If it is your first time to visit Bali, after reading all the travel guides and watching all the reels, you probably want to see it all: the lush green landscapes, the beautiful beaches, waterfalls, learn more about Balinese culture, and try all that good food.
There are just so many things you can do in Bali and beyond, and it can be hard to decide where to start. Plus, we may be biased, as some of us simply stayed for good after visiting Bali for 10-day vacations a couple of times!
To help you plan your perfect Bali itinerary, regardless of how many days you will stay in Bali, we are sharing our own Bali itineraries to get to know this Indonesian island.
Important Things To Know Before Visiting Bali
Getting There
Many cities in the world have direct flights to Bali and if you buy a ticket in advance you can get a good deal! The most expensive months to fly to Bali are usually December and the summer months.
Flying from Sydney, Australia takes about 6 hours, while the flight Perth-Bali is only 3 hrs 50 minutes.
Flying from the USA or UK is the most challenging route as you will most likely have at least one layover, plus the jetlag.
Visa on Arrival
Tourists visiting Bali can now either buy a visa on arrival directly after landing or online before coming to Bali to avoid crowds and speed up the process, which is super handy if you’ve been flying for more than 20 hours and arrive late at night.
Official rate for a VOA (visa on arrival) is 500,000 IDR (50 AUD). Don’t forget to pay tourist tax as well, which is only 150,000 IDR for the whole period of stay.
This visa allows you to stay up to 30 days in Bali, and you can extend it for another 30 days. Make sure to calculate exactly how many days you need in Bali, as the authorities take overstaying seriously and it is fined 1,000,000 IDR per day (100 AUD).
On Arrival
You will be landing in the only Bali airport – Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, named after one of the national heroes.
You will need to present your passport, printed visa, and boarding pass, or you can use autogates if you have a biometric passport, to get through passport control.
Right after that, you will get your luggage and head through customs. Make sure to fill out the declaration form online beforehand. You simply show the officers the QR code, they scan it, and you’re good to go.
Right after exiting the customs, you can withdraw some cash or exchange money and buy sim-cards (although we recommend buying them cheaper in the city).
Getting Around
Bali doesn’t have a well-developed public transportation system, so you will rely on bikes and cars. You can either use affordable taxi apps like Grab and Gojek (they have food delivery too!), or rent your own car or bike if you brought your international driver’s licence.
For a day trip, it is best to book a private driver through a recommendation, that way you can take your time exploring, not worrying if you will be able to get a ride back home, as not all the areas in Bali are evenly covered by online taxi services.
Bali is big and traffic can get rough, so keep that in mind while planning day trips.
For ex., if you’re staying in Uluwatu, booking a full day trip in Ubud is not a good idea, as you probably will spend at least 4 hours in the car that day and will see significantly less, if you explore Ubud while staying in Ubud.
Budgeting Your Bali Trip
Vacation in Bali can be as budget or as luxurious as you want it to be, the island caters to every wallet.
Accommodation. If you do have a daily budget, we highly recommend booking in advance. A night in a Budget hotel or guesthouse can be around 30 AUD, while a resort can cost around 350 AUD per night.
Food. The trickiest part to budget. There are so many amazing restaurants in Bali, but eating out 3 times a day can become costly if you don’t know where to go. There are cheap eats to grab a great lunch for 5 AUD and there are fine dining restaurants with tasting menus worth 200-350 AUD per person.
Day trips. Some things you can explore on your own, like Tanah Lot temple from Canggu, but some may legally require a tour guide like Mount Batur sunrise hike. The prices vary and it is always cheaper to go with a group, but you can find fantastic experiences like market tours and cooking classes for under 40 AUD.
Misc. Always keep small cash handy. Entrance fee and parking fee are very common everywhere you’d go, but it is usually 5,000 to 10,000 for parking fee, and temples often use donation-based entrance fees.
Best Time To Visit Bali
You can visit Bali any time, you will have a splendid vacation.
Bali weather is tropical and has two main seasons: rainy season and dry season. While it is summer all year round, rains are theheaviest during December to March.
It rarely rains non-stop, usually, it rains for a short period, really heavy, and then the sun comes out and dries out everything pretty quickly. During the rainy season, the rice paddies are green, and waterfalls are full and beautiful.
The only consideration would be if you’re planning to do boat trips to smaller islands, as waves are very rough during the beginning of rainy season (December and January in particular) and it may not be a pleasant ride.
Also, if you only have 5 days, good weather is paramount. Come anytime between late March and late October then.
How Many Days Is Enough In Bali For Your First Time?
