Where to go in Bali

Surrounded by verdant rice terraces and the ever-present tinkle of traditional gamelan music, Ubud has long been the island's cultural and spiritual heart. Artisanal markets, traditional Kecak dance performances and ornate temples paint a vivid tableau of Balinese life, and visitors are welcomed into a world of mindful yoga retreats, beautiful restaurants, and the famous - and very enchanting - Sacred Monkey Forest where the macaques live. Beyond the streets, Ubud unfolds into a landscape of iridescent-green rice fields dotted with conical-hatted workers. Hike or bike across them, stopping at the many ancient temples, before heading back to town to eat in an organic café by the river, catch a traditional dance performance, or to try your hand at batik, wood carving or basketry.

When it comes to natural and cultural wonders, Eastern Bali is blessed. It’s also a million miles away from the rest of the island in terms of tourism, peace and serenity, but you don’t have to travel for hours to get there; in fact, the resort town of Candidasa, the official start of ‘East Bali’ is only an hour’s drive from the airport. Black sand beaches adorn the coast, their waters offering diving and snorkelling to rival anywhere else in Bali, whilst the interior is mostly rice paddies that sweep across the fields in carpets of green. There are plenty of temples dotted around too; visit Lempuyang for the best views of Mount Agung (the highest volcano in Bali), and Besakih, a beautiful complex of over 85 temples and shrines. As you travel around, stop at the traditional villages; the people here fiercely protect their customs and crafts and it’s an insightful glimpse into the history of East Bali.

High in the hills of northern Bali, Munduk is an oasis that feels a million miles away from the bustling coast. Lush plantations of coffee, cacao, clove and vanilla stretch as far as the eye can see, often shrouded in mist, which only adds to the ethereal atmosphere. Waterfalls are big business up here and there are at least 10 to visit in the area, each as beautiful as the one before. The mysterious floating Ulun Danu Bratan Temple on the shores of Lake Bratan is also well worth a visit – it’s especially beautiful at sunrise – and for the intrepid, the hiking is outstanding. Rise and shine early to watch the sunrise from Mount Batur, a 1,700-metre climb, or embark on the stunning Twin Lake walk for unspoiled views of the two perfectly-photogenic highland lakes, Danau Tamblingan and Danau Buyan. For something more serene, kayak or canoe across them and gaze up at the scenery.

A sparkling gem on the southwestern tip of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is famed for its limestone cliff and white sand panoramas – and its big-league waves. Surfers from all over the world come here for the surf breaks but if you don’t fancy joining them, head to one of the cliff-side restaurants or cafes to watch, cocktail in hand. Padang Padang, a gorgeous beach notched into the limestone, is another iconic hang out for the surfers but it’s also great for a swim and a lounge – and you might even recognise the scenery from the film Eat, Pray, Love. You’ll also spot Uluwatu Temple in the distance, one of Bali’s most iconic sea temples that gazes over the ocean some 70 metres below from its clifftop perch. Visit at sunset for the best views and then catch a traditional Kecak dance performance, accompanied by the chanting of male dancers.

The most high-end of Bali’s beaches is also one of its most handsome, with its long ribbon of flour-like sand, twin, temple-topped islands (Nusa Dua means ‘two islands’) and verdant mangroves. It’s another surfing hotspot and there are plenty of big-wave thrill-seekers around, but there’s also an excellent golf course nearby and some of the coast’s best five-star and family-friendly resorts, attracting a slightly quieter crowd too. In fact, Nusa Dua is one of the most tranquil beaches on the island and it’s gin-clear waters are perfect for relaxed snorkelling, sunbathing and swimming. If you’re here, you’re probably staying in a resort so make the most of the activities on offer but if you’re looking for something hardier, head north to Tanjung Benoa for jetskiing, parasiling, SUPing, wakeboarding and just about everything else you can imagine.

