Bali has been luring travelers for centuries with its distinct Hindu culture, mountain-to-sea landscapes, and a creative spirit that infuses everything from dance to design. The island’s subak irrigation system—visible in sculpted rice terraces—dates to the 9th century and is recognized by UNESCO. Today, Bali balances ceremony and surf: incense at dawn, beach bars by dusk.

Spend a week splitting time between Ubud’s rainforest temples and artists’ ateliers and Uluwatu’s limestone cliffs and hidden coves. You’ll wander the Ubud Monkey Forest, swing above Tegallalang, catch a crimson sunset at Uluwatu Temple, and hop over to Nusa Penida for dazzling viewpoints. Along the way, sample babi guling, sate lilit, and fresh-caught snapper on the sand at Jimbaran Bay.

Practical notes: Most visitors enter via Denpasar (DPS). As of 2025, Bali levies a tourism fee (IDR 150,000) payable online or on arrival; dress modestly for temples (sarongs usually provided). Scooters dominate traffic—hire a driver if you’re not confident riding. Dry season (May–September) is best for beaches; rainy season brings greener rice terraces and fewer crowds.

Getting there: Fly into Denpasar (DPS). Compare fares and routes on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Singapore (~2.5 hrs), Perth (~3.5 hrs), Sydney (~6.5 hrs). One-stop from North America is ~20–28 hrs total; roundtrips often range US$700–1,200 outside peak.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart—temples veiled in moss, galleries tucked down leafy lanes, and a daily rhythm of offerings and gamelan rehearsals. The Sacred Monkey Forest, Puri Saren Royal Palace, and Campuhan Ridge Walk sit within minutes of slow-food cafés and yoga shalas.

Top sights nearby include Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul water temple, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Tegenungan Waterfall, and artisan villages skilled in silver, batik, and woodcarving. Foodwise, Ubud ranges from plant-forward hubs like Alchemy to long-loved Balinese kitchens such as Ibu Oka (suckling pig).

• Where to stay (Ubud):
  • Indulgent: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan—jungle cocoon architecture and riverside spa. Book via Hotels.com.
  • Social/budget: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel—central, clean, and lively with a pool. Book via Hotels.com.
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com Ubud or VRBO Ubud.
• Arrival logistics: DPS to Ubud takes ~1.5–2.5 hrs depending on traffic. Prebook a driver (IDR 350,000–500,000 / US$23–35) or arrange a hotel transfer.
• Coffee + bites to try: Seniman Coffee Studio (precision pours), Clear Café (colorful bowls), Warung Biah Biah (nasi campur), Mozaic (tasting menus celebrating Indonesian terroir), Alchemy (raw vegan), Casa Luna (Balinese classics).

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Settle into Ubud’s Green

Afternoon: Arrive DPS and transfer to Ubud. Check in and decompress with a ginger-lime juice by the pool. If you’re peckish, swing by Seniman Coffee Studio for a piccolo and a pandan croissant.

Evening: Stroll the Ubud Palace and Saraswati Temple lotus pond as lanterns flicker. Dinner ideas: Casa Luna for roasted duck in fragrant spices; or Warung Biah Biah for a budget-friendly spread of lawar, sambals, and tempe manis. Cap the night with gelato at Gaya.

Day 2: Ubud Icons—Monkeys, Rice Terraces, and Water Temples (Full Day Tour)

See the greatest hits without the hassle on a private, all-inclusive day tour that covers the Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace (with a jungle swing), Tirta Empul’s holy springs, a hidden waterfall, and a coffee plantation. Breakfast on smoothie bowls at Clear Café; enjoy a terrace-view lunch near Tegallalang.

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

For dinner, try Mozaic’s Indonesian-inspired tasting menu (reserve ahead) or Ibu Rai for classic mie goreng and grilled prawns. If you want a nightcap, many spots close by 11 pm—opt for a quiet herbal tea.

Day 3: Mount Batur Sunrise by Jeep, Spa, and Ubud Evenings

Morning: 2:00–2:30 am pickup for an off-road Jeep ride to Mount Batur’s viewpoints. Watch the sun ignite the caldera and black lava fields—no strenuous hike required. Warm up with coffee and optionally soak in nearby hot springs.

Book: Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour with Optional Activities

Afternoon: Brunch at Alchemy (try the dragonfruit chia parfait) and a restorative massage at Karsa Spa overlooking rice paddies. Wander the Campuhan Ridge Walk for soft light and valley views.

Evening: Dine at Nusantara for regionally inspired Balinese dishes (smoked duck, urap vegetables) or Murni’s Warung, a timeless riverside choice. Early night—you’ll transfer south tomorrow.

