Best of Bali 7 Day Itinerary
The following 7-Day Bali Itinerary presents an optimal combination of experiences, from tropical beaches to lush jungles. You’ll witness breathtaking waterfalls, stunning rice terraces, picturesque tropical beaches, and so much more! This itinerary covers three locations – Ubud, Nusa Penida, and South Bali – all in just one week.
If you are looking for a tailored itinerary that meets your specific interests and preferences, such as an adventure-packed itinerary or a trip focused on relaxation, yoga, or spa visits, please contact me for a customised itinerary.
Before travelling to Bali, it is advisable to perform an online check on iVisa to determine the appropriate visa requirements.
Best Time to Visit Bali
Bali has two seasons – rainy and dry. Typically, the dry season lasts from April to October, while the rainy season lasts from November to March.
The peak season is from May to September, so expect more tourists and higher accommodation costs during this time.
If you want nice weather and fewer tourists, the best times to visit Bali are April-May and September-November.
The rainy season typically begins in November, though this can vary. It does not rain every day, but it does rain frequently, which can make it difficult if you are only in Bali for a week since most activities are outside.
Accommodation in Bali
There are many affordable luxurious hotels & villas to stay at in Bali! You can find tons of places to stay on Airbnb, Booking.com or Agoda.
Be sure to read the reviews on Airbnb to check for such things as cleanliness, location, and whether the place looks as advertised.
For one week in Bali, I suggest booking accommodation in Ubud for Day 1 to Day 6 and then booking somewhere in South Bali like Uluwatu or Jimbaran Bay from Day 6 onwards.
Accommodation Recommendations
Ubud
For more recommendations check out my blog post 5 Unique Stays in Ubud or Bali Accommodation Guide.
Uluwatu
Jimbaran
Getting around Bali
Hiring a scooter is the cheapest way to get around Bali. A scooter can be rented for around $5 per day. If you’ve never been to Bali or driven a scooter before, I recommend using Go-Jek or hiring a driver.
Go-Jek is a transportation service that operates similarly to Uber/Lyft. It’s an inexpensive way to get from one location to another in the major tourist areas. If you need a taxi, use Blue Bird Taxi as they are metered!
It’s best to hire a driver to take you from the airport to Ubud and then for your days of exploring in and around Ubud. For a full 10-hour day, a driver can cost around $60.
If you’re in need of a reliable driver in Ubud, contact Dewa. He’s more than just a driver – he also acted as our personal tour guide and even captured some amazing photos and videos for us! To get in touch with Dewa, message him on WhatsApp at +62-813-5397-3023.
Money
Many places in Bali only accept cash, though most hotels, restaurants, and large businesses have card machines.
Most of the places listed below will charge admission and parking fees. It’s a good idea to keep some small change on you at all times.
Many cards have been skimmed when taking out cash at ATMs. Always check to make sure the area you place your card in is firmly fixed and has not been tampered with.
Exchanging money at the airport will be more expensive than finding a local money exchanger in Bali.
The Wise card has low conversion fees and zero transaction fees. It is easy to withdraw money at an ATM and you are only charged a fee if you withdraw over a certain amount per month or if the ATM has its own fees.
Make sure to sign up and create an account with Wise even if you’re not going to use their card. It’s free to open an account and it’s the easiest way to move your money to different bank accounts in other countries.
If restaurant card machines aren’t working or they don’t have access to one they will usually accept a transfer through WIse which is handy if you don’t have enough cash.
Book in Advance
Here is a list of things to book in advance and some links to book through.
- Flights (For the best deals on flights, check Google Flights, Skyscanner and CheapOAir.The cheapest day to fly out is usually Tuesdays. Open an incognito window on your computer to avoid google remembering your searches).
- Accommodation for Ubud and Uluwatu
- Driver to pick you up from the airport and for your day trips in and around Ubud
- Cooking Class with Ubad Ubud
- Fast boat tickets from Sanur Beach Harbour to Nusa Penida return
- Driver in Nusa Penida
- Kecak Dance Performance tickets
Drivers in Ubud:
- Dewa +62 813 5397 3023
- Kadek + 62 852 3754 3557
Bali 7-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Ubud
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
Just a short 5-minute walk and down a flight of stairs this waterfall is easy to get to. Balinese locals will guide you to where it’s safe to stand under the waterfall and take amazing photos of you if you wish. They know the best lighting, poses and angles for your photos because of their experience in doing this every day all day. Don’t forget to tip them!
