Bali blends ancient ritual and everyday artistry. The island’s Hindu heritage—rooted in the Majapahit era—lives through temple ceremonies, gamelan music, and offerings placed each morning. You’ll feel it in Ubud’s carved stone gateways and along Uluwatu’s cliffs where the sea booms beneath a 10th-century temple.

UNESCO-listed subak irrigation weaves emerald rice terraces across the landscape, a communal system perfected over centuries. Bali is famously diverse for a small island: volcano sunrises, waterfall canyons, surf breaks, craft villages, and culinary scenes that range from warungs serving babi guling to tasting menus that rival big-city dining.

Practical notes: Many nationalities can obtain a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VOA)—confirm current rules before you fly. Dress modestly for temples (sarongs are often provided). Use reef-safe sunscreen, bring cash (IDR) for small purchases, and consider a local eSIM. Taxis, reputable drivers, and ride-hailing apps are common; scooters are popular but require confidence and proper licensing.

Ubud

Welcome to Bali’s cultural heart: a town of artists, healers, and chefs, ringed by jungle ravines and rice terraces. Ubud is ideal for temples, traditional dance, craft villages, and spa days between waterfall treks.

• Top sights: Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Tirta Empul water temple, Campuhan Ridge, Ubud Palace and market, plus nearby waterfalls like Tibumana and Tegenungan.
• Eat and drink: Coffee at Seniman Coffee Studio or Anomali Coffee; classic nasi ayam at Warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku; crispy pork ribs at Naughty Nuri’s; plant-based bowls at Alchemy; fine dining at Mozaic; aperitifs at the elegant Apéritif Bar.
• Fun facts: Ubud’s name stems from “ubad” (medicine), nodding to its long association with healing herbs and wellness; many villages here specialize in a single craft, from silverwork to mask-carving.

Where to stay (Ubud): Treat yourself at the jungle-nestled Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (legendary service and riverside villas), or meet other travelers at Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel (social vibe, pool, daily activities). Browse more stays on Hotels.com (Ubud) or find villas on VRBO (Ubud).

Getting in: Fly into Denpasar (DPS). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. A private car from DPS to Ubud takes 60–90 minutes (roughly IDR 350,000–500,000, ~$22–$32).

Note on Viator tours labeled “Bali” in Crete (Greece): The following experiences occur on the Mediterranean island of Crete, not in Bali, Indonesia. If you’re pairing trips, they’re excellent add‑ons: Loutro the hidden village in the South and Glyka Nera Beach.

Uluwatu (The Bukit Peninsula)

Dramatic cliffs, sapphire water, and legendary surf define Uluwatu. Days stretch between hidden coves and breezy cafes; evenings mean cliffside sunsets and the hypnotic Kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple.

• Top sights: Uluwatu Temple, Padang Padang, Suluban (Blue Point), Bingin, Melasti, and day clubs tucked into limestone coves. Jimbaran Bay’s seafood shacks sit just north.
• Eat and drink: Breakfast at Suka Espresso or Drifter Surf; smoothies at BGS Bali; tacos and live music at The Cashew Tree; beach bites at Kelly’s Warung (Bingin); sundowners at Single Fin; seafood dinners on Jimbaran Beach (try Menega Cafe or Lia Cafe).
• Vibe: Surf-town casual by day, cinematic cliff sunsets by night. Pack reef shoes for rocky entries and a sarong for temple visits.

Where to stay (Uluwatu): Browse clifftop stays and beachy villas on Hotels.com (Uluwatu) and VRBO (Uluwatu). For ultra-refined beachfront about 30 minutes away, consider The St. Regis Bali Resort (Nusa Dua). Families who want easy pool time and a waterpark nearby can look at Bali Dynasty Resort (Kuta). Budgeting up north? M Boutique Hostel in Seminyak is a social base with quick access to cafes and surf schools.

Getting from Ubud to Uluwatu: Private car or taxi takes ~1.5–2 hours (IDR 400,000–600,000, ~$25–$38), depending on traffic. Depart after breakfast to avoid peak hours, and consider a scenic stop at Tanah Lot Temple en route.

More Crete add‑ons via Viator (not in Indonesia): If your journey continues to Greece, consider the Balos Lagoon cruise: Balos Lagoon with Transfer from Rethymnon.

Day 1: Arrive Bali (DPS) → Settle into Ubud

Afternoon: Land at DPS and meet your driver for the 60–90 minute ride to Ubud. Check in and refresh. Grab a light late lunch—try crunchy tempeh bowls and cold-pressed juices at Alchemy, or a colorful salad and wood-fired pizza at Clear Café.

Evening: Stretch your legs on the Campuhan Ridge Walk at golden hour—easy path, sweeping jungle views. For dinner, book Mozaic for a tasting menu spotlighting Indonesian ingredients, or head to Naughty Nuri’s for smoky ribs and local sides. Nightcap at Apéritif Bar for classic cocktails in a 1930s-inspired manor.

Day 2: Temples, Rice Terraces, and Coffee Culture

Morning: Start at Seniman Coffee Studio—order a pour-over from Indonesia’s highland beans. Visit Tirta Empul for a sacred water purification (bring a change of clothes; sarongs are available). Continue to Goa Gajah to see the carved demon-mouthed entrance and ancient bathing pools.

Afternoon: Lunch at Warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku—spiced chicken, lawar, egg, and sambal on rice, a Bali staple. Head to Tegallalang Rice Terraces; walk the paths and small swings, and stop for a coconut overlooking the paddies.

