If there’s one thing in Bali that truly feels spiritual, it’s hiking Mount Batur before dawn. The trail itself isn’t too difficult, but the payoff is massive: watching the sky unfold from deep purple to fiery orange while the lake and the surrounding village come to life below you. 

A local guide once brewed me a cup of hot fresh Balinese coffee at the summit using water he boiled over volcanic steam. It was one of the best cups of coffee I’ve ever had; mostly because of the view, but the coffee wasn’t too bad either. 

My top tip: Wear layers! Bali might be tropical, but the top of a volcano at 5am is not.

One of my favourite experiences in Bali was joining a local cooking class just outside of Ubud. We started with a market visit; baskets of bright red chilis, stacks of spices, and vendors who loved to explain the quirks of their ingredients. Then we learned to make classic Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng and ayam betutu in a small, open-air kitchen overlooking the rice terraces. 

It's the kind of experience that makes you feel connected to the island in a way that simply dining out never could.

Yes, Tanah Lot and Uluwatu are iconic and worth visiting, but some of the temples that took my breath away were the ones I hadn’t heard of before I arrived. 

Gunung Kawi Sebatu: A peaceful, emerald-green water temple where you can actually hear yourself think. 

Tirta Empul: Known for its holy springs; join in the purification ritual if you’re open to it. 

Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven): Go early to avoid the line! The real beauty isn’t the Instagram pose, but the sweeping view of Mount Agung. 

Every temple visit made me more aware of how deeply spiritual daily life is for Balinese people. Offerings are everywhere; tiny baskets of flowers, food and incense that give even the busiest of streets a sense of calm.

I’m not a natural surfer by any means, but learning in Bali is genuinely fun. The waves in Canggu and Kuta are good for beginners, and the instructors are patient in a way that makes you forget how many times you fell off the board. 

If you’re more advances, Uluwatu’s breaks are world-class. Even if you don’t surf, watching the pros from the cliff bars at sunset is one of those ‘OK, I could live here’ moments.

The first time someone told me I should visit a ‘hidden’ waterfall, I assumed it was a marketing gimmick. Turns out, Bali actually has loads of lesser-known waterfalls that require a bit of hiking but reward you with icy pools and peaceful jungle. 

Some of my favourites from my trips include: 

Tibumana: Consistently beautiful and not too crowded. 

Nungnung: A steep climb down, but the power of the falls is unforgettable. 

Sekumpul: Hands down, one of the best waterfalls I experienced in Bali. 

My top tip: Bring footwear you don’t mind getting wet!

There’s something uniquely Balinese about spending an afternoon lounging at a beach club while the DJs ease into a sunset set. I still remember watching the sky ease into pink over Seminyak from a pool lounger, cocktail in hand, and thinking: ‘I now understand why people never leave’. 

Options range from the energetic (Finns, Potato Head), to the more laid-back (La Brisa, Sundays Beach Club). Whatever vibe you’re looking for, you’ll find it here – beach clubs are a quintessential Bali experience.

Nusa Penida feels almost prehistoric; towering cliffs, electric-blue water, and viewpoints that make your stomach drop. Kelingking Beach, shaped like a T-Rex, is worth the hype. The hike down is intense, but even just seeing it from the viewpoint above is unforgettable. 

Just expect bumpy roads. Your spine might not thank you, but your photo gallery certainly will.

I’ve had massages in a lot of places, but Bali’s are in a league of their own. After a long hike or a day of exploring, an hour of deep tissue magic for a fraction of Western prices feels like the ultimate luxury. 

If you can, book one in a spa surrounded by nature. Hearing the rustle of leaves and trickle of water amplifies the relaxation in a way I still remember vividly!

Ubud is often called the cultural heart of Bali, but it didn’t really click for me until I spent a few slow days wandering its backstreets and surrounding villages. Yes the centre can feel busy, but just steps away from the main road you’ll find yourself in a completely different world.

Walking through the rice paddies that surround Ubud are some of my favourite memories of my entire time in Bali. The Ubud Monkey Forest was calmer than I expected, with towering trees, moss-covered bridges, ancient temples and of course the resident monkeys. And some of the best meals I had in Bali were in Ubud; tiny family-run warungs tucked down side streets where we dined on the best nasi goreng of our trip.

The best part of Ubud, though, is simply being there. Sitting in a café overlooking the rice terraces, listening to distant temple bells, or wandering through a morning market where everything smells like incense and fresh fruit – it’s the kind of place that gets under your skin in the best way, and is one of the best things to do in Bali.

TF's top hotel pick: The Ubud Village Resort & Spa

Most people snap a photo at the entrance and leave, but the magic happens when you wander deeper into the terraces. I spent hours wandering along the narrow mud paths while local farmers greeted me as if they’d known me for years. 

If you go in the late afternoon, you’ll catch the sun turning the terraces gold. It’s one of those moments when time slows down, and Bali feels exactly like the paradise you imagined. Truly this is one of the best things to do in Bali.