The top things to do in Uluwatu, Bali revolve around the sun, sand and surf. While the epic shoreline is what beckons most travelers here, you can also seek out cultural gems and an exceptional culinary scene.
The Uluwatu coastline is distinctly different than other parts of Bali. Rather than long swaths of flat sandy beaches, sheer rock cliffs rise dramatically from the sea.
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We spent one week in Uluwatu exploring the best beaches, seeking out top attractions and discovering great places to eat!
Why Go to Uluwatu, Bali
Uluwatu was the second destination on our Bali Itinerary – and we quickly fell into a leisurely pace. One of the less-developed tourist regions of Bali – at least in comparison to Kuta, Seminyak or Sanur – Uluwatu exudes a easy going vibe.
Rather than high rises, you find family restaurants lining the streets and ramshackle cafes clinging to the cliffs. Sure, there are posh resorts and fancy beach clubs, but the overall scene is casual.
Uluwatu only became a holiday destination in the 1970s. It was then that surfers happened upon the incredible swells aligning themselves perfectly against the northwest facing shores.
Since then, Uluwatu has seen a surge of visitors. Although it is indisputably a surf mecca, we can assure you that there is more to do than just ride the waves!
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Uluwatu Travel Guide to plan your trip to Bali!
What To Do in Uluwatu
Our Uluwatu vacation guide can be used by those who are just spending a few hours on the Bukit Peninsula or several days.
To assist others in finding these awesome Uluwatu things to do, we’ve included a helpful map at the end of the article – as well as a few essential Bali travel tips!
#1 Surf Uluwatu, Bali
As tourism grew from the initial influx of surfers in the 70s, the surf culture has become intertwined with Uluwatu.
For many, learning how to surf is an Uluwatu must-do. On many of the beaches, you will find surfboard rentals or you can hire a professional for surfing lessons.
That said, surfing isn’t exclusive to board riders. It’s also a spectator sport, and watching the scene unfold is mesmerizing. Cliffside warungs offer an incredible vantage point to watch some of the best waves in Bali.
We spent hours with our eyes glued to the sea, anticipating the next set of waves. We would crane our necks to watch a long ride and cheered or winced when there was an impressive maneuver or awkward wipeout.
#2 Explore the Best Uluwatu Beaches
The Bukit Peninsula is home to a few of the best beaches in Bali. From the clifftop, they can often only be accessed by steep – sometimes shoddy – staircases.
Although many of the prime beaches are within close proximity, each has its own distinct characteristics. While the most popular ones have become Uluwatu tourist attractions, others are untouched and natural.
Blue Point and Padang Padang are the most popular Uluwatu beaches. However, you can find solitude at one of the more secluded spots, like Green Bowl or Nyang Nyang Beach.
There is no cost to go to the public beaches, but there are private Uluwatu beach clubs that do charge entry fees.
Some of the best are along the southern coast, such as Sundays Beach Club, Palmilla Bali Beach Club and Karma Beach Club.
We share specific details about all of these and more in our complete Uluwatu Beach Guide!
#3 Watch a Stunning Uluwatu Sunset
Catching an amazing Bali sunset from the top of the cliff should be on every Uluwatu To-Do list! With abundant west-facing coastline, there isn’t a better elevated vista than the perch in Uluwatu.
The most renowned Uluwatu sunset bar is Single Fin, which sits at the top of the cliff above Blue Point Suluban Beach. The famous venue is often crowded and a bit on the pricey side, but fun nonetheless.
Stacked below Single Fin are several warungs clinging to the cliffside, some of which have sea-facing seats.
Ideal for both sunsets and surf-watching, these places seem to switch owners/names/offerings often, so we suggest just heading down the stairs and seeing which one looks good to you!
Alternatively, you can trek out to Karang Boma Cliff. It offers a sensational sunset viewpoint. There is a small fee to enter – and to get there you will need to grab a taxi or ride a scooter.
Pro Tip: If you are looking for an Uluwatu sunset beach, Bingin and Dreamland have amazing views as well!
#4 Visit the Famous Uluwatu Temple
The Pura Luhur Balinese Hindu Temple sits 230 feet above the water on the cliff’s edge. It attracts tourists throughout the day, but the most popular thing to do is to visit at dusk to watch the fire dance.
The Uluwatu Temple can be visited on your own or by joining a tour. There is a fee to enter, as well as an additional charge to watch the Kecak performance.
Top Tip: Beware of the Macaque monkeys – they are sneaky and quick to snatch bags and phones from unsuspecting tourists!
#5 Spend a Day at Garuda Wisnu Kencana
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is an intriguing place to see in Uluwatu. Boasting a 400-foot-tall Vishnu statue – plus musical performances, traditional dancing and native art, GWK is a haven of cultural experiences.
An upgraded ticket package also provides a tour to the top of the statue. As the area is quite spacious, you can also hire golf cart buggies to easily access all the attractions.
