Instagrammable Bali Photo Spots by Scooter: 12 Places
By the SiapPergi Editorial Team · Published 11 October 2026 · 6 min read
The Bali photos all over Instagram are spread across the island: temple gates in the east, terraced rice fields in the centre, lakes and forests in the north, limestone cliffs in the south. A scooter lets you arrive early before the tour buses, and that is often the difference between a clean shot and one full of people. This guide groups 12 photo spots into four scooter routes, with best times, estimated costs, queue times, and honest notes about spots that don't look like the photos in real life.
The 12 spots and their best times
| Spot | Region | Best time | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lempuyang Temple Gate | Karangasem | 5.30–8 am | Ticket + shuttle, ±Rp50,000–100,000+ | 1–3 hour photo queue when busy |
| Tirta Gangga Water Palace | Karangasem | 8–10 am | ±Rp30,000–50,000 | Stepping stones in a fish pond |
| Taman Ujung | Karangasem | Morning or afternoon | ±Rp25,000–75,000 | Large ponds and a pavilion on the water |
| Tegallalang Rice Terraces | Ubud | 7–9 am | Entry ±Rp15,000–25,000; swings charged separately | Very busy at midday |
| Campuhan Ridge | Ubud | 6–8 am | Free | ±2 km walk return |
| Tukad Cepung Waterfall | Bangli | 9–11 am (dry season) | ±Rp15,000–30,000 | Sunbeams through the cave opening |
| Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | Bedugul | 7.30–9.30 am | ±Rp30,000 Indonesians / ±Rp75,000 foreigners | Morning mist on the lake |
| Handara Gate | Pancasari | 7–9 am | ±Rp50,000 per person for photos | 30–60 min queue at midday |
| Wanagiri Hidden Hill | Buleleng | 7–10 am | ±Rp15,000–30,000 per photo spot | Wooden platforms over Lakes Buyan–Tamblingan |
| Melasti Beach | Ungasan | Afternoon | Small entry fee + parking | Limestone cliffs and a winding road |
| Padang Padang Beach | Pecatu | Morning | ±Rp15,000 | Rock crevice leading to the beach |
| Tanah Lot Temple | Tabanan | Late afternoon–sunset | ±Rp30,000 Indonesians / ±Rp75,000 foreigners | Temple silhouette on a rock |
All fees are 2025–2026 estimates and change often. Carry small cash notes; not every counter accepts cashless payment.
Route 1: East Bali — Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, Taman Ujung
This is the most time-demanding route because Lempuyang has to be visited at dawn. From Ubud or Sanur it's about 70–75 km or 2–2.5 hours, so you'd leave at 3.30–4 am unless you stay in Karangasem. A more sensible option: spend a night in Amed or Candidasa and leave at 5 am.
- Lempuyang: park your scooter in the lower area, then take the shuttle to the gate. Get a photo queue number and use the wait to enjoy the view of Mount Agung. Local photographers hold a small mirror under your phone lens for the reflection effect; it looks beautiful, but there is no pool there.
- Tirta Gangga (±10 km from Lempuyang): arrive before 10 am to photograph the stepping stones in the koi pond without too many people.
- Taman Ujung (±15 km from Tirta Gangga): a larger royal water garden that is usually quieter.
Route details and climbs are in the east Bali & Lempuyang scooter route. For a scooter in the east, use scooter rental in Amed.
Route 2: Ubud — Campuhan, Tegallalang, Tukad Cepung
The most relaxed route, ideal for half a day. Start with Campuhan Ridge at sunrise (park near the Campuhan Bridge, then walk), have breakfast in Ubud, then go to Tegallalang before 9 am. Later in the morning, continue to Tukad Cepung (±25 km) when sunlight enters the cave opening; the sunbeam effect is clearest in the dry season. To add another waterfall, Tibumana and Kanto Lampo are on the same route. A scooter can be delivered to where you stay via scooter rental in Ubud.
At Tegallalang, many swings and giant bird nests for photos are privately run with separate fees. Ask the price before getting on, and remember that simply walking along the rice paddy paths already gives great photos.
