Bali is the perfect destination to be active while also relaxing with a cocktail on the beach. We’re not good at doing nothing for days on end, so we’ve sought out the most enjoyable activities in Bali. These activities are diverse, and there’s surely something fun for you among them. One thing is for sure: you won’t get bored quickly because there’s more than enough to do in Bali!
#1 Experience Balinese Cuisine on a Food Tour
The Balinese cuisine is a true delight for the taste buds. While we’re all familiar with dishes like nasi goreng and chicken satay, the Balinese kitchen offers many more delicious dishes you definitely want to discover. If you love good food and want to read the menus in local warungs during the rest of your trip, the Food Tour in Old Denpasar is an absolute must. Just an hour’s drive from Canggu and Uluwatu, you’ll find the old district of Denpasar, where you can fully experience the authentic flavors of Bali. Treat your taste buds with snacks from the best stalls and small warungs at the local market. Make sure you’re hungry because during the food tour, you’ll taste more than 15 different snacks and drinks while learning all about the ingredients and culinary culture of Bali. This surprising and fun tour is ideal to plan at the beginning of your trip.
#2 Cycling Through Bali’s Rice Fields
One of the most enjoyable activities in Bali is exploring the area around Ubud on a bike tour through the beautiful rice fields. With a comfortable e-bike featuring thick tires, you’ll embark on a stunning journey through Ubud and the surrounding landscapes. An enthusiastic local will take you on an adventure for two to three hours, sharing stories about daily life and local culture. Along the way, you’ll pass impressive temples and reach a viewpoint where you can admire the famous Tegalalang rice terraces from above. You’ll also visit a traditional Balinese house, where you’ll discover that it actually consists of several buildings for the entire family. The route is approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) long, with gentle hills and narrow paths, but thanks to the powerful e-bike, it’s a relaxed and enjoyable ride!
#3 Snorkeling with Manta Rays
With this exciting snorkeling tour from Nusa Lembongan, you’ll sail to three beautiful snorkeling spots, with Manta Point being the most special. This is one of the best places in the world to admire manta rays in their natural environment. These impressive manta rays can grow up to three meters (ten feet) wide, and it’s a breathtaking experience to see them in real life! Don’t worry; manta rays only eat plankton and pose no danger to humans. You have an excellent chance of spotting these majestic creatures year-round.
#4 (Learn to) Surf
When talking about activities in Bali, surfing is one we can’t skip. Both Canggu and Uluwatu are ideal places to surf, as there are perfect waves all year round. Each beach has its own unique wave conditions that are suitable for both beginner and experienced surfers. If you want to take surf lessons, Batu Bolong Beach and Canggu Beach are the places to go. Here, you’ll find plenty of surf schools and places to rent boards. If you already have some surfing experience, you can also enjoy these beaches. Berawa Beach and Pererenan Beach also have great waves for experienced surfers. The real pros tackle the challenging waves at Echo Beach, where you need to watch out for the rocks and reefs offshore.
Surf Lesson Tip: Want to take surf lessons in Canggu? It’s fun to learn with professional surfer Curly. Balinese Curly has been surfing for nearly 20 years and has been teaching surf lessons for 10 years. He explains everything clearly before you dive into the sea. Once you’re on your board, he guides you expertly, sharing the tricks of the trade so you’ll be riding waves in no time!
#5 Visit the Most Beautiful Waterfall in Bali
Bali is not short on waterfalls, but Sekumpul Waterfall is, in our opinion, the most beautiful of them all. Visiting this waterfall definitely shouldn’t be missed on this list of fun activities in Bali! The waterfall is, to say the least, impressive. To reach the waterfall, you’ll need to embark on an adventurous hike through a landscape that looks straight out of a Jurassic Park movie. The imposing rock formations covered in lush vegetation and the powerful waterfall cascading down create a breathtaking experience. This waterfall is located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Munduk, which is roughly a one-hour drive. Are you staying in southern Bali and want to visit the waterfalls from there? Book the Sekumpul Waterfall tour and visit several amazing waterfalls in Bali in one day.
#6 Climb Mount Batur Volcano
Are you looking for a fun challenge? Then climbing Mount Batur volcano comes highly recommended! From the top, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views at an altitude of 1,710 meters (5,610 feet) as the sun rises over Bali. Your adventure begins very early in the morning when you’re picked up from your hotel. After a short drive to the foot of the volcano, the four-hour climb to the summit begins. There, you can enjoy the spectacular sunrise while being served a well-deserved breakfast. But the experience doesn’t end there! After descending, you can relax in hot springs, and to perfect your morning, you’ll also visit a traditional Balinese tea plantation.
#7 Stay in the Most Unique Accommodations in Bali
The variety of accommodations in Bali is enormous, and often you can stay in beautiful places for a small price. Of course, you can make it as luxurious as you want, but having a unique overnight stay in Bali doesn’t have to be expensive. Many accommodations are tucked away among the rice fields and feature a lovely infinity pool. A few nights in a particularly nice place should definitely be part of your trip. We’ve listed the best spots for you in our overview of our favorite accommodations in Bali.
#8 Hike Through the Rice Terraces in Authentic Sidemen
The village of Sidemen is less visited, and here you can still taste the authentic Balinese life. You visit this place for the green surroundings with rice terraces and views of Mount Agung. The best way to enjoy the nature, views, and local life is to take a guided hike. This fun 2.5-hour hike comes highly recommended. You’ll set off with a friendly local guide who will teach you all about how farmers grow rice and the culture of this region. You’ll see the most beautiful spots in Sidemen and reach places where you probably wouldn’t go on your own.
#9 Visit Temples and Learn About Hinduism in Bali
Although Bali has been a tourist destination for years, the island has managed to preserve its culture incredibly well. You often see ceremonies on the streets and locals in traditional clothing. There are also countless temples in Bali, in all shapes and sizes. You can’t leave Bali without visiting several of these temples. One of the well-known temples is Pura Tirta Empul, a temple with water from the sacred Tampak Siring spring, which is said to have healing powers. The temple is about a 40-minute drive from Ubud and is one of the most important temples in Bali. Would you like to experience a purification ceremony and learn everything about the religion and culture in Bali? Then the Pura Titra Empul Temple tour is recommended. Prefer to visit a less crowded temple? Then Gunung Kawi temple is a beautiful spot. At this temple complex, you’ll find 10 statues carved from rock, each 7 meters (23 feet) tall, dedicated to an ancient king.
