As a world-renowned travel destination, there is an overwhelming amount of information about Bali online. To make things even more confusing, many temples look quite similar at first glance, and the island is much bigger than you might think—traveling between different regions can mean spending hours in a car. When we were doing our pre-trip research, Cherry remembers getting a massive headache trying to piece it all together!

To save you the trouble, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide organizing Bali's most popular attractions by region. We hope this helps you plan the perfect Bali itinerary!

Table of Contents

★ South Bali

★ Central Bali

★ East Bali

South Bali

Uluwatu Temple

South Bali boasts plenty of incredible spots to catch the sunset. If you love the beach, Kuta Beach and Jimbaran Beach are famous for their sunset views. However, compared to the beach sunsets, Cherry personally feels that Uluwatu Temple, perched on the southwestern tip of the island, offers an experience that is far more uniquely Balinese!

As evening approaches, golden sunlight spills over the endless ocean, intertwining with the ancient cliffside temple to create a breathtaking, picturesque scene. Watching the traditional Indonesian Kecak Fire Dance performed by dozens of artists against the backdrop of the cliffside temple and the setting sun is truly a must-see!

📌 Book tickets in advance to skip the line: Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Fire Dance Tickets｜Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance Sunset Tour

📌 Recommended Reading: Breathtaking Sunsets, Cliffside Temples & Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple｜Top 5 Attractions Around Uluwatu Temple

GWK Cultural Park (Garuda Wisnu Kencana)

GWK Cultural Park features three main statues, with the massive Garuda Wisnu Kencana being one of the largest and tallest monumental statues in the world. Towering at 120.9 meters high, it actually beats out New York's Statue of Liberty by a solid 30 meters! Seeing this colossal statue standing between towering, straight-cut limestone cliffs is incredibly spectacular and adds a touch of exotic mystery to your trip. It's definitely a fantastic spot for taking photos!

📌 GWK Cultural Park: Check Ticket Deals｜Included in the Klook Bali Pass

Aside from the three grand statues, the park's amphitheater hosts traditional Balinese dance performances, including the famous Barong dance. GWK Cultural Park isn't just highly photogenic; it’s a wonderful place to witness Indonesia's rich cultural heritage. Highly recommended!

📌 Recommended Reading: Bali's Tallest Statue ☆ GWK Cultural Park

Waterbom Bali

Image via Klook

Located right on the bustling Kuta street, Waterbom Bali isn't just incredibly convenient to get to, but it also lets you take in beautiful Kuta views while zooming down the slides! It features seven different slides totaling 600 meters in length, with various inclines and twists to suit your thrill level. This includes "The Constrictor," one of the longest slides in the world at 250 meters, and "The Climax," Asia's steepest slide where you drop at speeds of up to 70 km/h. It's an absolute adrenaline rush!

There's also a dedicated kids' zone with water facilities designed for different ages and heights. It’s the perfect water park where adults and kids of all ages can have an absolute blast.

📌 Waterbom Tickets: Official Website Rates｜KKDay Discounted Tickets｜Klook Discounted Tickets ｜Included in the Klook Bali Pass

Island Hopping – Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is an island located to the southeast of Bali, just a 50-minute speedboat ride away from Sanur harbor on the southern coast. The island's Kelingking Beach is a massive viral spot where you can look down at a cliff shaped exactly like a T-Rex surrounded by the vast, deep blue ocean.

Beyond Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach are equally stunning. The best part? Nusa Penida doesn't just look good in photos; the sheer scale and beauty of the landscapes are even more breathtaking in person! We highly recommend this to anyone who loves photography or majestic natural scenery.

📌 Nusa Penida Tour Links: Private Day Tour｜Private Car Charter｜Nusa Penida Ferry Tickets ｜Included in the Klook Bali Pass

Image via Internet

Located on the southeast side of Nusa Penida, about a 1.5-hour drive from Kelingking Beach, is another famous photo spot: Rumah Pohon "Tree House". Because of the distance, most day tours only focus on the attractions in West Nusa Penida. If you've really set your heart on this spot, there are East Nusa Penida day tours or multi-day Nusa Penida tours available to suit your needs!

📌 Tour Links: Nusa Penida Multi-Day Tour｜East Nusa Penida Day Tour

Central Bali

Tanah Lot Temple

Image via Internet

Located on the mid-western coast of Bali, Tanah Lot is one of the island's seven iconic sea temples, and undoubtedly the most famous! The temple sits on a large offshore rock shaped over the years by the ocean tide. During high tide, the rock is completely surrounded by water, making the temple appear as though it's floating in the sea. You can only walk across to the temple grounds during low tide.

The original name, Tanah Lot, literally translates to "Land in the Sea," perfectly capturing its essence. Famous for its magnificent sunset views, it remains one of the most beloved spots for travelers visiting Bali!

