Southeast Asia
Indonesia
Smoking volcanoes, rice-terrace temples, turquoise islands and dragons.
- Bali
- Borobudur
- Java’s volcanoes
- Nusa Penida
- Gili Islands
- Komodo dragons
Indonesia is a 17,000-island country that delivers far more than just Bali: the giant Buddhist temple of Borobudur, the smoking craters of Java, the rice-terrace temples and beaches of Bali, the snorkelling islands of the Gilis, and the dragons of Komodo. These routes start with the essence of Bali and extend across Java and the eastern islands as you add days.
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Your interests
The essence of Bali: the rice terraces and temples of Ubud, a volcano sunrise, clifftop temples and the cliffs of Nusa Penida.
Daily budget:≈ €45–90 / day
Comfortable hotels and villas, restaurant meals, private drivers, domestic flights and day tours.
Day by day
- 1
Sunset on Bali's south-coast beaches.© Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Nasi goreng, Indonesia's signature fried rice.© Fitrah 913 · CC BY 4.0 Land in Bali, settle into the buzzy south (Seminyak, Canggu or laid-back Uluwatu) and shake off the flight: a first warung meal of nasi goreng, toes in the sand, a sunset beer at a beach bar. Ease in — Bali rewards a slow start.
That first warm, frangipani-scented evening — scooters humming, surfers drifting in, the sky going pink over the Indian Ocean — tells you instantly why people come to Bali for two weeks and stay for two years.
Our take
Hire a private driver for your temple/volcano days (cheap and stress-free) rather than battling the traffic yourself. Don’t over-plan tonight — jet lag plus a beach sunset is plenty.
Highlights
- ✦ Beach sunset
- ✦ First warung dinner
- 2
Bali's emerald Tegallalang rice terraces.© Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 
Ubud's mossy Sacred Monkey Forest.© Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 
One of Bali's jungle waterfalls.© Artem Beliaikin from Moscow, Russia · CC0 Head up to Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. Wander the emerald Tegallalang rice terraces, brave the cheeky residents of the Sacred Monkey Forest, browse the art markets and cool off under a jungle waterfall. It’s lush, soulful and endlessly photogenic.
Ubud runs on a different frequency — incense and offerings on every doorstep, gamelan music drifting from a temple, a farmer wading through impossibly green paddies. After the beaches, it feeds a different kind of hunger.
Our take
Go to the rice terraces early before the tour buses and the “swing” crowds. Hold tight to your sunglasses and snacks in the Monkey Forest — the macaques are professional thieves.
Highlights
- ✦ Tegallalang rice terraces
- ✦ Monkey Forest
- ✦ Jungle waterfall
- 3
Sunrise from the summit of Mount Batur.© Olderthangoogle · CC BY-SA 4.0 
The holy spring pools of Tirta Empul.© Saranabhi · CC BY-SA 3.0 Rise in the dark for the classic Mount Batur sunrise trek — a two-hour climb up an active volcano to watch the sun break over the caldera and Lake Batur. Afterwards, cleanse body and spirit in the holy spring pools of Tirta Empul, where Balinese come to bathe and pray.
Standing on Batur’s rim at first light, clouds below you and Mount Agung silhouetted across the valley, you eat eggs cooked in volcanic steam and feel very small in the best way. The cold spring at Tirta Empul afterwards is the perfect, humbling reset.
Our take
Book the Batur trek with a licensed guide (it’s required) and bring a fleece — the summit is genuinely cold before dawn. At Tirta Empul, wear/rent a sarong and follow the ritual order of the fountains.
Highlights
- ✦ Mount Batur sunrise
- ✦ Tirta Empul holy springs
- 4
The 'Gates of Heaven' at Lempuyang temple.© Flickr user: yeowatzup https://www.flickr. · CC BY 2.0 
Uluwatu temple on its clifftop.© Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0 
The hypnotic Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu.© Rollan Budi from Kuta, Bali,, Indonesia · CC BY-SA 2.0 Visit some of Bali’s most striking temples — the famous “Gates of Heaven” at Lempuyang, framing Mount Agung — then end at clifftop Uluwatu Temple for sunset and the hypnotic Kecak fire dance, performed by a chanting circle of dozens of men as the sun drops into the sea.
The Kecak at Uluwatu is pure magic — no instruments, just a chant of “chak-chak-chak” from fifty voices, a fire-lit Ramayana, and behind it the Indian Ocean turning gold then black. The temple monkeys add their own mischief.
Our take
The Lempuyang “gates” photo uses a clever mirror trick (and a long queue) — go for the place, not just the picture. Buy Kecak tickets ahead and arrive early for a good seat; mind your sunglasses around the Uluwatu monkeys.
Highlights
- ✦ Lempuyang “Gates of Heaven”
- ✦ Uluwatu Temple
- ✦ Kecak fire dance
- 5
The T-Rex cliff of Kelingking Beach.© Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0 
Nusa Penida's natural infinity pool.© Haryanti · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there: Fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida (about 45m)
Catch a fast boat to rugged Nusa Penida for the island that launched a million photos: the dinosaur-shaped cliff above Kelingking Beach, the natural infinity pool of Angel’s Billabong, and crystal coves perfect for snorkelling with manta rays.
