[Bali Travel Guide] 5 Best Attractions Around Uluwatu Temple | How to Explore Southern Bali?!

Updated April 19, 2026 櫻桃與魚 Bali Guide

Uluwatu, located on the southwestern tip of Bali, is world-famous for the spectacular Uluwatu Temple, but there are actually quite a few other amazing attractions nearby that are absolutely worth your time! We spent a full 6 days and 5 nights exploring the Uluwatu area, so if you're planning a trip to Bali, you definitely won't want to miss our ultimate roundup of the best sights!

5 Best Attractions Around Uluwatu Temple

The Uluwatu coastline is blessed with dramatic, towering cliffs. Because it faces west, the golden glow of the setting sun dances across the endless ocean, weaving together with the steep cliffs to create a breathtakingly beautiful natural landscape. Since Uluwatu Temple is situated at the very, very southwestern edge of Bali, it’s a bit of a drive from the island's other major tourist hubs. It would be such a pity to travel all that way just for the temple! So, Cherry has thoughtfully put together a route-optimized map of all the must-visit spots in the area to make the most of your journey 👇🏻

🔖 Must-Visit Attractions

👉🏻 1. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
👉🏻 2. Pandawa Beach (Secret Beach)
👉🏻 3. Omnia Dayclub Bali
👉🏻 4. Uluwatu Temple
👉🏻 5. Single Fin and Surroundings
👉🏻 Bali Travel Information

1. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

The majestic Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) statue, which took a staggering 28 years to build, stands out prominently within the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Uluwatu. After the park's second phase was completed in 2018, this 122-meter-tall masterpiece became not only the tallest statue in Indonesia but also the fourth tallest in the world (as of Nov 2019)—it's even taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York 🗽 and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil! The story behind this colossal monument comes from Balinese Hinduism. It depicts Lord Wisnu (Vishnu), the symbol of wisdom and protection, riding his mount Garuda, a mythical eagle representing loyalty and selfless devotion. Many of Bali's most famous attractions are deeply rooted in Hindu culture, and this monumental statue is a magnificent example of that.

Beyond this world's-fourth-tallest masterpiece, both Lord Wisnu and his mount Garuda also have their own individual, dedicated statues in the park. The 23-meter-tall Lord Wisnu statue is beautifully positioned at Wisnu Plaza (Patung Wisnu), while his loyal eagle mount is featured at Garuda Plaza.

Additionally, the park's amphitheater hosts fantastic cultural performances at various times throughout the day, including Bali's famous traditional dances like the Barong dance and Kecak dance. Accompanied by live traditional music echoing from behind the stage, these dances powerfully showcase Bali's unique folklore and are definitely worth watching. We highly recommend spending a few hours strolling through the GWK Cultural Park. It's the perfect place to soak in Bali's rich cultural heritage, enjoy mesmerizing traditional dances, and marvel at the tallest, most imposing statue in Indonesia! Read More: A Must-Visit! Bali's Tallest Statue ☆ GWK Cultural Park

2. Pandawa Beach (Secret Beach) 　

Surrounded by giant white limestone cliffs and hidden deep within a valley behind a steep precipice, this coastline used to be accessible only to local residents before the mountain roads were built. It was known as Bali’s most hidden shoreline, earning it the nickname "Secret Beach."

Pandawa Beach is perfectly nestled between the mountains and the sea. The drive down is lined with awe-inspiring, sheer white cliffs. As you look past the rock walls, the endless turquoise ocean opens up before you—the steep cliffs and the vast sea paint an absolutely stunning portrait of nature.

Along the cliff face, large caves have been carved out, each housing a white statue of a "Pandawa" dressed in traditional Balinese attire. Pandawa Beach is actually named after these five statues! In the Hindu Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, the Pandavas are the five sons of Pandu: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Bali truly integrates its religion seamlessly into everyday life; you can witness their unique culture and faith everywhere you go.

The culturally rich cliffside had already left us completely amazed, but as we walked down to the shore, an even more beautiful scene unfolded. A pristine white sandy beach stretched all the way to the edge of the cliffs, meeting crystal-clear waters. The beach was incredibly clean without a single piece of trash in sight. It is such a perfect spot to space out, take a relaxing stroll, and play in the sand and sea!

It's worth mentioning that if you look up at Pandawa Beach, you'll often see colorful paragliders floating in the sky. Set against the blue sky and white clouds, it adds a uniquely beautiful vibe to the area. Up on the adjacent hill is Timbis Hill, a popular paragliding base just a few kilometers from the beach. If you're an adrenaline junkie, you might want to give it a try! For more details on Pandawa Beach, check out: Bali's Secret Beach!? | The Hidden Paradise of Pandawa Beach

3. Omnia Dayclub Bali

Stepping into Omnia Dayclub feels exactly like walking into a billionaire's lavish party in a Hollywood movie! The glittering Rubik's Cube-like bar building seemingly floats on the endless open ocean—it's incredibly chic and trendy. Everywhere you look, there are gorgeous people hanging out. Since its grand opening in 2018, countless influencers have posed for photos on the transparent glass-railing bridge, skyrocketing its fame and turning it into Bali's hottest new Instagram landmark!!!

