27 Unique Things to Do in Bali (2026): The Best Bali Experiences

Pedaling along a cable 15 meters above the jungle is an unusual way to see the Tegallalang valley. At Alas Harum Bali, north of Ubud, staff strap riders into a harness for the Sky Bike: the single London Sky Bike runs 40 meters and the Couple Sky Bike 50 meters. The site also has jungle swings, from the 15-meter Single Angel Swing to the 25-meter Super Extreme Swing, plus a swing bed.

Allow one to two hours; the drive takes 20–30 minutes from Ubud, or 1–1.5 hours or more from Seminyak, depending on traffic. Riders need to be at least 165 cm tall for the single bike and 150 cm for the couple bike, and children under 7 are not allowed on the extreme rides. Arrive when the Sky Bike opens mid-morning; weekdays are quieter.

Buy Alas Harum entry with the swing and Sky Bike online.

Off Nusa Penida, snorkelers can float above reef manta rays that often measure three meters or more across. The island is a recognized shark and ray area and a manta breeding ground, with two main sites about 10 km apart: Manta Bay and Manta Point. Bali Hai Cruises runs a daily Nusa Penida Adventure by speedboat from Benoa, with snorkeling at Manta Bay, a stop at Crystal Bay and a land tour of Kelingking, Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach. Certified divers can join AquaMarine Diving trips to Manta Point.

Plan a full day; Benoa is roughly 30–60 minutes from Seminyak, depending on traffic. It suits confident open-water swimmers; the crossing can be rough. Keep a few meters from the mantas and never touch or chase them. Expect cooler water from July to October.

From Nusa Lembongan, book a Manta Bay snorkelling trip. See the top places in Nusa Penida.

At Aling-Aling Waterfall in Sambangan village, North Bali, visitors can jump into the pools and ride a natural rock slide of about 35 meters. The jumps are roughly 5, 10 and 15 meters high, and a village guide is required for both the jumps and the slide. Nobody swims directly beneath the main fall, which is sacred.

Allow two to three hours; visits often take in the other Sambangan falls. The drive takes around 15 minutes from Lovina or about 2.5–3 hours from Seminyak over the Bedugul highlands, depending on traffic, and then it is a 10–20 minute walk down steps. The jumps are for strong swimmers only. Wear water shoes on the slippery rocks, and in the wet season, November to March, ask locally first: jumping is often closed after heavy rain.

Bubble Hotel Bali offers a night in a transparent bubble, with only privacy curtains between bed and sky. There are two sites: Ubud Jungle Bubbles in Tampaksiring, northeast of Ubud, and Nyang Nyang Beach Side Bubbles on the Uluwatu coast. Each bubble has a queen bed, air conditioning, a private garden, an outdoor bathroom, a gazebo and either a private plunge pool or a bathtub, depending on the type.

Both sites are roughly 1–1.5 hours or more from Seminyak, depending on traffic. Both are listed as adults only on Booking.com. Nyang Nyang has no on-site parking: guests walk down a steep path from the clifftop. Go in the dry season, April to October, for the clearest night skies, and expect the bubbles to warm up in the midday sun.

Book the Nyang Nyang bubbles on Booking.com. For more unusual stays, see the best bamboo hotels in Bali and affordable glamping in Bali.

Climbing a volcano in the dark for sunrise is one of Bali's classic early starts. Mount Batur, 1,717 meters high, rises above Kintamani in Bangli, with trailheads at Toya Bungkah and Pura Jati. A registered local guide is compulsory; Batur Trekking in Kintamani runs shared sunrise treks, and COMO Uma Ubud offers a private guided trek with transfers. For non-hikers and families, Batur Trekking also runs a four-hour sunrise jeep trip.

The night drive from Seminyak takes about two hours, depending on traffic. The climb is one to two hours up loose volcanic gravel, with a descent that is hard on the knees; it needs moderate fitness and is not for people with heart or breathing problems. Bring a warm layer, a headlamp and good shoes, and check the volcano alert level before booking.

Reserve a Mount Batur sunrise trek that includes a registered guide and pickup.

