The most romantic things to do in Bali

What is the most romantic thing to do in Bali?

Sunset at Uluwatu Temple followed by the kecak fire dance and dinner on the sand at Jimbaran. It is the one evening we would not skip.

The temple sits on a cliff about 70 metres above the sea, the sun drops into the Indian Ocean around 6 pm, and the kecak starts on the clifftop at the same time. The Uluwatu sunset evening gives you a private car, the entrance and the kecak ticket, with optional seafood at Jimbaran afterwards (the description says dinner is paid separately; confirm with the provider).

It is not intimate: the amphitheatre is full. It is still the most beautiful hour on the island. Tanya, from Australia: "Absolutely loved the Kecak Fire Dance!"

Which Bali tours are really just for two?

The koi boat (one couple per boat) and the spa (a couple's room). The rest give you a private car, jeep or guide, with shared sights.

All nine, honestly:

On Penida, the listing's description says shared, max 13, with a private upgrade, while its highlights mention a private boat. Check the option you select.

Is the Mount Batur sunrise romantic?

Yes, if you can face a 3 am alarm. Watching the sun come up over the clouds from your own jeep is a moment you share with very few people.

The private jeep tour drives you up the volcanic terrain to sunrise viewpoints, so there is no hike in the dark. A light breakfast, then about an hour and a half at a natural hot spring. Antonio, from Italy: "The sunrise was spectacular, the jeep ride was fun, and we had plenty of time to enjoy the panorama".

The viewpoints themselves are shared with other jeeps and hikers. Bring a jacket: it is cold up there before dawn. Plan the afternoon off.

Private jeep to the sunrise viewpoints on Mount Batur, breakfast, then a hot spring. No climbing.

★ 4.8 · 5 to 9 hours

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What are the most romantic things to do in Ubud?

A couple's spa by the river, the koi boat at Kamandalu and fireflies over the Taro rice fields. Add the private Ubud day for the temples.

• The riverside spa: a couple's room near Bali Zoo, a massage with the sound of a waterfall, and on the three-hour option a flower bath and a light meal. Oliwia, from Poland: "The best massage i ever had, beautifull flower bath."
• The koi boat: one hour, one couple, a styled boat among hundreds of koi, sparkling wine. Add a photographer if you want the pictures. Transport is not included.
• Fireflies in Taro: a farm dinner, a walk through the village and the rice fields, then fireflies at dusk. The group size is not stated. Darker nights are better.
• The private Ubud day: Tirta Empul's purification ritual together, if you want it, and three waterfalls.

Is the Bali dinner cruise romantic?

Yes, in a classic way: candles, five courses, a saxophone. It is shared with up to six other couples.

The Bali Hai evening cruise leaves Benoa Harbour on a 64-foot catamaran lit with fairy lights and sails toward Nusa Dua. You get a welcome drink, a flower lei, a five-course dinner and a three-piece acoustic band that takes requests. Drinks beyond the welcome drink are bought on board.

Firoz, from New Zealand: "The evening was very pleasant, and my wife and I enjoyed a private experience on the boat." It suits a coastal base in the south, where transfers are included by option.

Five courses on a lit catamaran from Benoa, a live band, and seven couples at most on board.

★ 4.7 · 3 hours

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Is the Nusa Penida day romantic?

It is an adventure more than a romance: a long day with boats, snorkelling and bumpy roads. For couples who swim, it is often the best day of the trip.

The manta day leaves Sanur by fast boat, snorkels at Manta Bay or Manta Point (weather permitting), then SD Point and Wall Bay, stops for lunch by an infinity pool and finishes at the Kelingking cliff viewpoint. The guides film you underwater with a GoPro, so you are both in the pictures.

Mantas are not guaranteed, basic swimming is required, and the listing is not for anyone prone to seasickness. Claire, from the United Kingdom: "Saw Mantas & Turtles, along with a huge amount of other fish!"

What are the free romantic things to do in Bali?

A sunset on a west-facing beach, a dawn walk on the Campuhan ridge in Ubud, sunrise on Sanur beach and a temple visited early, before the tour buses.

• Sunset beaches: Jimbaran Bay, the Bukit coves such as Balangan or Bingin, and the long sand of Seminyak and Canggu. Sunset is around 6 pm all year.
• Dinner on the sand: Jimbaran's seafood grills set tables on the beach every evening. Not free, but no tour needed.
• Campuhan ridge at dawn: a walking path on a grassy ridge just outside central Ubud, at its quietest early in the morning.
• Sanur sunrise: the beachfront path faces east over calm water.
• A temple at dawn: wear a sarong and sash and arrive early; the light is soft and the crowds come later. The etiquette guide has the rules.

How do you plan a romantic day of your own?

Book a car and driver for the day and set the route yourselves. It is how most Bali honeymoon days end up looking anyway.

The private car charter gives you ten hours, an air-conditioned car and a driver who waits at each stop. List the areas you want when you book: the listing says drivers may refuse areas not in the booking, and overtime is charged by the hour. A route that works: a temple early, lunch in the rice fields, a beach club for the afternoon, sunset by the sea.

Colin, from the United Kingdom: "Andy was our driver and he was excellent. He took us to some difficult temples that were not easy to find". For the order of days across a whole trip, see the itinerary guide.

Ten hours, your own car and driver, your own route: temples, terraces, a beach club or the spa.

★ 4.8 · 10 hours

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