Kuta is a popular tourist destination in southern Bali. Tourists go there for its vibrant nightlife, the beautiful beaches where they can go surfing, and to dine out at its restaurants.
However, there’s so much more to see in Bali. Luckily, Kuta is close to some of the island’s greatest gems: Hindu temples, rice paddies, and breathtaking white beaches, which are perfect for a day tour.
The best part is, they’re just a few hours away. This means you and your travelling companions can use Kuta as your base to get all the modern comforts while you go on an adventure and explore Bali.
In this article, you’re going to discover the 9 best day trip spots around Kuta, which are full of wonderful attractions.
1. Ubud
Ubud offers a wide range of exciting activities and interesting sights. You can visit Ubud Monkey Forest and get an up-close experience of monkeys in their habitat.
You can visit the Pura Tirta Temple and cleanse yourself with the Melukat ceremony – a Balinese Hindu ritual for spiritual and physical purification. You can go sightseeing at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, walk the Campuhan Ridge Walk or Sweet Orange Trail, or watch a traditional dance show at Ubud Palace.
How to get there from Kuta: Ubud is approximately 30km away from Kuta. You can drive there by car or hire a private driver to take you there. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
2. Kintamani
At Kintamani, you can visit Mount Batur – the second largest volcano on the island. If you’re a coffee lover, you can enjoy a coffee AKASA Specialty Coffee at the edge of the crater while taking in the impressive view. You can go for a dip in the natural hot springs at Toya Bungkah Hot Springs.
It’s recommended to take a trek up Mount Batur to watch the spectacular sunset view. The hike takes roughly 2 hours. If you’d prefer to rest your legs, there is a 4WD sunrise jeep tour to the summit. If you’re a culture buff, you can visit the Batur Geopark Museum.
How to get there from Kuta: Kintamani is approximately 60km from Kuta and takes about 2 hours to get there by car. If you want to catch the sunrise from Mount Batur, you’ll have to depart from Kuta at 1 AM.
3. Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is the largest of the three Nusa Islands.
It’s famous for the dramatic cliffs on its rugged coastline, which is why it’s one of the island’s most photographed tourist spots.
At Nusa Penida, you can visit famous landmarks such as the T-rex-shaped headland at Kelingking Beach and the natural infinity pool at Angels Billabong.
The island is too big to explore all of it in one day. It’s recommended to visit the East or the West side if you’re there for a day trip. Otherwise, you should stay for a few nights.
At East Penida, you can visit the Goa Giri Putri – a massive temple underground. It also has several beaches like Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach where you can chill out during the day and go dining in the evening.
Whereas at West Penida, you can find the T-rex shaped beach called Kelingking Beach and Angel’s Billabong.
And if you want to swim with huge schools of colourful fish and giant Manta Rays, you can take a snorkelling tour.
How to get there from Kuta: To get to Nusa Penida, you have to take a ferry from the harbour in Sanur. The journey takes from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. Nusa Lembongan
If you want something more chilled out than Busa Penida, then Nusa Lembongan is perfect. You can walk along its pristine beaches and admire its vibrant marine life and famous mangroves.
If you want to visit the third and final Nusa Island, called Nusa Ceningan, you can cross a big yellow bridge by scooter or on foot. It’s worth visiting Nusa Lembongan if you want to see the Blue Lagoon and cliff jumping spots.
You can take part in many activities at Nusa Lembongan, such as snorkelling, kayaking, and boat riding at Mangrove Point. You can see the “Devil’s Tears” – named so by tourists as the ferocious waves crash against the coastal rocks, creating a terrifying yet spectacular experience you won’t want to miss.
How to get there from Kuta: To get to Nusa Lembongan, you will have to take a ferry from Sanur Harbour.
5. Trans Studio Bali
If you want some more modern comforts, then you need to visit Trans Studio Bali. On the lower floors of this mall, you’ll find shops, restaurants, and arcade games.