Melukat is the Balinese purification of body and spirit with sacred spring water. At Pura Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring, visitors can join worshipers in the stone bathing pools, moving from spout to spout. According to legend, the god Indra created the springs and gave them curative powers, a belief the Balinese still hold.

Allow 1.5–2 hours at the temple, which is about 30–40 minutes from Ubud or roughly 1.5–2 hours from Seminyak, depending on traffic. The standard ticket covers a visit only; joining the bathing costs a small extra fee for a bathing sarong and a locker. Everyone wears a sarong and sash, provided at the entrance, and by tradition, women who are menstruating do not enter. Arrive at opening, before the tour buses, and ask a guide which spouts to skip, as some are used only for rites for the dead.

See the must-see temples in Bali.

A breakfast tray floating across a jungle-view pool is a Bali staple at many villas and hotels around Ubud, and two resorts sell it to non-guests too. Padma Resort Ubud, in the hills north of the town, serves it in its secluded Lower Pool beneath the infinity pool, which is closed to other guests during the experience. Kamandalu Ubud serves a one-hour floating breakfast for couples from 7 AM (last booking 10 AM), with a bottle of sparkling wine included; outside guests should confirm availability when booking.

Allow an hour to an hour and a half; both resorts are roughly 1.5–2 hours from Seminyak, depending on traffic. It suits couples marking an occasion. Book at least a day ahead and go early, when the light is soft and the air is cool.

More ideas for couples: the most romantic things to do in Bali.

Pasar Seni Ubud, the Ubud Art Market, faces Ubud Palace in the center of town and is the place to try the Balinese habit of bargaining. The rebuilt market holds close to a thousand traders across a basement and two trading floors, selling crafts, clothing, paintings and accessories. Many stalls carry similar stock and quality varies, so browse before buying and haggle with a smile.

Allow one to two hours; it is walkable from central Ubud hotels and roughly 1–1.5 hours or more by car from Seminyak, depending on traffic. The aisles are narrow and busy, so keep bags close, and bring cash. Go early in the morning, when it is cooler and sellers are keen for a first sale, then cross to Ubud Palace.

See the best markets in Bali.

At Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in central Ubud, long-tailed macaques roam the forest paths freely, and watching them is the point of a visit. The sanctuary is strict about contact: do not touch, pick up, play with or feed the monkeys (only staff feed them), avoid eye contact, and leave food, drink and plastic bags in the lobby lockers. A first-aid clinic treats any bite or scratch.

Allow an hour to an hour and a half; it is walkable from central Ubud and roughly 1–1.5 hours or more by car from Seminyak, depending on traffic. All ages are welcome, though small children should be kept close. Secure sunglasses, earrings and phones, and arrive at opening, before the tour groups.

Combine it with Tegallalang on an Ubud day tour.

A catamaran day out to Nusa Lembongan packs snorkeling, a waterslide and a beach club into one easy trip. Bali Hai Cruises sails its Ultimate Lembongan Day Cruise from Benoa Harbour to a pontoon with a 35-meter waterslide, an underwater viewing chamber and snorkel gear, then on to its beach club on Lembongan, with a pool, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Lunch is a tropical barbecue at the beach club, and the day also includes an island tour and banana-boat rides.

Plan a full day; door-to-door transfers from South Bali are included. Children from four pay a reduced rate, which makes it a good family pick. The crossing takes about 90 minutes each way and can be rough, so take seasickness tablets and choose the dry season, April to October, for calmer seas.

See the Nusa Lembongan guide if you want to stay the night.

Tandem paragliding off the cliffs of Bali's southern peninsula gives a bird's-eye view of the coast, with a certified pilot at the controls. Riug Paragliding launches from its clifftop site in Sawangan, on the Nusa Dua cliffs, in the dry season, April to September, and moves to an Uluwatu site from October to March, when the winds shift. Flights include insurance, GoPro footage and FAI-standard gear.

A flight lasts 10–15 minutes, but allow one to two hours on site for the briefing and the wait for the right wind; Sawangan is roughly 45–75 minutes from Seminyak, depending on traffic. Passengers should be roughly 5 to 65 years old and weigh up to 130 kg; flying is not suitable during pregnancy. Afternoon conditions are best for flying; confirm the wind that morning, as rain or the wrong wind means rebooking.

