Bali, the island of Gods needs no introduction. After all, it is the most visited island in South East. In fact, I had almost written Bali off my travel bucket list assuming that every corner here will be touristy, but I couldn’t help being excited when I received an invitation by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia.
Late one night in November 2016, I landed here after changing two airplanes from Raja Ampat – tired but ready to fall in love with Bali.
You know what’s the best part about Bali? It is jaw dropping gorgeous! My excitement started right from the airport where I saw an elaborate Hindu temple. It continued as soon as I reached my hotel – De Vins Sky Hotel in Seminyak and saw a roof top pool and yet another temple!
As we travelled around the island the next morning, I was happy to notice that the typical Balinese temple like architecture is everywhere, even at the gas stations. (Btw, the name of the hotel was earlier Golden Tulup but has changed to De Vin Sky Hotel Seminyak. If you want to book the same place, you can click here to check the availability and the best deals)
I visited Bali as a social media influencer, so of course Instagram was very high on my list. I did a little bit of research about a few spots to visit and want to share them with you. No doubt there are more than ten beautiful spots in Bali (obviously), but here are ten of our favorites.
UPDATE in 2018:
I recently discovered that there is a very popular “Instagram tour of Bali” that includes some of the best places that I have mentioned here, waterfalls and also the Instagram-famous jungle swing!
This tour includes hotel transfers, entrance fees, water, etc. This tour makes it super easy for you to visit most of the places on this list and a few more. Check it out and make your Bali pictures memorable to rock your Instagram.
Bali’s most beautiful spots –
01 | “Doors of Heaven” at Pura Lempuyang
Not just in Bali, but this is definitely one of the most beautiful temples of South East Asia. There are total seven temples in this complex, out of which the first one is the biggest and the most beautiful one. They all offer good views but the first one is the most photographed one, for obvious reasons.
All the shots below are pretty similar, but the lighting is different, which causes a dramatic effect. To know more about Pura Lempuyang, you can click here check the details on TripAdvisor.
Penglipuran in North of Bali is a beautifully preserved village which appeared to be unaffected by modernization. For me, this was the most beautiful spot in Bali and I did not want to leave.
It is the perfect place for photos because of the backdrop of little houses that are lined up next to the main street. What makes it even better is that the street is sloped and provides a view till the end.
Out of all the places that I visited, my pictures in Penglipuran Village turned out to be the best ones. Here’s my picture which was clicked by the talented Japanese photographer, Genta. If you ever wonder where to stay in Bali, i’d recommend you pick the North or Ubud area, just so that you’re close to this spot.
Don’t you just love the roads that are surrounded by perfectly arched trees resulting in a “tunnel” effect? Well, you can find a few of these streets in the village of Kubu Bangli regency. This forest area is very close to Penglipuran village, so you can do #2 and #3 together on the same day! Planning on visiting? Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor before you go.
The below picture is by one of my favorite photographers, Larissa Dening:
The next one was clicked by Trishita (Overrated Outcast), who’s just 20 but does some serious magic with her GoPro. She’s also a GoPro brand ambassador.
Tip: Don’t miss the Nusa Islands that are off the coast of Bali. Here’s the perfect itinerary for Nusa Islands
04 | Ubud’s Rice Paddies and Cafes with views
You can’t leave out Ubud’s pretty rice paddies when you visit Bali. Some people rent bicycles to explore the paddy fields, while others just find a chic café with a view to enjoy Ubud’s beauty. I recommend Desa Tegalalang or Kampung Café for your dose of Ubud.
To make the most of it, you can also book yourself a room at Kampung Resort. This place is in a stunning location on a height and with an exceptionally breathtaking view of the rice paddies. A room here is usually between 40 − 50 USD. If you’re not staying here, then at lease consider visiting this place for an amazing lunch with a view of the paddy fields.
Here’s a picture from Kampung Cafe by Jongbeom Lee:
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is perhaps the most iconic landmark of Bali. It has been used for years as a cover image for Bali related things such as in flyers, travel articles, picture postcards, etc. This temple is located at the edge of Beratan Lake and you can often catch the reflection of it in the water.
Everything is perfect about this shot, specially the reflection.
Yes, you must have guessed it by now that everything that starts with “Pura” is a temple. This temple is famous for its bathing area and a dip in its waters is supposed to cleanse you spiritually. The words “Tirta Empul” stand for holy spring in Balinese language.
