Last Updated: November 25, 2021
Best Views In Bali
Bali is quite a magical place and if you haven’t visited it, then you’re in for a treat when you do. It’s a small island tucked in amongst the western islands of Indonesia and is home to a stunning coastline and beautiful inland mountains dotted with rice paddies and lakes.
As you can imagine, coming up with the best views isn’t so easy during a stay in Bali, as there are so many to choose from. Just going for a morning stroll along the beach in Bali gives you an amazing view, especially on a calm day when the Indian Ocean is drenched in the colors of a sunrise.
To get to the best views in Bali though, you’re going to need to get off the beaten track a little and put some effort into getting to them, and here they are.
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Mount Batur Volcano
Mount Batur is an active volcano that sits on the north-eastern side of the island and hiking to the top of the volcano is a must if you’re looking to see what might be the ultimate view in Bali.
The peak of Mount Batur sits at around 1,700 meters and hiking to the summit takes around 3 hours. The hike isn’t so bad as there are well-maintained pathways that lead you right to the top and once you’re there you get an amazing view of the surrounding area.
To the east, you’ll see the beautiful crater lake of Danau Batur and the local villages of Kintamani and Penelokan stretching along its shores. To the west and behind the lake to the east are rolling highlands covered in lush jungle.
The most popular time to hike to the summit is early in the morning at around 3 am so that you arrive at the top for sunrise at 6 am. Not only is the hike easier because you avoid the heat of the day, but the views are next level at this time of day as you get the colors of sunrise blended in with morning mist coming off the lake. Nature lovers rejoice!
Tanah Lot Temple
If you haven’t heard of Tanah Lot Temple then you might wonder why it’s included in a post about stunning views but Tanah Lot Temple isn’t one of your usual ancient temples.
It sits on the southwest coast of Bali on an island less than a hundred meters from the shore and makes for one of the best views in Bali, especially if you time it with sunset, which happens just behind it.
Getting to the temple is very easy, just hop into a cab or tuk-tuk and aim to arrive around 3-4 pm. This will give you time to explore the temple grounds in the lovely afternoon light and see the blue waters of the Indian Ocean wrap around the temple.
Once you are done looking around this amazing Bali temple and enjoying the view, it’s time to find a comfy spot on the Sunset Terrace where you can order some food and drinks and watch the sun drop into the Indian Ocean with the temple in the foreground.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is a 600-hectare area of rice paddies that sits in central Bali amongst the Batukaru mountain range. The area is lush and covered with rising paddies, flowing hills, jungle, and palm trees as far as the eye can see – it truly is one of the best and most popular views in Bali.
The view is so popular that there is a string of restaurants along the road with the best panoramic views of the rice fields where you can sit back, relax, and really enjoy the view. Getting to the terraces is easy, just hop on a bus or in a cab and you’ll find yourself there in less than an hour.
Another interesting fact about the terraces is that they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is thanks to the ancient 9th-century subak water management system used to sustain the paddies.
Jemeluk Viewpoint
Not many people make it to the northeastern coast of Bali as most of the action, particularly surfing, happens on the southwest coast, but you should make the effort to get there if you want to see some amazing marine life and get away from the crowds a little.
The northeast coast of Bali around the area of Amed is famous for its amazing diving and snorkeling and it’s also home to one of the most awesome panoramic views in Bali in my opinion.
Just to the east of Amed is Jemeluk Bay and by climbing up the hills around the bay, you get an amazing view of the bay and coastline.
The view begins by looking deep into the crystal clear waters and the local fishing boats moored in the bay and on the beach. As you look further, the sea continues for miles to the north while the hills of the Balinese coastline stand tall to the west with Mount Agung, Bali’s highest peak in the background.
Uluwatu Temple
If you’re a surfer you would have heard of Uluwatu as it’s one of the most famous waves in Bali but it’s also home to one of the top views in Bali and a stunning Hindu temple to go with it.
Uluwatu Temple sits on the southern tip of Bali and it stands stall on the edge of a huge 70-meter cliff that towers above the Indian Ocean. If you love looking out to sea, then standing on the cliffs at Uluwatu will be like a dream come true.
The views from the temple are pretty awesome no matter what time of day you’re there but, like with the temple, you can beat being there at sunset. Arriving in the afternoon with time to stroll around the temple, see a local Kecak dance performance in the open-air amphitheater, and then settle in for sunset is your best bet.
Make sure to take your camera as the sunsets are truly spectacular from the temple and you’ll also be joined by Grey long-tailed macaque monkeys which are best shot at sunset, like all of us.
Pura Lempuyang Luhur Temple
One of the best views in Bali that isn’t so easy to get to is the view from the Pura Lempuyang Luhur Temple. The temple sits at 1,170 meters above sea level on the top of Mount Lempuyang in East Bali, so you can only imagine the views from the top. But, they actually start pretty much as soon as you hop out of your cab at the Gate Of Heaven that leads to the temple.
The Gate of Heaven is an iconic Hindu landmark in Bali and it’s quite a magical sight to see. The gate is beautifully carved and opens up into a view across the East Balinese highlands and jungle. From the gate, you can take a look around the Pura Penataran Agung temple before climbing the 1700 stairs to the temple on the summit.
As you climb the steps through the forest you’ll be joined by long-tailed macaques and once at the top, see amazing views across the highlands with Mount Agung in the background.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces sit just north of Ubud in central Bali and are more of a stop-off with a view than anything else. The reason it’s such a great and popular view in Bali is because of how iconic the valley is. You’ll see perfect terraced rice fields set amongst lush forests and palm trees.
Along the road that looks over the valley are numerous cafes and restaurants where you can stop off for lunch and a coffee with a view. You can also go jungle ziplining or swinging across the valley for a more up close and adrenaline-fuelled experience.
The area is along known for its art shops so you can easily find a great picture of the terraces painted by local artists if you want one to go home with.
Balangan Beach
If you’re looking for one of the best views in Bali that also features a beach, then head to Balangan Beach. Balangan Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Bali for locals, not only because of the great waves that break off its shores, but also the rugged views of the cliffs and rock pools.
From the white sands of Balangan Beach, you can gaze upon the point to the south called Balangan Hill, stare into the crystal blue waters, look endlessly into the Indian Ocean, search the rock pools for tropical fish, and lots more.
Suluban Beach
Another stunning beach in Bali that has a great view is Suluban Beach. Suluban Beach sits just northwest of Uluwatu and is hugely popular with surfers and photographers. Getting down to the beach isn’t easy as you have to weave your way through narrow gaps in the limestone cliffs.
The beach is covered with white sand and on one side its rock shoreline covered with jungle hits the ocean while on the other, the towering cliffs make it feel like an amphitheater. From the beach and the cliffs above you’ll have beautiful views of the Indian Ocean and it’s best seen at sunset too.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
