7 Best Places to Visit in Bali: My Honest Ranking (2026)

If you’re planning a trip to Bali, one of the hardest things is deciding where to go. Bali is much bigger and more varied than it looks, and every area has a completely different atmosphere.

After travelling around Bali myself, I realised that some places were much more my style than others. Some had incredible nature, some were perfect for meeting people, and some were simply too touristy or overhyped for me.

So instead of giving you another generic list of the “best” places in Bali, here is my personal ranking of the best places to visit in Bali, based on my own experience.

A small note before we start: Nusa Penida, Gili Air and Gili Trawangan are not technically part of Bali. However, they are extremely common additions to a Bali backpacking itinerary, so I included them because I visited them during the same trip.

If you’re still deciding whether Bali is the right destination for your trip, read my honest guide on whether Bali is worth visiting before planning your itinerary.

My 7 Favourite Places in Bali

Uluwatu & Bingin
Nusa Penida
Gili Air
Ubud
Mount Batur
Gili Trawangan
Canggu

1. Uluwatu & Bingin

My favourite place in Bali.

If I had to choose just one area to return to, it would probably be Uluwatu.

The area around Uluwatu and Bingin has that combination I personally love when travelling: beautiful beaches, incredible sunsets, nice cafés and restaurants, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of places to stay.

Bingin in particular was one of the highlights of my trip. I stayed at Lautan Biru Bingin, and honestly, it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed. The accommodation itself was a huge part of why I loved my time there.

But it wasn’t only the accommodation. I loved the general atmosphere of the area too.

Uluwatu has plenty of beaches to explore, beautiful cliff views and some great sunset spots. It also feels a little less chaotic than some of the busier parts of Bali.

If you’re looking for somewhere that combines beaches, good food, sunsets and a more relaxed Bali atmosphere, I would definitely put Uluwatu high on your list.

Want to explore this area in more detail? Check out my Uluwatu travel guide for the best beaches, things to do and local tips.

My tip

If you’re deciding where to stay in Uluwatu, have a look around Bingin as well. I absolutely loved staying there and would happily return.

If you’re not sure where to base yourself, I’ve also written a guide on where to stay in Uluwatu, including the different areas and accommodation options.

2. Nusa Penida

Incredibly beautiful, but very touristy.

Nusa Penida was probably the most impressive place I visited in terms of scenery.

The island is absolutely beautiful. Think dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, viewpoints and beaches that look almost unreal in photos.

But there is a downside: Nusa Penida is very touristy.

I stayed at Spice Trader, which I really loved, and spent a few days exploring the island with a local driver.

And honestly, I would recommend getting a driver if you’re not completely confident driving yourself around.

Some of my friends rented scooters and, in their words, were basically driving around like headless chickens. They didn’t really know where they were going and ended up seeing less than I did.

A local driver meant I could just tell him where I wanted to go and focus on enjoying the island.

If you want to know more about the island, have a look at my complete Nusa Penida travel guide, where I share the best things to do, where I stayed and practical tips from my visit.

Saar at Kelingking Beach after hiking down the cliffs in Nusa Penida

Be prepared for the stairs

One thing I definitely underestimated was how physically demanding some of the attractions can be.

Places like Kelingking Beach, Crystal Bay and the famous Treehouse involve a lot of walking and stairs. Some paths are also much less developed than you might expect.

At one point I was literally wearing slippers and carrying a tote bag while trying to get down one of the paths. Definitely not my smartest travel decision.

So if you’re visiting Nusa Penida, wear proper shoes and don’t underestimate the hikes.

Would I visit again?

Yes.

Even though it was touristy, the scenery was incredible and I still think Nusa Penida is one of the best places to visit around Bali.

3. Gili Air

Beautiful, relaxed and one of my favourites.

Gili Air isn’t technically part of Bali either, it is one of the Gili Islands off Lombok, but it is such a popular stop on Bali backpacking routes that I had to include it.

And honestly, I loved Gili Air.

Sunset at My Happy Place on Gili Air, Indonesia

It has beautiful beaches, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of things to do without feeling like you’re constantly surrounded by massive crowds.

You can spend your days swimming, relaxing on the beach, doing yoga, joining a cooking workshop or simply walking around the island.

