7 days in Bali

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance

      Uluwatu · 2–3 hours · low cost. Kecak tickets sell out in peak season; buy them early in the afternoon or online.

   2. Late morning

      Tanah Lot

      Tabanan · 2 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Babi guling

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

   4. 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: Jatiluwih rice terraces and Tegallalang Rice Terraces

   Jatiluwih rice terraces and Tegallalang Rice Terraces, then Seminyak in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Jatiluwih rice terraces

      Tabanan · 2–3 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Tegallalang Rice Terraces

      Ubud · 1–2 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bebek betutu

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

   4. Evening

      Seminyak

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

3. Day 3: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Campuhan Ridge Walk

   Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Campuhan Ridge Walk, then Canggu in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

      Ubud · 1–1.5 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Campuhan Ridge Walk

      Ubud · 1.5–2 hours · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Nasi campur Bali

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

   4. 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

      Roads are rough and distances slow, so pick one side of the island.

   3. Evening

      Back in Bali

      Dinner: try Sate lilit.

5. Day 5: Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul

   Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul, then Kuta and Legian in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Goa Gajah

      Ubud · 1 hour · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Tirta Empul

      Tampaksiring · 1–1.5 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sate lilit

      Warung, night markets and as part of nasi campur, especially near fishing villages such as Jimbaran.

   4. Evening

      Kuta and Legian

      Big clubs and late bars on Legian Street, popular with younger travellers.

6. Day 6: Day trip to Nusa Lembongan

   About 30–40 minutes by fast boat each way. Getting there: Fast boat from Sanur.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Nusa Lembongan

      About 30–40 minutes by fast boat (Fast boat from Sanur); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Nusa Lembongan

      A smaller, calmer island with a laid-back village, mangrove kayaking, snorkelling and the Devil's Tear rock blowhole; a suspension bridge links it to Nusa Ceningan.

   3. Evening

      Back in Bali

      Dinner: try Lawar.

7. Day 7: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Lempuyang Temple

   Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Lempuyang Temple, then Uluwatu in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

      Bedugul · 1–1.5 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Lempuyang Temple

      Karangasem · 2–5 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lawar

      Babi guling warung and ceremonial meals.

   4. Evening

      Uluwatu

      Cliff-top bars with sunset sessions over the surf breaks.

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 7 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 16–24 hours of visiting over 7 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
• 4 days in Bali
• 5 days in Bali

Questions travellers ask