One thing people wonder about before they visit Bali is “why the island is famous?” After all, there are over 18,000 Indonesian islands, so why does this one stand out in the imagination of people the world over?
Well, there are good reasons that people opt for Bali on their holidays and the island is well known for many things.
We’ve rounded up 35 facets of Balinese life that merit global attention and that every holidaymaker will appreciate when they visit the island.
35 Awesome Things Bali Is Famous For
The Island’s Rich Cultural Heritage
Bali is a place where the Hindu faith dominates. The rest of Indonesia is mainly Muslim or Christian.
Thus, Bali’s cultural heritage is very different from the rest of the archipelago and the rituals and ceremonies of everyday life combined with a more tolerant attitude towards other customs, make Bali very accessible to visitors.
And it’s not Indian culture, either, Bali’s Hinduism is unique even when compared to the birthplace of the religion.
And once people come to Bali, they often find themselves coming back again and again because the appeal becomes very obvious, indeed.
Ubud
Ubud is often thought of as the spiritual heart of the island and it was also featured prominently in the movie “Eat, Pray, Love” based on the book of the same name.
It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty, full of ancient temples, rice fields, palaces and much more.
The town also attracts a “hippie vibe” and has plenty of yoga studios and other modern attractions to offer visitors.
Mount Batur
Mount Batur is the second biggest active volcano in Bali. It’s sacred in Balinese culture as are all mountains here on the island.
It’s also the easiest mountain to climb and if you decide to scale this peak in the Pacific Ring of Fire, you will find you have amazing views over the island before you.
Watching the Sunrise on Mt Batur is unforgettable.
Dolphins And Lovina Beach
Who wouldn’t want to watch dolphins in their natural environment? Well, in Lovina Beach, Bali, you can.
Tourists love to jump on a boat leaving the beach in the early morning to follow these friendly and intelligent creatures as they play in the ocean water.
Balinese Art
Balinese Art is very distinct compared to other forms of Indonesian Art and exposure to colonial and foreign influences saw a huge evolutionary shift in local art forms in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Ulun Danu Bratan – The Floating Temple
Ulun Danu Bratan is one of the most beautiful temples on the island, on the shores of Lake Bratan.
It appears to “float” on the water of the lake if you visit during the rainy season and it’s truly spectacular all year round.
Offerings – Canang Sari
Everywhere you go in Bali, you will encounter small offerings in trays in front of shops, temples, houses, businesses, etc. These are canang sari and they are unique to the island.
It’s polite to step around these offerings, particularly, if the incense or clove cigarette in the offering is still burning.
The Bali Art Festival
The Bali Art Festival is a tribute to Balinese art and the natural beauty of the people of this island.
It features, quite literally, thousands of artists from both Bali and overseas territories and it’s one of the most exciting spectacles in Indonesia.
The event runs for a whole month in the summer and is attended by huge numbers of people keen to explore the artistic heritage of the land.
Beach Clubs
FINNS Beach Club is the world’s best beach club and it exists because Bali does beach clubs better than anywhere else on Earth.
Imagine the excitement of sitting in comfort by an infinity pool gazing out over the Indian Ocean at sunset, cold drink in hand, being served amazing food and entertained all day long.
That’s what it’s like at FINNS and now 1 in 8 visitors to Bali come to FINNS. It’s an experience like no other and you can only find it in Bali.
Mount Agung
The tallest active volcano in Bali is as much infamous as it is famous. Not only is it notoriously difficult to climb but it has semi-regular eruptions with, often, lethal consequences.
It’s an amazing feature of the land though and the ash it produces is why the country is so lush and fertile.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are the most famous rice fields on the island and their location just outside of Ubud makes them very accessible.
There’s something incredible about strolling through a place of stunning natural beauty and it’s a real treat for photographers and influencers.
You can also learn a lot about Balinese agriculture at this place and find out how the island has lived in harmony with nature for centuries now.
Canggu
Canggu is the most popular destination on the island, right now, and that’s because it offers something for everyone.
