Bali, the “Island of the Gods,” is a tapestry of Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, and coastline sunsets that have lured artists and travelers for a century. Its heart beats loudest in Ubud, where royal palaces and craft villages thrive, and on the southern beaches, where Indian Ocean swells meet limestone cliffs and seafood feasts.

Across one week, this itinerary pairs Ubud’s culture and nature—Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, and sacred water temples—with Seminyak’s surf, shopping, and easy access to Uluwatu and Nusa Penida. You’ll sip single-origin coffee, taste smoky satay straight off the grill, and catch a fire-lit Kecak dance at golden hour.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temples (sarong required), ride scooters only if experienced, and expect traffic peaks around sunset. Dry season runs roughly May–September; showers are more frequent November–March. Cards are widely accepted, but small warungs prefer cash (IDR). Tap water isn’t potable—stick to bottled or filtered.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural capital: a walkable town framed by river valleys and terraced paddies, where gamelan echoes from palace courtyards and artisans carve wood and silver in neighboring villages. It’s also a launchpad to waterfalls, jungle swings, and revered water temples.

Top sights include the Ubud Palace and Market, the Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul’s holy springs, and the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Between temple visits, you’ll find yoga shalas, traditional healers, and kitchens perfuming the streets with turmeric, coconut, and lemongrass.

• Where to stay: For splurge-worthy jungle serenity, check into the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Social travelers love Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel (great for meeting people). Browse more options on Hotels.com (Ubud) or villas via VRBO (Ubud).
• How to get here: Fly into Bali (DPS) using Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: Singapore ~2h45m, Kuala Lumpur ~3h, Sydney ~6–7h, Tokyo ~7–8h; from the US West Coast ~20–24h with one stop. Airport to Ubud is ~1.5–2 hours by car, ~IDR 350,000–500,000 depending on traffic.
• Food & coffee you’ll remember: Start with single-origin pours at Seniman Coffee Studio; for health-forward breakfasts, KAFE or Alchemy are reliable. For classic flavors, try babi guling at Babi Guling Gung Cung, charcoal-grilled ribs at Naughty Nuri’s, and refined tasting menus at Mozaic or Apúritif Restaurant & Bar.

Day 1: Arrival in Bali — Settle into Ubud

Morning: Fly into Bali’s DPS (Trip.com or Kiwi.com). Have IDR cash ready for a driver.

Afternoon: Transfer to Ubud (1.5–2 hours). Check in and stretch your legs on the Campuhan Ridge Walk—undulating scenery and a first look at Bali’s greenery.

Evening: Dinner choices: Casa Luna (Balinese classics with spice-forward rijsttafel), Melting Wok Warung (Laotian-meets-Indonesian daily specials), or Copper Kitchen & Bar (farm-to-table plates and rooftop vibes). Early night to reset.

Day 2: Ubud’s Icons — Private, All-Inclusive Tour

Spend the day with a driver-guide covering Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, a coffee plantation, and a waterfall. It’s a relaxed way to see Ubud’s essentials, learn Balinese customs, and avoid logistics.

All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour

Dinner back in town: Mozaic for a tasting journey through Indonesian terroir; or keep it casual at Ibu Rai for sate lilit and gado-gado. Nightcap at Apéritif Bar—thoughtful cocktails and vintage glassware.

Day 3: Yoga, Jungle ATVs, and Spa Time

Morning: Yoga class at The Yoga Barn or Radiantly Alive, then a nourishing breakfast at KAFE (try the tempeh scramble) or Clear Café (smoothie bowls and cold-pressed juices).

Afternoon: Get muddy on an ATV track through tunnels, jungle, and a splash-through waterfall—equal parts adrenaline and photo fun. Refuel on crispy duck or nasi campur at Warung Pondok Madu.

ATV Quad Bike Bali with Waterfall Gorilla Cave and Lunch

Evening: Massage at Karsa Spa (paddy views) or Fivelements Day Spa (riverside serenity). Dinner at Melting Wok Warung (book ahead) or Naughty Nuri’s for smoky ribs and cold Bintang.

Day 4: East Bali Temples and Water Palace

Venture to Lempuyang’s famed “Gates of Heaven,” then wander Tirta Gangga’s koi-filled pools and Sleeping Gajah. Expect a scenic, culture-rich day with mountain and sea views.

East Bali Tour: Gate of Heaven, Water Palace, Sleeping Gajah

Return via hill villages; if time permits, stop for salak (snake fruit) at a roadside stand. Dinner in Ubud at Copper Kitchen & Bar (try their smoked sambal dishes) or Kebun Bistro for bistro fare in a leafy garden.

