The ULTIMATE 1 week in Bali Itinerary
The inside scoop on the BEST places to visit in Bali. I will share my own 7 day Bali Itinerary for inspiration for your next trip to Bali
This Bali Itinerary is made with first-timers in mind and covers a little bit of everything - nature, beaches, local and western influence. It’s a lot but will give you a great overall impression of all the sides Bali has to offer. Then, if you decide to come back to Bali, you can decide which areas you liked the most and spend more time in one place!
Day One: Explore the main town of Ubud
Start your day with a boujie brunch. Some favourites: Zest, Black Sheep, Milk and Madu
Wander around the main part of Ubud. Get a $5 foot massage, do some shopping and people watching
Go back to your accommodation, have a swim, then get dolled up for dinner
Have dinner in the main part of town. Kyoka is my number 1 pick - amazing value and tasting food, great vibe, drinks. But, you will have spotted lots of options on your walk earlier and there are no shortage of nice dinner venues here.
If you time it right, catch an evening dance performance too at Ubud Palace. You can buy tickets earlier in the day inside
Day Two: Explore the nature around Ubud
Ok Day One was fun, but let’s see some nature. Go see a waterfall or rice terrace, or both! Have a google, you have options. Do note some are very touristy with photo swings while others are more traditional
Definitely eat lunch at Sweet Orange. This gorgeous traditional style cafe is the epitome of Bali for me. Only reachable by scooter or walk, nestled in the middle of rice paddies, serving healthy, fresh food with a view. Perfection! Around this area just north of Ubud are lots of nice resorts too where you don’t need to be guest to enjoy their spa treatments - so if you feel like splurging you can get a full 2-3 hour package including flowerbath for the same price I would pay for a standard massage back home in Australia.
OR get some more activity in as we’re going to take it chill this evening. Now, everyone does the Campuhan Ridge Walk and it is lovely, especially at sunset, but in the afternoon I suggest wandering the area around Yellow Flower Café. This is hard to find, so here are some directions: Get dropped off at Bintang Supermarket Ubud. Walk down the hill slightly and you will see a staircase on your right. Head up here and keep walking. You will then see on Google maps, you turn left at the intersection for the cafe but you can go right which is way more wild. Or do both. It’s all narrow paths, villas and home, small rice paddies. A great place to get lost. Insider tip: Ketut’s Warung is a great pitstop for a juice or snack.
Go local for dinner at a Warung. There’s no shortage so pick one with good reviews nearby your accommodation
Day Three: Explore beachside life in Canggu
It’s time to hit the coast in Canggu. You can either stay in Ubud and roadtrip it or change accommodation if you want (see transport in Bali explained here).
Wander around Canggu. Start at Canggu Love Anchor Store - it’s still a tourist market but displayed with a great vibe indoors. There’s cheaper elsewhere but it’s central and a great base for wandering. If you want more boutique, quality fashion stores, there are heaps dotted around Canggu - look for BGS coffee where I got my husband a very cool tee and you will see a bunch around that spot.
Grab brunch/lunch somewhere cool and hip. Head towards the beach from Love Anchor and you will find lots of options. Some favourites: Penny Lane, Kajan Eatery, M Mason, Koast Cafe.
Go to La Brisa Beach Club and laze around for the afternoon and sunset. This is not a nightclub, party venue. This is rustic + huge, with a reclaimed driftwood vibe that is super charming. They have pools but are on the beach, have high quality food and drinks for decent prices and great staff. You’ll see families but it’a mostly adults enjoying the chill vibe and there’s plenty of room for all. My favourite spot is a beanbag in the tree house so you can look down at your surrounds. You can pre-book and the price you pay is redeemable for food&drink. This is probably my favourite place in all of Bali!
Day Four: Explore the cliffside views in Uluwatu
Firstly, if you’re tired by this point. Have an accommodation day and chill nearby. Or if you loved La Brisa, try another beach side venue out for the day. But, if you’re up for more - visit Uluwatu.
Uluwatu is the Southern tip of Bali and is famous for its huge cliffs and amazing views. Have lunch at a shack at one it’s many hard to get to beaches like Thomas Beach. There’s a lot of stairs here folks but once you get to the bottom you will have your reward. Chill here or if you want more culture and sites, read on…
Then, onwards to the main reason travellers go to Uluwatu - Uluwatu Temple and its cliffside majesty. Make sure to get there by 4pm at the latest if you want to see the Kekak Fire Performance at 6pm. You can get tickets there or it might be easier to just do all this as a tour where someone will handle all the logistics for you (it won’t be as cheap but if you can spare it). Some things to note about the about Uluwatu Temple, dress modestly with covered shoulders and be very wary of the monkeys here - you may have seen the videos - they will steal your stuff. Don’t wear nice jewelery, sunglasses etc and hang on to your phone very tightly when using it.
Day Five: It’s island time!
Yes Bali itself is an island, but its quite large and full of travellers and locals and traffic. If you’re dreaming of a more relaxing, white sand, hidden nature type island, then you need to get away from the main area of Bali and maybe even escape on a boat! This is similar to Fiji - most of what we associate with Fiji is not on the mainland, it’s on resort or uninhabited island you cruise to.
For a decent price, you can get a package deal including boat transfers, accomodation and even tours, activities, and food. Nusa Lembongan is an easy reach, a bit further are the Gili Islands which are super chill (Gili T the most developed, Gili Air the least) or you can hit up the famous Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida does have the most day trippers and it’s main sites will be busy but it’s because it’s blue waters and drawdropping beaches are unbelievable.
Don’t want to go to a whole other island? Consider Amed in Bali’s North East. This area is much more quiet and has lots of diving and snorkelling experiences you can do here as well.
Day Six: Say Goodbye to Paradise
Wrap up your island adventure and head back to Bali central.
As you’ll be flying out the next day from Bali’s airport, I suggest staying somewhere nearby in Kuta or Sanur.
Day Seven: Kuta or Sanur
For all budgets you’ll be able to find some nice accommodation to relax and reflect on your trip, plus both Kuta and Sanur have plenty of stuff around if you want to blow some last minute cash on souvenirs or another massage, or maybe one last pool swim?
A final note on Bali:
Bali is a small destination and although I am offering advice on what to do when you visit, this does give me pause. I feel bad visiting places overrun by tourism, like Bali, but then tourism also supports people financially there. I also feel bad going somewhere untouched but adding my footprint and perhaps making it the next Bali - it’s a bit ‘a damned if you do, damned if you don’t’! Just be mindful when in Bali, try to support local businesses and think about the environment.
Anything else you want to know about travelling in Bali? Let me know in the comments below
