13 Best Bali Photo Spots for the Perfect Instagram
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Wondering where the best Bali photo spots are are? You’re in the right place!
Everyone loves taking vacation pictures, and if getting the perfect Instagram shot is on your travel bucket list, Bali should be your next destination.
Known for its lush rice fields, white-sand beaches, and stunning wildlife, the island is beautiful but also a great place to make new friends who you can explore with.
Whether you’re a professional or an amateur photographer, taking Instagrammable photos in Bali is easy on an island this beautiful.
Best Bali Photo Spots
Kelingking Beach
Located on Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach is known as one of Bali’s well-recognized coastal landmarks. Characterised by its notable T-Rex-shaped cliff formation, the beach offers an impressive panoramic view of the surrounding ocean and its unique landscape is what makes Nusa Penida so famous. Whether you’re staying in Nusa Penida for a few days or just coming on a day trip, it’s an absolute must-visit.
Visitors considering a trip to Kelingking Beach should know a few things before they go. Firstly, accessing the beach itself involves quite a climb that can be challenging due to its steepness and the narrow trail. Only attempt it if you’re ready to climb back up again in the hot sun.
Another thing to note is how strong the currents here are and that it’s actually prohibited to swim at Kelinking Beach due to the large amount of drownings and accidents involving tourists in recent years.
It’s also worth noting that Kelingking Beach’s reputation as a photogenic location has led to an increase in visitor numbers. Depending on the season and time of day, there will be significant crowds.
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Gili Trawangan Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach, situated on the tiny island of Gili Trawangan, Turtle Beach is a prime wildlife photography spot. Known for its clear waters and sandy shores, the beach is actually a prime nesting place for green sea turtles, who also like to graze in the shallow waters. Seeing turtles is so common here, that many snorkelling gear rental shops in the area will give you your money back if you don’t happen to see any.
Luckily, Gili Trawangan is so small that you can stay almost anywhere on the island and still get to Turtle Beach in less than 20 minutes by bike. That means there’s no pressure to spend a lot on a beachfront hotel, you’ll find plenty of budget-friendly options around the corner.
The best time to see turtles at this beach is during high tide when the water is not so shallow. If you don’t happen to have your own underwater camera, you can rent a GoPro from a shop along the beach to snap your pictures.
However, visitors to Turtle Beach should also be conscious of the local environment and its inhabitants. The presence of sea turtles, while a significant attraction, requires respect and care to ensure their well-being. Do not touch the turtles and don’t get too close, which can stress them out.
As with many popular spots in Bali, Turtle Beach can attract a crowd, particularly during peak seasons.
Lahangan Sweet
Lahangan Sweet is a stunning viewpoint in eastern Bali and a must-visit during sunrise or sunset. It consists of multiple picture spots, including an expansive platform that offers panoramic views of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest peak, and the surrounding vistas of lush green jungle.
During mid-day, you might have to wait in line for a while to snap a picture here, but in the early morning, it won’t be very crowded.
Mount Batur
Located in the central highlands of Bali, Mount Batur stands prominently as one of the island’s most iconic landmarks. An active volcano reaching 1,717 metres above sea level, this stunning mountain has rugged volcanic landscapes, panoramic vistas, and the shimmering waters of Lake Batur that nestles at its foothills.
Most visitors climb the mountain just before sunrise when the early morning rays turn this peak into an even more scenic place. The climb is reasonably easy and takes about 1.5 hours, although it can be steep and slippery in places.
The mountain is holy in the local Balinese religion and should be treated with respect by visitors.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple, gracefully perched on a rock formation off Bali’s southwestern coast, is one of the island’s iconic cultural and photographic landmarks. Tanah Lot Temple is especially beautiful during sunset when hundreds of locals and tourists alike come here to take pictures and take in the beauty of Bali.
The temple’s unique offshore setting, combined with the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tides, creates a dynamic environment for photography and will help you snap the perfect Instagram pic. The silhouette of Tanah Lot against the backdrop of sunsets, where the horizon is painted in hues of orange and purple, has become a quintessential image associated with Bali, frequently featured on postcards, souvenirs and on social media.
Just don’t forget that Tanah Lot Temple is a place of worship and as a visitor, you shouldn’t disturb the spiritual journey of those coming here to pray. Dress respectfully and know that you won’t actually be allowed to enter the temple itself, but just admire it from the outside.
Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach is one of Uluwatu’s most well-known beaches and a hotspot for beach clubs and Instagram photography. Marked by its limestone cliffs, clear turquoise waters, and stretches of white sand, this is the place for the ultimate bikini photoshoot with your friends.
If you want to go the extra mile and get an even better shot, head to Sunday’s Beach Club, which has its own lift down to the beach. Snap the perfect picture with panoramic views over the coast as you cruise down to one of the best beaches in Bali.
Definitely visit during high tide for the most beautiful shots, but be aware that swimming might be better during mid or low tide when the waves aren’t so strong.
Yellow Bridge
The famous Yellow Bridge is located in Nusa Lembongan, a small island off the coast of Bali. It actually connects Lembongan to an even smaller island called Nusa Ceningan, which is known for its famous Blue Lagoon.
If you want to take photos on the Yellow Bridge, it’s definitely advisable to go there early in the morning, when there aren’t too many other people around yet. The bridge is very narrow and used by scooters to cross between Lembongan and Ceningan, so it can be tricky to take photos here during mid-day.
Also, make sure to keep an eye on the tides, since the water is almost gone during low tide, making it less photogenic than during high tide.
Monkey Forest in Ubud
The Monkey Forest in Ubud is one of Bali’s most famous attractions and one of the best places to take an unforgettable Instagram picture. Hundreds of monkeys call this forest their home, and the temples located on the grounds make it an even more beautiful place to visit.
Bali’s most famous Instagram shot is arguably the iconic monkey selfie, where it looks like the monkey is holding the camera. This shot is so famous that the monkey forest staff are already experts in taking it and will help you position the monkey perfectly. You’ll see plenty of other tourists taking their monkey selfies and staff around the park will be happy to help you capture the moment.
Just be careful – monkeys are known to be cheeky and love to steal phones. Don’t try to get a selfie without the help of staff.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is a beautiful cliff-top location in Bali’s south. This is not only a spiritual place but also a tourist hotspot and a must-visit for any Bali itinerary. The temple itself is very small and what makes this place so Instagrammable are the stunning cliffs, bougainvillaea flowers and rough seas below.
To take an Instagram picture here, you should arrive early in the morning before the tour buses come and keep an eye out for the monkeys who live in the surrounding forest. They love to steal sunglasses, hats and phones. Don’t take any food with you and keep your belongings safe.
Menjangan Island
Bali has plenty of famous Instagrammable places, but if you’re looking to venture off the beaten track, you should put Menjangan Island at the top of your list. Located in a remote part of West Bali, this island is a true hidden gem and one of the best places to take a unique Instagram picture in Bali.
Menjangan is not only famous for its untouched underwater landscapes but also for its wild deer, which call the island their home. They’re very friendly towards humans, allowing you to take unforgettable pictures and selfies. This might just be the best Instagram photo opportunity in Bali and you won’t have to share it with other tourists.
Sidemen
Sidemen is a small town located in the rice fields of Bali. It’s widely known as a less touristy alternative to Ubud and a hotspot for taking Instagram pictures. Sidemen is beautifully untouched and surrounded by sweeping rice fields, which make for a great spot to take photos and won’t be nearly as crowded as Ubud.
Gembleng Waterfall and the Yellow Bridge are more must-visit spots and you won’t even have to go in the early morning, since there aren’t too many tourists around in Sidemen just yet.
Rumah Pohon Treehouse
Rumah Pohon Treehouse is a little structure located on one of Nusa Penida’s most famous cliffs. While you can stay here overnight, most people actually just come to climb the stairs up to the wooden house and take an Instagram picture.
For an extra-impressive photo, come during sunset or sunrise, which will also be far less crowded than mid-day.
Suluban Beach
Uluwatu has no shortage of stunning beaches and Suluban Beach is a must-see, especially for a unique aerial perspective. The water is stunningly blue with a white sandy beach during high tide and then covered in tide pools during low tide.
Either is great for taking photos, but high tide is definitely a favourite. What makes Suluban Beach even more Instagrammable is the stunning beach cave, which makes this spot such a popular wedding photography location. You’ll have endless possibilities for taking the Bali pictures of a lifetime.
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