Bali is the most exciting place to visit. Making people come or even stay for a long time is magical. Many people want to visit Bali, and you might be the one. But, you still don’t know what Bali is known for or where you should go in Bali.
Here are 15 things that are popular in Bali. It can be a place you should come to, the food you should eat, and any experience you should try. Without further ado, let’s jump into the list!
15 Things That are Popular in Bali
What has come to your mind when you hear about Bali? Is it a temple, beach, or something else? So, in this article, we collected 15 things that are popular in Bali. Take a closer look!
1. Beach
There are many beautiful beaches in Bali. This island has the most famous coast which attracts travelers with its beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters, and wide range of activities.
Towering limestone cliffs lie beneath rocky shores, with long stretches of palm-fringed coastline and secluded coves. It includes the most popular beach spots, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and Sanur, and remote shores for relaxation.
Looking for a Bali beach with all kinds of activities? Legian is a good choice. A beach for exciting water sports? Tanjung Benoa is the answer. Conversely, honeymooners may prefer the quiet bay of Jimbaran or the remote Candidasa in eastern Bali.
2. Bali Safari and Marine Park
One of the best places in Bali to entertain all ages is the Bali Safari and Marine Park. This island wildlife and safari park is in Gianyar, which also features a water park, fun zone, and Amazing Bali Theater.
Ganesha Park, a mini-park with a giant statue of the elephant-headed god Ganesha, is also at this attraction. Tourists can come across bathing elephants in this area of the park. Whereas the inside part of the park is a temple called Pura Safari, where you can worship the Hindu Dharma.
Bali Safari is also home to over 1,000 amazing animals. It’s the perfect place for an adventurous, fun, and educational experience beyond just a safari. Their park showcases over 120 species, including rare and endangered species such as Komodo dragons, orangutans, and barristers.
Today, Bali Safari Park is at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Indonesia. Bali Safari has been actively involved in ensuring future survival and welfare.
3. Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan are small islands located in Klungkung Regency. It is one of the tourist spots that make Bali famous worldwide. Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Sanur, this amazingly unique spot will keep you entertained.
You can visit some beautiful places in Nusa Penida, such as Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay, and Thousand Islands Viewpoint. Angel’s Billabong is a natural infinity pool with crystal clear water, surrounded by beautiful rock formations.
At Broken Beach, just a 5-minute walk away, you can take great pictures around the cove by the cave, which provides an excellent backdrop for the archway leading to the sea.
Head to Crystal Bay to snorkel and watch the spectacular sunset. The Thousand Islands Viewpoint is another crag surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush greenery offshore.
Moreover, Nusa Lembongan is best known for its beautiful underwater. In addition, it is also known as a place that provides big waves that surfers commonly use. World-class surfers flock to Nusa Lembongan to taste the enormous waves on this beautiful sea.
4. Temples
Temples are one of what Bali is best known for. Many people call Bali the “Islands of God” because there are many temples for people to pray.
The first temple that you should visit is Pura Lempuyang Luhur. It is a tiny temple complex along the Mount Lempuyang Trail that is also the highest, at the top of the mountain.
Going to this destination is a challenge, but determined explorers are rewarded with stunning views of Mount Agung to the west.
The second temple that you should visit is Tanah Lot Temple. A 30-40 minute drive from Seminyak, Tanah Lot is built on a large rock not far from the sea. At tall tide, the temple is separated from the terrain by water, making the best marvelous photography.
The third Balinese temple to visit is Tirta Empul, the most important and impressive water temple, just a 30-minute drive from Ubud. Tirta Empul has two clean basins, each filled with holy spring water. Hindu worshipers travel far to participate in stream bathing ceremonies.
5. Bali Swings
What Bali is most associated with, especially on social media, is the Bali swing. One of the most Instagrammable sites on the island, and for a good reason!
This place is very popular with honeymooners and is part of the Bali honeymoon package. Experience different swing levels and soar high into the air against a backdrop of lush greenery. Most Balinese swing spots also have props, such as giant nests and baskets for taking pictures with your loved ones.
There is no better place to take beautiful pictures than where you can soar high against the backdrop of the jungle scenery. The attraction is open until 5:00 PM daily. It is part of a theme park that offers a variety of tours, including rafting, quad biking, and a romantic time aboard a vintage Volkswagen.
6. Rice Terrace
Bali is best known for its unique rice terrace. It is located in Tegallalang, north of the center of Ubud. Along the main street of Jalan Raya Tegalalang, you’ll find stalls and art shops offering all sorts of objects, antiques, and small restaurants serving lunch and dinner with stunning views over the deep, lush valleys.
The Tegallalang rice terraces spread across the lower and opposite sides of the valley. You can not only look at it from above, but you can also go down and follow the path of the rice field to say hello to the farmers while looking at the rice field up close.
In addition, Bali also has a famous rice terrace in Tabanan, namely, Jatiluwih. The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are one of the most famous rice paddy landscapes.
The sprawling fields make up a sizable area of Tabanan Regency’s eponymous Highland Village, and the island’s southern beach can be a calm retreat from the crowds of his resort.
Once a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces cover 600 hectares and follow the rolling terrain of the Batukaru Mountains. They are maintained by traditional water management cooperatives called Subak, which date back to the 9th century.
The cooperatives are one of the main reasons Bali’s “Cultural Landscape” has been declared a World Heritage Site.
