Bali—often called the Island of the Gods—braids Hindu temples, volcanic highlands, and coastal villages into a vivid tapestry. Centuries-old rituals hum alongside contemporary cafes and artisan studios; you can greet long-tailed macaques in the morning and toast the sunset from a beach club by dusk. It’s an island designed for slow mornings, scenic drives, and serendipity.

Most travelers split time between the cultural highlands of Ubud and the oceanfront buzz of South Bali. This plan does exactly that. You’ll wander UNESCO-listed rice terraces, purify at water temples, learn local crafts, catch cliff-side dances at Uluwatu, and sail to Nusa Penida for coral gardens and manta rays.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (sarong provided at most sites). Don’t drink tap water; carry cash (IDR) for small warungs. Expect traffic—hire a driver for comfort. As of 2025, Bali collects a tourist levy (IDR 150,000) payable online or on arrival; check current guidance before you fly.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart: gamelan music, batik workshops, carved doors, and incense curling through banyan trees. The town is ringed by rice terraces and jungle ravines perfect for sunrise walks and waterfall swims.

• Highlights: Sacred Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul water temple, craft villages (Celuk silver, Mas woodcarving), contemporary Indonesian cuisine.
• Good to know: Wellness is woven into daily life—yoga, herbal tonics, and traditional healers coexist with third-wave coffee and fine dining.

Where to stay (Ubud): For resort serenity amid rice fields, consider the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Social, stylish, and central, Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel is a traveler favorite. Browse villas and homestays via VRBO Ubud or more hotels on Hotels.com Ubud.

Getting to Bali (DPS) for your Ubud start: Compare fares and routes to Denpasar (Ngurah Rai International) with Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical flight times: 4–6 hours from Singapore/KL, 6–7 hours from Sydney/Melbourne, 18–24 hours (one stop) from the US. From DPS to Ubud is ~1.5 hours by car (IDR 300k–500k / ~$20–35).

Featured Ubud experiences (bookable):

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

  

• ATV Quad Bike Through Tunnel and Waterfall in Bali

  

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

  

Seminyak

Seminyak blends golden beaches and cosmopolitan dining with chic boutiques and buzzy sundowners. It’s your launchpad for Uluwatu’s cliff-top temple, Tanah Lot’s sea shrine, and boat trips to Nusa Penida.

• Highlights: Double Six Beach, Petitenget sunsets, Potato Head and KU DE TA beach clubs, Jalan Kayu Aya shopping, day trips south and west.
• Good to know: Surf is gentler than Uluwatu—great for lessons. Traffic peaks around sunset; plan transfers with buffer time.

Where to stay (Seminyak and South Bali): For a stylish hostel base, check M Boutique Hostel. Family-friendly with a waterpark near the airport and Kuta, Bali Dynasty Resort is a value pick. For a splurge on white sands, consider The St. Regis Bali Resort in nearby Nusa Dua. Also browse VRBO Seminyak villas or Hotels.com Seminyak.

Getting here from Ubud: Depart after breakfast for a 1–2 hour drive (IDR 300k–500k / ~$20–35 depending on traffic). Prefer a dedicated driver? Book one via Experts Bali Driver: Best Bali Private Driver

Featured Seminyak-area experiences (bookable):

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

  

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

  

• Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey

  

Day 1: Arrive in Bali (DPS) → Ubud welcome

Afternoon: Land at DPS and transfer ~1.5 hours to Ubud. Check in and refresh. Ease into Bali with a gentle stroll through the Sacred Monkey Forest—mossy temples, banyan bridges, and cheeky macaques set the scene.

Evening: Dinner on Monkey Forest Road at Cafe Wayan & Bakery (Balinese classics; their pepes ikan—spiced fish in banana leaf—is a staple) or Bebek Bengil “Dirty Duck” for crispy duck with sambal and rice paddies views. Nightcap at Laughing Buddha Bar with live music.

Day 2: Ubud’s icons (full-day guided tour)

Join a curated day that strings together the island’s big hitters: Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace boardwalks, Tirta Empul for purification, a waterfall swim, and a small-batch coffee stop (learn about kopi luwak, but opt for ethically sourced tastings). Hotel pickup and entry fees simplify the day.