Seminyak

Seminyak brings beach days, boutique shopping, and a deep bench of restaurants and cocktail bars. Petitenget Temple watches over a sunset strip of beach clubs; inland lanes hide espresso bars and warungs locals love.

By basing here, you’re well placed for Uluwatu’s cliff temples and the Sanur harbor for Nusa Penida boats. Expect golden-hour rituals on the sand and late-night energy if you want it.

• Where to stay: Budget-friendly and social at M Boutique Hostel. Families will love the pools and slides at Bali Dynasty Resort (Kuta). For pampered beachfront bliss within 30 minutes, consider The St. Regis Bali Resort (Nusa Dua). Or browse Hotels.com (Seminyak) and VRBO (Seminyak villas).
• Moving Ubud → Seminyak: 1.5–2 hours by car depending on traffic. Book a private driver (typically IDR 350,000–550,000) and keep the same driver for sightseeing flexibility.
• Where to eat and sip: Morning coffee at Revolver or Expat. Roasters; brunch at Sisterfields or Sea Circus; sundowners at Potato Head or KU DE TA; dinner at Warung Nia (satay and cooking class), Mamasan (modern Indonesian), or La Lucciola (Italian by the sea).

Day 5: Transfer to Seminyak, Beach Time, Uluwatu Sunset & Kecak

Morning: Depart Ubud after breakfast; aim to arrive in Seminyak before lunch. Check in and grab coffee at Revolver—velvety flat whites and house blends—or a smoothie bowl at Sisterfields.

Afternoon: Beach hours on Seminyak or Petitenget Beach; rent sunbeds and watch surfers. Late lunch at Nook (rice-field views, nasi campur and crispy duck) or at Warung Murah for hardy, inexpensive Indonesian plates.

Evening: Head south to Uluwatu Temple for the cliff-top sunset and the rhythmic, fire-lit Kecak dance. Cap the night with a toes-in-sand seafood feast in Jimbaran (try Menega Café or Lia Café for grilled fish, chili clams, and corn).

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

For reliable, English-speaking transport today and during your beach stay, consider booking a driver:

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

Day 6: Nusa Penida by Private Boat — Snorkel with Mantas

Full-day island-hopping from Sanur to Nusa Penida for four snorkeling spots (Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, etc.) plus land viewpoints like Kelingking. Expect turquoise water, coral gardens, and a decent chance to see manta rays when conditions align.

Nusa Penida by Private Boat - Snorkeling 4 spots, Swim with Mantas + Land Tour

Back in Seminyak, ease into the evening with sunset Negronis at KU DE TA or a beachfront coconut. Dinner at La Lucciola (classic Italian, candlelit) or Mamasan (bold Indonesian flavors—rendang, betutu, and rich sambals).

Day 7: Boutique Browsing, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Shop Seminyak Village lanes for textiles, ceramics, and natural skincare. Coffee at Expat. Roasters or Titik Temu, then brunch at Sea Circus (breakfast tacos, chia coconut pudding) or Coffee Cartel (pink latté art, eggs with sambal matah).

Afternoon: Quick foot massage before you roll your bag to the car. Seminyak → DPS usually takes 30–60 minutes, but pad extra time for traffic. For outbound flights, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for real-time options.

Evening: Wheels up with a final stash of Bali snacks—pia, cashews, and local coffee beans.

Optional Swap: North Bali’s Lakes and Water Temples

If you’d prefer cooler highlands over Penida, trade Day 6 for a scenic temple loop featuring lakeside shrines and tiered rice fields.

Full-Day Tour to Water Temples and UNESCO Rice Terraces in Bali

Good to know: Sarong rentals are available at major temples; shoulders and knees should be covered. Ocean conditions around Penida can be choppy—tours may adjust sites for safety. For ground transfers between bases, a private driver gives you flexibility to add impromptu stops (rice terraces, coffee tastings, artisan workshops).

Accommodation quick links: Ubud: Four Seasons Sayan, Puri Garden Hostel, Hotels.com search (Ubud), VRBO (Ubud). Seminyak area: M Boutique Hostel, Bali Dynasty Resort (Kuta), The St. Regis Bali (Nusa Dua), Hotels.com search (Seminyak), VRBO (Seminyak).

In a week, you’ll have traced Bali’s cultural spine in Ubud, savored Seminyak’s beach rhythm, and sailed to Penida’s reefs—all with time for coffee, massages, and memorable meals. Keep this itinerary handy; Bali rewards repeat visits, and your next trip might add Sidemen’s valley or Munduk’s cloud forest to the story.