Choose from 113 Fun Things to Do in Indonesia
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Menjangan Island
Set just off the Bali coast in West Bali National Park, Menjangan Island (Pulau Menjangan, or Deer Island) is a white-sand gem. The island itself has no facilities beyond a simple bathroom and some open-air bale shelters, but offshore its sheer reef walls decked in undulating sea fans and lush soft corals are a magnet for marine life, divers, and snorkelers.
The Basics
Diving is Menjangan Island's major draw. Most visitors come to the island as part of an organized tour with a local dive or snorkeling operator, virtually all of which include equipment and the West Bali National Park entrance fee. Mainland resorts also offer diving options, although budget travelers typically arrange Menjangan scuba trips from the mainland dive town of Pemuteran. Most operators offer trips for both qualified and beginner divers.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Mellow currents and less crowded dive sites make Menjangan one of Bali's top dive destinations.
- Menjangan means "deer" in Indonesian, and there are plenty in the national park.
- It's not possible to overnight on Menjangan Island, so most base themselves either at Menjangan resorts on the mainland or in Pemuteran.
How to Get There
Menjangan Island is in the far northwestern corner of Bali, several hours' drive from Ubud and the south Bali tourist districts. Tours typically depart from the mainland town of Pemuteran and travel around 12 miles (18 kilometers) to the dock at Labuhan Lalang for the 30- to 40-minute crossing to the island. The cluster of resorts on the fringes of the national park can also arrange boats.
When to Get There
With good visibility, warm water, and very little current by Indonesian standards, Menjangan Island is a great year-round dive destination for both beginners and advanced divers. As with other tourist destinations in Bali, it is at its busiest in July and August. The rainy season (roughly October to March) is less noticeable in this part of Bali than elsewhere.
Diving Menjangan Island and Pemuteran
Divers who make the journey out to Menjangan Island from south Bali should spend a couple of days exploring the sites around Menjangan itself and in the mainland dive resort of Pemuteran. Popular sites around Menjangan Island include Eel Garden, home to ribbon eels, and the cavern at Cave Point, but it's hard to go wrong with Menjangan's stunning coral walls. Pemuteran's artificial reef makes a fascinating dive.
Address: Bali, Indonesia
From $ 90
West Bali National Park (Bali Barat National Park)
Occupying a swath of Bali's northwestern corner, West Bali National Park (Bali Barat National Park) is Bali's last true wilderness. Highlights include the reefs around Menjangan Island, mangrove and tropical savanna landscapes, and wildlife the likes of monkeys, deer, macaques, and the white Bali starling"”the preservation of which was a main reason the park was created in 1941.
The Basics
Independent guests to West Bali National Park must pay national park fees and use its chartered guide service. Boat trips are through the park's fixed-rate charter service. As the park is far from popular tourist destinations, many visit with a tour or with a prearranged private driver/guide. The park is near Gilimanuk, where ferries leave for Java, so some tours stop between Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) and other East Java attractions.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Abundant birdlife, including kingfishers, herons, and the rare Bali starling, make West Bali National Park a must-do for birders.
- Macaques, monkey, and deer are commonly seen from the trails. Creatures such as wild boar, wild buffalo, and leopard cats are less frequently spotted.
- A horseback safari makes a splendid way to explore West Bali National Park.
- Menjangan Island, known for its sea fans and corals, lies within West Bali National Park and is popular with divers.
How to Get There
West Bali National Park is hard to reach by public transport. Pemuteran Shuttle runs a shuttle service from Ubud, Kuta, and Sanur to the resort town of Pemuteran, around 15 miles (25 kilometers) away. Public buses run from Denpasar's Ubung terminal to the port of Gilimanuk, around 6 miles (10 kilometers) away. If you speak some Indonesian, you can pick up a "bemo" minibus from Gilimanuk or Pemuteran.
When to Get There
The dry season (roughly May to October) is the best time to watch wildlife in the park, both from a comfort perspective and because the grounds are less overgrown with greenery, but the park is worth visiting year-round. If you're staying in Pemuteran or the resorts on the fringes of the park, aim to start wildlife watching around 6am when the animals are most active.
