Bali is, by far, the most popular and heavily visited of Indonesia’s islands. Despite its small size, it manages to offer points of interest and activities for just about everyone—couples, families, budget travelers, and solo travelers included.
I was lucky enough to spend a full day in Bali during a port stop on my segment of Holland America Line’s 80-day Grand Pacific & Far East cruise (you should check out their upcoming Grand Voyages!). Though I would definitely recommend devoting more time to this beautiful island, a well planned one-day itinerary is enough to see quite a bit of it.
I’ll start by saying that group tours are always an option, and Holland America Line offered a bunch of great ones, but the cruise also offered the choice of hiring a private driver and creating our own tour itinerary. I chose the flexibility of this option and wouldn’t have done it any other way. We were even able to beat the crowds to some sites, which made for a much more intimate experience (not to mention better photos!)
Whether you opt to hire a driver or find a cruise tour that’s perfect for you, you should be able to cross a good number of items off of this list.
With so much to see on the island, there are plenty of ways to fill your day. Here are my recommendations for the top 8 activities for a killer one-day itinerary in Bali!
Bali Points of Interest: 1-Day Itinerary in Indonesia’s Popular Cruise Port
1. Walk Through the Tegalalang Rice Terraces
If you’ve seen pictures from Bali, you’ve probably seen a few of these stunning green rice paddies. They are some of the island’s most popular destinations for travelers, and they don’t disappoint!
The traditional Tegalalang Rice Terraces are just about half an hour north of Ubud, in the Tegalalang Village. The whole community pitches in to maintain the paddies’ complex irrigation system, which is centuries old. They also let tourists in to wander the terraces for free.
That’s great for experiencing the scenery, but it also means that you definitely won’t be the only visitors there. I would recommend going first thing in the morning, to beat both the sun and the crowds. This is probably the time we were happiest to not be on a tour bus—our driver managed to get us there before the crowds arrived.
2. Have Lunch at Kebun Bistro in Ubud
After the rice terraces, go to the heart of downtown Ubud and get some brunch. Kebun Bistro is a cozy restaurant in Ubud with a café-like feel and a unique menu. The chef is French-trained, but the menu offers a mash-up of French, Italian, and Mediterranean dishes and flavors.
Basically, there’s something for everyone, whether you want a refreshing salad, pasta, or something a little heartier. It also has many vegetarian options and is budget-friendly! I can recommend the steak sandwich with fries if it’s on the menu.
3. Visit the Monkey Temple
The Monkey Temple is pretty much exactly what it sounds like—temples in the jungle that are home to hundreds of monkeys. This highly visited point of interest is also known as the Monkey Forest, which is pretty telling. For some, the monkeys are even more of a draw than the temples! The interiors to the temples aren’t open to the public, but you can have a stroll around the grounds and get in some quality time with its (usually) friendly inhabitants.
One pro-tip, though: these monkeys are very used to humans, and some tourists feed or tease them. That might make for a memorable experience for some, but it also means that the monkeys can get really aggressive. Stressing out about a potentially dangerous monkey bite is no one’s idea of a fun vacation activity, but you should be fine as long as you avoid feeding or antagonizing the monkeys.
4. Shop at Ubud Market
If you like outdoor markets, you’ll love the Ubud Art Market. It has its fair amount of cheap tchotchkes for tourists, but it also has a massive selection of cute, practical souvenirs that you’ll be able to use back home, too.
If you’re looking to do some shopping—and really, why not?—I would definitely set aside an hour, at least, to navigate this market. It’s colorful, chaotic, loud, and crammed with gorgeous goods like batik fabrics, sarongs, hand-woven bags, baskets, and other handicrafts.
5. Peek at Ubud Palace
The Ubud Palace might not be Bali’s biggest tourist attraction, but it’s a nice addition to a day’s itinerary. For one, it’s easily accessible in central Ubud. It’s also a free activity; there’s no charge to admire the architecture and have a walk through the gardens.
Of course, the entire Palace isn’t open to the public, but the façade and gardens are! And the palaces makes for beautiful photographs.
6. Visit the Taman Ayun Temple
The Taman Ayun Temple is commonly thought to be one of the most attractive in Bali. The temple’s unique architecture and well-kept gardens are reason enough to pay a visit. Factor in that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s a must-see Bali destination.
The only caveat to this stop: there’s not a whole lot of shade here, so if you’re visiting in midday—and especially if you’re traveling with kids—it’s a good idea to pack extra water and sunscreen.
7. Explore Tanah Lot
In Bali, seeing the sunset is an activity in itself. But seeing a sunset over Tanah Lot is an even more idyllic experience. This incredible sea temple stands on a rock outpost in the ocean, with a stone pathway leading up to it from the shore. During high tide, the waters rise to completely surround the temple.
It’s a perfect, picturesque way to end a day trip through Bali.
8. Dinner and Drinks at The Bistrot in Seminyak
It’s a bit of a drive from Tanah Lot, but The Bistrot is well worth a visit for its creative menu, cocktails, and almost surreal design. The restaurant has a whimsical but classic theme, with antique furniture and décor creating what they call a “metro meets retro feel.” Wrap up your day here with dinner and a few drinks, and you’re sure to have a memorable meal in Bali.
There are so many more points of interest to see in Bali, more than anyone could squeeze into a one day cruise port stop, but that’s not to say you can’t hit some of the great highlights! And if you’re planning a trip to Bali—and have some extra time to play with.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘cheapest month’ to find the lowest fares for your destination (I use this all the time!).
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with Discover Cars for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
*Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
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what a beautiful picture, i would like to visit there on future.
Bali is at the top of my bucket list. And I am especially interested in offbeat Bali.
last time we were at the monkey temple they peed on my partners shoulder! Hahah it was his first time and he was not impressed. I love Ubud – Ive lived there a few times. It’s my favorite.