3 days in Bali

Day by day

1. Day 1: Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance and Tanah Lot

   Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance, Tanah Lot and Tegallalang Rice Terraces, then Ubud Palace and evening dance in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance

      Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali's six key directional temples, stands on a cliff about 70 metres above the Indian Ocean at the island's south-western tip.

   2. Late morning

      Tanah Lot

      Arrive mid-afternoon to see it at low tide and stay for sunset from the cliff-top cafés.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Babi guling

      Babi guling warung around Ubud, Gianyar and Denpasar, usually at lunchtime until sold out.

   4. Afternoon

      Tegallalang Rice Terraces

      About 20 minutes north of Ubud, Tegallalang's terraces step down a palm-fringed valley.

   5. Evening

      Ubud Palace and evening dance

      Buy tickets from the sellers at the gate during the day and arrive early for a front-row seat.

2. Day 2: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Campuhan Ridge Walk

   Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Campuhan Ridge Walk and Goa Gajah, then Seminyak in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

      Bring no food or loose items, avoid eye contact with the monkeys and keep children close; seek medical advice after any bite or scratch.

   2. Late morning

      Campuhan Ridge Walk

      A paved path of about 2 km follows a grassy ridge between two river valleys from the Gunung Lebah temple at the edge of Ubud, past palms and elephant grass, to the village of Bangkiang Sidem and its rice-field cafés.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bebek betutu

      Specialist restaurants in Ubud and Gianyar; some require ordering a day ahead.

   4. Afternoon

      Goa Gajah

      Walk down the steps past the pools into the ravine, which most visitors skip.

   5. Evening

      Seminyak

      Beach clubs with pools and DJs, such as Potato Head, and stylish cocktail bars on Jalan Petitenget.

3. Day 3: Tirta Empul and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

   Tirta Empul, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Lempuyang Temple, then Canggu in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tirta Empul

      Founded in the 10th century around a sacred spring, Tirta Empul is where Balinese Hindus bathe in purifying stone pools under rows of carved spouts.

   2. Late morning

      Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

      Bring a jacket; Bedugul is often misty and cool, and the morning has the calmest water for reflections.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Nasi campur Bali

      Local warung across the island; point at what you want from the display.

   4. Afternoon

      Lempuyang Temple

      Pura Lempuyang Luhur is one of Bali's oldest and most sacred temples, on a mountain in the east.

   5. Evening

      Canggu

      Beach bars at Batu Bolong and Echo Beach and busy bars along Batu Bolong and Berawa roads.

Before you go

• Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance: Kecak tickets sell out in peak season; buy them early in the afternoon or online.

If it rains

• Swap in Bali Museum (Denpasar): Combine it with Badung Market and Jagatnatha Temple, both a short walk away.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Seminyak keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Canggu ($$) suits solo travellers, nightlife, food lovers and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–21 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in June to 12.6 hours in January.

More or fewer days

• One day in Bali
• 2 days in Bali
• 4 days in Bali
• 5 days in Bali
• 7 days in Bali

Questions travellers ask