Best Photo Spots in Bali: 10 Locations Worth the Walk
Words by
Budi Santoso
I have lived in Bali long enough to know that the island does not need a filter. The light here does the work. If you are hunting for the best photo spots in Bali, you are not just chasing pretty backdrops. You are chasing the way the island holds color, the way stone turns gold at 5:45 a.m., the way a single frangipani petal can change a whole frame. I have walked every location below with my own camera bag on my shoulder, and I still go back. Some of these places are famous. Some are quiet. All of them are worth the walk.
1. Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Ubud
Tegallalang is the first place most people think of when they hear about Instagram spots Bali travelers love. The terraces cascade down a steep valley just north of Ubud center, along the road between Tegallalang village and the main Ubud market route. The carved-out steps of green follow the contour of the land, and the coconut palms rise above them like exclamation marks. I went last Tuesday morning, and the mist was still sitting in the lower pockets of the valley when I arrived just after sunrise.
What makes Tegallalang worth the walk is not just the view from the top. It is the walk itself. You descend into the terraces on narrow dirt paths, and every few meters the angle changes. The farmers have built small bamboo platforms where you can sit and drink sweet Balinese coffee while looking out over the whole system. The irrigation channels run beside you, and you can hear the water moving even when you cannot see it. The whole valley is a living example of the Subak system, the traditional Balinese water management method that UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage cultural landscape. That is not just a backdrop. That is a working community that has been shaping this land for centuries.
Local Insider Tip: "Walk past the main viewpoint and keep going down the left side of the terraces. There is a small warung about 200 meters further down the path where the owner, Pak Wayan, will let you sit on his private deck for a small tip. Almost no tourists go that far, and the angle from there is better than the crowded platform at the top."
The best time to visit is early morning, before 8 a.m., when the light is soft and the tour buses have not arrived yet. On weekdays the crowds are lighter, and the farmers are actually working in the fields, which gives your photos a sense of life rather than just scenery. I recommend spending at least an hour walking the full loop rather than stopping at the first platform you see.
2. Handara Gate, Bedugul
The Handara Gate sits at the entrance to the Handara Golf Resort on the road through Bedugul, up in the highlands between Denpasar and Singaraja. It is one of the most photogenic places Bali has to offer, and you have probably seen it a hundred times on social media. The massive Balinese paduraksa gate frames the hills behind it, and when the clouds sit low, the whole scene looks like a painting. I drove up on a Thursday afternoon, and the fog rolled in just as I arrived, which made the gate look like it was floating.
What makes this spot worth the walk is the contrast. The gate is a deep, weathered brown, and the hills behind it shift between green and grey depending on the weather. The road leading up to Bedugul is lined with vegetable farms and small stalls selling strawberries and fresh corn. The whole area feels like a different island from the beach clubs down south. The gate itself is part of a golf resort that has been here since the 1970s, and it represents the older, quieter side of Bali tourism, the kind that existed before the influencer era.
Local Insider Tip: "Go on a weekday morning and bring a wide-angle lens. The gate looks impressive from the standard front angle, but if you walk around to the left side, there is a small path that lets you shoot the gate from a lower angle with the eucalyptus trees in the foreground. The resort staff will not stop you as long as you stay on the public side of the road."
The best time to visit is mid-morning on a weekday, when the clouds are still low but the light is strong enough to cut through. On weekends the line for photos can stretch for an hour. I recommend combining this stop with a visit to the nearby Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, which is only about 20 minutes further up the road.
3. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Bedugul
Ulun Danu Beratan sits on the edge of Lake Beratan in the Bedugul highlands, and it is one of the most iconic Bali photography locations you will ever find. The temple appears to float on the water when the lake level is high and the mist is thick. I visited on a Wednesday at dawn, and the reflection of the temple in the still water was so perfect it looked digitally altered. It was not.
