If you’re planning a Bali trip and wondering where to even start, you’re in the right place.

We’ve been coming to Bali for over 20 years across almost every phase of life: solo trips, couples getaways, honeymoons, family holidays with babies and toddlers, and everything in between. We even got married here in 2023. We come back every single year and somehow still discover something new on every trip, which tells you everything about this island.

This guide covers every area worth knowing about, from the obvious ones to the hidden gems most visitors never find. We’ve stayed in nearly all of them, which means you’re getting honest assessments rather than a list of places we’ve only read about.

Most travellers have around 10 days to two weeks in Bali, enough time to experience two or three different areas without feeling rushed. Use this guide to decide where to base yourself, and see our 10-Day Bali Itinerary once you’re ready to put it all together.

Bali Itinerary – Overview

Creating a Bali itinerary can be genuinely overwhelming — there are so many remarkable places to visit and the internet is full of conflicting advice. What to do in Bali, where to stay, how long to spend in each area, what to skip — these are the questions I’ve thought about across more than 30 trips to the island, and this itinerary is my honest answer after all of them.

I got married in Bali in 2023. I travel here with my husband and two young children (including travelling to Bali with a baby). I was born half-Indonesian. This island is part of my DNA, and this itinerary reflects how I’d actually plan a first trip if a close friend asked me to do it for them — not a generic 10-day checklist, but the specific structure that gets you the real Bali, efficiently, without wasted days or regrettable choices.

For a deeper look at each area before you decide, our Bali Travel Guide — Best Areas of Bali covers where to stay across the whole island, and The Ultimate Bali Bucket List covers the experiences worth building your trip around.

Two things have changed since I first wrote this itinerary in 2019 and I want to be upfront about them:

On Canggu: I used to start every Bali trip in Canggu. These days I don’t recommend it as a base for first-time visitors, and I want to explain why rather than just quietly remove it. Canggu has changed dramatically — the traffic on peak weekends is some of the worst on the island, the rice paddies that gave it its charm have disappeared under development, and the energy has shifted toward a digital nomad and influencer scene that doesn’t represent the Bali most first-timers are actually looking for.

That said, everything Canggu does well — the cafes, the beach clubs, the surf — is accessible as a day trip. And if you’re a surfer, a digital nomad, or specifically there for that scene, it’s still a good base. So rather than removing it entirely, this itinerary gives you the choice: Seminyak for a calmer, more walkable introduction to Bali; Canggu if the surf and café circuit is what you came for.

We personally now base ourselves in Seseh — the quiet village just north of Canggu — you can read all about it in our Seseh guide — which gives us everything we love about the area without any of the downsides.

On Nusa Lembongan: the island leg of this itinerary involves a 30–45 minute fast boat from Sanur, which is straightforward and genuinely worth it — but not every traveller wants to deal with boat transfers, luggage on a boat, and coordinating with young children across a water crossing(again worth it, but I get it).

So this itinerary also offers Sidemen as an alternative to Lembongan for anyone who wants to skip the boat. Sidemen is East Bali at its most beautiful — rice paddy valleys, a quieter pace, and the version of Bali that most visitors don’t find on their first trip. We love it. If the island escape matters to you, do Nusa Lembongan. If the landscape and the slow travel matters more, do Sidemen.

Your 10-Day Bali Itinerary at a Glance

• Days 1–2: Seminyak (or Canggu — see above)
• Days 2–5: Ubud (including Kintamani day trip)
• Days 5–7: Nusa Lembongan (or Sidemen — see above)
• Days 7–10: Uluwatu

The structure flows geographically — no backtracking, no wasted travel days. You start near the airport, move inland for culture, head to whichever eastern or island destination suits you, and finish in Uluwatu — the most dramatic coastline on the island and my personal favourite place in all of Bali. It’s the kind of ending that makes people immediately start planning their return trip.

The Best Time to Visit Bali

Bali’s tropical climate makes it a year-round destination, but the best time to visit largely depends on what you’re looking for. The island has two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide when the best time to visit Bali is for you:

Dry Season (April to October)

The dry season is considered the best time to visit Bali, especially for outdoor activities like exploring temples, hiking, and relaxing on the beaches.

