What is Bali Known for? Here are 15 Popular Things in Bali
Last Updated January 2026
Bali has long been a dream destination for travelers from around the world. From stunning beaches to vibrant culture, lush rice terraces, and unique traditions, this island truly has something for everyone. But with so many attractions, experiences, and local flavors to explore, it can be hard to know where to start. What are the must-see places, must-try foods, and must-do activities in Bali? In this article, we’ll take you through 15 popular things in Bali that you shouldn’t miss. From breathtaking natural sights to cultural experiences and delicious cuisine, you’ll discover how to make the most out of your Bali trip and maybe even find some hidden gems along the way.
Key Takeaways
- You can start your Bali adventure by relaxing on its stunning beaches or trying water sports in places like Kuta, Nusa Dua, or Jimbaran.
- After that, you can explore Bali Safari & Marine Park to see amazing wildlife, including Komodo dragons, before hopping on a boat to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan for breathtaking cliffs, snorkeling, and unique island experiences.
- You can also dive into the island’s culture by visiting temples, watching traditional dances like Kecak and Legong, and discovering Balinese art in villages like Celuk.
- While exploring, you can taste authentic Balinese cuisine such as Babi Guling, Lawar, and Betutu, which completes the cultural experience.
- Finally, you can capture Instagram-worthy moments at Bali swings, rice terraces, and scenic viewpoints to make your trip truly unforgettable.
15 Things That are Popular in Bali
When you think of Bali, you probably imagine beaches, temples, or unique cultural experiences. Here’s a list of 15 things in Bali that you can explore to fully enjoy the island’s natural beauty, traditions, and local delights:
1. Beach
There are many beautiful beaches in Bali. This island has the most famous coast which attracts travelers with its beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters, and wide range of activities.Towering limestone cliffs lie beneath rocky shores, with long stretches of palm-fringed coastline and secluded coves. It includes the most popular beach spots, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and Sanur, and remote shores for relaxation.
Looking for a Bali beach with all kinds of activities? Legian is a good choice. A beach for exciting water sports? Tanjung Benoa is the answer. Conversely, honeymooners may prefer the quiet bay of Jimbaran or the remote Candidasa in eastern Bali.
2. Bali Safari and Marine Park
One of the best places in Bali to entertain all ages is the Bali Safari and Marine Park. This island wildlife and safari park is in Gianyar, which also features a water park, fun zone, and Amazing Bali Theater. Ganesha Park, a mini-park with a giant statue of the elephant-headed god Ganesha, is also at this attraction. Tourists can come across bathing elephants in this area of the park. Whereas the inside part of the park is a temple called Pura Safari, where you can worship the Hindu Dharma.
Bali Safari Park is also home to over 1,000 amazing animals. It’s the perfect place for an adventurous, fun, and educational experience beyond just a safari. Their park showcases over 120 species, including rare and endangered species such as Komodo dragons, orangutans, and barristers. Today, Bali Safari Park is at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Indonesia. Bali Safari has been actively involved in ensuring future survival and welfare.
3. Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Penida is a stunning island just a 30-minute ferry ride from Sanur, and you can join a Nusa Penida Tour to explore it without hassle. Here, you’ll find breathtaking spots like Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay, and Thousand Islands Viewpoint, perfect for snorkeling, photography, or simply soaking in the scenery.
Nearby Nusa Lembongan is famous for its vibrant underwater life and big waves that attract surfers from around the world. You can enjoy diving, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beaches while watching skilled surfers ride the waves, making it a must-visit destination alongside Nusa Penida.
4. Temples
Bali is often called the “Island of Gods” because of its many beautiful temples, and you can explore them easily with tours like Besakih Lempuyang Tour. Start with Pura Lempuyang Luhur, a small temple complex at the top of Mount Lempuyang. It’s a challenging climb, but you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of Mount Agung and the surrounding landscapes.
Next, explore Tanah Lot and Bedugul temples as part of a Bedugul Tanah Lot Tour. Tanah Lot, built on a rock near the sea, looks magical at high tide, while the iconic Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul sits on the lake with a serene backdrop of mountains. Don’t miss Tirta Empul near Ubud, a sacred water temple where locals take part in purification rituals at its holy spring basins.
5. Bali Swings
What Bali is most associated with, especially on social media, is the Bali swing. One of the most Instagrammable sites on the island, and for a good reason! This place is very popular with honeymooners and is part of the Bali honeymoon package. Experience different swing levels and soar high into the air against a backdrop of lush greenery. Most Balinese swing spots also have props, such as giant nests and baskets for taking pictures with your loved ones.
There is no better place to take beautiful pictures than where you can soar high against the backdrop of the jungle scenery. The attraction is open until 5:00 PM daily. It is part of a theme park that offers a variety of tours, including rafting, quad biking, and a romantic time aboard a vintage Volkswagen.
6. Rice Terrace
Bali is famous for its stunning rice terraces, and you can join a Ubud tour to explore them up close. The Tegallalang Rice Terraces, just north of Ubud, offer scenic walks along Jalan Raya Tegalalang, where you can visit local art shops, stop for lunch, and enjoy breathtaking views of the lush valleys. You can even walk down into the fields to meet farmers and see the terraces from a unique perspective.
Another must-visit is the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Tabanan, a sprawling area covering 600 hectares in the Batukaru Highlands. Maintained by traditional Subak water management systems dating back to the 9th century, these terraces showcase Bali’s cultural heritage and have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both sites are perfect for photography, nature walks, and learning about Balinese agricultural traditions.
Read more: Visiting Bali: A Traveler’s Guide to the Island of the Gods
7. Kintamani
Kintamani is a mountain village in central Bali, home to Mount Batur and the stunning Lake Batur Caldera, and you can join a Kintamani tour to explore the area effortlessly. The village is famous for viewpoints like Penelokan, which offers panoramic sights of the rugged black lava slopes and volcanic landscapes that have formed over centuries.
