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Indonesia
Bali
Bali is several holidays on one island. Which one you get depends almost entirely on where you base yourself — and most people get that decision wrong.
Stays from €72 a night
The place
What Bali is actually like
The south — Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu — is the beach and surf Bali, busy and developed, with the best restaurants and the worst traffic. Ubud, inland and an hour north, is the cultural and jungle Bali of rice terraces, temples and river gorges. The east and north are barely developed at all.
Splitting the trip is almost always the right answer: a few nights inland and a few on the coast. The drive between them is 60 to 90 minutes and the two halves are genuinely different holidays.
The villa market is Bali's real advantage. A private pool villa with staff costs what a mid-range hotel room costs in Europe, and it changes the shape of the trip — breakfast cooked for you, a pool nobody else uses, and a scooter or driver on call.
Timing
When to visit
Honest seasonality — including the months we would not recommend.
- Balanced
Apr – Jun
Best overall
Dry season begins, crowds have not arrived, and everything is still green.
- Busiest
Jul – Aug
Peak
Driest and busiest. Book villas and Ubud restaurants well ahead.
- Balanced
Sep – Oct
Excellent
Dry, quieter and better value than the July–August peak.
- Quietest
Nov – Mar
Wet season
Heavy afternoon rain rather than all-day. Cheapest rates and the landscape at its most vivid.
Neighbourhoods
Where to stay in Bali
Each area suits a different trip. Pick the one that matches yours.
Ubud
Rice terraces, river gorges and the island's cultural centre
- Nature
- Wellness
- Culture
Canggu
Surf, cafés and a young crowd — the busiest part of the island right now
- Surfing
- Nightlife
- Cafés
Uluwatu
Clifftop resorts above world-class reef breaks, and the best sunsets
- Luxury
- Views
- Couples
Sidemen
The Ubud of twenty years ago, in a valley below Mount Agung
- Quiet
- Hidden gems
- Walking
Stays
Popular hotels in Bali
Live prices from our accommodation partners for a sample three-night stay.
Things to do
What to do in Bali
- Sunrise at Tegallalang or, better, the quieter Jatiluwih terraces
- Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu temple as the sun goes down
- A morning at Sidemen or Munduk, away from the southern crowds
- Snorkelling or diving off Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
- A traditional Balinese cooking class in a village compound
- Mount Batur sunrise trek, starting at 3am
Eating and drinking
- Babi guling — Balinese suckling pig, at a warung that sells out by 2pm
- Nasi campur, the plate of many small things that is the island's everyday meal
- Sate lilit, minced fish satay on lemongrass skewers
- Ubud's remarkable plant-based restaurant scene, which is genuinely world-class
Book ahead
Tours, tickets and day trips
Practicalities
Things worth knowing
Do not underestimate the traffic
Canggu to Ubud can take two hours at the wrong time. Plan around it or split your stay.
Hire a driver by the day
Around €40–50 for a full day with a car and driver. Far better value and far safer than a scooter if you are not experienced.
Respect temple etiquette
A sarong and sash are required and usually provided. Do not enter during a ceremony unless invited.
Carry cash for warungs
Cards are standard in hotels and larger restaurants, but the best small places are cash-only.
Orientation
Bali at a glance
Questions
Bali FAQ
How long should I spend in Bali?
Ten nights is the sweet spot — enough for four or five in Ubud and the rest on the coast, without spending the trip in a car. Seven works if you pick two bases and commit.
Is Bali good for a first trip to Asia?
Yes. English is widely spoken, tourism infrastructure is mature, and the island is small enough that mistakes are recoverable.
Which part of Bali should I stay in?
Split it. Ubud for the interior and culture, then Uluwatu, Seminyak or Canggu for the coast. Basing entirely in the south means missing what makes the island distinctive.
Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most nationalities get a visa on arrival, extendable once. Requirements and the electronic pre-registration process change periodically — check current Indonesian immigration guidance before you fly.
Elsewhere
