Bali is a special island enclave of Indonesia. Known as the “Island of the Gods” Bali, is a Hindu island in an otherwise Muslim-majority country. Balinese Hinduism has evolved uniquely over the centuries – and incorporates animist traditions, ancestor worship and indigenous Balinese customs and traditions in its practices – which differs significantly from Indian Hinduism. This post will round up some of what I think are some of the best Bali itinerary ideas for trips of 1 – 3 weeks.
Beyond its uniqueness in terms of culture and religious heritage; Bali is renowned for its diverse landscapes – from rice terraces in Ubud, volcanic mountains like Mount Agung to beach and surf capitals like Kuta, Padang Padang, and Uluwatu.
I travelled to Bali twice. My first visit was in 2015 where I travelled all over the main island a one week guided tour, before heading to Gili Trawangan where I completed my PADI Open Water Certification. My 2nd trip was for 2 weeks in Spring 2023, where I did a one-week 50 hour Meditation teacher training with YogaUnion Ubud; before heading to Gili Air for three nights, followed by 3 days in Nusa Lembongan, before travelling home.
For a tiny island, Bali is full of incredible activities. This blog post will go over some of the major destinations in Bali; outline popular activities on the island; provide budget travel tips, and finally recommend best Bali itinerary options depending on the time you have on island.
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Content:
- Popular Activities in Bali
- Major Destinations in Bali
- 1 week Bali itinerary ideas
- 2 week Bali itinerary ideas
- 3+ weeks Bali itinerary ideas
- Final thoughts on Bali
Popular Activities in Bali:
Bali offers a wide range of popular activities that draw travellers in from all over the world. A must-do for many is visiting the iconic rice terraces of Ubud, where lush, green landscapes are perfect for scenic hikes and photos, while in Ubud, you may wish to join one of many yoga and wellness retreats in the area. Beach lovers flock to the beautiful shores of Seminyak, Kuta, the Nusa Islands and the Gili Islands where surfing, snorkeling, diving and sunbathing are mainstays. Cultural experiences are abundant, with the island’s famed temples—such as Uluwatu Temple perched on a cliff and Tirta Empul—whose waters are considered sacred. For nature enthusiasts, a sunrise hike up Mount Batur offers stunning views and a memorable adventure. Bali is one of the most scenic and beautiful places I have visited. So much so, that popular “photo tours” are a popular way for people to visit the most Instagrammed-areas of Bali – with a driver/assistant photographer included.
Major Destinations in Bali:
Bali is renowned for its diverse attractions, catering to various interests from cultural heritage to natural beauty and adventure. Here are some of the major tourist destinations in Bali:
Ubud:
Ubud is Bali’s spiritual and wellness capital. Yoga and Meditation schools and retreats abound – often set in the backdrop of the area’s world-famous rice-terraces. Some of Ubud’s major sites include: the Ubud Monkey Forest – a sanctuary for monkeys and an important cultural and spiritual site; the Tegallalang Rice Terraces – iconic rice paddies offering stunning views and a glimpse into traditional Balinese agriculture; Ubud Palace – a historic palace and cultural center showcasing traditional Balinese architecture and performances; Campuhan Ridge Walk – a scenic trekking route offering beautiful views of the countryside. Don’t miss out visiting nearby Pura Tirta Empul, which is revered as a sacred Hindu fountain. Bathing in the water is supposed to bring good fortune. The Besakih Great Temple about 1.5 hours outside of Ubud, at the foot of Mount Agung, is considered the most important temple in Bali.
Seminyak:
Seminayk beach is popular for its upscale resorts, chic beach clubs, and vibrant nightlife.
Visit Jalan Kayu Aya also known as “eat street” is a mecca for restaurants, cafes, and shopping.
Kuta:
You either love or hate Kuta. As one of the closest beach towns the airport in Denpasar, Kuta is famous for surfing – which is amazing both for beginners and experts. The night-life can run from sleezy to highend. Watch-out for the antics of the “Kuta Cowboys” young local men looking to “connect” with foreign women. A whole documentary was made about the Kuta Cowboys back in 2009. You can watch it here.
Nusa Dua:
Nusa Dua is known for its pristine beaches and calm waters that are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and water sports. The Waterblow – a natural rock formation – is a popular tourist destination where the crashing waves at high tide creates sprays of water that shoot out several meters into the air.
Uluwatu:
Ulutwatu is famous for Uluwatu Temple an iconic temple perched on a oceanside cliff. Padang Padang Beach is a popular beach that is a favourite for surfers and sunbathers. Suluban beach is famous for its caves and surfing spots.
