25 Best Things to Do in Bali 2026: Ultimate Bucket List

25 Best Things to Do in Bali 2026: Ultimate Bucket List

Short answer: The 25 best things to do in Bali in 2026 cover five moods — temples such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu and Besakih, adventure like ATV rides, a Mount Batur sunrise trek and Nusa Penida snorkelling, nature including Tegalalang and Sekumpul waterfalls, culture in Ubud, and beach life from Kuta to Padang Padang. Potato Bali Tours runs the adventure half.

Bali continues to captivate travelers with its unique blend of natural beauty, spiritual culture, and adventure activities. Here's your ultimate 2026 bucket list!

Temple Hopping

1. Tanah Lot - Iconic sea temple at sunset
2. Uluwatu Temple - Cliff-top temple with Kecak fire dance
3. Besakih Temple - The Mother Temple of Bali
4. Tirta Empul - Holy purification springs
5. Ulun Danu Beratan - Floating temple on the lake

Adventure Activities

1. ATV Ride in Ubud - Jungle, rice terraces, and waterfalls
2. Mount Batur Sunrise Trek - Active volcano climb
3. Snorkeling in Nusa Penida - Manta rays and crystal waters
4. Bali Swing - Stunning photos above rice terraces
5. White Water Rafting in Ayung River - Thrilling rapids

Natural Wonders

1. Tegalalang Rice Terrace - UNESCO-recognized paddies
2. Sekumpul Waterfall - Most beautiful waterfall in Bali
3. Gitgit Waterfall - Iconic twin waterfalls
4. Mount Agung - Highest peak in Bali
5. Tegal Mangrove - mangrove forest exploration

Cultural Experiences

1. Ubud Palace & Market - Traditional arts and dance

2. Garbage Fashion - Sustainable art gallery

3. Bali Art Museum - Traditional Balinese art

4. Barong Dance Performance - Traditional theatrical dance

5. Balinese Cooking Class - Learn authentic cuisine

Beach Life

1. Kuta Beach - Surfing and sunset
2. Seminyak Beach - Beach clubs and dining
3. Nusa Dua Beach - Pristine waters
4. Padang Padang Beach - Hidden beach paradise
5. Suluban Beach - Cliff-hidden surf spot

Hidden Gems

• Sidemen Valley - Quiet rice terrace walks
• Amed - Snorkeling paradise
• Munduk - Waterfalls and coffee plantations

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Bali in 2026?

The best-known Bali list runs across five categories: temple hopping at Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Besakih, Tirta Empul and Ulun Danu Beratan; adventure such as an ATV ride through jungle and rice terraces, the Mount Batur sunrise trek, Nusa Penida snorkelling and white water rafting on the Ayung River; nature including Tegalalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces, Sekumpul and Gitgit waterfalls and Tegal Mangrove; culture in Ubud, Barong dance and a cooking class; and a beach run from Kuta and Seminyak to Nusa Dua, Padang Padang and Suluban.

Which Bali temples should I put at the top of my list?

If you only fit three, most people take Tanah Lot for the sunset, Uluwatu for the cliff setting and the Kecak fire dance, and Besakih, the Mother Temple, for scale. Tirta Empul is the one to pick for the purification springs and a genuine ritual rather than a photo, and Ulun Danu Beratan is the one that photographs best on the lake. Note the practical rule that applies to all of them: a sarong and sash are required, and you remove shoes before entering.

What are the best beaches in Bali for swimming and surfing?

For surfing, Kuta and Canggu are the beginner-friendly and progressing beach breaks, while Padang Padang and Suluban are the cliff-hidden surf spots for people who read the reef. For a swim with calm, shallow water and resorts around it, Nusa Dua is the reliable pick, and Seminyak is the beach-club-and-dining stretch. Seminyak, Kuta and Nusa Dua also make the easiest bases because transport, food and airport transfers are simplest there.

Is Bali good for adventure activities in 2026?

Yes, and the range is wide enough that two active days rarely feel the same. ATV riding takes you through jungle, rice terraces and waterfall tracks; Mount Batur gives an early-morning volcano climb or a jeep sunrise alternative for anyone who does not want to hike; Nusa Penida is the snorkelling and manta ray trip; the Bali Swing swings out over the paddies; and the Ayung River carries the white water rafting. Most of these work well in the dry season, roughly April to October.

What should I do in Ubud for a few days?

Ubud is the cultural and green heart of the island. Ubud Palace and the daily art and craft market are the anchors, with the Bali Art Museum, Garbage Fashion and a Balinese cooking class adding depth. Balinese dance performances run most evenings and are the easiest cultural night out. Outside town, the Sidemen Valley and Munduk give you quiet rice terrace walks and coffee plantations, and most ATV, trekking and waterfall tours launch from here.

Which Bali waterfalls are worth the trip?

Sekumpul is regularly called the most beautiful of Bali's waterfalls and sits in a remote, green valley in the north-west. Gitgit is the iconic twin-fall closer to Ubud and easier to combine with a half-day trip. Jatiluwih and Tegalalang are really rice terraces rather than waterfalls, and both are worth adding to the same northern loop. After the wet season the flows are strongest, but steps and paths can be slick, so closed-toe shoes matter more than swimwear.

How many days do I need to see the best of Bali?

Three days covers Ubud and the surrounding waterfalls, rice terraces and a sunrise or ATV day. A week lets you add the southern temples and beaches, Nusa Penida for the snorkelling, and one slower stretch near Sidemen, Amed or Munduk. Because the main sites sit in different corners of the island and traffic is slow, most of the work is in the getting there — grouping Ubud and the north-east with the south coast in separate blocks saves hours in the car.

What is Bali's best food to try?

Bali's food is warung-based and largely rice-based: nasi campur, lawar, sate lilit and babi guling are the classics, with babi guling most associated with Ubud. A Balinese cooking class is the fastest way to understand the technique, and the Ubud market and warungs are where you eat it properly. Plant-based travellers have plenty of options since Indonesian cooking is naturally vegetarian-friendly, and halal matters are handled separately in our guide for Muslim travellers.

Send us your dates and we will build the days

Tell us how many days you have, who is coming and whether you would rather climb, ride or float, and we will put together a day-by-day plan with the right driver and the right pickup times. WhatsApp us at +62 851-7516-3718 — or book online.

Related reading: best beaches in Bali, Bali day itineraries and hidden gems in Bali.