What makes this temple worth the walk is the setting. The lake is surrounded by mountains, and the air up here is cool and damp, a sharp contrast to the humid coast. The temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, and it is one of the nine directional temples that protect Bali from evil spirits. The multi-tiered meru towers rise above the waterline, and when the fog moves through, the towers seem to appear and disappear. The whole complex is a living place of worship, not just a tourist attraction, and you will see Balinese families making offerings at the smaller shrines around the lake.
Local Insider Tip: "Enter the temple grounds early, before the official opening time of 8 a.m. The guard at the gate will often let you in for a small unofficial fee, and you will have the entire lakeside path to yourself for about 30 minutes. That is when the light is best and the water is completely still."
The best time to visit is early morning, especially during the dry season from April to September when the fog is most dramatic. I recommend spending at least 45 minutes walking the full perimeter of the temple grounds rather than just shooting from the main entrance.
4. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida is the spot that put the island on the map for Instagram spots Bali travelers obsess over. The cliff above the beach curves like a Tyrannosaurus rex jaw, and the beach below is a strip of white sand surrounded by turquoise water. I took the boat from Sanur on a Saturday morning and arrived at the cliff top by 9 a.m. The walk down to the beach is steep and rough, and I saw more than one person turn back halfway.
What makes Kelingking worth the walk is the sheer drama of the landscape. The cliff face drops hundreds of meters, and the ocean below is a deep, almost unreal blue. The path down is not paved, and in some places you are holding onto ropes and bamboo railings. The beach at the bottom is raw and untouched, with waves that crash hard against the shore. Nusa Penida itself has a different energy from mainland Bali. The island was historically a place of exile, and the local Hindu-Balinese culture has its own distinct character, with temples and ceremonies that feel older and less polished than those on the mainland.
Local Insider Tip: "Do not try to walk all the way down to the beach and back up in one trip unless you are very fit. Instead, stop at the halfway point on the cliff trail. There is a small wooden platform where local guides will take your photo with the full T-Rex curve in the background. The angle from there is actually better than from the bottom, and you will save your energy for the rest of the day."
The best time to visit is early morning, before the midday heat makes the climb unbearable. I recommend bringing at least two liters of water and wearing proper shoes, not sandals. The boat ride from Sanur takes about 45 minutes, so plan to leave by 6:30 a.m. to get the best light.
5. Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Karangasem
Tirta Gangga is a former royal water palace in the Karangasem regency, east of Ubud and south of Mount Agung. The palace was built in 1946 by the last king of Karangasem, and the pools, fountains, and stone carvings are still maintained by the royal family. I visited on a Monday afternoon, and the place was nearly empty. I stood in the middle of one of the stepping-stone paths across the koi pond and watched the fish move beneath my feet.
What makes Tirta Gangga worth the walk is the intimacy of the space. Unlike the larger temples, this place feels personal. The water comes from natural springs in the hills above, and it feeds the pools, the fountains, and the rice fields beyond the palace walls. The stone statues of gods and demons line the edges of the ponds, and the whole complex is shaded by old banyan trees. The palace was partially destroyed by the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963, and the fact that it was rebuilt and is still maintained by the royal family says something about how the Balinese relate to their history. They do not abandon things. They restore them.
Local Insider Tip: "Walk past the main pools to the back of the complex. There is a small spring where locals come to collect drinking water. If you ask the caretaker, he will let you fill your bottle. The water is cold and clean, and it tastes better than anything you will buy in a shop. Also, the stepping stones in the back pond are less crowded and better for photos."
The best time to visit is late afternoon, around 3 p.m., when the light filters through the trees and the stone statues cast long shadows. I recommend spending at least an hour here, and combining it with a visit to the nearby Ujung Water Palace, which is only about 15 minutes away by scooter.
6. Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a narrow grassy ridge that runs along the top of a hill between two valleys in central Ubud. The path starts near the Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas on Jalan Raya Campuhan and stretches for about two kilometers. I walked it at sunrise on a Friday, and the valley on either side was filled with a thin layer of mist. The grass was wet underfoot, and the only sound was birds and the distant rush of the river below.