Bali Swing

Image via Internet

The Bali Swing phenomenon features giant swings suspended high up in the trees. With lush green jungles as your backdrop, swinging high into the air makes for a stunning visual. Many girls opt to wear long, flowy dresses that catch the wind—when captured from behind, it looks absolutely magical, as if you've transformed into a jungle fairy. It's a quintessential Bali bucket-list photo!

Ubud is essentially the hub for these jungle swings, with plenty of options to choose from. The most famous is the original "Bali Swing", followed closely by "Aloha Ubud Swing". Both of these top spots are included in the Klook Bali Pass. There's also "Pic heaven Swing", located close to Bali Swing but at a slightly cheaper price point. We've included a map above to help you locate these three swings along with nearby attractions!

📌 Jungle Swings: Bali Swing｜Aloha Ubud Swing｜Picheaven

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Image via Internet

Tegallalang Rice Terrace is located in the northern part of Ubud, a very convenient 25-minute drive from the town center! The cascading terraces carved into the hillsides are surrounded by lush palm trees. The addition of viral IG photo props like giant bird nests and jungle swings has elevated Tegallalang to become Bali's most famous rice terrace.

Looking out over the sweeping green rice paddies and trees, you can almost breathe in the fresh air just by looking at the photos! It’s a wonderful spot to relax your mind while snapping some gorgeous, envy-inducing photos—hitting two birds with one stone!

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Image via Internet

Jatiluwih is one of the two major rice terrace regions in Bali. Located in the central part of the island, the area surrounding Jatiluwih is peaceful and rustic. You can take in the unbroken views of vibrant green terraces surrounded by forests, and often spot local farmers tending to their crops.

Jatiluwih features the traditional Balinese "Subak" irrigation system, which dates all the way back to the 11th century and is incredibly still in use today! In recent years, its popularity has grown, and many day tours now loop it in with other nearby sights. If you prefer a closer look at authentic local farming life, we highly recommend checking out Jatiluwih!

📌 Tour Recommendation: Ulun Danu Beratan + Jatiluwih Rice Terraces + Tanah Lot Day Tour

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (Water Temple)

Image via Internet

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a stunning water temple entirely surrounded by Lake Bratan. The antique, multi-tiered thatched roof of the shrine, paired with the misty mountains rising up in the background, creates a top-tier, fairytale-like landscape of lake, mountain, and temple! You even have the option to rent a small boat and paddle out to admire the temple directly from the water.

📌 Tour Recommendation: Ulun Danu Beratan + Jatiluwih Rice Terraces + Tanah Lot Day Tour

Tukad Cepung Waterfall

Image via Internet

Often hailed as a Balinese wonderland, Tukad Cepung Waterfall is an incredibly atmospheric spot for photography. Located about a 50-minute drive northeast of Ubud, this waterfall is hidden deep within a cave in a dense forest. Sunlight pierces through the canopy overhead, sending divine beams of light filtering through the cave’s opening and reflecting off the cascading water in the dark cavern. Posing in front of the waterfall with these angelic light rays pouring down from above is pure magic!

📌 Tour Links: Tukad Cepung Waterfall + Jungle Swing ｜Bali Instagram Photo Tour

Pura Tirta Empul (Holy Spring Water Temple)

Image via Internet

Pura Tirta Empul is situated in the village of Tampaksiring, about 15 kilometers (or a 30-minute drive) north of Ubud. Built in 962 AD, this temple boasts over a thousand years of history. The temple complex features bathing pools fed by holy spring water bubbling up from the ground. Locals believe this pure water possesses divine powers to bring health and wealth, which is why devotees and foreign tourists alike flock here to participate in the purification rituals. You can also pair this with a visit to the nearby Gunung Kawi temple complex!

Pura Besakih (Mother Temple)

Image via Internet

Pura Besakih is the highest-altitude temple in Indonesia, perched high on the southern slopes of Mount Agung in the village of Besakih. Because it sits quite far from the main tourist hubs, it’s a spot that standard tour groups often skip. Built in the early 11th century, it is the largest and holiest Hindu temple complex in Bali, comprising around 30 separate temples. At first glance, the vast, terraced layout is majestic, solemn, and commands absolute awe!

Mount Batur (Gunung Batur)

Image via Internet

If you're a nature lover, we highly recommend adding the majestic Mount Batur to your itinerary! Located in north-central Bali, Mount Batur is an active volcano whose massive caldera was formed over 23,000 years ago.

There are two main ways to experience the beauty of Mount Batur. The first is to go for the sunrise—a strong recommendation for early birds! Looking down from the summit at the spectacular crater lake, the old lava fields, and watching the sun slowly rise over a sea of clouds is phenomenally beautiful. If you opt for the sunrise, you can choose between a hiking trek or riding up in a 4WD Jeep.

📌 Mount Batur Sunrise Experiences: Trekking｜4WD Jeep

Image via Internet

If you really don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night, the alternative is to head to Kintamani to take in panoramic views of Mount Batur from a distance. If you skip the sunrise, you can easily join one of the many day tours or simply hire a private car charter to make your own way up.

