Highlights in Bali

Every visitor to the Hindu island of Bali lists their own special highlights. People come here for all kinds of reasons and have unique experiences, so a prescriptive list of highlights can only be a suggestive guide to what’s on offer in Bali.

Most people, though, would be very impressed with the legendary sunsets of Kuta beach. When the sun begins to set, people gather to take in the sea breeze and slightly cooler weather, and also drink a few beers – Bintang is the local brand – that are served ice cold from beach vendors while they leisurely watch the sky turn shades of red and orange.

Since Bali is so easy to get around, catching the sunset at Kuta is something that visitors based anywhere in Bali can do with a quick motorcycle or taxi trip. While in Kuta, people may like to try out some of the swinging local bars, pubs and restaurants – the backpacker scene in Kuta is particularly legendary.

Turning away from the beach for a second, a visit to the hill town of Ubud has to be on the must-do list for pretty much every visitor to Bali. The Monkey Forest is at the entrance to Ubud, and beyond that are quiet streets filled with bars and art galleries. Regular exhibitions are held and artists from all over the world work in Ubud.

Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali and price gouging and fake goods are thin on the ground here. Instead, fine jewelry and wood work as well as paintings and sculpture are sold in shops that are usually out front of working artist studios. Ubud’s surfeit of laidback bars and restaurants mean that half day trips here usually spread out to become entire days, and even evenings. Indeed, many return visitors to Bali stay in Ubud and base their entire stay in the town.

Mount Agung is the largest mountain in Bali and it is considered a holy site that symoblises the health and power of the island. It is an active volcano and at its base it the Mother Temple, the largest and oldest temple and shrine complex in all of Bali.