Uluwatu, Bali is a beautiful beach town on the Island of the Gods filled with trendy cafes, local surf shops and picturesque palm tree lined roads. The chill, relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to see why both locals and foreigners are draw to this part of Bali, some even making it their permanent home.
Located in the southwest corner of Bali, Uluwatu has one of the best surfing scenes and is lined with gorgeous sandy beaches. Many travelers visit this part of the island for a few days to explore the different beaches and impressive cliff side views!
When planning your trip to Bali be sure to include a couple of days in Uluwatu as there is so much to see and do! Located just a short distance from the super busy Kuta and Seminyak, Uluwatu is a quieter area and easy to explore.
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15 Things to Do in Uluwatu, Bali
All of these things can be seen in two days unless you want to spend time surfing or chilling at the beach. If that’s the case, then you would want to give yourself an extra day or two in this region of Bali to see all the best sights!
Pantai Tegal Wangi
This spot has become incredibly popular with tourists and locals alike due to its famous cave and relatively hidden beach. To reach this point you have to climb down some steps and rocks until you eventually step down on the white sandy beach.
Be sure to come at the right time when the tide isn’t too high. We arrived a bit to early, just two hours before sunset, and the tide was too high to see the cave. Also, be careful swimming here as the current is strong and the waves crash amongst the large boulders and rocks.
There was no fee to park a motorbike at the top and no charge to enter.
Balagan Beach Viewpoint (Tebing Pantai Balagan)
Sitting at the northern tip of Balagan Beach and high up on the cliff is one of the best viewpoints of this stretch of white sandy beach. In fact, this spot gives a complete panoramic view of the surround cliffs and crashing waves. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds and wedding photography sessions. We arrived around 10 AM and there were already 2 wedding couples being photographed.
This is also a great spot to watch surfers of all levels catching the waves and having fun! After visiting the viewpoint, head down to the beach for a bit of relaxing!
On your google maps it will be Tebing Pantai Balagan and it will cost 2K IDR ($.21) to enter and park your motorbike.
Balagan Beach
This 200 meter long beach is quieter than the popular Padang Padang and is the perfect spot to set up your towel and relax for a while. There are a few shops here renting boards so if you want to surf this would be a good spot. Additionally you will find lots of cute cafes selling fresh coconuts and other refreshing drinks.
Bingin Beach
Another one of our favorite beaches in Uluwatu, Bingin Beach is a bit more private than some of the others. To reach the beach you will park your bike and walk through a small alley just next to The Temple Lodge. From there you will head down a set of stairs passing by cute boutique hotels and cafe’s along the way.
Relax on the beach, go surfing or chill in one of the cute cafe’s!
Must Read: Most Beautiful Beach in Bali, Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida
Go Surfing in Uluwatu, Bali
Uluwatu is a surfers paradise and the waves found along Bali’s southwest coast are perfect for experienced riders. Each beach offers surfboard rentals and lessons so even if you are a beginner you could still head out to give it a try. Easier waves are found at the beaches near Canggu.
Padang Padang Beach
One of the most popular and well known sandy bay beaches in Uluwatu, Bali is Padang Padang. There is a 30K ($2.15 USD) fee to enter the beach and you will use the concrete stairs to reach the beach. There are plenty of monkeys along the stairs but they shouldn’t bother you.
Due to the small bay it can get a bit crowded during the day but it is still a nice place to relax! Although, you might prefer one of the other beautiful beaches that you won’t have to pay to enter!
Thomas Beach
This is one of Bali’s best and most picturesque beaches in Uluwatu. You can get to this beach by following a dirt road and arriving at a set of concrete stairs leading down to the sea. Already from the top you can view this pristine stretch of beach and spot many surfers catching the perfect waves.
There are a few cafes at the bottom and places where you could rent a surfboard. Spend a few hours here relaxing and enjoying this not-so-popular (yet) hidden gem.
Suluban Beach
This relatively hidden beach is known for its many caves and coves. The easiest way to reach this beach is to start at Single Fin and head down the stairs continuing to your left. You’ll pass by many shops and small restaurants until you will eventually reach another set of concrete stairs that lead down to the sand and beach.
Be sure to check the tide before heading out if you are going to relax on the beach. If the tide is too high the beach will completely disappear.
Another secret spot along this beach involved climbing under a few boulders until you pop out on the other side. Along this beach you will see the shipwreck and lots of people sunbathing and enjoying the ocean.
You will have to pay 5K IDR ($0.35 USD) for parking at the Single Fin entrance.
Must Read: Nusa Penida’s East Coast: A Complete Guide to Visiting
Single Fin at Suluban Beach
After you’ve hiked down to Suluban Beach make a stop at Single Fin before you leave. This restaurant/bar has amazing cliffside views and great happy hour specials!
This cliff side bar offers stunning sunset views and is very popular especially on the weekends. There is a 5K IDR ($.35 USD) fee for parking at the Single Fin entrance.
Sunset at Ulu Cliffhouse
Perched at the top of the cliff and overlooking the ocean is a fairly new beach club called the Ulu Cliffhouse. With one of the best sunset spots in Uluwatu, this trendy beach club has a super relaxed vibe and tons of seating options.
The day beds are available for all day lounging with a minimum spending of 1.5 million IDR ($107 USD). There is also a beautiful pool and wooden steps that lead down to the second part of the club called the Ocean Deck.
Banana Stands in Uluwatu Bali
Fruit stands are incredibly popular all over Bali and South East Asia. You’ll see a fruit stand at almost every corner, however, the banana only stands are a bit harder to find. We passed by 2 of these banana stands during our drives in Uluwatu and we made sure to stop in to purchase some of these sweet fruits.
