Bali Itinerary for 10 days, is it enough? Bali is easily the most popular island in Indonesia, and maybe even Asia!

With its beautiful locals, tasty cuisine, fascinating culture and relax beachy vibe, its no wonder why tourists flock to this island paradise! 10 days is the perfect amount of time for your first visit.

I visit Bali every year with my average stay around a month (my longest was 2 ) most people I talk to however have around 10-days or two weeks to spend in Bali.

I’ve put together the perfect Bali Itinerary for 10 days! This will cover it all beaches, nightlife, tourist attractions, day trips, culinary experiences, waterfalls and rice paddies.

Related: “Best Things to do in Laos for a First Time Visit”

Bali Itinerary for 10 Days

Plan your Bali Trip

What to know about Bali

Getting There

There are often sale fares to Bali, I reccommend signing up to deal sites and newsletter to jump on cheap flights when they come available. It takes around 5.5 hours from the East Coast of Australia and just 2.5 from the West. If you are coming from North America it will take around 22 hours and you will most likely have a stopover in either Asia or Australia.

If you are coming from someone other than Australia I would suggest using Garuda (Indonesian’s owned airline) and searching for your desired dates via Skyscanner.com

On Arrival

You will arrive at Denpasar International Airport. Walking out of the airport you may initially feel overwhelmed as there is often a mass of people (usually men) that are waiting to give you transport. I highly advise organising a shuttle with your hotel, alternatively, there is a Taxi rank when you exit to your right that is fixed priced; from memory, it is around 120,000rp to Seminyak area which is about 20-30 mins away depending on traffic.

Getting Around

Although the island is not huge, there’s a lot of things to do in Bali, and a lot of locations to visit and several ways you can reach them! Hiring a motorbike is an option – although I am never game. The roads aren’t great and the traffic is even worse. If you do feel like living on the edge make sure your Travel Insurance includes motorbike and scooter accidents.

I usually get around by organising a local driver for day trips or for going longer distances, this option is great as they also double as a tour guide and always share their local favourites. Another option is using Go-Jek or Grab, this is the Indonesia equivalent to Uber. For shorter distances, I either walk or use “Blue Bird” taxis as they are the best and stick to the meter.

Cost of Travelling in Bali

Cost of travelling in Bali depends on several factors including where in Bali you want to go, your travel style, and what you will be doing. Bali on a budget is easily achieved if you plan and research ahead, stay at hostels or guesthouses and don’t travel around too much. Although the island is small travelling to each hot spot can get expensive especially if you are solo or getting a private driver.

When to Visit

Since Bali is in Southeast-Asia, the weather extremely tropical and have just two seasons wet and dry. July, August and December are classed as the peak season in Bali. Dec-March is the wet season. My favourite would be anytime. 🙂 During the wet season, the prices are down but the rubbish on the beaches rise!

What to Pack

It’s always tempting when visiting a new country to ‘accidentally’ overpack! Deciding what to pack for Bali is actually quite simple, here’s a couple of quick tips.

Think eco-friendly, Bali has a huge plastic and rubbish problem. so packing eco-friendly products is super important.
Getting laundry done in Bali is super cheap and takes about 24hrs so perhaps take half of what you were originally planning and just get laundry done half-way through your trip.
I always pack dresses when travelling as they are super versatile, can often go from beach to dinner and don’t take up too much room.
Also consider packing a couple of pieces that cover flesh, when going to religious sites and temples you will need to cover up.

Travel Insurance for Bali

Travel insurance is an essential part of trip planning and should always be purchased before leaving your home country. Bali is no exception.

If you are going to be hiring a moped, make sure it is included in the policy when buying your travel insurance. I can recommend World Nomads, Fast Cover and Insureandgo they are all affordable options that I’ve used to make claims with whilst in Bali and other destinations.

No idea what travel insurance is right for you? Check out this helpful guide.

