The Best Things to Do in Uluwatu, Bali
Set high above the southern cliffs of Bali, Uluwatu is a place where time doesn’t just slow down. It stretches. It’s where the raw beauty of the Indian Ocean meets centuries-old culture. Where minimalist luxury blends with barefoot charm. And where every experience, whether sacred, scenic, or simple, feels curated with intent.
If you’re planning your first visit or looking to deepen your connection to this singular corner of the island, these are the best things to do in Uluwatu. Experiences chosen not just for what they offer, but how they make you feel.
1. Uluwatu Temple at Sunset: Bali’s Spiritual Centerpiece
No visit to Uluwatu is complete without experiencing Pura Luhur Uluwatu, the island’s most iconic sea temple. Built in the 11th century, it sits 70 meters above the ocean, clinging to the cliff’s edge with quiet authority. Arrive before golden hour. Watch the sky shift as the Kecak fire dance begins a hypnotic chant echoing the sounds of the sea. It’s theatrical, yes, but also deeply spiritual. A moment that lingers long after the final chant fades.
2. Surf (or Watch) the Legendary Breaks
Whether you surf or not, Uluwatu’s coastline is magnetic. From the barreling waves at Padang Padang to the long rides at Impossibles, these waters draw the best surfers in the world. If you prefer to watch, Single Fin is the perfect perch, a clifftop bar where the sunsets rival the swell.
3. Explore the Beaches Only Locals Talk About
Uluwatu’s beaches aren’t the easiest to reach. And that’s exactly the point.
- Nyang Nyang: A 500-step descent, but the reward is a nearly empty, untouched stretch of white sand.
- Thomas Beach: Low-key, quiet, with gentle waves and minimal crowds.
- Green Bowl: A hidden cove with limestone caves and aqua-clear water.
4. Experience Clifftop Dining at Its Best
Dining in Uluwatu isn’t just a meal. It’s part of the landscape. Try The Cave by Ryan Clift, a one-of-a-kind underground tasting experience. Or Di Mare at Karma Kandara for Mediterranean flavors and panoramic ocean views. For something more intimate, Gooseberry offers a quieter elegance nestled above Bingin Beach.
5. Reconnect Through Wellness
Here, wellness isn’t a package. It’s a pace. Start your morning with yoga at The Istana, a glass-walled studio where sunrises feel sacred. Or unwind at Uluwatu Spa, where treatments are framed by open ocean. No screens. No playlists. Just elemental healing.
6. Let the Sunsets Reset You
The Uluwatu sunset isn’t one you rush through. It’s one you stay for. There are no city lights here, no skyline to compete with. Just the ocean, the sky, and you. Whether from a villa terrace, a restaurant edge, or a quiet spot on the sand. This daily ritual reminds you what space feels like.
A Final Word: The Real Uluwatu Is Something You Live
You can visit Uluwatu in a day. But you won’t understand it until you stay longer. Until you wake up with the waves below you. Until the cliff feels familiar. At Azuma, we design homes in Uluwatu that aren’t just places to stay but spaces to slow down. Inspired by the natural landscape and local rhythm, our properties are shaped by what makes this place rare: silence, simplicity, and strength. Because the best thing to do in Uluwatu? Is to stay.
Live where silence, surf, and sacred sunsets set the pace.
Discover how Azuma brings the essence of Uluwatu into every detail of modern island living. Explore the vision.