Route 3: North Bali — Ulun Danu, Handara, Wanagiri
These three spots are close together around Bedugul. From Kuta or Canggu it's about 55–60 km or 2 hours with long climbs, so a 125 cc scooter or bigger is strongly recommended, especially two-up. An efficient order: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in the morning while mist still hangs over the lake, then Handara Gate (±5 km) before the tour groups arrive, then Wanagiri Hidden Hill on the road to Munduk for photos from wooden platforms overlooking Lakes Buyan and Tamblingan.
Handara Gate is the entrance to a golf resort, not a temple. Photos are organised by staff for a per-person fee, and you may not go further into the resort. At Wanagiri, several photo-spot operators line the roadside, each with its own fee. The full route is in the Bedugul & Munduk scooter route.
Route 4: South — Melasti, Padang Padang, Tanah Lot
The southern spots suit the afternoon. Melasti Beach, with its winding concrete road between limestone cliffs, is very photogenic from above; stop only in parking bays, never in the middle of a bend. Padang Padang has a famous narrow rock crevice leading to the beach. End the day at Tanah Lot, although it's about 1.5 hours from the Bukit Peninsula; many people choose to end the day at Uluwatu instead. Full sunset options are in Bali sunset spots by scooter. For a scooter on the Bukit, use scooter rental in Uluwatu.
Etiquette and safety while chasing photos
- Don't stop on the road to take photos, especially on bends or climbs. Pull into a parking bay or a wide shoulder.
- Dress modestly at temples, including Lempuyang and Ulun Danu. Bring a sarong and sash; the guide is in temple etiquette for scooter riders.
- Don't climb temple gates, walls or shrines for a photo.
- Drones need the managers' permission at temples and many attractions.
- Don't take photos while riding, and don't let a passenger stand on the scooter for a shot.
- Keep your phone secure on cliffs and at waterfalls. Use a phone strap; rocks around waterfalls are slippery.
Which scooter suits photo routes
| Route | Road type | Recommended scooter | Approx. market price/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubud | Village roads, gentle climbs | BeAT or Scoopy | ±Rp60,000–90,000 |
| South | Bukit climbs, busy | Vario 125 | ±Rp75,000–100,000 |
| North (Bedugul) | Long climbs, cold | Vario 125 or NMAX | ±Rp75,000–150,000 |
| East (Lempuyang) | Long distance, steep climb to the car park | NMAX or PCX | ±Rp120,000–160,000 |
For long routes with a passenger and a camera bag, a Yamaha NMAX or Honda PCX gives more power and comfort. Final prices are on the Bali scooter rental page.
Conclusion
The key to clean Bali photos is arriving early and grouping spots by region, not chasing them all in one day. Choose one route per day, carry cash for entry fees, dress modestly at temples, and never stop on the road to take photos. For a multi-day plan, cover one region per day and keep a spare day for bad weather.
Ready to rent a scooter?
See estimated prices by area & model, then book on WhatsApp — the final price is confirmed before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Which photo spot in Bali is the busiest?
Lempuyang Temple Gate (Gate of Heaven), with a 1–3 hour photo queue in peak season, followed by Tegallalang and Handara Gate at midday.
Is there a pool at the Lempuyang Gate?
No. The water-like reflection in viral photos is created by local photographers with a small mirror placed under the phone lens.
What is the best time for photos in Bali?
6–9 am for most spots, thanks to soft light and fewer people. West-coast beach spots like Tanah Lot look best towards sunset.
How much does a photo at Handara Gate cost?
Around Rp50,000 per person for photos (estimate), plus parking. Fees can change, so check at the counter in the car park.
Can I visit Lempuyang and Tegallalang in one day?
Yes, if you leave at dawn, as they are about 2 hours apart. But it's more comfortable to split the east route and the Ubud route over two days.
This article follows the SiapPergi editorial policy: facts are checked, prices are given as ranges, and mistakes are corrected. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.