Related: ‘Tips for Travelling in Asia‘

Bali Resources

BALI TRAVEL GUIDE

BALI BUCKET LIST

Bali Itinerary

Creating a Bali itinerary can be very overwhelming as there are so many great places to visit Bali. What to do in Bali, where to stay in Bali, how long should I stay in Bali, what’s a good budget for Bali? These are all the questions I have considered when planning the perfect itinerary for Bali.

I have now been to Bali over 30 times which has allowed me to produce our Bali Travel Guide and The Ultimate Bali Bucket List and now this carefully planned out Bali two week itinerary that I have personally used multiple times.

Day 1-2 – Seminyak

Firstly you will need to work out how you plan to get from the airport to Seminyak (or wherever you choose to start your holiday). As soon walk out of arrivals you will see a crowd of drivers. It can be fairly overwhelming the first couple of times. If you walk to your right there’s an actual Taxi stand were you prepay and its a fixed price.

The easiest way to avoid being overcharged is to pre-arrange a driver to pick you up. This can either be private via Viator or through your hotel. It should cost around 80,000 Rupiah (IDR) from Denpasar airport to Seminyak. If you’re arriving at night it’s even more important to pre-book through your accommodation as they will know the property’s exact location!

Alternatively, you can use Grab which is the Uber of Indonesia.

Starting your Bali Itinerary in Seminyak is a great choice although it’s quite busy these days it’s nice to start your holiday here as there are lots of great options of food, nightlife and beaches. I always stay in Seminyak in when I come, there are so many cheap gorgeous villas that you can rent long term or stay at for a couple of nights. Although getting busier every time I visit, it has all my favourite cafes that I just love working from! Seminyak has everything including designers boutiques, Bali’s famous beach clubs, Spa’s to fit every price range and fine dining restaurants.

Try Alam Bidadari if you are after a Villa or D’djabu if want a budget option!

Seminyak Accommodation Guide

What to do in Seminyak

Stay in a private villa
Watch the sunset from La Plancha
Brunch Hop
Spend the day by the pool at Potato Head Beach Club
Go shopping on Jalan Laksmana
Have a spa day at Bodyworks

Where to eat in Seminyak

I wrote ‘the best Seminyak Cafes‘ and ‘the best Seminyak Restaurants‘ for the full lists of my favourite places to eat in Seminyak.

Warung Ocha – Cheap Warung
Bo and Buns- Vietnamese Mid Range
Barbacoa- Latin American Cuisine
Kynd Cafe- Instagram Worthy Brunch
Revolver- The Best Coffee
Biku- Best High Tea
Motel Mexicola- Vibes and Mexican

Day 2-4 – Canggu

Just the next suburb over you will find Canggu. You can easily grab a bluebird taxi to Canggu for next to nothing. The town is surrounded by rice paddies which makes Canggu very beautiful, it is also known as the cool surfer town. You will find an array of organic and vegan restaurants and cheap gorgeous villas and hotels. Try Bali Dream Villas or Fella Villas via Air BnB for some luxe for less. Or the very cool Pineapple House for an amazing surf and yoga retreat!

What to do in Canggu

Canggu is my new favourite place to stay and a must-do on any Bali itinerary! During my retreat at the Pineapple House last year, I fell in love with this cool town when I learnt to surf. There are so many great things to do in Canggu. Rent a villa with the squad, head to the beach for some waves and refuel at one of the cafes below.

Learn to Surf
Visit the Markets
Day trip to Tanah Lot
Have fun at the Beach Clubs- The Lawn and Finns are our top picks
Party- Poison Skate Park and La Laguna
Work from the amazing Cafes
Rent a scooter

Where to eat in Canggu

There are so many wonderful cafes and restaurants in Canggu. I wrote this post on ‘the best Cafes in Canggu‘, but below is a quick list to get your started.

Peleton Supershop- Vegan Everything
Crate Café- Best Brunch
Green Ginger Noodle House- Asian Cuisine
Fishbone Local- Fresh Feasts
Milu by Nook- Long lunch cafes
The Slow- Fine dining

Learn to Surf | Bali Itinerary for 10 Days

Peleton Supershop | Bali Itinerary for 10 Days

Poke Bowl at Milu by Nook | Bali Itinerary

Day 4-6- Ubud

Next up on our Bali Itinerary for 10 days is the wonderful Ubud. Ubud is around 2.5 hours from Canggu, I used Grab as my mode of transport which was around 120,000 Rp. You can also get a shared bus which is a much cheaper option but you will need to go to a specific departure point at a certain time, you can try either Kura Kura Bus or Perama Bus. Alternatively, you can ask either hotel to organise the journey.

