Bali is beautiful – there’s no doubt about that. After all, the island of the gods is perpetually teeming with honeymooners and lovey dovey couples, the Bali breakup curse be damned. But besides pouring your heart to one another during scenic strolls on the beach or staring into each other’s eyes while enjoying a sunset dinner, there are plenty of other unique yet romantic things to do on the island – day or night.
Whether you’re brainstorming proposal ideas or looking for a picturesque escape, here’s a list of date ideas for you and your partner to try out in Bali together.
Admire panoramic sights from the edge of a cliff
Kick the romance level up a notch at one of Bali’s numerous sky high, cliff-side beach clubs, where you can luxuriate in breathtaking views without getting your feet sandy.
There’s Omnia Dayclub perched on the limestone cliffs of Uluwatu, The Edge resort’s oneeighty°, which overlooks the pristine waters from its glass-bottom sky pool, El Kabron with its merrymaking Ibiza party vibes and, of course, the OG of its kind, Rock Bar Bali along the Jimbaran coast.
Brave the trek up Mount Batur to watch the sun rise
A hike up the mountain to breathe in the orange glow of the sun lighting up the sky sounds like a ridiculously romantic experience for adventurous couples, but it involves a bit of sacrifice on your part to feel your way around in the dark. Still, it’s the sort of adrenaline spiking activity that can bring your relationship to new heights, literally.
Just be sure to pack trekking gear for the cold start – your journey begins in the wee hours of the morning, after all – and do the climb with a guide from one of the numerous tour companies (like Bali Sunrise Tours or Bali Trekking Tour). Once you’re done gazing at the stunning sight of the sun gliding above the horizon, you can stop by the natural hot springs for a relaxing time.
Enjoy a feeling of peace at Tamblingan Lake
Be at one with nature at Tamblingan Lake, where the serene waters are surrounded by lush flora and fauna, making for quite the tranquil morning – especially if you’re the only ones there. You can trek hand in hand through the forest to get to the banks, then paddle out onto the lake or visit one of the temples nearby.
Explore your adventurous side at a secret waterfall
Escape from the throngs at Bali’s popular waterfall sites and explore the island’s lesser-known – but just as glorious – spots, where your private time together won’t be bombarded by the constant clicks of camera shutters.
There’s a remote one hidden by the cliffs at Desa Musi – though you may have to ask the locals for directions – Jembong Waterfall with its cascading turquoise waters; Tukad Cepung Waterfall, a gorgeous beauty circled by cliffs; Nungnung Waterfall located at the bottom of a whopping 500 steps; and Banyumala Twin Waterfall in the Wanagiri district by Lake Buyan.
Get camera-happy at the marigold fields
The striking marigold fields make for quite the picturesque pitstop on your drive between Kintamani and Bedugul, with brilliant hues of yellow and orange gleaming under the sun. To see the golden florals at their best, swing by before harvest season (which changes yearly). Also in the East Bali village of Desa Temukus, you’ll find the “Edelweiss Garden”, a wonderland filled with soft, almost wintery white plants.
Go dolphin watching at the beach
The popular attraction of Lovina Beach is a North Bali coastal town known for its dolphin watching tours, where local fishermen take visitors out to sea for a close-up look at marine life. The boat trip starts early in the day, but beware the crowds of eager tourists who will likely pressure the guides into chasing down the aquatic creatures just for a quick glimpse.
Whether or not you spot a dolphin is also down to luck, but hey, at the very least you’ll be rewarded for waking up before the crack of dawn with a majestic sunrise. *True romance*… right?
Have a candle-lit dinner in a beachside cave
Forget dinner by the ocean – gaze across the table at each other in a cozy cave instead, where you’ll be well and truly spending quality alone time together. At Samabe Resort, the twinkling candles set the tone for your five-course beachfront dinner.
Otherwise, The Samaya Ubud offers an enchanting evening by the river at its elegant restaurant, Swept Away. To go all out, book the special table lit by 100 candles for the best view (and service) in the house. It’s pretty much like something straight out of a fairytale.