What’s better than a waterfall? Two waterfalls together. Banyumala Twin Waterfalls waterfalls are in North Central part of Bali and getting there is definitely not easy. Many people say that these are the best waterfalls in Bali, but why don’t you see the pictures and decide for yourself?
Look how green everything around this waterfall is!
Yes, another temple on the list, but I promise it’s the last one. Visit Tanah Lot temple a little before the sunset and find a nearby café that overlooks the temple for some stunning photos! Doesn’t the ocean backdrop look stunning?
This waterfall is in Bangli area and not so far from the Bamboo forest in point 3. Getting here is not as difficult as Banyumala Waterfalls. The trail that leads to the waterfall is small and is a delight in itself.
What makes the Tibuamana waterfall stunning is the jungle around. You will hear the sounds of birds and the water – how cool is that! Tibumana waterfall itself is small but it is the green area around that makes it very special.
Ku-De-Ta is one of the most famous bars in Bali. The view of the ocean from here is breathtaking, especially around the sunset time. There is a swimming pool inside Ku-De-Ta, which looks very beautiful when the sky turns orange before it gets dark. Not just the bar, but even the beach right outside this place gave us many photo opportunities.
Here’s a picture of the bar and swimming pool inside Ku-De-Ta:
I stayed in Golden Tulip Devins, which is in Seminyak. It is a very beautiful hotel with a rooftop pool and bar. The rooftop area is amazing for watching sunsets. Some of the rooms here also feature an outdoor Jacuzzis. My room was very comfortable and had everything that I needed (like a hairdryer). The hotel is less than 5 minutes walk from Seminyak beach and the nearby Petitenget Temple. This temple is right on the beach and I got to watch a colorful prayer ceremony here one morning.
Seminyak is Bali’s hip and upscale area and is famous for its nightlife but thankfully is not as crowded as Kuta. To be honest, I didn’t party much except on just one occasion and we found a very cool nightclub near our hotel. If you’re heading to Bali, I strongly recommend you stay here. If you like big breakfasts (like I do), you will really enjoy their buffet – especially strawberry waffles, eggs Benedict, and coffee.
You can read the reviews about Golden Tulip Devins on TripAdvisor and find the best deal to book a room. Or, you can click here to find deals for Golden Tulip Devins, Seminyak in Bali on Booking.com. I generally prefer Booking.com because of their free cancellation (on most of the hotels) that has saved my life many times. A room at Golden Tulip Devins, Seminyak can cost you anything between $100 to $200 depending on your choice. Or, you can check on Agoda where I usually find prices that are cheaper than the other websites.
Have you ever been to Bali? If so, I would love to know about your favorite photo spots, so please do let me know in the comments.
10 Beautiful Spots in Bali that are Instagram Worthy
Beautiful Spots in Bali that are Instagram Worthy
Instagram Worthy Spots in Bali
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Disclaimer: I was paid and invited by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia to their beautiful country on a content creation campaign called “Trip of Wonders”, but as always, all thoughts in this article are mine.
Hey Deepika, thank you for reading this and I’m so happy that my post took you back to your time in Bali. I wanted to go back to Bali while writing this. 🙂
These pictures are stunning! I am loving my time here in Bali so far. If anyone is coming to Bali within the next year, they must have a look at this charity auction for incredible deals! http://www.biddingowl.com/BoogieWonderland
Wow, I never thought Bali could get more than this. Thanks for sharing and by the way, your photos are amazing! The swimming pool inside Ku-de-ta,,..I just want to dip in!
Hi Katherine, thank you. Yes it is easy but sometimes the waterfall one is not so easy to reach. Do check the weather forecast and ask locals before you go. 🙂
Hey just want to correct you a bit on the bamboo forrest, I believe picture no 1,2,4 were taken in W hotel entrance alley (petitenget, seminyak area). Other than that, cool compilation there! Thanks for showing our Bali so much love 😊
Hi Ness, thank you! Actually no, they were not taken in W hotel, but actually Bamboo forest that is right next to Penglipuran village by my friends. We all visited Indonesia together as Instagram influencers and they clicked these pictures in front of me. 🙂 I also clicked a few pictures there but were not as good as theirs. It is possible that W hotel (never been there) has a similar entrance.
