"The Island of the Gods — and the one destination that manages to be simultaneously the world's most popular and the world's most spiritual."
Bali is one of the most visited islands on earth — and yet it retains a spiritual and cultural depth that most mass-tourism destinations have long since surrendered. The Balinese Hindu culture, with its daily offerings, its temple ceremonies, and its deeply held belief in the balance between the human and the divine, permeates every aspect of life on the island. The landscape — from the volcanic peaks of the north to the rice terraces of Ubud to the limestone cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula — is extraordinary. And the food, the wellness culture, and the quality of the luxury hotels are among the finest in Asia.
At a Glance
Where to Stay
The Best Hotels in Bali
Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
The most extraordinary resort in Bali — and one of the great hotels of the world. Set above the Ayung River gorge in the rice fields of Ubud, the Four Seasons Sayan is a masterpiece of tropical architecture. The infinity pool appears to float above the jungle canopy; the villas have private plunge pools and outdoor showers open to the rice fields; and the spa treatments — incorporating Balinese healing traditions — are among the finest in Asia.
COMO Uma Ubud
COMO's Ubud property is the most refined boutique resort in the cultural heart of Bali. The design — all natural materials, open-air pavilions, and views over the Tjampuhan ridge — is deeply rooted in Balinese aesthetics. The COMO Shambhala wellness programme is the finest in Ubud; the cuisine is exceptional; and the location, within walking distance of the Ubud Palace and the best galleries on the island, is unbeatable.
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Perched on the limestone cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula, Alila Uluwatu is the most dramatic resort in Bali. The infinity pool appears to merge with the Indian Ocean horizon; the villas are architectural masterpieces of Balinese modernism; and the cliff-edge restaurant serves some of the finest food on the island. The surf breaks of Uluwatu are directly below.
Where to Eat
Bali's Essential Tables
Locavore, Ubud
The best restaurant in Bali — and one of the finest in Southeast Asia. Chef Eelke Plasmeijer's tasting menu celebrates Indonesian ingredients through a contemporary European lens, with a commitment to local sourcing that is unmatched on the island. The wine list is exceptional; the service is warm and knowledgeable; and the room, in a converted Ubud shophouse, is beautiful.
Mozaic, Ubud
Chef Chris Salans' garden restaurant in Ubud has been the benchmark for fine dining in Bali for two decades. The French-influenced tasting menu changes with the seasons and the market; the garden setting — with its flickering candles and tropical planting — is the most romantic in Ubud; and the wine cellar is the finest on the island.
Merah Putih, Seminyak
The most beautiful restaurant in Bali — a soaring bamboo pavilion in Seminyak that showcases the extraordinary diversity of Indonesian regional cuisine. The menu travels from Sumatra to Sulawesi, from Java to Maluku, presenting dishes that most visitors to Bali never encounter. Essential.
Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka, Ubud
The most famous babi guling (suckling pig) in Bali — and the one that Anthony Bourdain made legendary. The crispy skin, the spiced meat, the lawar, and the sate lilit are served on banana leaf from early morning until it sells out. Arrive by 11am.
What to Do
Essential Bali Experiences
Sunrise at Pura Lempuyang
The "Gates of Heaven" — the split gate of Pura Lempuyang framing Mount Agung at sunrise — is the most photographed image in Bali, and one of the most beautiful. The temple complex requires a 1,700-step climb through the jungle; the views from the top, and the spiritual atmosphere of the temple, make every step worthwhile. Arrive before 6am.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The most beautiful rice terraces in Bali — a UNESCO-recognised landscape of stepped paddies carved into the hillside above Ubud. Walk the paths between the paddies at dawn, when the light is golden and the farmers are at work, for the most authentic experience. The terraces are at their most dramatic during the planting season (November–March).
Uluwatu Temple at Sunset
Perched on a 70-metre cliff above the Indian Ocean, Pura Uluwatu is the most dramatically situated temple in Bali. The sunset Kecak fire dance, performed on a clifftop stage with the ocean as backdrop, is one of the great theatrical experiences in Asia. Arrive an hour before sunset to explore the temple before the performance.
Traditional Balinese Healing
Bali is the world's foremost destination for wellness and spiritual healing. A session with a traditional Balinese healer (balian) — arranged through your hotel — is one of the most profound experiences the island offers. The COMO Shambhala Estate in Ubud offers the most rigorous and respected wellness programmes on the island.
"Bali is the only place on earth where the spiritual and the sensual exist in perfect, effortless balance. Come for the temples; stay for the food."
Alyssa Ross · TastesOf