Luxuriate in a natural jacuzzi
Tegal Wangi Beach in Jimbaran isn’t just a slab of white sand and rolling blue waters – it’s also home to numerous little pockets of natural “jacuzzis”, which you can take a dip in while reveling in the sunset. These rock pools, found on exposed coral reefs, are filled each time a wave crashes in – and best of all, you don’t have to pay a single cent to enjoy ‘em.
Pack a picnic at Asah Hill
The not-so-secret picnic paradise of Bukit Asah Bugbug in Karangasem is a halcyon hideaway for couples who love to bask in the beauty of nature. It’s about a 40-minute hike to the top, but the seaside views from up high are worth it, especially when you’re reclining on a blanket and munching away on your packed lunch to the hypnotic sound of crashing waves.
Pamper yourselves at the spa
There’s pretty much a spa at every corner in Bali, but sometimes you just want to bask in luxury without having to count pennies. To indulge in lavish, relaxing body massages and soothing treatments side by side, make your way up to clifftop spa Bulgari Bali, float above the river on a massage bed at Permata Ayung Private Estate Spa, soak in the views of Tegalalang’s rice terraces at Puri Gangga resort’s Aura Spa, or head to Ayung River’s Puri Ahimsa wellness retreat for the Fivelements experience.
Sail across the waters at sunset
If you can’t get enough of the chill island life that Bali offers, step on board a catamaran dinner cruise and sail the crystal clear waters for an evening. Companies like Bali Dinner Pirate, Bali Hai Cruises, and Skylight Dinner Cruise offer buffet spreads with vibrant live entertainment and sunset views.
Shop your way through a local market
For a bout of retail therapy, head hand-in-hand to some of the oldest (and largest) traditional Balinese night markets at Badung and Kumbasari, where you’ll find locals hawking apparel, accessories, handicrafts, and trinkets. For something more modern, swing by Canggu for its fairy-lit Love Anchor bazaar filled with trendy knick knacks, or spend a lazy Sunday rummaging through the eclectic Old Man’s Market for hidden gems.
Sightsee in a submarine
Take a break from all that swimming and surfing, and glide through the waters in a sleek submarine, where you’ll visit the underwater world of corals and tropical marine life from the air-conditioned comfort of the vessel. No diving gear needed for this excursion – just a ticket on board Odyssey Submarine.
Sign up for a fun workshop together
Get hands on and create your own souvenirs together at any of the arts and crafts classes across Bali, including ceramic sessions at Sari Api, batik workshops by local artist Nyoman Warta, home brewing training at Seniman Coffee, stone carving and bamboo weaving lessons at WS Art Studio, and shadow puppet crafting at Museum Puri Lukisan.
Splurge on a helicopter ride for bird’s eye views
Got the cash to splash? Take to the skies on a helicopter to explore Bali from way up high, with tours that include iconic sights such as Uluwatu Temple, Lake Beratan, Kuta Beach, Tanah Lot Temple, Lake Kintamani, and Mount Rinjani. These flights by Air Bali and Mason Sky Tours don’t come cheap, but when you’re in love, nothing’s too expensive. Right?
Take a walk on the wild side
Sure, it’s no South African game reserve, but visiting the Bali Safari & Marine Park is a little adventure on its own, with more than 100 species – including rare or endangered ones like the Komodo Dragon and the Bali Mynah bird – freely roaming across the space.
You can hop on a safari bus together, have breakfast with the lions (through a glass panel, of course), watch shows and performances, then get back on the vehicle for a night-time tour, where the roles are reversed and humans get locked in a cage, with predators prowling around.
Watch a movie under the stars
If snuggling with your significant other on sandy shores under a starry sky is your idea of romance, this private beach club, a 30-minute drive from Jimbaran, has just what you need. Every Monday, Karma Beach Bali screens Hollywood blockbusters (anything from animation to drama to romance) with the sea green waters as your backdrop – there’s an earlier showing just after the sun sets and another later in the evening.
Plus, the blue-hued lagoon at Karma Kandara is a hidden little oasis at the bottom of a limestone cliff, which means you won’t get strangers randomly invading your quiet nook.
For more Bali guides:
9 unique hotels in Bali: holiday in a bubble, a safari lodge, bamboo bungalows, and more