The second pic is most definitely the entrance to the W hotel in seminyak. You can see the buggy they use to ferry guests back and forth plus the lights at the side of the road. Other pics also look very very similar but as you say I believe they are a different place.
Now seeing your photos I need to go back to Bali and visit these spots. My blog post for Bali is not yet online… Thanks for sharing. I’ve subscribed to your emails.
Hi Nicola, thanks for subscribing to our emails. 🙂 And so happy to see your kind words. Bali is gorgeous and I thought it would be overrated but wasn’t. I’d love to see your Bali post, so please share it here when you’re done.
Many thanks for this article and the included pictures. You just made my upcoming trip to Bali easier to plan.
I will we spending nearly 3 weeks there from Kuta up to Lovina Beach and then back down to Ubud before coming home to Montréal. I’m taking your list of spots to visit along with me.
Hi. We are planning to visit Bali in April. But we’re considering grand Hyatt , nusa dua. How far is everything in Bali. Can we still visit all these places. We staying for jus 5 days
Hello! Such a beautiful and informative blog. I will be in Bali in two weeks. Do you have some tips on how to see this ”top 10”? Is there any full-day tour packages that offers sight-seing to this “top 10”?
Hi Sherry, thank you for dropping by. No at the moment we don’t know of any single tour operator that offers packages to this top 10 list, however we have inserted tripadvisor links for some tour operators for most of these points. 🙂 Check them out.
Hi. We are planning to visit Bali in April. But we’re considering grand Hyatt , nusa dua. How far is everything in Bali. Can we still visit all these places. We staying for jus 5 days
Hi GK, you can do all these places in 5 days but it will be very rushed. We recommend you rent a car and combine some of them and remove a few. E.g. – you can do Penglipuran Village (2), Bamboo Forest (3) and Pura Tirta Empul (6) on the same day and then have lunch in Ubud (4). Number 2 and 3 are literally next to each other! You can remove a few waterfalls from the list – check the weather conditions before you go to see which waterfall makes more sense as per your route. 🙂 Have fun in Bali!
Hi Denise, I felt really safe while I was in Bali and no “Bali Belly” – maybe because I’m from India and my stomach has toughened up eating Indian street food. 🙂 Our group had people from many countries – Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and none of them had stomach problems.
hi. planning to travel Bali but would like to ask you a question. is the list of attractions you mentioned here can be visited if ever i book manila-denpasar? are these places land travel only once i reach Bali?
Namaste, Guten Tag!
I'm Sonal from India, living in Germany and exploring Europe. I've been writing about my travels since 2015. I often travel alone (and sometimes with family of 3).
I love European city breaks, nature, adventure, hiking to viewpoints, Yoga, and road trips. I have a think for creating the most amazing travel itineraries and in-depth destination guides which will help you make the most of your trip.
That is the most comprehensive collection of beautiful pictures from Bali… thanks for sharing and featuring….desi Traveler too… 🙂
Hi Prasad, I’m glad you like this post.. and you’re welcome 🙂
I thought the same – beautiful collection 🙂
Thank you Jana, glad you like this collection. <3 <3
I will be visiting Bali in April and look forward to seeing the beautiful sites in your article. I can’t wait!
April is a good time for Bali. You will have a lot of fun!
Nice pictures! I will be going back to Bali soon. Definitely will check the waterfall spot .
Hope you have a good time! I wish I could also go back to Bali.
Loved all the pictures. Such beautiful spots. Your post took me back to my time in Bali. Thanks Sonal 🙂
Hey Deepika, thank you for reading this and I’m so happy that my post took you back to your time in Bali. I wanted to go back to Bali while writing this. 🙂
These pictures are stunning! I am loving my time here in Bali so far. If anyone is coming to Bali within the next year, they must have a look at this charity auction for incredible deals! http://www.biddingowl.com/BoogieWonderland
Thank you, I will check it out.
Fantastic….inspiring and refreshing scenes,locations….God bless you
Thank you Tomy, I’m glad you like them. 🙂
Wow, I never thought Bali could get more than this. Thanks for sharing and by the way, your photos are amazing! The swimming pool inside Ku-de-ta,,..I just want to dip in!
Thanks Shenna, actually there is more to Bali than these pictures. There are a lot of pretty places but I just posted about 20. 🙂
This is awesome. We are in Bali now and will check out your suggestions. Thanks so much!
