Bali, the Island of the Gods, has lured travelers for centuries with a rare blend of volcanic mountains, sacred temples, emerald rice terraces, and warm hospitality rooted in Balinese Hinduism. From ancient water temples to coastal cliffs aflame at sunset, the island is as spiritual as it is scenic.

Across one compact province, you can surf, snorkel, and gaze at starry skies in the same day you learn temple etiquette and sip single-origin coffee. Street offerings called canang sari perfume mornings, while gamelan chimes drift from village compounds at dusk.

Practical notes: many nationalities qualify for Visa on Arrival (30 days; check current rules), ATMs are widespread, and modest clothing is required in temples (sarongs are often provided). Dry season runs roughly April–October; around Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence, usually March), the island shuts down for 24 hours—plan accordingly.

Seminyak

Seminyak is Bali’s stylish southwest coast base—think broad sandy beaches, sunset-facing beach clubs, and an easy hop to Canggu’s surf breaks and Uluwatu’s dramatic cliffs. Days swing between coffee haunts and boutiques; nights thrive with music, mezcal, and seafood on the sand.

• Top sights: Petitenget Temple, Double Six Beach, Batu Belig sunsets, nearby Tanah Lot for golden-hour photos.
• Eat & drink: Sisterfields (Aussie brunch), Revolver Espresso (small-batch coffee), Nook (rice-field-view lunches), Kaum at Potato Head (archipelago flavors), Naughty Nuri’s (legendary ribs), La Favela (late-night eclectic fun).
• Good to know: It’s easy to arrange private drivers; ride-hailing (Grab/Gojek) is common. Surf lessons are plentiful on Double Six Beach with soft, rolling waves for beginners.

Where to stay (Seminyak & South Bali):

• Browse private villas: VRBO – Seminyak
• Compare hotels: Hotels.com – Seminyak
• Value-for-money family pick in nearby Kuta: Bali Dynasty Resort
• Hostel with social vibes: M Boutique Hostel (Seminyak)
• South coast splurge (Nusa Dua): The St. Regis Bali Resort

Getting to Bali (DPS): Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Singapore (~2.5 hours), Sydney (~6–7 hours), Tokyo (~7–8 hours), and most U.S. cities (1 stop, ~18–24 hours). Airport to Seminyak is ~30–60 minutes by car; expect IDR 200,000–350,000 for a licensed taxi or ride-hail, more at peak.

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Check In, Sunset at Petitenget

Afternoon: Land at Denpasar (DPS) and taxi to your Seminyak stay. Shake off jet lag with a gentle beach walk from Double Six to Petitenget Temple—bring a sarong if you step inside. Coffee stop at Revolver Espresso for a flat white or cold brew.

Evening: Catch your first Bali sunset on Petitenget Beach. Dinner at Kaum (inside Potato Head) for regional Indonesian dishes—think saksang from North Sumatra or spicy sambals—then a nightcap at La Favela’s garden courtyard if you’ve still got energy.

Day 2: Seminyak Eats, Boutiques, and Spa

Morning: Brunch at Sisterfields (fluffy hotcakes, smashed avo) or plant-based Kynd Community. Browse Jalan Kayu Aya’s independent boutiques for resort wear and artisan jewelry.

Afternoon: Book a 90-minute massage at a reputable spa in Seminyak (Spring Spa is a local favorite). Late lunch at Nook overlooking rice fields—get the ayam betutu (slow-cooked spiced chicken) or tempeh sambal matah.

Evening: Golden hour at Batu Belig Beach or hop to Canggu’s La Brisa for sunset under swaying palms. Dinner at Naughty Nuri’s (sticky-sweet ribs, satay) or modern Asian plates at Mama San; finish with gelato along Jalan Kayu Aya.

Day 3: Uluwatu Cliffs, Kecak Dance, and Jimbaran Seafood

Morning: Easy beach time or an optional beginner surf lesson on Double Six Beach (boards and instructors are plentiful). Grab an excellent espresso at Expat. Roasters.

Afternoon: Head south (~60–75 minutes, IDR 250,000–400,000 by car in light traffic). Explore Uluwatu Temple atop ragged limestone cliffs and watch playful macaques—keep sunglasses and phones secured.

Evening: Time your visit for the iconic Kecak fire dance at sunset, followed by seafood on the sand at Jimbaran (try butter garlic prawns and grilled snapper at Menega Cafe or Lia Cafe).

Recommended tour: Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach for door-to-door convenience.

Day 4: Full-Day Nusa Penida Adventure (Cliffs, Beaches, Snorkeling)

Board a small-group premium yacht for a smooth ride to Bali’s most photogenic offshore island. Expect turquoise coves, soaring viewpoints, and optional snorkeling with vibrant reef fish. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and motion tablets if seas are choppy.

