Follow The Ancient Routes: Off The Beaten Track Sights And Landmarks Around Bali

Bali is, undoubtedly, a quintessential tropical paradise on the earth. While most of the time, this gorgeous island is known for its beaches and water sports, there are many off the beaten track sights and landmarks in Bali for soul-searchers.

Let’s explore some of the unknown and ancient landmarks in Bali that’ll make you experience the real, old Balinese culture and its marvelous nature away from the crowds of tourists.

Pura Paluang Car Temple

The Pura Paluang Car Temple one the unique places in Bali; this shrine is shaped as car and house.

The temple is often recalled as “Bali’s car temple” by the tourists, however, the locals call it “pura mobil.”

People of Nusa Penida believe that a God named Ida Gede Ratu Sakti Hyang Mame resides in this temple.

Essential Information

Address: Karang Dawa, Nusa Penida, Klungkung, Bali 80771

How to get there: Temple is located on the reef of Dawa, Bunga Mekar, it is not very far from the famous Klingking beach of Nusa Penida. You can rent a bike reach the shore, but be prepared for a relatively hard climb afterward.

The ‘Bat Cave’ Temple of Goa Lawah

Another intruding temple from the land of Bali is Goa Lawah or as the English translation says the bat cave temple. This 11th-century temple is located in Bali’s Pesinggahan village.

You will be welcomed by two gigantic banyan trees while entering the temple. Temple’s main attraction is its bat-filled cave and the Shivaite shrine which as per the temple authorities over a thousand-year-old.

The bale bejeweled with the pattern of Naga Basuki is also very famous among the tourists. Naga Basuki by the by is a mythical dragon that is balancing the universe.

Essential Information  

Address: JL. Raya Goa Lawah, Pesinggahan, Dawan, Kabupaten Klunkung, Bali, Indonesia. (it is 10 km east of Klungkung, right between Kusamba and Padang Bai.)

How to get there: It is a one hour drive from Denpasar.

Best time to visit: Best time to visit the temple is on its grand anniversary when people from different villages gather here for the celebrations.

 

The Stalactite Cave Temple of Goa Gong

Goa Gong temple is of the many historical sights and landmarks in Easy Java.  The 256 deep cave is famous among tourists for its pools, which purportedly have magical healing powers.

The temple’s most interesting part is its stalactites and stalagmites that create a sound similar to a gong when being hit.

Essential Information

Address: Gong-Gongan Moutain, Bromo Village, Punung, Pacitan. East Java

How to get there: It is roughly 37 km west of the downtown Pacitan and reaching the place is quite easy. The road good from Yogyakarta, it is somewhat narrow in the village but still very driver friendly. Bus, bike, car anything can take you here.

Best time to visit: Weekdays, at weekends this place is full of people.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

Goa Gajah lies on the off the beaten path in Bali. This almost 1000-year-old site was built as a place to do meditation in the first place.

Goa Gajah’s uniqueness lies at its base where huge meeting hall and the hodgepodge of enormous stone carvings, restored lately. However, it is Goa Gajah’s pool that attracts the people most.

There are five huge statues of Hindu angels around the pool that are an outstanding piece of work too.

Essential Information

Address: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

How to get there: Every transportation can be used, car, bike or bus.

Best Time to visit: Early mornings, afternoons are quite hot.

Ubud Art Market

Ubud Art Market or as the locals say Pasar Seni Ubud is an art market situated outside the Puri Saren Royal Ubud  Palace.

If you are looking for someplace to shop, your search is over now. Form silk scarves in woven bags, from kites to statues and from hats to baskets any hand-crafted thing can be brought here.

Essential Information

Address: Jalan Raya Ubud No.35, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia.

How to get there: Once you are in the town, you can visit the market on foot.

Best Time To Visit: The market is open all seven days of the week, but weekends are crowded, any weekday is a better choice.

Tukad Cepung Waterfall

Tukad Cepung is one of the greatest attractions of Bali. It is a 45-minute drive away north-west from the Ubud.

The waterfall is not easy to find, by first time visitor. You may have to hire help. It is almost 100 stairs down the cliff, but all the trouble will vanish into thin air, once you see the gorgeous waterfall.

Essential Information

Address: Jl. Tembuku, Dusun Penida Kelod, Tembuku, Bangli, Kubupaten Bangli, Bali, 80671, Indonesia.

How to reach there: You can rent a car, bike or simply take a bus to this place. Also, there are many one day tours available to this place.

Best Time To Visit: You can visit the place any day of the week; it is never crowded, just avoid visiting it at night.

Munduk Village

People, who have had enough of Bali’s heat, can take a break from the sun at Munduk Village. It is located over 800 meters above the sea level and has a chilly climate.

There is no humidity, no heat and no air conditioners required at Munduk, all you will have is plenty of soul freshening air and beautiful nature. In addition to being a perfect hiking destination, this village is one of the important historical sights and landmarks in Bali and features unique pieces of colonial architecture.

The village is famous for its laidback style and beautiful rainforests. There are two impressive waterfalls and plenty of impressive trees to be seen here.

Essential Information

How to get there: Hiring a bike and riding to the village is the best-known way of getting there.

Best time to visit: Rainy season is the one to dodge when you are planning a trip to the Munduk Village.

Mount Batur

Mount Batur is one of the most amazing treks and one of the most impressive volcanoes of Bali. The reason behind its popularity is the Batur caldera lake which has surrounded the Mount Batur.

This spot has a lot to offer – for example, the trekking experience at Kintamani volcano and a collection of hot springs at Toya Bungkah Ulun Danu Batur Temple. Thereby, whose keen on scenic views and pristine nature will fall in love with these serene landscape.

Essential Information

Adress: Bangli Regency, Bali, Indonesia

How to get there: There are a lot of local buses that can take you there; however, you can get the by car as well.

Best time to visit: May and July are the best seasons to visit this destination.

Besakih Temple

The mother Temple (Besakih Temple) is situated on the slopes of Mount Agung, almost 1000 meter high. It the biggest and holiest temple in Bali, while it still remains an off the beaten track spot for the travelers.

Besakih Temple is a cluster of 86 Hindu temples, many devoted to Hindu Lord Shiva.

The temples are encircled by rice farms, streams and a lot of majestic natural beauty.

Essential Information

Address: Besakih, Rendang, Karangasem Regency, Bali, 80863, Indonesia.

These are off the beaten track sights and landmarks in Bali, visit them, be safe and happy exploring.

 

The Underground House (Goa Gala-Gala)

The Goa Gala Gala is an underground house built by Mangku Byasa in 1961  – a place where he stayed many years after its creation. It took Mr Byasa 15 years to complete this house with conventional tools.

The house’s outer look can fool anyone. It looks like a typical yard from the outside but is a different thing once you enter the mother earth from its 4 meter wide openings. This place is one of those off the beaten track sights and landmarks in Bali that every dedicated traveler should visit.

Essential Information

Address: Jl. Hangtuah No. 46, Bali, Indonesia

How to get there: It is a 50-meter walk from the mouth of the alley.

Best Time To Visit: Any time of the year

 

Looking for more thrilling and authentic Balinese experiences? Check this ultimate guide to the top unique events and festivals that will be held this year!