I’m off to Bali for a few weeks with some friends from uni in march. So excited, but none of us have ever been - would love some recommendations! We are pretty active (so good hiking trails or activities would be ideal) but we, of course, want some down time, too (so fun bars/restaurants). Where to go/stay i.e air bnbs or hotels/hostels would be handy too. Thank you! x
If you like hiking, I definitely recommend the Mount Batur climb. You have to get up very early, but the sunrise is worth it! If you are staying around there, I would also recommend the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple for a trip.
Other than that, there are a few beach clubs/ hotels across the island that are nice
Ubud
Jungle Fish -Jungle Fish Pool Bar | Chapung Sebali
Capella Ubud- https://capellahotels.com/en/capella-ubud/contact
If you are also around Ubud, it is worth a visit to the Monkey Forest (obvs), but also Gunung Kawi Temple - Indonesia Travel as it is really pretty.
Canggu (probably my favourite place)
The Shady Shack - The Shady Shack Bali
The Slow Hotel - https://theslow.com/
The Lawn - https://www.thelawncanggu.com/
Milk and Madu - http://www.milkandmadu.com/
La Brisa - https://labrisa-bali.com/
Como Beach Club- COMO Beach Club | Bali Beach Club on Canggu Beach
Seminyak (beach vibes but more touristy than Canggu)
Potato Head - https://seminyak.potatohead.co/feast/beach-club/
Ku De Ta - https://www.kudeta.com/
If you have the time, the Gilli islands are also a very fun place but much less chill than the main island in my opinion.
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All of my top recs below after going for a month.
Seminyak:
Shelter Bali (amazing breakfast)
Kynd Community (vegan breakfasts)
Street Boi (cheap and great food, went back multiple times)
Mrs Sippy (100k entrance fee and minimum 600k spend for a day bed but you can just go here pay entrance fee and use the pool and sit on the little deck chairs to save money, get there for 10am)
Mexicola (great fun for the evening but do reserve a table online else you won’t be able to get in!)
Canggu: The Lawn (beach club, go here for a drink at sunset)
Old Mann’s (great to go and have Bintangs in the evening - Bintang Radlers are amazing 
Surfing Lessons on the beach are very cheap
The Practise (yoga barn, 100k for an hour and half lesson, good fun!)
Mad Pops (amazing ice cream place)
Cafe Organic (great for breakfast)
Crate Cafe (very popular and very cheap breakfast place)
Uhbud: Mount Batur trek (this is so so worth it and you can book it the day before)
Falafel Wrap place towards the end of the Ubud street market road was SO good.
Ulluwatu: our fave place! Rent mopeds to get around.
Ulu Cluffhouse (beach club / watch sunset, this was by far the most incredible place we went to in Bali for sunset and evening drink)
Thomas Beach (more private than the main Padang Padang beach)
Padang Padang beach (beautiful)
Suka Espresso (best peanut butter cacoa smoothie bowl!!)
Single Fin (get there early if you want to use sun lounger and they do great food)
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Been to Bali a few times including last summer so sharing some ideas.
If you are going for a couple of weeks, my recommendations are to stay in Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu for a varied trip. If you have more time you could also go to Gili Islands or Nusa Lembongan.
Canggu - lots of beach clubs and restaurants. A nice place to settle into Bali life once you arrive.
Ubud - great for hiking the volcano, going to the rice paddies and there are several waterfalls to visit. You can hire a driver for the day (inexpensive) and they can drive you to all the sights. If you stay in Ubud highly recommend eating at Hujan Locale - the food is incredible Indonesian food! It is popular though so would book in advance. You can also do cooking lessons in Ubud among the rice paddies which is lovely.
Uluwatu, beyond the tips already shared you should check out El Kabron and Uluwatu temple for sunsets. Surf lessons at Balangan and Bingin beach are good fun. Also the south of the island is known for the best beaches including Melasti beach. Sunday’s beach club is this way, but is very popular so you need to get there early to get a spot.
If you go to the Gilis, would recommend staying on Gili T with friends. Only need a few days here to do a boat trip and explore the island. If the weather isn’t good, there is not much to do here.
Hope these help!
Would you recommend Bali for a honeymoon? Looking for a really special trip and ideally not tooo touristy!
Hoping to explore and hike etc. but also stay in some lovely hotels… Struggling to think of another location for our honeymoon but very open to ideas!!