Bali blends ancient Hindu traditions with a thriving creative scene. The island’s story threads through the 14th-century Majapahit legacy, thousands of temples, and daily canang sari offerings that scent the streets with frangipani. In one week, you can trace this living culture from Ubud’s royal heart to Canggu’s breezy coast.

Expect diversity in every day: terraced rice paddies cut by stone canals, holy springs said to purify the soul, cliff-top seas where kecak chants ignite at sunset, and beach breaks gentle enough for your first surf. Artisans still carve, weave, and paint, and markets brim with rattan, batik, and silverwork.

Practical notes: currency is Indonesian rupiah; dress modestly at temples (sarongs are often provided). Scooters dominate, but hire a licensed driver if you’re not confident—traffic is dense. Many nationalities get Visa on Arrival; from 2024, a Bali tourism levy (IDR 150,000) applies. Dry season runs roughly April–October; Nov–March brings tropical showers and emerald hillsides.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural capital—part palace town, part jungle village. Morning mist drifts over rice fields, and incense curls from shrines as cafés hum with artists, yogis, and remote workers. It’s the place to slow down, learn, and eat remarkably well.

• Top sights: Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud Palace and Saraswati Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul holy spring, Gunung Kawi rock-cut shrines, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), and the newly refurbished Ubud Art Market.
• Food & drink: Seniman Coffee Studio for artisan roasts; Ibu Mangku Kedewatan for nasi ayam; Cafe Wayan for classic Balinese dishes; Copper Kitchen & Bar for modern Indonesian; Room 4 Dessert for a playful finale.
• Stays: Browse villas and boutique stays on VRBO Ubud or handpicked hotels via Hotels.com Ubud.
• Getting in: Fly into Bali (DPS) with Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Ubud is ~1.5–2 hours by car (IDR 350,000–450,000).

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Settle into Ubud

Afternoon: Land at DPS and transfer to Ubud. Check in, refresh, then stroll the Ubud Art Market for rattan bags, hand-carved masks, and silk scarves—bargain politely and compare stalls.

Evening: Dinner at Cafe Wayan on Monkey Forest Road: try pepes ikan (banana-leaf steamed fish) or bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck). Nightcap at Laughing Buddha Bar with live music if you’ve got energy; otherwise, early sleep to sync with island time.

Day 2: Temples, Springs, and Royal Heritage

Morning: Coffee at Seniman Coffee Studio—single-origin pour-overs and their signature cold brew. Head to Tirta Empul for the purification ritual; wear a sarong and follow the locals’ sequence of fountains. Continue to nearby Gunung Kawi, a serene valley of 11th-century shrine facades carved into the cliff.

Afternoon: Lunch at Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku—spiced chicken, egg, and sambal over rice, a local staple. Visit Goa Gajah for its mythical demon-mouth entrance and quiet bathing pools. Swing by the Lotus Pond at Saraswati Temple and the Ubud Palace to glimpse courtly architecture.

Evening: Tasting menu at Mozaic Restaurant Ubud, where seasonal Indonesian produce meets fine technique—reserve ahead. For a lighter option, IBU SUSU Bar & Kitchen plates modern bites with great cocktails.

Day 3: Rice Terraces, Ridge Walks, and Spa Time

Morning: Sunrise at Tegalalang Rice Terraces. The early hour means softer light and fewer crowds; walk the narrow levees and learn how subak irrigation has shaped Bali for over a millennium.

Afternoon: Brunch at Yellow Flower Café tucked above a quiet lane, then the Campuhan Ridge Walk—an easy path with rolling views. Book a late-afternoon massage at Karsa Spa amid rice fields; opt for the Balinese full-body treatment.

Evening: Dinner on the rooftop at Copper Kitchen & Bar (Bisma Eight): try grilled octopus with sambal matah and seasonal greens. Cap the night at Room 4 Dessert, where a multi-course dessert flight riffs on Indonesian flavors.

