Spanning over 5,000 square kilometers, Bali is teeming with nature, culture, food, and entertainment for every visitor. Along with the surrounding islands Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, this top vacation destination has enough activities for any trip duration.
From beaches to waterfalls, temples to museums, shopping to cooking classes, here is a detailed Bali itinerary, broken down into the length of your stay.
3-day Bali itinerary
Three days may not seem like much, but it’s plenty of time for you to visit most of Bali’s must-see locations. Assuming you’re staying around the Seminyak area, here are several ways you can make the most of your three days in Bali.
Day 1
If your flight lands in the evening, we recommend stopping by the Jimbaran area, which is near the airport. Here, you can enjoy the sunset while having a feast of fresh seafood on the beach – steamed, grilled, or fried to your liking.
Arriving in the morning or during the day? Stop by Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in the same area. Witness the grand Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue standing 122 meters tall, even taller than the Statue of Liberty. Learn about various Balinese culture and history, and have lunch at the Jendela Bali panoramic restaurant overlooking the island.
For sunset, travel further down to Uluwatu where you can catch the infamous kecak dance performance with a background of a gorgeous sunset at Uluwatu Temple.
Day 2
Start your second day by catching the sunrise on one of the beaches lining Sanur’s shores – Mertasari Beach, Matahari Terbit Beach, or Karang Beach. You can also go for a swim or paddle board as the waters are calmer on this side of the island.
For lunchtime, make your way up to Ubud where you can dine at the many restaurants overlooking Bali’s infamous rice terraces. While in the area, stop by Sukawati Market where you can purchase local souvenirs for people back home – everything from t-shirts and keychains to rattan bags and artwork.
Be sure to add a stop to one of the many waterfalls in Ubud and Gianyar to your Bali itinerary. These will be on your way back down south, where you can catch one last sunset while sipping cocktails at one of Canggu’s many beach clubs.
Day 3
Before heading to the airport, stop by Merah Putih restaurant for one last lunch or dinner, making sure you don’t miss out on the richness of Indonesian cuisine and the uniqueness of Balinese flavours.
5-day Bali itinerary
If you’re planning to stay for longer, here are some other activities you might want to consider in addition to the above travel guide.
Day 1
Plan a relaxing itinerary to help you rest after a long flight. Stop by Nusa Dua for the area’s many five-star hotels, beach bars, and restaurants. On the southern peninsula is where you enjoy the blue-green waters and soft white sand between your toes.
For a spectacle of nature, visit the Waterblow near Mengiat Beach in the same area. During high tide, you can watch from above as large waves crash onto limestone cliffs.
You can travel to Uluwatu for the sunset or stay in Nusa Dua to end a perfect day.
Day 2
Surfers, start your day bright and early at the world-famous Padang Padang Beach for more advanced waves, or Kuta for beginner-friendly waters.
Afterwards, you can grab brunch at one of Canggu’s many cafes before heading out to Ubud for a tour of the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. In addition to the activities on the 3-day itinerary, you can also check out the Monkey Forest and indulge in the many vegan menus available in restaurants all over Ubud.
Day 3
For adventurous travelers looking for the next big thrill, the third day in Bali is for island hopping. Bali is surrounded by neighbouring islands that are just as beautiful and have plenty to offer. Make your way to Sanur Harbour where you can purchase speedboat tickets on the spot to cross to Nusa Penida.
Must-visit spots on this island include the famous:
- Kelingking Beach rock formation
- Angel’s Billabong natural infinity pool
- Broken Beach rock archway
Nusa Penida is also on many’s Bali itinerary for the manta rays. Be sure to catch a glimpse of these friendly ocean creatures while snorkeling at Manta Point.
Day 4
Divers, Bali’s eastern waters are home to some of the most beautiful ocean life waiting for you to see. Make a whole day out of it, starting with a scenic road trip to Karangasem regency which is about a 2-3 hour drive from Denpasar.
Park near Jemeluk Bay, where you’ll find many diving guides to rent equipment from. They will take you out on their boat to some of the most popular diving spots in Bali, including the Jemeluk Wall and the infamous USS Liberty and Japanese shipwrecks.
Day 5
Get plenty of rest on your last day before the long flight ahead. If you have enough time, stop by Merah Putih restaurant for lunch or dinner to ensure you get a taste of authentic Indonesian food.
Book a table with these gift vouchers to guarantee your seat!
7-day or longer Bali itinerary
If you’ll be spending one week in Bali or more, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and take in more sights. In addition to the above travel plan, below is a list of more things to do in Bali during your stay.
The following is in addition to the various entertainment and relaxing treatments you can enjoy all over the island.
Adventure
- Hiking on Mount Batur to catch the sunrise
- White water rafting at Ayung River
- Water sports in Tanjung Benoa
- Paragliding in Nusa Dua
Culture
- Tanah Lot temple
- Semar Kuning Artist Cooperative Museum
- Bajra Sandhi Monument in Renon
- Pura Ulun Danu Beratan in Bedugul
- Pura Tirta Empul water temple in Gianyar
- Pura Lempuyang in Karangasem
Hidden Beaches
- Green Bowl Beach in Ungasan
- Tegal Wangi Beach in Jimbaran
- Suluban Beach in Uluwatu
- Virgin Beach in Karangasem
FAQ
When staying for three days in Bali, we recommend the Seminyak area as it’s central to most tourist attractions and has plenty of restaurants and shops.
Along with the surrounding islands Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, this top vacation destination has enough activities for any trip duration. You can do anything from visit beaches to waterfalls, temples to museums, shopping to cooking classes.
Be sure to add Merah Putih restaurant to your Bali itinerary, making sure you don’t miss out on the richness of Indonesian cuisine and the uniqueness of Balinese flavours.