Big Cats of Bali National Park
The West Bali National Park was once home to the Bali tiger"”but the last sighting was more than 80 years ago, and that one was shot. There is no leopard population, but there are leopard cats. Despite their leopard-like patterns, they are not much larger than a standard domestic cat.
Address: Jalan Raya Denpasar-Gilimanuk 82253, Indonesia
From $ 313
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
The king of Karangasem built his fantasy water palace at Tirta Gangga in 1948, and it’s one of east Bali’s most beautiful sights. Lush rice paddies back three levels of ornamental gardens with swimming pools, fountains, stone carvings, stepping stones, fish ponds, and airy pavilions. It is one of Indonesia’s most striking royal palaces.
The Basics
Tirta Gangga water palace is one of east Bali’s most famous sights and an essential stop on any east Bali day tour. The entrance fee is inexpensive and the water garden is rarely crowded, while the manicured grounds and shady pavilions are delightful to walk in.
Just 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Amlapura, it’s also a short hop from the diving meccas of Amed and Tulamben, and a popular stop en route to Amed. Bali tours often pair Tirta Gangga palace with other relics of the Karangasem kingdom, such as Ujung Water Palace.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Over recent years, a strip of restaurants and guesthouses has made the rice fields of Tirta Gangga a destination in their own right.
- Unlike Balinese temples, sarongs are not required to visit Tirta Gangga Water Palace.
- Bring your swimwear to enjoy a dip in the spring-fed swimming pools.
How to Get There
The easiest way for tourists to reach Tirta Gangga Water Palace is on the Perama shuttle, which runs to and from the airport, Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Amed, Tulamben, Padangbai, and Candidasa. Self-driving is also possible, although as the journey from Kuta can take up to three hours, a door-to-door Bali tour or even a private tour is easier for most.
When to Get There
Tirta Gangga's name means "water of the Ganges." It is open seven days a week, year-round, with the exception of Nyepi (the “Day of Silence” holiday). The spacious grounds are rarely crowded, even on Indonesian public holidays. During Bali’s rainy season (roughly October till March), you stand the best chance of clear skies earlier in the day.
The Kings of Karangasem
East Bali is perhaps the least visited area of Bali and remains substantially unspoiled and often very poor. Yet the kingdom of Karangasem, established in the 17th century, was once one of Bali’s richest and most powerful kingdoms. At many times, Karangasem's Hindu kings ruled not only swathes of eastern Bali but also half of the island of Lombok, next door.
Address: Bali, Indonesia
From $ 39
National Museum
The National Museum in Jakarta sits on the western side of Merdeka Square. After various incarnations under a number of different names, the National Museum was opened in 1868. Often referred to as the "˜Elephant Building' due to the bronze elephant statue at its entrance, this impressive museum houses a huge collection, providing an in-depth insight into Indonesia's fascinating cultural heritage.
The National Museum essentially takes visitors on a journey through Indonesia's history, from prehistoric times right up to the present day. There are almost 150,000 artifacts on display here, with prehistoric, archaeological, ceramic, ethnographic, numismatic/heraldic, geographic, and colonial collections to explore.
A new wing was added to the museum in 2007, with four levels dedicated to the neo-classical colonial era and the origins of mankind in Indonesia, including a model of the Flores "˜hobbit'. Elsewhere, there are items from the eras of Hinduism and Buddhism, known as the Indonesian classical era, with ancient statues of Hindu gods and the Buddha.
Practical Info
The National Museum is located in Merdeka Square. The Indonesian Heritage Society offers free English-speaking tours of the museum at 10:30am on Tuesdays, and at 10:30am and 1:30pm on Thursdays.
