Things to Do in Bali

At the heart of sleepy lakeside Bedugul, amid Bali’s cool central highlands, is Bali Botanic Garden, an underrated Bali attraction. Plant-lovers enjoy forest walks and gardens full of orchids and Balinese plants, while families and adventure-seekers gravitate to the park for the zipline and rope adventures at Bali Treetop Adventure Park. 

Highlights of the Bali Botanic Garden, established in 1959, include a large collection of begonias, wild orchids native to Bali, and local carnivorous plants—in total the garden holds more than 21,000 living specimens belonging to 2,400 species. There is a per person fee and per vehicle parking charge to enter the 388-acre (157-hectare) garden. Bali Treetop Adventure Park is located within the park.

Bali Botanic Garden is a popular stop on Bedugul tours. The botanical gardens are typically visited on tours with other lakeside attractions such as Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and local farms. There are overnight accommodations on the property.

Perama runs a regular shuttle bus to Bedugul, with stops in Kuta, Ubud, Sanur, and Lovina. In the morning, “bemo” minibuses from Denpasar’s Ubung terminal stop at Bedugul on route for the north coast city of Singaraja. Besides Bali’s usual traffic, the steep, winding, often misty roads make self-driving challenging: Many opt to hire a car and driver or join a tour.

At around 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level, Bedugul is cool enough for strawberries to grow. During the rainy season (October until early May), temperatures drop low enough for locals to light fires. If you plan to visit Bali Treetop Adventure Park, arrive in the morning for the best chance of dry weather: June, July, and August are driest. On weekends, the Adventure Park is overflowing with locals and expats alike.

Designed, built, and managed by French nationals, Bali Treetop Adventure Park follows European Union safety standards. It offers seven challenging rope circuits through the woodland of the botanical garden. The smallest circuit is suitable for children as young as 4; the most advanced will challenge teens and adults. There is a maximum weight limit of 265 pounds (120 kilograms). 

A popular stop on Bedugul tours, Pasar Candi Kuning (Candi Kuning Market) is a traditional Balinese market that’s been beautified for tourists. It’s a great place to enjoy the fruit and vegetable bounty of Bedugul’s farms, although prices are higher than normal. Other specialties in the market include rabbits and orchids.

 

There’s no fee to enter Pasar Candi Kuning, which is a working fruit and vegetable market. Most travelers visit as part of a Bedugul tour, which will probably also stop at Lake Beratan and Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple. Some private guides can arrange visits to the family farms that supply the produce, providing fascinating insight into life in these cool highlands.

 

Pasar Candi Kuning sits conveniently in the heart of Bedugul, about half a mile (800 meters) from the Bali Botanic Gardens and 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) from Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. Bedugul is in the central highlands, on the main road north to Singaraja. Perama shuttle buses connect it to Kuta, Sanur, and Ubud, as well as Padangbai, Candi Dasa, and Lovina.

 

Pasar Candi Kuning is open daily from early morning until early evening. It is a very popular tour bus stop. Beat the crowds and enjoy a more authentic experience by arriving as early in the morning as you can.

 

Sitting about 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level, Bedugul has a very different climate from much of the rest of Bali. This makes it Bali’s farming heartland. Besides the strawberries for which the area is known, crops include grapes, carrots, cabbages, onions, and corn. You can buy all of these plus a selection of seasonal tropical fruit at Pasar Candi Kuning.

One of a cluster of craft villages in Bali’s Gianyar regency, Celuk is known as the “silver village” for its jewelry production. Artisans here create silver and gold jewelry and handicrafts in their homes and workshops as they have for centuries. A visit to Celuk gives travelers a chance to see the artisans in action and buy direct.

While it’s possible to visit Celuk independently, most visitors arrive as part of a tour, be that a shopping tour, a village tour, or a cultural tour of Ubud. Crafting fans appreciate the tours that bundle Celuk together with other craft villages around Ubud. These include the carving village of Mas, batik village of Tohpati, and arts village of Batuan. The art markets of Ubud and Sukawati also often feature on Celuk village tours.

Celuk is outside the art village of Sukawati, around 9 miles (14 kilometers) south of Ubud and 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the coastal bypass. Piecing together “bemo” minibuses can be time-consuming, and self-drivers have to fight for parking. It’s worth hiring a private driver or joining a tour.