#6 Unwind at a Uluwatu Spa
Whether your trip to Uluwatu is about surfing or sightseeing, relaxing with a spa treatment is practically mandatory!
There are numerous Bali wellness centers that offer a range of spa services, but we highly recommend partaking in a traditional Balinese massage.
Laniakea Spa is one of the highly-rated places in Uluwatu for massages. Guests are asked to indicate their pressure preference and area of focus in order to get the best experience.
Grey Spa Bali offers specialized Surfer Massages – which are fantastic after a day of getting barreled. Bali Mesari Spa also receives high marks from guests.
You can also combine an Uluwatu spa experience with a spectacular sunset on this package deal!
#7 Go to the Best Uluwatu Restaurants
Now it’s time to talk about what and where to eat! There are heaps of choices and always new places coming on the scene, but here are a few staples from our visit.
Nyoman Local Food
Family-run Nyoman Local Food was our favorite spot for homemade Indonesian dishes. We ate here more than once during our stay in Uluwatu.
The seating area – complete with a boat table – has a quaint, backyard feel to it, even though it faces the main road.
Recommended Dish: Ayam Goreng, which is fried chicken with rice, but the Nasi Goreng was one of the best we tried, too!
Suka Espresso
This hopping spot is known for incredible breakfast food, but the dinner we ate at Suka Espresso was one of our top meals in Uluwatu.
In the evening, candles create a cozy atmosphere. Recommended Dish: Seared Ahi Tuna Bowl.
La Baracca
There is no better place for pizza in Uluwatu than La Baracca. The wait was well worth it for the tasty pies, or make a reservation if you want to be guaranteed a seat.
We loved the shabby chic decor, and without a booking we ate on the patio railing which provided an opportunity to meet other travelers! Recommended Dishes: Pizza – any pizza.
Bukit Cafe
A bit more expensive than other places in Uluwatu, the food at Bukit Café is fresh, well-presented and the portions are big. A great spot for any meal of the day – or just to pop into for a refreshing juice smoothie.
Recommended Dish: The extensive menu has something for everyone, but don’t miss the Specials Board. The daily deal was chicken tacos when we went, and they were incredible!
Uluwatu Bali Map
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Uluwatu, Bali map below that’s marked with all of our top picks!
Top Uluwatu Tips for Your Bali Trip
Now that you know what to see, do and eat, we want to share a few of our personal travel tips for planning your Uluwatu trip!
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
During our visit to Uluwatu, we stayed at D’Padang. It’s in a good location, has two refreshing swimming pools and was overall a great value.
Breakfast was included with our room and we enjoyed getting to know the friendly staff. We especially loved playing with Poke, the adorable Bali-dog!
Getting To and Around Uluwatu
Getting anywhere in Bali can be a trying task – as traffic is absolutely dreadful. If you’re going to Uluwatu directly from the airport, consider booking a car in advance.
For those coming from other Bali destinations, we recommend getting a taxi. We traveled to Uluwatu from Canggu – and the cab ride cost 350K ($22).
Considering it took us three hours in Bali’s horrendous midday traffic, we thought the price was equally fair and mind-numbing .
Fellow travelers on scooters said they make the trip from Canggu to Uluwatu in a little over an hour. Otherwise, there are private day tours you can book in advance.
Once here, many opt to rent scooters. However, most of the sights in Uluwatu can be reached on foot.
What To Pack for Uluwatu
Ready to go to Uluwatu? Great! Our final tips are all about what to pack in your backpack or suitcase. So grab our Free Checklist and let’s get you to Indo!
Bali Beach Essentials
Make sure you bring good sunscreen, a wide-brimmed travel hat, polarized sunglasses and insect repellent for your Bali beach trip.
Proper Shoes
Uluwatu is walkable…but only if you have the right shoes! Don’t forget lightweight and comfortable kicks for your trip.
I (Sarah) travel with these shoes by Columbia and Reef. Kris prefers wearing Sanuk. We share complete reviews in our article, The Best Shoes for Travel.
Travel Camera
We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your Bali trip! To get great action photos of surfers and wonderful sunset pictures, you will need a real travel camera with a proper lens.
We shoot with a Canon Rebel, which comes with tons of accessories and is a fabulous budget camera for travelers.
Want videos from the water? Invest in a GoPro or a similar (less expensive) waterproof action camera.
Day Pack
A zippered day bag is ideal for the beach and sightseeing adventures. It’s perfect for stowing all your everyday travel items. Read our reviews to ensure you get the Best Travel Day Bag for your vacation!
Bali Trip Insurance
No matter how well you prepare, things can go wrong; including lost luggage, canceled flights and even illness or injury. Consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Travel Organization
As you begin to make your plans and book reservations, staying organized is key. We recommend using our Printable Travel Planner to track all the details!
Start planning your trip to Indonesia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More Bali Destinations
If our guide of things to do in Uluwatu, Indonesia helped you prepare for your getaway, check out our other Bali travel guides!
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