It felt much more relaxed to me than Gili T.

If you’re looking for a place where you can slow down for a few days but still have enough activities and other travellers around you, Gili Air is a great option.

I wrote a separate Gili Air travel guide with my favourite things to do, where to stay and what to expect when visiting the island.

4. Ubud

The best place for culture, nature and things to do.

Ubud is probably one of the most obvious answers when people talk about Bali, but I understand why.

There is simply so much to do in and around Ubud.

You can visit rice terraces, waterfalls, temples and the Monkey Forest, wander through markets, try different cafés and restaurants, visit art galleries or join a yoga class.

You can also get out of the centre and explore smaller villages and more peaceful parts of the area.

The downside is that Ubud itself can be very busy and touristy, especially around the centre.

Still, I think it’s somewhere you should experience at least once when visiting Bali.

If you like culture, nature, food and having lots of activities to choose from, Ubud is hard to beat.

Still wondering whether Ubud deserves a spot on your itinerary? Read my honest review on whether Ubud is worth visiting.

5. Mount Batur

An experience rather than a place to stay.

Okay, Mount Batur isn’t really a destination where you spend several days, but I wanted to include it because it was one of the most memorable experiences of my Bali trip.

The idea is simple: you leave in the middle of the night, hike up Mount Batur in the dark and hopefully arrive at the top in time for sunrise.

And I say hopefully because sunrise isn’t guaranteed to be spectacular.

When I did the hike, there were quite a lot of clouds, so the sunrise itself was honestly a little disappointing.

The hike itself was also really hard.

You’re climbing in the dark, you’re tired, and at some points you are wondering why you thought this was a good idea.

But reaching the top still felt incredibly satisfying.

For me, it was one of those experiences where you’re exhausted afterwards but also weirdly proud of yourself.

So don’t expect a guaranteed magical sunrise, but if you enjoy hiking and challenging yourself, I think Mount Batur is worth doing.

I’ve shared my full experience, including what the sunrise hike was really like, in my guide on whether Mount Batur is worth visiting.

Sunrise over Mount Batur in Bali after an early morning hike

6. Gili Trawangan

Beautiful island, but the party scene wasn’t really for me.

Gili T is another place that gets included in almost every Bali backpacking itinerary.

And yes, it is beautiful.

The beaches are lovely, the water is clear and there are plenty of restaurants, bars and places to stay.

But Gili T is also known for its party scene, and that was not really my thing.

The island felt more polished and party-focused to me than Gili Air. If you’re travelling specifically because you want nightlife and want to meet lots of other backpackers, you’ll probably have a great time here.

Friends partying on Gili T, Indonesia, captured on a disposable camera

But if you’re looking for a quieter island experience, I would personally choose Gili Air instead.

Want to know more before choosing between the two islands? Read my Gili Trawangan travel guide and my honest review of whether Gili T is worth visiting.

7. Canggu

My least favourite, but I still understand why people love it.

And now we get to my controversial one: Canggu.

Canggu was my least favourite place in Bali.

That doesn’t mean I hated it. I actually still had a good time there, and I would probably return for a few nights.

There are loads of cafés, restaurants, bars, beach clubs and places to go out. If you want nightlife and a very social backpacker atmosphere, Canggu definitely delivers.

But personally, I found it overhyped.

My accommodation wasn’t great, the area felt very busy, and compared with places like Uluwatu and Nusa Penida, I didn’t find the nature nearly as impressive.

It also has a very different atmosphere from the Bali I personally loved.

That said, I would still recommend spending around 2–3 nights in Canggu, especially if you’re interested in nightlife, cafés and meeting other travellers.

Just don’t expect it to be my favourite place on the island.

If you’re planning to visit anyway, check out my Canggu travel guide for the best things to do, cafés, beaches and practical tips.

Riding a scooter in Bali after an Australia trip, showing why a backpack can be useful beyond a backpack vs suitcase Australia East Coast journey.

My Bali Ranking at a Glance

Place	My opinion
Uluwatu & Bingin	⭐ My favourite
Nusa Penida	⭐ Incredible scenery, but touristy
Gili Air	⭐ Beautiful and relaxed
Ubud	⭐ Lots to see and do
Mount Batur	⭐ Great experience, difficult hike
Gili T	⭐ Beautiful, but too party-focused for me
Canggu	⭐ My least favourite, but still worth visiting

So, Where Should You Go in Bali?