Book a paragliding flight with an Uluwatu sunset tour.

Penglipuran is a traditional Bali Aga-style village in Bangli Regency, often called one of the cleanest villages in the world. A single stepped stone street climbs between family compounds that keep the old Balinese layout, with the village temple at the top and a bamboo forest walk behind the houses. Some compounds sell loloh cemcem, a local herbal drink.

Allow one to two hours. The drive takes about 1.5–2.5 hours from Seminyak or 45–75 minutes from Ubud, depending on traffic, so pair it with Kintamani or Tirta Empul on a driver day. The walk is gentle and suits all ages; dress modestly near the temple. Arrive early or in the late afternoon to miss the tour buses; at Galungan, when penjor (tall decorated bamboo poles) line the street, the village is at its most photogenic.

To see both in one day, take a Penglipuran and Tegallalang private tour.

The Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple is staged in a clifftop amphitheater above the Indian Ocean, timed so the hour-long show plays out at sunset. There is no gamelan orchestra: a male chorus supplies the music with chanted vocals while 17 dancers perform. Kecak tickets for Pura Luhur Uluwatu are sold at the official box office, separately from temple entry.

Allow about three hours with the cliff walk. The drive from Seminyak takes 1–2 hours and the Uluwatu road jams in the late afternoon, so use a driver who waits. Seats cannot be reserved and the stone steps are steep, so reach the box office well before the show for a good spot. Macaques snatch sunglasses, phones and hats, so pack them away. A sarong and sash are lent at the gate.

To skip the drive, take an Uluwatu Temple sunset and Kecak tour with transfers.

Tanah Lot is a Hindu sea temple set on a rock just off Bali's west coast, and at sunset the waves break around its base while the sky turns gold behind it. Visitors who are not Hindu cannot enter the temple itself, but at low tide they can cross to the foot of the rock, where a holy spring rises. The Kecak fire dance is staged at De Jukung Resto & Bar from sunset, with tickets sold separately.

The temple is in Beraban, Tabanan, about 45–75 minutes from Seminyak and 1–1.5 hours from Ubud, depending on traffic; allow 2–3 hours on site. The visit works for all ages, though the clifftop paths have uneven steps. Arrive around 4–4:30 PM and browse the Balinese handicrafts at the art market. Leave the slippery reef once the tide comes in; the surf is too strong for swimming.

Or join a Tanah Lot sunset tour with pickup.

Jatiluwih is a sweep of rice terraces on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, part of Bali's UNESCO-listed subak landscape, and the ticket includes a network of color-coded walking trails. The short Red and Yellow loops take about an hour; the Green trail runs about 6 km in 2.5–3 hours, and the Blue trail about 7 km in roughly four hours.

The terraces are in Penebel, Tabanan, about 1.75–2.5 hours from Seminyak and 1.5–2 hours from Ubud, depending on traffic, so hire a driver and add Ulun Danu Beratan or Tanah Lot. The short loops suit families; the longer ones need moderate fitness. Come between 8 and 10 AM, before the clouds and tour groups roll in. The dikes turn slippery after rain from November to April, so stay on the marked paths.

A Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu Beratan and Tanah Lot day tour covers all three.

Sekumpul, in the Sawan area of Buleleng in North Bali, is often called the island's most spectacular waterfall, with twin main falls plus Hidden and Fiji Falls on longer treks. A short walk leads to the viewpoint; going down to the falls requires a local guide from the official village counter at the 'Welcome to Sekumpul' sign. Ignore the fake roadside counters on the way in.

It is about 2.5–3.5 hours each way from Seminyak and 2–3 hours from Ubud, depending on traffic, so plan a 10–12-hour day with a driver and leave by 6 AM. The trek suits fit walkers: there are around 300 steep, slippery steps to climb back up, plus river crossings, so skip it with toddlers. Go in the dry season, April to October, and stay away after heavy rain, when flash floods are a risk.

Book a north Bali waterfalls trip (choose the Sekumpul option). See the waterfalls in north Bali.

Off Lovina on Bali's north coast, wild spinner dolphins feed in open water, and a sunrise trip on a traditional outrigger (jukung) is one of the few ways to see them outside captivity. Lovina Dolphin Tours runs two-hour shared or private trips from the beach at Kaliasem, life jackets included.

