Bali Highlights – We spent almost 3 months on the small Indonesian island of Bali and traveled to a variety of areas. Bali isn’t just about chaotic Kuta; the island has much more to offer. Anyone vacationing here should definitely travel around and explore many places. The island is so diverse and varied – it would be a shame to spend 14 days in just one place.
You should definitely plan at least 14 days. The journey from Germany is quite long, so 7 days isn’t really worth it. Bali is huge, and there are virtually no highways there, so it takes a correspondingly long time to get from A to B. Since there is no real public transport on the island, you’ll have to rely on a taxi, scooter, or rental car.
You shouldn’t underestimate the island’s size, even though most tourists often only stay in the south. To help you plan your trip, we’ve compiled our Bali highlights for you. Be inspired and discover the best spots for your next vacation on the island of the gods.
- Beaches on the Bukit Peninsula in the South
- Surfers Paradise Uluwatu
- Bali Highlights – The beaches on the Bukit Peninsula
- Nusa Dua
- The spiritual and cultural center of Ubud
- Surfer lifestyle in Canggu
- Life in hip Seminyak
- On a diving safari in Amed
- Watching dolphins in Lovina
- Relaxed atmosphere in Sanur
- Island feeling around Bali
- A true gem – Nusa Penida
- Adventures on Lombok
- Activities on Bali
- Recommendation for 2 weeks in Bali
- General information
Beaches on the Bukit Peninsula in the South
The Bukit Peninsula is located in the south of the island, not far from the airport. This region is particularly popular with surfers, those seeking peace and quiet, and backpackers. The rocky peninsula is home to some of the world’s best surf spots—no wonder you occasionally meet real “surf stars” here. Balangan, Dreamland, Impossibles, Padang Padang, Ulu Watu, and Jimbaran are just a few addresses.
The Fishing Village of Jimbaran
South of the airport lies the former fishing village of Jimbaran. Here you’ll find mid-range and luxury resorts, which are especially popular with couples and families (including honeymooners). The 4-kilometer-long beach slopes gently into the water and is protected by Jimbaran Bay; there are no dangerous currents here. The Jimbaran region is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, and the beautiful sunsets are a real highlight.
Bali’s oldest fishing village also boasts a colorful market, fresh fish, and the usual small shops. Those looking for action can try canoeing, kayaking, or catamaran trips, or go jogging, take walks, or try windsurfing.
Tip: The fish market in Jimbaran is open every day. It’s busiest here between 6 and 9 a.m.
Accommodation at the 4* Abi Bali Resort and Villa costs between €30 and €40 per night, including breakfast.
Surfers’ Paradise Uluwatu
Are you looking for first-class waves, a cool lifestyle, a cozy atmosphere, and cool people? Then the region around Ulu Watu is the right place for you. It takes just 30-45 minutes to get to the south of the peninsula. For surfers, it’s an absolute paradise; no wonder they come from all over the world to ride one of the waves here. You’ll also find great beaches here, much nicer than the run-of-the-mill beaches in Kuta and the like.
But be careful: not all of them are suitable for bathing and swimming, as some spots are very rocky and stony. This is mainly about surfing and relaxing. You’ll also find cool surf shops, cafes, restaurants, and accommodations with great views of the ocean.
Tip: Visit Uluwatu Temple at sunrise or sunset. The view of the ocean is breathtaking. Dance performances also take place here in the evening. Caution: Monkey alert! Take care of your belongings!
Overnight stay at the Tregge Surf Camp Uluwatu. Often only €12 for a twin room!
Bali Highlights – The beaches on the Bukit Peninsula
- Jimbaran Beach: few currents, good for swimming
- Bingin: relatively difficult to reach, very hidden, beautiful, great view, quite rocky
- Balangan Beach: very hidden but very cool, very rocky, cool bars and restaurants
- Dreamland: very beautiful beach, good for swimming, but now very touristy
- Impossibles Beach: this is where surfers really want to go – awesome surf breaks
- Padang Padang Beach: beautiful beach, small bay, great water, popular with vacationers and locals, good surf spot
- Ulu Watu: top spot for surfing, less suitable for swimming, very rocky with cliffs, but still beautiful
Here you’ll also find plenty of cool and affordable accommodations. You can also find great deals on Airbnb. If you have a scooter on site, you can easily explore the peninsula.