Evening: Treat yourself to a massage and flower bath at Karsa Spa or a riverside treatment at Tjampuhan Spa. Dinner near the rice fields at Cafe Pomegranate (lantern-lit at dusk) or modern Indonesian plates at IBU SUSU Bar & Kitchen.

Day 3: Mount Batur Sunrise + Hot Springs + Ubud Arts

Early morning: 2:00–2:30 a.m. pickup for the Mount Batur sunrise hike (guide required). Reach the rim by dawn to watch the sun lift over Lake Batur and Mt. Abang—on clear days, you’ll glimpse Agung and even Lombok’s Rinjani.

Late morning: Soak in lakeside hot springs (Toya Devasya or Banyuwedang-style pools). Brunch with volcano views at a local warung such as Warung Batur Sari—order mie goreng and fresh fruit.

Evening: Back in Ubud, nap and reset. At 7:30 p.m., see a traditional Legong or Barong performance at Ubud Palace. Dinner afterward at Casa Luna for Balinese classics—try bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck) and black rice pudding.

Day 4: Ubud → Uluwatu via Tanah Lot

Morning: Check out and drive toward the Bukit Peninsula. Stop at Tanah Lot Temple, poised on a sea rock; arrive around opening to avoid crowds and enjoy tide-smashed views.

Afternoon: Lunch in Canggu on the way: Warung Bu Mi for build-your-plate nasi campur or smoky satay at BB52. Continue 60–90 minutes to Uluwatu and check in. Drop your bag, then head to Melasti Beach for clear water and photos along the cliff road.

Evening: Sunset at Uluwatu Temple plus the Kecak fire dance—arrive 45–60 minutes early for seats with a sea backdrop. Post-show, dine on the sand in Jimbaran Bay. Menega Cafe grills snapper, clams, and prawns over coconut husk; pair with kangkung cah (water spinach) and sambal matah.

Day 5: Beach-Hop the Bukit

Morning: Fuel up at Suka Espresso (excellent eggs, shakshuka, and flat whites). Swim at Padang Padang—gentle in the morning. Surfers can try a lesson at Dreamland or Padang Padang Right with a local school.

Afternoon: Explore Suluban (Blue Point), descending through cave-like rock to sapphire water. Lunch at Kelly’s Warung on Bingin Beach—nasi goreng, wraps, and smoothies with toes-in-sand seating. Lounge at a day club like Sundays Beach Club or head to Bingin’s tide pools.

Evening: Sundowners at Single Fin with a cliffline view of Uluwatu’s waves. For dinner, The Cashew Tree has wholesome plates and, on some nights, live music; or head to Cuca in Jimbaran for a casual fine-dining “tapas” style menu celebrating Indonesian produce.

Day 6: Optional Nusa Penida Day Trip or Spa + Surf

Option A (Nusa Penida): Early transfer to Sanur for the fast boat (~45 minutes). West Penida highlights include Kelingking’s T‑rex headland, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong; snorkeling at Manta Bay is possible when conditions allow. Expect bumpy roads—hire a driver on arrival. Return late afternoon.

Option B (Uluwatu day): Slow morning coffee at Drifter; browse surf books and art. Midday spa session (Balinese massage + body scrub). Lunch at Ours Uluwatu for Mediterranean-leaning plates and grilled seafood. Late-afternoon swim at Bingin or gentle float at calm corners of Melasti. Sunset from Karang Boma Cliff for wide-open ocean vistas.

Evening: Celebrate your final full night with a tableside grill at Jimbaran’s beachfront or modern Indonesian at MASON’s sister venues in the south (ask locally for the latest openings). Toast with fresh coconut or a citrusy arak cocktail.

Day 7: Last Swim, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Quick sunrise dip at Padang Padang or an easy beach walk. Pack and linger over brunch at BGS Bali (good filter coffee, surf-y atmosphere) or Nourish for hearty bowls.

Afternoon: Pick up last-minute gifts—vanilla beans, local salt, or handwoven baskets. Transfer to DPS (allow 1.5–2 hours door-to-door). For onward flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Practical Getting-Around Tips: For Ubud–Uluwatu, budget IDR 400,000–600,000 by private driver. Within towns, Blue Bird taxis and ride-hailing are easy; for scooters, wear helmets and ensure you’re licensed. Hydrate, use reef-safe sunscreen, and mind the cheeky monkeys around Uluwatu Temple.

For stays on Bali’s beaches beyond Uluwatu, browse The St. Regis Bali Resort (serene beachfront in Nusa Dua) or family-friendly Bali Dynasty Resort near Kuta’s waterparks. Solo travelers heading north might consider M Boutique Hostel in Seminyak for a social base and endless cafe options.

Booking summary: Ubud 3–4 nights; Uluwatu 3–4 nights. Flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Stays via Hotels.com (Ubud), VRBO (Ubud), Hotels.com (Uluwatu), and VRBO (Uluwatu). Splurge options include Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan and The St. Regis Bali Resort; great-value hubs include Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel and M Boutique Hostel.

In seven days you’ll taste Bali’s breadth—from Ubud’s temple bells and terraces to Uluwatu’s cliffside sunsets and barefoot seafood feasts. Keep this guide handy, and you’ll move like a pro while leaving room for serendipity—Bali’s most reliable magic.