You’re welcome Rachel, I hope you enjoy your time in Bali. 🙂
Love these pics – so much inspiration here 🙂
Hey Jo, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you love the pictures. 🙂 Bali is just so pretty!
Hey! I`m going to Bali this summer, and this post made me want to visit all of these places. Thank you for the beautiful pictures 🙂
Thank you! Glad you like it 🙂
Wow! Great pictures, thanks for sharing it
Stay positive 🙂 and continue with the amazing work
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it.
Beautiful and stunning pics. Was it easy getting to these sites as I will be there in September?
Hi Katherine, thank you. Yes it is easy but sometimes the waterfall one is not so easy to reach. Do check the weather forecast and ask locals before you go. 🙂
Hey just want to correct you a bit on the bamboo forrest, I believe picture no 1,2,4 were taken in W hotel entrance alley (petitenget, seminyak area). Other than that, cool compilation there! Thanks for showing our Bali so much love 😊
Hi Ness, thank you! Actually no, they were not taken in W hotel, but actually Bamboo forest that is right next to Penglipuran village by my friends. We all visited Indonesia together as Instagram influencers and they clicked these pictures in front of me. 🙂 I also clicked a few pictures there but were not as good as theirs. It is possible that W hotel (never been there) has a similar entrance.
The second pic is most definitely the entrance to the W hotel in seminyak. You can see the buggy they use to ferry guests back and forth plus the lights at the side of the road. Other pics also look very very similar but as you say I believe they are a different place.
Now seeing your photos I need to go back to Bali and visit these spots. My blog post for Bali is not yet online… Thanks for sharing. I’ve subscribed to your emails.
Hi Nicola, thanks for subscribing to our emails. 🙂 And so happy to see your kind words. Bali is gorgeous and I thought it would be overrated but wasn’t. I’d love to see your Bali post, so please share it here when you’re done.
WOW. beautiful pictures. I want to go to Bali just for the stunning temples.
Thanks Olivia 🙂 yeah Bali is really stunning and peaceful. I love the temples and the sounds of prayer there.
I just went to Bali in April and your pictures made me wanna go back soon! Those pictures are just amazing!
Hi Allison, I’d love to go back to Bali too and this time find a few more spots. 🙂
Many thanks for this article and the included pictures. You just made my upcoming trip to Bali easier to plan.
I will we spending nearly 3 weeks there from Kuta up to Lovina Beach and then back down to Ubud before coming home to Montréal. I’m taking your list of spots to visit along with me.
You’re welcome Réjean. Good to know that you find our list useful. Spending three weeks in Bali sounds perfect!
Hi. We are planning to visit Bali in April. But we’re considering grand Hyatt , nusa dua. How far is everything in Bali. Can we still visit all these places. We staying for jus 5 days
Hello! Such a beautiful and informative blog. I will be in Bali in two weeks. Do you have some tips on how to see this ”top 10”? Is there any full-day tour packages that offers sight-seing to this “top 10”?
Regards,
Sherry
Hi Sherry, thank you for dropping by. No at the moment we don’t know of any single tour operator that offers packages to this top 10 list, however we have inserted tripadvisor links for some tour operators for most of these points. 🙂 Check them out.
Hi. We are planning to visit Bali in April. But we’re considering grand Hyatt , nusa dua. How far is everything in Bali. Can we still visit all these places. We staying for jus 5 days
Hi GK, you can do all these places in 5 days but it will be very rushed. We recommend you rent a car and combine some of them and remove a few. E.g. – you can do Penglipuran Village (2), Bamboo Forest (3) and Pura Tirta Empul (6) on the same day and then have lunch in Ubud (4). Number 2 and 3 are literally next to each other! You can remove a few waterfalls from the list – check the weather conditions before you go to see which waterfall makes more sense as per your route. 🙂 Have fun in Bali!
These pictures are absolutely Beautiful. We are headed to Bali in May 2019. Did you have any concerns with safety or Bali belly ?
Hi Denise, I felt really safe while I was in Bali and no “Bali Belly” – maybe because I’m from India and my stomach has toughened up eating Indian street food. 🙂 Our group had people from many countries – Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and none of them had stomach problems.
hi. planning to travel Bali but would like to ask you a question. is the list of attractions you mentioned here can be visited if ever i book manila-denpasar? are these places land travel only once i reach Bali?
This is just awesome..U nailed it!…Lots of love from me …make more top 10 beautiful destinations like dis😃😍😍😘