Around 200 licensed boats work these waters, and many crowd the pods, so choose a captain who keeps at least 50 meters away and never boxes the dolphins in, and turn down any swim-with-dolphins offer. Lovina is about 2.5–3.5 hours from Seminyak, depending on traffic, so sleep there the night before; it pairs well with Sekumpul Waterfall. Children are welcome in life jackets, but the small boats can bring on seasickness. Calm water is likeliest in the dry season, April to October; check the BMKG wave forecast first.

Book a Lovina dolphin-watching trip and ask the crew to keep their distance.

Lake Tamblingan sits at about 1,200 meters in the highlands above Munduk. Bali Trekking Experience, run by native Tamblingan guides, pairs a walk through the lakeside forest with a crossing in a traditional canoe, all in about two hours with entrance fees included.

The lake is about 2–2.75 hours from Seminyak and 1.75–2.5 hours from Ubud, depending on traffic, so it works best with a night in Munduk. The walk is easy to moderate, with about 50 downhill steps near the start and uneven, root-crossed paths. Start in the morning, before the clouds roll in, and expect muddy trails in the wet season. Nearby Lake Buyan draws campers for its cool air and foggy mornings, but camping there is informal, with no set plots and few facilities: bring your own gear, tell the locals, and go in the dry season, April to October.

The Telaga Waja River in East Bali offers grade 3–4 white water, a step up from the gentler rafting most visitors try near Ubud. Telaga Waja Rafting, based in Rendang, runs trips of about 16–18 km that take roughly 2–2.5 hours on the river, with a guide, equipment, insurance and lunch included; hotel transfers cost extra.

The put-in is near Muncan, Karangasem, about 1.75–2.5 hours from Seminyak and 1–1.5 hours from Ubud, depending on traffic, so it fills a half day. Rafters must be 7–65 years old with reasonable fitness, and confident swimmers will feel more at ease; follow the guide's commands on the bigger rapids. There are showers and lunch at the finish. Choose a morning trip (pickups from Ubud are at about 8:30–9 AM; the operator confirms the start time), and between November and March ask the operator about river levels after heavy rain.

Book Telaga Waja rafting with a scenery tour.

Bali's coffee story is best told by Kintamani Arabica, grown in the highlands around Mount Batur, which in 2008 became the first product in Indonesia registered as a Geographical Indication. Kopi luwak is a different matter: a World Animal Protection study found that 14 of 16 civet-coffee plantations on one tourist road in Gianyar and Bangli produced it from caged civets. If a plantation shows caged animals, do not buy the coffee or pay to photograph them.

For a hands-on alternative, Seniman Coffee Studio in central Ubud holds workshops every Monday and Saturday, including the two-hour Espresso Fundamental, Milk & Latte Art and Manual Brewing; book by WhatsApp. Ubud is about 1–1.5 hours from Seminyak, depending on traffic, and the Kintamani farms lie a further 1–1.5 hours north, an easy pairing with Mount Batur or Penglipuran.

Paon Bali is a family-run cooking school in Laplapan village, just outside Ubud, where host Puspa teaches in the open-air kitchen of her family compound. The morning class starts at an Ubud market, continues with a guided walk through the rice fields and ends at the stove, where students cook a spread of traditional dishes that becomes lunch. Meat and vegetarian menus are both offered, and everyone takes the recipes home.

The morning class starts at 8:30 AM with the market visit; the afternoon class starts at 3:30 PM. Pickup is free in the Ubud area and available island-wide; Ubud is about 1–1.5 hours from Seminyak, depending on traffic. Cooks of all ages are welcome; mention any allergies when booking by WhatsApp.

For more local food, see the best Balinese street food.

Bali Eco Cycling starts its full-day tour with breakfast at Penelokan, overlooking Mount Batur, then rolls downhill toward Ubud on quiet back roads, with an optional 6–8 km of flat and uphill riding at the end for fitter riders. Along the way, riders stop in the rice paddies, where they can help with planting or harvesting. They also visit a Balinese family compound, a village temple and a giant banyan tree, swim at a waterfall and taste coffee, cocoa and spices at a plantation; ask to skip the kopi luwak tasting. Lunch is served among the rice fields.