The entire Omnia Dayclub is basically a massive nightclub built on a seaside cliff, where bikinis are the essential dress code for the ladies. With non-stop booming music, multiple giant screens, and a vibrant party atmosphere, it truly is a high-energy seaside club!

The infinity pool, which seemingly merges with the vast ocean in the background, is another massively popular spot in the club. We've heard the sunsets here are absolutely phenomenal, though unfortunately, our schedule didn't allow us to stay until dusk.

We highly recommend Omnia Dayclub for anyone who loves the clubbing scene or wants to experience a taste of those opulent, movie-style parties. Between the luxurious decor, the energetic all-day music, and the beautiful crowd, even Cherry—who isn't usually a big nightclub person—had to admit it's a deeply impressive and memorable place! However, since Omnia caters heavily to tourists, the prices are definitely on the higher end. For example, reserving one of the large cabanas like the one pictured above costs tens of thousands of Taiwan Dollars (as of Nov 2019)—just a heads up for those with deep pockets! For more details, check out: A Must-Visit for Instagrammers! The Viral Omnia Dayclub

4. Uluwatu Temple

When you talk about the most famous attraction in Uluwatu, Uluwatu Temple undoubtedly takes the crown. Built in the 10th century, Uluwatu Temple (also known as the Cliff Temple) is a magnificent Balinese-style shrine perched precariously on a sheer 70-meter-high cliff, with the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean crashing below.

Because it's located at the very southwestern tip of Bali, Uluwatu Temple offers a sweeping, elevated view of the Indian Ocean. Combined with the dramatic cliff and the ancient temple, it’s arguably the best place on the island to watch the sunset.

The traditional Indonesian Kecak Fire Dance, performed every evening at twilight in the temple’s amphitheater, is particularly world-renowned. Dozens of men sit in a circle around the stage, chanting a hypnotic "chak-chak-chak" in unison from start to finish, providing the acapella soundtrack to a thrilling Hindu epic.

This uniquely exotic performance, set against a backdrop of the glittering ocean bathed in golden sunset hues and the spectacular cliffside ancient temple, is truly something to behold. It’s easy to see why it’s so famous! We genuinely recommend visiting Uluwatu Temple to take in the natural scenery and experience the magic of the Kecak dance for yourself! Read more in our detailed guide: Stunning Sunsets + Ancient Cliff Temples + Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple

One important thing to note is that Uluwatu Temple gets very, very, very crowded with tourists. It's easy to just think of it as a tourist attraction, but it is still very much an active, sacred temple. When visiting, you need to be mindful of Balinese temple etiquette. For more info on temple rules and taboos in Bali, check out: Bali Travel Guide ☆ Temple Taboos & Etiquette

5. Single Fin and Surroundings

Another sunset spot beloved by tourists is Single Fin, a cliffside ocean-view restaurant. It offers unparalleled views of Uluwatu's most beautiful cliffs, the sea, and the sunset all at once, making it nearly impossible to grab a seat when evening rolls around. Source: Single Fin web page

Sitting at the bar, grabbing a bite to eat while gazing out at the ocean and the setting sun—we honestly can't think of anything more relaxing and idyllic for a vacation!

If you don't feel like squeezing in with the crowds at Single Fin, you can simply walk down the stairs next to the restaurant. Along the way, you can still enjoy million-dollar ocean views and a gorgeous sunset completely for free!

The stairs are built right into the side of the cliff and are lined with quirky local shops, giving off a vibe very similar to Jiufen in Taiwan. We highly recommend wandering around here if you want to soak up some exotic atmosphere. Watching the sunset here will definitely add a beautiful memory to your trip!

The attractions listed above were ordered based on the most convenient route, but to wrap things up, we want to share our personal ranking of these spots:

1st Place 👉🏻 Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance

2nd Place 👉🏻 Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park

3rd Place 👉🏻 Pandawa Beach (Secret Beach)

4th Place 👉🏻 Single Fin and Surroundings

5th Place 👉🏻 Omnia Dayclub Bali

Honestly, between our 4th and 5th picks (Single Fin and Omnia Dayclub), it really comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a laid-back, local exotic vibe with a beautiful sunset, we'd recommend Single Fin. But if you love a luxurious resort feel mixed with a lively nightclub atmosphere, you will absolutely love Omnia Dayclub!

Finally, a very important heads up for anyone planning to visit these spots: You cannot simply hail a Grab car anywhere around these popular Uluwatu tourist areas (as of Nov 2019). For transport recommendations, please refer to our related articles. To avoid any stressful hiccups during your trip, definitely look into your transportation options beforehand!

Aside from the Uluwatu area, Cherry also super, super, super recommends taking a day-trip island-hopping tour to Nusa Penida!

Bali Travel Information

For more introductions to Bali's top attractions, check out 👉🏻 Bali Travel Guide: Top Attractions by Area Explained! (Map Included)

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5 Best Attractions Around Uluwatu Temple | How to Explore Southern Bali?!

Indonesia · Bali

🔖 Must-Visit Attractions

1. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

2. Pandawa Beach (Secret Beach)

3. Omnia Dayclub Bali

4. Uluwatu Temple