Spiritual things to do in Bali that transform you
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ParagAre you travelling to Bali with the intention to grow spiritually, or to simply have a few moments of deep spiritual connection? This island, so often praised for its beauty, holds something even more valuable for those who seek: inner transformation. Regardless of your religion or belief system, the spiritual energy of Bali is palpable. Flowing through temples, rivers, rituals, and the silent spaces between.
If you open yourself to the experiences below, you may find that you won’t return home the same person. And that is the gift. We believe everyone visiting this enchanting city in Indonesia should explore its spiritual side. It’s what Bali does best.
Transformative spiritual practices in Bali
Participate in a Balinese purification ceremony (melukat) at a water temple
Stepping into the sacred waters of Tirta Empul or other water temples is a humbling experience. The melukat ritual invites you to release emotional, physical, and spiritual impurities through flowing holy water, drawn from a natural spring believed to carry cleansing energy. Dressed in a traditional sarong, you follow the locals in prayer and silence, moving from one spout to the next. Each stream makes it easier to let go… Of past stories, inner tensions, or hidden grief. It’s not just about the water touching your skin, but about what it washes away.
Join a silent meditation retreat at a secluded ashram
Silence can feel like a void or a sanctuary. And in Bali, it becomes the latter. At a silent meditation retreat, often held in the lush outskirts of Ubud or hidden forest ashrams, you retreat inward. Without speaking, distractions soften. Days begin with sunrise meditations and end with candlelit reflection. Meals are taken mindfully. Nature becomes your mirror. In the stillness, you notice what truly matters.
Practise sunrise yoga overlooking rice fields in Tegallalang
There’s a stillness in Tegallalang’s rice terraces before the world awakes. Practising yoga here as the sun rises is like greeting the day with your whole being. The earthy scent of soil, the whisper of palm leaves, the golden light touching the paddies… All become part of the practice. Each pose becomes less about perfection and more about presence.
Learn Balinese Hindu rituals through cultural tours
To walk the spiritual path in Bali is to understand the intricate weave of ritual and daily life. Through guided cultural experiences, you witness how Balinese Hinduism shapes everything from offerings to architecture. You might learn how to craft canang sari, the floral offerings found on every doorstep, or visit family temples where ancestral wisdom is still practised with devotion. These teachings are living, breathing forms of reverence.
Attend a full moon or new moon ceremony at a sacred site
The moon is honoured across many cultures, but in Bali, it’s deeply woven into spiritual rhythm. Full and new moon ceremonies at Pura Lempuyang or other sacred sites gather communities for prayers, chants, and offerings. The moon becomes a symbol of cycles, transitions, and inner tides. Under its glow, you are reminded of what to release, and what to call in.
Walk barefoot through a rice terrace labyrinth
Wandering through a rice terrace barefoot, with no agenda, can become a deeply grounding practice. The sensation of earth underfoot, the soft buzz of dragonflies, the sound of distant gamelan… These are subtle anchors that keep you present. With each step, thoughts slow down. The path might not be linear, but in the meandering, something quiet within begins to realign.
Take part in a traditional sound healing session
Sound holds memory, emotion, and potential for renewal. In a Balinese sound healing session, instruments like gongs, singing bowls, and bamboo flutes create waves that reach deep into the body and mind. You lie down, eyes closed, as sound moves through you, often unlocking forgotten feelings or gently easing mental knots. It’s a journey inward, guided by tones instead of words.
Visit a Balinese healer (balian) for spiritual insight
Meeting a balian is not like visiting a therapist or a doctor. It’s a sacred encounter rooted in centuries-old wisdom, where energy, intuition, and symbolism come together. Each balian works differently. Some use touch, others channel guidance through ritual. But the core intention is the same: to restore harmony between body, spirit, and the unseen world. Come with respect, and with openness.
Alt: A Balinese man seated in front of ceremonial offerings and tools, wearing traditional white attire often associated with spiritual practices in Bali.
Swim in a sacred waterfall with presence.
Tukad Cepung is not just visually breathtaking; it’s spiritually charged. Enclosed by cave walls and kissed by beams of sunlight, this waterfall has an ethereal presence. Swimming here with intention (not as a tourist, but as a seeker) feels like a blessing. Let the water run over your head, whisper a prayer, and be still. You may leave soaked, but you also leave renewed.
Go on a pilgrimage to Mount Agung or Mount Batur at sunrise
Climbing a sacred volcano in the dark, guided by torchlight, is a rite of passage in Bali. As the sun slowly rises over the horizon, lighting up the clouds below, you realise this is more than a hike. It's a pilgrimage. Mount Agung, the island’s spiritual axis, and Mount Batur, its gentler sibling, both offer a vantage point where body, spirit, and sky meet. With each step up, there’s a subtle shedding of what no longer serves.
Cleanse your energy in the sea
The sea holds a primal, purifying force. To enter it with reverence is a powerful ritual. Whether through gentle, intuitive movement or floating still on your back, the saltwater seems to draw tension from the body. The waves lull the nervous system. The vastness invites surrender. You emerge quieter, lighter.
A journey that stays with you
Bali is often described as paradise. And for those seeking spiritual connection, that description is not far off. Its landscapes may captivate your eyes, but it’s the rituals, the silence, and the raw presence you feel that transform your inner world. These experiences invite you to soften, to surrender, to realign with what’s true. You may come to Bali carrying questions, longing, or uncertainty. But you’re likely to leave carrying something far more sacred: a deeper connection to yourself.
Which of these spiritual experiences calls to you the most? Take a moment to listen… And when you find yourself in Bali, follow that call. Let the island do what it does best: guide you gently back to yourself.
And if you are an introvert but enjoy travelling, make sure you check out this article: “What are the advantages of travel for introverts?”.
About the author: Thaíz Lara is the creator behind New Hermits, a New Zealand-based storyteller who believes in the power of story and soul-filled travel. After living in 5 countries and exploring 60, she has come to understand that the most meaningful journeys often begin within. Learn more about Lara.
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