Bali is a dream holiday destination, not least because of its diverse landscapes. Holidaymakers will find a wide range of landscapes here, each with its own unique charm and inviting visitors to take part in a variety of activities. From golden sandy beaches to lush green rice terraces, dense rainforest and barren volcanic mountains, Bali offers a wide range of different landscapes.
Landscape forms
Some of the very special landscapes in Bali are presented below.
Coasts
The coasts of Bali are just as diverse as the other landscape types in the interior of the island. Bali’s coasts are characterised by many beautiful sandy beaches, but also by rugged cliffs and steep coasts that rise up above the sea. Gravel beaches can also be found in Bali.
The sandy beaches differ greatly in their appearance. While there are paradisiacal golden beaches on the one hand, dark coastal strips with dark to black volcanic sand can be found elsewhere. This special sand also has its charm and provides a visually successful contrast to the bright, light-coloured beaches.
In the north of Bali, you can also find beaches with larger pebbles, for example on the beaches of Amed or Tulamben. In the south of Bali, on the coasts of the Bukit Peninsula, the numerous sandy beaches are interrupted by some very high cliffs. Sometimes the cliff rises only behind the sandy beach, which makes for a great atmosphere. A particularly beautiful sandy beach with a green cliff is, for example, Nyang Nyang Beach.
Volcanoes
From some beaches, you can see the completely opposite volcanic landscape. In particular, Gunung Agung, an active volcano and Bali’s highest mountain, rises majestically in the east of the island. Gunung Agung itself is beautifully green up to a certain altitude. The closer you get to the summit, the more barren the landscape becomes. Around the crater, there are basically only large rocks and boulders.
A very special landscape on Bali can be found around Gunung Batur, the smaller of the two active volcanoes. To the southwest of the volcano, there is a huge petrified lava field, which is interrupted by a little vegetation in only a few places. You won’t find a landscape like this anywhere else on Bali.
Mountains
Besides the active volcanoes, there are also several extinct volcanoes on Bali. These extinct volcanoes are part of a beautiful mountain range that extends from the far west to the east of the island. Many of the mountains are covered with dense rainforest and are therefore ideal for trekking tours.
There are numerous mountains on Bali. A particularly beautiful region with great mountains is located south to southwest of the three mountain lakes, Danau Tamblingan, Danau Buyan and Danau Bratan. There are some mountains around the Gunung Batukaru, the second highest elevation on Bali. The mountains in this region form an idyllic green landscape.
Rice terraces
One of Bali’s trademarks is the lush green rice fields that can be found in most regions of the island. The rice plants shape entire landscapes in Bali with their rich green colour.
Particularly noteworthy are the impressive rice terraces. As the name suggests, the rice fields were partly terraced into the hills. The rice plants are supplied with sufficient water by means of a sophisticated irrigation system. For tourists, the rice terraces are not only an enchanting sight, but also a great opportunity for extraordinary hikes. Many of the rice terraces in Bali can be explored by simple hiking trails.
Conclusion: Bali’s landscapes are diverse
In summary, it can be said that the landscapes in Bali are extremely diverse. While the beautiful sandy beaches invite you to sunbathe, the interior of the island features rugged volcanic landscapes. However, only small parts of the Island of the Gods are really barren: much of Bali’s landscape is lush and green. The beautifully laid out rice terraces are just as inviting as the numerous forests. Bali is likely to have the right landscape for every traveller.