Nusa Dua
Want more? Luxury or just a relaxing family vacation or honeymoon? Nusa Dua is probably a good choice. Here you’ll find luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas. It’s definitely more expensive than other parts of the island. However, luxury, safety, and tranquility are the three most important things here. The beaches are beautiful, and you’ll also find a golf course there.
Tip: Museum Pasifika, one of the best (art) museums on the island!
Overnight stay at The Grand Bali Nusa Dua (4 out of 5 points on TripAdvisor). Just under €67 for a deluxe double room!
The spiritual and cultural center of Ubud
Ubud – what a beautiful place! If you don’t come here, you’re really missing out. Ubud is the spiritual part amidst the rice fields, temples, and monkeys. Of course, it’s very touristy, but a visit is definitely worth it. Here, in the cultural center of Bali, there’s a lot to discover. We especially like the flair and charm – we recommend staying a little outside the center.
In the middle of the rice fields, you can truly unwind. Since it’s often quite hot, accommodation with a pool is recommended, as Ubud isn’t located on the sea. Must-do activities include a sunrise tour to Mount Batur (a volcano), traditional dance performances, exploring the Monkey Forest, temple complexes, and rice fields in the surrounding area! Be sure to rent a scooter and explore the area on your own.
Our recommendation for accommodation: The Sowan Ubud, between €20 and €30 per night, including breakfast.
Surfer Lifestyle in Canggu
Are you looking for easy-going, surfing, hanging out, delicious food, nightlife, a great location, lifestyle, and other globetrotters? Then head to Canggu. Lots of surfers, expats, young families, cool skaters, digital nomads, and yoga freaks flock here. It’s not authentic—rather, it’s quite western, with lots of vintage, retro, and surfer looks.
The beaches aren’t exactly the best, but they’re good for swimming when the water and waves aren’t too wild. You’ll find plenty of delicious cafés, restaurants, and good massage salons here. Canggu is like a small village—colorful, wild, and somehow cool. You can feel that laid-back surfer lifestyle around every corner!
Most people live in some kind of super cool villa or other co-space. It’s a really great place to live—supermarkets, gas stations, shops, and the like are all in the immediate vicinity.
Tip:Breakfast at Canteen—in our opinion, one of the best cafés/restaurants in Bali. Super delicious and a cool atmosphere! Co-working is available at the Dojo; in the evenings, most people meet at Old Man’s; and you can get a great massage at Casa Home Spa.
Be sure to check out Airbnb; there are many great villas with pools, etc. Otherwise, you’ll find everything here, from luxury accommodations to simple homestays and hostels. Canggu is definitely a place to stay longer.
Life in hip Seminyak
Seminyak is located north of Legian and Kuta—a total of around 20 minutes by car from Denpasar. The place is also very touristy, yet very hip and trendy. The good thing is that you don’t have to drive far to reach the beach. You’ll also find numerous food stalls, supermarkets, shops, shopping malls, a variety of restaurants, and cool cafés. We spent almost two weeks in the area and we really liked it.
You can find really great accommodations here at reasonable prices. The beach has fine sand, and the water is quite clear. We spent most of our time at Double Six Beach, as the surfing is very good there (especially for beginners). In the evening, most people hang out at one of the many cool beach bars. Don’t forget your camera; the sunsets are also very beautiful here. If you still haven’t had enough, you’ll find many clubs and discos here, just like in Kuta and Legian.
Tip: Surfing at Double Six Beach is especially for beginners! But check the tide times beforehand.
Our recommendation for an overnight stay: We stayed at The Green Zurgha Suites and it was absolutely fantastic. A small pool, great, spacious rooms, and a perfect location for Double Six Beach and Canggu. Between €25-€30 per night.
On a diving safari in Amed
Want to get away from it all and leave all the hustle and bustle behind? Here in northeast Bali, you can take it easy and relax. The small fishing village boasts a kilometer-long coastline. However, you won’t find any white sandy beaches here – the coast is rocky and mostly lined with dark rocks and sand.