However, if you’re looking for some more excitement, then take the escalator up to the top floors. There you’ll find Trans Studio Bali Theme Park – an enormous indoor theme park with go-karts, thrill rides, river rapids, a Ferris wheel, and even a huge roller coaster which takes you temporarily out of the mall’s roof when you ride on it.
In the Titanic zone, you’ll find a replica of the iconic ship, a Ninja Warrior-themed obstacle course, and even indoor skydiving. You have to see this place to believe it.
How to get there from Kuta: Trans Studio Mall is close to Kuta. You can get a taxi there in 15 minutes or less, depending on where you’re staying in Kuta.
6. Bedugul
If you want nature and stunning scenery, then you should visit Bedugul. This is a mountainous region full of natural beauty. It’s home to three of the island’s major lakes.
Yet probably the most famous sight in Bedugul is the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan – a temple which appears to float on the surface of Lake Beratan. You can hire a traditional Indonesian rowing boat to explore the lake and the temple.
You can also visit the Bali Botanic Garden, which is the largest botanical garden on the island. And if you want to take some photos, you need to go to Handara Gate – a landmark famous for its striking traditional Balinese gate structure.
How to get there from Kuta: You can get to Bedugul from Kuta by car or taxi in about 2 hours.
7. Bukit Peninsula
Bukit Peninsula has dozens of amazing beaches, many of which are hidden gems right out of a movie. You can go swimming, work on your sun tan, or drink cocktails at luxurious beach clubs.
Three of its most popular beaches include Melasti Beach, which is best for swimming, Nunggalan Beach, which is best for relaxing and seeing its iconic shipwreck, and Dreamland Beach, which has a warung where you can eat local and international cuisine and drink cocktails all day.
How to get there from Kuta: The Bukit Peninsula is 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kuta, by car or taxi, depending on what part of Kuta you’re in.
8. Nusa Dua
With its 5-star beachfront hotels, Nusa Dua is one of the island’s most luxurious resort locations. However, you can save yourself a fortune and visit it for the day.
You can visit its gorgeous white beaches, such as Mengiat Beach, or have a relaxing stroll or a cycle along its promenade.
And if you want some entertainment, you won’t want to miss the Devdan Show. Full of dance, acrobatics, and special effects, this cultural performance is a sight to be seen.
How to get there from Kuta: Nusa Dua is only 30 minutes away from Kuta by car. You can take a taxi there and back for a quick and easy day trip.
9. FINNS Beach Club
FINNS Beach Club is one of the largest beach club in the world, with a 170-meter ocean frontage.
It’s a party paradise with live entertainment, amazing performances, and a high-energy atmosphere full of international guests with whom you can party all night long. It’s for these reasons that FINNS Beach Club is Bali’s most exciting party place in Bali.
How to get there from Kuta: FINNS is only a short 46-minute drive away in Canggu, and it’s well worth the trip. Its address is Jl. Pantai Berawa, Canggu.
FAQs
What’s the Best Way to Travel to These Locations for a Day Trip?
It’s easy to travel from Kuta to other areas. You can rent a car and drive there yourself. You can get a taxi, or you can use ride-sharing apps such as Grab and Gojek. You can even hire a private driver to bring you where you want to go.
Final Thoughts About Day Trips from Kuta
As you can see, Kuta is in a great location to explore other spots on the island. This is why Kuta is such a popular tourist destination.
In under two hours, you can be somewhere magical, admiring marvels of nature like Mount Batur, the “Devil’s Tears”, or hidden gems like secluded white beaches.
Or you can go shopping in Trans Studio Bali, enjoy a cultural performance at the Devdan Show, or drink cocktails at luxurious beach clubs.
These day trips are to places less than 2 hours away from Kuta so you will have plenty of time to go there. With all the amazing and fun things you can do, they will give you the holiday of a lifetime, whether you’re with a partner, friends, or family, or you’re travelling solo.
