Things to do in Bali

Private full-day experience into authentic Balinese life

Life moves at a gentler pace in the Balinese countryside, where family compounds, rice paddies and sacred temples shape everyday life. “The rice fields teach us patience,” says Wayan, our local guide, “everything grows in its own time.” That philosophy sets the tone for this intimate look at authentic Balinese life, beginning with a welcome drink and an introduction to the customs that still guide village life today. Palm reading offers a fascinating glimpse into Balinese spiritual practices around personality and destiny. The Melukat purification ritual at Pura Taman Beji follows, where sacred stream water and traditional blessings create a moment of genuine peace you won't forget.The landscape does most of the talking as you wander through working rice paddies. You might spot farmers going about their day, tending crops with techniques that haven't changed in centuries. The air carries the scent of earth and growing things, and the only sounds are birdsong and rustling leaves. Your private picnic lunch places you right in the middle of it all, with fresh local flavours and the kind of quiet that's hard to find these days.Before heading back to your hotel, there's time for one last relaxed stop for coffee, prepared exactly how you like it, whether you're sipping a cappuccino, latte, or iced Americano, it's a chance to soak up Bali's slower vibes a little longer.

Full-day Salak Agro 4x4 tour with temple visit and cooking class

Get ready for a day of culture and adventure on this full-day guided tour along the Salak Agro Jeep Village Trail. You'll start with a warm welcome and a glass of freshly pressed salak juice – a sweet, tangy fruit native to Indonesia. Then, there's a quick safety-and-trip briefing before you head out. As Wayan, one of our local guides, puts it “you haven't really seen the village until you've been to the village temple and had a look behind the scenes at the arak house.”So, that's where you're off first. A short trek takes you to the village temple, a place central to village life, where ceremonies and festivals take place. You can check out its traditional architecture, like its intricately carved stone gates, and learn about Balinese Hinduism. Next, it's the arak house, where you'll be welcomed in by the scent of fermenting fruit and the warmth of fire-heated stills. Here, you'll see how the traditional Balinese spirit is made using fermented spa or rice, distilled with age-old techniques passed down through generations.Then, hop into a vintage off-road vehicle and head to the salak plantation. Roll up your sleeves and dive into salak farming, helping to gather ingredients for your cooking class. Guided by the local team, you'll learn to whip up dishes like timbungan, seasoned meat cooked inside bamboo tubes, grilled satay, and tum, which is steamed chicken or tofu wrapped in banana leaves. Once everything's prepared, you'll tuck into your dishes for lunch. In the afternoon, head to a scenic hilltop with views of Mount Agung and stop for a cup of local coffee before starting the return journey.

Coral restoration snorkelling tour in Bali with lunch

Off the east coast of Bali there's a team who are working to restore the delicate coral reef, and you can help them make it happen. Livingseas in Padangbai, supported by the TUI Care Foundation, run the project and are aiming to build a coral reef the size of seven football pitches in the Bali Sea. It's a hands-on trip where you have the chance to support the local conservation of one of the island's most important ecosystems. We're talking sun, sea and snorkelling, plus plenty of feel-good vibes. Wayan, a local expert guide, says, “this is a very special snorkelling trip. As well as seeing the beauty of the corals up close, you'll be helping to rebuild the coral seabed for future travellers to enjoy.” You'll head out on a short boat ride to a purpose-built floating platform that's anchored above the largest coral reef restoration site in Bali. Your guide will teach you all about the corals and show you how to attach the delicate coral fragments to metal reef stars that are woven together on the seabed to help regenerate the reef.Then, don your mask and snorkel to explore the reef for yourself. You're likely to spot clownfish, parrotfish and maybe even a few rays. Then, for a real ‘pinch me' moment, you'll get a great view of the divers attaching the newest pieces of reef that you've just created. After a quick boat ride back, you can tuck into lunch with your group as you wonder which type of fish will be the first to adopt your coral star as their new home.

Bali Temples Trail and Rice Terraces Private Full Day Tour

The soul of Bali will be revealed on this private adventure for you and your party, weaving through the island's vibrant culture and verdant landscapes, taking in some of its finest temples and most beguiling scenery.Kick off with a visit to Taman Ayun, a temple steeped in royal history in Mengwi. Built in 1634 by a king of the Mengwi dynasty, this temple is a marvel, sitting on an islet surrounded by a man-made lake. As the journey unfolds, find yourself enveloped by the misty embrace of Bali's central highlands at the Batukaru temple. Resting on Mount Batukaru's slopes, it's a sanctuary of peace and a symbol of Bali's deep-rooted spirituality.The route then leads you through a tapestry of jungle greenery, to the doorstep of Jatiluwih village. Here, the UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces unfold in panorama of emerald green, showcasing Bali's agricultural heritage. After lunch with a view, you'll head to the iconic Tanah Lot Temple, silhouetted against the ocean.

