I am revealing the best Bali hidden gems that you need to discover on your next trip! Besides, there’s so much more to this beautiful island than the typically popular beach clubs and Westernised cafes.
Not to mention, I’ve included a vast array of activities. From stunning beaches and beautiful viewpoints to fascinating villages and walking trails, there is something here that will interest everyone.
I discovered a number of these during my 4-week trip to Bali, and wish I had even more time to do some exploring. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed these locations and look forward to sharing them.
So, continue reading to find some of the best Bali hidden gems and be sure to add them to your itinerary! You won’t want to miss these stunning spots and awesome experiences!
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Is Bali Worth Visiting?
While Bali has become an absolute tourist hotspot, I still believe that it is worth a visit. Besides, I think that everyone needs to experience this island at least once in their life to understand what the hype is all about.
However, I don’t recommend simply sticking to the popular towns such as Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Uluwatu. I believe there is so much more to Bali if you get outside of the comfort bubble and head deep into the unknown.
How Long to Spend in Bali
Depending on how much time you can afford to stay on this incredible island, the amount of time I recommend can fluctuate drastically.
Furthermore, you may just be interested in staying for a few days to see some sights, relax on the beach and enjoy some nice food. Or, you may be looking to do some travelling and stay for a few weeks or more.
Nonetheless, I recommend the absolute minimum of a week to enjoy some time away on a tropical island, but this is to experience the bare minimum of Bali.
Furthermore, 2-4 weeks is the perfect amount of time to explore a number of the sites and get the most out of Bali. You will get to enjoy some of the partying aspects but can then head to the other rural towns of Bali to experience the true culture of the magnificent place.
11 of the Best Bali Hidden Gems
- Leke Leke Waterfall
Leke Leke waterfall has to be one of the most dramatically beautiful and jaw-dropping waterfalls on the island. Moreover, the large single-drop waterfall falls between two large cliffs and is set in a beautiful jungle.
There were very few tourists when I went to this location, and I believe it’s still quite under the radar. Not to mention, the hike to the falls is quite an adventure and not the easiest activity for everyone to complete.
Furthermore, it’s a little bit of a journey to reach and you need to feel confident riding a scooter on narrow dirt trails. I suppose this is half the reason why the waterfall isn’t bombarded with tourists.
Finally, it’s one of Balis’s best hidden gems, and absolutely worth a visit!
- Krambitan Village
I stumbled upon this place by accident one day when riding my scooter. And, to say I was pleasantly surprised is an absolute understatement. It’ll take you around 45 minutes to ride from the very well-known tourist hotspot Canggu.
There isn’t really much to do in this area, however, I advise riding around and enjoying the stunning architecture, friendly locals and just enjoying true Balinese spirit.
Along your ride, you will also get to ride through beautiful bushland and enjoy views over incredible rice fields. This place is truly a breath of fresh air and feels like the true meaning of Bali.
- Cemongkak Beach
Whilst this beach isn’t entirely under the radar, it’s still an incredible hidden gem in Bali with not many tourists visiting the location. Cemongkak Beach is the ultimate sunset spot in Bali.
Enjoy a seat on the green grass and enjoy magnificent views over the ocean. However, if you decide to head down to the beach, take plenty of care and lots of time. The cliffs are steep and can be very dangerous.
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
If you’re looking to get a little bit of morning exercise in Ubud, the Campuhan Ridge Walk is the place for you. Moreover, it’s an easy walking trail with lovely views over fields and houses.
As an added bonus, I recommend checking out the Pura Gunung Lebah temple. Depending on your starting location, this can be at the beginning of the walk and is a lovely spot to enjoy and appreciate Balinese culture.
Besides, this temple is another one of Bali’s hidden gems, making this the perfect place to experience two in one!
- Suwat Waterfall
One of the best Bali hidden gems is the Suwat Waterfall. While it’s not as extravagant as the much larger Leke Leke waterfalls, it’s still a beautiful waterfall to enjoy for an hour or so.
Moreover, the small single-drop waterfall has a large veil that drops into a beautiful pool. And, the scenery of the jungle and mossy rocks is simply stunning!
Furthermore, the pool is quite deep and is an excellent place for a quick dip! Don’t forget to bring cash to pay the 25,000 IDR entry fee!
- Bali Butterfly Park
If you enjoy learning about nature or insects, then this is the place for you. Besides, there is a stunning display of butterflies showing a massive range of the beautifully coloured creatures.