If a workshop visit is on your Celuk tour agenda, arrive during working hours, between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday, although artisans do often work on Saturdays. To browse and shop in relative peace, arrive early in the morning, before the crowds sweep in.

Some of Celuk’s artisan families have been crafting silver for many generations, perfecting traditional styles. Hand-beaten silver trays and dishes are distinctive and beautiful, as are elaborate pieces of jewelry designed for Balinese rituals. Celuk’s metalworkers welcome commissions and a good private guide can help you create the piece of your dreams.

Set on the shores of Lake Beratan, the highland town of Bedugul is an essential stop for visitors who are en route to North Bali. Attractions include strawberry farms and markets, the Bali Botanic Garden, Bali Treetop Adventure Park, the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple, and an eerie abandoned hotel known as the “Ghost Palace.”

 

Many visitors would rather not self-drive and find it easier to visit Bedugul as part of a tour that also covers either North Bali or the central highlands, perhaps with a waterfall or two. The signature stop on a Bedugul tour is Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a beautiful water temple in a spectacular setting. The Bali Botanic Garden also charms visitors, and the Bali Treetop Adventure Park is a popular choice for kids.

 

Bedugul sits on the main road between Denpasar and Singaraja, about two hours north of Kuta. Perama shuttle buses connect Bedugul to Ubud, Kuta, Sanur, Lovina, Candidasa, and Padangbai. Travelers who wish to combine Bedugul with other North and Central Bali attractions often choose to book a tour or hire a driver.

 

Bedugul is best visited during the dry season (May to September). Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a popular destination for Indonesian tour groups. Arrive early in the day to beat the crowds, and avoid weekends and public holidays.

 

Picking your own strawberries in the tropics might seem a little surreal, but Bedugul’s location in a highland valley creates great weather for strawberries, which vendors sell on the streets and at tourist attractions. The town also seems an odd location for a tropical garden; the Bali Botanic Garden was originally intended to grow conifers.

The classically Balinese combo of rice fields and river gorges is what makes Ubud’s landscapes so beloved, and the Campuhan Ridge Walk, the best-known walk in Ubud, is the perfect way to appreciate them. Starting at Pura Gunung Lebah, choose between a 2-hour circular route around Campuhan and Sanggingan or a longer hike to Keliki and Taro.

You don’t need a guide to explore Ubud’s Campuhan Ridge, although many walkers appreciate the insights a guide can provide. 

Campuhan Ridge Walk tours typically introduce Bali’s “subak” shared irrigation system, which has earned UNESCO World Heritage status, and the island’s highly individual brand of Hinduism. Some guides will also share information about on the abundant bird life amid the rice fields and in the valleys of Wos Barat and Wos Timor.

You can reach the starting point of the Campuhan Ridge Walk on foot from most central Ubud accommodations. If you’re visiting from south Bali, catch the Kura Kura tourist bus from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak, Kuta, or Sanur to the Puri Lukisan Museum, then walk about half a mile (800 meters). 

To enjoy the best views and capture the best photos of the Campuhan Ridge Walk, visit either early or late in the day: an early start is ideal if you prefer relative solitude. Walking in Bali is most fun during the dry season (roughly May to October), when temperatures are cooler and it rains less than it does during the wet season.

About 330 feet (100 meters) before the Campuhan Bridge, turn off the main road to Pura Gunung Lebah, then follow the ridge to Bangkiang Sidem. Turn left after the village temple onto a made road, and follow that through Payogan and Lungsiakan to Sanggingan, then back to Campuhan.

Devdan: Treasure of the Archipelago takes viewers on a 90-minute tour of Indonesia through the story of two young children who stray from a tour group and discover a treasure chest filled with items that transport them — and the audience — to several of Indonesia’s most famous islands.

Traditional and modern dance, Cirque du Soleil-like acrobatics, intricate costumes and an interactive set bring the islands of Bali, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Papua to life. The theater, located in Nusa Dua, offers four classes of seating at various price points, three of which include free shuttle service to and from your hotel.

One of north Bali’s most striking waterfalls, Aling-Aling tumbles around 98 feet (30 meters) down a cliff in a twin stream. Aling-Aling is sacred, so it’s forbidden to swimming in the pool, but around it several smaller waterfalls offer adventurers cliff jumps and natural slides. These include Kembar, Kroya, and Pucuk.