• Weather: Expect warm, sunny days with little to no rain. Temperatures typically range between 27–32°C (80–90°F), and humidity levels are lower compared to the wet season.
• Ideal For: Surfing, beach days, diving, hiking, and sightseeing. Popular areas like Ubud, Seminyak, and Uluwatu are at their most picturesque.
• High Season: July and August, as well as the Christmas/New Year holiday period, are the busiest times. Accommodation and flight prices tend to be higher, and attractions can get crowded. Booking in advance is essential during these months.

Wet Season (November to March)

The wet season brings more rainfall and higher humidity, but it’s still a good time to visit Bali if you plan strategically.

• Weather: Expect tropical downpours, usually in the afternoon or evening, with sunny spells in the morning. Temperatures remain warm, averaging 26–30°C (79–86°F).
• Ideal For: Budget travelers, as hotel rates and flight prices are often lower. It’s also a great time to visit Bali’s lush jungles, waterfalls, and rice terraces, as they’re at their greenest.
• Things to Note: Some outdoor activities, like hiking and diving, may be limited due to the rain. Roads can get slippery, and heavy rain can cause minor disruptions in travel plans.

How Much Does a 10-Day Bali Trip Cost?

One of the most common questions we get is how much to budget for Bali — and the honest answer is that it depends almost entirely on your accommodation choices. Everything else (food, transport, activities) is remarkably affordable. Here’s a realistic breakdown based on our own experience across dozens of trips at every budget level. I have a Bali trip cost breakdown that goes into details on the prices of everything, but below is a quick reference.

Accommodation
Bali on a budget is possible if you choose guest houses but Bali genuinely has excellent options at every price poin! Clean, well-located guesthouses for under $50 per night to stunning private villas with pools for $300+.

• Budget (guesthouses, simple villas): $40–80 per night
• Mid-range (boutique hotels, small villas with pool): $80–200 per night
• Luxury (private pool villas, resort stays): $200–500+ per night

Food & drink
Bali is extraordinary value for food. A meal at a local warung (and you should eat at local warungs as often as possible) will set you back IDR 25,000–60,000 — roughly $1.50–$4 AUD per person. A sit-down lunch at a mid-range café runs IDR 80,000–200,000. A dinner at one of the special restaurants we recommend (Masonry, Teja, CIRE) lands around IDR 300,000–600,000 for two with drinks.

• Budget (mostly warungs, local spots): $15–25 AUD per day per person
• Mid-range (mix of cafés, warungs and one nice dinner every few days): $40–70 AUD per day per person
• Splurge (beach clubs, special restaurants, cocktails): $80–150+ AUD per day per person

Transport
Getting between areas (airport transfers, inter-region drivers) is the main transport cost. Within areas, Gojek is your best friend — short trips rarely cost more than IDR 30,000–50,000.

• Airport to Seminyak: approx IDR 250,000–350,000 ($25–35 AUD) via private transfer
• Between regions (e.g. Ubud to Sidemen): approx IDR 200,000–350,000 for a private driver
• Sanur to Nusa Lembongan fast boat: approx IDR 250,000–300,000 per person one way
• Daily Gojek around your base: IDR 10,000–50,000 per trip
• Budget for transport across 10 days: $80–150 AUD per person depending on how you travel

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Most of Bali’s best experiences cost very little. Temple entry is IDR 50,000–100,000. Waterfalls IDR 20,000–50,000. Cooking classes and day tours are where costs climb — typically IDR 350,000–800,000 per person.

• Budget (mostly self-guided, templ e s, beaches): $30–50 AUD for 10 days
• Mid-range (a cooking class, a snorkelling tour, a Kintamani day trip): $200–400 AUD for 10 days
• Splurge (multiple guided tours, beach club entry fees, water sports): $200–1000 AUD for 10 days

The single best piece of advice we can give on Bali budgets: don’t skimp on accommodation in Sidemen and Uluwatu specifically. Those two areas have the biggest quality gap between budget and mid-range options, and the extra spend makes a disproportionate difference to your overall experience.

Bali Itinerary – The Perfect Guide for Your First Time

Day 1-3 Seminyak

Seminyak is where we almost always begin a Bali trip, and after 30+ visits it still holds a place that no other part of the island quite replicates. I grew up coming here — the early memories of Bali for me are Seminyak memories — and it’s the kind of place that rewards familiarity. The more trips you do, the more your own version of it emerges: your café, your beach spot, your warung where nobody needs to see a menu.