📌 Sample Route for Car Charter: Tegallalang Rice Terrace → Mount Batur → Tirta Empul Temple → Ubud

📌 Guided Day Tour: Mount Batur + Tirta Empul Temple + White Water Rafting Day Tour

East Bali

Gates of Heaven (Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang)

Image via Klook

The "Gates of Heaven" is arguably the most viral Balinese photo spot of the last few years, largely because the photos you get here are so incredibly dreamy! This split-gate architectural style, known locally as a Candi Bentar, is very common in Bali. This specific gate belongs to Lempuyang Temple, an ancient Hindu temple in East Bali.

With Mount Agung shrouded in clouds in the background, framing skies so close you feel you could touch them, the setup is ethereally beautiful. Add in the perfect, mirror-like "water reflection," and it's no wonder tourists flock here for a photo!

However, we need to offer a friendly reality check: there is no lake there. The famous reflection is an illusion created by a local photographer holding a small mirror under your phone lens. Because of its massive popularity, the standard experience now involves queuing for 3 to 4 hours, just to get your 3 minutes of posing. Furthermore, Lempuyang Temple is quite remote—about 2 hours from Ubud, 2.5 hours from the airport, and easily 3 hours from southern Bali.

Is it worth the trek? It completely depends on you! If your time in Bali is short, if you aren't obsessed with getting "the shot," or if you hate long car rides, we suggest giving this one a pass!

Traveler Tips:

1. There is a strict dress code to enter the temple. Both men and women must cover their knees (sarongs are available to rent/borrow at the entrance).
2. A dedicated staff member handles the photos (tipping is expected). You’ll have time for 3-4 poses, so plan your moves while waiting in line! The pace is fast, so don't freeze up.
3. Again, there is no lake, no water—just a photographer with a piece of glass. Set your expectations accordingly!
4. The Gates of Heaven isn't too far from Tirta Gangga Water Palace, and if you're coming from Ubud, Tukad Cepung Waterfall is along the way. Combining them makes for a solid day trip.

📌 Tour Recommendation: Bali Instagram Photo Tour

Tirta Gangga Water Palace

Image via Klook

Tirta Gangga Water Palace is another must-visit for grabbing stunning Instagram photos in Bali. Features include exquisitely carved stepping stones and rows of ornate statues standing over large, tranquil pools. The maze-like layout of the water gardens, mixed with the brightly colored koi fish swimming all around, practically begs to be photographed! Since it’s so popular, you may have to wait your turn to snap photos on the stepping stones, so we recommend arriving early to beat the biggest crowds.

📌 Tour Recommendation: Bali Instagram Photo Tour

When planning a trip to Bali, a lot of people overlook just how large the island is. It's common to arrive only to realize your favorite spots are hours apart, leading to a lot of wasted time in transit. For navigating Bali, we highly recommend booking a Private Car Charter. You can completely customize your itinerary, the prices are very reasonable, and carefully grouping attractions by route guarantees you'll maximize your fun without the stress!

Just pulling up Bali on hotel booking sites will yield over 12,000 results spread across vastly different neighborhoods! To make things easier, Cherry has put together a Where to Stay in Bali Guide by Region. It breaks down the vibes of different areas along with attraction maps to help you find the perfect hotel for your needs. Be sure to check it out!

Bali Travel Info & Booking Links

★ 【Transportation】Bali Private Car Charter｜Airport / City Transfers

★ 【Jungle Swings】Ubud Swings｜Waterfall & Swing Tours  

★ 【Tickets】Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance｜GWK Cultural Park  

★ 【Accommodation】Where to Stay in Bali (By Region)

★ 【Nusa Penida】Round-Trip Ferry Tickets｜Car Charters｜Guided Day Tours｜Private Island Hopping Tours  

More Bali Travel Guides

★ Top 5 Attractions Around Uluwatu Temple｜How to Explore South Bali?!

★ Breathtaking Sunsets, Cliffside Temples & Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple

★ Bali's Tallest Statue ☆ GWK Cultural Park

★ Bali's Secret Beach Revealed!｜The Hidden Paradise of Pandawa Beach 

★ Must-Visit Cliff Club! The Viral IG Spot｜OMNIA Dayclub Bali

★ Bali Travel Tips ☆ Temple Etiquette & What You Need to Know  

★ Super New! Bali Hotel Review｜Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa  

★ Stay in a 5-Star Bali Renaissance Suite for Free!! ☆ Marriott Bonvoy Points + Suite Upgrade Hack

★ Luxury Executive Suite｜The Bathroom is Bigger Than My Bedroom!｜Renaissance Bali Uluwatu

★ Incredible Buffet & VIP Breakfast Experience｜Renaissance Bali Uluwatu

Other Travel Guides

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