There is a token charge to see Aling-Aling waterfall and a fee to hire a (compulsory) guide to trek to the other waterfalls around Sambangan and brave the cliff jumps and slides. Most Aling-Aling waterfall tours are cliff-jumping tours and include a guide to help you navigate the leaps and slides safely. At heights of up to 49 feet (15 meters), these are not for the faint-hearted. 

A few north Bali tours stop at the main Aling-Aling falls only, without the cliff-jumping element. These include waterfall tours sometimes also feature cascades such as Git-Git and Sekumpul.

The Aling-Aling network of waterfalls sits near the village of Sambangan around five miles (eight kilometers) south of north Bali’s biggest town, Singaraja. Public transport is limited, and the main road is not a beginner’s drive, so most travelers opt to either charter a private car and driver or join an organized cliff-jumping tour or private tour.

The main Aling-Aling waterfall, like all Balinese waterfalls, is at its most picturesque during the wet season (roughly October to April), when it’s full of water. However, cliff-jumping is safer during the dry season (roughly May to September), when the flow is less intense. Heavy rains may mean cutting short a tour.

Waterfalls are one of north Bali’s signature attractions, from the falls around Munduk in the highlands to tumbling cascades such as Git-Git, Sekumpul, and Aling-Aling towards the coast. Many north Bali waterfall tours involve a degree of physical activity, be that trekking, swimming, sliding, cliff-jumping, or canyoning, but many falls are sacred and should be treated with respect.

Long an under-the-radar destination for surfers, Bali’s Canggu beach district boasts some of the island’s most vibrant nightlife. Set on the west coast north of Seminyak and south of Tanah Lot, it draws party lovers, surfers, and yoginis with a vibrant blend of wave-pounded beaches, serene rice fields, and top-notch bars and restaurants.

Canggu offers shopping, eating, and drinking opportunities aplenty, but perhaps its biggest attraction are those stunning waves, especially when backed by a Balinese sunset. Among the best-known beaches in Canggu are Echo Beach, Old Man’s Beach, and Berawa Beach. The area is a common stop on Bali beach and surfing tours.

If you want to learn to surf in Canggu, you have a range of options: Rent a board at the beach and experiment, hire a teacher on spec, or join an organized surfing tour or class. Old Man’s Beach is popular with beginners (and offers more advanced breaks, too), while Echo Beach is good for those with at least intermediate skills. The most experienced surfers often frequent less busy beaches a little farther afield.

Until recently Canggu was a very rural district—it still retains plenty of rice fields—and approach roads can be choked with traffic during July and August. Self-driving can seem a tempting option, especially as the informal local taxis charge exorbitant fares. Especially if you plan to drink alcohol, a private driver is much safer.

Either end of the dry season—from April to early May and from September to early October—is the best time to enjoy Canggu. Traffic is unpleasantly heavy from May to October, during the dry-season peak. This is also surfing season on Bali’s west coast, and lineups get very crowded in July and August. Stay close to the shoulder seasons for the best weather with the fewest crowds. 

Canggu is a large area, so pick a beach or subdistrict you’d like to focus on, and start there. Old Man’s Bar, Finn’s Beach Club, and the Deus ex Machina bike store–cum–gallery are universally known landmarks and good starting points for a bar crawl on foot. Or just head to the Batu Bolong strip, the epicenter of thumping nightlife in Canggu.

At this lush and exceptionally well-manicured enclosure, visitors can walk through a netted area to see 15 different butterfly species in all phases of metamorphoses. It’s an educational visit for children—since the park staff discusses the transformation from caterpillar to cocoon to wings—and you hear about the efforts that are being made to preserve and research the butterflies. Since there are literally hundreds released every day, there’s a magical feel to strolling through gardens that flit and twinkle with color. You’ll also find spiders, scorpions, and beetles displayed inside of glass cases, and the Bali Butterfly Park is a convenient stop when traveling to the island’s north side.

Insider Tip: If possible, try to visit in either early morning or late afternoon when the butterflies are most active.

Within walking distance of Ngurah Rai International Airport, Anika Spa in Kuta is a comfortable modern spa that’s well-placed for pre- or post-flight treatments. Therapies focus on traditional Indonesian ingredients and techniques, whether it’s an aromatherapy-based treatment, massage, scrub, flower bath, manicure, or pedicure.

With its statues and cooling pools, this south Bali spa feels distinctively Balinese. Guests can book a treatment or prearrange a package that includes hotel or airport transfers. Packages typically center on Balinese massage, which uses long, smooth strokes combined with acupressure techniques and aromatherapy oils, but there are treatments for everything from sunburn to dry scalp. 