Entrance Fee: 20,000 IDR per person
Tibumana Waterfall
The trail to Tibumana Waterfall is a short 10-minute walk over bamboo bridges and through lush jungle.
You can swim at this waterfall so bring your swimmers. Many people come to this waterfall to enjoy the tranquillity and long hours of relaxation.
Entrance Fee: 15,000 IDR per person
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Tegallalang Rice Terraces are the most popular rice terraces in Bali!
The view of these rice terraces is spectacular from the top but make sure to venture down and explore each corner of the rice terraces.
Entrance Fee: 15,000 IDR per person
Lunch Recommendation: Cretya Ubud located at Alas Harum
Alas Harum
Alas Harum is just a short 1-minute drive (8- minute walk) away from Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Here is what there is to do at Alas Harum:
- Learn how they make Luwak Coffee
- Swing over the rice terraces
- Zip-lining
- Ride a bike in the sky
- Take photos at their several photo spots including the famous Gorilla Face
- Enjoy the pools at Cretya Ubud
* Additional costs apply for each activity! *
Entrance Fee: 50,000 IDR per person
Dinner Recommendation: Green Kubu Cafe
Day 2: East Bali
Lempuyang Temple
The Lempuyang Gate Temple, also known as the “gates of heaven,” is located in Karangasem Regency, Bali’s most eastern point.
You’ll need to leave early in the morning (recommend arriving at 7 a.m.) to avoid the crowds! On a clear day, you will have the best views of Mount Agung!
This image was captured by balancing a mirror beneath the lens of a smartphone camera. A photo between these gates costs 10,000 IDR.
Make sure to stop at Maha Kencana a restaurant near the temple. It doesn’t have the best reviews on service and food, but it does have the best views and photo props!
Entrance Fee: 100,000 IDR and 50,000 IDR per person for the shuttle bus to get there and back.
Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga is a water palace with fountains, bathing pools, and ponds set among tropical gardens, stepping stones, and stone sculptures!
If you want to feed the Koi it costs 5,000 IDR for fish food. Make sure to grab fish food from the many stalls on your way in.
Entrance Fee: 50,000 IDR per person
Lunch Recommendation: La Montagne Cafe overlooks rice terraces with the volcano Mt Agung as an epic backdrop!
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
The best time of day to visit is between 10-1 pm when the sunlight shines into the cave. This is the best time for photos and videos!
From the parking lot, the waterfall is about a 15-minute walk with lots of stairs! You will need to walk through water in a cave to get to this waterfall.
Entrance Fee: 15,000 IDR per person
Dinner Recommendation: Kelapa Muda
Day 3: North Bali
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
Amazing twin waterfalls parallel to each other with a pool at the bottom you can swim in.
It’s about a 15-minute slightly difficult walk down to the waterfall. Be careful on your way down as the rocks are slippery.
Entrance Fee: 30,000 IDR per person
Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall
Banyu Wana Amertha is a unique waterfall that stretches out of a large rock wall covered in greenery.
There are 4 waterfalls to see here in different areas but on the same path. It’s about a 15–20-minute walk to get to the Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall.
Entrance Fee: 30,000 IDR per person
Handara Gate
Handara Gate is the entrance to a golf resort that has become popular with tourists for its unique photo spot.
The Balinese traditional gates surrounded by rainforest and mountains creates a dramatic backdrop for your photo. The photo comes with a price!
Photo Fee: 30,000 IDR per person
Lunch Recommendation: The Joglo Beratan
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
A water temple surrounded by Lake Beratan creates a unique island that appears to be floating. There are some beautiful gardens to walk around on the grounds of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple also.
Entrance Fee: 50,000 IDR per person
Dinner Recommendation: The Sayan House
Day 4: Ubud
Cooking Class with Ubad Ubud
You not only learn how to cook Balinese food, but you also learn the culture and lifestyle of Balinese locals.
At 8:30 in the morning, you will start your day at a traditional market where you will learn about some spices, herbs, and traditional foods.
Next, you will be taken to a rice field at Tengkulak Village where you learn about the process of rice harvesting.
When you arrive at the traditional Balinese compound where your cooking class is held you will learn about Balinese culture while tasting sticky rice pancakes and enjoying a refreshing welcome juice.
The cooking class not only teaches you how to make 8 delicious Balinese dishes but also how they create Balinese traditional medicine from herbs and spices.
Cooking Class Cost: 375,000 IDR per person including free pick up and drop off service in the Ubud area.
The cooking class finishes around 1 pm although it may go a little longer.
