Add dates

Bali Culture & history

Our most recommended Bali Culture & history

Bali: Uluwatu Kecak and Fire Dance Show Entry Ticket

1. Bali: Uluwatu Kecak and Fire Dance Show Entry Ticket

Witness a unique cultural experience with a Kecak fire and dance performance on the grounds of Uluwatu Temple. Watch native Balinese dancers perform a breathtaking show of traditional Hindu dance whilst the sun sets in the background. Kecak is a Balinese dance and rhythmic chant depicting the battle from the Hindu epic Ramayana in which Rama fights the demonic King Ravana with the help of the monkey god Hanuman. Let yourself be hypnotized by the swirling flames combined with vibrant traditional attire as the performers take you on a journey through Balinese Hinduism. The show is timed to coincide with the sunset, so you can be sure of good views during your time in Uluwatu.

Bali: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour

2. Bali: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour

Make your Instagram followers envious as you explore Bali on a customizable day trip to its most recognizable hotspots.  All entry fees are included, as well as an expert local tour guide, who will share gems about Balinese history and culture along the way. Your first stop is the Hindu Lempuyang Temple. Famous for its split gate, the Gates of Heaven, you’ll be able to take that very same photo you’ve seen so many times on Instagram.  You’ll then be whisked to Tirta Gangga, a former royal palace famous for its holy (and incredibly photogenic) water features and gardens.  Next up is Tukad Cepung, a cave containing an amazing natural waterfall, where you’ll even get to have a dip.  After that is rural Ubud, home to many beautiful lush green rice fields. And last but not least, you’ll get to try out one of Bali’s famous jungle swings.   Choose the exact experience that you want — from private tours with hotel pickup to small-group tours where you can meet other adventurous travelers. Pick the lunch add-on for a delicious buffet lunch, or take home ten polaroids to remember your trip. Select the premium or private options for additional add-ons. Enrich your Instagram with photos taken and edited by a photographer, watch yourself from above with 3-4 minutes of drone footage sent to you 24 hours after your tour, or simply unwind with a relaxing massage.

Bali Sunset: Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance and Jimbaran Bay

3. Bali Sunset: Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance and Jimbaran Bay

Experience the best sundown spot in Bali on a visit to Uluwatu Temple, a Balinese temple to the sea gods with a commanding view of the Indian Ocean. Part of a series of temples built to protect the island from evil spirits, today its cliffside location is home to a family of friendly monkeys. Once night falls and you have seen the colors of the sunset, experience one of the island's most famous cultural performances at a "kecak" fire dance. Watch the locals act out a scene from the Ramayana with a mesmerizing trance chant, exciting performances of fire dances, and intricate costumes. Then, get the option to enjoy dinner at a seafood restaurant serving delicious barbecue food in Jimbaran Bay. Sink your feet in the sand as you dine and relax at the end of an unforgettable day!

Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour

4. Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour

Explore the top attractions of Ubud on this tour with hotel transfers from selected locations in Bali. Visit sights like the Tegenungan waterfall, Mas Village, and the King's Palace. Pick from a basic tour, a tour that includes lunch, and a tour with lunch and a Jungle Swing experience. After a pick-up from your hotel, this is your itinerary: Tegenungan Waterfall This area is on the south side of Ubud and a really nice place to enjoy your cup of tea and see the wonderful waterfall. You can get close to it and feel the fresh spray of the natural water. Mas Village  This is a village specializing in woodcarvings. Most of the prominent woodcarvers of Bali live in Mas village, producing elaborate and fine wood carvings and teaching the young generation to carve. Ubud Monkey Forest The home of more than 600 long-tailed macaques, Ubud Monkey Forest is a tropical green forest close to the center of Ubud. Inside the forest, you can see a sacred temple sanctuary guarded by the monkeys. Ubud Traditional Market Here is where you can find an Ubud community gathering in the market to sell all of the produce from around the area: cheap souvenirs, handicrafts, fruit, and much more. Ubud King Palace In the center of Ubud, you will see the palace from the road. Entering the area you can walk around to take pictures of the traditional Balinese architecture complex and see daily traditional Balinese dance. Tegalalang Rice Terrace Here you can see a typical scene in Bali: a rice terrace positioned in a beautiful rice field with green coconut plants. This makes it the best sight of the Balinese countryside.  Coffee Plantation Visit the coffee plantation where you'll see, among other things, the most expensive coffee in the world, called Luwak Coffee. This is a coffee made by an animal that eats the bean and digests it in its stomach.  In the morning, the coffee will still be intact in the animal's feces and collected to be processed to make the coffee. Enjoying this coffee in front of the Rice Terrace view will be an unforgettable experience. 

