Five to seven days lets you split time between the south coast beaches around Legian and Kuta, the Uluwatu clifftops, and Ubud's rice terraces without rushing. Traffic between areas can be slow, so fewer stops per day works better than a packed checklist.
Discover Local Bali: What to Do Around Mercure Bali Legian
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Bali, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Bali in 5 picks
Uluwatu Temple
Perched on a limestone cliff above the Indian Ocean, this temple turns into open-air theatre at dusk. Get there before sunset for the kecak fire dance, and keep sunglasses and hats zipped away — the resident long-tailed macaques have quick hands.
Tanah Lot
A sea temple stranded on its own rock, cut off from the mainland when the tide comes in. Time it for low tide to walk right up to the base, then stay for sunset — the silhouette against the water is one of Bali's most photographed scenes.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Ubud's stepped green paddies still run on a centuries-old subak irrigation system. Go early to beat the tour buses and the heat, and walk down into the terraces instead of just shooting from the top road.
Jimbaran Bay seafood grills
Tables get set up in the sand as the sun drops. Order whole grilled fish or prawns rubbed in sambal matah — raw shallot, lemongrass and chili — and eat with your fingers, waves a few metres from your chair.
Legian sunset beach walk
Late afternoon, the beach in front of Legian and Kuta fills with surfers paddling out for last light. Grab a spot on the sand or a beanbag at one of the beach bars and watch the sky turn orange over the Indian Ocean.
FAQ
They sit side by side and share the same beach, so it's less about which and more about pace — Legian is generally quieter than Kuta while still close enough to walk into Kuta's shops and nightlife in minutes.
Performances are timed around sunset, so arrive at least 30-45 minutes early to get a seated view of the cliffs before the show and the light both peak together.
Where to sleep
See Mercure hotels in Bali, all within reach of these picks.