For a first-time visitor, it’s the ideal opening act. It’s close to the airport (around 25–30 minutes depending on traffic), walkable in a way most of Bali isn’t, and it eases you into the island without overwhelming you. You’re not making any big decisions on day one — you’re just arriving, breathing it in, and letting Bali do what Bali does.

The Seminyak sunset is the thing we keep coming back for, and it’s completely free. Head down to the beach around an hour before sunset, grab a plastic chair or bean bag at one of the local beach bars, order a Bintang or a fresh coconut, and just watch the afternoon turn gold.

The kids will run straight for the waves — Seminyak’s beach is long and open and there’s always something happening — and you can do a little gentle shopping from the Ibu’s wandering the sand (a hat you don’t need, a pair of sunglasses you wont wear, but you’ll buy anyway because supporting the local vendors is one of our experiences).

The sunsets in Seminyak in May especially are some of the most spectacular we’ve seen anywhere in Bali. The sky turns every shade of pink and orange over the Indian Ocean and it never gets old.

Jalan Kayu Aya (Eat Street) is the other Seminyak ritual. Wander south along the main strip, browse the boutique shops, duck into a café when the mood takes you, and plan nothing in particular. Seminyak is one of the best places in Bali for aimless wandering — the kind where you check back in two hours later and wonder where the time went.

Bodyworks for a massage. We always go — it’s one of the most reliable, well-priced spas in Seminyak and the kind of place that becomes a non-negotiable on every trip once you’ve been once.

Biku for something more special. Set in a 150-year-old teak joglo with walls lined with teapots and homewares, Biku is one of our favourite Seminyak experiences for a relaxed breakfast or afternoon high tea. It’s been on every trip for years and it’s never missed.

What to do in Seminyak

• Day trip to Waterbom
• Visit one of the best restaurants in Seminyak
• 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
• Hang out at Shooters

Where to Eat in Seminyak

Kynd Community is my Seminyak non-negotiable. Every trip, without exception. It’s completely plant-based, the smoothie bowls are extraordinary, the space is gorgeous, and the coffee is excellent. If you only go to one café in Seminyak, this is the one.

Baked for pastries and specialty coffee in a calm, minimal space — perfect for a slow morning before the day starts.

Sisterfields for brunch. Always busy, always good, very Seminyak in the best way.

Motel Mexicola for a parents’ night out. You cannot beat it. Authentic-ish Mexican food, margaritas, and staff whose dance moves are genuinely better than the customers’. We’ve done it for a parents’ night away from the kids and it is exactly what a night out in Bali should feel like — loud, joyful, and slightly chaotic in the best way. Book ahead, go early enough to eat, and stay for the dancing.

Where to Stay in Seminyak

On our most recent trip we actually stayed in Seminyak at the end rather than the beginning — we were making our way back from Munduk in the north toward the airport and wanted a couple of nights to decompress before the flight.

We stayed at Hotel Indigo Seminyak Beach and it was genuinely one of the best hotel stays we’ve had in Seminyak. Beachfront location which meant morning walks straight out onto the sand and sunsets steps from the lobby, and the buffet breakfast was exceptional — one of those spreads where you go up three times and still feel like you haven’t tried everything. It put us in the right headspace for the trip home.

For first-timers, Seminyak’s hotel and villa options suit every budget — boutique villas with private pools for a mid-range price point, right through to beach club resorts if you want everything in one place. Our full accommodation guide covers the best options in detail.

➡️Check availability at Hotel Indigo Seminyak Beach

Day 1-3 Alternative Option Canggu

Why We No Longer Recommend Canggu for a First Trip to Bali

This might be a controversial take — but after 30+ trips to Bali, we feel like we owe you an honest one.

We used to include Canggu as a core stop on this itinerary. For a long time, it genuinely deserved its place. We watched it grow from nothing but a couple of beach shacks at Batu Bolong to a lively café and party scene. We always have loved the laid-back surf energy, the mix of good food and beautiful rice paddy walks — there was a version of Canggu that felt like one of the best introductions to Bali you could have.

That Canggu still exists in pockets. But it’s become increasingly hard to find underneath everything that’s been built on top of it. You need to venture further north to Penereren and Seseh.

