A scenic and characterful tropical island within the Indonesian archipelago, Bali has a broad appeal. Its lush interior is comprised of steamy jungles, vivid green rice fields and cloud-shrouded volcanoes.
But it’s the white, powdery beaches skirting the island that are perhaps its main draw. Due to its small size, Bali is easy to travel around, and it offers a wonderful mix of beach time, natural beauty and cultural sites.
Bali offers everything you could ask for on a perfect beach holiday. The laid-back beaches of Sanur and Nusa Dua, on the southern tip of the island, are ideal for couples or honeymooners in search of some downtime. The Indian Ocean waters are calm, clear and bath-warm, and so are also ideal for family holidays. Many of the beaches are well served by waterfront bars and restaurants, and on the peninsula of Tanjung Benoa you’ll find plenty of centres offering water sports. Southern Bali is filled with good-quality accommodation, from all-inclusive resorts to chic boutique options.
Trendy Seminyak is known for its hip bars and restaurants, nightlife, and beautiful beaches. The waters here are rich with coral, and so are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. Seminyak is also famous for its surf schools, which offer lessons that are great fun yet also professional. So if you’ve aways wanted to give surfing a go, this might be the place to try it. Holidays to Bali are also ideal for those who like to party; in lively Kuta there are a host of late-night bars as well as popular white sand beaches.
Things to do on a Bali holiday
Bali holidays provide plenty of scope for discovering natural wonders. In West Bali National Park you can get away from the crowds and seek out some exotic flora and fauna. The park is characterised by lush green forests, dry savannas and pockets of dense mangrove forests. In the north, visitors can climb Mount Batur, an active volcano and one of the island’s most sacred mountains. The beautiful island is home to thousands of ornate temples, and colourful religious ceremonies can often be seen taking place. On the forest-clad slopes of Gunung Batukaru is Pura Batukaru, one of the island’s most impressive temple complexes, with several pagodas and tiered shrines to explore.
Ubud, in the centre of the island, is Bali’s cultural heart. Here you’ll find craft markets, art galleries and wellness retreats. The town is surrounded by terraced paddy fields and forests dotted with incense-fused temples. Once popular with backpackers and bohemians, today Ubud also offers luxury 5-star hotels and stylish dining spots. Don’t miss Ubud Monkey Forest, a sanctuary of dense jungle inhabited by over 600 long-tailed Balinese macaques.
Browse our Bali offers and packages below, and speak to one of our travel advisors about planning your perfect holiday to Indonesia.