Central Bali, Indonesia – 7 Must Visit Sites

Bali is one of the most interesting and beautiful places I have visited by now. Mostly I explored central Bali and the places I’ve seen were just breathtaking.

Bali stole my heart and I can’t wait to go back and explore more of its gems, temples and its wonderful nature.

If you plan to visit Bali, I am giving you my top seven recommendations of the things you absolutely should not miss in the central part of the island.

A girlgazing at the lush green rice terraces in Ubud area in central Bali indonesia — Green rice terraces of Central Bali

1. Ubud

If you plan to visit central Bali, you should not miss Ubud – the town is a cultural centre of the island and this is a place where you just can’t be bored. There is something for everyone in Ubud: from cultural events like dance and music performances to tons of amazing places to eat, shop and enjoy the day as well as the nightlife. You can get great spa treatments and massages there for as cheap as 6€ for a whole hour! What else do you need? 🙂

There are some beautiful temples in the city as well, for instance, the magical Pura Taman Saraswati Temple.

Ubud town is also great for budget travellers since you can get great accommodation deals through Airbnb.

For more activity ideas in Ubud click here.

Delicious dinner - fish, rice and vegetables served on a banana leaf in a restaurant in Ubud - central Bali indonesia — Delicious dinner in Ubud – fish, rice and vegetables served on a banana leaf

2. Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud

When in Ubud you can’t miss one of the most popular Balinese attraction – the Sacred Monkey forest. It is a truly beautiful and serene place with walkways surrounded by hundreds of years old trees and lush jungle and greenery. There is also a mysterious and extremely old temple and the best part – hundreds of cute and funny monkeys are jumping and running all around.
It is so much fun to see how they behave and interact with each other. You can also feed them.

But you should be very careful with your belongings because they love to steal.

WARNING: Be sure not to bring any extra valuables unless needed. If you take a camera make sure you have it attached to yourself with a neck or a hand strap. Also, make sure they don’t bite you because that can be dangerous. If somehow that would happen, you should contact someone immediately and you should go to the doctor to get vaccinated.

All in all, I am sure you will enjoy this place. Monkey forest lies in the centre of Ubud and the ticket costs only 3.5€.

Cute monkeys in Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest in Central Bali indonesia — Cute monkeys in Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest

Huge trees in Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest, Bali indonesia — Huge ancient trees in Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest

Huge lizard statue in Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest in central Bali — When walking through the forest, you will see huge statues of lizards, dragons…

Ancient Temple in Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest in Bali — An old temple in the middle of the forest

long wooden bridge over a river in Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest in Bali — A bridge over the jungle river…

3. Rice Terraces

When I think Bali I think green rice terraces and palm trees. No wonder, since Bali is full of them. So this is one thing you just can not miss and believe me, you won’t regret seeing it.

Walking through the rice paddies and soaking in the breathtaking green colour was like a feast for my soul. It made me feel so at peace and I love to see how Balinese people appreciate the nature and would do anything to protect it. I think we all should learn something from them…

FUN FACT: Did you know that in Bali, you can go to prison for cutting down a tree?

But back to rice paddies.. 🙂 The best time to go is really early in the morning. This is great for more reasons:

you can experience the gradual light changes as the sun goes up (also great for amazing photos)
it is not going to be crazy hot
the crowds will not arrive just yet

There are plenty of rice terraces that you can visit in the area. The most famous ones are the Tegallalang rice fields but I prefer the less touristy ones. Just ask the locals for recommendations and directions and go explore. 🙂

bright green rice terraces in Ubud area in central Bali — Bright green rice terraces in Ubud area in central Bali

bright green rice terraces and orange flowers in Ubud area in central Bali

Lush and green rice terraces in Bali

Green rice terraces and tall palm trees in Bali — Rice paddies and palm trees – food for my soul… 🙂

Temples of Central Bali:

Bali is full of temples. Actually, there are around 20 000 temples in Bali! But since it is also called ‘The Island of Gods’, I guess all these temples are probably necessary. 🙂

All jokes aside, I really love temples – there is always a special energy in those places and I love to experience the local culture and the spirituality of the Balinese people.

Balinese are Hindus but their religion has many unique traits which are only found in Bali. Hence it’s called Balinese Hinduism. You can read more about it in this post: Fascinating Facts About Balinese Hinduism.

4. Gunung Kawi

Among all the temples I’ve visited in Bali, Gunung Kawi was my favourite.
It is set in serene natural surroundings and to get to the sacred part, you have to walk quite a while through the beautiful green rice terraces. Then you have to cross a jungle river which is surrounded by breathtaking trees and plants.