Still want to experience Canggu? We get it — and we’re not telling you not to. The way we do it now is base ourselves in Seseh and visit Canggu as a day trip, which honestly gives you the best version of it. We’ll head in for a morning at one of our favourite cafes, a session at Alam Wellness, or an afternoon at Mai Main playground with the kids — and then we’re back in Seseh by evening without ever sitting in the traffic that makes staying there feel like such a trade-off. That’s the Canggu we’d hand to anyone: dip in for what you love, don’t commit to it as your base. Read our Seseh guide here.

What to do in Canggu

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 and explore
• Take the kids to Maimain Playground – Kylo had a ball. Evidence here.
• Have a Spa day – Matt and I LOVED our experience at Alam Wellness!

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.

• Penny Lane- Best Cafe
• Nude – Best Brunch
• Green Ginger Noodle House- Asian Cuisine
• Fishbone Local- Fresh Feasts
• Milu by Nook- Long lunch cafes
• The Slow- Fine dining
• Mason -Great for dinner

Where to Stay in Canggu

• ASTON Canggu Beach Resort  – Best Budget Hotel

• Canggu Dream Studios & Villas – Best Boutique Hotel

• Kano Canggu – Best Villa

• Blossom Eco Luxe Villas by Ekosistem – Best Eco Hotel

Days 3-6 Ubud

If Seminyak is where you ease into Bali, Ubud is where it gets under your skin. The rice paddies, the cooler air, the sound of gamelan drifting from somewhere you can’t quite locate — there’s a quality to Ubud that slows everything down in the best possible way. We come back every single trip, and every time we notice something we hadn’t before.

Gettting to Ubud

The drive from Seminyak to Ubud takes around 1.5 hours by private driver or GoCar depending on traffic — longer on a Friday afternoon when half of south Bali seems to be making the same trip. We always book a private driver for the inter-region legs rather than multiple Gojek trips — it’s more comfortable, you can stop along the way, and the drive through small villages and rice paddies heading north is genuinely beautiful in itself.

Our regular driver Wayan handles all our longer transfers and has car seats which is non-negotiable for us with the kids. We broke the drive up with a lunch stop at Sonua on the way, which we’d recommend — sitting in a car for 90 minutes with a toddler goes a lot more smoothly with a proper meal in the middle.

Approximate transfer times to Ubud:

• From Seminyak / Kuta: 1.5 hours
• From Canggu: 1.5–2 hours
• From Uluwatu: 2–2.5 hours
• From Ngurah Rai Airport: 1.5–2 hours
• From Sidemen (East Bali): 1.5 hours

💡 Tip: If you’re using Gojek for the transfer, book a GoCar rather than a standard Grab — the roads heading up into Ubud through Mas and Batubulan are winding and the fare is better value on a longer distance. For families or anyone with luggage, a pre-arranged private driver is the more practical option every time. 

We arrived at Wapa di Ume Ubud around 5:30pm — later than planned, and the kids were flagging by this point. What we walked into immediately reset the mood. A welcome of fresh watermelon juice, a fruit plate of watermelon, papaya, and pineapple (Kylo and Zadi were immediately revived — both of them are obsessed with watermelon), and cool refreshing towels waiting at reception. It sounds like a small thing but after a long drive it is genuinely the best welcome.

👉🏼 Check out our post on Ubud Accommodation for under $200

Where We Stayed — Wapa di Ume Ubud

We’ve stayed at the Wapa di Ume property in Sidemen before and loved it, so we were excited to try the Ubud sister. We were in the Nea One Bedroom, a private villa with its own pool and terrace overlooking rice paddies — and it was even more beautiful than we’d expected. 

The bed had been dressed with a flower arrangement on arrival, there were frangipanis in the bath, and the team had set up the daybed as a proper single bed for Kylo without us even having to ask.

There’s an outdoor shower and a full bath inside the villa itself, which became the scene of our attempted family bath photo on day two (more on that shortly). 

The resort is spread across quite a large area — two communal pools, one of which is an infinity pool you reach by crossing a little bridge, rice paddy pathways, koi ponds, a resident cow and some ducks that Zadi and Kylo were very taken with. It’s the kind of place where you find new corners every time you wander.