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

Day 3: Ridge walks, craft villages, and optional ATV adventure

Morning: Sunrise on the Campuhan Ridge Walk—easy and photogenic. Coffee at Seniman Coffee Studio (single-origin pour-overs, serious roastery vibes) and a light breakfast at Clear Cafe (smoothie bowls, turmeric shots). Swing by Ubud Palace and Saraswati Temple’s lotus ponds.

Afternoon: Explore artisan villages: Celuk for silversmiths (watch filigree work), Mas for woodcarving, and a stop at Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave). Lunch on nasi ayam at Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku—fragrant chicken, lawar, peanuts, boiled egg, and sambal.

Evening: Feel like getting muddy? Opt into an adrenaline session on forest trails, tunnels, rivers, and a waterfall finish—showers and lunch included. Otherwise, book dinner at Mozaic (seasonal tasting menus marrying Indonesian ingredients with French technique) or keep it casual at Alchemy for plant-based, raw-leaning plates.

ATV Quad Bike Through Tunnel and Waterfall in Bali

Day 4: Ubud → Seminyak transfer, beach time, Uluwatu sunset

Morning: Depart Ubud after breakfast for Seminyak (1–2 hours by car; IDR 300k–500k / ~$20–35). If you prefer a driver with flexible stops, reserve Experts Bali Driver: Best Bali Private Driver.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll Double Six Beach. Lunch at Warung Nia (marinated satay grilled over coconut husk; they also run a fun cooking class) or Watercress (Batu Belig) for hearty salads and burgers. Catch a late-afternoon swim.

Evening: Head south for Uluwatu Temple’s golden-hour drama. The Kecak Fire Dance—men chanting “cak” while dancers retell the Ramayana—is quintessential Bali. End with grilled seafood (snapper, clams, prawns) at Jimbaran Bay, toes-in-sand style.

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

Day 5: Nusa Penida manta rays and viewpoints (full-day)

Board a private fast boat from Sanur for a day of snorkeling (Manta Point conditions permitting) plus iconic viewpoints like Kelingking. Expect an early start, smooth transfers, and a mix of reef time and land touring. Bring a rash guard and motion-sickness bands if you’re sensitive to swell.

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

Day 6: Seminyak slow day—cafes, shopping, and sunset

Morning: Coffee at Revolver Espresso (down an alley; syrupy espresso) or Sisterfields (Aussie-style brunch). Try a surf lesson on Double Six Beach; gentle beach breaks are ideal for first-timers. Browse Jalan Kayu Aya for boutiques—linen, rattan bags, ceramics.

Afternoon: Lunch at Biku (heritage joglo house; nasi campur or afternoon tea) or Boy’N’Cow for prime steaks if you want a Western fix. Pool time at Potato Head or KU DE TA; book daybeds and arrive early for sunset views over Petitenget Temple.

Evening: Dinner at Sangsaka (modern Indonesian tasting plates cooked over charcoal) or Da Maria for Neapolitan pies and a lively room. For a playful late night, Motel Mexicola spins retro hits under lanterns—go for margaritas and a dance.

Day 7: Tanah Lot morning or spa, souvenirs, and departure

Morning: Early run to Tanah Lot to beat the crowds—watch waves crash around the sea temple and browse nearby markets—or opt for a Balinese massage and boreh body scrub at a local spa. Brunch at Coffee Cartel (latte art and breakfast tacos) before packing.

Afternoon: Transfer to DPS (45–75 minutes depending on traffic). Aim to leave Seminyak 4 hours before an international flight. If you need last-minute changes, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional swap-in full day: Prefer temples and highland vistas over beach time? Trade Day 6 for this western Bali circuit—water shrines, mountain air, and UNESCO rice terraces.

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

Where to eat and drink, summarized:

• Ubud: Seniman Coffee Studio (coffee), Clear Cafe (healthy brunch), Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku (nasi ayam), Bebek Bengil (crispy duck), Mozaic (culinary splurge), Alchemy (plant-based).
• Seminyak: Revolver Espresso and Sisterfields (breakfast/brunch), Warung Nia (Balinese satay; cooking class), Biku (tea and Indonesian staples), Boy’N’Cow (steaks), Sangsaka or Da Maria (dinner), Potato Head / KU DE TA (sunset drinks), Motel Mexicola (late-night fun).

Summary: In one week you’ll move from Ubud’s sacred springs and jungled ridges to Seminyak’s surf, shopping, and sunsets—with a dazzling Nusa Penida day at sea. This balanced Bali itinerary layers culture, cuisine, adventure, and calm so every day feels full—but never rushed.