3 Days in Uluwatu: Things to do for first timers

1. Explore Uluwatu

On your first day in Uluwatu, spend some time getting to know the soul of this place. There are so many cafes, restaurants and quaint shops that are worth exploring either by foot or by scooter. The best way to get around is using a scooter and traffic here is also a lot more bearable which makes it easier too. You can hire one for less than 100,000 rupiah a day and have a great day out!

If riding a scooter is not your forte, fret not as a lot of areas in Uluwatu are also walkable and ride sharing is easily available. Just like other parts of Bali, you can hail a taxi or use apps like Gojek and Grab. Just be aware that not all areas are friendly to ridesharing cars/bikes so you may have to direct your driver to another waiting spot.

2. Uluwatu Temple & Kecak dance

Closer to the evening, head to the main attraction of Uluwatu which is Uluwatu Temple. This is a definite must do in Bali as for only 50k rupiah per person, you not only get to visit an ancient temple but will catch one of the most magnificent views in this island.
Uluwatu Temple is one of six important temples in Bali and sits on a cliff by the sea. Not only will you get to marvel at the architectural beauty of this 11th Century Balinese Hindu temple, you will also hear the soft lapping waves as they crash onto the cliff. Stay until the sky is painted red, orange, yellow and purple and you won’t regret the sight.

Don’t leave immediately because when night falls, there is an unforgettable performance of Balinese Kecak and Fire dance from 6-7pm here so that’s another good reason to stay for the sunset!

1. Beach hopping and surfing

Come Day 2, you should spend some time getting to know the other lure of Uluwatu which is the amazing beaches. Here are some beaches you can go to:

• Dreamland Beach: the beach here is big and incredibly beautiful so it can get pretty busy, which is why you should get here early if you can. Enjoy the morning lounging around or check out the cliffs in this area while you’re here.

• Balangan Beach: Just further ahead from Dreamland Beach, you will find Balangan which is home to the Balangan Viewpoint. Here you can get a panoramic view of the beach which is why it attracts a lot of wedding photoshoots. Balangan Beach is also great for surfing and sunbathing.

• Padang Padang: world-renowned because this is where they filmed “Eat, Pray, Love” which also catapulted Bali to Hollywood fame. There are stalls lining the beach so you will never run out of things to buy or eat here while you enjoy the sun, sea and sand.

• Bingin Beach: If you are up for surfing, this is a great place to try your hand at learning how to! For 50,000 rupiah an hour, you can rent a surfboard and attempt at riding the waves. This is a truly exhilarating and fun experience not to be missed in Bali!

2. Seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay

After a long and tiring day of surfing, there’s nothing quite like unwinding with your loved ones at the beautiful Jimbaran Bay. Located about 10km from Balangan Beach, you will find a stretch of seafood restaurants with the most romantic sunset view.

The seafood here is incredibly fresh and you can spend all evening just enjoying the view and listening to the soft waves hitting the shore. After dinner, walk along the bay with your shoes off and reflect on the great time you’re having in Bali!