Anika Spa is situated in Tuban, less than a mile (1.5 kilometers) from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and an easy ride from Kuta, Seminyak, and Legian. Whether staying in south Bali or on your way to the airport, most will find a transfer with private driver more convenient than braving Bali’s crazy traffic and choked roads.

Anika Spa is open morning to late-night seven days a week, with the exception of Balinese New Year (Nyepi), when the entire island shuts down. It’s important to book ahead on weekends, during Bali’s tourist peak season (roughly mid-June through August), and around major Balinese festivals such as Kuningan and Galungan, which follow a 7-month cycle.

Most traditional Balinese spa ingredients grow in Indonesian gardens—and that’s not just the flowers used in a flower foot wash or bath. Expect to find spices such as turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, lemongrass, ginger, and galangal used in scrubs and oils, and to sip a warming cup of ginger tea before or after your treatment.

Part museum, part gallery, part cultural space, Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) is the liveliest and most diverse of Ubud’s big three art galleries. Set in a vibrant garden, rooms of note include owner Agung Rai’s modern Balinese art collection and works by German artist Walter Spies and Dutch painter Rudolf Bonnet.

 

Near the heart of downtown Ubud, ARMA is easy enough to visit independently, whether on foot, by driving, or with a professional driver or tour guide. Tours typically bundle it with other Ubud cultural attractions—the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary or alternative Indonesian galleries, such as Neka Art Museum and Puri Lukisan Museum. The traditional Balinese dance performances held here on many evenings are some of Ubud’s best and worth arranging tickets for in advance.

 

 

Set on sprawling grounds in Pengosekan, not far from the bottom of Monkey Forest Road, the Agung Rai Museum of Art is walking distance from central Ubud and other Ubud attractions. From south Bali, the Kura-Kura tourist bus provides the most cost-effective route to Ubud, although many travelers choose to self-drive or hire a driver.

 

The ARMA museum and cultural center is open year-round, with the exception of the Nyepi "Day of Silence" closure and national holidays. The pavilions are large, as are the grounds, so it’s rarely crowded. Visit during the day to experience the spectacular Balinese painting collection; come by during the evenings for traditional Balinese dance performances in one of Ubud’s most striking settings.

 

ARMA is the best place in Indonesia to see the work of Walter Spies. Prewar Russian-born German painter Walter Spies arrived in Ubud in 1927. His primitivist style and topics, such as rice terraces, had a huge influence on Balinese painting. He also helped Balinese artists form associations and guilds to promote their work to Indonesia and the world.

Bali Provincial State Museum, or Negeri Propinsi Bali, is the oldest museum on the island, with more than 10,000 exhibits. Built in a traditional Balinese royal style, the museum is made up of several buildings and pavilions displaying a vast collection of prehistoric artefacts, ceremonial objects, traditional artworks and more.

The main building is home to such displays as ancient inscriptions, ceramics, porcelain statues, agricultural tools, ritual tools, and weapons. Its collection of prehistoric pieces, including stone and bronze implements, can be found downstairs, while upstairs there are a number of traditional items that are still in use on the island to this day.

The northern pavilion is built in the style of a Tabanan palace and is primarily devoted to the mythology and spirituality of the Balinese people, with various traditional dancing costumes and masks on display. The central pavilion, with its beautiful balcony in the style of a traditional royal façade, focuses on the religious aspects of Bali’s history and features ceremonial objects and clothing, while the southern pavilion houses a large collection of traditional textiles and woven pieces.

Denpasar, Bali’s biggest city and home of the major airport, tends to see visitors depart for other locations on the island almost as soon as they arrive. It may not appear to have much to offer a tourist to the island, but take a closer look, and you’ll find a multicultural city brimming with excellent restaurants, shopping, temples and friendly residents.

Nearly 800,000 locals call Denpasar home, and while sprawling city doesn’t look it, it’s quite pedestrian friendly in the most interesting central area. The city’s temples and museums offer an off-the-tourist-path way to get to know the Balinese culture a little better. 

The Bali Museum, located just off Puputan Square, contains four pavilions, each dedicated to a different aspect of Balinese history and culture. Nearby Jagatnata Temple is one of the few without any entrance restrictions for non-Hindus, so you’re free to enter and see the white coral shrine within. When you’re ready to shop, you’ll find the Kumbasari handicraft market, Badung wet market and the bird and animal markets all within easy walking distance of each other.