Address: Jalan Merdeka Barat 12, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Hours: 8am-4pm Tuesday to Friday; 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday
Admission: Adult: Rp. 750 / Child: Rp. 250
From $ 38
Yogyakarta
Jakarta might be Java’s financial hub, but Yogyakarta is the island’s artistic and cultural heart. Home to about half a million people, Yogyakarta, or “Yogya” for short, serves as the jumping off point for excursions to Java’s most important archeological sites, Prambanan and Borobudur. As such, the city’s packed with hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops.
As one of Indonesia’s oldest cities, Yogya offers plentiful historical buildings, monuments and temples worthy of exploration. At the heart of it all is the Kraton Complex, a Javanese palace complex where the sultan still lives. Originally built in 1790, many of the structures now house museum collections, including gifts from foreign dignitaries, family heirlooms, old photographs and the sultan’s horse-drawn carriages.
Visitors interested in Yogya’s religious heritage will find half a dozen ancient temples in and around the city. It’s also an excellent destination for experiencing traditional Javanese dance, puppetry and music.
Practical Info
Yogya’s Adisucipto International Airport is served by frequent daily flights from Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali).
Address: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
From $ 5
Ujung Water Palace
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, Ujung Water Palace is the former palace of the King of Karangasem. It’s located just a few kilometers from Amlapura in Bali and features several pools and a number of historical structures, all set against the backdrop of Mount Agung and the eastern shoreline of the island.
The park features a combination of Balinese and European architecture throughout, and has three large pools, with a central building connected to the edge of the main pool via a bridge. The other pools were added later, along with a number of pavilions, meditation quarters, and the Taman Gili floating pavilions.
The site was virtually devastated following the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963, and was later shaken by an earthquake in 1979. However, multiple restoration efforts throughout the decades have restored the site to its former glory, and it continues to attract both locals and visitors, who come to marvel at the flamboyant architecture and magnificent views.
Practical Info
Ujung Water Palace is located in Tumbu Village within the Karangasem regency, around a two-hour drive from Denpasar. Most people visit the site as part of an organized tour.
Address: Tumbu Village, Amlapura, Bali 80811, Indonesia
From $ 32
Uluwatu Temple
Situated just outside Kuta on Bali’s southwestern tip sits an ancient temple perched atop towering seaside cliffs. At Uluwatu Temple, one of Bali’s most important directional temples, Ganesha statues welcome visitors who’ve come to enjoy spectacular views, observe wild monkeys, or watch a traditional Balinese dance at sunset.
The Basics
Uluwatu ranks among the most popular of the more than 1,000 temples on Bali. Its clifftop location makes sunset visits particularly appealing, so many guided day trips around the island culminate with a sunset stop at the temple and the chance to watch a traditional Kecak dance performance in this atmospheric location. An evening Uluwatu Temple tour can be combined with a fresh seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach. Tours to Uluwatu Temple often include pickup and drop-off in either Denpasar or South Kuta.
Things to Know Before You Go
- This Balinese Hindu temple is a must-see for all first-time visitors to Bali.
- Sarongs are available for rent at the entrance to the temple complex.
- Be aware of the wild monkeys that frequent the temple; they’re known to snag jewelry, cameras, and other loose objects.
How to Get There
Uluwatu Temple sits about 45 minutes from the Denpasar airport by road. The most convenient way to get there is on a guided tour, but it’s also possible to arrive by taxi from just about anywhere on the island.
When to Get There
The magnificent view of the sun setting over Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean makes evening the most popular (and crowded) time for visiting Uluwatu Temple. If you’d like to explore the temple grounds with a bit more elbow room, plan to visit earlier in the day.
The Beaches of Uluwatu
The clifftop temple isn’t Uluwatu’s only appeal. The area is also deservedly famous for its white-sand beaches. While strong tides make for unsafe swimming, Padang Padang Beach and Jimbaran Beach attract surfers year-round with their consistent waves.
Address: Bali, Indonesia
Admission: small fee
From $ 8
Casa Luna Cooking School
One of the many aspects that sets Bali apart from other Indonesian islands is its distinctive cuisine"”one of the most complex cuisines in the world. The Casa Luna Cooking School offers insight into the culture, beliefs and daily life of Balinese people through the lens of food and cooking.
