Things to Do in Uluwatu: My Favourite Activities
TRAVEL
I’ve spent a lot of time around the Bukit Peninsula, so things to do in Uluwatu have become less about ticking off a list and more about knowing where I’d actually want to spend my day. Mornings often start with checking the swell and deciding which beach or cliff path to explore, while evenings are usually about finding a good spot to watch the sunset.
This isn’t a list based on a single trip. It’s a collection of the places and experiences I’ve enjoyed along the way, including the ones I’d happily recommend to a friend visiting Uluwatu for the first time. And if you’re still figuring out where to stay in Uluwatu, check out my guide to the best areas and hotels in Uluwatu to find a base that suits your trip.
Quick Answer: Best Things to Do in Uluwatu
Surf or watch the surf at Suluban, Padang Padang, or Bingin
Go Beach Hopping. Rent a scooter and explore several of Uluwatu’s beaches in one day.
Relax at Melasti Beach for its striking limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and wide sandy beach.
Grab a good coffee and breakfast at one of Bingin’s laid-back coffee spots
Have a Beach Club Day. Spend a few hours by the pool, enjoy a long lunch, and take in the epic ocean views
Catch sunset at Single Fin, Ulu Cliffhouse, Savaya, or one of the quieter clifftop spots below
Watch the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple as the sun goes down behind the cliffs
Surf, or Just Watch the Surf
If you’re into surfing, Uluwatu is the kind of place where you’ll want to check the waves before making any plans. Suluban, Padang Padang, and Bingin are all famous surf spots, but even if you don’t surf, they’re worth visiting just to watch the action. Grab a coffee or find a spot on the cliffs, watch the locals and experienced surfers take on the waves, and enjoy the atmosphere. Personally, I love simply sitting somewhere with a good view and watching the waves roll in, it’s one of those Uluwatu moments that never gets old.
Go Beach Hopping
One of my favourite ways to spend a day in Uluwatu is to explore a few different beaches at my own pace. Thomas Beach, Green Bowl, and Dreamland Beach are all good options if you want to swim, relax, and enjoy the turquoise water between stops. Each has a different atmosphere, so it’s easy to turn beach hopping into a full day. For more details on my favourite spots and what to expect at each one, check out my Best Beaches in Uluwatu guide.
Relax at Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach is one of those places where I’d happily spend a few hours doing absolutely nothing. The dramatic limestone cliffs, clear turquoise water, and wide stretch of sand make it perfect for swimming, relaxing, and soaking up the scenery. It’s especially beautiful in the late afternoon when the light starts to soften.
Spend the Day at Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang is one of Uluwatu’s most famous beaches, known for its dramatic cliffs, clear turquoise water, and the small cave entrance you walk through to reach the sand. It’s also famous for appearing in Eat Pray Love and is considered a sacred beach by the local community, with a small temple nearby adding to its spiritual atmosphere. Come for a swim, relax on the sand, or catch the waves if the conditions are right.
Spend a Morning at One of Bingin’s Coffee Shops
Start your morning with a good coffee and breakfast at one of Bingin’s laid-back cafés, such as BGS, Drifter, or Alchemy Uluwatu, where you can take your time over breakfast before heading down to the beach. Be careful, these places are so relaxed that you might end up staying much longer than planned!
Have a Beach Club Day
I know Uluwatu is all about the beaches, but sometimes you just want to swap the sand for a comfortable sunbed and spend the afternoon doing absolutely nothing. El Kabron, Savaya, and Sundays Beach Club are great options, and the ocean views from these spots are hard to beat. Grab a drink, settle into a sunbed, order a long lunch, and enjoy the view without worrying about getting sand everywhere.
Watch the Sunset: Best Sunset Spots in Uluwatu
Uluwatu has some of the most incredible sunsets in Bali, and I’ve spent plenty of evenings trying different spots to find my favourites. From cliffside bars and beach clubs to quiet beaches where you can simply sit on the sand, there’s a sunset spot for every kind of evening. Here are some of my favourite ones:
Single Fin
Single Fin was my default when I wanted company. It's the original Uluwatu sunset bar, perched right above the Suluban break, and Sunday nights there turned into something close to a weekly tradition among the surf crowd. Get there early if you want a seat with a clear view; it fills up fast. If it’s too busy for you, just head down and find one of the many warungs and cafés offering the same view.
Ulu Cliffhouse
When I wanted something a bit more polished, I'd head to Ulu Cliffhouse. The infinity pool genuinely does look like it spills into the ocean from certain angles, and the food is a step up from most of the beach bars nearby. It's less about surf culture and more about the setting itself.