What makes Campuhan worth the walk is the simplicity. There are no gates, no entrance fees, no crowds jockeying for position. It is just a ridge with grass and trees and a view that stretches in both directions. The ridge sits at the confluence of two rivers, and the Balinese believe that the meeting point of two rivers is a place of special spiritual energy. The walk itself is easy, flat, and accessible to anyone who can handle a gentle incline at the start. The trees along the ridge are tall and widely spaced, which means the light comes through in long shafts during the early morning and late afternoon.
Local Insider Tip: "Start the walk from the east end, near Jalan Raya Campuhan, rather than from the west. Most tourists start from the west and turn around after 10 minutes. If you start from the east, you will have the ridge almost to yourself for the first half. Also, there is a small warung about halfway along the path on the south side that sells fresh coconut water. The owner, Ibu Ketut, keeps a cooler under the table. Just ask."
The best time to visit is sunrise, between 5:45 and 6:30 a.m., when the light is golden and the mist is still in the valleys. I recommend wearing long pants because the grass can be sharp and there are mosquitoes at dawn.
7. Diamond Beach, Nusa Penida
Diamond Beach is on the eastern coast of Nusa Penida, and it is one of the most photogenic places Bali has to offer if you are willing to make the effort. The beach is accessed by a long staircase carved into a cliff, and the sand is a bright, almost white powder. The rock formations along the shore are sharp and angular, and the water is a gradient of blue that shifts from pale turquoise near the shore to deep navy further out. I visited on a Sunday morning, and the staircase was already busy by 8 a.m.
What makes Diamond Beach worth the walk is the combination of the descent and the arrival. The staircase is steep, and the view from each landing changes as you go down. From the top, you see the full curve of the bay. Halfway down, you see the rock formations up close. At the bottom, you are standing on sand that feels like it belongs on a different planet. The beach is part of a stretch of coastline that includes Atuh Beach and Thousand Islands viewpoint, and the whole area has a raw, unfinished quality that mainland Bali has mostly lost.
Local Insider Tip: "Bring water shoes. The sand is beautiful, but the rocks near the waterline are sharp and covered in barnacles. Also, do not leave your bag unattended on the beach. The local monkeys are fast and they will take anything that looks interesting. I watched a woman lose her sunglasses in under three seconds."
The best time to visit is early morning, before the heat makes the climb back up miserable. I recommend arriving by 7:30 a.m. and spending no more than an hour on the beach itself. The boat from Sanur takes about 45 minutes, so plan accordingly.
8. Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven), Karangasem
Lempuyang Temple, often called the Gates of Heaven, sits on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang in eastern Bali. The split gate, or candi bentar, frames Mount Agung directly behind it, and on a clear day the symmetry is almost perfect. I visited on a Tuesday at 6 a.m., and the line for photos at the gate was already 30 people deep. By 9 a.m., it was over 100.
What makes Lempuyang worth the walk is the spiritual weight of the place. Lempuyang is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bali, and it is one of the nine directional temples that form the spiritual backbone of the island. The temple complex stretches up the mountain in seven stages, and most tourists only see the first gate. If you continue climbing, you will find quieter courtyards, older stone carvings, and views that stretch all the way to the coast. The mountain itself is considered a replica of Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain in Hindu-Balinese cosmology, and the temple is a place of pilgrimage, not just photography.
Local Insider Tip: "Skip the famous gate photo entirely and climb to the third courtyard. The view from there includes Mount Agung, the lower gate, and the forest below, all in one frame. You will have the place to yourself, and the photo will be more original than the one everyone else has. Also, the temple provides a free sarong at the entrance. Wear it properly, or the priest will ask you to adjust it, which is embarrassing in front of a crowd."
The best time to visit is early morning, between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m., when the clouds are below the gate and Mount Agung is visible. I recommend hiring a local driver from Ubud or Candidasa rather than going on a tour, because tours arrive in waves and you will spend more time waiting than shooting.
9. Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Bangli
Tukad Cepung is a waterfall hidden inside a narrow canyon in the Bangli regency, northeast of Ubud. The waterfall itself is not large, but the canyon walls rise high on either side, and when the sun is at the right angle, beams of light pour through the gap at the top and illuminate the water and the rock face. I visited on a Wednesday around 10 a.m., and the light beams were exactly as dramatic as the photos promised.
What makes Tukad Cepung worth the walk is the sense of discovery. The entrance is unmarked and easy to miss, and the path down involves a long staircase and a walk along a riverbed. The canyon is cool and damp, and the sound of the waterfall echoes off the walls. The whole experience feels like stepping into a different world, which is partly why it has become one of the most popular Bali photography locations in recent years. The waterfall is sacred to the local community, and you will often see small offerings placed on the rocks near the base.
Local Insider Tip: "Arrive by 9:30 a.m. at the latest. The light beams only appear between 10 and 11 a.m., and by 10:30 the canyon is packed with tour groups. Also, bring a plastic bag for your camera. The mist from the waterfall gets everywhere, and I have seen more than one lens fog up completely. A quick wipe and a dry bag will save your gear."
The best time to visit is mid-morning, between 10 and 11 a.m., when the sun is high enough to send light into the canyon. I recommend wearing shoes with good grip because the rocks near the waterfall are slippery.
10. Pura Lempuyang's Hidden Trail (Beyond the Gate)
I am including this as a separate entry because most people who visit Lempuyang Temple never go beyond the first gate, and that is a mistake. The trail from the first gate to the seventh and final temple at the top of Mount Lempuyang takes about three hours, and it passes through forest, open ridge, and several intermediate temple courtyards. I did the full climb on a Thursday morning, and I saw fewer than 10 other people the entire way.
What makes this trail worth the walk is the transformation. At the bottom, you are in a tourist zone with souvenir stalls and photo lines. By the third courtyard, you are in a quiet forest with birdsong and incense smoke. By the seventh temple, you are above the clouds with a 360-degree view of eastern Bali. The trail is part of an ancient pilgrimage route, and the Balinese who climb it do so as an act of devotion, not tourism. Walking it gives you a completely different understanding of what Lempuyang means, and the photos from the upper courtyards are unlike anything you will see on Instagram.
Local Insider Tip: "Bring a small offering of flowers and incense. You can buy these at the stalls near the first gate for a few thousand rupiah. When you reach the upper temples, place the offering at the main shrine. The local priests appreciate it, and it transforms your visit from a photo session into something more meaningful. Also, carry at least two liters of water per person. There are no vendors on the upper trail."
The best time to visit is early morning, starting by 5:30 a.m., so you reach the upper temples before the heat of the day. I recommend hiring a local guide from the village at the base. The cost is minimal, and the guide will show you paths that are not marked on any map.
When to Go and What to Know
Bali's dry season, from April to September, is the best time for photography. The skies are clearer, the light is more dramatic, and the roads are less likely to flood. The wet season, from October to March, has its own beauty. The clouds are heavier, the rice fields are greener, and the waterfalls are more powerful, but you will lose shooting time to rain.
For the best photo spots in Bali, timing is everything. Sunrise is almost always better than sunset for photography because the air is cleaner and the crowds are thinner. The one exception is Diamond Beach and Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida, where the afternoon light brings out the color of the water.
Always carry a microfiber cloth and a rain cover for your camera. The humidity in Bali is relentless, and condensation is a constant problem when you move between air-conditioned spaces and the outdoors. A small dry bag is worth its weight in gold.
Respect the temples. Every temple on this list is a living place of worship. Wear a sarong, do not climb on the shrines, and do not use flash photography during ceremonies. The Balinese are generous about sharing their sacred spaces, but that generosity has limits.
Finally, slow down. The best photos I have ever taken in Bali came when I stopped chasing the shot and just sat still. The island has a way of revealing itself when you are not rushing. Give it time, and it will give you something worth keeping.
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