Balinese aesthetics have long captivated the world. From the island’s distinctive Balinese Hindu architecture, to its mid-century art scene, as well as its textiles and lush gardens, it’s a beautiful place to be.
Its modern-day style credentials are no less enticing, with Bali becoming a hot hangout for travelers the world over. The many Instagrammable spots across the islands range from centuries-old temples, chic cafes, laid-back beach clubs, waterfalls, beaches, and, of course, Bali’s swings.
Here are some of the best places to snap a pic in Bali.
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Instagrammable Places to Visit in Bali
Pura Luhur Lempuyang
Located high on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang, this important Balinese temple is one of the most sacred on the island. It’s also one of the most favored Instagram spots on the island for visitors.
It’s here that you’ll find the temple’s famous candi bentar (split gateway), which majestically frames Mount Agung in the distance. Getting to this spot, however, is not easy: you’ll have to climb over 1,700 steps and then most probably wait in line for your chance to snap the perfect photo.
Tirta Gangga
Once home to one of Bali’s royal families, Tirta Gangga takes its name from the sacred Indian river of the same name (i.e. the Ganges).
Today the water garden at this former palace, still owned by the Karangasem dynasty, is a perfectly maintained spot to stroll and admire. It features pools, lawns, stepping stones, and lush greenery — perfect for your Instagram feed.
The Lawn
The Lawn is a much-loved beach club in the Canggu area. Situated steps from the sand itself, here you can expect a large, grassy lawn that’s dotted with pretty pink parasols and an iconic infinity pool that seems to hang out over the beach.
Everything from the cocktails to the sun loungers is perfectly preened to get that ideal Instagram aesthetic. And when the sun starts to set, the whole beach is painted in delicious shades of oranges and pinks, offsetting the whole scene.
Want the best Instagram photos from Bali? I recommend this tour: Bali: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour.
Handara Gate
It’s hard to scroll through Bali photos on Instagram without seeing a picture of somebody posing as if they’re stepping through the mythical-looking Handara Gate. However, this particular candi bentar isn’t actually part of a Hindu temple; instead, it’s the entrance to the Handara Golf course.
Nevertheless, it’s a giant structure that sits picturesquely on a backdrop of volcanic peaks and has become an iconic photo opportunity in Bali.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Probably one of the most famous natural sights in all of Bali, Tegalalang Rice Terrace is truly a breathtaking beauty spot. But this world-renowned attraction is also a slice of Balinese heritage, thanks to it being an example of the island’s traditional subak irrigation system (which has itself been recognized by UNESCO).
Visiting these rice terraces in the right season means you’ll get to snap pictures of the stepped valley coated in all eye-popping shades of bright green.
Tanah Lot
One of Bali’s pura segara or sea temples, which are designed to protect the island in a sort of spiritual chain, Tanah Lot is one of the island’s most visited (and most photographed) Hindu temples.
It was built in the 16th century on a rocky promontory that juts into the sea, which lends it a dramatic setting that is instantly photogenic. It can be busy with visitors, however, so make sure you come early if you want to take pictures of the architecture with the sea in the background.
Sekumpul Waterfall
Bali has a number of impressive waterfalls scattered across the island, but arguably the most impressive is Sekumpul. Set in the north of the island, Sekumpul really has a paradisiacal location, with streams of water tumbling over a cave-like cliff that bristles with greenery.
Popular poses here include wanderlusting travelers gazing up at the falls as they gush down, but you can also swim in the natural plunge pool here for a refreshing end to your photo shoot.
Balangan Beach Viewpoint
Over in the south of Bali, Balangan Beach provides a pure white stretch of sand that’s perfect for basking in the sun and dipping your toes in the rolling waves. But when it comes to the best place to snap a photo of this classic slice of Balinese scenery, make sure to head up to the cliffside that overlooks the beach itself.
From this natural viewpoint, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful beach itself, as the waves crash onto the gleaming sand, backed by cliffs and greenery. Come at sunset for particularly spectacular views.
Sea Circus
Bali has a whole wealth of eateries that really tick all the boxes when it comes to their Instagrammability, but probably out on top is the colorful Sea Circus. While its food is a delicious smorgasbord of tacos and tasty cocktails, the interior design packs a punch of turquoise and pink.
Once you’re done with your meal, take a seat on the wooden bench out the front and strike a pose — the facade here is a stylish rainbow of colors.
Uluwatu Temple
Perched up on a cliff 70 meters above the crashing waves of the southern Balinese coastline, Uluwatu has long been a favorite for visitors who come here to learn about Balinese Hinduism. With origins dating back a millennium, according to tradition, visitors to Pura Uluwatu enter through the stone archway into a courtyard of walls hewn from coral.
But the best photos aren’t necessarily taken within the temple itself; snap pics of the temple of its cliffside setting from afar, and it seems almost as if it could tumble into the sea at any moment.
Love Bali Sign
Situated at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces themselves, the colorful “Love Bali” sign is a ready-made Instagram spot. Here you can sit on a swing, with the rice terraces making up the background to your shot.
You may have to wait in line for this one, but it’s a cute way to make a visual memory of your Bali vacation.
