Bali’s beaches are the island’s most in-demand tourist destinations.
It’s easy to see why. Not only is Bali the number one tourist destination in the world for 2026, as named by TripAdvisor, but the island’s beaches are consistently named amongst the best in the world, too.
Tourists visiting Bali for the first time can easily be swept up in the allure of the island’s coastal areas, but the green landscapes have just as much to offer. Here at The Bali Sun, we’d even argue that they have even more to offer!
Speaking to reporters this week, Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, Head of Tourism Marketing at the Bali Tourism Office, has been promoting the benefits of Sanur as a top vacation destination.
Spanning over 8km of pristine white sand, clean shores, and huge new infrastructural developments, Bali’s oldest coastal resort is in a period of renaissance. She shared, “The location is calm, and there are no waves because it is not the open sea, so it is safe for swimming.”
Yustikarini confirmed that 28% of tourists visit Bali’s beaches, and with panoramic views of Mount Agung and the Nusa Penida Islands, it’s easy to see why Sanur remains as in demand as ever. She did, however, note that tourists are showing interest in Bali’s full spectrum of natural landscapes.
She called for tourists to include other landscapes in their vacation itineraries alongside Bali’s beaches. “After beaches, favorite tourist visits are waterfalls, marine tourism, rice fields, mountains, forests, lakes, and others.”
For tourists traveling to Bali for the first time, and even for those looking to deepen their relationship with the island by experiencing more of the inland regions, there is a huge variety of landscapes and landmarks to explore. Here at The Bali Sun, we put our heads together to think about the best inland destinations, both on and off path; here’s what we’d recommend.
Rice Terraces are an essential element of a Bali itinerary, both from a natural wonders perspective and for a cultural deep dive. Bali’s rice terraces are living, breathing, working landscapes that also just so happen to be utterly beautiful.
Bali’s rice terraces are very easily accessible, and there are many that are very well set up for tourist visits. It is important to note that tourists should visit the tourist-friendly rice paddies and not wander into any random field; we must respect our hardworking farmers!
The top rice terraces to visit include Tegalalang Rice Terrace. This is probably the most famous of all of Bali’s agricultural landscapes.
Located just a 20-minute drive from central Ubud, it is free to enter, though tourists are encouraged to support the local economy by buying snacks and drinks from the cafes nearby and buying some souvenirs from the stall holders.
For those staying near Canggu, it’s perhaps easier to visit the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Tabanan Regency. For a more off-path rice paddy adventure, be sure to head up to the Sidemen Valley and stay overnight in a stunning bamboo tree house!
Bali’s green landscapes are pierced by its volcanic peaks. The most famous of which are Mount Aung, Mount Batur, and Mount Batukaru.
Mount Batur is the most accessible of the peaks, as tourists can either hike to the summit to enjoy the sunrise or book a sunrise jeep tour.
Mount Agung is for the more serious of hikers, and it’s the tallest peak on the island. Mount Batukaru is best for those who love a jungle trek, but want to reach the highest elevation of the Tabanan Hills.
For fresh water tranquility, Bali is in no short supply either. Lake Batur is the natural stop off for those summiting Mount Batur, but for tourists who want some seriously lakeside peace and quiet, it has to be the Twin Lakes.
Located in the north of Bali, the Twin Lakes, known as Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan, offer plenty of opportunities for a nature reset. There is great camping up there. If you’re looking for both culture and nature, then Bedugul is the place to go. Home to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Lake Beratan, this is one of the most underrated destinations in Bali, in our humble opinion!
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