Planning a trip to Bali soon? Looking for unique adventures? How about a sunrise tour on one of your days in Bali? There is no denying that Bali’s beaches and laid-back nature vibes entice tourists from all over the world. But they have also concluded that sunrise tours are as captivating as sunset tours in Bali. Tourists also become early risers on their vacation so that they can check out some of the most jaw-dropping sunrise views of their lives, and the tranquillity they experience helps them be in the moment.
So, where should you head to? Here’s a list of the best spots to catch a spellbinding sunrise in Bali.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Sign up for a sunrise hike tour while in Bali! You won’t be disappointed. One of the best ones to consider adding to your trip is the Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud. It is actually a well-trodden route used by the locals, which has, over the years, gained popularity as a nature hike as tourist visits to this spot increased.
From the breathtaking Pura Gunung Lebah in Jalan Raya, you start your journey where the surrounding sweeping hilltop views, the verdure, and the sun breaking with morning rays cast a magical resplendence over the whole landscape. The sublime serenity that comes with it is what makes it one of the most peaceful escapes for locals and tourists alike. What’s more, the entrance is free, making it one of the best places to see the sunrise in Bali.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Bali’s Rice Terraces are a quintessential part of Bali packages. A popular attraction is the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, which stretch across the foothills of Mount Batukaru, about an hour’s drive from Ubud. Here, thousands of rice fields, created in a ripple-like pattern, feel like an emerald green wave. Make your moments even more enchanting by visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site at the crack of dawn to view the entire rice paddies and the shimmering waters glisten in the golden sunshine.
The best way to enjoy this breathtaking view is to stroll along the narrow pathways that wind through the terraces. It’s an amazing place for a photo opportunity, as the play of light and shadow creates a picturesque scene that will stay etched in your memory forever.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Among other rice terraces of Bali, the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are the next most significant spot known for their best viewpoints and scenic beauty. These rice fields, manicured spectacularly in Tegallalang village is just a 20-minute, breezy drive to the north of Ubud. As soon as you arrive, you are welcomed by cascading green rice paddies, layer upon layer hugging the hillside, which makes for some of the most iconic photo stops in Bali. The early morning sun just enhances the whole landscape.
Though the best time to go to Bali is often the spring or summer months, visit while there is still a chance of drizzling rain so that the sensory element is more than just lush visuals. The smell of wet mud lingering in the air adds an invigorating flair to the experience.
Lempuyang Temple
Visiting Bali temples during sunrise adds a divine aura to your experience. It feels more spiritual, more spectacular, and transcends the calm you experience into an otherworldly feeling. Lempuyang Temple is one of the iconic temples to visit in Bali, and undoubtedly, you will include it in your trip. So, we suggest you explore this temple on a sunrise tour.
Catching the sun emerge, framed by the ‘Gate of Heaven’, has a surreal feeling. Not to mention, it is a popular picturesque spot to click some Instagrammable snapshots. The surrounding views of valleys drenched in golden rays are equally stunning to view, as Lempuyang Temple is one of the highest temples in Bali, located on the lush hills of Karangasem. Hence, this attraction can also be viewed as a sunrise trek experience, because it requires you to climb a total of 1,700 steps or more.
Mount Batur
Need something more challenging? Then try out a trek adventure on a volcanic mountain to view the sun’s rays crack the horizon and flood the sky with pink and orange streaks. Among the most stunning sunrise places Bali offers, Mount Batur is perhaps the most challenging to visit. Yes, it will require you to trek uphill on grass-sheathed, rugged terrains, but as the saying goes, ‘the best views come after the hardest climb.’ The view from the top is unbelievably breathtaking! Stay back to watch the colours shift from lazy pink to orange to amber amid puffs of clouds and mist shrouding the hills.
Most Mount Batur sunrise tours include guided treks and breakfast, which is the best option to go for. For a better experience, book a small group tour to get a more personalised, relaxed experience. Your journey begins in the wee hours, so do not count on much sleep the night before. The anticipation of this exciting experience will probably keep you wide awake anyway. Also, keep your fitness level in check, as this trek does require a moderate fitness level. This will ensure you have no issues climbing uphill and can enjoy the trek without feeling out of breath. Go through a Bali travel guide to get more acquainted with Mount Batur so that you know exactly if this trip suits your purpose.
Sanur Beach
Now, does this mean you cannot enjoy a stunning sunrise view in Bali if you are not trekking on a hill or a rice terrace? You can, as it is all about the perspective you wish to enjoy. Beaches in Bali are equally splendid to visit during dawn, alluring you with unrivalled sceneries.
For those chasing the alternative to treks, sunrise at Sanur Beach offers calmer, sea-level vibes. Instead of the green and golden-orange hues on rice terraces, you will see a vibrant mix of blue, golden-pink, and violet hues reflected on the water. The play of light and the variation in colour contrast have a distinct appearance because of the change in scenery. If you experienced a verdant rice-terrace sunrise and a beach sunrise, you might have noticed that the sun rays glow radiantly against a high-contrast green foreground, whereas the beach sunrise feels calmer and has a more shimmering ambience. Try it out next time you visit Bali!
Amed Beach
This pristine beach in northern Bali is yet another spot to enjoy a spectacular sunrise view. Book a sea-facing beach stay of your preference and wake up when the sky is just turning greyish from the inky void of night. This is the best time to stroll down the sandy path to the beach. While the world is silent in slumber around you, your only company is the gentle crashing of waves and a few birds that are up before dawn. Plop yourself on the white sand, the cool, salty wind blowing on your face, and enjoy the show that nature puts up for you on the big, wide, dark sky screen, which brightens a bit one moment after another.
First, a sliver on the horizon, then a smudge of indigo somewhere, then a thin line of gold, and sure enough, a gentle orange orb emerges from the horizon, filling the sky with unimaginable hues. This is certainly something worth dragging yourself out of bed for.
Amed Beach is also one of the beaches that has a sleepy ambience, is not too crowded, and has a slower pace than other popular beaches in Bali. So, if you wish to enjoy the sunrise alone or with your beloved in an intimate, quiet spot, this beach should be on your Bali itinerary.
Pinggan Village
Lastly, Pinggan Village in north Kintamani is a must-do for all nature lovers visiting Bali. The sunrise experience feels quite unique in this picturesque Bali village. What looks like a sleepy countryside tucked in the highlands changes as the first hints of sunrise creep in. Watching the golden sunrays filter through the thick blanket of the morning’s misty ambience will compel you to add it as one of the most stunning sunrises you have ever witnessed in your life. The sun peeks out slowly, revealing itself in its soft, golden glow and unveiling the surrounding peaks and lush terrain in its mild warmth.
The route to reach this village is also not tough, but it can be quite long, depending on where you are staying in Bali. However, you can just hop in a car and drive to the village. There are also no steep climbs that can get you out of breath to reach the viewpoints. You could book a stay in one of the local guest houses or go camping. Either way, the experience will linger on after you have completed your Bali trip.
Conclusion
Sunrises in Bali are not just about the views. They are also about how they make you feel – alive and refreshed in your soul. It is also a wonderful way to give a serene start to your day. So, on your Bali holiday, keep one day where you wake up before dawn to witness the cool and clear air, the silent ambience, and the stellar scenery of inky darkness dissolving into a soft, glowy sunrise in gorgeous Bali attractions. Certainly, you would be tempted to get splendid clicks of mesmerising sunrise skyscape, so do carry your camera or smartphone fully charged.