7. Kintamani
Kintamani is a mountain village in central Bali, home to Mount Batur, the second-highest mountain in Bali, and Lake Batur Caldera. Located in the Karangasem Regency in East Bali, the village is a popular tourist attraction thanks to viewpoints such as Penelokan, which aptly means ‘scenic stopover.’
Penelokan is the perfect spot for panoramic views, overlooking the dark lava slopes and the rugged features of black lava Batur. This volcano has erupted 24 times since 1800, transforming the landscape each time, and it is nonetheless active today.
The early sunrise over the ridge is a highlight, making the hill popular with walkers, who enjoy the morning vibes in this place.
8. Suckling Pig
One of the popular Balinese specialties is suckling pigs. Initially, suckling pig was only used for traditional or religious ceremonies. But now, we can find suckling pigs easily in various restaurants, stalls, and hotels in Bali.
Suckling Pig or better known as Babi Guling is made from the essential ingredients of a pig that stomach is filled with base genep (multiple spices) consisting of shallots, garlic, kencur (aromatic ginger), ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, palm sugar, salt, shrimp paste, bay leaf, and a little sour. Isn’t it mouthwatering?
9. Lawar
Lawar is a mixture of vegetables and seasoned minced meat from Bali. This food is commonly served in Balinese homes or sold in restaurants as Balinese lawar. It is made from boiled minced meat, vegetables, and spices such as turmeric, candlenuts, shallots, garlic, and coconut.
Some types of lawar may have a fusion of an element that enhances the flavor of the lawar, that is, blood from the meat itself. Lawar only lasts for a short time if left outdoors and only lasts half a day.
10. Betutu
Betutu could be a conventional Balinese dish made from an entirety of chicken or duck filled with flavors, at that point simmered in a husk fire.
Ayam betutu is a type of side dish made from cleaned chicken meat, then smeared with Balinese spices known as “base genep” all over the surface of the chicken meat and inserted the portion of it into the abdominal cavity.
Seasoned chicken meat is then boiled or grilled directly to produce a distinctive aroma—the unique fragrances due to heating which causes water and meat fat to evaporate.
The more steam generated, the stronger the aroma and the tastier it. According to Balinese tradition, betutu chicken is usually served during traditional ceremonies, such as odalan, otonan, or weddings.
11. Trunyan
Trunyan Village is in Kintamani District, Bangli Regency. Those who died there were neither buried nor cremated, but simply buried under the Taru Menyan tree. This tree can eliminate the smell of dead bodies there.
What’s interesting about the funeral traditions there, Pesona Friend. The number of bodies placed under Taru Menyan cannot exceed eleven people. In addition, several conditions must be met, die naturally, get married, and have entire limbs.
Those who die with the above provisions will be buried in a Mepasah (placed under Taru Menyan). The burial area is known as Sema Wayah.
However, there are two other areas if they need to meet the conditions above. They will also be buried at any other place outside of Sema Wayah. First, Sema Muda is for young children or adults who are not married. Second, Sema Bantas for those who died unnaturally or had incomplete limbs due to illness.
12. Traditions
Bali has many unique traditions. Balinese people are thick with big ceremonies, which are pretty complicated. However, this is what makes Bali different from other regions.
The Balinese still hold several traditions, such as the Ngaben tradition or the cremation ceremony of someone who has died to the Ogoh-Ogoh tradition every Nyepi Day.
Balinese people daily carry out prayer rituals with specific means to maintain the balance of nature, humans, and God.
13. Legong Dance
This traditional dance is a group of Balinese classical dances with a very complex vocabulary of movements tied to the accompaniment percussion structure, which is said to be the influence of gambuh.
Legong is derived from ‘leg’ which means flexible or flexible dance movement and ‘gong’ which means gamelan. “Legong”, therefore, refers to dance movements (especially accents) constrained by the accompanying gamelan.
The gamelan used for Legong dance is called Gamelan Semar Pagulingan. If you want to learn Balinese Dance, many places in Bali provide dance lessons, including this one.
14. Kecak Dance
In addition, Kecak Dance is one of the most popular dances in Bali. Kecak Dance is usually performed at Uluwatu Temple. Uluwatu Kecak Dance offers a holiday experience you will always remember.
Unique Balinese dance artwork combined with the natural beauty around the cliffs of Uluwatu Temple, the view of a purple twilight and sunset is very romantic and makes you enjoy Uluwatu and Kecak dance at the same time.
Make your Bali vacation the most memorable vacation story by attending and watching a performance at Uluwatu Temple. Uluwatu Temple is located in the tourist area of South Bali, around 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport.
It is also close to various attractions such as Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Dreamland Beach, Pandawa Beach, Padang Padang Beach, Tanjung Benoa Water Sports, and Jimbaran Seafood. In addition, there are multiple hotels, restaurants, and bars to visit before or after arriving at Uluwatu Temple.
15. Balinese Art
Bali’s dream destination immerses you in its culture and history through Balinese art. From painting and sculpture to music and dance, all are integral to Balinese cultural heritage and are prominently seen in various temples.
Travel between June and July if you want to attend the Bali Art Festival, a festival that immerses you in the traditions of Bali. Visit the village of Celuk for some unique silversmithing and jewelry created by skilled artisans who create exquisite pieces using craftsmanship passed down for generations.
Want to Visit Bali?
So that’s everything Bali is best known for that you should know. Do you want to visit Bali someday? You can save this article as a reference to make your holiday wishlist in Bali. So, let’s book a ticket now!
Baca juga: Alternatives to Bali in Indonesia: 9 Remarkable Places Are Worth a Visit!