Classes take place on the grounds of the Second Honeymoon Guesthouse near Ubud and include discussions on the relationship between food and Balinese society, ceremonial uses and religious importance of food, and culinary myths. Each participant is provided with class notes and recipes to take home, and everyone is invited to take part in the preparation of a traditional feast before sitting down to eat.
Each weekday features a different menu of Balinese classics, and the weekend calendar often includes special workshops on topics like food as medicine or preparing smoked duck.
Practical Info
Most classes at Casa Luna begin in the morning and finish up in the early afternoon, leaving the second half of the day free for other activities.
Address: Jalan Bisma No.5, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Admission: Varies
From $ 59
Solo (Surakarta)
Slightly smaller than Yogyakarta, the conservative and traditional city of Solo is an ideal place for travelers to sample the best of Indonesia’s culture, food and spirit without the crowds or chaos. Visitors can wander through local markets selling handmade items like colorful batiks, or venture into modern-day malls with bright lights and contemporary shops. Solo is a study in opposition, since old meets new at almost every turn.
Visitors can easily access Central Java from transportation hubs in Solo, and a number of impressive temples are located within city limits. Solo is an all-access pass to Javanese culture and the perfect spot to check out a live traditional dance or music performance.
Practical Info
Solo is accessible via air from Jakarta, and has connections to Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Pangkalan Bun, Pontianak, Ketapang and Berau, too.
Address: Solo, Indonesia
From $ 101
Tirta Empul Temple
Bali’s most popular sacred spring, Tirta Empul Temple dates back more than 1,000 years. Travelers from around the globe flock to its holy waters to bathe beside Balinese pilgrims; accept blessings from healers, priests, and shamans; or simply soak up the atmosphere. The temple is northeast of Ubud in Tampaksiring, not far from Gunung Kawi.
The Basics
Tirta Empul Temple is easy to visit independently yet is also a very popular stop for Bali tours, large and small. (In general, due to heavy traffic, winding roads, and language barriers, booking a private guide or joining an organized tour can help you get the most out of your Bali trip.) Prebooking a tour is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a Balinese Hindu water blessing. To check off several of Ubud’s most celebrated temples in a single day, many Bali temple tours include a stop at Tirta Empul.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tirta Empul’s bathing pools make it a popular choice for photographers, and anyone with an interest in Balinese spirituality.
- Entry to the temple requires a small fee.
- Sacred springs should be treated with respect. While sarongs are available for a modest fee, all visitors should wear tops that cover their shoulders.
- Balinese Hinduism prohibits menstruating women from entering temples of any kind. Please honor this requirement.
- As with most Balinese temples, Tirta Empul includes steps and is not suitable for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Tirta Empul Temple lies about 9.5 miles (15 kilometers) northeast of Ubud in the village of Tampaksiring. Unless you speak Indonesian and have a lot of time, private transportation is essential.
When to Get There
Balinese Hindu temples generally host ceremonies on the full moon, new moon, and other auspicious days calculated on a complicated calendar. Around these times, and during the Balinese festivals of Galungan and Kuningan, Tirta Empul Temple gets very busy. Any day you visit, come early to catch the temple at its best as worshippers start to arrive and make their offerings.
The Legend of Life
Balinese lore relates that when the god Indra did battle with the demon king Mayadanawa, he tapped the elixir of life from the ground at Tirta Empul. As such, Tirta Empul—just one of many holy water temples on Bali—is sacred to Balinese, who visit on their birthdays, and a key part of Bali’s subak irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage landmark.
Address: Jl. Tirta, Tampaksiring, Bali, Gianyar Regency, Indonesia 80552, Indonesia
From $ 10
Singaraja
Singaraja is an old trading town and the former colonial administrative capital of the whole Lesser Sunda Islands. The economic growth of that particular region was mainly due to this old port and especially China had a big influence in Singaraja. The town had been trading with Chinese junk boats since the 10th century and these East Asian as well as colonial influences are still evident, not only in the local cuisine, but also in some of the buildings, such as the Chinese temples, wide and grand streets and the large gardens. Singaraja is to this day the economic center of Bali and you can still admire some of the old warehouses along the old harbor, which once housed the goods that made the town the main hub in the East Indies.