Ubud to me is the cultural hub of Bali, it is surrounded by rice paddies and lush rainforest, making it a breath of fresh air from the busier likes of Seminyak and Canggu. Especially if you stay on the outskirts of town. Come here to recharge, meditate, take part in yoga classes and see another side of Bali. The calming atmosphere, amazing restaurants, incredible landscapes and culture make Ubud a must stay location! Don’t miss out of the best infinity pool in Bali or an amazing day trip of the Mount Batur sunrise trek!

Ubud Accommodation for under $200

What to do in Ubud

You may just want to get to Ubud and do nothing back relax and pamper. Especially if your accommodation is as gorgeous as Suarti Boutique Village or Sankara Resort! In case you are up for a day trip or two and fancy a cooking class below are my favourite things to do whilst in Ubud.

Day trip to the Waterfalls
Have a go on the famous Ubud Swing
Visit the iconic Ubud Art Markets
See the Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Climb Mt Batur at sunrise
Do an authentic cooking class
Go to the Ubud Monkey Forest
Day trip to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Balinese Offering | Bali Itinerary for 10 Days

Where to eat in Ubud

Another reason to fall in love with Ubud is the energetic food scene. Offering local Indonesian cuisine and extraordinary dining overlooking the lush rainforest, vegan delights and everything in between. Here are some of our favourites.

Alchemy
Clear Cafe
Sakti Dining Room
Watercress
KAFE
Warung Biah Biah

Day 6-8- Nusa Dua or Uluwatu

Located on opposites sides of the Bukit Peninsula. Uluwatu is most famous for its stunning cliff-top temple and epic surf break whilst Nusa Dua is the resort mecca with pristine beaches! Choose whichever one takes your fancy, you could also stay a night at each or even take a day trip instead, as these beach destinations are perfect for your Bali itinerary for 10 days.

What to do in Nusa Dua or Uluwatu

Hire a moto and start exploring the amazing surf breaks and beaches. There are so many different areas to explore, our favourites are Uluwatu Beach, Padang Padang Beach, Bingin Beach and Dreamland Beach.

Watch the surfers at Uluwatu Beach
Have a Sunday Sesh at Single Finn Beach Club or Rock Bar
Have a seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach
Explore the beaches
Uluwatu Temple And Kecak Fire Dance
Learn to Surf at Padang Padang

Nusa Dua is a popular resort area in Bali along the southern coast in the Bukit Peninsula. But don’t let the term resort area turn you off from visiting here. Spend a day or your entire holiday here and you’ll be treated to some of Bali’s best beaches, clear waters, great snorkelling, the top golf on the island and more. There are an abundance of things to do in Nusa Dua and should definitely be a a part of your Bali itinerary for 10 days!

Relax at the Beach
Relax by the Pool
See the Water Blow Hole
Take a boat to Serangan Island
Enjoy the water sports
Snorkel at Nusa Dua Beach
Stay at a luxury beach front resort

Day 8-10- Nusa Islands

On the last days of your Bali Itinerary for 10 days, you should visit one of the Nusa Islands. The Nusa Islands are three small Indonesian islands, they consist of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. You can get a fast boat to the islands from Sanur harbour for as little as 150,000 Rp one way.

Although not actually a part of Bali, they are extremely close and it’s nice to explore Indonesia beyond Bali! Life on the Nusa Islands is all about relaxing, hiking, snorkelling and cliff jumping!

If you don’t want to actually stay on the islands during your Bali itinerary you could stay 2 nights in Jimbaran or Sanur, both are nice and quiet beach towns with a range of lovely hotels and restaurants. Then take a day trip to visit Nusa Penida instead.