The place is especially popular with divers and snorkelers. Little traffic, good accommodations, restaurants, and the sea – the best ingredients for a relaxing vacation.
Tip: Amed is a world-class diving destination. Here you’ll find many affordable dive schools (PADI-certified). Amed Scuba Diving Center (diving tours in Amed).
Accommodation at the Bali Sari Homestay from just €14 per night in a double room or at the 4* Jukung Dive Resort Bali from €22 per night.
Dolphin Watching in Lovina
Lovina is popular with vacationers and divers because of its excellent reef. This reef is easily accessible from the beach. Dolphins can also be seen here—what a highlight! Otherwise, you won’t find any dream beaches here either (dark volcanic rock), but the atmosphere is very relaxed and restful.
The beach stretch is almost 12 kilometers long, and there are many restaurants and bars. Especially in the evening, you can enjoy the time here and watch the beautiful sunsets. Lovina includes the villages of Banyualit, Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Kaliasem, Temukus, Anturan, and Kalibukbuk, with the latter being the busiest.
Tip: Highlights include: Sing Sing Waterfalls, Banjar Hot Springs, Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery, and dolphin tours!
Overnight stay at Balinda Rooms & Villas for just €19 including breakfast. Or at Keyani’s Bungalow for just under €29 with breakfast.
Relaxed atmosphere in Sanur
Are you looking for more peace and quiet than in Kuta and the neighboring towns? Then check out Sanur. Here you’ll find a great atmosphere with a Balinese identity despite tourism. The streets are lively, and not everything has been transformed by tourism.
If you’re lucky, you might stumble upon a cockfight in the next alley. On Sanur Beach, you’ll find a long promenade with many restaurants. Sanur is a great start to a Bali vacation, especially for couples and families – in Sanur you’ll find pure relaxation.
Tip: From here, take a boat over to the beautiful island of Nusa Lembongan (Our travel report about Nusa Lembongan).
Accommodation: You can get very good homestays for as little as €10-15. If you want/can spend a bit more, you should check out the 4* Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites. Prices: from €50 per night.
Island Feeling Around Bali
Want to explore not only Bali, but also some of the other islands? Transfers are actually quite easy, so you can easily spend 2-3 days (or more) on another island. Below, we briefly introduce you to the most popular destinations outside of Bali.
Paradise on the Gili Islands
How about a trip to the Gili Islands? These actually belong to Lombok, but can be reached by speedboat from Bali. Here you can expect beautiful, white sandy beaches, diving and snorkeling areas, a relaxed island atmosphere, friendly people, and the occasional cool party. The archipelago consists of 3 islands: Gili Trawangan (party island), Gili Meno (peace and beautiful beaches), and Gili Air (honeymoon-friendly).
Tip: Traffic, scooters, cars, noise? None. You won’t find anything like that here on the Gilis. The underwater world is a dream; be sure to grab your snorkeling goggles and dive in for yourself.
Accommodation: On the three islands, you can find everything from hostels, bungalows, homestays to top-notch hotels. Be sure to check out Airbnb—you might find something cool there. Prices start from just under 10 euros to the very expensive. You can find accommodations on Booking.com, where you’ll find truly beautiful resorts.
The inconspicuous pearl of Nusa Lembongan
The small neighboring island of Bali has a lot to offer and is definitely worth a visit. Once you arrive here, you’ll be immediately surprised by the white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and a truly vacation feeling. The island is easily circumnavigated and explored by scooter.
Next door is the small island of Nusa Ceningan, accessible via a bridge. The infrastructure is quite simple but adequate – life here is a bit more authentic. We spent three days here and had a wonderful time on the island – we highly recommend it!
Tip: Go snorkeling in the mangrove area in the north (Nano Nano Restaurant rents snorkeling sets for just under 2 euros). Excursion to Dream Beach with white sand and green palm trees.
Homestays: On this small island, you’ll find a variety of super affordable and good homestays. We can recommend Nyomans Guest House. Here, you get a nice bungalow with a bed, a lockable closet, air conditioning, and an open-plan bathroom. The bathroom has no roof, so you can see the starry sky while brushing your teeth. Prices range from 15-17 euros per night, including breakfast.