The city is best explored on foot or by rickshaw, passing along Chinese shops and through quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods. Scattered throughout the city are lively bazaars, a couple temples and two mosques. An attraction of a special kind though is the Gedong Kirtya Lontar Museum, which offers diaries from colonial times, metal plates with royal decrees from the 14th century, Balinese calendars and a palm leaf library. The palm leaf collection includes ritual books and seals, as well as historical narratives, magical formulas and future predictions.
Practical Info
Singaraja is located east of Lovina in northern Bali. From the Denpasar area, it takes about 4 hours to get there, Lovina is 20 minutes away and to get there from Gilimanuk takes about 2 hours. The city has three bus terminals with local bemos ferrying transfer passengers between them.
Address: Singaraja Banyuasri, Buleleng 81119, Indonesia
From $ 62
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Palace)
Home of Ubud’s royal family since the late-19th century, Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Palace or Puri Saren Agung) sits in the heart of downtown Ubud near the traditional art market. Explore the pavilions and gardens. There are also traditional Balinese dance performances in the courtyard each evening, a must for any visitor to Indonesia.
The Basics
No admission tickets are required for Ubud Palace, which, like Ubud Market, is free for everyone to enter. Tickets for the dances, however, are chargeable, and can be reserved around town or on the day. To get the maximum insight into the architecture, the history, and the beliefs behind the palace, it’s worth joining a day tour—whether of Ubud or Bali as a whole—that includes it.
The typical tour package makes only a short stop as the palace, while fascinating, is not large. Full day tours from Kuta and south Bali often include attractions such as the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Puri Lukisan art museum, ARMA Museum, Ubud Market, and the traditional art market at Sukawati.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Wednesday and Thursday dance performances by the Panca Arta group are recommended when in Bali.
- As the palace is free to enter and still in ritual use, visitor facilities are limited.
- Many members of Ubud’s royal family still live in and use the palace rooms.
How to Get There
Ubud Palace is slap-bang in the center of Ubud, by Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Raya Ubud, and easy to walk to from most of Ubud. The cheapest way to reach the royal palace from south Bali is by the Kura-Kura tourist bus, although many prefer to hire a driver for the day, self-drive, or join a cultural Ubud tour or Bali day tour.
When to Get There
The central location and free admission means Ubud Palace can get very, very crowded. Visit early in the morning to beat the worst of the Bali tourist rush. The royal palace is at its most fascinating in the run-up to royal cremations—guides and accommodation will know when one is due to happen—but also colorful during major Bali festivals such as Kuningan and Galungan.
Bali’s Royal Families
For almost all of its history, Bali was ruled by a range of competing dynasties, typically comprising nine separate kingdoms. So, royal palaces, temples, and pleasure gardens are scattered among Bali island's rice fields and rice terraces. Ubud’s royal family, like other Balinese royal families, remain highly influential but have no actual power.
Address: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
From $ 35
Batu Belig Beach
Most of Bali's beaches offer up stunning sunset views--perhaps that's why this Indonesian destination is a top spot for newlyweds and honeymooners in search of a romantic getaway. But travelers say it's the shores of Batu Belig Beach that showcase the best sunset in the land.
Batu Belig offers up peaceful stretches of sand that are quieter and less-visited than nearby Seminyak or Kuta. Travelers will find fewer hawkers and more locals at this gay-friendly beach where local eateries, restaurants and cocktail bars line the coast and provide the perfect location for watching the sunset.
Practical Info
Batu Belig Beach is located just 5 km from Denpasar City at the end of Jalan Batu Betig.
Address: Jalan Batu Belig, Kerobokan, Bali, Indonesia, Indonesia
From $ 65