I write about travel for a living, which usually means I have an answer for most destination questions from people. But recently, a friend who had just gotten married asked me something I wasn’t entirely prepared for, “Where should we go for our honeymoon?”
For all the places I’ve written about, a honeymoon had never really been on my list as a category. It’s a very specific kind of trip, and I realised pretty quickly that I didn’t want to give a half-baked answer.
And as I started looking into it properly, reading more, revisiting places in my head, trying to understand what actually makes a destination work for two people, this place kept coming up in a way that made sense; easy to get to from India, varied enough, and just the right basket of doing a lot and doing absolutely nothing.
So if you’re wondering the same thing, I’ve carefully picked out some of the things to do in Bali for couples that are not just great, but also easy to plan and enjoy.
For the Couple That Leans Into Romance
Breakfast? On Water?
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first, the floating breakfast.
Yes, it looks and feels great, well at least for the first 10 minutes. A pool all for yourself, a tray of breakfast, and a bunch of flowers floating around, it’s surely one of the most talked-about things to do in Bali for couples. But is it really worth it? .
Here’s the honest version: standing in water while trying to balance coffee and cut fruit stops feeling romantic in like ten minutes. It’s still a fun thing to do though with your partner, and it’s more like you did it for a beautiful photo (which is certain) rather than a long-lasting experience.
Get a Balinese Couple Massage!
This though, is a very different story. A Balinese couple massage actually lives up to the hype, mainly because of how much time and attention goes into it. The sessions are usually a full hour or more, and at some point, you’ll probably drift off for a bit, which honestly tells you everything you need to know.
And they focus on the areas that actually get tired including your back, shoulders, and legs. After a few days of moving around, that’s exactly what your body needs. (and almost forgot, you’d want to do this everyday).
Perhaps a Romantic Dinner Is Your Thing?
In Ubud, most diners are tucked into greenery or overlooking small valleys, so you’re not staring at roads or crowds while you eat. Go for a slightly earlier dinner and you’ll catch that transition of natural light fading, into warm lamps coming on… A lot of restaurants are OPEN, so you get that perfect amalgam of fresh air, soft music, and just enough privacy without it feeling staged.
Speak to someone who does this every day; connect with the experts at Cox & Kings and shape a Bali trip around what you actually want.
Want A Perfect Photo Of Yours?
Lempuyang Temple will give you the famous “gates of heaven” shot, just know you’ll probably wait your turn in a queue. Is it worth it? Well, that depends on how much the photo matters to you…
For the Couple That’s Always On The Move
Cycling through Bali’s countryside
Some of the best things to do in Bali for couples can happen when you’re slightly out of breath, and this is one of those. The views are unreal with rice fields, small villages, and stretches that feel properly local, not staged for tourists… But FYI, it’s not a lazy ride. Some paths are narrow, and a few sections put you briefly on roads with cars. If you’re even slightly comfortable on a bike, though, it’s absolutely worth it.
Hiking to waterfalls
Go find a hidden waterfall. Sure, you’ll walk a bit, maybe sweat a little bit more, but the payoff is always there; a peaceful spot, cold water, and that feeling of having earned it. Places like Tegenungan Waterfall are easier to get to if you don’t want a long trek, while something like Sekumpul Waterfall takes a bit more effort but feels far more untouched. It really just depends on how much you’re willing to walk for it.
A Swim With The Rays?
Imagine you’re floating on the surface, adjusting your mask, maybe still figuring out your breathing, and then you notice a shadow moving below. It takes a second to register, and by the time it does, a manta ray has already glided past you.
Manta Rays are much larger than you imagine, but they don’t come close in a way that’s even mildly uncomfortable or intrusive. They glide past, sometimes looping back around, and you’re left trying to keep up while staying afloat.
The only thing is, the sea doesn’t really care about your plans. Some days it’s clear, calm, and perfect. Other days, visibility drops or the currents pick up, and you might not get that picture-perfect moment. But when it works, it’s easily one of the best things to do in Bali for couples.
For the Couple That Came Here for That Bali Feeling
Be at Tegallalang Rice Terraces at Sunrise
Watching the sunrise over Tegallalang Rice Terraces is one of the easier early starts you can pull off. Try to get there before 7 AM, not just for fewer crowds, but because the light hits the terraces at an angle that actually brings out the texture of the fields.
Once you’re there, you can walk down into the terraces instead of just viewing them from the top. There are narrow paths cutting through the fields, a few small bridges, and plenty of spots where you can just stop by. It’s not a long activity, maybe an hour or two, but going early helps in one of the best places to visit in Bali for couples!
If you like the sound of visiting Ubud, Gili, and Kuta in one trip, this Bali Trio Escape by Cox and Kings is a pretty easy way to do it without overthinking the logistics.
Sunset at Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance
It’s always special catching a sunset with your favourite traveller, and catching it at Uluwatu Temple is something else. It feels different simply because of where you are. The temple sits right on the edge of a cliff, so there’s nothing between you and the ocean, only a drop straight down.
Try to get there about an hour before sunset. It gives you enough time to walk along the cliff paths and find good spots. The Kecak dance usually starts around sunset, and it does get full, so it’s worth getting your tickets a bit early if you plan to stay.
And the monkeys are quick with sunglasses and anything loose, so you do have to stay a little alert.
Tanah Lot Temple by the Sea
And of course, Tanah Lot Temple. You’ve definitely seen this one before, the lone temple on a rock, waves hitting around it. Go around sunset if you can, because that's when it looks its best, but also when everyone else shows up.
If you catch it during low tide, you can walk closer to the base, which makes it a bit more interesting than just standing at a distance and taking photos. There are a few walking paths and viewpoints around, so it’s worth taking your time instead of just stopping for a quick photo and leaving.
If you’re still figuring out budgets, this detailed breakdown of a Bali trip cost from India should give you a clearer picture.
How Most Couples End Up Planning This
Doesn’t all of this feel like a lot to piece together? I mean, different locations, transfers, bookings, timing everything right, and a lot more? That’s usually where most Bali tour packages for couples start making sense. Not because you can’t plan it yourself, you can, but because having it structured saves you from spending half your trip figuring things out. I realised this pretty early on too.
Your best bet is to find someone who does all that back-end work for you. A lot of Bali packages for couples today like this Bali Island Explorer Holiday are designed to bring together exactly this, a bit of activity, a bit of downtime, and the key places to visit for couples in Bali without a thing to worry about.
If you’d rather not piece it all together yourself, explore these Bali tour packages for couples with Cox & Kings and see what already fits!
So, How Should You Think About It?
A bit of adventure, maybe a day of doing nothing, a couple of slightly overrated experiences you’ll still be glad you tried, and a few of the best things to do in Bali for couples, and another few you didn’t plan at all; that’s quite the mix if you ask me!
If you want a more unfiltered take, here’s my honest guide to the things to do in Bali; what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d actually recommend.