Canggu

Canggu trades temple bells for surfboards and sunset playlists. It’s a coast of black-sand beaches, creative kitchens, indie boutiques, and breezy bars—ideal for a few unhurried days by the sea.

• Top sights: Batu Bolong and Echo Beach for waves, Pererenan for calmer sands, Tanah Lot for a postcard sunset, street art along short-cuts (the famed “Canggu shortcuts”), and Saturday markets.
• Food & drink: Crate Café and BAKED. for breakfast, Warung Bu Mi for nasi campur, Moana Fish Eatery for poke and grilled mahi, Mason for wood-fired meats, La Baracca for trattoria warmth, Black Sand Brewery for craft pints, The Lawn and La Brisa for sunsets.
• Stays: Compare private pool villas and beachside stays on VRBO Canggu or sleek hotels via Hotels.com Canggu.
• Transfer from Ubud: Private car 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic (IDR 300,000–400,000). No trains on Bali; scooters are common but ride only if experienced.

Day 4: Ubud to Canggu, First Surf and a Temple Sunset

Morning: Depart Ubud after breakfast to beat midday traffic. Check into your Canggu stay and drop your bags.

Afternoon: Lunch at Warung Bu Mi—build your plate from steaming trays of sate lilit, tempeh, and veggies. Take a beginner surf lesson at Batu Bolong; boards and instructors line the beach (IDR 400,000–600,000 for 1.5–2 hours). Refuel with a pastry at BAKED. or a smoothie at Crate Café.

Evening: Head to Tanah Lot for golden hour; the sea temple perches on a tidal rock and glows at sunset (allow 30–40 minutes’ drive; entry ~IDR 60,000). Post-sunset snacks and drinks at La Brisa Echo Beach, a boho-styled spot with sea breezes and Balinese bites.

Day 5: Yoga, Markets, and Modern Dining

Morning: Join a class at The Practice or a beachfront stretch at sunrise. Breakfast at Revolver Canggu—flat whites and hearty eggs with a local twist.

Afternoon: Browse indie boutiques along Batu Bolong and Pererenan, then lunch at Moana Fish Eatery for island-style poke and grilled fish with tropical salsas. Book a spa session at AMO Spa for a scrub and sauna circuit.

Evening: Dinner at Mason Canggu—charred prawns, wood-roasted lamb, and crisp salads. Craft beers at Black Sand Brewery or speakeasy cocktails at The Shady Fox in Pererenan to round out the night.

Day 6: Day Trip to Uluwatu—Beaches and the Kecak Fire Dance

Morning: Drive ~1.5–2 hours to Uluwatu’s Bukit Peninsula. Swim at Melasti or Padang Padang, famed for turquoise coves and limestone backdrops.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ours Uluwatu or Drifter Café for fresh bowls and fish tacos. Explore Suluban’s sea cave at low tide, watching surfers thread the reef breaks.

Evening: Catch the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple as the sun sinks behind the cliff (arrive 45–60 minutes early; tickets ~IDR 150,000). Celebrate with seafood and views at Single Fin or a relaxed dinner at Mana Uluwatu before returning to Canggu.

Day 7: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Milk & Madu in Berawa—wood-fired breakfast pizzas or ricotta pancakes with tropical fruit. Pick up last-minute gifts at Love Anchor Market or small-batch chocolatiers and skincare boutiques along Batu Bolong.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to the airport (allow 1.5–2 hours from Canggu). If you’re flying onward in Indonesia, browse routes on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Keep your sarong handy—you may want one more temple stop en route if time allows.

Evening: Departure. If you have a late flight, book a day-use room via Hotels.com Canggu or lounge by your villa pool from VRBO before heading out.

Across seven days, you’ll trace Bali’s cultural spine in Ubud and unwind to the rhythm of Canggu’s tides. With temples, terraces, surf, and standout dining, this itinerary balances soul and salt air—leaving just enough unscripted moments for Bali’s magic to find you.