From high-end restaurants, hotels and clubs to traditional warungs, rice paddies and small shops and stores.
It’s also perfectly located for easy access to many of Bali’s other popular tourist areas on day trips.
Balangan Beach
This white sand beach is one of the most attractive beaches in Bali and while it’s popular with surfers, it’s never overrun with visitors.
Unlike many other beaches, it still has a range of reasonably priced warungs and beach bars nearby which means you can kick back and enjoy the sunset without breaking the bank at Balangan Beach.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is home to what is often considered to be the most beautiful white sand beaches in Bali and it’s also where many of the island’s poshest resorts can be found.
It’s where families spend a whole holiday in a luxurious hotel barely leaving the comforts of their specially crafted spaces.
Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is becoming very popular as a destination right now and it’s a little island off the coast of Bali which can only be reached by boat.
If you want pristine beaches, this could be a dream destination along with its sister islands Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan.
Sanur Beach
Sanur Beach is famous for its sleepy laidback way of life and wonderful boardwalk that runs for miles parallel to the sand.
If your ideal holiday is relaxed, has amazing sunrises and plenty of swimming and water sports, then Sanur is the ideal location for you.
Kuta & Seminyak
These two beach towns are huge draws to the island and their beaches including the famous Double Six Beach and its six different reef breaks were among the first beaches in Bali to be known around the world.
Today, Kuta is a little shabbier than it once was, but it still offers great value holidays by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Seminyak, on the other hand, has become famous for its private villas, upscale living and vibrant nightlife.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is associated with the infamous Bali Curse but it’s also an incredible sight as it sits on an island just offshore from the mainland.
Get there at sunset and marvel at the light breaking across the ocean and the rock supporting the temple, you can’t find something like this anywhere else on Earth.
Pura Besakih The Mother Temple
The mother temple is the most important temple on the island and is the source of all water for the agricultural system.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is the only place on Earth where monkeys steal from people and then try to sell what they stole back to the people!
It’s also home to an amazing clifftop view, the Kecak Fire Dance and much, much more.
The Sacred Monkey Forest
Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest is a huge draw to the island as it hosts a wealth of temples and yes, monkeys.
There are over 3,000 monkeys at the forest and you can see them play and enjoy life to the full.
Bali Safari And Marine Park
Bali Safari and Marine Park is the island’s premier natural conservation cetnre and a place where you can meet animals from Bali, Indonesia and the world.
You can also dine with lions at this Safari Park! It’s an amazing place.
Angel’s Billabong And Its Natural Infinity Pool
The natural infinity pool at Angel’s Billabong draws a lot of influencers and tourists, but we’d urge you not to swim in it – the current can drag you out to sea in an instant.
Bali Swing(s)
A Bali Swing is a giant rope swing that lets you swing freely above the countryside and get amazing Instagram pictures.
There are loads of Bali swings to choose from and they’re all thrillling.
Menjangan Island
Menjangan Island is famous for its diving and the fact that it’s the only place in Bali where you can see deer in the wild!
West Bali National Park
West Bali National Park is of the same level of important to Indonesia’s biodiversity as Komodo National Park, it just doesn’t have any famous lizards.
The environment here represents nearly every kind of tropical ecosystem that exists on Earth and is also home to the endangered Bali starling.
The Coral Triangle
Bali is part of The Coral Triangle which is home to most of the world’s known coral species and it hosts some of the world’s most amazing marine biodiversity.
There’s much more than reef sharks depending on the reefs around Bali. And yes, you can swim, snorkel and dive at Bali’s reefs.
The Wallace Line
There’s an imaginary line in the sea between Bali and Lombok called the Wallace Line and it makes where Asia ends and Australasia begins.
Thus all the wildlife and flora on one side of the line originate in Asia and all the wildlife and flora on the other side do not.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (The Subak System)
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are even better than the ones at Tegallalang and they’re the ones most associated with the Subak System.
The Subak System is the island’s only UNESCO World Heritage award-winning site and it’s an amazing demonstration that man and nature can work as a team.
