Holidays to Bali
The beautiful island of Bali has been an inspiration for artists and photographers for many years. You will be inspired too, not only by its glorious sandy beaches, but by its lush interior filled with emerald green rice terraces, tranquil temples and warm, friendly people.
Things to do in Bali
From ancient temples and shimmering rice terraces to beautiful beaches and stylish cities, Bali is a diverse and unique destination with plenty to see and do. Our Asia Experts recommend the taking time to experience the following whilst on your trip:
- Go beach hopping! Head to Seminyak Beach for colourful parasols and funky beachside bars, Echo Beach for spectacular black volcanic sands and Virgin Beach for a taste of tranquillity.
- Explore the Gili Islands – each one of the tiny trio offers something a little different, be it space to relax or somewhere to throw a few shapes in the evening!
- If you’re a surfer, you’ll love hitting the waves at Kuta Beach, a sweeping stretch with swells suited to both beginners and advanced levels.
- Experience a fascinating journey through the Balinese countryside to tranquil temples and traditional craft villages in our Kintamani & Monkey Forest day tour.
- Board a boat to nearby Nusa Penida Island for the chance to see turtles, rays, sharks and more on a diving or snorkelling tour.
- Taste a bowl of Nasi Goreng at a local ‘Warung’ (Balinese restaurant), a traditional Indonesian dish of stir-fried rice.
- Visit Komodo National Park and spot Komodo dragons strutting through the forest, manta rays gliding through the ocean and flying foxes soaring through the sky.
- Hike to the top of Mount Batur and witness the warm glow of the morning sunrise above the island.
- Party on down at one of the many beach clubs in Kuta town.
- Head to neighbouring island Lombok to hike volcanoes, surf waves and chase waterfalls.
Places To Stay
Sanur
Bali’s best accommodation and some of its finest beaches are in the south where former fishing villages have turned into delightful resort towns. Sanur is one that has retained much of its old charm, with local craft shops and galleries mingling with trendy cafés and restaurants. The low rise hotels here are set along a fine silver sand beach, sheltered by a reef.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- The Pavilions Bali – an oasis of peace where guests can enjoy traditional Balinese flower baths at the hotel’s spa.
Nusa Dua
Nearby Nusa Dua has its own shopping village selling everything you could ever want. The hotels are larger, with beautifully landscaped gardens running down to the shore – perfect for those long lazy days by the pool.
Kuta & Seminyak
Head to Kuta for funky beach bars and lively nightlife, or to upmarket Seminyak for relaxing spas, boho boutiques and beautiful beach resorts. A little further up the west coast from Seminyak you will find the sea temple of Tanah Lot, famed for its unique offshore setting and often glorious sunset backdrops.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Seminyak Beach Resort – with a spectacular infinity pool overlooking the ocean, this dreamy resort is perfect for couples seeking both luxury and tranquillity.
Ubud & Central Bali
Away from the coast is Bali’s mountainous interior, flanked by cascading terraces of fertile rice paddies. In rural villages you will still find chickens, ducks and pigs wandering around the family compounds and temples and shrines on every corner. Some of the most important culturally are the 17th century Mengwi Temple, noted for its towering tiered shrines and the beautiful Ulun Danu Temple which appears to be floating on the waters of Lake Baratan.
The small inland town of Ubud is Bali’s cultural centre. There are galleries and museums and scores of craft workshops making everything from wood carvings and jewellery to brightly coloured batik sarongs. Here you will also find the popular Ubud Monkey Forest, famed for its curious macaques that roam around the site’s mysterious temples.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Alila Ubud – stay in the heart of the Ubud countryside, surrounded by beautifully sculpted rice terraces and traditional Balinese architecture.
Lombok
To the East of Bali is the beautiful and less-developed Indonesian island of Lombok, a destination framed by golden beaches and whose lush green interior is dominated by Mount Rinjani.
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Jeeva Klui – found on a quiet stretch of beach framed by jungle-clad hills, Jeeva Klui is an authentic Indonesian style resort built with local materials.
Gili Islands
Offshore, the idyllic Gili Islands offer a haven of peace where bicycles and horse-drawn carts are the only means of transport. Spend your days here sunbathing, snorkelling and sipping on a cocktail or two!
Freedom Favourite Hotel:
- Hotel Villa Ombak – one of our favourite places to stay on Gili Trawangan island, boasting a three level swimming pool with impressive views back towards the mainland and Mount Rinjani.
Browse our full range of accommodation options on our Bali hotels page.
When is the Best Time to Visit Bali?
With an average temperature of 26-29°C no matter the season, Bali makes an appealing holiday destination year-round.
The most popular time to visit are the months from June to August when the island is at its driest with plenty of sunshine. Water visibility is also at its best during these months, making it the perfect time to travel for divers and snorkellers.
If you are not tied to the school holidays, May and September can also be a great time to go to Bali. You will have a little more space to yourself and rainfall is normally still relatively low.
October is the official start of the wet season, which lasts through to April time. Like in many Asian countries, downpours are heavy but short-lived, leaving you with the rest of the day to enjoy the hot weather. Travelling within these months can also mean cheaper accommodation and fewer people at some of Bali’s more popular hotspots.
How Long Should I Spend in Bali?
Most Bali holidays are anywhere between 7 and 21 days, with many travellers choosing to combine their trip with another country in South East Asia, such as Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand.
Some popular multi-country itineraries include our:
- Singapore & Bali – an unforgettable eleven day city and beach holiday, with a choice of hotels in each location and a Singapore city tour included
- Borneo & Bali – explore the jungles of Borneo, the city of Kuala Lumpur and the beautiful beaches of Bali on this 12 day multi centre holiday
- Bali & Dubai – experience the opulence of the Middle East before heading to the ‘island of the Gods’, Bali
Flights to Bali
There are currently no airlines that fly direct to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport), so a short stopover in another country will be necessary before you are able to depart onwards to Bali. Among the stopover destinations are Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong, which we can extend your stay in should you decide you’d like to stopover for longer.
Approximate flight durations are as follows:
- London Heathrow to Denpasar – 16 hours 35 minutes
- London Gatwick to Denpasar – 17 hours 55 minutes
- Birmingham to Denpasar – 24 hours 25 minutes
- Edinburgh to Denpasar – 18 hours 55 minutes
Getting Around in Bali
The easiest and safest way to get around in Bali is by car. Your FREEDOM Consultant will be able to arrange any airport and hotel transfers for you.
What Language is Spoken in Bali?
Balinese is the native language of Bali, and this is also widely spoken on the neighbouring islands of Lombok, Nusa Penida and Java. Most Balinese people are bilingual and can also speak Indonesian, though the two languages are not mutually intelligible.
English is the third most common language spoken, making getting around and ordering food and drinks a relatively simple process.
You may like to learn some key phrases however, such as “om suastiastu” (hello) and “suksma” (thank you).
Plan Your Adventure…
Designed by our team of Travel Experts, our range of multi centre Bali holidays are a great place to gain inspiration for your trip. You can book these itineraries as they are or have them tailored to suit your plans.
Alternatively, take advantage of our Free Planning Service and let one of our Travel Experts design a tailor made itinerary especially for you. Each member of our team has spent time in Bali and will use their expert knowledge and first-hand experiences to help plan a trip you’ll never forget.
Plan your holiday