Here are a few suggestions if you are looking for something to do before your sunset walk:
- Shop at the Ubud Traditional Art Market
- Relax at a spa
- Visit Monkey Forest
- Explore Ubud Water Palace
Campuhan Ridge Sunset Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a peaceful walk through greenery, hills, and the surrounding jungle.
It’s a 2km walk and will take you around 20-25 minutes. The paved walkway is mostly flat so not hard at all!
The trail is not covered and is exposed to the sun so best to do this in the early morning or around sunset time.
Dinner Recommendation: Cantina Rooftop Bali
Day 5: Day Trip to Nusa Penida
Book the earliest fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida. It will take 45 minutes to reach Nusa Penida from the mainland. Organize with a driver beforehand to take you to the below destinations.
For more information on how to get to Nusa Penida, getting around, entrance and parking fees, and what to pack for your day trip check out my blog post: 3-Day Nusa Penida Itinerary!
Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach is one of the most beautiful destinations on Nusa Penida! The trek down to Diamond Beach is steep and at some points, there’s no rope to hang onto so take care.
Entrance Fee: 10,000 IDR
Rumah Pohon Treehouse
Once you make your way down all the stairs, you will see three treehouses. The furthest treehouse is the popular one for photos.
Lunch Recommendation: Warung The Kroya Panorama Points
Kelingking Beach (T-Rex Bay)
The best view is from above! If you are feeling adventurous you can take the challenging steep staircase and make your way down the cliffside. It’s steep, rocky and sketchy in some areas so be very careful and wear comfortable walking shoes. Only do this if you are comfortable with heights.
If you have time before your boat ride back to the mainland you can check out Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach a 30-minute drive from Kelingkling Beach.
Entrance Fee: 10,000 IDR
Dinner Recommendation: Terracotta Restaurant
Day 6: Uluwatu
Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach is the perfect white sandy tropical beach to spend the day at and one of the best places to watch the sunset in Bali!
At the beach clubs, there is a minimum spend to use their sunbeds and facilities.
Apart from the beach clubs, there are local restaurants near the beach you can buy cheap Indonesian meals from.
Entrance Fee: 10,000 IDR per person
Sunset Drinks at Ayana Rock Bar
Ayana Rock Bar is the best place to watch the sunset while sipping a cocktail in hand.
Ayana Rock Bar is situated on top of a rock formation along the ocean with dramatic views of the cliffs and tropical clear waters below. Sunset is the most popular time amongst tourists. As they don’t take reservations, be prepared to line up and wait. I can assure you it’s worth the wait!
The Rock Bar is located in Ayana Resort. The staff at the front can direct you to the lift you will need to take to get to the bar.
Dinner Recommendation: Sami Sami Italian Restaurant
Day 7 – Uluwatu
Suluban Beach
Suluban Beach also known as Blue Point Beach has unique caves to explore. It’s also the entry and exit point for surfers. At low tide, walk around to the right of the cove which brings you to a beautiful hidden beach.
Suluban Beach is one of the few beaches that do not charge an entrance fee. There is a small fee for parking scooters.
Some monkeys hang around the area on the way to the beach so be aware of your belongings.
Lunch at Single Fin
Single Fin is a popular place to watch the surfers and enjoy a drink. It’s set in an epic location on a cliff overlooking the Uluwatu surf break.
They have great music (live music and DJs), delicious food, amazing cocktails, and a relaxed vacation atmosphere.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is a famous sea temple perched on a cliff 70 meters above the ocean! Allow around 1-2 hours to walk around the temple grounds before watching the Kecak Dance Performance. It’s important to know that you can not get Go-Jek from Uluwatu Temple but you can get it to go there.
Be careful of any loose belongings such as sunglasses, phones etc. as there are many monkeys around and they have a reputation for stealing.
There are sarongs, scarves, and sash ties you can borrow while you are visiting.
Entrance Fee: 50,000 IDR per person
Kecak Dance Performance
Kecak Dance Performance is held every day between 6 pm-7 pm at Uluwatu Temple. What can you expect? Traditional dance, a musical drama, a famous Balinese story, fire, beautiful costumes and lots of chanting!
Kecak Dance Performance is held on a cliff with a view of the ocean! The sun sets behind the performance creating an epic backdrop.
It’s best to book your tickets on Klook in advance, especially in the busier months.
Ticket Price: 150,000 IDR per person
Dinner Recommendation: The Cashew Tree
Bali is an incredible place to visit, and I guarantee you will have an unforgettable experience. Many people love Bali because of its stunning scenery, delectable cuisine, affordable luxury hotels and spas, and welcoming locals!