Recommended tour: Premium All Inclusive Full Day Tour from Bali to Nusa Penida (small group, spacious 2024–2025 boat, hotel transfers). Typical hours: ~7:00am–6:00pm; boat crossing ~45–60 minutes each way.

Lunch is usually included on tour days; if not, go for mie goreng or fresh grilled mahi-mahi at a beach warung. Back in Seminyak, keep dinner light—perhaps satay and a young coconut near your hotel—and rest up for the inland shift.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart: a patchwork of emerald terraces, artisan villages, and shrines wrapped by jungle. It’s the place for temple rituals, market finds, yoga, and slow evenings beside the river.

• Top sights: Ubud Palace, Saraswati Temple’s lotus pond, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul holy springs, Tegenungan/hidden waterfalls.
• Eat & drink: Seniman Coffee Studio (single-origin pour-overs), Clear Cafe (vibrant bowls), Casa Luna (Balinese classics), Bebek Bengil (crispy duck), Mozaic (tasting menus), The Sayan House (Latin-Asian at sunset).
• Wellness: Karsa Spa for flower baths and riverside massages; Yoga Barn for classes and kirtan nights.

Where to stay (Ubud):

• Handpicked villas: VRBO – Ubud
• Hotel deals: Hotels.com – Ubud
• Iconic jungle retreat: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (near Ubud)
• Social, central, and spotless: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel

Getting from Seminyak to Ubud: Depart after breakfast; a private car is ~1.5–2 hours depending on traffic (IDR 350,000–600,000). No trains on Bali. Your hotel can arrange a reliable driver or ride-hailing car.

Day 5: Transfer to Ubud, Palace and Lotus Temple, Campuhan Ridge

Morning: Check out and drive to Ubud. Drop bags and fuel up at Seniman Coffee Studio—try a V60 with Bali Kintamani beans.

Afternoon: Explore Ubud Palace (Puri Saren) and the lotus-filled Saraswati Temple. Browse Ubud Art Market for handwoven baskets and batik; haggle politely and bring small bills.

Evening: Walk the Campuhan Ridge at golden hour for views that glow green. Dinner at Casa Luna (smoky satay lilit, aromatic lawar) or The Sayan House for sushi-tacos and a sunset G&T overlooking the Ayung River.

Day 6: Ubud Icons—Monkey Forest, Holy Springs, Rice Terraces, Waterfall (All Day)

Make this the day you knit together Ubud’s must-sees with a private, all-inclusive guided tour. You’ll meet the long-tailed macaques in the Sacred Monkey Forest (keep loose items tucked away), purify at Tirta Empul’s holy springs (sarongs provided), gaze across Tegallalang’s terraced hills, and cool off near a hidden waterfall. Expect light walks, photo stops, and culture-rich stories about Balinese Hinduism and subak irrigation.

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

Lunch ideas en route: Try crispy duck at Bebek Bengil or go for nasi campur and lime juice at a terrace-side cafe in Tegallalang. Cap the evening with a foot massage near Ubud’s main street and a light dinner at Clear Cafe (fresh rolls, turmeric-ginger jamu).

Day 7: ATV Jungle Ride, Last Tastes of Ubud, Departure

Morning: Seek a final dose of adrenaline on a guided ATV ride through tunnels, a riverside track, and waterfall splashes around Ubud’s countryside.

Recommended tour: ATV Quad Bike Through Tunnel and Waterfall in Bali (hotel transfers available; wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy).

Afternoon: Rinse off, check out, and savor a last lunch—try Warung Bintangbali (terrace views) or Clear Cafe’s bowls and smoothies. Allow 1.5–2 hours to reach DPS plus a generous buffer for traffic. Flights searchable via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have extra time before departure, browse for last-minute crafts in Tegallalang’s roadside ateliers or sip a single-origin iced latte at Anomali Coffee in central Ubud.

Optional add-ons if you extend

• East Bali’s “Gates of Heaven” at Lempuyang Temple plus the royal Water Palace at Tirta Gangga.
• UNESCO Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and the atmospheric Pura Ulun Danu Beratan on the lakeshore.

Another excellent Ubud day option (if you swap Day 6 or add an extra day): Best of Ubud Full-Day Tour with Jungle Swing for that classic swing-over-the-jungle photo and time at waterfalls and rice terraces.

Summary: In one week, you’ve felt Seminyak’s surf and sunsets, wandered Uluwatu’s cliffs to a Kecak chorus, island-hopped to Nusa Penida, and soaked up Ubud’s temples, terraces, and wellness scene. Bali rewards curiosity—every offering, every smile, every rice field ridge points toward another story waiting on your next visit.