Your first Bali trip should be no shorter than 7 days, if you are travelling from USA or Europe, or 5 days if you’re coming from Australia and SEA.
It will be just a little bit of time to relax on this beautiful island, eat out, do a few day trips, and try local food. You will have to plan and book everything in advance to avoid hiccups as time will be precious.
Some people live in Bali as digital nomads or work here and don’t ever get to see all the beauty, so planning is important, as well as exploring beyond just the most famous temples and tourist attractions. And you need at least 10 or 14 days in Bali to see that.
Why 3 or 4 Days Are Not Enough To Visit Bali?
Short visits coming from afar are not recommended because you will spend more time on the plane and adjusting after the jetlag than you will actually be enjoying The Island Of Gods.
You will also have no plan B in case the weather is bad or you get Bali Belly.
However, if you only have a few days in Bali, you can still comfortably enjoy one area of the island that suits best your personality. We recommend exploring one of these regions: Canggu, Uluwatu, or Ubud.
Is 5 Days In Bali Enough?
If you’re coming to visit Bali from Australia or Southeast Asia, in 5 days you can briefly explore maximum two areas, for example, Canggu and Uluwatu or Canggu and Ubud.
You will have to make a choice: either visit the most popular locations, or go somewhere remote to explore the Balinese culture, but you won’t have enough time to slowly and comfortably enjoy both.
The Best Bali Itineraries: 7 to 14 days In Bali
Some people visit Bali for the first time and don’t get what the whole Eat Pray Love is about.
The reason is simple: they either try and do too much in a short period OR they go to the wrong places.
Visiting only locations popularized by social media will quickly get you overwhelmed by crowds and prices. You need to balance beach clubs with local villages, nightlife with lush rice terraces.
We’ve been everywhere on the island and here outlined how to best spend 7 days, 10 days and 14 days in Bali to fall in love with everything Bali offers.
7-Day Bali Itinerary: The Bare Minimum
7 days in Bali is a great option for a quick vacation or honeymoon, and will be enough to explore 3 areas around the island. 7 days are also a bare minimum if you’re coming from afar.
If you have just a week, don’t waste time in Kuta beach or Legian, head to more vibrant spots like Canggu or Bali’s cultural capital – Ubud.
You can add a third location too, like Uluwatu or Amed, based on your favorite pastime.
Our suggested 7-day Bali itinerary would be:
2 days in Canggu or Seminyak
3 days in Ubud
2 days in Uluwatu or Amed. Uluwatu, if you love beaches and surfing, Amed, if you love laid-back vibes, swimming, diving, and snorkelling.
On a side note, 7 days are perfect for a yoga or surfing retreat, it can be yoga-focused only or a whole detox and healing program.
Yoga retreats often cover accommodation, food, and yoga classes, are located in the middle of rice fields, and give plenty of time to recharge.
Canggu vs Seminyak
The most common mistake people planning a Bali trip do is to plan 2-3 days in both Canggu and Seminyak.
Our verdict: it is not worth it. Canggu is a “re-branded”, newer version of Seminyak and they are literally located 20-30 minutes away from each other.
You don’t have to spend 4 or 6 days in the same setting. We prefer Canggu, as Seminyak beach area feels too touristy.
10-Day Bali Itinerary: Optimal Itinerary
10 days in Bali are a sweet spot for exploring more cultural sites and nature, and just have some free time to chill in a beach club like FINNS or get a full day of sleep.
Spending 10 days in Bali or more also allows you to get to the more remote locations (meaning less crowds and more unspoiled nature), and go to the nearest postcard-worthy tiny tropical islands.
Here is how we recommend spending a 10-day trip in Bali:
2 days in Canggu
2 days in Uluwatu
3 days in Ubud
3 days in the Gili islands
You can also shuffle things around a bit, and go to Uluwatu first, and then to Canggu. Always pull up the map of Bali to simply plan the logistics smarter.
Day 1-3 Bali Itinerary: Canggu
After landing and checking into your hotel, head straight to FINNS – the world’s best beach club.
Here you can chill on the sun bed, eat amazing food served from multiple kitchens, dip in pools, sip cocktails, and, finally, enjoy the best sunset in Canggu and dance!
The next day, visit Tanah Lot temple – a famous floating water temple not far from Canggu.
On your way back, spend a couple of hours at Udara Spa to try yoga with ocean views, a healthy breakfast, saunas and ice bath therapy. Finish it up with a nice dinner at one of the best restaurants in the area.
Your last day in Canggu, do some shopping at the craft markets, book a Balinese massage, and watch sunset on the Berawa or the Echo beach.