The on-site restaurant is called Mr. Wayan, and we ended up eating there our first night since we’d arrived so late — room service, eaten on the terrace with rice paddy views.

Mie goreng served with a fried egg, prawn, and a chicken leg with sambal and sate alongside, plus soto for me and chicken wings with rice for Kylo. I love when noodles come loaded with extras like this — everything landed on the table and everyone just picked. Matt and I finished every last thing.

Day 3 — Cooking Class, Markets & Spa Day

Breakfast the next morning was worth waking up early for. The rice paddy views from the restaurant are spectacular, Kylo discovered the resort gamelan and absolutely did not want to stop playing it, and Lasmini — one of the waitresses who’d become a familiar face quickly — brought the kids strawberries as part of their fruit plate, having already clocked that they were obsessed.

Then it was time for the cooking class, and it was one of the highlights of the whole trip.

We were paired with Chef Ayu and Lasmini for a private class — we got to choose our menu from two options and went with a seafood soup (prawns, squid, and tuna), a chicken curry, and pandan pancakes with coconut and palm sugar. What I didn’t expect was how much the class would feel like a proper hands-on experience rather than a demonstration.

The kitchen had whole spices laid out — nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, star anise — still in their raw form, which is such a different thing to seeing them ground. We smelled everything, identified what we could, then ground them ourselves in a mortar and pestle. Kylo did the shallots (with very close supervision), I handled the turmeric, galangal, ginger, and garlic, and then we both attacked the mortar and pestle together. He loved every second.

The surrounding veggie garden was beautiful — lemongrass, herbs, dragon fruit growing right there while we cooked. The soup came first and was genuinely delicious. Kylo tasted it, declared he liked it, and then barely touched it — he’s in a picky phase — but he was so proud that he’d made it. We boxed up a bowl for Matt, who was in the room with Zadi for her nap.

Then for the pancakes, Lasmini had gone one step further. She’d already figured out that my kids are strawberry obsessed and brought Kylo his own addition — strawberries and banana folded into his pancakes along with a palm sugar syrup she’d made specially. His face when he tasted them. He ate every single one.

Day 4 — Tegalalang, Ulu Pertinu Waterfall & Cultural Dinner

For our day out we found a local Ubud driver named Wayan (yes, also Wayan — if you travel Bali enough you will collect many Wayans, all of them excellent). He’s a registered tour guide in the Ubud area and was incredible with the kids, which made the whole day so much more relaxed. I’ll link his details here. 

Tegalalang Rice Terraces was our first stop. I’d already researched where I wanted to view them from and had settled on Tis Cafe — it sits right at the terrace edge with beautiful views and we’d only just had breakfast so we ordered coffees and a smoothie for Kylo, took in the scenery, and did a short walk down toward the paddies before the path got too muddy and slippery for the kids.

For families, viewing from the cafe level is completely sufficient — the terraces are beautiful from above and you avoid the muddier sections with little ones in tow.

📍 Tis Cafe, Tegalalang — great views, good coffees, manageable with young kids

Then we drove to Ulu Pertanu Waterfall, which Wayan had recommended specifically because it’s more kid-friendly than many of the others in the area. Around 90 steps down to the waterfall (steep, but concrete and manageable), and on the way down there are koi fish ponds and ducks and ducklings — Zadi and Kylo were completely absorbed before we’d even reached the water.

The waterfall itself is beautiful, smaller than some but genuinely lovely, and there’s a little drinks stand at the bottom if you need a rest.

From there, if you want to keep going, you can cross a bamboo bridge and walk through the forest to a cave (IDR 10,000 per adult extra entry) and a second waterfall beyond it.

We did it because Kylo was insistent — it’s “a little smooky” as he described it, quite dark and narrow in places, but the light filtering through the gaps makes it feel genuinely atmospheric rather than scary. The second waterfall we viewed from above only — the path down looked sketchy and we were firmly past our adventure quota by this point. Zadi needed a nap stat.

🎟️ Ulu Pertanu Waterfall entry: IDR 75,000 per adult, kids free
🎟️ Cave: IDR 10,000 per adult extra

💡 Tip: There’s a donation box on the way out — the money goes toward maintaining the area, worth contributing.

