8 stunning sunset spots in Bali

Bali doesn’t just do sunsets — it orchestrates them. The sky goes tropical technicolor, temples light up, and even the palm trees seem to strike a pose. One minute you’re toes-deep in black sand, the next you’re on a clifftop watching the horizon catch fire. From jungle ridges to beach bars, sacred shrines to sleepy coves, golden hour in Bali isn’t a quiet goodbye — it’s a blaze of glory.

Here are 8 of the most stunning sunset spots in Bali — where the light is otherworldly, the air is warm, and the island sky puts on a nightly magic show.

1. Uluwatu Temple

Perched on a sheer limestone bluff above the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu Temple is a showstopper at any hour — but at sunset, it gets truly heavenly. The temple’s ancient stone towers blaze orange against the sky, waves smash the rocks below, and the whole cliff seems to catch fire with light. It’s sacred, dramatic, and completely magical.

Stick around for the nightly Kecak fire dance — performed just meters from the cliff’s edge — and watch the sun disappear behind silhouettes of dancers and temple spires. If you're wondering where to watch the sunset in Bali, start at this unmissable spot.

Know before you go

• Modest dress required; sarongs provided at the entrance.
• Arrive by 4:30 PM to get dance tickets and a good viewing spot.
• Watch out for monkeys. They’re charming but shameless thieves.

Address

Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Opening hours

Daily, 9:00 AM–7:00 PM

2. Tanah Lot Temple

Set on a rocky island just off the southwest coast, Temple Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most iconic landmarks — and one of its most surreal sunset stages. As the tide comes in and the ocean swells, the setting sun turns the seascape molten gold. Meanwhile, the temple is darkly silhouetted against the burnt orange sky and nightshade shoreline. It’s dreamy!

Unlike Uluwatu’s cliff-top arena, Tanah Lot feels more intimate, more elemental. The sea crashes close, mist clings to the rocks, and the kecak dance performance unfolds not high above the shoreline, but surrounded by it. Come for the sunset, stay for the sense that you’ve stepped into a Balinese myth.

Know before you go

• Come at low tide if you want to walk closer to the temple.
• Best views are from the clifftop paths to the south.
• Local markets nearby are perfect for pre-sunset browsing.

Address

Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82121, Indonesia

Opening hours

Daily, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM

3. Campuhan Ridge Walk

If you’re after something quieter than clifftops and temple crowds, Ubud’s Campuhan Ridge Walk is the golden-hour escape you’re after. This gentle nature trail snakes between jungle hills and rice paddies, offering open skies and soft evening breezes. As the sun drops, the entire valley changes color scheme, as a shadow play of coconut palms and dusky green grass sways against the peach and purple sky.

It’s not as dramatic as Tanah Lot, but it’s also not nearly as busy and is one of the most peaceful sunset spots in Bali. Take it slow, soak it in, and let the soft light follow you all the way back to town.

Know before you go

• Start about 60–90 minutes before sunset to time it right.
• There’s little to no shade — bring water and a hat.
• Best light hits just as the trail crests the ridge.

Address

Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

4. Echo Beach, Canggu

One of Bali’s most popular surfing spots, Canggu’s Echo Beach is all black sand, wave breaks, and laid-back energy. It's also a front-row seat to some of Bali’s wildest sunsets. As surfers carve their final lines, the sky erupts into purples and reds, reflecting across the tide pools and volcanic rocks. It may look like someone’s turned the saturation up, but don’t adjust your set — Echo Beach really is this pretty at sundown!

In fact, it’s one of the best sunset views in Bali if you like your golden hour sitting beneath a colorful parasol with bare feet in the sand, a warm sea breeze, and maybe a cold drink nearby.

Know before you go

• Best light hits just after the sun drops — stick around for the glow.
• The rocks can be slippery — watch your step if you’re exploring tide pools.
• Come by scooter if you can as parking fills up fast.

Address

Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu, Bali 80351, Indonesia

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

5. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Set high in the Tabanan hills, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces offer a different kind of Bali sunset — one painted across waterlogged paddies, jungle ridges, and misty slopes. As the atmosphere turns to mood light, the rice fields radiate every hue of deep gold and emerald green.

It’s less crowded than Tegallalang Rice Terrace, and far more expansive — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where time slows down and the horizon stays wide open. Come late in the day, and you’ll see farmers heading home as birds rise over the hills and the sun disappears behind a curtain of palms. Just nearby, you’ll find forest-shrouded Pura Luhur Batukaru Temple, natural hot springs, and plenty of walking trails and cafés to turn your sunset visit into a full afternoon escape.

Know before you go

• Located roughly 1.5 hours from Ubud — best reached by car or tour.
• Bring layers — it’s cooler up in the hills by evening.
• Visit on a clear day for full golden-hour color.

Address

Jl. Jatiluwih, Tabanan, Bali 82152, Indonesia

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

6. Mount Batur Viewpoints

While Mount Batur is well-known for its unmissable hikes, sunset here is pure magic — with far fewer people and just as much spectacle. From one of the many viewpoints on the caldera’s rim, you’ll watch the sun fall behind Mount Abang and reflect in the silvery waters of Lake Batur below. Meanwhile, Batur itself glows a deep, moody red against the evening sky.

It’s a quieter, more otherworldly sunset spot in Bali, perfect for travelers who prefer crisp mountain air and volcano views over beach bars and big crowds. A local guide is essential as the descent happens in near darkness and trails aren’t always clearly marked. Alternatively, some viewpoints along the outer caldera can be reached by road, with no hiking required.

Know before you go

• Viewpoints are road-accessible.
• Bring a jacket — temperatures drop fast up here.
• Ask locals for the best viewing turn-offs along the ridge road.

Address

Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali 80652, Indonesia

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

7. Lempuyang Temple

Lempuyang Temple is one of Bali’s oldest and most sacred temples, perched high on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang in the island’s east. You’ve seen the photos — the towering split gate with Mount Agung framed perfectly behind it. But what pictures don’t capture about this unmissable Bali spot is how stunning this place becomes in the hour before dusk. As the crowds thin and the golden light streams across the valley, the temple complex glows with quiet power.

While it faces east, the sunset still hits the surrounding hills and clouds with breathtaking effect. For a sunset in Bali that blends spiritual calm with unearthly beauty, Lempuyang Temple is hard to beat.

Know before you go

• Arrive late afternoon to avoid the Instagram queue.
• Dress appropriately — it’s an active worship site.
• The full temple complex involves steep walking.

Address

Bunutan, Abang, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80852

Opening hours

Daily, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM

8. Blue Lagoon Beach

Just east of Padangbai, Blue Lagoon Beach is a small, sheltered cove that lives up to its reputation as one of Bali’s unmissable beaches — clear turquoise water, soft sand, and swaying palms all wrapped in volcanic rock.

While it’s known mostly for snorkeling, stay a little longer and you’ll catch one of Bali’s most underrated sunsets. As the light dips low, the cliffs cast long shadows and the sea turns to glassy gold. It’s quiet, local, and ridiculously photogenic — one of those sunset spots in Bali that feels like a secret, even when you’re not the only one there.

Know before you go

• Best accessed by scooter or driver — parking’s close to the sand.
• Light fades fast here — arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset.
• Bring reef-safe bug spray if you’re staying after dusk.

Address

Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80871, Indonesia

Opening hours

Open 24 hours