If beach time for you goes hand in hand with long, lazy seafood lunches, ice creams and sorbets on the sand, and barbecued snacks whenever the mood takes you, then Jimbaran is the beach for you. A foodie haven, the four-kilometre arch of golden sand is pretty, clean, and packed with eclectic places to eat, drink and generally be merry. In the evenings, things get even better when the beach loungers are replaced with dinner tables and chairs and the sweet scent of grilled lobster fills the air. But, if you’re just here to enjoy the waves, Jimbaran complies. The bay is protected by an unbroken coral reef and the turquoise water is mellow, calm and perfect for body boarding and snorkelling. Just along the coast is Tegal Wangi, a hidden sliver of sand with jacuzzi-sized pools lining the shore; hop in and enjoy your natural hot tub with a blissful view of the ocean beyond.

With sun-soaked, swimmable beaches, little traffic and a smattering of relaxed cafes, Sanur is a low-key alternative to Bali's often bustling beach destinations. Days are spent watching traditional jukung fishing boats bobbing in the bay or cycling along the beachfront promenade, before tucking into the catch of the day at a local restaurant. Protected by offshore reefs, the calm waters are perfect for snorkelling, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, and you can also release turtle hatchlings on nearby Turtle Island. If you manage to drag yourself away from the beach, pay a visit to one of the oldest temples in Bali or shop until you drop at the overflowing stalls of Sindhu Market. And if that still won’t do, one of the fabulous spas may be calling your name.

Part of the greater West Bali National Park, Menjangan is a white-sand idyll just off the northern coast of the island, named after the local deer (menjangan) who swim across the mellow waters from the Prapat Agung Peninsula every spring. The island is renowned for its dramatic diving and snorkelling opportunities and the waters are clear, calm, and filled with exotic coral gardens, their fringes filled with fish not found anywhere else in the world. There are no residents on the island itself – aside from 16 Hindu monks that live in three temples – and most visitors stay in Pemuteran, the gateway to the island on the mainland. It’s a quiet bay of black sand beaches backed by towering escarpments and craggy mountains and incredibly close to Java, which can be seen in some of the unique architecture.

In the shadow of Mount Agung, this secret slice of Bali is a juicy hideout of terraced rice paddies, taro and peanut fields and lush, thick jungle. It’s an authentic and wholesome piece of the island and you’ll spend your days at a slower pace, swimming in hidden pools and scouring the local markets for goodies. One of the highlights is exploring the rice paddies, either on foot or by scooter, especially in the cooler mornings when the colours are vivid and the rivers trickle peacefully. You can go solo, but taking a guide with you is a wonderful insight into Balinese culture – and you’re supporting the local economy. There are also some stunning waterfalls to swim in, villages to stop at to browse local textiles and sarongs, and the canary-yellow Jembatan Kuning bridge is a good viewpoint. At the end of the day, head back to your bamboo house, an icon of Sidemen, and gaze out at the unspoiled landscape.

If a beach could be described as chic, you would find it in the Canggu region of southwestern Bali, a pretty area of black sands, bluer-than-blue waters and wedding-cake tiers of lush rice paddies beyond. Once a hush-hush hideaway, the area is now one of Bali’s most popular beach spots and a fabulous crop of restaurants – some of which wouldn’t look out of place in Europe – sleek beach clubs, and delicious boutiques have appeared in a steady trickle. Wellness is also a big deal and you’ll find Yin yoga classes on the beach and plenty of meditation studios, whilst outdoor pursuits include bike rides through the paddy fields, horse rides on the beach and of course, surfing. Canggu’s raison d’être, some of the best surf spots in Bali are found here and every morning you’ll spot a procession of pros heading for the back line to catch sunrise from the water. If you’re not quite up for joining them, book a lesson to kickstart your skills – after a cold-press coffee and a smoothie bowl, of course.

For the hottest beach vibes in Bali – and an excellent dose of chilled-out, toes-in-the-sand restaurants – Seminyak has been luring travellers for years. One of the best-known beach areas on the island, it’s is part of a sweeping, six-kilometre strip of whitewashed sand that extends south all the way to Kuta. The lack of roads to Seminyak, however, means the beaches up here are much less crowded and in fact, Seminyak sometimes feels like a different island all together from bustling Kuta and Legian. There are beautiful boutiques to browse, plenty of feel good activities to enjoy from surf lessons to sunrise yoga, oceanfront spots to lounge upon, and, in the evening, a variety of seriously-sleek beach clubs from which to watch the sun go down.