Uluwatu has been one of our favorite corners of Bali for years! We recently returned, and while it was busier than we remembered, its dramatic limestone cliffs and surf breaks are still hard to beat. It also feels slightly more grown-up than Canggu, especially when it comes to the dining and going-out scene, while still keeping a creative vibe with its artisanal weekend markets. In this guide, we share all our favorite things to do in Uluwatu.
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
We personally love the Pecatu area, which includes beaches such as Nyang-Nyang, Suluban, Thomas, and Bingin. From there, all the major things to do in Uluwatu are within a 20-minute motorbike ride.
Another popular and even quieter area is down south in Ungasan, which hosts Omnia Dayclub, Sundays Beach Club, and The Edge.
Tip: On our most recent visit, we stayed at a brand new place, Hiraya Uluwatu – a great location if you have a motorbike, and well priced for its location. We also recommend the following hotels:
How to Get Around
It’s a bit too hilly to walk around Uluwatu, so the best way to get around is by motorbike. But be prepared for some heavy traffic, especially between 5-8 PM when the Kecak Dance takes place. The main road coming into the bukit is best avoided, as there are loads of big water trucks.
We use the back roads instead; just toggle your Google Maps to walking/motorbike mode instead of car. There are many potholes, which can be a bit dangerous at night. We personally love that it’s still like this, but you do need some driving experience.
We rented our motorbike for 90.000 IDR (9 USD) per day, but if you rent for longer than a week, you can ask for a discount.
Tip: Rental helmets are never clean, so we always use a cap under our helmets ;)
Things to do in Uluwatu
1. Hatch Weekend Market
We love this lively weekend market, held in this restaurant and entertainment venue in Uluwatu. The beautiful, artsy space is transformed into a market on Saturdays from 9 AM – 4 PM and Sundays from 9 AM – 6 PM:
- Handmade clothing (we bought super-cute baby clothes for friends back home)
- Handicrafts
- Ceramics
It reminded us of Canggu La Brisa Market, but way less crowded, and there are even trees growing inside!
2. Uluwatu Temple
One of Baliโs most scenic temples, built atop a 70-meter-high cliff, is Uluwatu Temple. Tucked between the lush greenery and with incredible views, it’s easily one of our favorite temples we’ve visited on the island.
We visited a couple of times: once during the day when it was quieter, and once at sunset, when they have their daily Kecak Dance performance.
Entry fee: 50,000 IDR (3 USD) for entry into the temple. If you want to see the Kecak Dance performance, you’ll need to purchase an additional ticket (see more info below).
3. Kecak Fire Dance
The Kecak Fire Dance is an iconic dance performance in Bali, where a group of 65+ human vocalists tells a historical story through movement. The most famous is the one at Uluwatu Temple complex, held at sunset in a clifftop amphitheater. It was as magical as people had told us!
The show runs from 6 – 7 PM every day, but gates open at 4 PM. Entry fee: 150.000 IDR (9 USD) per person.
Tip: Make sure to buy a ticket from the booth at the temple entrance well before the show starts, since it usually sells out.
4. Beautiful Beaches in Uluwatu
Uluwatu has some pretty epic beaches, but remember they’re all at the bottom of the cliffs, so it will always be a bit of a walk down and back up (!).
Tip:ย You won’t have signal on most Ulu beaches, as they’re down by the cliffs, but our Telkomsel SIM (2026) also struggled throughout Ulu. Worth considering another provider if you’re staying longer.
Nyang-Nyang Beach
In our opinion, Nyang-Nyang Beach is the most beautiful beach in Bali: a 1.5-kilometer pristine white sand beach along the limestone cliffs. There are just a few small bars and no music; just the ocean, and plenty of space.
It’s a bit more difficult to reach:
- Driving: It is possible, but only for experienced motorbike drivers or those with a strong engine, as it’s very steep to get back up.
- Walking: Much safer to walk down. It’s a beautiful, easy route; we then took a Gojek Motor taxi back up to the top (cost us about 25,000 IDR/ 1,50 USD)
We recommend visiting at sunset when the paragliders are all landing. Just make sure to check the tides, as when the tide is low, you’ll be able to explore a lot more of the beach.
