What can you do during a Bali stopover?

A Bali stopover can be as restful or as active as you want it to be. Many travellers spend time on the beach, visit temples, explore rice terraces, enjoy Balinese food, or book a gentle guided day trip. We would avoid overloading the itinerary, especially after a long international flight.

Discover Bali, a tropical escape

Q: When is the best time to visit Bali on a stopover?

Our favourite time for a Bali stopover is usually May, June, September or October, when the weather is generally drier but the island can feel a little less intense than July and August. These months work especially well if you want beach time, gentle sightseeing and a slower pause between long-haul flights.

Q: Is Bali a good stopover on the way to Australia or New Zealand?

Yes, Bali is a good stopover if you want warmth, rest and a softer change of pace before or after a long-haul journey. It suits travellers who would rather unwind by the coast, visit temples or rice terraces, and recover properly instead of spending a stopover in a large city.

Q: How many nights do you need for a Bali stopover?

We usually recommend 3 or 4 nights in Bali, rather than just one or two. That gives you time to settle after the flight, enjoy a beach or pool day, and still see places such as Ubud, local temples or the rice terraces without making the stopover feel rushed.

Why choose Bali as a stopover?

Bali is a rewarding stopover on your way to Australia or New Zealand, offering far more than a place to break up the journey. Known as Indonesia’s ‘Island of the Gods’, it combines tropical beaches, lush nature, warm hospitality, rich culture and a relaxed island atmosphere.

With a wide choice of hotels, lively nightlife and plenty of memorable experiences, Bali gives you the chance to add a completely different destination to your holiday before continuing Down Under.

Coastal views of a cliffside and the ocean in Bali

Best travel time

Bali has a tropical climate with two main seasons: the wet season, from November to April, and the dry season, from May to October. The best time to visit is generally between April and October, when the weather is drier and there is plenty of sunshine. Temperatures are warm throughout the year, although it can feel noticeably cooler in the island’s higher regions.

To experience Bali’s lush landscapes at their best, it is worth choosing your travel dates carefully. The island needs regular rainfall to keep its forests, rice terraces and gardens so green. From November to March, the rainy season brings heavier showers, helping to refresh the landscape and give Bali its rich tropical character.

Women with baskets on their heads walk through temple street in Bali

Rain should not put you off visiting Bali, although it can affect visibility at some of the island’s most beautiful dive sites. The wet season can also bring more mosquitoes, but it is usually a quieter time to travel, with fewer visitors around the island.

From April, the dry season begins, bringing warm temperatures and drier weather. This makes it an ideal time to enjoy Bali’s beaches, temples, walking trails and outdoor activities.

Tanah Lot building on a rocky island in the sea

Over 20,000 temples

Bali has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, yet there is also a sense of mystery woven into everyday life. Spiritual traditions are deeply rooted here, and the island’s temples, ceremonies and symbolic carvings all reflect a belief in forces beyond the human world.

There are more than 20,000 temples across Bali, from small, simple temples in local courtyards to grand and impressive sites. Among the most important are Pura Besakih, known as the ‘Mother Temple’, at the foot of sacred Mount Agung, and Pura Tanah Lot, set dramatically on a sea cliff. Tanah Lot is especially photogenic at sunset.

Ancient temples on an island with cloud-covered mountains in the background

Heavenly nature

Beyond its culture, Bali is blessed with rich natural beauty. The Balinese have a deep appreciation for nature, with flowers and plants playing an important role in daily life. Across the island, you can admire lush climbing plants, ferns, heliconia, bromeliads, frangipani and orchids.

Bali’s inland landscapes are especially beautiful, from Bali Barat National Park in the north-west to the mountainous Bedugul region and the volcanoes of Mount Agung, which rises to around 10,308 feet, and Mount Batur, at around 5,633 feet.

Here, you can marvel at dramatic gorges, crater lakes, terraced rice fields and water gardens, creating landscapes of tranquillity and natural beauty.

The most beautiful beaches

Bali is world-renowned for its beautiful beaches, with many visitors spending time along the popular southern coastline. The main seaside resort is Kuta, where you will find hundreds of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and souvenir shops. Kuta tends to attract a younger crowd, while nearby Sanur is a more family-friendly option.

Jimbaran Beach has a quieter atmosphere and is well known for its seafood restaurants, as is Nusa Dua on the peninsula to the south. North of Kuta, you will find Legian and Seminyak, while Candidasa lies to the south-east. In the north, Lovina is becoming increasingly popular for its distinctive black-sand beaches.

Aerial view of turquoise water and beach in Bali

Highlights

Bali has something for everyone, from culture and nature to entertainment and pure tranquillity. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy, including cycling, hiking, horse riding, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, diving, mountain biking, rafting, sailing and golf.

There is accommodation to suit a wide range of tastes, from smaller boutique hotels to five-star resorts. You will also find a great choice of restaurants across the island. Be sure to try local favourites such as nasi goreng and satay, as well as an Indonesian rice table. Although Bali is a small island, there is so much to experience.

Market with colourful baskets and fruits in Bali

Denpasar

Immerse yourself in the capital of Bali, Denpasar, and get to know the local lifestyle of the Balinese. Tree-lined streets and the affluent government district of Renon show a more distinguished side of the island. Here, you will find shopping centres and picturesque parks.

There are also many local and authentic cafes and restaurants that will take you on a culinary journey with the local cuisine. The Denpasar Airport is Indonesia’s second-busiest international airport.

People transporting via horse cart with water foundation in the background in Bali

Ubud and Monkey Forest

Within Bali, Ubud is an absolute must-do! It is one of those places where time just flies by as you are mesmerised by nature, the temples, and the culture. Many novels and films are set here due to the beautiful scenery. Tropical colours and exotic plants line the streets, as well as trendy shops.

One of Ubud’s highlights that shows how closely nature and people are in harmony here is the Monkey Forest. The dense, soothingly cool piece of the jungle is located in the heart of Bali and can be entered via three gates. Here, you discover three holy temples which are inhabited and guarded by a total of 600 long-tailed macaques.

The monkeys are trusting and friendly by nature, but they do like to steal fruit or other loose items that you may be carrying! Watch your valuables carefully, and if you do have some fruit with you, just wait for the monkeys to approach you. It is truly a unique experience to get so close to these playful creatures.

Surrounding areas

Lombok

Lombok is the lesser-known neighbouring island of Bali. Many places here are still untouched by tourists. Featuring empty beaches, amazing nature, colourful reef for diving, and friendly locals. You can easily reach Lombok by boat or plane, whichever you prefer.

Feeling active?

Discover another part of Indonesia and climb Gunung Rinjani in Lombok, the second-highest volcano in all of Indonesia. Watching the sunrise at the summit is an unforgettable experience.

The first rays of sunlight, with the backdrop of the Indian Ocean and the Indonesian Islands, are simply breathtaking.

Gili Islands

The Gili Islands offer a classic tropical island escape, with beautiful reefs, white-sand beaches, warm weather and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Located off the north-west coast of Lombok, they are often added to a Bali journey for a quieter, more secluded experience. With no cars or motorbikes on the three main islands, life here moves at a slower pace.

Each island has its own character. Gili Trawangan is the largest and liveliest, with beach clubs, restaurants, bars and a vibrant nightlife scene. Gili Air and Gili Meno are quieter retreats, better suited to peace and relaxation. Gili Meno is the smallest and most remote of the three, making it ideal for those looking to truly switch off.