Bali’s story stretches back over a millennium, where Hindu-Javanese kingdoms shaped rituals, rice terraces, and a living arts scene. From gamelan orchestras echoing through temple courtyards to centuries-old water temples feeding emerald paddies, the island blends spirituality with everyday life.

For a balanced 7-day itinerary, split time between Ubud (culture, jungle, waterfalls) and the Uluwatu/Jimbaran coast (beaches, surf, clifftop temples). Expect slow, scenic drives, fragrant frangipani, and a dining scene that ranges from humble warungs to destination restaurants with serious culinary cred.

Practical notes: pack a light sarong for temples, carry cash for small vendors, and treat scooters with respect—roads can be narrow and busy. For flights to Denpasar (DPS), compare routes on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Singapore ~2.5 hours, Kuala Lumpur ~3 hours, Sydney ~6 hours. Roundtrips often range from $120–$650 depending on season.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heartbeat—dense jungle, terraced rice fields, and artisans at work in silver, batik, and wood. The town’s compact center hides serene temples and savory smoke from grills serving babi guling and crispy duck.

Top sights orbit the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terrace, the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul’s holy springs, and cascading waterfalls like Tegenungan. Coffee is a quiet obsession—order a V60 at Seniman, then linger in leafy courtyards as scooters hum by.

• Where to stay (Ubud): Browse private villas on VRBO Ubud or hotels via Hotels.com Ubud. Standouts: jungle-luxe Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan; social, central Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel.
• Eat & drink: Breakfast at Seniman Coffee Studio (roastery, hand-pours), KAFE (veg-friendly bowls), or Flock (brunch with house ferments). Lunch at Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka (roast suckling pig classics), Warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku (spiced chicken set), or Bebek Bengil “Dirty Duck” (crispy duck, rice-field views). Dinner at Copper Kitchen & Bar (Bisma Eight’s modern Balinese), Indus (longtime favorite with ridge vistas), or Ibu Susu Bar & Kitchen (SE Asian small plates, good cocktails). For dessert, Room 4 Dessert’s playful sweets menu is a destination in itself.

Day 1: Arrival in Bali → Ubud

Morning: Fly into DPS. Compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Clear immigration (Visa on Arrival available for many nationalities) and meet your driver.

Afternoon: Transfer to Ubud (1.5–2 hours; IDR 400,000–700,000 by private car). Check into your hotel—splurge on riverside serenity at Four Seasons Sayan or meet fellow travelers at Puri Garden. Stroll Ubud Palace and the adjacent art market for batik and hand-carved masks.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Luna (Balinese rituals translated into homestyle dishes) or Copper Kitchen (smoked bebek, local greens). Nightcap with live music at Laughing Buddha Bar, or a quiet herbal tea under the banyans.

Day 2: Best of Ubud—Temples, Rice Terraces, Jungle Swing (Full Day)

Spend the day discovering Ubud’s greatest hits on this private tour with a jungle swing and lunch stops. You’ll cover the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul Temple, and more, without fussing over routes or parking.

Best of Ubud Full-Day Tour with Jungle Swing

Return to town for dinner—try Warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku for a classic ayam betutu set, or Indus for ridge views and refined plates.

Day 3: ATV Adventure, Coffee, and Spa Time

Morning: Get muddy and grin your way through tunnels, waterfalls, and jungle tracks on a guided ATV ride. It’s equal parts sightseeing and thrill, suitable for beginners.

ATV Quad Bike Bali with Waterfall Gorilla Cave and Lunch

Afternoon: Refuel at Seniman Coffee Studio (try the single-origin flight) and browse nearby galleries. Optional restorative yoga at The Yoga Barn or a traditional boreh body scrub at a local spa.

Evening: Catch a Legong dance performance at Ubud Palace (check nightly schedules). Dinner at Ibu Susu Bar & Kitchen—don’t miss the crispy pork belly and tamarind cocktails—or go classic at Bebek Bengil for that signature crispy duck.

Day 4: East Bali Icons—Gate of Heaven, Water Palaces (Full Day)

Rise early to beat the crowds at Lempuyang’s “Gate of Heaven,” then cool off at Tirta Gangga’s spring-fed pools and stroll Taman Ujung’s royal pavilions. You’ll glimpse rural villages, volcano views, and the island’s royal heritage.

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

On return, keep dinner casual at Warung Biah Biah (great small plates of lawar and sate) or upgrade to Copper Kitchen’s seasonal tasting menu.

