Best of Bali in One Day: Temples, UNESCO Rice Terraces & Sunset at Tanah Lot

Overview

If you’re in the mood for a full-day trip that covers temples, jungle, rice fields, and one of the best sunsets in Bali, this one’s a gem. It’s a slow, scenic drive through central Bali with stops that are beautiful, peaceful, and not too crowded. You’ll see the royal side of Bali, meet some monkeys, and catch a sunset that honestly never gets old.

First, we start at Taman Ayun Temple. It’s clean, calm, and surrounded by ponds and gardens. It was built by the royal family back in the day, and you can still feel that quiet, spiritual vibe. It’s not packed with tourists either, so you can take your time and actually enjoy it.

Then we head up to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, the famous one floating on the lake. Cool mountain air, peaceful water, and temple towers that look like they’re floating. Even if you’ve seen it on Instagram, it hits different in real life.

After that, we’ll take you to Jatiluwih, a massive stretch of rice terraces that’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s less touristy than Tegalalang and way more wide open. The views here are crazy, you’ll see layers of green as far as your eyes can go.

Then it’s time for a chill stop at Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest. This place is smaller than Ubud, way quieter, and the monkeys are a bit more relaxed. It’s not a zoo, just a forest where monkeys live. Good stop to stretch your legs and get a few monkey photos.

We’ll end the day with sunset at Tanah Lot. It’s a classic for a reason. Temple on a rock in the ocean, waves crashing, sun dipping below the horizon. You’ve probably seen a thousand photos, but it’s the kind of spot that just feels different when you’re standing there.