Everyone was hangry as it was past midday now and I’d bookmarked a café called Huma that I’d seen on Instagram — rice paddy views, beautiful open space, really lovely food. Zadi had fallen asleep in my arms by the time we arrived so I did the classic sleeping-baby transfer onto the bench seat and she napped in the shade while we ate.

We ordered nasi goreng and a kaarage bowl for Kylo, chicken katsu bowl for Matt, iced lattes for us. Highly recommend. The views from the back of the café are genuinely beautiful.

📍 Huma Cafe, Ubud — rice paddy views, good food, relaxed atmosphere, works well with sleeping children.

Evening — BBQ Cultural Dinner

Back at Wapa di Ume that evening we’d booked into their BBQ cultural dinner, and it was one of those completely unexpected highlights of the whole trip. Traditional Balinese dancers performed alongside a comedic Topeng mask dancer with elaborate fingernails who absolutely terrified Zadi and absolutely delighted Kylo.

There was audience participation — I was trying very hard not to make eye contact — and then of course he picked me, and I had to go up and copy his dance moves in front of everyone while Kylo absolutely lost his mind laughing. Worth it entirely.

The BBQ spread was enormous: chicken satay, a fish dish, grilled corn, potato wedges, beef rendang, pork ribs, soup. The kids got pizza. We stayed through dinner but left before the final dances because the kids were fading — and the team packaged up dessert for us to take back to the room.

A Biscoff cake, fresh fruit, and a sticky rice pudding that was waiting in our room when we arrived. That level of thoughtfulness, unprompted, is exactly what makes Wapa di Ume the kind of place you keep coming back to.

What to do in Ubud

You may just want to get to Ubud and do nothing except relax and indulge, especially if your accommodation is as gorgeous as Suarti Boutique Village or Sankara Resort! In case you are up for a day trip or 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

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, which are included in our best cafes in Ubud post.

• Alchemy
• Suka Espresso
• Clear Cafe
• Sakti Dining Room
• Watercress
• KAFE
• Warung Biah Biah

Where to Stay in Ubud

• Wapa di Ume- Best Service Hotel
• Padma Ubud- Best Family Hotel
• Natya Resort Ubud – Best View
• Bambootel Sawah View  – Best Eco Hotel

Days 6-8 Nusa Islands

Next up on your Bali Itinerary for 10 days, you should visit Nusa Lembongan, which are part of the Nusa Islands off the coast of Bali.  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 250,000 Rp one way. And you can reach the Sanur harbour easily from Ubud in about 50 minutes.

Although not actually a part of Bali, they are extremely close and it’s nice to explore Indonesia beyond Bali!

We recommend using Setia Fast Cruise or Rocky Cruises to get to the island.

Life on the Nusa Islands is all about relaxing, hiking, snorkelling and cliff jumping! We recently visited Nusa Lembongan for our honeymoon and fell in love with the island and its relaxed way of life. We stayed at Batu Karang for 4 nights, which was perfect. If time permits, I would recommend staying 4 nights to give yourself time to truely relax into the island vibe.

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

What to do on the Nusa Islands

Our full Nusa Lembongan guide breaks down the best places to stay, beaches to visit, and family-friendly activities, making it easy to plan the perfect island escape during your trip.

• Visit Dream Beach
• Hike through Tembeling Forest
• Snorkel at Mushroom Beach
• Check out the caves at Broken Beach
• Take a boat tour around the mangrove forests
• Dive at Temple Point
• Go rock jumping at Mahana Point Cliff Jump
• Explore Devil’s Tears
• Visit the famous Kelingking Beach and viewpoint
• Relax at Ohana Beach Club

Where to eat on Nusa Lembongan

Where to Stay on Nusa Lembogan

• Nusa Lembongan- The Acala Shri Sedana, MolaMola House ,Batu Karang Resort and Spa 
• Nusa Penida- Pandawa Beach Resort and Spa Luxury, Kompyang Cottage, Penida Bambu Green
• Nusa Ceningan-  Le Pirate Beach Club Nusa, Ceningan Resort

Days 6-8 Alternative Option Sidemen

Okay, originally I wasn’t going to add this information into our Bali itinerary for first timers, as Sidemen is more of a hidden gem, and usually I recommend hidden gems when it’s not your first visit. I realised that if I were recommending places to visit to a friend, Sidemen would literally be the first place I would tell them to go! Especially if you want to fall in love with Bali like me and especially if you like places that haven’t been touched yet by the masses! 