Bali: Sacred Temples and Sunset Private Tour

5. Bali: Sacred Temples and Sunset Private Tour

Begin your full day tour with a private vehicle pick-up from your hotel at 9:00 AM and depart for Goa Gajah Temple, also called the Elephant Cave Temple, where you can admire its unique stone structure and layout. Visit Gunung Kawi Sebatu temple, an 11th century temple and funerary complex spread across either side of the Pakerisan River. Afterwards, visit the Tirta Empul Temple or Holy Spring Temple, where you can receive a holy blessing for purification. You will be provided with a Sarong to enter the temple and for receiving the blessing. The next stop is Taman Ayun Temple, the Royal Family Temple, located in Mengwi. Learn about how this temple was built in 1634 by the king of the Mengwi dynasty on  small island surrounded by a handmade lake. At the end of the tour, you will discover Bali's most photographed temple; Tanah Lot. Situated on a little rocky islet that is not accessable during high tides, the temple is usually where people can experience the most dramatic sunsets in Bali. After this amazing finish, be dropped off back at your hotel. 

Bali: Besakih Temple & Lempuyang Temple Gates of Heaven Tour

6. Bali: Besakih Temple & Lempuyang Temple Gates of Heaven Tour

Join a guided day trip to the eastern part of Bali to visit the mother temple of Bali, Pura Besakih, along with Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang temple and its iconic Gate of Heaven. Enjoy convenient hotel transfers and a lunch stop overlooking Mount Agung. Following a pickup from your hotel, head to the majestic Lempuyang Temple in the eastern part of Bali. Along the way, pass long stretches of beautiful and pristine rice paddies, travel along winding roads, and marvel at breathtaking mountains. Be awed by the magical views of Mount Agung behind the temple. Your own private guide will not only snap cool shots for you but will also explain the history of the ancient temple as well as the Balinese people and their culture. Next, visit Tirta Gangga, known as the most beautiful former royal water palace in Eastern Bali. Explore the water palace's tiered fountains, gardens, and stone sculptures of mythical creatures spouting water into pools.  Outside the palace, soak up views of the lush rice paddies of northeastern Bali. After visiting the water palace, savor a scrumptious buffet lunch (with optional add-on) overlooking Mount Agung, Telaga Waja river, and the rice fields. When you are finished, make your way to the biggest temple in Bali, Pura Besakih.  Join this tour of Pura Besakih with your guide and learn why it is the most important, the largest, and the holiest temple of Hindu religion in Bali, and one of a series of Balinese temples. The temple miraculously survived the catastrophic volcanic eruption of 1963. Leverage and customize your experience with add-ons from professional, coffee tasting to traditional massage. (some add-ons are only available for private tours). Select the private tour options to enjoy the highest degree of flexibility, intimacy and customized experiences, or join the small group tour to enjoy the tour in an affordable way.

North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour

7. North Bali: Sekumpul Waterfalls and Ulun Danu Temple Tour

Immerse yourself in the wilderness of northern Bali as you trek to the majestic Sekumpul Waterfalls. Discover local flora and fauna such as cacao, lemongrass, and coffee on your way to the bottom of the falls, where you can wade in the rock pools. Take a small group tour for up to 5 people to the majestic Sekumpul Waterfalls in Bali's northern wilderness. Immerse yourself in the picturesque natural surroundings, then explore the Ulun Danu and Taman Ayun Water Temples with your English-speaking guide. After pickup from your accommodation in Bali, transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to begin your trek to Sekumpul Waterfalls, whose name means “grouped together” in Bahasa. Discover local flora and fauna such as cacao, lemongrass, and coffee on your way to the bottom of the falls. Once there, wade in the rock pools and admire the up to 80-meter (262-foot) high cascades nestled in the heart of the lush jungle. Before lunch, stop by the Twin Lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan, which form part of the island’s volcanic landscape. Then, enjoy the cooler weather over buffet lunch at the famous Lake Beratan, 1,231 meters (4,039 feet) above sea level. Once you've replenished your energy, pay a visit to the iconic Ulun Danu Temple that sits on the edge of this mountain scenery. Commonly featured in postcards of Bali, you can't mistake these picturesque shrines by the water. Finally, make your last stop at another famous UNESCO Heritage Site, the Taman Ayun Water Temple. Your tour concludes with drop-off back at our accommodation in Bali.