If this is your first trip to Bali, I wouldn’t try to squeeze every single place into one itinerary.

Instead, choose destinations based on what you actually enjoy.

For beaches and sunsets: Uluwatu & Bingin

For dramatic nature: Nusa Penida

For a relaxed island: Gili Air

For culture and activities: Ubud

For an adventure: Mount Batur

For partying: Gili Trawangan or Canggu

For cafés, nightlife and a social atmosphere: Canggu

Personally, if I had to choose only three, I would go for Uluwatu/Bingin, Nusa Penida and Gili Air.

Those three gave me the best combination of beautiful scenery, relaxed moments and memorable experiences.

To make planning easier, I’ve also written a guide on how long you need in Bali and another one explaining how to get around Bali.

Final Thoughts

Bali is one of those destinations where you can have a completely different experience depending on where you stay.

I absolutely loved my time there, but I also think it’s important to be honest about the places that didn’t impress me as much.

For me, Uluwatu and Bingin were the clear winners, while Canggu was my least favourite. Nusa Penida was probably the most visually impressive, while Gili Air was one of the places where I felt most relaxed.

And that’s exactly why I wouldn’t say there is one objectively “best” place in Bali.

It really depends on what you’re looking for.

If you’re planning your own Bali trip, you can also check out my other Bali guides for how to get around Bali, the best time to visit, how long you need and whether Bali is actually worth visiting.

Planning a Trip to Indonesia?

I’ve written more Indonesia travel guides based on my own experiences, including destinations, stays and things I actually did during my trip.

If you’re planning your own Indonesia adventure, check out my Indonesia travel guides for more honest travel tips, places to visit and ideas for your itinerary.

→ START HERE: Indonesia travel guide

OR START BY AREA

→ BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
→ LOMBOK TRAVEL GUIDE

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How to Get Around Bali: Transport Guide for First-Time Visitors
Canggu vs Uluwatu: Which Is Better in Bali?
Is Indonesia Safe for Solo Female Travel? My Honest Experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to visit in Bali?

My personal favourites are Uluwatu and Bingin, Nusa Penida, Gili Air and Ubud. Each offers something different, from beaches and sunsets to nature, culture and nightlife.

Where should I go in Bali for the first time?

For a first trip, I would combine Uluwatu/Bingin, Ubud and Nusa Penida. If you have extra time, adding Gili Air is a great option for a more relaxed island experience.

Is Nusa Penida worth visiting?

Yes. Nusa Penida has some of the most impressive scenery I saw during my Indonesia trip. It is touristy and some attractions are physically demanding, but I still think it is worth visiting.

Is Gili Air better than Gili T?

For me, yes. I preferred Gili Air because it felt more relaxed. Gili T is a better choice if partying and nightlife are your main priorities.

Is Canggu worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy cafés, restaurants, nightlife and meeting other travellers. It wasn’t my favourite place in Bali, but I still think 2–3 nights can be worthwhile.

How many days do you need in Bali?

I would recommend at least 7–10 days if you want to experience several different parts of Bali without rushing. With two weeks or more, you can add places such as Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands.

What is the best place to stay in Bali?

It depends on your travel style. I personally loved Bingin/Uluwatu for its beaches, sunsets, food and atmosphere. Ubud is better for culture and activities, while Canggu is popular for nightlife and cafés.

Is Bali good for backpackers?

Absolutely. Bali has a huge backpacker scene, lots of hostels, affordable accommodation, organised activities and plenty of opportunities to meet other travellers.

What is the best place in Bali for nightlife?

Canggu is one of the best choices if you want lots of bars, beach clubs and nightlife. Gili T is another popular option, especially among backpackers looking for a party atmosphere.

Is Mount Batur worth visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy hiking and don’t mind a difficult early-morning climb. The sunrise can be affected by clouds, so I wouldn’t book the hike expecting a guaranteed perfect sunrise, but the experience itself can still be very rewarding.

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7 Best Places to Visit in Bali: My Honest Ranking

My 7 Favourite Places in Bali