Bali may be one of the most instagrammable places in the world. Full to the brim with stunning landscapes, relaxing spas, and beaches that can only described with eloquent beach quotes, this place is a photographer’s paradise. Which means there are just countless wonderful Instagram spots in Bali!
And while travel is not solely about the picture-perfect shots, Instagram does have a way of revealing the beautiful hidden gems of any given location.
So on your next trip to Bali, I highly recommend taking the time to check out these Insta-worthy spots. Not only for the benefit of your Instagram feed, but also for the benefit of your soul!
And for even more planning goodness, a reputable Bali travel guide like this one is a great place to start.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
Where to stay in Bali
Jero di Bisma Hostel: Homey and intimate hostel
I absolutely adored the small, family-owned hostel I stayed in while visiting Ubud. It’s called Jero di Bisma Hostel and has exceptional reviews for a reason. There are only 6 dorm beds in the building next to the family’s own home and they are the sweetest people who are happy to help you with anything you may need. Not to mention they cook a fabulous home-cooked breakfast every morning!
Seriously, consider staying at Jero di Bisma Hostel – you won’t regret it and it’s a great way to enjoy Ubud and see the best Instagram spots in Bali.
Alternative Beach: Hip + cool vibes
Hidden down a small lane right in the heart of Canggu, lies one of the chillest hang out spots with stunning rice terrace views. Alternative Beach is a great place for those seeking an ultimate day of relaxation while enjoying a beautifully decorated atmosphere as well as good food, good music and chilled vibes.
This new club has it all; a gym, restaurant, spa, private rooms and hostel dorms. Not to mention some fun and killer weekly events to engage and entertain guests. AND it also happens to be one of the new best Instagram spots in Bali.
Check out more of what Alternative Beach has to offer.
How Much Time to Spend in Bali?
Many people spend the entirety of their trip to Indonesia soaking up the beauty of Bali, so really, you can spend as much time as you wish! I spent about a week there, and used it as a home base for venturing off to nearby spots like Nusa Penida.
But if you’re lucky to have two weeks in Bali, it’s so worth it because there are so many incredible spots to see in just this small portion of the country.
A Guide to the Best Instagram Spots in Bali
1. Karsa Spa
Karsa Spa is at the end of the Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud. The grounds of this spa are surrounded by rice fields and beautiful gardens. I chose to have the lulur vegan delight on my visit and I was NOT disappointed.
For 350,00 rupiah ($26), I got a 60 min Balinese massage, 30 min clay body scrub and 30 min flower bath. It was extremely luxurious and I wish I could indulge in a flower bath every day of my life! Be sure to book in advance online before your visit, their appointments fill up fast.
Karsa Spa is not the only fantastic spa to choose from that offers a wonderful and spiritual retreat in Bali. Other worthy spa options include the Fiveelements Resort and Taksu Spa.
2. Water Sports: Scuba Diving + Snorkeling
Indonesia is known to have some killer underwear views and there is no shortage of amazing diving opportunities in Bali! If you’re up for a swim, I recommend checking out some of the best dives in the area to see colorful coral, unique fish and even shipwrecks!
3. Gateway to Heaven – Pura Lempuyang
Pura Lempuyang is a stunning temple home to the insta-famous Gateway to Heaven. The complex has six total temples that start at ground level and wind up the mountainside. This destination is very much off the normal tourist path and is about a 2.5 hour drive from Ubud. It’s well worth the extra effort to get there and is definitely one of the best day trips from Ubud.
4. Kintamani
Kintamani is a village on the outskirts of Ubud. It’s a popular place to visit and enjoy views of Mt. Batur, Batur Lake and Mt. Agung. Come enjoy one of the many lunch spots that overlook the dramatic volcanic landscape.
5. Mt Batur sunrise hike
The Mt. Batur sunrise trek is extremely popular with tourists. You’ll need to hire a tour guide and wake up between 1 – 3 am to make it to the volcano in time to hike and enjoy the sunset at the top. This hike has become so popular that nearly every morning you can expect a single file march along with hundreds of other tourists.
