Many people plan their Bali vacation around laying on the beach. I’m all for that, as Bali really does have some great beaches. Actually, one of my favorite Indonesian phrases is “Santai di pantai” (relaxing on the beach). It’s so much fun to say! That being said, there are so many beautiful places to visit in Bali that you just have to get out of that beach chair for at least a few days. Here are a handful of great Bali day trips for you to check out on your trip.

Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Dance

One of the most popular Bali day trips is the amazing Uluwatu Temple. It’s located at the southern end of the Bukit peninsula on the edge of a cliff, which means you get incredible views off to the side. If you stick around for sunset, you can watch a kecak performance as well. See some highlights in this video:

The temple grounds are also home to some naughty monkeys. Actually, they’re everywhere in Bali…

Monkey Forests

From the cultural hub of Ubud, you can easily visit two different monkey forests. The more popular one is actually right in town and thus attracts far more visitors. The other – the Sanegh Monkey Forest – is about a 30-minute drive from town. Both feature temples and tons of Balinese long-tail monkeys. They’re friendly and are used to people; just don’t agitate them! You can see both monkey forests in these videos:

Pura Besakih – The Mother Temple

Bali is home to hundreds upon hundreds of temples, but none are more important than Pura Besakih. Located on the slops of Mt. Agung, it’s actually a complex of several temples. As a result, there are ceremonies going on here all throughout the year. Unfortunately, there are several scams related to tourists here, but if you know how to avoid them the temple is well worth a visit.

Taman Festival

Did you know that there’s an abandoned amusement park just up the road from the popular beach town of Sanur? Taman Festival was once a major tourist attraction, but it fell into disrepair after the bombings and the resulting hit that tourism took in Bali. It’s a fascinating place to explore, and a great way to do so is with the fine people at Sanur Cycle Tours.

Mt. Batur

For a truly epic adventure, head out in the middle of the night to hike up Mt. Batur to see the sunrise. The views up here are amazing and well worth all the effort. After that long hike, you can even go soak in a hot spring near the lake and enjoy lunch before heading back to wherever it is you’re staying.

Makepung Water Buffalo Races

If you visit Bali between July and November, you can head up the west coast to catch the water buffalo races known as Makepung. It’s a very local affair with thousands of people coming out. There are vendors selling snacks and drinks as well. Just be aware that the buffaloes are whipped pretty hard, so it might not be something you want to see if that would upset you.

Tanah Lot Temple

Another temple that’s popular for a day trip is Tanah Lot. This beautiful temple sits on a large offshore rock that has been shaped over the years by the ocean tide. There’s also a fascinating legend behind this temple. Learn about Balinese culture while learning some Indonesian language at the same time in this post and see what it looks like in the video:

Hidden Canyon and Waterfall

This day trip is a great 2-for-1, as they’re not too far from each other. Start off at the hidden canyon (it’s really not that hidden anymore), and then cruise over to the massive Tegenungan waterfall. You can swim at each, so be sure to bring your swimsuit and some sandals. Bring your camera as well, because these are beautiful places to photograph!

 

These are just a few of the options you have for day trips when visiting Bali. As you can see, there’s a lot more to the Island of the Gods than the beach! Include some natural wonders, temples, and even a volcano hike to mix it up and make your trip one you’ll never forget.

 

Have you ever done any day trips in Bali? Where did you go? Let us know in the comments!