Bali
Bali mixes surf beaches and clifftop beach clubs with Hindu temples, rice terraces and volcano treks, and its dry season from May to September lines up neatly with the UK summer holidays. There is no non-stop flight from London, so allow a long day each way via Singapore or the Gulf, and give the trip at least ten days to make it worthwhile.
Overview
Most first trips to Bali split time between the hills and the coast: a few nights in Ubud for rice terraces, temples, dance performances and the pre-dawn trek up Mount Batur, then the south for the beach. Seminyak and Canggu suit couples and the beach-club crowd, Sanur's reef-sheltered water suits families, and the Bukit peninsula around Uluwatu has the surf breaks and cliff-backed coves. Add a boat to Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands, or the quieter east coast at Amed for snorkelling. The dry season runs roughly April to October, peaking in July and August; November to March brings heavy afternoon downpours, but also lower prices and greener landscapes.
Map of Bali
Highlights
- 1Nature
Jatiluwih rice terraces
Tegallalang, 20 minutes north of Ubud, is the easy photo stop, but Jatiluwih in the west is far larger and part of Bali's UNESCO-listed subak irrigation landscape. Walk the paths early, before the tour buses and midday heat.
- 2Sacred site
Uluwatu Temple
Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands on a cliff edge some 70 metres above the Indian Ocean at the tip of the Bukit peninsula. Stay for the sunset Kecak fire dance, and keep sunglasses and phones away from the resident macaques.
- 3Adventure
Mount Batur sunrise trek
Guided treks leave around 4am to reach the 1,717-metre summit of this active volcano for sunrise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. The climb takes about two hours, and hotel pick-ups from Ubud are standard.
- 4Beach
Nusa Penida
A fast boat from Sanur reaches this rugged island in under an hour, for Kelingking's dramatic headland, Crystal Bay and snorkelling with manta rays at Manta Point. Roads are rough, so hire a driver rather than a scooter.
- 5Wildlife
Tulamben and Amed
On the dry north-east coast, the wreck of the USAT Liberty, torpedoed in 1942, lies about 30 metres off Tulamben's pebble beach and is crusted with coral and reef fish. Amed's black-sand bays nearby have good snorkelling.
Where to stay
Ubud
Bali's cultural centre, with yoga retreats, galleries, temple dances and rice-field walks; suits couples and anyone keener on scenery and food than the beach.
Seminyak
Boutique villas, beach clubs and the island's best restaurants on a long surf beach; suits couples and groups who want sunsets and nightlife, despite heavy traffic.
Sanur
Calm, reef-sheltered water, a flat seafront path and a gentler pace; the best choice for families and older travellers, with fast boats to Nusa Penida.
Uluwatu and the Bukit
Clifftop hotels above surf breaks and small sandy coves; suits surfers and couples, though you will need a driver or scooter to get around.
When to go to Bali
Best time: May–Sep.
Average climate in Kuta (Denpasar)
How much does Bali cost?
Per person per day excluding flights. Return flights from London typically cost £650 off-peak and £1,150 in school holidays.
Visas & entry for Bali
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Indonesia.
You can get a 30-day visa on arrival (VOA) for:
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- Malaria risk varies across the country
- There is a high risk of malaria in Irian Jaya (Papua): antimalarial tablets recommended.
This information covers the whole country; check with a travel health professional whether Bali itself is affected.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Indonesia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 5 Jan 2027 | Isra' and Mi'raj |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Lunar New Year |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | Day of Silence |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Second Day (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Labour Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Thu 20 May 2027 | Vesak Day |
| Tue 1 Jun 2027 | Pancasila Day |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday |
| Tue 17 Aug 2027 | Independence Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, usually in March, shuts the whole island for 24 hours, including the airport, and guests must stay inside their hotel, so check the date before booking.
- Southern Bali's traffic is slow, and Seminyak to Ubud can take 90 minutes. Hire a driver for day trips, and don't ride a scooter without a full motorbike licence, as insurance won't cover you.
Plugs, money, phrases, emergency numbers and more: see our Indonesia guide.
Algarve
Costa del Sol & Andalucía coast
Sicily