Furthermore, this is a fantastic activity for families as there is plenty of educational posts and things that you can learn about the critters. Besides, visiting this location is excellent to support the conservation efforts of the group.
Not to mention, visitors will get to view some of Balis’s most protected and endangered species of butterflies. And, your guide will take you through everything you need to know about these creatures.
- Belimbing Rice Terraces
We’ve all heard of the Tegallalang Rice Terraces as they are one of Bali’s most popular tourist attractions. But, what about the other stunning rice terraces on the island? Enter, the Belimbing Rice Terraces, one of Bali’s best hidden gems.
Enjoy stunningly green fields and sip on a freshly made coffee or a smoothie at one of the local Warungs. Alternatively, you can park nearby one of the roads to get a quick peek into the fields. But, I recommend supporting one of the local cafes.
I think this is a beautiful place to visit as there are much fewer crowds resulting in a much more relaxed and enjoyable space.
- West Bali National Park
Since you’re looking to escape the ordinary, the West Bali National Park is where it’s at. Enjoy island hopping, snorkelling, scuba diving, pristine beaches and beautiful scenery.
Truly, this place is like a dream and it’s a wonder why more people don’t head out this way to enjoy the beautiful national park. Moreover, you will discover nature and bird conservation and get to enjoy the stunning setting of the national park.
Tip: Be wary of tourist guide scams. They will overcharge you for unnecessary guide programs. Don’t fall into the trap!
Learn more about the West Bali National park here.
- Amed Beach
Amed Beach is one of the next up-and-coming locations in Bali. There are heaps of local warungs popping up and the beach is stunningly beautiful.
While enjoying this beautiful beach, I recommend heading up to the right side of the cliff. This is called sunset point and is not only a great way to enjoy the sunset but to enjoy views of Mount Agung.
Nonetheless, this is a lovely place to relax and one of the best Bali hidden gems!
- Batur Lake
Last but not least, is Batur Lake. And, this has to be one of the best Bali hidden gems. Moreover, the lake is massive and the views of the surrounding mountains are insanely idyllic. Furthermore, it’s right beside Mount Batur giving you ultimate views!
I recommend having a wander and even riding around the lake. Besides, there are lots to see including beautiful pagodas and long stretches of landscapes.
Finally, hire a boat or canoe and set out on the lake for the ultimate relaxing afternoon. Finally, this is the perfect way to enjoy the serenity of the lake and a lovely way to wind down.
- Manuaba Waterfall
To say this was an insane experience is to say the very least. A few friends and I rocked up to Manuaba waterfall and were pleasantly surprised at just how incredible this experience was about to become. A lovely local decided to be our guide (at no extra cost) and showed us around.
We explored two beautiful waterfalls and did some trekking through the jungle. If you are planning to visit this location, take it easy on the tracks as it’s very slippery.
Firstly, you will come upon a first waterfall, enjoy this for a bit, and then head across to get to the next waterfall. Follow the trail through the fields and then scour up the track to get to the jungle. After a short walk, you will come upon a small house set in the rice fields. And, you may see the owner working out in the rice fields.
Wander a little further to see the much larger and incredible Manuaba waterfall. It’s insanely beautiful and such a wonderful experience!
Additional Activities in Bali
There are loads of things you can do with your time in Bali. Nonetheless, sometimes doing nothing at all is half the fun and the perfect way to unwind on the beautiful tropical island.
However, if you’re interested in getting involved in some other activities, why not start with a stopover at some of the best cafes in Canggu?
Alternatively, check out some of these guided programs shown below:
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, these Bali hidden gems are just some of the greatest spots to enjoy on the island. However, there are tonnes of places just waiting to be discovered. Maybe you will be that person that stumbles upon them.
If you’re heading to Bali and have a few weeks to explore, try including the majority of these activities in your itinerary. Besides, it’s the perfect mix of waterfalls, beaches, indoor activities, viewpoints and cultural experiences.
There’s a great mix of everything, so it’s the perfect way to enjoy your time in Bali. And, better yet, these aren’t the typical activities that everyone runs to experience. So, if you’re lucky enough, you may get the place all to yourself!
Finally, if you would like to discover more about Indonesia, I recommend checking out this section of my blog. I am constantly updating it with new posts to give you the best travel advice.
Read more:
15 Things to Do in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
