Out of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, everyone flocks to Bali for its natural beauty, rich culture, and good karma. YouTube videos and travel blogs are inundated with content and headlines for “The Perfect Three-Week Bali Itinerary.” And, while I’m sure we’d all love to spend three weeks on a tropical island, it’s not always realistic.
Contrary to popular belief, you can spend one week in Bali without feeling rushed. On a one-week trip, you can hit the beach, explore the jungle, and find peace at temples.
So, is one week in Bali worth it? Yes! I spent 7 days on the ground in Bali, excluding travel days, and had a great time.
That said, I wouldn’t recommend flying to Southeast Asia from the Americas just for one week in Bali. We visited other countries in the region, like Singapore and Malaysia, on a two-week vacation.
If you’re looking for a 10-day itinerary, check out this 10 Days in Bali Itinerary.
This itinerary will account for 7 days in Bali, excluding full travel days or any recovery time for jet lag. Quite frankly, I didn’t experience jet lag traveling to Southeast Asia. The jet lag hits hard when coming back to the States.
Alright, let’s get into it.
Day 1: Arrival + Ubud
After arriving in Bali, you’ll head straight to Ubud, the cultural heart of the island. Ubud is about a one- to two-hour drive from the airport, depending on traffic. Your first day will be spent wandering around Ubud to get to know the lively village.
In Ubud, you’ll visit temples, explore art markets, and dine at Bali’s best restaurants. To find the best things to do in Ubud, read “The Best of Ubud, Bali” guide.
ThatPlannerFriend Tip: The Sacred Monkey Forest is a popular attraction in Ubud, but to save time, you can skip it. Monkeys roam around the beaches and temples in Uluwatu, so you can see them there on the second leg of your trip.
You’ll want to hire a driver for your transfer and excursions around Ubud. I recommend Kardika Nengah, an Ubud native with extensive knowledge of the island. You can book him by texting him on WhatsApp at +62 811-397-749. Read more about planning your trip to Bali in The Non-Influencer Guide to Bali.
Day 2: Ubud Outskirts
On day two, venture outside of Ubud to explore the temples and rice terraces on the outskirts of town.
A driver like Kardika Nengah can take you on a temple hopping tour where you’ll visit the most significant temples: Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu, Pura Tirta Empul, and Goa Gajah.
On the outskirts, you can also stop at Tegalalang Rice Terraces. While they’re not the biggest rice terraces in Bali, they’ve been popularized by social media for their proximity to Ubud.
ThatPlannerFriend Tip: If you’re planning on visiting the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces on a day trip to the northern part of the island, you can skip the Tegalalang Rice Terraces to make more time for exploring Ubud.
You can find details on planning day trips from Ubud in “The Ultimate Ubud Itinerary” guide.
Day 3: Hike Mount Batur
Mount Batur is an active volcano about an hour north of Ubud. Most people hike it at sunrise, but I recommend hiking it at sunset, so you can sleep in.
To hike Mount Batur, you’ll need to coordinate a tour with a guide. We booked through Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking (I know their name has sunset in it, but you can ask them for a sunset hike).
On this tour, you’ll visit a coffee farm, enjoy lunch with a view, take a dip in hot springs, and hike Mount Batur at sunset. For a full guide to Mount Batur, read this blog post.
Day 4: Northern Bali
The most beautiful parts of Bali are up north in places still undiscovered by most tourists.
On a tour of Northern Bali, you’ll visit a waterfall, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, and the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.
For a full, detailed guide on each of these destinations in the north, read “Where to Go in Northern Bali.”
Day 5: Ubud to Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a laid-back surf town on the southern coast of Bali. It’s the perfect destination to relax on the beach while still getting to know Balinese culture (and monkeys!) at temples.
The journey from Ubud to Uluwatu is about two hours long. Kardika Nengah or another driver can take you there.
After checking into your villa or hotel, go to the Uluwatu Temple in the early evening. The temple hosts a traditional Kecak fire dance show every night at sunset. Book tickets in advance to secure a spot, and make sure you arrive well before sunset so you have plenty of time to explore the temple grounds. Along with its fire dance, the Uluwatu Temple is famous for its monkeys.
Day 6: Uluwatu Beach Day
The best part about Ubud is the white sand beaches. The waves draw surfers to the village, but it’s also a great spot for sunbathers and swimmers. Spend the day hopping from beach to beach.
Uluwatu Beach Day Itinerary
Brunch at Banana Lounge
Bingin Beach
Padang Padang Beach
Dinner at Yuki
Find the full, detailed itinerary in this “Perfect Day in Uluwatu” guide.
Day 7: Uluwatu + Departure
Say your goodbyes with a final morning in Uluwatu. Uluwatu is home to many cute and tasty cafes for you to enjoy breakfast at before heading to the airport. I recommend Banana Lounge or Salty Coffee.
We strategically ended this itinerary in Uluwatu because it’s relatively close to the airport compared to Ubud.
More Bali guides
There were a lot of links to more detailed guides featured in this itinerary. You can find them all here:
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