Nusa Islands:
Nusa Penida:
One of the iconic images of Bali is the the area view of Kelingking beach. Don’t miss visiting Angel’s Billabong and nearby Broken Beach
Nusa Lembongan:
Offers excellent snorkeling and diving spots, as well as the scenic Devil’s Tear. Visit Nusa Ceningan – a smaller island connected to Nusa Lembongan, famous for its Blue Lagoon and cliff jumping.
Lovina:
Lovina Beach is known for its black sand beaches and dolphin-watching tours. Banjar Hot Springs are natural hot springs set in a lush garden, perfect for relaxation. Brahmavihara-Arama is the largest Buddhist monastery in Bali. Its design is inspired by the famous Borobudur Temple in Java.
Amed:
Amed Beach on the East Side of the island, known for its quiet black sand beaches, snorkeling, and diving. If you’re into diving, check out the USAT Liberty shipwreck, a popular diving site located near Tulamben.
Canggu:
Echo Beach is popular with surfers and known for its laid-back atmosphere and beach clubs.
Batu Bolong Beach is a great spot for surfing, with numerous cafes and restaurants nearby.
Tanah Lot is a famous rock formation with a picturesque sea temple, especially stunning at sunset – one of the iconic images of Bali.
Gili Islands:
The tiny Gili Islands off the Northeast coast of Bali Island – located just a stone’s throw away from the large island of Lombok, are 3 tiny islands of white sand beach paradise that are perfect for those looking to relax on pristine beaches and go diving and snorkeling. Gili Trawagan is the party island – and also the hub for amazing diving and snorkeling. Gili Air is a little more laid back than Gili Trawagan, but also has some great shops to go on diving and snorkeling trips. Gili Meno also known as the “honeymooner’s island” is the smallest and least developed of the 3 Gilis and perfect for those who want the desert white sand beach experience.
Best 1 Week Bali Itinerary Ideas:
On my first trip to Bali, I actually explored most of the main island on 1 week guided tour before heading out to the Gili Islands for another week of beach relaxation and scuba diving. While there is much to see on Bali, if you want to just get a taster of everything the island has to offer, I would highly recommend a guided tour. Organizing transport between destinations can cumbersome and you’ll lose time between transfers and getting to and from bus stations and hotels.
There are many varieties and lengths of tours availalbe. If you want to have a more self-guided itinerary, but still hit many of Bali’s most iconic sights, I would recommend this 1 day tour that covers many hard to reach, but iconic Bali sights like the Ulun Danu Bratan Temple (the cover image of this blog post). If you prefer to have everything organized for you, I would highly recommend this 6 day private tour which takes you all over Bali Island as well as Nusa Penida, and includes airport pick-up and drop off, most entrance tickets as well as some meals. If you’re looking for a more active vacation – consider this 7 day guided tour that also includes trekking and cycling – this tour pice includes transport and accommodations – so is great value! The recommended tours cover nearly all the sights I mentioned in the previous section, and is a great way to see some of Bali’s most famous sights, but not lose time to transfers and waiting for transfers.
Best 2 Weeks Bali Itinerary Ideas:
If you have 2 weeks in Bali, and would like a mix of sight-seeing and beach-relaxation, I would recommend the 6 day private tour or 7 day active tour I recommended in the previous section, plus a visit to the Gili Islands. Bus transfers to Pandangbai are easy to organize from most destinations on Bali. You can also book convenient bus+ferry transfers that get you directly from the mainland to a Gili Island of your choice. If you prefer to take a longer guided tour – consider doing this 9 day guided tour which you can combine with a beach stay in one of the beach towns near the airport – like Kuta, Semanyak or Canggu to relax at the end of the tour before taking your flight home.
Best 3+ Weeks Bali Itinerary Ideas:
If you have 3 weeks or more on Bali, you can take the time to slowly explore the island on your own, or consider doing the 6 day private tour or 7 day active tour to get a taster of the island and then combine your trip by slowly exploring the Gili Islands, Lombok, or consider doing a bucket list activity, like getting your PADI certification or doing a 1 week meditation retreat like I did in my most recent trip to Bali. The world is your oyster in terms of things to do on Bali when you have a bit more time.
Final thoughts on Bali:
Bali is a magical corner of the world. Although tiny in geographical size, the experiences you can have on this little island can keep you coming back over and over. Whether you want to get your PADI certification on the Gili Islands, join a yoga or meditation retreat in Ubud, surf amazing waves in Kuta or Chaggu, or just take in the endless stunning temples that cover the island; once you visit Bali, you’ll likely be thinking about all the things you’re going to be doing the next time the island draws you back.