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is known colloquially as “The Floating Temple” due to its magnificent setting — that is, on the surface of Lake Beratan itself. Glimpse it from the right angle, and the structures of the Balinese Hindu temple, including the 11-story meru (tiered thatched pagoda) reflect in the glassy surface of the lake, appearing to rise from the waters themselves.
The temple was built in 1633 as one of the island’s collections of pura tirta (water temples), and this one is particularly important in terms of the subak irrigation system.
Bali Swings
If you’re searching for an ideal Instagram spot in Bali, then you’ll be hard-pushed to find something quite as unique as Bali’s many swings. These social media-friendly photo spots have popped up all over the island.
You’ll find them looking out over the sea, on a backdrop of jungles, or with rice fields in the background. One of the most famous is simply called Bali Swing, which features a selection of different swings, where you can glide out over the jungle canopy; there are also cozy swing nests and lunch available too.
Want the best Instagram photos from Bali? I recommend this tour: Bali: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour.
Tibumana Waterfall
If you’re based in Ubud and you want to visit a waterfall nearby to take a few snaps, then make your way over to Tibumana Waterfall. Just one single cascade strikingly tumbles over a jagged rock face in a secluded location.
The pool below, a dazzling shade of turquoise, is an ideal swimming spot too, but also makes for a fantastic contrast to the gushing white of the cascade and the dark blacks and browns of the rock face. Come here in the rainy season and a second waterfall forms alongside the first.
Mount Batur
For those who want to take on a challenge, hiking Mount Batur is one of the ultimate challenges in Bali. With an elevation of 1,717 meters above sea level, Mount Batur is actually an active volcano — and a sacred site in Balinese Hinduism.
Hiking to the top of this majestic mountain provides views of the Balinese landscape. But perhaps most impressively you can see Mount Agung rising from the mist in the distance. Most people choose to hike overnight and arrive as the sun rises, painting the sky an array of colors (just think of the photo opportunity).
Karang Boma Cliff
Karang Boma Cliff is quickly becoming an iconic viewpoint in the Uluwatu region. Though the temple of Uluwatu is still more famous, the cliff at Karang Boma is a stark natural wonder that is often less crowded than the more well-known Hindu temple.
Here a crag of rock peaks out over the ocean, offering up uninterrupted views along the Balinese coastline. The best time to come here is around sunset; just bring a picnic blanket and wait for the perfect moment to snap a shot.
Kynd Community
Starting as an under-the-radar cafe, this popular eatery in Seminyak has morphed into a carefully curated space of your Instagram dreams. With pastel pink interiors and positive slogans adorning the walls, not to mention the impossibly aesthetic food served up here, it’s hard not to get a picture when eating at Kynd Community. And what’s more, it’s vegan.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
If you’re looking for an Instagram spot in Bali that feels less curated and a bit more natural, then you should consider putting Campuhan Ridge Walk on your itinerary of photo spots across the island. Aside from the photos themselves, walking this 10-kilometer stretch of highlands is an experience in itself, with nothing but the scenic mountain setting and lush greenery to admire.
It’s not so much one Instagram spot as an entire day spent snapping endless photos of the majestic nature and the valley below. Misty mornings are particularly beautiful, but on clear days you can get views of Mount Agung in the distance as you hike.
Munduk Waterfall
Some of Bali’s waterfalls are famous, others are not. Munduk Waterfall is one of the latter, a lesser-known but no less beautiful cascade that can be found in the northern portion of the Indonesian island. Located close to the village of Munduk, those who do make the journey to this hidden waterfall will be rewarded by not just one, but three cascades.
These plunge from a dramatic height in jungle-clad surroundings down into a pool, making for a mystical scene and some truly atmospheric shots for Instagram.
Wanagiri Hidden Hill
For those looking for a ready-made Instagram wonderland, make sure to carve out some time to visit Wanagiri Hidden Hill. This curated hotspot for all things aesthetic isn’t as hidden as the name suggests, but it’s still a beautiful place to get some captivating shots from various vantage points.
Here you’ll find not only swings and nests but also lookouts and beautifully designed seats, all on the backdrop of mountains and a lake down below. You might have to queue at certain spots to get a picture, but there’s also a cafe here so you can also relax in the picturesque environment.
Melasti Beach
Situated on the southern coast of Bali, Melasti Beach is often cited as one of the most beautiful on the island, and is one of those beaches that springs to mind when you think “paradise beach”. This long stretch of powdery white sand, lapped by the translucent, turquoise-hued sea, and backed by dramatic cliffs, isn’t just a nice place to hang out for the day — it also makes for some fantastic photo opportunities.
And when you’re done, select a sunbed at one of the laid-back beach clubs along this part of the coast and get ready to unwind.
Want the best Instagram photos from Bali? I recommend this tour: Bali: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour.
Motel Mexicola
Motel Mexicola is the perfect combination of fun and fashion that makes Bali such an exciting place to be. The ramshackle buildings have been decorated with a Mexican aesthetic in mind, with colorful block-colored walls adorned with clusters of artworks and iconography.
Wherever you look in this place you’ll find a scene worthy of Instagram. Their food is as photogenic as the surroundings, plus it’s also a fun place to find yourself as evening falls and the dancefloor hots up.