Bali, the Island of the Gods, blends age-old Hindu traditions with emerald rice terraces, volcanic peaks, and iconic beaches. From royal water palaces and thousand-year-old temples to cliffside sunsets and world-class dining, it’s a place where culture and adventure share the same horizon.

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart—home to artisans, dance, and sacred spaces—while Seminyak offers a sleek coastline of surf breaks, sunset lounges, boutique shopping, and inventive cuisine. Sprinkle in a boat trip to Nusa Penida for manta rays and turquoise coves, and you’ve got a perfect 6-day arc.

Practical notes: Bali now collects a Rp 150,000 visitor levy (pay online or on arrival). Bring or borrow a sarong for temples, and mind the monkeys (no dangling sunglasses). Dry season runs roughly April–October; wet season is November–March but showers seldom last all day.

Ubud

Ringed by jungle and rice paddies, Ubud is where gamelan echoes at dusk and incense drifts from family shrines. Streets brim with galleries, craft studios, and cafés roasting Indonesian beans. Nearby, sacred temples and waterfalls hide in ravines and valleys.

• Top sights: Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul holy spring, Goa Gajah, Campuhan Ridge Walk.
• Why visit: Balinese ceremony on any given day, woodcarving villages, slow mornings with specialty coffee, and sunsets over terraced paddies.
• Dining highlights: Warung Biah Biah (nasi campur small plates), Warung Pondok Madu (slow-cooked ribs & smoky sambals), Casa Luna (Balinese classics, cooking classes), Bridges Bali (romantic riverside), Mozaic (tasting menu spotlighting local terroir).
• Coffee & breakfast: Seniman Coffee Studio (single-origin pours, cupping flights), Anomali Coffee (Indonesian roastery), KAFE (nourishing bowls, smoothies).
• Fun fact: 'Ubud' stems from 'ubad,' meaning medicine—healing traditions still thrive in village life.

Where to stay (Ubud): For jungle-luxe, consider Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Social and central on a budget: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel. Browse more stays on VRBO (Ubud) or Hotels.com (Ubud).

Getting to Bali: Fly into Denpasar (DPS). Typical durations: Singapore ~2.5 hours; Sydney ~6.5 hours; LAX via transit ~20–24 hours. Search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. DPS to Ubud is ~1.5 hours by car; expect Rp 350,000–500,000 (about $23–$33) for a taxi or ride-hail, more for SUVs or peak traffic.

Need a driver for the day? Book a private driver to shape flexible sightseeing:

Experts Bali Driver : Best Bali Private Driver for Tour in Bali

Day 1: Arrive in Bali → Settle into Ubud

Morning: In transit to Bali.

Afternoon: Transfer to Ubud and check in. Shake off jet lag with a slow stroll on the Campuhan Ridge Walk—golden light, soft hills, and breezes. Coffee stop at Seniman Coffee Studio for a V60 or nitro cold brew; grab a flaky pastry if hunger hits.

Evening: Dinner at Warung Pondok Madu for glazed ribs with sambal matah and crunchy lawar, or Casa Luna for fragrant bebek betutu (spiced duck). If you’re up for it, a gentle foot massage at Putri Ubud Spa pre-sleep is bliss after a long flight.

Day 2: Ubud’s Icons—Temples, Monkey Forest, and Rice Terraces (All Day Tour)

Maximize your time with a curated, all-inclusive day that stitches together Ubud’s greatest hits—temples, terraces, a waterfall, and a coffee stop.

Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour

Expect highlights like the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest (hold hats and sunnies), Tirta Empul for a glimpse of purification rituals, Tegallalang Rice Terrace with a scenic swing, and a hidden waterfall to cool off. Private transport makes it efficient; bring a sarong and small bills for temple donations.

After-hours idea: Book dinner at Bridges Bali for Indonesian-inspired plates overlooking the Wos River; or try Mozaic’s tasting menu celebrating local ingredients (reserve ahead).

Day 3: Adventure Ubud—ATV Tunnels, Waterfall Roar, and Spa Wind-Down

Morning: Fuel up at Anomali Coffee, then go off-road on a jungle track with caves, river splashes, and photo-ready tunnels.

ATV Quad Bike Through Tunnel and Waterfall in Bali

Afternoon: Lunch at Warung Biah Biah—stack your plate with little portions (tempeh manis, sayur urap, shredded chicken with lime leaves). Ease sore muscles with a Balinese massage at Karsa Spa or Tjampuhan Spa’s river rock pools.

Evening: Sunset stroll through the Ubud Palace courtyard and Saraswati Temple’s lotus pond. Dinner at Casa Luna or Bridges; nightcaps at Night Rooster for spice-forward cocktails inspired by local botanicals.

