4 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 Jatiluwih rice terraces, then Ubud Palace and evening dance in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance

      Allow 2–3 hours (low cost). Remove sunglasses, hats and dangling earrings: the resident macaques snatch them and trade them back for food.

   2. Late morning

      Tanah Lot

      Only worshippers may enter the temple itself, but visitors can cross to its base at low tide, and the cliffs around it are a classic sunset spot.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Babi guling

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

   4. Afternoon

      Jatiluwih rice terraces

      Allow 2–3 hours (low cost). Combine it with Ulun Danu Beratan in the highlands; it is larger and calmer than Tegallalang.

   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: Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

   Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Campuhan Ridge Walk, then Seminyak in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tegallalang Rice Terraces

      Paths lead down and across the terraces past farmers, cafés and swings, and small donations are requested at several points by the landowners.

   2. Late morning

      Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

      Allow 1–1.5 hours (low cost). Bring no food or loose items, avoid eye contact with the monkeys and keep children close; seek medical advice after any bite or scratch.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bebek betutu

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

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Seminyak

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

3. Day 3: Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul

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

   1. Morning

      Goa Gajah

      Allow 1 hour (low cost). Walk down the steps past the pools into the ravine, which most visitors skip.

   2. Late morning

      Tirta Empul

      Visitors may join the ritual if they wear the proper sarong and follow the order of the fountains.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Nasi campur Bali

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

   4. Afternoon

      Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

      Allow 1–1.5 hours (low cost). Bring a jacket; Bedugul is often misty and cool, and the morning has the calmest water for reflections.

   5. Evening

      Canggu

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Nusa Penida

   About 45 minutes by fast boat each way. Getting there: Fast boat from Sanur.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Nusa Penida

      About 45 minutes by fast boat (Fast boat from Sanur); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Nusa Penida

      The rugged island south-east of Bali has the T-rex-shaped headland at Kelingking Beach, the natural pool at Angel's Billabong, Broken Beach and manta-ray snorkelling at Manta Point. Roads are rough and distances slow, so pick one side of the island.

   3. Evening

      Back in Bali

      Dinner: try Sate lilit.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 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 14–19 hours of visiting over 4 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
• 3 days in Bali
• 5 days in Bali
• 7 days in Bali

Questions travellers ask