Also read: Most Beautiful Beach on Nusa Penida, Bali
Padang-Padang Beach
This small sandy bay gained its popularity because of its feature in the movie โEat, Pray, Loveโ. Because of this, it’s one of the more crowded beaches we visited in Uluwatu (we came first thing in the morning, and by 10 AM, the beach was already pretty full).
That said, it’s worth a visit for the amazing scenery (you’ll even pass through a rock tunnel). We walked down quite a few steps to get there, and along the way saw some monkeys โ but donโt worry; they weren’t interested in tourists!
Entrance fee: 15.000 IDR (approx 1 USD). Bring snacks and water, as there are no restaurants on the beach.
Suluban Beach
Suluban Beach is on everyone’s list of things to do in Uluwatu and is located just under Single Fins.
- Follow the ‘beach’ signs from Single Fins through a maze of buildings
- You’ll reach the main beach, where you can stop to relax and take a few photos
- At low tide, you can also pass through a small opening between the rocks to reach a much larger beach (we preferred this one)
- If you’re a surfer, there’s also the popular surfing point, named Blue Point
Parking fee: 5,000 IDR. We were told 10,000 IDR, but it’s not, so be careful of that ;)
Balangan Beach
We love this beach; it’s always super nice to chill here, and it’s never too busy. The only problem is that it’s too rough to swim, so if you’re looking for somewhere to cool down, it’s not the best.
Tip: At sunset, we head to the incredible viewpoint at the northern tip of Balangan Beach for panoramic views.
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach is a beautiful white-sand beach tucked away down some steep rocky stairs. It has a handful of small beach bars that sell coconuts and rent surfboards, sunbeds, and umbrellas. Make sure to check tides beforehand, as at high tide, there isn’t much room on the beach to relax.
Must read: 3-week Indonesia route
Dreamland Beach
Dreamland Beach is one of the busiest, with shops and small beach clubs, where you can grab a drink or a bite. It’s probably our least favorite beach in Uluwatu because the surrounding buildings can make it feel a bit uncared for. However, it’s a great spot to catch calmer waves or sunbathe (there’s plenty of space).
Tip: If you decide to visit by motorbike, be aware that the road up to the parking area is very steep.
5. Our Favorite Sunset Spots
Single Fin: Single Fin is the most popular cliffside bar in Uluwatu. Itโs located on the walk down towards Suluban Beach and is great for a drink, snack, relaxing vibes, and a beautiful sunset.
Balangan Viewpoint: Beautiful panoramic sea views at the northern tip of Balangan Beach. Note: At sunset, there may be many wedding photographers.
Malini Restaurant: A restaurant next to Uluwatu Temple, right on the cliffs! We made a reservation a few days in advance and got given seats that weren’t for the faint-hearted (literally sat right on the edge). The fence is nicely decorated with rocks and old coral, and there’s a lovely atmosphere at sunset. The Indonesian food is ok, and it feels a bit like a tourist attraction, but it’s definitely worth it if you get a table on the edge.
Jaran Hill: Very nice spot for sunset, surfer spotting, and great view. Itโs not too crowded with tourists, and the cliffs are incredibly beautiful. When we visited, it was still free, and there were no parking fees (we parked near the lighthouse).
Karang Boma Cliff (Uluwatu Cliff):ย Unfortunately, the area is now privately owned, so you can no longer get the same views. It’s lost its soul a bit and turned into an โokayโ sunset spot with an entrance fee (10,000 IDR), including a fake replica of the original Uluwatu Temple Kecak Dance.ย
6. Best Beachclubs
Uluwatu beach clubs are ideal for a relaxing day or just a sunset drink. Some of them feel more โluxuryโ than others, and there might be a payment / minimum spend, so check in advance.
Single Fin: The most low-key (not on the beach but a view from the cliffs). It’s the most popular in Uluwatu, probably because it also has a pool. Sundays are usually the busiest, as they host parties with live DJ sets.