If you’re craving somewhere quieter, greener, and more “old Bali” feeling, Sidemen is hands down one of our favourite places to add to a Bali itinerary. We visited for the first time on our three-week trip last year and honestly — we fell in love.

It reminded us of what Ubud must have been like 20 years ago: peaceful rice paddies, misty mountain mornings, village life ticking along slowly, and hardly any traffic. Now we tell anyone who’ll listen that they have to go.

Sidemen feels like a deep exhale. It’s surrounded by rolling rice fields with Mount Agung watching over you, and the pace is beautifully slow. We travelled here with the kids and loved how grounded it felt — mornings started with gentle rice paddy walks. There’s also surprisingly a lot to do if you want it: waterfalls, temples, village exploring, cooking classes, and plenty of spots to just sit with a coffee and a view.

If your Bali itinerary already includes beaches and busier hubs like Canggu or Uluwatu, Sidemen is the perfect contrast — a few days here will completely reset you!

What to do in Sidemen

Sidemen is all about slow travel and simple pleasures. Some of our favourite things to do:

• Start your mornings with a rice paddy walk (so special with kids)

• Visit nearby waterfalls like Gembleng or Jagasatru
  

• Explore local villages and small temples

• Book a Balinese cooking class

• Enjoy spa treatments overlooking the valley

• Watch sunrise over Mount Agung from your balcony

It’s also a lovely place to do… nothing. Pool days, book reading, afternoon naps — Sidemen gives you permission to slow right down. We have a full guide on Sidemen and we go into detail of all the things we loved doing there. 

Where to eat in Sidemen

Dining in Sidemen is more low-key than Ubud or Canggu, but that’s part of the charm. Most beautiful resorts have excellent on-site restaurants (which makes evenings super easy), and there are a handful of lovely local spots dotted through the valley.

We mostly enjoyed relaxed meals with rice field views at Sleeping Gajah and Astri Dining.

Where to Stay in Sidemen

• Wapa di Ume Sidemen
• Samanvaya – Adults Only
• Numa Sidemen
• Camaya Bali

Days 8-10+ Uluwatu

Arriving back at Sanur Harbour from Nusa Lembongan, we got our private driver but you could also order a  Gojek to Uluwatu. The journey takes about 1 hr and 20 minutes, depending on traffic. We always check Google Maps before we take longer trips, so we can prepare the kids if the journey is going to be long or perhaps go earlier if we can. 

Uluwatu, located on the southern tip of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, is a paradise for those seeking dramatic coastal views, world-class surf, and a laid-back luxury vibe.

Staying in Uluwatu during your Bali itinerary offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and culture, with its stunning cliffside resorts, pristine beaches, and legendary surf breaks. It is my favourite place on the island, and we even got married at Uluwatu Surf Villas in 2023. 

The area is home to some of the best beach clubs in Bali, including Sundays Beach Club and Savaya, as well as the iconic Uluwatu Temple, where you can witness breathtaking sunsets and the famous Kecak Fire Dance.

Whether you’re a surfer looking to catch waves at Padang Padang, a foodie wanting to explore trendy cafes and fine dining spots, or a traveller in search of a secluded luxury escape, Uluwatu has something for everyone.

Reaching Uluwatu from Canggu or Seminyak can take over 2 hours, but once you arrive, you’ll see why it’s worth the journey. We often end our Bali itinerary here, as Uluwatu offers the perfect mix of laid-back luxury, breathtaking coastal views, and a more relaxed pace. Another bonus is its location—Uluwatu is only around 30 minutes from the airport, making it an ideal final stop before flying home.

🌴☀️🍹CLICK HERE FOR OUR: ULUWATU ACCOMMODATION GUIDE🌴☀️🍹

What to do in Uluwatu

There are so many amazing things to do in Uluwatu. Hire a moto and start exploring the amazing surf breaks and beaches or have a bite to eat at one of the best cafes in Uluwatu.

There are so many different areas to explore, our favourites are the best beaches in Uluwatu including Padang Padang Beach, Bingin Beach and Dreamland Beach.