Bali guided tour with Jatiluwih rice terraces and optional lunch

This tour ticks all the boxes for a great day out in nature. A jam-packed outing with visits to a butterfly park, the Jatiluwih rice terraces and Leke-Leke Waterfall to name a few. And, to top it off, a tasty lunch is thrown in, too. Our expert local guide, Nuri, says “the rice terraces at Jatiluwih Village are among the most beautiful in the world, maintained by a traditional and ecological irrigation system used since the 9th century, the Subak system, a practice unique to Bali that incorporates philosophical and spiritual beliefs.”Start the day off wandering around Bali's Butterfly Park in Tabanan, a butterfly and insect conservation area with hundreds of butterflies, including some rare Indonesian species like the birdwing, Bali peacock and the paradise birdwing. Take a stroll through maze-like gardens as you take in the colourful insects fluttering around you. Then, you'll stop by the Jatiluwih rice terraces, which boast UNESCO World Heritage Site status.Continue into the countryside and you'll head to the mountain resort of Bedugul and Lake Beratan. Here, you'll discover the iconic Hindu Shaivite temple of Ulun Danu. Sat on a small viewpoint overlooking the lake, the temple is home to the Goddess of Waters named Danu, who's believed to control the island's irrigation system. Finally, you'll visit Leke-Leke Waterfall, a peaceful cascade that's tucked away in northen Bali's jungle. After a stop for pictures and some time to unwind, you'll start the journey back to your accommodation.

Bali Great Introduction

See all the traditions of ancient Bali brought to life on this fascinating tour. In the village of Batu Bulan you'll witness a colourful Barong and Kris dance performance – a tradition taken from a Hindu story of good versus evil. After, we'll continue to the craft village of Celuk, well known for its silverware. There will also be a stop in Mas, a small town where you can browse local artisan stores selling woodwork.Before lunch, we'll be dropping in at the Elephant Cave of Goa Gajah – one of the most important spiritual monuments in the country. Then it's time for something to eat in Kintamani, popular for its grandstand views of Mount Batur – an active volcano.Once you're refuelled, depart for the village of Tegallalang where you'll discover its iconic rice terraces – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – before wrapping things up and making your way back to your hotel.

Nusa Penida island highlights with lunch and no transfer

Indonesia is home to some of the world's most beautiful island scenery, so take full advantage and venture beyond Bali for the day with a visit to Nusa Penida Island. After a short boat ride across the water, you'll begin your guided tour on the east side of the island, taking in the sandy bays and dramatic cliffs of Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach. Head to a local restaurant for a Balinese lunch before Nusa Penida's west coast takes centre stage. It's an afternoon of impressive rock formations at Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach, finishing with the most iconic headland on the island, Kelingking Beach, known for its T-Rex-shaped coastline. Take the boat back to Bali after a day of island adventure and get back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Half-day Denpasar heritage walking tour in Bali - Ticket

Bali's capital, Denpasar, is packed with incense-filled temples, neighbourhood cafés and eclectic markets – it's also where you'll find an authentic slice of Indonesian life, away from the resorts. After a private transfer, you'll meet your guide and spend four hours exploring the city's oldest streets, where Chinese, Arab, Indian, Javanese and Balinese influences have mixed for generations.Your first stops are Badung Market and neighbouring Kumbasari Market. You'll wander bustling aisles filled with fresh mangoes, leafy greens and colourful spices before crossing the river to browse stalls selling batik fabrics, wooden carvings and handmade jewellery. As you browse, your guide will share insights into the traditions, trade and communities that have shaped Denpasar.You'll continue with a visit to the centuries-old Maospahit Temple, famed for its distinctive red-brick architecture and links to the Majapahit Kingdom. Then it's on to Gang Kresek alley, where bold murals make you feel like you've wandered into an outdoor art gallery. Round off the experience with an hour at Nadhi Heritage, a beautifully restored 1970s building that's part café, part kitsch stationery shop. Relax with a local coffee or sweet teh tarik before your transfer back to your hotel.

Full-day snorkelling tour at Tulamben or Amed

Snorkelling in Bali offers a family‑friendly way to see vibrant coral reefs and marine life just below the surface. This tour is perfect for both beginners and confident swimmers, with guided sessions, surface intervals and a relaxed lunch break. You can also choose your location: Padang Bai for lively shallow reefs, Amed for soft corals and turtles, or Tulamben for the famous Liberty shipwreck and colourful marine life. It's a great way to explore Bali's underwater world.

Full-day Nusa Penida snorkelling adventure with lunch

Bali's warm, clear waters set the mood for a dreamy snorkel day around Nusa Penida. Three colourful reef stops, friendly fish everywhere and the chance to spot mantas make the ocean feel like a real‑life aquarium. With easygoing vibes, a scenic boat ride and plenty of time to float and explore, it's an underwater escape that just hits right.

Full-day snorkelling tour at Padang Bai

Snorkelling in Bali offers a family‑friendly way to see vibrant coral reefs and marine life just below the surface. This tour is perfect for both beginners and confident swimmers, with guided sessions, surface intervals and a relaxed lunch break. You can also choose your location: Padang Bai for lively shallow reefs, Amed for soft corals and turtles, or Tulamben for the famous Liberty shipwreck and colourful marine life. It's a great way to explore Bali's underwater world.

PADI Discover Scuba Diving course at Padang Bai

This full-day PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience gives you a first taste of scuba in Bali's calm waters. After a quick intro and time to get comfortable with your PADI-certified instructor, the adventure unfolds with two guided ocean dives. You can choose from three top dive sites: Padang Bai with colourful reefs and critters, Tulamben with its iconic Liberty wreck and beach‑entry sites, or Amed with black‑sand slopes and vibrant coral gardens. It's a fun and confidence‑building way to see Bali's rich marine life up close.