Indonesia · best-of list
9 Top Things to Do in Indonesia
All 9 things to do our route editors picked in Indonesia, across 3 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect sights and experiences, with Ubud contributing the most (5).
Our curated picks
9 things to do in Indonesia, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Ubud 5 picks
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Ubud · On our Bali Island Loop route
Easy ridge path between two river valleys through elephant grass.
Tip: Go at sunrise to avoid heat.
Photo: Ibrahim Falqi · Google
Goa Gajah
Ubud · On our Bali Island Loop route
11th-century 'Elephant Cave' with a carved demon entrance and bathing pools.
Tip: Sarongs at entrance; go early.
Photo: Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0
Neka Art Museum
Ubud · On our Bali Island Loop route
Collection of Balinese painting traditions and works by foreign artists in Bali.
Tip: Start with the Balinese painting hall.
Photo: Neka Art Museum · Google
Tirta Empul
Ubud · On our Bali Island Loop route
Spring-fed temple with purification pools used by Balinese worshippers.
Tip: Sarong provided; join the bathing ritual respectfully.
Photo: Josep Borras · Google
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
Ubud · On our Bali Island Loop route
Royal palace in town center, with Legong dance performances at night.
Tip: Buy dance tickets on the street the same day.
Photo: Swarup Chandra · Google
Nusa Penida 2 picks
Goa Giri Putri
Nusa Penida · On our Bali Island Loop route
Hindu temple inside a cave reached through a narrow opening.
Tip: Sarong required; squeeze through the small entrance.
Photo: 素潜り屋バリ · Google
Manta Point
Nusa Penida · On our Bali Island Loop route
Snorkel or dive site off the south coast where manta rays feed.
Tip: Boat tours from Toyapakeh or Crystal Bay; seas can be rough.
Photo: Jamie Ridge · Google
Uluwatu 2 picks
Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu
Uluwatu · On our Bali Island Loop route
Ramayana dance performed by chanting chorus at the cliff amphitheater at sunset.
Tip: Buy tickets early; seats fill by 5pm.
Photo: Volodymyr · Google
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu · On our Bali Island Loop route
11th-century sea temple on a 70-meter cliff with resident monkeys.
Tip: Hold onto sunglasses; monkeys grab them.
Photo: Paskuu · CC BY-SA 4.0
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the things to do in Indonesia?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 9 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Indonesia has the most things to do on this list?
Ubud has the most (5 of 9), followed by Nusa Penida (2) and Uluwatu (2).
Are any of these free?
1 pick on this list is marked free in our route notes: Campuhan Ridge Walk. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Indonesia
Top things to do nearby
Destinations on this list
- Ubud 5 on this list
- Nusa Penida 2 on this list
- Uluwatu 2 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.