Where to Go in Bali: the Best Destinations for Beaches, Surfing, Yoga, and More
With no shortage of enticing locales, it can be hard to narrow down where to go in Bali. Here, we detail each region’s best attributes, to help you choose the destination best for you.
Whether you’re seeking sun-kissed beaches, mystic jungles, rolling surf breaks, or a yoga haven, there’s something for everyone on the Island of the Gods.
Jump to:
- Best for Beaches: Uluwatu
- Best for Jungles: Ubud or Northern Bali
- Best for Surfing (beginner to intermediate): Canggu or Kuta
- Best for Surfing (intermediate to advanced): Uluwatu
- Best for Yoga and Wellness: Ubud
- Best for Ancient Temples: Ubud
- Best for Resort Life: Nusa Dua or Sanur
- Best for Island Life: Gili Islands
- Best for Foodies: Ubud
- Best for Nightlife: Kuta
Best for Beaches: Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula
With endless stretches of balmy, white sand beaches and waving palms, it’s near impossible to choose “the” beach on Bali. The better determinant is, “what are you looking for?”
For surfing, beginners should visit Canggu while advanced surfers opt for Uluwatu. Families with children will enjoy the comforts of Nusa Dua or Sanur, while Kuta remains the destination of fun-loving party-goers.
However, for a picture-perfect tropical beach, Uluwatu is a good bet. The peninsula has lovely beaches with gentle shoreline, that are idyllic for lazy days, simply lounging and going for a dip.
Thomas Beach and Padang Padang are both stunning, and not overly crowded. Just up the coast is Dreamland, which continues to grow in popularity. For a greater adventure, you can also explore Bukit’s Green Bowl Beach, where a small spit of sand is lined with ocean caves with bats and monkeys. (We recommend visiting Green Bowl on a weekday, for less crowds than weekends.)
Best for Jungles: Ubud or Northern Bali
Ubud
Most of Bali is carpeted in lush jungle, so you mostly can’t go wrong where you stay. However, for proximity to numerous amenities, Ubud is the best town to establish a home base. The spiritual heart of Bali, Ubud is shrouded in rich vegetation itself, and its central location puts you close to numerous day trips for further jungle adventures. Ancient temples, cascading waterfalls, and even ATV tours are all just a short drive away.
Munduk
Conversely, if it’s solitude you seek, northern Bali is slowly coming into its own as a destination for those wanting less inhabited environs. While tourism used to remain concentrated along the southern shores, demand now has serene eco-luxe retreats popping up throughout the central-northern part of the island. Munduk is a good choice here — it’s close to Ulun Danu Temple (the most photographed spot in Bali), with numerous waterfalls in the proximity.
Best for Surfing (beginner to intermediate): Canggu or Kuta
Canggu
Canggu and its surrounding beaches are great for beginner to intermediate surfers. The shoreline has gentle, rolling swells and a number of surf schools willing to teach or improve your wave-riding skills. Or, if you prefer to paddle out yourself, you can also rent boards (for cheap!) at Batu Bolong Beach.
Kuta
Just down the coast from Canggu is Kuta, another reasonable beginner break. Kuta has more of a raucous party vibe, so it’s not for everyone. But for those who desire a vibrant nightlife scene to go with their daytime surfing, Kuta is another good bet.
Best for Surfing (intermediate to advanced): Uluwatu
Serious surfers head to Uluwatu, which is located on the Bukit Peninsula and was one of the first Indonesian surf spots “discovered” by Western surfers in the 1970s.
It remains one of the world’s top surf destinations, thanks to a gorgeously consistent left-hand reef break. However, swells can get up to 4.6 meters (15 feet) here, making it best for intermediate to advanced surfers.
Best for Yoga and Wellness: Ubud
If Uluwatu is for surfers, then Ubud is for yogis. This spiritual haven is an absolute mecca for the wellness crowd, with more yoga studios than you could ever expect to visit in one trip.
And when you’re away from the yoga mat, Ubud’s numerous health food cafes and day spas will further detox and restore.
Best for Ancient Temples: Ubud
If you’re eager to explore the ancient temples of Bali, then Ubud is a good home base. The town is centrally located, with the majority of Bali’s historic sites within an hour drive.
Tirta Empul, arguably the single most famous temple on the island, is 20 minutes outside of Ubud, while the 11th century Gunung Kawi is just 5 minutes down the road from there.
In Ubud’s city center, you can visit both Ubud Palace and Saraswati Water Palace, before venturing to the otherworldly Goa Gajah Elephant Cave just outside of town.
Tanah Lot, the photogenic temple perched on a small island offshore, is also just an hour drive away. For more on Ubud, explore our guides on how to best spend 3 days or 4 days here.
Best for Resort Life: Nusa Dua or Sanur
Those looking for expansive beach resorts, with lazy river pools and all the comforts of home, should head to either Nusa Dua or Sanur. These planned resort communities are especially ideal for families with children.
You’ll find every 4-star hotel chain here, each with sprawling grounds, on-site restaurants, first-rate pools, and beach access. Many more restaurants and amenities are always within a short walk away.
Best for Island Life: Gili Islands
The Gili Islands, a series of three atolls located off the coast of Bali in the Lombok Strait, have become popular among those seeking a respite from the “congestion” of Bali. Island life is slower here. There are no vehicles on the Gili Islands — just bicycles, horse-drawn carts, or your own two feet.
But the Gilis certainly aren’t lacking personality. For languid beaches and snorkeling reefs, boho chic cafes, and epic sunsets savored with your toes in the sand, you won’t regret visiting the Gili Islands. You can read more in our guide to 3 days on Gili Air.
Best for Foodies: Ubud
For trendy restaurants and hip cocktail bars, Ubud reigns. In recent years, the town has grown into a culinary hub, where buzzworthy chefs serve up Michelin-level eats.
While you can find plenty of international cuisine in Ubud, we recommend spots like Nusantara and Hujan Locale, for creative takes on traditional Indonesian fare. Night Rooster, fashioned after a dark speakeasy, crafts cocktails that are sheer works of art.
For more, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Ubud.
Best for Nightlife: Kuta
Despite Bali tourism expanding to more far-flung locales, some things never change, and Kuta remains the spot for revelers looking for a good time.
The town is full of day clubs, night clubs, beach bars, and everything in between. What might be too much for some, is just right for others, and if you want a party, you’ll find it in Kuta.
Looking for more Bali travel inspiration? Check out our guides to Gili Air, either 3 days or 4 days in Ubud, where to eat in Canggu, and more.
Featured image courtesy of Geio Tischler.