6. Tegalalang Rice Terrace
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are probably one of the most iconic sights in all of Bali! Pay 10,000 rupiah ($0.75) entrance fee and explore the terraces at your heart’s content. Some advice – come as early as possible to beat the crowds and enjoy the pretty morning light!
7. Smoothie bowls
Bali has become famous for its abundance of healthy foods and vibrant smoothie bowls! Make an effort to try one from the famous Nalu Bowls chain or enjoy one at many of the other cafes offering smoothie bowls in Bali. It’s absolutely delicious.
8. The Yoga Barn
Not only is Bali famous for its vegetarian, vegan, health-conscious friendly options, but also for the plentiful yoga studios. Visit The Yoga Barn, (which in my opinion is one of the best things to do in Ubud), to sweat it out in one of their three picture-perfect yoga studios. Their wellness center is right off of the main road, but once you escape inside you forget you’re still in the city.
Aside from the Yoga Barn, there are also so many other amazing yoga retreats in Bali for yogis or those seeking a meditative experience.
9. Ubud Art Market
The Ubud Art Market is a great place to visit and find local art, purses, dream catchers and other pretty souvenirs to take home. The bustling vendor stalls are a fun sight to see. Don’t be shy, be sure to barter your way to a great bargain!
10. Cafe Lotus
Cafe Lotus is a restaurant off the main strip in Ubud. The restaurant has become famous for its location in front of a stunning lotus garden and the Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati temple. Stop by to enjoy a meal and a traditional Balinese dance.
11. Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang
The hidden canyon is the definition of a hidden gem in Bali! Located about 30 minutes outside of Ubud, we enjoyed trekking through the three canyons with our fabulous tour guide, and we nearly had the canyon all to ourselves! At the end, walk through local farm fields to see a part of Bali you may otherwise not get to see.
12. Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is a scenic waterfall located outside of Ubud. Surrounded by lush jungle and many cafes, this is another tourist favorite for pretty photoshoots and is def one of the best waterfalls in Bali. Beat the crowds and come early to have the waterfall to yourself.
13. Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
Make the long-ish trek to the Banyumala Twin Waterfalls to see one of the most stunning landscapes in Bali! Hire a private car or pay for a tour to make your way there – it’s about a 2 hour drive from Semniyak. And right next door, make time for Banyu Wana Amertha waterfall, another gorgeous sight to see!
14. Besakih temple.
Besakih Temple is the largest and most important Hindu temple in all of Bali. Located in the village of Besakih, you’ll need to hire a driver or rent a scooter to get to the temple. You must wear a sarong to enter, pay an entrance fee and pay to have a guide escort you through the complex.
15. Infinity Pools
Infinity pools are all the rage at many Bali resorts and spas. While the especially insta-famous pools are located at expensive resorts, if you have the budget they may well be worth the price. Check out the pools at Munduk Moding Plantation, Alila Ubud + Uluwatu or the Ubud Hanging Gardens.
16. Satria Coffee Plantation
Satria Coffee Plantation is home to the famous Luwak coffee (cat poo chino if you didn’t know)! Take the free tour to see how the coffee beans are collected, prepared and roasted and enjoy free samples of different coffees, teas and hot beverages they produce and sell. For only 50,000 rupiah ($3.70), enjoy a cup of the famous Bali Cat Poo Chino.
17. Ubud Swing
I wouldn’t consider the Ubud Swing a must-do attraction on the island, but it’s popular amongst travel bloggers, thrill seekers and avid instagrammers! Swing to fun heights in the middle of beautiful palm trees. Be sure to wear a flowy dress that contrasts well with the green of the trees for the best turn out.
18. Echo beach
Canggu’s Echo Beach is a popular place for surf lessons. This black sand beach has many chairs and umbrellas for rent, cafes for lunch and hosts killer beach parties in the evenings.
19. Tanah Lot at Sunset
A famous temple that juts into the sea, Tanah Lot is well-known for its spectacular sunsets. If you want to get a great photo, be sure to come as early as you can and be warned that admission is more expensive during sunset.
