Where to next
All destinations
Coral islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean, where privacy is the starting point
An island of calm, made for unhurried days
The land of smiles and golden temples
Temples, rice terraces and the Indian Ocean
A city in a garden, just north of the equator
From towering skylines to desert sands
Land of the tsars, white winters and long summer light
Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Temples, rice terraces and the Indian Ocean
An island of tropical nature, daily ritual and refined stays at the heart of Asia.
The destination
Bali lies in Indonesia, between the islands of Java and Lombok, and is one of the best-known islands in Southeast Asia. The climate is tropical and warm all year. A chain of volcanoes runs across the island, the highest being Mount Agung at 3,031 m, and its green slopes fall away to the Indian Ocean.
Bali is Indonesia's only Hindu-majority province, which is why the Balinese call it the Island of the Gods and the island of a thousand temples. You will see small flower offerings on doorsteps each morning, hear gamelan music in the evening and pass temples set on sea rocks and cliff edges.
The rice terraces that made Bali famous have been watered since the 9th century by subak, a system of farmer-run irrigation. In 2012 UNESCO inscribed five of its landscapes as a World Heritage Site, among them the terraces of Jatiluwih. Closer to Ubud, the terraces of Tegallalang draw visitors from all over the world.
What sets Bali apart is the range of experiences within short distances: forest, waterfalls and quiet resorts in Ubud; beaches and international restaurants in Seminyak and Kuta; safe, family resorts in Nusa Dua; the cliffs of Uluwatu and their temple at sunset; and the island of Nusa Penida, a short boat ride away.
We usually suggest dividing your stay between Ubud and the south coast, with a private driver throughout. We take care of every arrival formality for you: the visa, the electronic arrival card and Bali's tourist levy, as well as halal restaurant bookings and directions to the mosque nearest your hotel.
Ideal for
Regions
01 · Highlands
For calm, nature and resorts set among forest and rice fields; an excellent choice for honeymooners and anyone who wants to slow down.
02 · Coast
An upscale stretch of international restaurants, smart cafés, long beaches and luxury hotels, for couples and anyone who likes a lively setting with real comfort.
03 · Coast
Beaches and an energetic scene, for shopping, surfing and a youthful atmosphere; less tranquil than elsewhere, but full of life.
04 · Coast
The choice for families and for privacy: international resorts, clean beaches and safe water activities, with everything close at hand and well organised.
05 · Coast
A fishing bay turned into Bali's seafood address and a coast of fine resorts, then high cliffs crowned by Uluwatu Temple and villas above the ocean.
Experiences
The rice terraces of Tegallalang and Jatiluwih
Ubud
A walk through stepped rice fields, early, before the crowds. We take you to Tegallalang near Ubud and to Jatiluwih, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Discover
Balinese spa and traditional massage
Ubud
End the day with a treatment built on traditional techniques and natural oils and spices. We book it at one of the island's best spas, or in your own villa.Discover
A day on the island of Nusa Penida
Cross to a nearby island of untouched cliffs and turquoise coves. Its waters are among the few places in Bali where manta rays can be seen all year.Discover
Sunset and the Kecak dance at Uluwatu
Jimbaran and Uluwatu
A temple on the edge of a 70 m cliff and a chorus of men telling the Ramayana as the sun goes down: one of Bali's finest evenings.Discover
Where to stay
Taste and addresses
Balinese cooking is varied and full of flavour, built on a local spice paste of turmeric, galangal, lemongrass and chilli, with fresh produce and wide Asian influences. Pork features in a number of traditional Balinese dishes, so the dishes chosen here are made with chicken, duck, fish and beef, alongside Indonesian staples such as nasi goreng and mie goreng (fried noodles). Halal restaurants are plentiful on the island, and we check each one's certification before we book.
Landmark
Tanah Lot Temple
A sea temple on a rock in the ocean, one of Bali's best-known sights and finest at sunset.
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Landmark · Jimbaran and Uluwatu
Uluwatu Temple
A temple on the edge of a 70 m cliff at Bali's south-western tip, where the Kecak is danced every evening.
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Landmark · Ubud
Tirta Empul Temple
A water temple founded in 962, its holy spring flowing into pools lined with stone spouts.
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Landmark · Nusa Dua
Puja Mandala and the Ibnu Batutah Mosque
A complex of five houses of worship side by side, among them the Ibnu Batutah Grand Mosque, close to the Nusa Dua resorts.
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Landmark · Jimbaran and Uluwatu
Garuda Wisnu Kencana
Indonesia's tallest statue, 121 m high, in a cultural park on the Bukit plateau.
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Restaurant · Nusa Dua
Raja's Balinese Cuisine
A fine Balinese restaurant at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, known for its halal certification and its betutu.
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Journeys
Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.
Bali · 8 nights
Eight nights in private villas above the ocean, with a day in Ubud and an evening at Uluwatu
Four nights in a private-pool villa on the Uluwatu cliffs at Bulgari Resort Bali, then four at The St. Regis Bali in Nusa Dua with butler service, with days chosen for the best of the island.
Bali · 7 nights
Seven nights on a calm beach, with days chosen for children and parents alike
Seven nights at Ayodya Resort Bali, with its children's club and family pool, water sports, the Monkey Forest and the Kecak, halal dining and Friday prayers at the Ibnu Batutah Mosque.
Bali · 10 nights
Ten nights between Jimbaran and Nusa Dua, from sunrise on Batur to sunset at Tanah Lot
Five nights at AYANA Resort Bali on Jimbaran Bay and five at The Apurva Kempinski on the Nusa Dua cliff, with a private guide to the water temples, the terraces and the volcano.
Questions