Uluwatu & Jimbaran (South Bali Coast)

Welcome to the Bukit Peninsula: limestone cliffs, secret coves, and wave-washed temples. Days here move to the rhythm of tides—surf at dawn, lounge at noon, and chase that molten-orange sunset from a clifftop bar.

Uluwatu Temple’s sea-sprayed perch hosts a fiery Kecak dance at dusk, while Jimbaran lines its bay with seafood grills that perfume the night air. Nearby beaches—Padang Padang, Melasti, and Bingin—offer soft sand and photogenic limestone backdrops.

• Where to stay (Coast): Search stays in VRBO Uluwatu or VRBO Jimbaran, and hotels on Hotels.com Uluwatu or Hotels.com Jimbaran. Beach-resort choices nearby include The St. Regis Bali Resort (Nusa Dua) for five-star serenity, family-friendly Bali Dynasty Resort (Kuta), or budget-friendly M Boutique Hostel (Seminyak).
• Eat & drink: Breakfast at Suka Espresso (great flat whites and eggs benny), Drifter Cafe (surfer-creative vibe), or The Cashew Tree (smoothie bowls, shaded garden). Lunch at Bukit Cafe (fresh wraps), Warung Padang Padang (simple Indonesian plates), or Mana Uluwatu (fish tacos, ocean views). Dinner at Jimbaran’s Menega Cafe or Lia Cafe (grilled snapper, prawns, corn on the cob), Sundara at Four Seasons (chic beachfront), or Cuca (playful tapas-style dishes).

Day 5: Ubud → Uluwatu Transfer, Clifftop Sunset

Morning: Depart Ubud after breakfast. Private car to Uluwatu/Jimbaran takes 1.5–2 hours (IDR 400,000–700,000). If you prefer to secure a driver for flexible stops, book a trusted private driver:

Experts Bali Driver: Best Bali Private Driver

Afternoon: Check in and unwind on the sand at Padang Padang or at Melasti’s calm shallows. Coffee at Suka Espresso or BGS Uluwatu, then a dip back at your pool.

Evening: Make your way to Uluwatu Temple for the clifftop Kecak. After sunset, head to Jimbaran Bay for feet-in-the-sand seafood—grilled snapper, squid, and sambal matah, with a cold Bintang.

Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

Day 6: Nusa Penida by Boat—Snorkeling and Land Highlights (Full Day)

Early start to Sanur for your private fast boat to Nusa Penida. Snorkel at four spots (Manta Point when conditions allow), then visit Kelingking viewpoint and Crystal Bay. It’s the island day trip people rave about—crystalline water, manta sightings, and iconic cliffs.

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

Back on the mainland, toast the day at Single Fin (clifftop views) or settle in at Sundara for a refined beachfront dinner.

Day 7: Slow Morning on the Coast, Departure

Morning: Last swim or beach walk, then a relaxed brunch at Drifter Cafe or The Cashew Tree (their smoothie bowls are pure sunshine). Optional stop at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park for colossal statues and panoramic views.

Afternoon: Transfer to DPS (30–60 minutes from Uluwatu/Jimbaran, traffic-dependent). Check flight options and on-time updates via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Depart Bali with sandy shoes, full memory cards, and a list of dishes you’ll miss—ayam betutu, sambal matah, and those rice terraces at golden hour.

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Drivers vs. scooters: For most travelers, a full-day private driver is the least stressful way to see Bali (IDR 600,000–900,000 for 8–10 hours). If you do ride a scooter, wear a helmet and keep speeds moderate.
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered; many temples provide sarongs. Avoid pointing feet at shrines. Sunrise starts earliest at high-altitude sites—plan accordingly.
• Money & eSIMs: ATMs are widespread; cash is handy for warungs and markets. Consider an eSIM for reliable data.

Hotel Shortlist (Easy Booking)

• Ubud luxury: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
• Ubud social stay: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel
• South Bali five-star: The St. Regis Bali Resort (Nusa Dua)
• Family-friendly: Bali Dynasty Resort (Kuta)
• Budget coast option: M Boutique Hostel (Seminyak)
• Broader searches: Hotels.com Ubud, Hotels.com Uluwatu, VRBO Ubud, VRBO Uluwatu

Seven days in Bali gives you a little of everything: sacred springs and dance-dramas, cliff-backed beaches and manta-filled reefs, and food that tastes like sunshine. You’ll leave with sandal tan lines and a promise to come back for the corners you missed.