Isolated at the southwestern tip of Bukit Peninsula, the temple stands at the edge of an abrupt headland overlooking the ocean from over 200m up ( uluwatu means "at the summit of the rocks"). Dedicated to the sea gods, it is also one of th..

Uluwatu is renowned not only for its fabulous temple but also for its waves, which attract the best surfers from around the world ( only the most experienced should attempt to take on these exhilarating but dangerous breakers ). From the road (2km fr..

This beautiful bay of white sand against a backdrop of cliffs hewn by erosion is named after astonishing mushroom-like coral formations visible in places. Teeming with multi-coloured fish, its turquoise lagoon is ideal for diving. Viewed from Jungutb..

Straddling two islets in the Bratan crater lake and seeming to float on water, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan represents quintessential Bali, with its meru roofs reflecting in the water against a backdrop of misty mountains. Away to the east is the summit o..

In the majestic shadow of Mount Agung, the unremarkable grey pebble beach of Tulamben is one of Bali’s main diving spots. Just offshore lies the wreck of the USS Liberty, an American cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese sub in 1942: a myriad colourful ..

Sub-aqua enthusiasts come to this island for its diving, the finest in Bali. Visibility is excellent (at its best between 10am and noon), and the variety of fish and corals extraordinary... Numerous sites close to shore suitable for beginners and sno..

Arriving from Praya, visitors are greeted by a splendid coastal view. The road then drops to Selongblanak , a fishing village sited on a huge sweeping expanse of sand, before heading east towards the hills and to beaches ideal for surfing: beyond th..

The serene temple is set in beautiful shady grounds in Mengwi, surrounded by water and embellished with a pond of lotuses. Cordoka Munggu, who had this sanctuary built (17C), transferred the capital of the Mengwi Kingdom here. The complex was restore..

A splendid view over the southeast coast of Bali with the silhouette of Mount Agung on the horizon... With its fishing boats and the odd bungalow, Jungutbatu is one of Bali’s most unspoilt beaches, little affected by the commercial encroachment evide..

Between Sayan and Kedewatan, the landscape becomes increasingly striking: shimmering in the sun, the verdant rice paddies drop in terraces down to the winding banks of the River Ayung (its turbulent waters are ideal for rafting). To best admire this ..

If heading for Mount Batur, or just seeking an outing (by bike perhaps) around Ubud, this lovely road heading northeast runs through a verdant landscape of shimmering rice paddies. It is also a chance to see charming temples (Pura Gunung Sawi Sebatu,..

This lovely ornithological park has waterfalls, lotus ponds, tropical flowers and trees, plus the world’s finest selection of Indonesian birds. It also has a variety of other species from around the world: multicoloured parrots, elegant birds of para..

Sited on the slopes of the sacred Mount Batukaru, Pura Luhur Batukaru emerges from a verdant backdrop often shrouded in mist. Amidst tree ferns, bamboo and banana trees, moss-covered sculptures are home to an extraordinary colony of butterflies. In t..

Bali’s highpoint (3 014m), a landmark in all views of the south and east of the island, the Agung volcano is the navel of the Balinese world: along with Mount Batur, it was born of the splitting in two of the mythical Mount Meru, the centre of the co..

Although built 1 000m up on its slopes, Mount Agung’s 1963 eruption miraculously spared Bali’s most sacred temple. Visitors should try to see one of the numerous ceremonies that take place here over the course of the year. Among this complex of 23 te..

In the pleasant town of Bangli, ancient capital of the Gelgel dynasty, the impressive Pura Kehen was the site of sovereigns’ coronations. It rises over eight terrace levels against a backdrop of lush greenery. Elephant statues greet visitors at the..

At the northern end of the lake, the picturesque village of Songan has a magnificently decorated pretty temple. Pura Ulun Dnu has superb multi-roofed meru at its threshold, at the foot of the fern covered caldeira slope. From there, on a fine day i..

A fine example of a subak temple – a temple associated with rice paddy irrigation systems – dedicated to the goddess Dewi Sri, forming part of the socio-agrarian and religious fabric of this culture. Northern Bali’s colourful Baroque style is in ev..

Bali’s sole national park covers the whole of the west of the island, some 190km2 centred on a mountainous region. It comprises multiple natural habitats: mangroves at its western end, tropical forest to the south of the mountains, and to their north..

Clinging to the southern tip of Bali by a narrow isthmus, Bukit Badung was in all probability an island before becoming a peninsula: its landscape, an undulating limestone plateau with dry vegetation, denotes the terraced and damp terrain of paddy fi..