The two banana stands in Uluwatu, Bali are located at these GPS Coordinates: (-8.8305580, 115.1333020) & (-8.8173660, 115.1544370)
Abandoned Airplane
One of the most unique sights in Uluwatu is the abandoned Boeing 737 airplane that is parked in an unexpected spot right off of a main road. Your GPS will take you directly to this spot where you will see a small shack. Here you can park your motorbike for no fee.
From the bottom of the road, climb up a short ways to the top and carefully look over the edge. Inside the valley you will see the abandoned plane. You are not allowed to go inside the land where the place sits but you can take many pictures from the viewpoint at the top.
Nyang Nyang Beach
At 1.5 kilometers in length, Nyang Nyang is one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in Bali. Once you park your motorbike you will walk to the top of the steps leading down and get your first glimpse of this beautiful beach.
The climb down is quite long and not that easy. Most of the stairs are made of broken concrete and during mid-day the sun can be pretty hot. We didn’t make the climb down but the views from up top were worth the stop!
The fee to park your motorbike is 2K IDR ($.14 USD)
Karang Boma Cliff
The Karang Boma Cliff is located in southern Uluwatu nearby Nyang Nyang Beach making it an easy stop along your drive back towards the main town. The Karang Boma Cliff is one of the best spots in Uluwatu to watch the sunset and offers incredible panoramic views of the sea.
The entrance fee for the Karang Boma Cliff is 10K IDR ($0.70 USD), However, there also seems to be a 100K IDR ($7 USD) fee for drone usage. So if you have a drone on you and you don’t want to fly it then just say that you don’t have one so you won’t have to pay. Or if you do want to fly a drone choose a good time of day to make sure you get the best shots possible.
To reach the Karang Boma Cliff you can type in either ‘Karang Boma Cliff’ or ‘Tebing Karang Boma’ into your GPS and it will lead you to the gate where you will pay your entrance fee. From there you will continue just a short distance until you reach the small parking area and the rest of the way you will go on foot.
Uluwatu Temple for Sunset
One of the best spots in Uluwatu is at the Temple! This beautiful place is situated high up on the limestone cliffs, surrounded by beautiful flowers and has some of the best views in Uluwatu! You can freely walk all around the Temple and surrounding areas, expect for the sections dedicated to prayer.
Just make sure that you keep all of your belongings secure as there are loads of cheeky monkeys around ready to snatch your favorite sunglasses!
Every evening at sunset the Uluwatu Temple is the venue for the famous Kecak Fire Dance. This traditional dance takes place from 6-7 PM and costs 100K ($7 USD) per person.
The cost to enter the Uluwatu Temple is 50K ($3.50 USD per person) with a 1K ($.07 USD) fee to park your motorbike. The entrance fee includes the sarong that you are required to wear if you aren’t wearing pants or a long skirt/dress.
Must Read: The Ultimate to Exploring Nusa Penida’s West Coast
Best Places to Eat in Uluwatu
- Bukit Cafe (Really good smoothies and food!)
- Land’s End Cafe (The most delicious smoothie bowls!)
- Suka Espresso (Delicious jackfruit tacos and superfood bowls!)
- District 6 (Delicious pizza and great for dinner!)
- Drifter’s Surf Shop, Cafe & Gallery (Good food but a bit pricey)
How to Get to Uluwatu Bali
Uluwatu, Bali is easy to access from anywhere on the island. If you arrive at the Bali (DPS) Airport you can get a GRAB or GoJek to take you to your hotel in Uluwatu. If you don’t already have the GRAB or GoJek app on your phone be sure to install it prior to arriving in Asia as you will be sent a verification code to your phone number via text message.
To reach Uluwatu from the airport it should take around 45 minutes and should cost around 150K IDR ($10 USD) with GRAB.
How to Get Around Uluwatu Bali
The easiest and most efficient way to get around Uluwatu and Bali in general is to rent a motorbike. In most areas this will cost you around 70K IDR ($5 USD) a day and petrol costs 10K ($.71 USD) for one liter.
Driving around Uluwatu is easy if you know how to drive a motorbike. The roads are quiet and in fairly good condition. Other ways to get around are by taking a GRAB, GoJek or taxi. If you want to arrange a tour of the area it is best to discuss the options with your hotel!
If you liked this blog post or have any questions please leave a comment below! You can also always send me a message via email marisa@thisworldtraveled.com or on Instagram @thisworldtraveled!
I absolutely loved Uluwatu when I was in Bali, but didn’t see nearly enough there. Adding all of this to my list when I get to go back!!
Oh yes, there really is so much to see and do in that area! You really need at least 3 days to see it all! Hopefully you’ll be back again soon and can get to all of it!
Great post! Love all the details. And those pictures are absolutely gorgeous <3
Thank you so much!
The whole region of Uluwatu looks stunning! There are sooo many perfect looking beaches.
I wonder what it is about the northern tip of Balagan Beach that attracts wedding photographers? Was it much easier to reach than the other spots? Or maybe there is a hotel that specializes in wedding nearby!? It’s certainly a pretty place to get hitched!
We love the region of Uluwatu! So many picturesque cliff side views! Yeah, good question about the wedding photographers! I think it is because it’s such a good view and easy to reach!
Looks beautiful, but I’m not a dan if beaches, haha.
haha thanks! At least these beaches can be appreciated without actually having to go down to the beach!
Uluwatu looks dreamy! I love that abandoned airplane – how did they get it there? Those long stretches of cliffs and beaches remind me of the California coastline actually!
Uluwatu is one of my favorite spots in Bali! The Abandoned airplane is so cool and I think they must of gotten it down there disassembled and then assembled it there! I totally agree about the California coastline!