beaches in Bali on the west coast and watch the sun sink into the horizon. The great thing is: this magical experience is completely free, as long as the beach doesn’t charge an entrance fee. It’s one of the easiest and most memorable things to do in Bali.
Swimming with Dolphins
- Best starting point: Lovina
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Cost: from IDR 350,000
Swimming with dolphins is one of the most memorable experiences on Bali’s north coast. However, dolphin tourism has become very popular, and many tours chase after the dolphins, often with 50 boats in the water at the same time. For this reason, we strongly recommend choosing your tour carefully.
After searching, we found a tour that only departs once most other boats have returned. Typically, there are just a handful of boats at sea, and the dolphins are left undisturbed in their natural habitat.
This responsible tour is offered by Edi from Popeye Lovina. You can book directly via WhatsApp or Instagram by searching his name on Google for the contact details.
These were the best activities in Bali
Which of these activities in Bali is your favorite? Which experience should not be missed on a Bali trip? Share your thoughts in the comments!