Now that you know my favourite places in Bali, itโs time to organise them into day trips. We hired a private driver the day before each of these day trips. Distances can be long – and traffic a bit crazy – so all these day trips lasted from early morning until early evening.
List of Bali day trips
Here is a list of the Bali day trips weโve done:
For each day trip, we put together our own itinerary. Click on the links below to find out all you need to know about each attraction.
Day trip 1 - Ubud and surroundings
This day trip is perfect for those who are staying in Ubud. We visited a mix of Bali swings, rice fields, temples and waterfalls. So this day trip really gives you everything that Ubud has to offer (apart from the Monkey Forest).
Terrace River Pool Swing
This day trip all started with the adventure of the extreme swing at Terrace River Pool Swing. This place is a lot cheaper than the instafamous Bali Swing, and has a lot of cute photo spots to offer. Jordi and I both went for the Super Extreme Swing, and then took pictures with some birdsโ nests.
The Terrace River Pool Swing is right next to a Luwak coffee shop, but we didnโt dare to try.
Tegallalang Rice Fields
Our second stop of the day was the Tegallalang Rice Fields, which are not too far from the Terrace River Pool Swing. Compared to the Kedung Kandang rice fields we had visited in Java, Tegallalang felt very crowded and touristic.
Still, it is one of the most iconic views Bali has to offer, so the Tegallalang rice fields are not to be missed. You will just have to be patient if you want to take pictures.
Also, be careful with farmers insisting that โvoluntary donationsโ are actually mandatory, because they are not. You just need to pay the official entrance fee of IDR 15K per person to access the rice fields. As a last recommendation โ bring some comfortable shoes, as the rice fields can be wet and muddy.
Tirta Empul
The Tirta Empul is a holy water temple where locals come to purify their body and soul by doing a religious ritual. As a visitor, you can join this ritual too. If you want to do this, Iโd recommend that you hire a tour guide who can explain the ritual to you. Without one, Jordi and I were much too shy to join.
Gunung Kawi
The Gunung Kawi is my favourite temple in Ubud, even though it takes a 300 step climb to get there. The temple itself consists of shrines carved in rocks, but its surroundings are just as beautiful.
Goa Gajah
Our last temple of the day was Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant Cave temple. The Elephant Cave is the most beautiful part of the temple, but its garden also hides a few cute photo spots:
In all three temples, you can rent a Sarong free of charge (it is required to wear one). All you need to pay for is the entrance fee for each temple.
Tegenungan waterfall
For a splashing finish of the day, we went to the Tegenungan waterfall. The rainy season is probably not the best time to visit this waterfall. Its colours were all brown and the currents were too strong for us to bathe underneath the waterfall. However, we still managed to make some amazing pictures with the waterfall and its surroundings.
To help you organise this day trip, please see below my map:
Day trip 2 - North Bali
This day trip is packed with picturesque places, so you better wear your best outfit. Also make sure to wear swimwear underneath. We started and ended this North Bali day trip in Ubud.
Ulun Danu Beratan temple
Ulun Danu Beratan is the most iconic temple in Bali, so definitely not to be missed. To avoid the crowds, it is best to visit this temple first thing in the morning. When we arrived at 9:30am it was still relatively quiet, but by 10am the crowds has arrived.
Handara Golf Gate
The Handara Golf Gate is nothing more than the entrance to a golf resort, but it has gained some serious fame on Instagram. Because of its fame, it now charges a small fee for people who want to take pictures.
You get the gates to yourself for 10 minutes by paying this fee, but that also means there might be a long queue. We got lucky, as there was only 1 group in front of us.
Wanagiri Hidden Hill
With itโs many instagrammable photo spots, the Wanagiri Hidden Hill is easily any instagrammerโs paradise. It offers a complete selection of swings, birds nests and views over the lake.
Gitgit waterfall
One of my Bali dreams was to bathe underneath a waterfall. The Gitgit waterfall definitely made this dream come true! Its surroundings also come straight out of a fairy tale full of flowers.
Jatiluwih Rice Fields
Our driver agreed to make a quick stop at the Jatiluwih Rice fields on our way back to Ubud. Although he didnโt give us enough time to actually walk through the rice fields, weโve seen enough to know that these rice fields are a hidden gem in Bali:
To help you organise this day trip, please see below my map:
Day trip 3 - East Bali
East Bali has some of the most famous temples, so itโs best to start this day trip as early as possible.
When we went, it was a national holiday in Bali whereby all the locals bring offers to the temples. It was nice to see the ceremonies at the temples, but not the best day for this tour if you want to take quiet pictures.
Lempuyang
The Lempuyang temple is also known as the Gates to Heaven. This temple gets extremely busy, so make sure you arrive by 8am. Also, donโt get disappointed by the Instagram pictures youโve seen of this temple โ the reflections are fake!
Tirta Gangga
With its steps over the pond and many fishes, Tirta Gangga is easily my favourite temple in Bali. It is just so different to the other temples. Also, donโt forget to visit the beautiful temple garden here:
Besakih
When visiting Besakih temple, be prepared to climb a lot of stairs. The views from the top make it more than worth it though:
Tukad Cepung
After all the temple visiting, it was time for a refreshing splash at a waterfall. The Tukad Cepung waterfall is inside a cave, but there is also another waterfall thatโs not to be missed. You will have to walk through a river while stepping on lots of stones, so Iโd recommend you bring some water shoes.
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