The first sight of Kelingking — a green dinosaur-head headland plunging into electric-blue water — genuinely stops your breath. The island’s roads are rough and the viewpoints dramatic; it feels wilder and rawer than mainland Bali.
Our take
A small-group tour or private driver beats renting a scooter here — the roads are genuinely bad. Go early; the famous viewpoints get busy and the boats can be rough by afternoon.
Highlights
- ✦ Kelingking Beach
- ✦ Angel’s Billabong
- ✦ Manta snorkelling
- 6
Tanah Lot, a temple on a sea rock.© CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 Take it slow on your last full day: a surf lesson or a lazy beach, a cheap and blissful Balinese massage, and shopping in Seminyak. Finish at Tanah Lot, the iconic temple perched on a sea rock, glowing as the sun sinks behind it.
Tanah Lot at sunset is a Bali postcard come to life — the little temple silhouetted on its rock, waves crashing around it, the crowd hushing as the sky turns molten. It’s touristy and totally worth it.
Our take
Get a Balinese massage — they’re excellent and absurdly cheap. Arrive at Tanah Lot an hour before sunset to beat the crush and grab a spot at a clifftop café.
Highlights
- ✦ Surf or spa
- ✦ Tanah Lot at sunset
- 7
Selamat jalan, Indonesia… until next time.© Shocksingularity · CC0 Getting there: Fly home from Denpasar (Bali) Airport
Fit in a final beach swim or a café smoothie bowl, then head to the airport. Still hungry for Indonesia? The 15-day route keeps going — to Java’s temples and volcanoes and the snorkelling Gili Islands.
You’ll leave Bali a little sun-drunk and already plotting a return — for the islands you skipped, the volcanoes you didn’t climb, the slow mornings you didn’t have enough of. The island has a long reach.
Our take
Leave plenty of time for Bali’s traffic to the airport. Learn “terima kasih” (thank you) — it earns warm smiles everywhere.
Highlights
- ✦ Last beach morning
- ✦ Fly home from Bali
At a glance
Best time to go
The dry season (roughly April–October) is the best time, with sunny days across Bali, Java and Komodo; July–August is the busiest and priciest. The wet season (November–March) is humid with afternoon downpours — lush, cheaper and quieter, though some Komodo boat trips get rougher.
Currency
IDR (Rp)
Language
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). English is widely spoken in Bali and tourist areas, less so elsewhere — a few local words and a smile go far.
Visa & entry
Many nationalities can get a Visa on Arrival (commonly 30 days, extendable once), or buy an e-VoA online before flying. Bali also charges a small tourist levy on arrival. Always confirm current rules for your nationality.
Daily budget
Indonesia is great value. Mid-range travellers should plan roughly €45–90 per person per day including accommodation, food, transport and tours; Bali’s smarter villas and beach clubs cost more, backpackers far less. Figures are approximate.
Getting around
Cheap domestic flights link Java, Bali, Lombok and Flores (Labuan Bajo); ferries and speedboats connect the islands. In Bali, a private driver for the day is cheap and easy; scooters are everywhere (only if you’re experienced — and helmet on); the Gojek/Grab apps work in many areas, though some ban app pickups locally.
Safety
Indonesia is very safe for travellers. The biggest real risks are scooter accidents (Bali’s roads are chaotic), strong ocean currents at some beaches, and active volcanoes — check conditions. Dress respectfully at temples (a sarong, often provided) and watch for petty overcharging.
Connectivity
A cheap local SIM (Telkomsel has the best coverage) or a travel eSIM gives fast data across the tourist areas and most islands. Wi-Fi is common in cafés and hotels — Bali is full of remote workers.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Indonesia? ＋
The dry season, roughly April–October, is best for Bali, Java’s volcanoes and Komodo, with July–August the busiest. The wet season (November–March) is humid with afternoon showers but lush and cheaper. See the planner’s seasonal tips.
Is Indonesia just Bali, or should I add more? ＋
Bali alone is a great week, but Indonesia is huge. Two weeks lets you add Java’s temples (Borobudur) and volcanoes (Bromo, Ijen) and the Gili Islands; three weeks reaches the Komodo dragons and the marine park of Flores.
Do I need a visa for Indonesia? ＋
Many nationalities can get a Visa on Arrival (commonly 30 days, extendable once) or an e-VoA online before travelling. Bali also charges a small tourist levy on arrival. Always check the current rules for your nationality.
Sources
Last reviewed on June 3, 2026Facts in this guide were checked against the following sources.
- Wonderful Indonesia (official tourism) — Destinations, regions and seasons
- Indonesia Immigration — e-VoA — Visa & entry requirements
- Love Bali — tourist levy — Bali tourist levy
- UNESCO World Heritage — Indonesia — Heritage sites (Borobudur, Prambanan, Komodo)
⚠️ Prices, opening hours and transport times change — always verify the latest details before you travel.