Top 12 Things to Do in Bali: From History to Luxury

Admit it - while there are so many things to do in Bali, most people come to Bali for one reason: to sit back and relax on its sandy beaches. But with so much glorious coastline, it can sometimes be hard to put together a list of which beaches to visit! Luckily, we've done the work for you with this list of the 12 best beaches in Bali.

Menjangan Island is a little piece of secluded, uninhabited paradise, located just a few miles from the coast of Bali. The island gets its name from the Javanese word for 'deer', thanks to an incredible natural phenomenon whereby flocks of the rare wild Javan rusa deer swim to the island every spring — some of them travelling an incredible 2 kilometres to get there! The easiest way to reach Menjangan Island is by boat from Labuhan Lalang, a port in Northern Bali not far from Pemuteran Beach. To travel around the island you need a park guide (which can be arranged with the help of a tour operator). You'll also need to purchase a permit. Once you've reached the island, there are many things you can do to occupy your time.

Scuba divers of all levels are able to enjoy the warm turquoise waters around the island of Bali. A plethora of big fish, including sharks and rays, and excellent levels of visibility make delving beneath the waves here a must-do activity. But where are the best dive sites in Bali? You’ll find our top 10 below. Scuba diving in Bali can be roughly divided into three zones. In Bali’s south zone is Nusa Penida. Its east zone includes Candidasa, Amed, Padang Bai and Tulamben, while the west coast zone is home to sites including Menjangan Island and Permutaran. Map of Bali showing the best diving locations.

Bali is perhaps best known for its spectacular beaches and laid-back atmosphere, but for those who are looking for something a little bit more adventurous, the island is full of great trails for hiking. Most of Bali’s hiking trails offer spectacular views and are varied enough for all levels, from novice hikers to fitness enthusiasts. The best time to hike in Bali is during the dry season (May to September), as this will give you the best chance of a clear view and a non-slippery trail. Read on for some more top tips on Bali trekking, including the following list of the island's top 10 hiking trails. If you are interested in visiting other sites in Bali, then check out the top things to do in Bali.

Planning a trip to Bali, but not quite sure where to go on Indonesia’s most well-known island? With so many gorgeous places to visit in Bali, often referred to as ‘the Island of the Gods’, it’s easy to be unsure of where to visit, and what to see and do. Here are our recommendations for the top 10 places to visit in Bali (in no particular order) that simply cannot be missed.

With its over 13,000 islands, a trip to Indonesia offers an endless array of exciting experiences for travelers. Whether you're exploring Bali’s rich culture, relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Gili Islands, or meeting the famous Komodo dragons at Komodo National Park, there’s always something new to discover. From natural wonders to vibrant city life, here are some of the best things to do in Indonesia that you won’t want to miss.

Mount Agung is the highest mountain in Bali and the 5th highest volcano in Indonesia. It looms more than 3,000m and towers over Indonesia's most popular island. It is also one of Bali's most sacred mountains as it is home to Pura Besakih, Bali's Hindu mother temple. While many adventure seekers hike Mount Agung every year to experience the gorgeous sunrise hike, the hike is far from easy. That said, the challenging trail is significantly shorter than some of the country's other volcano treks, like Mount Rinjani in nearby Lombok, which can take up to 6 days, and can be done in a single day. If you're thinking of taking on a Mount Agung hike, here is everything you need to know.

It was the waves that first attracted tourists to Lombok, located centrally in the Indonesian island chain just a short distance from better-known Bali, and while the surf scene still flourishes, there are also no scarcity of other attractions in or out of the water. Here then are the 12 best things to do on Lombok Island.

As the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta is a sprawling, culturally-diverse city that is always humming and buzzing with activity. Whether you’re looking for a bit of luxury or want to learn some history, there are so many things to do in Jakarta — from shopping and nightlife to Buddhist temples and museums. If you’re not sure what to do in Jakarta during your visit to the busy city, we’ve put together this list of 12 awesome things to do to get you started, in no particular order.

Lying 30-minutes off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia in the azure waters of the Bali Sea is the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago which is home to a small group of islands known as the Gili Islands — Air, Meno and Trawangan. The three picturesque islands have become a hot spot for adventure seekers who are looking for a slice of paradise while indulging in an assortment of superb things do on Gili Trawangan. Once you arrive on Gili Trawangan you will find a bohemian lifestyle with bustling streets filled with bicycles and hip tourists along the more populated eastern shores. Here the island is packed with lounges, a wide variety of restaurants and plenty of quaint places to stay. The western and northern shorelines offer secluded white sand beaches and excellent water conditions to satisfy the hunger of all types of water enthusiasts. After discovering the lay of the land you will be amazed at the all the activities on Gili Trawangan that range from snorkeling to scuba diving to surfing to just walking the island while you have fun in paradise. Here is a quick look at the six best things to do on Gili Trawangan.

Komodo Island in Indonesia is probably best known for its population of Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizard. However, Komodo Island has far more to offer than just sightings of these amazing reptiles. In fact, Komodo Island has been listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and offers some of Indonesia's best diving spots, along with some pretty incredible views, unique beaches and even a handful of great hikes. If you're tired of the parties, beaches and crowds of Bali, Komodo Island might just be the escape you need (while still staying in beautiful Indonesia). Here's everything you need to know about planning a visit to Komodo Island.

Having gained fame as a setting for the film Eat, Pray, Love; Ubud is recognized by many as Bali’s cultural heart. A flourishing crafts center boasting hundreds of shops and studios selling everything from antique wood carvings to locally-made jewelry, it sits in the cool mountains just an hour north of the island’s airport. Also home to spectacular landscapes and fascinating historic and cultural sights, you’ll find a huge number of things to do in Ubud. The 13 on our list are open daily.