Early risers can catch the breathtaking sunrise over Mount Batur, making the visit even more memorable. This area is perfect for trekking, photography, and experiencing the unique vibes of Bali’s volcanic highlands, all while enjoying the fresh mountain air.
8. Suckling Pig
One of the popular Balinese specialties is suckling pigs. Initially, suckling pig was only used for traditional or religious ceremonies. But now, we can find suckling pigs easily in various restaurants, stalls, and hotels in Bali.
Suckling Pig or better known as Babi Guling is made from the essential ingredients of a pig that stomach is filled with base genep (multiple spices) consisting of shallots, garlic, kencur (aromatic ginger), ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, palm sugar, salt, shrimp paste, bay leaf, and a little sour. Isn’t it mouthwatering?
9. Lawar
Lawar is a mixture of vegetables and seasoned minced meat from Bali. This food is commonly served in Balinese homes or sold in restaurants as Balinese lawar. It is made from boiled minced meat, vegetables, and spices such as turmeric, candlenuts, shallots, garlic, and coconut.
Some types of lawar may have a fusion of an element that enhances the flavor of the lawar, that is, blood from the meat itself. Lawar only lasts for a short time if left outdoors and only lasts half a day.
10. Betutu
Betutu could be a conventional Balinese dish made from an entirety of chicken or duck filled with flavors, at that point simmered in a husk fire. Ayam betutu is a type of side dish made from cleaned chicken meat, then smeared with Balinese spices known as “base genep” all over the surface of the chicken meat and inserted the portion of it into the abdominal cavity.
Seasoned chicken meat is then boiled or grilled directly to produce a distinctive aroma—the unique fragrances due to heating which causes water and meat fat to evaporate. The more steam generated, the stronger the aroma and the tastier it. According to Balinese tradition, betutu chicken is usually served during traditional ceremonies, such as odalan, otonan, or weddings.
11. Trunyan
Trunyan Village is in Kintamani District, Bangli Regency. Those who died there were neither buried nor cremated, but simply buried under the Taru Menyan tree. This tree can eliminate the smell of dead bodies there. What’s interesting about the funeral traditions there, Pesona Friend. The number of bodies placed under Taru Menyan cannot exceed eleven people. In addition, several conditions must be met, die naturally, get married, and have entire limbs.
Those who die with the above provisions will be buried in a Mepasah (placed under Taru Menyan). The burial area is known as Sema Wayah. However, there are two other areas if they need to meet the conditions above. They will also be buried at any other place outside of Sema Wayah. First, Sema Muda is for young children or adults who are not married. Second, Sema Bantas for those who died unnaturally or had incomplete limbs due to illness.
12. Traditions
Bali has many unique traditions. Balinese people are thick with big ceremonies, which are pretty complicated. However, this is what makes Bali different from other regions. The Balinese still hold several traditions, such as the Ngaben tradition or the cremation ceremony of someone who has died to the Ogoh-Ogoh tradition every Nyepi Day. Balinese people daily carry out prayer rituals with specific means to maintain the balance of nature, humans, and God.
13. Legong Dance
This traditional dance is a group of Balinese classical dances with a very complex vocabulary of movements tied to the accompaniment percussion structure, which is said to be the influence of gambuh. Legong is derived from ‘leg’ which means flexible or flexible dance movement and ‘gong’ which means gamelan. “Legong”, therefore, refers to dance movements (especially accents) constrained by the accompanying gamelan. The gamelan used for Legong dance is called Gamelan Semar Pagulingan. If you want to learn Balinese Dance, many places in Bali provide dance lessons, including this one.
14. Kecak Dance
In addition, Kecak Dance is one of the most popular dances in Bali, usually performed at Uluwatu Temple. You can join an Uluwatu tour to enjoy this unique performance combined with the breathtaking cliffs and panoramic sunset views, making your visit unforgettable. The dance, with its intricate Balinese movements and captivating chants, looks even more magical against the backdrop of the purple twilight. By joining an Uluwatu tour, you can easily explore nearby attractions like Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Dreamland Beach, Pandawa Beach, Padang Padang Beach, Tanjung Benoa Water Sports, and Jimbaran Seafood, making your Bali vacation truly memorable.
15. Balinese Art
Bali’s dream destination immerses you in its culture and history through Balinese art. From painting and sculpture to music and dance, all are integral to Balinese cultural heritage and are prominently seen in various temples. Travel between June and July if you want to attend the Bali Art Festival, a festival that immerses you in the traditions of Bali. Visit the village of Celuk for some unique silversmithing and jewelry created by skilled artisans who create exquisite pieces using craftsmanship passed down for generations.
Read more: Luxury Things to Do in Bali: A Guide to Exclusive Experiences
Let’s Explore and Experience Popular Things in Bali Now!
Bali is a paradise full of incredible experiences you can enjoy. You can relax on stunning beaches, explore Bali Safari & Marine Park, visit Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, and admire the island’s beautiful temples like Tanah Lot, Pura Lempuyang, and Ulun Danu Beratan. You can also experience the iconic Bali swings, wander through Tegallalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces, enjoy the views at Kintamani, watch traditional dances like Kecak and Legong, taste local delicacies such as Babi Guling, Lawar, and Betutu, visit Trunyan Village, witness unique Balinese traditions, and discover Balinese arts. All these highlights make Bali a truly unforgettable destination.
You can enjoy every moment effortlessly with Bali Premium Trip. From relaxing on pristine beaches to discovering temples, rice terraces, cultural dances, and local cuisine, you can experience it all without the stress of planning. Don’t wait, book your Premium Trip Bali now and make your dream Bali vacation a reality!
