Luxury hotels in Bali

Bali guide

Bali: Ubud's rice terraces and the temples by the sea

Tegallalang at sunrise, Uluwatu at sunset and the island's Hindu ceremonies in between.

Ubud and its rice terraces, from Tegallalang to the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih, are Bali's most cited sights; arrive early, before the heat and the crowds. The town itself is the island's cultural heart, with the Monkey Forest, palace dances and craft villages.

On the Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu Temple stands on a cliff above the Indian Ocean, with a Kecak fire dance at sunset, and Tanah Lot sits on a rock in the sea. Choosing the right area matters: Ubud for culture, Nusa Dua or Jimbaran for calm beaches. April to October is the dry season.

Mount Batur at sunrise

The sunrise trek up Mount Batur, an active volcano in north-east Bali, is one of the island's most cited experiences. Walks start around 4 am with a local guide and take about two hours to the rim, where breakfast is sometimes cooked with volcanic steam as the sun rises over Mount Agung and Lake Batur.

After the descent, the hot springs on the lake shore are the perfect reward, and the coffee plantations of Kintamani are close by. The dry season, from April to October, gives the best chance of clear skies.

Nusa Penida and the manta rays

Nusa Penida, a short boat ride from Bali, has become one of the most cited day trips from the island: the T-shaped headland of Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach are spectacular, though roads are rough and the walk down to Kelingking is steep.

Its waters are even more famous: at Manta Point, reef manta rays gather at cleaning stations all year, and snorkelling with them is unforgettable. A private boat lets you reach the mantas early and avoid the crowds. Seas are calmest from April to October.