Canggu is one of the best places to learn how to surf on the South and West Coast, unlike Uluwatu breaks that aren’t beginner-friendly at all.
Where To Stay In Canggu
Canggu offers an array of accommodation options from a fancy private villa to beachfront hotels with an infinity pool. There are also plenty of guesthouse rooms and co-living for digital nomads.
The best budget hotel: Tribal Bali Coworking Hostel, around 50 AUD per night.
The best luxury hotel: Swarga Suites Bali Berawa, 160 AUD/night.
Day 3-6 Bali Itinerary: Ubud
Ubud is the gem of the central Bali, the mecca for all things spiritual and a heaven for yogis and vegans. To be fair, it is also a historical site with rich heritage that everyone has to explore!
On your first day in Ubud, explore the central area from Ubud Palace, walking down the Monkey forest street, swinging by the art and craft in Ubud Market, and ending it with a walk in the famous Ubud Monkey Forest.
In the afternoon, visit extravagant Blanco Renaissance Museum, and enjoy a Michelin-worthy dinner at Mozaic or Aperitif restaurant.
The second day, explore the Ubud surroundings and start with Melukat or water purification ritual at the Tirta Empul temple, which is best for the morning.
Then head to the spectacular Tegalalang rice terraces with Bali swings, visit some temples like Saraswati temple or Goa Gajah temple, or Ubud waterfalls (like Tukad Cepung waterfall) if you’re more into nature.
The third day in Ubud can be slow, start it off with a long trek through Campuhan ridge walk, and then treat yourself to some of the luxurious spa treatments.
If you have time during one of your mornings, and you love mountains, we highly recommend booking a Mount Batur sunrise trek – you will be picked up from your hotel around 2 or 3 AM and hike the mountain to see the sun rise from the very top. You will get a breakfast there, and then come back to Ubud.
Where To Stay In Ubud
Ubud is the best location to stay in a jungle or rainforest hotel, there are rivers woven in the landscape, and views are just breathtaking!
The best budget hotel: Bali Bohemia, around 44 AUD per night.
The best luxury hotel: Komaneka at Bisma (central Ubud), 300 AUD/night.
Day 6-8: Nusa Islands
There are 3 Nusa islands that are considered to be part of Bali. All three have a laid back atmosphere and breathtaking views. You can stay at one of the smaller islands and do a day trip to Nusa Penida.
Nusa Lembongan is great for honeymoons and surfing. Its white sand beaches and turquoise waters are the reasons why the island is so popular, plus it only takes about 45 minutes to get there.
Nusa Ceningan is connected to Nusa Lembongan by a short bridge, it is less busy and doesn’t have as many cafes and things to do, but accommodation here is cheaper than on Lembongan.
Nusa Penida is the jewel of these islands, thousands of tourists are down to T-Rex or Kelingking beach, Broken Beach, and diving sites to see manta rays.
Day 8-10: Uluwatu
You should not skip Uluwatu’s dramatic cliffs and stunning beaches. This spot has probably the best beaches on the island, so even if you don’t surf, make sure to do some beach hopping on one of the days.
Our favourite beaches are Melasti beach, Bingin, Padang Padang, Suluban, Nyang Nyang, Dreamland, and Balangan.
Intermediate and advanced surfers will have an epic surf at The Peak or one of the other 4 breaks in front of the Uluwatu beach.
And make sure to visit Uluwatu temple itself – a clifftop 11th-century Hindu temple, and watch the Kecak fire dance performance on the cliff!
While in Uluwatu, visit Jimbaran beach for a seafood feast. It is the location of the biggest fish and seafood market of the island, and you can buy the freshest catch and ask one of the cafes to grill it for you.
Where To Stay In Uluwatu
Bukit peninsula is huge and has different landscapes, from beaches to jungles, but for the first time in Bali, we think the best choice is to stay in a beachfront bungalow, where you may be lucky to have a monkey visitor!
But if you’re on a budget, you will have to stay more inland, as there are almost no accommodations with a rate under 50-60 AUD per night directly on the beach.
The best mid-range hotel: Dreamsea Surf Camp, around 160 AUD per night, oceanfront.
The best budget option: Tom Inn Pecatu, around 42 AUD/night
The best luxury hotel: beachfront AYANA Villas Bali, 1,300 AUD/night or hilltop Hidden Hills Villas (270 AUD per night).
Locations To Add To Spend 2 Weeks In Bali
Take the 10-day Bali itinerary as a base and either extend your stay in your favorite location or add two more areas to your list. We highly recommend these regions:
2 Days In Munduk
Amazing destinations to explore Balinese culture, nature, and see the everyday life of locals.