Dreamland Beach
Dreamland Beach is a great spot if you want something more casual and laid-back for sunset. Grab a drink, find a spot on the sand, and watch the sky turn golden over the ocean. It’s especially nice if you’ve already spent the afternoon swimming or relaxing at the beach.
Savaya
If you’re after a more upscale sunset experience, Savaya is hard to beat. Set high on the cliffs, it has incredible panoramic views over the Indian Ocean, plus a stylish pool, cocktails, and DJs that keep the atmosphere going well after sunset. It’s a great pick if you want to turn sunset into a proper night out.
El Kabron
If you want something a little more lively for sunset, El Kabron is a great choice. Perched on the cliffs, it combines incredible ocean views with a pool, cocktails, and DJs playing as the sun goes down, making it easy to turn sunset into a fun evening.
Watch the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple
If it’s your first time in Uluwatu, I’d definitely recommend seeing the Kecak Fire Dance at least once. The performance takes place on the cliffside at Uluwatu Temple, with chanting, fire, and the Ramayana story performed by a circle of dancers as the sun sets over the ocean behind them.
It’s one of those experiences that feels very unique to Bali, and while it can get busy, I think it’s worth doing at least once. I’d recommend getting your ticket online in advance, especially during busy periods, and arriving early enough to explore the temple grounds before the show. Also, keep an eye on your belongings; the cheeky monkeys are known for stealing sunglasses, hats, and anything else they can grab!
Take a Yoga or Sound Healing Class
If you want to slow things down for a morning or afternoon, Uluwatu has some lovely places for yoga and sound healing. Istana, The Space, and Morning Light Yoga are worth checking out, with classes ranging from traditional yoga to relaxing sound healing sessions. It’s a nice way to reset and escape the heat for a while.
Bonus: Have a Sunset Seafood Dinner in Jimbaran
Technically a short drive north of Uluwatu proper, Jimbaran Bay became my go-to for a change of pace: tables set right on the sand, fresh seafood grilled to order, and a sunset view over the bay that rivals anything on the Bukit cliffs. You can't book ahead, so I'd usually just show up early and pick whichever restaurant had a table free.
My Favourite Way to Spend a Day in Uluwatu
My favourite Uluwatu days are the ones where I don’t try to squeeze too much in. I’ll start with a slow breakfast and coffee in Bingin, head to the beach for a swim or surf, and then spend the afternoon moving between a couple of my favourite spots. As the sun starts to go down, I’ll find a good cliffside spot for sunset, grab a drink, and let the evening take its own course.
For me, it’s the perfect mix of good food, beautiful beaches, and those long, lazy afternoons that make you forget what time it is.
FAQs
What is Uluwatu best known for? Uluwatu is best known for its surf break, Uluwatu Temple perched on the cliffs, and its dramatic sunset spots along the Bukit Peninsula's western coastline.
Is Uluwatu good for non-surfers? Yes. Between the temple, beach clubs, yoga studios, and the sunset scene, there's plenty to do in Uluwatu even if you never paddle out. Also, there are plenty of beaches in Uluwatu where you can safely swim, such as Padang Padang, Thomas Beach, Dreamland Beach, and Melasti Beach, especially when the conditions and tides are right
What time should I get to Uluwatu Temple for the Kecak dance? Arrive with enough daylight left to walk the temple grounds first, generally an hour or so before the performance starts, since it's timed to end around sunset and gets busy as showtime approaches.
Which sunset spot in Uluwatu is best for a quieter evening? For a quieter sunset, Balangan Beach and Dreamland Beach are both great choices. If you want something even more low-key, Thomas Beach is another lovely option.
Do I need to book beach clubs in advance for sunset? It depends on the venue and the day. Places like Savaya, Single Fin and El Kabron can get busy around sunset, and booking ahead means you won’t have to worry about finding a spot when you arrive.
What are some hidden gems in Uluwatu? If you want to get away from the busiest spots, check out Nyang Nyang Beach and Thomas Beach. These spots tend to feel more peaceful and less developed, making them great for a quieter beach day away from the crowds. Nyang Nyang is especially worth the effort if you don’t mind the walk down, with a long stretch of sand and a much more secluded feel.
Final Thoughts
Uluwatu is one of those places where it’s easy to fill your days without even trying. From beautiful beaches and world-class surf to dramatic sunsets and beach clubs, there’s plenty to keep you busy, but you can also slow down and simply enjoy the scenery.