Sundays Beachclub: A real beach club on the beach with beds, bean bags, and an elevator that takes you down. We booked in advance and paid 800,000 IDR (300k for entrance and 500k as F&B credit). There’s no pool, but you have the lovely sea!ย
Ulu Cliffhouse: Beach club close to Thomas Beach on the cliff side overlooking the ocean. It has super comfy beds for relaxing and a big pool. They also have the Ocean Deck, accessible via a wooden staircase down to the ocean that weaves along the cliffside.ย
Oneeighty: Great for a few hours OR a whole day. Not a luxury feeling; just natural tones and amazing views. Thereโs a pool, but the end of that pool is a photo zone, which is understandable but a bit awkward. 700,000 IDR min spend (Entrance fee 100k, credit 600k)
El Kabron: Nearby Dreamland beach, pool, live music, but very pricey drinks. It has a more luxurious feel, so it wasn’t our favorite for that reason.ย
7. Paragliding
See the spectacular coastline of Uluwatu from high up in the sky during sunset time. Daily flights take off from the cliff at Nyang-Nyang Beach. You’ll touch down at the beach after, where you can grab a drink. Just a reminder: wearing flip-flops is not allowed :-)
8. Visit GWK Cultural Park
GWK Cultural Park is a large park that hosts music events, exhibitions, and conferences. Inside, there’s a 121-meter-tall bronze statue of Lord Vishnu, which is the tallest in the world! It’s worth a visit if you have a bit of extra time while in Uluwatu; we went on our way to the airport.
9. Surf in Uluwatu
There’s no doubt that Uluwatu is for surfing. Surfers from all over the world come here for the world-class surf breaks. It’s mainly a spot for experienced surfers, but we found easier waves at Dreamland or Padang Padang Beach.
Best Restaurants in Uluwatu
We definitely felt like the dining culture is a bit more grown-up in Uluwatu, compared to other spots like Canggu. We always find great food and stunning design features, whether it’s a low-key coffee shop or a fancy night out.
- Artisan: Don’t miss the brunch at their location at Bingin
- Fleur: Beautiful interior design and art! Small menu but good options and great coffees!
- Milk & Madu: Loads of options from breakfast to dinner
- Suka Espresso: Lovely staff and great breakfast
- Bukit Cafe: Tasty, healthy meals
- La Baracca: Great Italian (pizzas are delicious!)
- Landโs End Cafe: Best vegan spot!
- Ulu Fishmarket: Best fish restaurant in Ulu
- AVLI Greek: If you want a fancy night out, this modern greek is delicious
Tip: Due to the construction of many new buildings, monkeys have lost much of their living space, which is sad. During our latest visit, we noticed that monkeys are now coming into the restaurant; one grabbed a phone from the table, so be sure to keep your items close!
How to Visit Uluwatu
Uluwatu is located about 45 minutes from the airport and 1.5 hours from the popular areas of Kuta, Seminyak & Canggu.
We wouldn’t recommend using Uluwatu as a base for exploring the rest of the island, as traffic can get really congested there. However, you can contact our Balinese friendย Yande below for easy transport from the airport or to get around while you’re there.
Best Time to Visit Uluwatu
Our most recent visit was in January, which is typically one of the wettest months, but we found it fine; usually just one heavy shower a day. For the best weather, visit Uluwatu between April and October. Read here about the best time to visit Bali, Indonesia.
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Hello, your travel blogs are great. They have become our number 1 place to start from whenever we plan a trip!
Next up is Indonesia where we plan to stay approx 7 weeks. I was wondering whether we should do both Canggu and Uluwatu or just pick one? Uluwatu looks more interesting then Canggu. How about Seminyak? We are not much of beach goers but still like to feel the vibe and our 20 year old daughter wants to learn how to surf…
Thank you!
Tanja
Hi Tanja, thank you for your comment, that’s incredible to hear! We think Canggu and Uluwatu each have their charm and make great places to go surfing. The biggest difference is that Uluwatu sees waves that are typically more for intermediate/experienced surfers. Perhaps, for that reason, the lively Canggu or Seminyak might be a better option. Seminyak has prettier beaches and is a more sophisticated resort-style location, whereas Canggu has an incredible hipster feel with tons of cafes and trendy beach clubs. I hope that helps a bit! Wishing you a really great trip.