The day runs 8–10 hours door to door, with pickup from Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Ubud; Penelokan is about 1.5–2 hours from Seminyak, depending on traffic. Basic cycling skills are enough, and children have their own rates. Helmets and rain gear are supplied, but scooters share the village lanes, so ride at the guide's pace.

Book a Kintamani downhill bike tour.

Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, near Goa Gajah in Ubud, flies a tethered hot-air balloon over its rice fields, a rare way to see the Ubud countryside from above. The balloon rises straight up to about 50 meters and comes back down, so each ride lasts 7–10 minutes; sunrise flights start from 6:30 AM and sunset flights from 5:30 PM.

The resort is about 10 minutes from central Ubud and 1–1.5 hours from Seminyak, depending on traffic; allow about an hour in all and pair the flight with breakfast or dinner at one of its restaurants. Each ride takes up to two adults with a combined weight of 150 kg, and passengers must be 3–70 years old. Pay in advance, choose sunrise for calmer air, and expect last-minute cancellations if the wind picks up.

Book the hot-air balloon experience online.

Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence that marks the Saka New Year, falls on Monday 8 March 2027. On the evening before, every banjar (neighborhood) parades its ogoh-ogoh, giant demon figures carried through the streets by torchlight, with the biggest crowds in Denpasar, Ubud and Kuta-Seminyak. Then the island stops. For 24 hours from 6 AM, no one goes out, visitors included; there is no traffic, attractions close and pecalang village guards patrol the lanes.

In 2026 the airport closed for the full 24 hours, and the same is expected in 2027, so plan flights around it. Walk to the nearest parade, keep clear of the torches in the crush, and spend Nyepi inside your hotel; many hotels run Nyepi packages. Idul Fitri is provisionally set for 10–11 March 2027, making for a long Indonesian holiday, so book rooms early.

Planning to stay through it? See where to stay in Bali for Nyepi.

The USAT Liberty, a World War II wreck, lies just off the black-sand beach at Tulamben in East Bali, in about 3–29 meters of water, so its shallowest parts are within reach of snorkelers swimming from shore. Tulamben Wreck Divers runs half-day guided snorkels with all gear, and introductory dives for beginners that include equipment, theory, a pool session and a guided dive on the wreck.

Tulamben is about 2.5–3 hours each way from Seminyak, depending on traffic, so it makes a full day from the south. Snorkelers should be confident swimmers, as entry is over rounded volcanic stones with some surge; reef shoes help. Do not touch the coral or the wreck, and dive only with a certified center. Visibility is best in the dry season, April to October; arrive early, before the day-trippers.

Divers can reserve a Tulamben wreck dive day trip with transfers. See the best places in east Bali.

At Alas Arum Silver & Gold Workshop, set in the rice fields of Batuan, about 10 minutes from the silver village of Celuk, visitors make their own ring, pendant or pair of earrings from 1–6 g of pure silver. Working beside an instructor, they cut and shape the metal with a jeweler's saw, files and pliers, solder it with a small torch, texture it with hammers and stamps and polish it, then take the piece home the same day.

Classes run daily, start any time from 9 AM to 5 PM and take 1–2 hours. There is no hotel pickup: Batuan is about 20–30 minutes from Ubud and 50–90 minutes from Seminyak, depending on traffic. Children from six can join a kids' class. In high season, book a day ahead by WhatsApp. On the day, tie back long hair and wear closed shoes.

The silver class workshop can also be booked online.

When a tropical downpour rules out the beach, Trans Studio Bali fills an afternoon under one roof. The indoor theme park, on the first floor of Trans Studio Mall Bali in Denpasar, has more than 16 rides and three live shows across four zones, with the mall's restaurants close by.

Allow three to five hours; the drive from Seminyak takes roughly 20–40 minutes, depending on traffic. It works best for families: there is a family package for four, child tickets cover ages 2–9, and individual rides have their own height rules. The Play & Fly package adds a session at iFly. Book online in advance, as same-day online booking closes early. Save it for a rainy weekday afternoon between November and March.