Bali: Skip-the-line Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance Tour

8. Bali: Skip-the-line Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance Tour

Get whisked away on this evening tour of Uluwatu. Prepare yourself for jaw-dropping sunset views on the cliffs.  At 70 meters above sea level, Uluwatu Temple is a must-see for history and architecture lovers. Learn about the how the site is considered one of the six key temples in Bali and a spiritual pillar of the island. Your local guide will teach you about its historical and religious significance. Wander the grounds and snap photos of the temple’s scenic surroundings.  Before leaving the sacred temple site, head to the open-air amphitheater to catch the Kecak and Fire Dance. The well-loved cultural performance revolves around traditional Balinese song, dance, and storytelling accompanied by a choir. Watch talented performers with the majestic sunset as the backdrop.

North Bali: Sunrise Tour with Dolphins, Waterfalls & Temples

9. North Bali: Sunrise Tour with Dolphins, Waterfalls & Temples

Explore North Bali on this private half-day trip. Travel in a comfortable and airconditioned car from Denpasar, Ubud, or Kuta. Take a sunrise boat tour to see frolicking dolphins, stroll through the lush jungle at the Gitgit Waterfall, and visit the Ulundanu Bratan Temple.  Be picked up from your accommodation early in the morning and head to Lovina Beach. Hop on a boat that to watch dolphins in their natural environment and marvel at a stunning Bali sunrise.  Continue on to the Gitgit Waterfall by car for a chance to explore the lush jungle area around this natural wonder. Head to the Ulundanu Bratan Temple and have some freetime to take in this unique temple in the middle of a lake.  Around noon, make your way to the shore. Return to your accommodation after an exciting day of dolphins, waterfalls, and temples.

Bali: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Small Group Tour

10. Bali: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Small Group Tour

After getting picked up at your hotel, begin your tour with a visit to the 18th-Century Royal Water Temple of Pura Taman Ayan - the largest and most impressive architectural edifice of its type on the island, according to UNESCO. Then head to the Water Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan on the edge of Lake Bratan. Have your breath taken away by the marvelous views as you stand before the crater lake, regarded as the ultimate origin of every spring and river in Bali. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before moving on to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, one of Bali’s oldest and best examples of terraced paddy landscapes. See first-hand how local communities still practice sustainable farming here and experience the resilience and vibrancy of Balinese culture. Finally, enjoy a fiery sunset at the dramatic Tanah Lot Temple, which means ‘land in the sea’ in the local tongue. Stand before the 16th-century edifice on the edge of the water and soak up the atmosphere of this temple where people have been worshipping the sea gods for centuries.

65 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 5

Frequently asked questions about Bali

What top attractions are a must-see in Bali?

What are the most popular museums and exhibitions in Bali?

Other Sightseeing Options in Bali

Want to discover all there is to do in Bali? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Bali

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 3,802 reviews

The yoga was very eye opening and thought provoking. I was able to practice more flexibility. The whole entire day was awesome. From visiting the temple to the aura cleansing I was amazed. The monkey forest was the cherry on top of it all because it was a great ending to the day. My tour guide was amazing and filled with knowledge for sure. I am grateful to have had this as my first tour for my vacation. Definitely set the bar pretty high for what’s to come.

Had a great trip! Our guide Desa was lovely and even made good pictures of us. Tanat Loh with the amazing sunset was the best! Rice fields and coffee plantage was also one of my favorites. And the waterfall! Can't describe. Just a perfect trip! Got catched up right on time in the morning (the guide was already waiting), got back late at night, full with impressions of the day. Book that trip, it's phenomenal!

Wonderful private tour in the north of Bali, I arrived early at the waterfall so there were basically no tourists, I could even bathe in the waterfall ! Thanks again to my guide Made Sudiartha, always giving me explanations on Balinese culture and recommending me good places.

Beautiful Tour: despite non optimal weather conditions, we were able to see everything! Perfect Guide: Dana was very nice and helpfull. He explained us many interesting things about traditions in Bali. Very recommended! Francesco and Desiree

Scenic views and stunning dance ! Special thanks to our guide Putu for his explanations ;)