Bali means different things to different travellers. For some, it’s sunrise yoga in Ubud or seafood dinners in Jimbaran. You might be all about waves, then brunch recovery in Canggu, shopping in Seminyak, or ordering high-class cocktails in Legian. 

Are you a first-timer planning the perfect itinerary or a seasoned returner looking to mix it up? Either way, we’ve got you covered with the best places to visit in Bali, with beach towns, cliffside temples and everything in between.

A list of the best places to visit in Bali would be incomplete without an ode to Ubud. Right in the island’s green interior, Ubud is ringed by rice paddies and forested hills, with Mount Agung rising in the distance on those clear, sunny days. Cycle through the Campuhan Ridge, where farmers still hand-cut rice and sell coconuts trailside. Try Balinese specialties like siap sambal matah (chicken with lemongrass and shallots), dig through batik, wood carvings, woven sarongs at Ubud Art Market, get a Balinese massage, and finish with a yoga class. Ubud offers a deeper kind of Bali, and it's long been a favourite with Australian travellers wanting more than beach bars.

Just up the coast from Seminyak, Canggu has become one of the best places to visit in Bali for café hoppers, wave chasers, and travellers who like their days ending with tacos and a view. It’s a laid-back mix of black-sand beaches, rice fields, boutique stays and scooter-humming streets lined with Aussie-style brunch spots. Echo Beach is the local break that’s excellent for beginners and longboarders alike, and the post-surf scene is strong, with cold beers and casual beach bars. On Batu Bolong, there are local labels, smoothie bowls, and the occasional sound bath. It’s a firm favourite with Australians who want a social, surfy Bali base that still leaves time for yoga and naps.

For many Australians, Seminyak is the Bali sweet spot. It’s beachy but polished, relaxed but still buzzing. It’s known for its boutique resorts, rooftop bars, and beach clubs, where beanbags spill out onto the sand and DJs kick off just as the sun hits the water. High-class food’s a highlight here, from warung-style mie goreng to seafood grills and brunches with cold brew and sourdough. Spend your day between spa treatments, browsing designer stores on Jalan Kayu Aya, or hopping between cafés and concept shops.

Kuta’s had a glow-up. Once the go-to for schoolies and cheap beers, it’s slowly reinvented itself, but still keeps that come-as-you-are energy. The beach is long, busy and great for beginner surfers, and there’s no shortage of places to rent a board or grab a coconut. Shopping is big here, from beach markets to surf chains and air-conditioned malls. You’ll find familiar names alongside tattoo studios, massage joints and noodle stalls doing a brisk trade in bakso meatball soup. There’s plenty of nightlife if you want it, with live music, cheap cocktails, and bars that don’t mind a bit of sand on your feet. But it’s no longer just a party strip. Kuta now suits families, budget travellers and returning Aussies who know exactly what they’re signing up for.

Up on the cliffs of Bali’s southern tip, Uluwatu is where rugged coastline meets seriously high-end calm. It’s a top pick for travellers chasing surf breaks, sea views and a bit of peace between beach sessions. Surfers know that the waves here are serious and world-famous at that. But even if you’re not paddling out, there is plenty here that makes it worth the trip. You can catch a Kecak fire dance at the clifftop Uluwatu Temple, chill out at a warung with your toes in the sand, or spend the afternoon at a day club built into the cliffs. It's quieter than Canggu or Kuta, but no less loved by Australians who want more from Bali than Bintang and beach bars.

Only a 45-minute ferry ride, but a million miles away from the mainland. Welcome to the unfairly stunning Nusa Penida. All the cliffside viewpoints, palm-fringed roads and turquoise coves that you’ll swear are photoshopped. The big-ticket spots are Kelingking Beach (yes, the one also known as the T-Rex cliff), Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach. The best part is you get to see them early in the day before the daytrippers land. Nusa Penida isn’t your spa-and-shopping Bali. The roads here are bumpy, the hikes can be steep, and you’ll want to bring decent shoes. But if you’re up for it, you’ll get waterfalls, reef dives with manta rays, and that edge-of-the-world feeling that’s hard to beat. 

Sanur does things at a different pace. On Bali’s southeast coast, it’s all leafy laneways, calm beaches, and early morning walks along the beachfront promenade. The water’s flat and reef-protected, making it perfect for families, travellers who prefer swims over surf and expats who are happy for something quieter than Kuta or Canggu. Here you’ve got local warungs serving nasi campur, beach cafés with seats in the sand, and bikes to hire for a pedal along the shore. Boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis leave from here, too, making Sanur a solid launch pad for a spot of island-hopping.

If you’re into seafood, Jimbaran might just be your Bali match in heaven. This quiet pocket south of the airport is best known for its long, gentle beach and nightly seafood barbecues right next to the water. Fishermen bring in their catch each morning, and by dusk, tables are set up just metres from the waves — grilled snapper, chilli crab, and cold beer under fairy lights. It goes at a slower beat than many of the other popular patches on the coast nearby, but there are still a few luxury resorts dotted about. Make sure to check on the fish market while you are here. In between swimming and spa sessions, of course.

Legian sits right between Kuta and Seminyak, both literally and vibe-wise. It’s got a bit of Kuta’s buzz, but without the full party scene, and a touch of Seminyak’s style, minus the price tag. The beach here is wide and wavey, great for beginner surfers or a spontaneous game of beach cricket before the sun drops. There’s a mix of mid-range stays, massage huts, and shops selling everything from Bintang singlets to woven bags. Pop into a warung for satay skewers, grab a happy hour cocktail, or party along Jalan Legian. For Australians who want a beach break that’s social, central and easygoing, Legian delivers without the fuss.

Now that you know where you want to stay, check out your options for flights, activities and more.