• Watch the surfers at Uluwatu Beach
• Have a Sunday Sesh at El Kabron or Ulu Cliff House
• Have a seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach
• Explore the beaches -my favourite is Thomas Beach
• Uluwatu Temple And Kecak Fire Dance
• Learn to Surf at Padang Padang

Where to eat in Uluwatu

 Just like the rest of Bali, Uluwatu has a pretty strong food scene. Some of the best fine-dining restaurants are located in Uluwatu, along with many amazing cafes.

• Tabu – Asian Fusion
• The Cave – Best Fine Dining
• Suka Espresso – Best Cafe
• Mana – Food with a View
• CIRE – Date night
• Warung Yeye – Best Indonesian
• Cashew Tree – Best Kid Friendly Cafe
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Where to Stay in Uluwatu

• Family Nest Villa – Best for families
• Nisi Villa – Best for a group
• Uluwatu Surf Villas – Best views
• The Ungasen – Best resort 
• Bingin Castaways – Best affordable villa 
• The Elementum – Best boutique hotel
• Green Escape Eco Resort – Best eco hotel

Bali Travel Guide – Things to know before you go

Getting There

Bali’s main international gateway is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, which is well-connected to major cities worldwide.

There are often sale fares to Bali, I recommend signing up to deal sites and newsletters to jump on cheap flights when they become available. It takes around 5.5 hours for Sydney and 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 owned airline) and searching for your desired dates via Skyscanner.com

Visa on Arrival for Bali

Most travellers, including those from Australia, the US, UK, and many European countries, can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for Bali. This 30-day visa costs IDR 500,000 (approx. $35 USD) and can be extended once for another 30 days. To avoid long queues, you can pre-pay for your visa online before arrival. This option is also great if travelling to Bali with babies or kids as you usually can get through to luggage claim very quickly. I have a step-by-step guide on doing this here.

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 250,000rp to the Seminyak area, which is about 20-30 mins away depending on traffic. There is also a GRAB station where you can organise transport to your hotel. This is often cheaper than negotiating with a local on arrival.

Getting Around

There are a lot of things to do in Bali, and many 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 and 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, the Indonesian equivalent of Uber. For shorter distances, I either walk or use “Blue Bird” taxis as they are the best and stick to the meter.

If you are travelling to Bali for the first time and would like to organise a driver before you leave, but are unsure where to start, I recommend joining some Bali Travel Groups on Facebook. A lot of people recommend their drivers (or nannys). We have a Facebook group where we offer up daily tips and share our personal recommendations including our trusty driver Wayan – bonus he has cars seats for bubs and can usually organise booster seats for kids if you need. 

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.

Drinking Water in Bali

Tap water in Bali is not safe to drink, so always opt for bottled or filtered water. Many hotels and cafes provide free refills to reduce plastic waste, so consider bringing a reusable water bottle.

Bali Customs and Culture

Balinese culture is deeply spiritual, and it’s important to be respectful. When visiting temples, wear a sarong and modest clothing, and avoid pointing your feet at religious objects. Daily canang sari (offerings) are placed on the ground, so be mindful not to step on them. A friendly “Terima kasih” (thank you) goes a long way when interacting with locals!

Getting an E-SIM for Bali

Staying connected in Bali makes travel significantly easier, and getting an eSIM before you arrive is one of the best decisions we made (my husband made.) 
An eSIM allows you to activate mobile data instantly without the hassle of buying a physical SIM card at the airport. It means you can land in Bali, turn on your phone, and immediately access maps, transport apps, accommodation details, and most importantly whatsapp messages so you can easily find your driver! This is specially helpful after a long flight or when travelling with kids.

Having reliable data is essential in Bali because so many everyday tasks rely on your phone. We constantly use Gojek for transport and food delivery, WhatsApp to communicate with drivers, villas, to book reservations, Wise for managing money and payments, Google Maps for navigating Bali’s back roads, and apps like Airbnb and Booking.com to manage accommodation.

For our Bali trips, we usually use Airalo because it’s easy to set up, affordable, and works seamlessly across the island. It gives us peace of mind knowing we’re always connected when we need it!

Bali Itinerary FAQS

 

Related: ‘Tips for Travelling in Asia‘

So that was our Bali itinerary for 10 days! Have you been to Bali before? What was your favourite thing to do? Let us know in the comments below!

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