Set in the hills west of Lovina, Banjar Hot Springs (Air Panas Banjar) are among Bali’s most beautiful. Dragon-head fountains feed three tiered pools that are surrounded by tropical forest and palms. Guests also have the use of lockers, changing rooms, a restaurant, and a simple spa. 

 

There is a small charge to enter Banjar Hot Springs and another for a locker. You don’t need to join a tour to visit; it’s easy to hire a private driver for the day, or you can self-drive from nearby Lovina. However, if you’re based in south Bali, a tour that combines Banjar Hot Springs with other north and central Bali destinations, such as Lovina, Munduk, and Bedugul, makes sense.

 

Banjar Hot Springs are in north Bali, a few miles southwest of Lovina, in the hills near the village of Banjar. If you’re staying in Lovina, you can drive yourself or arrange for a private driver. It can take as long as four hours to reach Banjar Hot Springs from Ngurah Rai International Airport, so if you’re touring from south Bali, it pays to hire a driver.

 

Banjar Hot Springs are open daily, from morning until early evening. To avoid crowds, don’t go on weekends or Indonesian public holidays. Instead, visit on a weekday morning, before the Indonesian school day ends.

 

Indonesia is home to more active volcanoes than any nation on earth. One benefit of all that underground activity is a wealth of hot springs, including some so scalding that bathing would be lethal. Banjar Hot Springs and the hot springs on Lake Batur, Kintamani, are Bali’s best hot springs.

Just outside of Ubud within the Gianyar Distric lies an even smaller sub district with the poetic name Blahbatuh, where, watched over by the peak of the holy mountain Mount Agung, a giant’s head rests inside the temple Pura Gaduh. The big stone head, sometimes even mistaken for a giant baby, is actually the portrait of Kebo Iwa, a legendary minister to the last king of the Bedahulu Kingdom. Apparently, Kebo Iwa was quite fond of food and ate so much that first his parents went bankrupt trying to provide for him, and afterwards, even the whole combined effort of his village didn’t manage to feed him. Still, in thanks, he helped built wells and damns and protected the villagers from conquerors. In short, he was a hero – until the invading troops from Majapahit Empire had him buried alive. The temple is a reconstruction of a former shrine, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1917.  

In Blahbatuh you can also find the temple Pura Kutri with a beautiful statue depicting Durga, the six-armed goddess of death and destruction killing a demonic water buffalo and if that doesn’t already sound exciting enough for you, the region is also known for the great views over the many rice paddies as well as the Tegenungan waterfall, which can be reached from Kemenuh village. There is also a royal palace from the 16th century, where the king used to grow and keep his orchids and while the flowers are no more, the place is still worth a visit.

Indonesia is home to more than 1,600 species of exotic birds, and many find their home at the Bali Bird Park. Ubud's top wildlife attraction hosts eight separate exhibits showcasing 250+ bird species from Papua, Sumatra, Bali, Java, Borneo, and beyond. Don't miss the bird-feeding sessions and free flight shows.

 

With attractions from shows to a 4D cinema, as well as more than 1,000 individual birds, it's worth spending several hours at Bali Bird Park. Visit during a full-day Ubud tour that also calls on Batuan village, Pura Desa Batuan temple, Ubud Market, and other destinations. Many travelers prefer to secure admission tickets and arrange transport via taxi, private driver, Uber, Kura-Kura Bus, or self-drive.

 

Dedicated Bali Bird Park tours typically include not just the entrance ticket but sometimes also lunch and door-to-door transfers with an English-speaking driver. These are more convenient than haggling with touts and safer than self-drive.

 

The Bali Bird Park is about a half-hour’s drive south of central Ubud, yet easy to reach from Kuta. The most affordable Bali Bird Park transport option is line 5 of the Kura-Kura Bus, which connects to Sanur and central Ubud. The route is well signposted by Balinese standards, yet many prefer to hire a driver rather than risk the roads themselves.

 

Open seven days a week, throughout the year—with the exception of the Nyepi "Day of Silence" holiday—there is no bad time to explore the Bali Bird Park. During the rainy season, roughly October to March, rain is common in and around Ubud, particularly in the afternoons. Arrive early to beat the crowds, later to enjoy the bird shows.