20. Ubud Monkey Forest
In the heart of Ubud, tourists have a chance to see and interact with the monkeys in the Ubud Monkey Forest. Be careful though – these monkeys can be aggressive and will attack for food! As a rule you must never initiate touching the monkeys but the monkeys are allowed, and probably will, touch you! Especially if you have a banana. Remember to stay calm!
21. Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
This temple is another favorite located on the shores of Lake Bratan, about a 1.5 hour drive from Ubud. If you have time to add this beautiful temple to your Bali bucket list, you won’t be disappointed.
22. Tirta Empul
The scared baths of Tirta Empul are quite a sight to behold. If you’re lucky, you’ll visit on a day the locals are having a cremation ceremony to honor the dead. Be sure to bring your own sarong and clothes you don’t mind getting wet if you intend on wading into the baths.
23. Pura Ulun Danu Batur Temple
Pura Ulun Danu Batur is the second most important temple in Bali after Besakih. This temple is an iconic Bali attraction and makes for a perfect reflection shot during sunrise or sunset.
24. Campuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk starts in the city of Ubud and is an easy hike through lush and pretty scenery. The end of the trial will take you to rice fields and you’ll find yourself at Karsa Cafe and Spa. Take a break and enjoy the delicious fares in the peaceful surroundings.
25. Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are made up of the three tiny islands Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Each has its own reputation whether it’s to party, to enjoy a romantic escape or to chill-out, the Gilis have you covered.
26. Nusa Penida / Nusa islands
An upcoming island to the southeast of Bali, Nusa Penida is a charming and quiet place filled with dramatic and beautiful nature. Come to see the famous Kelingking Beach but stay to see everything else! Hands down, my favorite part of Bali – you can read more about it here!
What’s the best way to explore Bali?
First things first, choosing the best time to visit Bali is a must! As a tropical destination, there is a main rainy season and dry season which affects the price and how crowded Bali is. Once you have that squared away, it’s time to choose how to best see the main attractions in Bali.
I personally hired a private driver as I met friends in my hostel who weren’t comfortable riding a moped. We hired a recommended driver for two days and paid about 1,000,000 rupiah ($75) in total. We managed to get a really good price so hopefully, you’re able to negotiate something similar!
We found our driver just through random google searches and contacts on TripAdvisor. Although I was traveling solo, I met two other girls in my hostel and we split the cost and went together. It was a great time!
Renting your own scooter is also an exciting way to get around Bali! If you’re brave enough to take on the heavy traffic of Bali, having your own scooter can give you a lot of freedom to explore the island at your own pace and at an affordable price.
Happy Instagramming! There are so many wonderful Instagram spots in Bali! For more Bali travel tips, check out my 20 Travel Tips for Indonesia.
Awesome! I wanna go to Bali!
You would love Bali! You seem just like the type to enjoy it! You should consider visiting South Korea too! Also very amazing!
Yes! I will also consider going to South Korea. Jeremy William Wood loves adventures!
Hi! Awesome post, I am also traveling solo to Bali, can you recommend any good hotel/hostel to stay in Ubud and/or Canggu? I’ll appreciate it so much!
Thank you so much! I can highly recommend the hostel I stayed in Ubud – it’s called Jero di Bisma and is owned by the sweetest family who will take good care of you! It’s a small hostel, with only six beds so it’s not really a party scene, but the breakfast is phenomenal and the family is so helpful with anything you may need help with! In Canggu, I stayed at Canggu Beach Hostel and it was a blast! A great place to meet other travelers and a fun party atmosphere with a pool and a bar on site! Both can be booked online at booking.com 🙂 I hope this helps!
Hey! Can we visit all the places mwntioned above in 2 days?
Hello! Sadly I do not think it’s possible to visit all places on this list in two days 🙁 Many are quite spread out and are hours drive apart. My favorite way to plan an itinerary is to pin everywhere I want to see using Google Maps. That way I can visually see how far apart everything is and what a travel route would look like as far as time and distance 😀 Good luck!
Hello,
How did you travel from place to place ? Did you use the taxi ? Scooter is good for visiting but with bags …
Hi! I traveled most places by scooter, and some of the far off places by taxi. I didn’t have my bags much because I moved hostels twice to be on various sides of the island. Hope that helps!