Bali: the sights that are really worth it

There are lots of things to do in Bali – but not all of them are worth it. So here is our honest list: what we saw ourselves, how much time you should allow and what you can safely skip.

Bali is small, but traffic makes distances long. If you have four days, don’t try to tick off the whole island – experience one region well instead. We were in Bali from 28 April to 1 May 2023, all four days in and around Ubud. More on that in our story Bali in four days: Ubud, rice terraces and temples. Here you get the sights in order, with time needed, prices and an honest assessment.

The main sights in Bali at a glance

The table shows what we visited ourselves and what we didn’t. Distances and times are rough guide values from Ubud, because traffic decides. Entrance prices change often, so expect some differences.

Depending on the rate, €1 is about 17,000–19,000 rupiah (IDR). 100,000 IDR is roughly €5–6.

Ubud as a base: why, if your stay is short

The well-known beach towns in the south (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu) are loud and congested. Ubud lies in the green interior, surrounded by rice fields, jungle and temples. Accommodation often has a pool overlooking the greenery, and the sights are quick to reach. From the airport it takes one to two hours depending on traffic, so don’t plan your arrival too tightly.

Ubud is the right choice if you’re short on time and want to experience Bali as more than a beach holiday. If you mainly want to swim and surf, you’re better off on the coast or on the small islands.

What is worth it

The Tegallalang rice terraces

The famous rice terraces are north of Ubud. They are at their most beautiful early in the morning: the light is soft, the heat bearable, and the tour buses haven’t arrived yet. Later in the day it gets crowded and hot.

• A small contribution is charged at the entrance. Individual farmers ask for another small fee for the paths through their fields, so carry cash in small notes.
• The big swings and photo nests cost extra. They’re nice, but not a must – the terraces are impressive without them.
• Sturdy shoes help, because the paths between the fields are narrow and can be slippery.

Gunung Kawi: rock temples in a gorge

Gunung Kawi is one of the places we recommend most. Huge shrines are carved into the rock face, down by the river in a gorge. The path leads down many steps past rice fields. It’s cool and green, and the place is much less crowded than the better-known temples.

• The way back is up the same steps. That’s tiring in the heat, so bring water.
• Because of the steps, the path isn’t suitable for pushchairs. A carrier is the better solution.
• A sarong is lent at the entrance. In all temples, shoulders and knees must be covered.

The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud

The monkey forest is in the middle of Ubud, so you don’t need to drive. It’s a good short activity for the afternoon, when the heat slows down trips into the countryside. But the monkeys are cheeky.

• Put sunglasses, phones and anything edible safely away.
• Don’t carry anything in your hands.
• Don’t feed the animals, and don’t stare at them or crowd them.
• With kids: bags closed, child by the hand.

If you want to book tours or drivers in advance, compare offers and cancellation terms online:

Day-trip tip: the lake temple near Bedugul

If you have an extra day, head into the mountains around Bedugul, about an hour and a half north of Ubud. There the Ulun Danu Beratan temple stands on the waters of Lake Bratan – one of Bali’s best-known motifs. The photogenic Handara Gate is nearby.

It’s much cooler up there than in the lowlands, so bring a jacket. Plan the day so you don’t drive back at dusk, because the mountain roads are winding and traffic is heavy. We didn’t do this trip in 2023 – the information is based on our research, not our own visit.

What is overrated

Honestly: some things in Bali have a better reputation than they deserve, depending on what you’re looking for.

• Swings and photo nests at the rice terraces: they cost extra and add nothing to the landscape experience. The terraces themselves are the destination.
• The beach towns in the south as a sightseeing base: Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu are loud and congested. If you want to see temples and landscapes, you’ll spend a lot of time in traffic from there. That’s our impression from planning – we didn’t visit those towns ourselves.
• The Handara Gate: pretty, but a short photo stop, not a destination in its own right.
• Cramming too much into too few days: two temples a day are enough. After that you spend more time in the car than sightseeing.

We can’t say anything from our own experience about places like Tanah Lot, Uluwatu or Lempuyang Temple. Reports often describe crowds and waiting times there, especially around sunset and at the photo spots. Check current information before you plan half a day for them.

Sample four-day itinerary around Ubud

This is a suggestion, not a record of our trip. It’s meant to show you how much to plan per day.

• Day 1: arrival, transfer to Ubud (one to two hours), pool, a short walk around town.
• Day 2: early to the Tegallalang rice terraces, then a midday break in the shade and the monkey forest in the afternoon.
• Day 3: Gunung Kawi in the morning, then rest or more sights in the area.
• Day 4 (optional): a trip to Bedugul or a pool day before your flight home.

Getting around: scooter, driver or apps

Renting a scooter is common in Bali, but only with experience and a valid motorcycle licence (an international driving permit covering category A). The police do check, and traffic is heavy. Without the right licence you risk fines and problems with your travel insurance.

For a short visit, hiring a driver for the whole day is the more relaxed solution. You save on finding parking and navigating and can concentrate on the sights. Alternatively, book individual rides through the Grab and Gojek apps. More on the options in our post rental car or motorbike.

Guide values that can differ considerably depending on season, provider and negotiation.

Sort this out before you arrive

• Visa on arrival (e-VoA): best applied for online in advance – it saves queueing at the airport.
• Tourist levy: since February 2024 Bali has charged an additional levy per person, payable online via the “Love Bali” app or website. It didn’t exist yet when we visited in 2023. Check the current amount (most recently about 150,000 IDR, approx. €8–9) directly there.
• Passport: valid for at least six months beyond the end of your trip.

Entry requirements, vaccination recommendations and current safety advice change. Read them before you book in your government’s official travel advice.

Money: rupiah, ATMs, cash

The Indonesian rupiah has a lot of zeros. 100,000 is roughly five to six euros. That leads to calculation mistakes at first, so do look twice.

• Be careful with exchange offices offering “too good” rates. Withdraw cash at ATMs inside bank branches instead.
• We withdrew cash and paid with our Wise card.
• Small warungs and markets only take cash. You also need small notes at entrances and for donations.

More on this in our post money abroad.

Typical mistakes

• Visiting the rice terraces at midday, when it’s hot and crowded.
• Arriving at a temple without covered shoulders and knees. A sarong is lent, but long, light clothing and a scarf are still practical.
• Planning too many sights in one day. Allow for traffic jams and breaks.
• Carrying food, glasses or a phone openly in the monkey forest.
• Renting a scooter without experience or the right licence.
• Changing money at exchange offices with suspiciously good rates.

Things to do in Bali: our verdict

Yes, but with at least two weeks and a mix of Ubud, the north and one of the small islands such as Nusa Penida or the Gilis. Four days leave you wanting more – no more than that. For a short stay, Tegallalang, Gunung Kawi and the monkey forest are perfectly enough. What else you add to your list depends on whether you want mountains, beaches or island hopping.

If you prefer to organise trips in advance, you’ll find suitable offers here:

Our verdict on things to do in Bali: plan less and take your time for the places you really like. It also pays to visit the most famous sights early in the morning or in the evening, because it is quieter then. You’ll find more places we have been to ourselves in our travel stories; general background on the island’s history is on Wikipedia.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 20 Oct 2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.