Holidays in Bali

Discover Bali on an all-inclusive holiday or make it your own with one of our luxurious hotels. Stay right on the white sands for breath-taking sea views or get to the heart of nature up in the hillsides.

• The Semaya Seminyak is ideal for a Bali honeymoon. Relax and indulge as you take a dip in your private pool before you treat yourself at the beachfront restaurant or spa (or both). With one of the island’s most serene swimming pools and a sundeck overlooking the island’s golden sands, you’ll find yourselves in pure paradise here.
• There are retreats, and there are retreats. The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is the latter. Hidden away in the mountains, you’ll discover the real meaning of ‘escape’ in this serene locale. Hear the babbling brooks flow by from the spa’s riverside treatment rooms or embrace the surrounding wilderness from the open-air dining terrace and swimming pool. 
• Travelling with the family? The Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nusa Dua has spas for the grown-ups and plenty of fun activities to keep young ones entertained. They’ll be engrossed feeding the fish in the lagoon and having a splash themselves on the waterslide.
• The Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort in Denpasar is ideally situated for party lovers. It's located within walking distance of Beach Walk, so you can make the most of the hippest cocktail bars and the panoramic ocean views – the best of both worlds.

With its dramatic shoreline and scenic fishing ports, Bali's coast is full of postcard-perfect spots to visit. The wide, sandy beaches are naturally a big draw, as are the crystal-clear waters – ideal for spotting the island’s exotic marine life.

• Jimbaran is a quaint fishing village located south of Kuta. Its breath-taking white beaches are the perfect place to while away a few hours with a book. Be sure to test the delicious local fish dishes – with fresh catches coming into the Kedonganan fish market daily, this is flavourful Balian cuisine at its mouthwatering finest.
• Balian beach is one of the most relaxed spots on the island. With low-key accommodation, it has a slower pace and far fewer tourists than other parts of the coast. Pay attention to local advice for when to have a dip – the tide can be tricky to guess.

Whether you decide to see Bali all-inclusive or make your own way on the island, there’s lots of adventure to be had. Bali has plenty of exhilarating water sports on offer. Whether you want to try your hand at surfing or you’re a water-sporting pro, there’s an experience for every level.

• Always fancied yourself as an island surfer? Seminyak is where to begin. Its west-facing beaches have some of the best swell in Bali. Dhyana Pura beach has a number of excellent surf schools, but is still less crowded than other parts of the coat. If you’re already an experienced surfer, the isolated village of Medewi is known for its excellent waves, particularly in July and August.
• Get the adrenaline pumping with a spot of parasailing at Tanjung Benoa beach, just a short 30-minute hop from Kuta by car. End the day on a quieter note with a visit to the nearby Caow Eng Bio temple, with shrines to Buddha and Zao Jun, the Chinese Kitchen God.
• There’s no shortage of hot spots for scuba diving in Bali. Beginners will feel at ease in the gentle waters around Amed and Padang bay. More advanced divers should head to Nusa Penida where the current is a little stronger but there’s more to discover including dramatic coral pillars and one of the largest fish species in the world, known as ‘Mola Mola’ – if you’re lucky.
• Take our tour across the islands to discover Bali's unique blend of Hindu, Indonesian and Chinese cultures. Visit age-old temples in Tanah Lot and luxuriate in the warm waters of Lovinah Beach.

Despite its popularity with tourists, Bali has some of the most undisturbed natural beauty spots and historic temples in Indonesia. From water gardens to places of worship, these landmarks are the perfect escape from the shore when the sun’s at its highest.

• Discover Bali’s local blend of Hinduism and animism at Pura Geger, a clifftop temple perched over the ocean in Nusa Dua. As you go inside, take a moment to stop and admire the intricately carved gate guardians and gilt detailing over the doorways.
• Tirta Gangga is a peaceful water garden in an enchanting former royal palace. Its pools meander through mini pagodas, fountains, pavilions and statues. Stop by for a swim in the late afternoon to miss the crowds and don’t forget to try the stepping stone pool.
• While away an hour studying the ceiling of the Hall of Justice at Klungkung temple. Its unique frescoes, painted in the local wayang style, depict different punishments in the afterlife – a warning for convicts as they came to hear their sentences.
• The iconic Tanah Lot temple, situated on an island near Kuta and devoted to the sea god Dewa Baruna, is a must-see. Catch the sunset from here for a great photo op. If you’re visiting during the day, don’t miss the local markets to pick up presents and souvenirs.
• The awe-inspiring Besakih Temple sits 1000 metres above sea level on the hillsides of Mount Agung. It's the largest religious site on the island – actually a complex consisting of 23 temples and pavilions, built on six levels. Parts of the site date back over 2,000 years and it's now the centre of Balinese Hinduism.

Nyepi Day is a local custom that requires all people in Bali observe a day of silence – Nyepi Day, which usually falls on a day in March. Observed from 6:00am until 6:00am the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted.

The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and all lights must be dimmed); no working; no entertainment; no travelling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. This means that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise, and few signs of activity are seen.

Tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside hotels all properties will keep open some or all of the food outlets and a few activities within the property will still take place. However no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. Emergency services are however guaranteed.