Babi Guling (Roast Suckling Pig)
The roast suckling pig known as Babi Guling is world famous and it’s only possible in Bali because of the Hindu faith, no self-respecting Muslim could invent this dish.
Our only complaint is they always serve too much rice and not enough pig, something that needs to change.
Crystal Bay
This beautiful bay in Nusa Penida is famous for its Manta Rays. You can swim through the crystal clear waters of Crystal Bay and enjoy the company of these gentle giants of the oceans.
It’s perfectly safe too. They can’t sting you and mainly, they seem pretty happy to be around swimmers of all types.
Black Volcanic Beaches
Sure, many people prefer white sand but the black sand beaches here are a unique feature thanks to the island’s active volcanoes.
Living in this part of the pacific basin has its advantages, even if eruptions, earthquakes, etc. are sometimes part of the trade-off for the benefits of volcanic activity.
Stunning Sunsets
Bali has the best sunsets on Earth. When you first see pictures of the sunset here, you assume people are editing them, they’re not, it really looks like that.
Vibrant Nightlife
Not everyone needs to party until dawn and for many the traditional ceremonies and beautiful beaches are enough but there’s no doubt that Bali knows how to party when it wants to.
And there are plenty of affordable spa treatments to help with the hangover too.
Kelingking Beach (The T-Rex Beach)
This beach on Nusa Penida is famous because when you stand on the cliffs above it, it looks like a Tyrannosaurus Rex due to the interesting rock formations of the beach and the islands off the coast.
The Balinese People
Last, but never least. Perhaps, the most memorable thing of all about Bali is its people who are kind, warm, welcoming and most of all friendly.
The warm hospitality that you recieve in Bali can often leave you changed as a person for the better. It’s really powerful.
FAQs
Why Is Bali So Famous?
Bali is famous because of its slightly exotic location compared to much of the Western nations and because it has a welcoming, kind culture and some of the best beaches, surfing, temples, rice terraces, etc. on Earth.
Millions of people opt to visit Bali every year because of its charms and many of them are repeat visitors.
What Is Bali, Indonesia Best-Known For?
Bali is best known for happy, kind people, white sand and black sand beaches, active volcanoes, spectacular sunset views and lush greenery including rain forests and rice terraces.
What Is Unique About Bali?
Bali is unique because it’s a Hindu enclave in a mainly Islamic nation that carries its own character and heritage with pride and aplomb.
Why Is Bali Famous For Tourism?
Bali is famous for tourism because it was, in part, “discovered” by the tourist industry before the rest of Indonesia and then developed a culture that actively welcomes tourists.
Natural beauty, stunning beaches, ancient temples, etc. make Bali appealing to far more people than just world-class surfers and it’s a popular destination because there’s so much to see and do on the island.
Why Do Tourists Love Bali?
Tourists love Bali for its pristine beaches, scuba diving, Balinese Hinduism, Balinese cuisine, and so much more.
Bali boasts everything from many tropical fish species to rare and endangered species, luxurious accommodation, traditional culture, beautiful rock formations and so much more.
What Is The Most Famous Part Of Bali?
There is no single “most famous part of Bali”. Canggu, Ubud, Kuta, Legian, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Seminyak have been the most popular places to visit in recent years.
However, places like Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan and attractions like giant manta rays, Broken Beach, etc. are starting to become better known as are destinations like Amed, Bedugul, Lovina, etc. Wherever you go in Bali there’s a rich history of warm hospitality that is expressed within a vibrant culture.
What Food Is Bali Known For?
What food makes Bali well known? Babi Guling is probably the most famous Balinese dish. That it’s made out of pork, means you can’t find it in much of the rest of Indonesia where Muslims don’t eat pork.
Final Thoughts On The Best Reasons To Visit Bali
So, there you have it. Many reasons that Bali is well known around the world from Kuta Beach and its upmarket neighbouring town of Seminyak to the Ubud Monkey Forest and the Bali Art Festival.
There’s so much to see and do in Bali that once you arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport and start to explore the island, you’ll realize that it’s a dream destination like so many other visitors do each year.