I would love to just stay there for days and meditate on those huge rocks you can see in the photo below!

The temple complex was built in the 11th century by a king Anak Wungsu. It consists of 10 rock-cut shrines that are 7 metres high and are carved in the cliffs on each side of the Pakerisan river. If you wonder about the meaning of the temple’s name: Gunung is a mountain and Kawi means ‘made by humans’.

Best time to visit the temple is early in the morning because later during the day it gets really crowded.

Rice terraces at the entrance of Gunung Kawi temple in central Bali — Rice terraces at the entrance of the Gunung Kawi temple area

A girl standing n the middle of the Pakerisan river in the jungle of Gunung Kawi temple, central Bali” width=”700″ height=”394″>

Huge rock formations of Gunung Kawi temple in Bali — Huge stone carved shrines of Gunung Kawi temple

5. Tirta Empul – Tampaksiring

Another extremely unique temple, which is also very close to the Gunung Kawi temple, is called Tirta Empul. The name means ‘The Holy Spring’ and it was built on the spring of the Pakerisan river, the same river that flows through the Gunung Kawi temple complex. Tirta Empul temple was built around 10th century A.D.

In the temple area, there are rock carved pools in which Balinese people bath themselves as a purification ritual. Tourists are also allowed to do so. It is so nice to see the locals practising their rituals – it truly brings you closer to the culture.

Balinese artistic gates in Tirta Empul Tampaksiring temple, central Bali indonesia — Typical Balinese temple gates at the Tirta Empul Tampaksiring temple

A purifying ritual in Tirta Empul temple - bathing in the holy spring water of Pakerisan river — A purifying ritual in Tirta Empul temple – locals are bathing in the holy spring water of Pakerisan river

Balinese offerings above the purifying pool and locals in the water, Tirta Empul — Balinese offerings above the purifying pool

Green water of the holy spring of Pakerisan river in Tirta Empul Tampaksiring temple, central Bali — The spring of the Pakerisan river holy waters in Tirta Empul Tampaksiring temple

Big green water pool and big orange fish in Tirta Empul temple, Bali — A pool for big orange fish in Tirta Empul temple

6. Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot temple is the most photographed temple in Bali and it is not hard to see why. It is yet another unique temple, which is built on a small rock close to the shore and when the sea rises, it becomes a tiny island.

On the other side, there is another sacred site which lies on a long cliff above the sea. These temples can’t be entered by tourists (only Balinese priests can go inside) but you can admire their beauty from the shore. The temple complex is beautiful at sunrise, at sunset and during the day.

But I would still recommend you to come as early as possible if you want to avoid the huge crowds that pour into the place later on during the day.

Tanah Lot temple on a small island in central Bali — Tanah Lot temple on a small island in the middle of the sea

Tanah Lot temple on a cliff and big waves crushing the black sand volcanic beach below — Another part of Tanah Lot temple complex which stands on a cliff

A girl with a hat looking at the Tanah Lot temple in central Bali

Tanah Lot temple on a tiny island in the middle of the blue sea

Balinese sacred statues in Tanah Lot temple, central Bali Balinese sacred statues in Tanah Lot temple, central Bali Balinese sacred statues in Tanah Lot temple, central Bali — Balinese sacred statues in Tanah Lot temple, central Bali

Tanah Lot temple complex on a cliff and a lush green nature

a girl with a hat looking at the Tanah Lot temple island

7. Bratan Temple and Lake

A bit more to the North of central Bali lies yet another beautiful sacred site – Bratan Lake and Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. This temple is dedicated to the water goddess Danu and to the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. The temple was built in the 17th century.

It stands beside a huge lake which is actually the second largest lake in Bali. Behind it, there is the Bratan volcano – one of many volcanoes on Bali.

The place is very peaceful and I highly recommend you to check it out when you visit Bali. I think you won’t regret it.

Bratan temple and lake with typical Balinese Meru towers and a boat, central Bali — Bratan lake and temple with typical Balinese Meru towers

Bratan lake and a Balinese temple on a foggy day — The biggest one is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvathi

red and yellow flowers and Balinese Bratan temple — The smaller temple is dedicated to the water goddess Danu

a girl with a hat looking at the Bratan temple and the foggy sky above the lake, centrla Bali

These are my seven recommendations for things you shouldn’t miss if you visit Central Bali.

And if you are still not sure wheater you want to visit Bali, check out this post:

32 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Bali, Indonesia. I am sure the photos will convince you. 🙂

Have you visited Bali or any of the above-listed places before?

If so, which place was your favourite?

I would love to know your opinion and your recommendations so let me know in the comments down below.

Happy travels! 🙂