Seminyak

Seminyak is Bali’s chic beach hub: surfing at Petitenget, sunset at beach clubs, and an after-dark scene that hums. Between swims you’ll find fashion boutiques, homeware stores, and cafés rolling out Aussie-style brunches and third-wave coffee.

• Top sights: Petitenget Beach, Double Six Beach, boutique-lined Jalan Kayu Aya, day trips to Uluwatu cliffs.
• Dining highlights: Sisterfields (brunch), Revolver Espresso (espresso bar with attitude), Nasi Babi Guling Pak Malen (legendary roast pork), Warung Nia (Balinese BBQ and cooking classes), Seasalt (oceanfront seafood), Da Maria (Neapolitan pies and Amalfi vibes).
• After dark: Potato Head Beach Club (sunset sets), KU DE TA (iconic DJ sunsets), Motel Mexicola (fiesta energy), Mrs Sippy (daytime pool party).

Where to stay (Seminyak): Budget-friendly and social: M Boutique Hostel. Family favorite nearby in Kuta with a kids’ club and slides: Bali Dynasty Resort. For ultra-quiet luxury south in Nusa Dua: The St. Regis Bali Resort. See more options on VRBO (Seminyak) or Hotels.com (Seminyak).

Getting Ubud → Seminyak: Depart after breakfast; it’s ~1.25–1.75 hours by car depending on traffic. Expect Rp 300,000–450,000 ($20–$30). Your Ubud hotel can arrange, or book a private driver (see option above).

Day 4: Ubud to Seminyak, Beach Afternoon, Uluwatu Sunset Kecak

Morning: Transfer to Seminyak and check in. Grab flat whites and croissants at Revolver Espresso or Coffee Cartel (great for latte art).

Afternoon: Beach time at Petitenget—rent loungers, take a surf lesson, or walk to Double Six. Late lunch at Nasi Babi Guling Pak Malen for crispy pork belly, rich lawar, and spicy sambal (go early; it sells fast).

Evening: Head south for the island’s most dramatic sunset and a fiery dance on the cliff.

Private Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance Evening Tour in Jimbaran Bay

Watch waves smash the cliffs below Pura Luhur Uluwatu, then the hypnotic Kecak fire dance at dusk. Cap the night with grilled snapper and clams at Jimbaran Bay’s toes-in-sand cafés.

Day 5: Nusa Penida by Fast Boat—Snorkel with Mantas & Cliff Views (All Day)

Spend a day on Bali’s wild little sister: swim over coral gardens, look for manta rays, and stand atop wind-carved limestone at Kelingking and Broken Beach.

Nusa Penida day trip: boat, 4 snorkeling, Manta rays & Land tour

Most tours include Seminyak/Legian pickups, fast boat from Sanur, snorkel gear, lunch, and an island driving loop. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, and sandals with grip for uneven paths.

Day 6: Seminyak Slow Morning, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: Brunch at Sisterfields (ricotta pancakes, Bali bowls) or Kynd Community (plant-based plates). Souvenir dash along Jalan Kayu Aya—look for teakwood homewares, rattan bags, and small-batch ceramics. Treat yourself to a pre-flight shoulder massage at Bodyworks or Spring Spa.

Afternoon: Transfer to DPS (allow 1–1.5 hours + check-in time). Check fares or same-day flight options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Keep Rp 200,000 cash handy for last snacks or tips.

Evening: If your flight departs later, catch one last sunset at KU DE TA or Potato Head with a tropical spritz; otherwise, enjoy the view from above the clouds—sampai jumpa, Bali.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend)

• Full-day temples & terraces (northwest Bali): Full-Day Tour to Water Temples and UNESCO Rice Terraces in Bali

  

Dining cheat sheet (Seminyak): Lunch at Warung Eny (home-style charcoal grill) or Warung Nia (satay, peanut sauce ground to order). Dinner at Seasalt (line-caught fish, coastal views), Da Maria (crispy pizzas, spritzes), or Motel Mexicola (loud, colorful, and fun—go for tacos and tequila if you like a lively scene).

Safety & etiquette: Wear a sarong and sash at temples, keep shoulders covered. Traffic is dense; scooters require experience—consider a driver instead. Hydrate, use reef-safe sunscreen, and don’t touch coral or feed wildlife.

One more adventure idea (swap into Day 3 if you prefer a full-day rush):

Bali ATV Ride and White Water Rafting

Combine a mud-splattered ATV circuit with a raft down the Ayung River past jungle walls and hidden cascades. It’s a high-energy pairing with hotel transfers and lunch included.

Six days in Bali lets you trace a graceful arc—from holy springs and rice terraces to beach sunsets and island-hopping. With Ubud and Seminyak as your bases, you’ll savor culture, cuisine, adventure, and those indelible ocean views—then fly home with sand still in your shoes.