Uluwatu

Uluwatu crowns Bali’s Bukit Peninsula with soaring cliffs, surf breaks, and tucked-away beaches like Padang Padang, Bingin, and Melasti. The oceanside Uluwatu Temple becomes pure theater at sunset when the Kecak fire dance animates the cliff-top stage.

Days here move to a saltier rhythm: sunrise swims, smoothie bowls, surf lessons, and long, golden twilights from Single Fin or Sundays Beach Club. Jimbaran’s seafood shacks grill snapper and squid right on the sand—barefoot dining at its most satisfying.

• Where to stay (South Bali):
  • Search Uluwatu stays: Hotels.com Uluwatu or VRBO Uluwatu.
  • Five-star alternative (Nusa Dua): The St. Regis Bali Resort—private strand, butler service. Book via Hotels.com. Browse Hotels.com Nusa Dua.
  • Family-friendly nearby (Kuta): Bali Dynasty Resort—pools and kids’ club. Book via Hotels.com.
  • Budget in Seminyak (if you prefer nightlife): M Boutique Hostel. Book via Hotels.com.
• Transfer: Ubud to Uluwatu is ~1.5–2.5 hrs by car. Private driver or taxi runs IDR 300,000–500,000 (US$20–35) depending on location and traffic.
• Eat & drink: Suka Espresso (flat whites, corn fritters), Drifter Café (surfer-chic salads and burgers), The Cashew Tree (healthy bowls), La Baracca (Italian), Dugong at Suarga (sustainable seafood with a view), Jimbaran’s Menega Café (grilled fish at sunset).

Day 4: Transfer to Uluwatu, Cliffside Beaches, and Temple Sunset

Morning: Depart Ubud after breakfast; expect 2 hours with a coffee stop. Check in and head to Suka Espresso for eggs your way or ricotta hotcakes.

Afternoon: Beach-hop: descend to Padang Padang for a swim in calm coves, then up to Bingin for tide pools and cliff cafés. Keep a sarong handy for temple visits.

Evening: Experience Uluwatu Temple at golden hour and stay for the Kecak fire dance. The rhythmic chant, the cliff drop, and a burning sunset make for a goosebump moment; finish with seafood-on-the-sand at Jimbaran (try Menega Café for snapper with sambal matah).

Book: Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

Day 5: Nusa Penida by Premium Boat (Full Day Tour)

Today’s the postcard: cruise by private-style boat to Nusa Penida for Kelingking’s T-Rex headland, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and snorkeling stops with neon reefs (manta sightings are a bonus). Small-group numbers and a spacious boat keep things comfortable; lunch and transfers are typically included.

Book: Premium All Inclusive Full Day Tour from Bali to Nusa Penida

Back on the Bukit, keep dinner simple: The Cashew Tree for satay and a cold Bintang, or book Cuca in Jimbaran for creative small plates like black squid ink rice and Bali-caught fish.

Day 6: Surf, Beach Clubs, and Skyline Sunsets

Morning: Beginner-friendly surf lesson at Padang Padang or Dreamland (ask your hotel for a vetted instructor). Fuel up at Drifter Café—try the avocado toast with house chili jam.

Afternoon: Take the cliff elevator down to Sundays Beach Club for kayaks, paddleboards, and calm turquoise water, or head south to Melasti Beach’s dramatic limestone backdrop. Save time for a massage; many local parlors offer excellent treatments at fair prices.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Single Fin watching Uluwatu’s long, peeling sets, or dress up for Savaya’s sky-high terrace. Dinner at La Baracca for wood-fired pizza, or Dugong at Suarga for ocean-breezy fine dining focused on sustainable seafood.

Day 7: Easy Morning and Departure

Morning: One last dip at Bingin or a leisurely seaside walk at Jimbaran. Brunch on corn fritters or nasi goreng at Suka Espresso, then pack up.

Afternoon: Transfer to DPS (allow 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). If you’re flying onward in Asia, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re rail-hopping in Indonesia beyond Bali (via Java), research trunk routes on Trip.com trains before you go.

Optional Add-Ons (Swap Into Any Free Slot)

• Prefer more Ubud time? Choose another all-in-one Ubud highlights tour to mix in different waterfalls and temple stops.

Book: Ubud Top Attractions: Waterfalls, Temples and Rice Terraces

In seven days you’ve touched Bali’s essentials: ritual-rich Ubud, wave-swept Uluwatu, and the luminous blues of Nusa Penida. You’ve tasted the island’s spice, felt its ceremonies, and watched two unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. Keep the sarong—you’ll be back.