Add to your list the Lake Bratan and its Ulun Danu Bratan water temple, Handara Gate photo spot, Sekumpul waterfall and Leke Leke waterfall (at least these two, there are so many waterfalls in the area to explore, some with canyoning too!).
Stop by Wanagiri Hidden Hills to take pictures with Twin Lakes as your backdrop. Make sure to have a sumptuous breakfast before the day trip, there are not as many restaurants in the area like in Canggu.
Stay in Handara Golf Resort (yep, you can play golf there too) or look for a cabin around the Bratan lake.
3 Days In The Gili Islands
Gili islands are fantastic tiny islands, a 2-hour boat ride from Bali, with world-famous snorkelling. People come here to swim with turtles, and disconnect from the world.
There are 3 Gili islands next to each other, but which one is best for you?
Gili T or Gili Trawangan – a little paradise you can cycle around in under 1.5 hrs. And you will need to cycle or walk because there is no motorized transport on this island! Or dogs.
Perfect for solo travellers, young couples looking for some nightlife and new people to meet, and everyone who is doing a diving certification.
Gili Meno and Gili Air are two even smaller islands that are perfect for older couples looking for privacy, a honeymoon, and recharging. You can always hop on a little boat and in 15 minutes or so you are on Gili T.
2-3 Days in Amed
If you don’t want to take a boat to go somewhere or the weather messes up your plans, Amed is an amazing destination on the East coast of Bali.
Think seafood dinner on the beach, snorkelling right from the shore, swimming, diving, and all of that with Mt Agung and spectacular sunrise views.
If you will explore beyond the village, some of the most iconic sites are around, like Lempuyang Heaven Gates Temple, the Tirta Gangga Water Palace, and the Lahangan Sweet viewpoint.
Alternative Options For A Longer Trip
If you’re lucky and can stay longer, say 3 or 4 weeks, oh boy, do we have more recommendations!
There is just so much to see and do in Bali, you will never get bored, trust us, we’ve been here for years and we still love finding new hidden gems.
2 Days In Sidemen
The landscape of a lush valley with Mount Agung as a backdrop still feels untouched. Perfect for couples and honeymooners.
There are things to do here too: luxurious spa treatments, silver jewellery workshops, hiking, visits to hidden waterfalls, and more.
2 Days In Nusa Dua
2 days in Nusa Dua or Sanur if you are travelling with family will give you time to decompress.
It is a more of a resort-style vacation here, but the waters are so calm even kids can swim and many hotels have kids rooms. There is also quite a bit of shopping to do.
It can also be a perfect base for you if you will go to the Gili or Nusa islands from Bali as the port is super close and you can beat the traffic.
2-3 Days In North Bali
If Tegallalang rice terraces were too busy and touristy for you, visit UNESCO-protected Jatiluwih rice terraces.
They offer stunning views and a long trek around the paddies. You can jog or cycle it too. Stop at Batukaru Kopi to grab a locally roasted americano.
North has so much to offer: dolphin watching near Lovina Beach, visiting hot springs around Menjangan, or Bali’s only national park with unique deer, birds, and monkeys.
If you are going to explore Java after Bali, this area is also close to the ferry that will take you there.
The area around Mount Batur is called Kintamani, also up north. It can be a quick trip to grab coffee or lunch with breathtaking views of Batur volcano, the valley, and the lake.
Or you can do a full-day trip and either go dirt biking in the valley, visit hot springs around the lake, hike neighbouring Mt Abang, or visit the largest and most important temple complex for Balinese Hindu – Besakih Mother Temple.
Les Village
If you’ve seen it all and want to experience true Bali far from any tourist spots, Les community and its black sand beaches are what you need.
You don’t really feel time there, and there aren’t many activities apart from fishing, taking a Balinese cooking class or connecting with locals, but it is a precious experience.
Outdoor Fun
Squeeze in more outdoor adventures in your trip, if that’s your cup of tea.
You can do hiking, ATVs, dirt bikes, canyoning and rafting, and explore hidden waterfalls, and most of these activities are either around the Northern parts like Munduk or outside Ubud.
Final Thoughts On How Long To Stay In Bali
From the vibrant nightlife and lively atmosphere of Canggu to cultural Ubud and picturesque cliffs of Uluwatu, you will have an amazing time in Bali no matter how long you spend here.
You can make 5 days work or you can enjoy many day trips during your 2-week vacation. And if you think, you haven’t seen it all, you are right – and it is always a good excuse to come back!