A True Gem – Nusa Penida
Want to breathe in even more island air and see stunning landscapes? Then off to Nusa Penida. Some of Bali’s most spectacular dive sites are located around the island of Nusa Penida. Encounters with manta rays are not out of the question! Nusa Penida is the largest island alongside Lembongan and Ceningan and is particularly impressive due to its beautiful coastal landscape with steep cliffs and rocks, as well as the beautiful blue sea.
Tip: Snorkeling trip in Crystal Bay, the Goa Giri Putri Cave, explore the island’s highest point, “Puncak Mundi,” and the Tembeling Forest.
Where to stay? Here you’ll find many affordable homestays and simple accommodations, such as the cool Full Moon Bungalows from €16 per night or the Coco Resort Penida from €60 per night.
Adventures on Lombok
East of Bali lies the inconspicuous island of Lombok. Millions of tourists are drawn to Bali every year, while many places on Lombok remain almost untouched. Here you’ll find secluded dream beaches, always friendly people, delicious food, and unique nature. The underwater world here is still intact; it’s quiet and somehow pristine.
But you’d rather be secluded? Then head to the south of the island. Sekotong Bay is THE new hotspot for divers, including the islands of Nanggu, Gede, Poh, and Kedis. Mawi, Tanjung Aan, and Gerupuk are “still” insider tips. The most beautiful, but also the most difficult to reach beach due to the poor road, is Pink Beach near Tanjung Ringgit on the Pemonkong Peninsula in southeastern Lombok.
Fragments of red coral give the sand a pink shimmer. Indonesia’s second-highest volcano (3,726 meters – Rinjani) is quite challenging, but worth it! Once at the top, you’ll have a view of the endless expanse, across the island and the sea all the way to Bali.
Depending on the region on the island, you’ll find numerous accommodations, from hostels and homestays to good hotels. Be sure to check out Airbnb – you might find something cool there.
Activities in Bali
- Temple complexes such as Tanah Lot, Pura Besakih, Pura Gunung Kawi, Pura Ulun Danu Batur, and many more!
- Climb volcanoes (Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung) – the sunrise tour is highly recommended!
- Diving, snorkeling in Amed, around Lembongan, Penida, Ceningan, and the Gilis
- Bicycle tours through the rice fields in Ubud
- Surf sessions at Double Six, Batu Balong (Canggu), Padang Padang, etc.
- Attend traditional dance performances, for example, in Ubud (around 3-4 euros)
- Handicraft and cooking classes (Coco Resort Penida)
- Waterfalls: Sekumpul Waterfall, Git Git, Sing Sing, Munduk, Blahmantung & Tegenungan
- The hot springs in Banjar: Air Panas
- Tirtagangga, the water garden
Recommendation for 2 weeks in Bali
- 3 nights on the Bukit Peninsula
- 3 nights in Ubud
- 5 nights in Canguu/Seminyak
- 3 nights on one of the surrounding islands
General information
Entry into Indonesia: You do not need a visa to enter Indonesia if you are staying for no longer than 30 days. The embassy also issues tourist visas for up to 60 days (costs €45). You can find all information about entering Indonesia here (Entry into Indonesia).
Best time to travel to Bali & Lombok: Dry season in April, May, June, July, August, September, and part of October! But even in November, we still had great weather with lots of sun, beaches, and blue skies.
Currency: In Bali, you pay with the Indonesian rupiah. Currently, the exchange rate for one euro fluctuates between 14,800 and 16,300 IDR. You should definitely have a Visa card with you to withdraw cash. It’s even better to have a second card (preferably from a different bank). The best credit card for traveling? Click here!
Transportation (Renting a scooter): The easiest way to get from A to B is to rent a scooter. In Bali, it’s the most important means of transportation ever – there are what feels like 10 million scooters spread across the entire island. But – you’re free, flexible, and always mobile. The good thing is, it doesn’t even cost much – you can get started for just a few euros a day! You can find all the information about renting a scooter here!