 

Besides being a display center for Indonesia’s spectacular bird life, the Bali Bird Park runs a robust conservation and breeding program. It has been instrumental in ensuring the survival of the critically endangered Bali starling, the national bird of Bali. See these beautiful white birds in the Bali exhibit.

Officially called Finns Recreation Club, but often referred to by its old name, the Canggu Club, this leisure club is a Canggu landmark. With restaurants, bars, tennis courts, a spa, pool, small water park, trampoline center, kids club, fitness center, and coworking space, Finns Recreation Club is a relaxing place to spend the day.

A Canggu landmark since its beginnings as the Canggu Club, Finns Recreation Club came under the Finns brand in 2017, following the success of Finns Beach Club in Berawa. The original club was open to members and their guests only, but Finns offers day passes, which you book online. The club’s children’s facilities, including the Bounce trampoline center, Strike! 10-pin bowling, Splash Water Park, and Cubby House Kids Club, make it a popular stop for families.

Public transport is scarce in Canggu. Complimentary shuttle buses run between Finns Recreation Club and its sibling venues, bamboo-built Finns Beach Club and Finns VIP Beach Club on Berawa Beach. Self-driving in the choked traffic can be both frustrating and dangerous: Many visitors opt to hire a private driver for the day.

The weather is best on Bali between June and August, which is also peak tourist season, but Finns Recreation Club can be visited year-round. Its annual Melbourne Cup gala, held on the first Tuesday of November in honor of Australia’s No. 1 horse race, the Melbourne Cup, is a major event. Book tickets in advance—and dress up.

Finns Recreation Club is named after a child of Australian businessman Tony Smith, who bought the club in 2013 and rebranded it in 2017. The range of Finn-branded businesses on Bali include Finns Beach Club and Finns VIP Beach Club on Berawa Beach, a little under a mile (1.3 kilometers) from Finns Recreation Club.

Known for its distinctive painting style, the village of Batuan, outside Ubud, remains an artists’ community. Unsurprisingly, Batuan Temple is a classic piece of Balinese architecture, with split gates, stone guardians, thatched shrines, and detailed carvings. It’s one of three village temples dedicated to the gods of the Hindu trinity.

As a classic example of a Balinese village temple trio that’s well located between south Bali and Ubud, Batuan Temple is a popular stop on Bali cultural and temple tours. (It’s possible, though unusual, to visit it independently.) A good Batuan Temple tour explains the traditional architecture of the Balinese temple. You can also expect to learn how Balinese Hindus build three temples in every village, one for the three gods of the Hindu Trinity: Shiva the destroyer, Krishna the creator, and Vishnu the preserver.

Approximately 7 miles (10 kilometers) from Ubud and 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) from Seminyak, Batuan can be reached by bemo minibus from Batubulan if you have time and speak Indonesian. Most travelers find a Bali cultural tour or private driver far more convenient.

Most tour groups visit Batuan Temple in the second half of the day. As such, you stand a better chance of appreciating the site in its natural condition if you visit during the morning. As with all Balinese temples, Batuan Temple looks at its finest during Galungan, Kuningan, full moon, and new moon.

Batuan is considered one of the key cultural villages around Ubud—others include Mas for woodcarving and Celuk for gold and silverwork—known for its artistic tradition in painting. Ubud museums such as Puri Lukisan and Neka track the evolution of Batuan style, from finely detailed paintings of scenes that might be a Hieronymus Bosch or a nightmare to even more startling representations of modern life invading traditional Balinese tropes. If you’re in town looking at the temple, take time to look at—and consider even buying—some art.

Bajra Sandhi Monument is located in front of the Bali Governor Office in Renon, Denpasar. Set within beautiful parkland, it was built in order to mark the struggle of the Balinese people throughout history. It’s a cultural landmark for the Balinese and a huge draw for international visitors.

This huge monument is as popular for its surroundings and unique architecture as it is for its cultural significance. It’s a three-tiered black stone structure with a tall tower that’s surrounded by courtyards. There’s a spiral staircase that leads up to the top of the monument offering 360-degree views of Denpasar, including the surrounding government buildings and the towers of the Denpasar Cathedral.

On the building’s second floor, a series of 33 dioramas trace Bali’s long and unique history, including various wars and other challenges the island has faced throughout the centuries. The dioramas trace Bali and its people from prehistoric times through to the introduction of Hinduism and the period of Dutch colonialism, right up until its independence, including its present-day political, economic, and social issues.