Bali’s story is written in stone gates and sacred water. Influenced by Hindu-Javanese kingdoms and resilient village traditions, the “Island of the Gods” is a living tapestry of temples, terraced rice fields, and elaborate ceremonies pulsing to the rhythm of gamelan.

In this 8-day Bali itinerary, you’ll split your time between Ubud’s jungle and Uluwatu’s clifftops. Expect sunrise over a volcano, a day trip to Nusa Penida’s luminous coves, and evenings of Kecak fire dance framed by an Indian Ocean horizon.

Practical notes: Visitors pay a small Tourist Levy (IDR 150,000) on arrival. Traffic is real; plan generous transfer windows. Dress modestly for temples (sarongs provided at most), drink bottled water, and check dates for Nyepi (Day of Silence), when the island pauses travel and noise for 24 hours.

Ubud

Welcome to Bali’s cultural heart. Ubud folds together working rice paddies, family compounds perfumed with canang sari offerings, and a creative scene ranging from textile ateliers to contemporary cuisine. Wander, and you’ll find shrines under banyan trees and cafes serving single-origin Balinese coffee.

• Highlights: Campuhan Ridge Walk, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul water temple, Ubud Monkey Forest, artisan villages (Mas woodcarving, Celuk silversmiths).
• Why base here: Easy access to volcano views, waterfalls, and East Bali’s royal water palaces.
• Where to stay:
  • Splurge: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan — riverside villas amid rainforest canopies. Check availability
  • Stylish budget/social: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel — pool, yoga, and a central location. See rooms
  • Browse more stays on VRBO Ubud or Hotels.com Ubud.

Getting in: Fly into Denpasar (DPS). Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com (Europe-based travelers can also compare on Omio). Private transfer DPS→Ubud takes ~1.5–2 hours; expect roughly IDR 350,000–600,000 for a car.

Day 1: Arrival in Bali, transfer to Ubud

Afternoon: Land at DPS and head to Ubud. Check in, then stretch your legs on the Campuhan Ridge Walk—golden light spills over palms and alang-alang grass, and the breeze shakes off jet lag.

Evening: Dinner at The Sayan House (Latin-Japanese plates with a valley view) or Mozaic (tasting menus exploring Indonesian terroir). For something casual, Warung Biah Biah serves excellent nasi campur and satay.

Day 2: Ubud essentials—monkeys, rice terraces, and holy springs

Morning: Fuel up at Seniman Coffee Studio with a Bali Kintamani pour-over and flaky croissant. Then join a private guided circuit of Ubud’s icons for context and easy logistics.

Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour — visit the Ubud Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul water temple, a hidden waterfall, and a coffee plantation with tastings.

Afternoon: Lunch near the terraces at Warung Dedari (crispy duck and jungle views). Browse Ubud Art Market for handwoven baskets and batik; pop into Saraswati Temple for lotus ponds and carvings.

Evening: Dine at Apéritif (grand 1930s-inspired dining room with a refined degustation) or Casa Luna (Balinese classics; their jukut urab is excellent). Nightcap at Night Rooster for spice-driven cocktails.

Day 3: Mount Batur sunrise and hot springs (no split—early start)

Set a 2:30–3:00 a.m. pickup. Skip the hike and still catch the spectacle with a sunrise jeep adventure across black lava fields; add a soaking session after.

Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour with Optional Activities — watch the caldera glow, then opt for hot springs or a coffee plantation stop.

Brunch back in Ubud at Clear Café (smoothie bowls, Ayurvedic soups). Book an afternoon massage at Karsa Spa along a quiet rice-field lane. Dinner at Naughty Nuri’s for sticky, smoke-kissed ribs; vegetarians can find hearty plates at KAFE.

Day 4: East Bali day trip—Lempuyang’s Gate of Heaven and royal water gardens (no split)

Go early to beat the lines at Pura Lempuyang’s photogenic candi bentar framing Mount Agung, then wander through reflective pools and fountains at Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung.

East Bali Tour: Gate of Heaven, Water Palace, Sleeping Gajah — a comfortable, guided loop with scenic drives through rural villages.

Lunch near Tirta Gangga—try ikan bakar (grilled fish) with sambal matah. Back in Ubud, keep it simple with nasi goreng at Cafe Wayan, or book Mozaic’s garden table if you postponed it from Day 1.

Uluwatu & Jimbaran

Trade jungle greens for limestone cliffs. Uluwatu is Bali’s surfy south: turquoise coves reached by staircases, day clubs on precipices, and an ancient sea temple staging a fiery Kecak performance at sunset.

• Highlights: Uluwatu Temple, Padang Padang and Suluban beaches, Melasti’s white sand, Jimbaran’s seafood barbecue, sunset bars perched over the Indian Ocean.
• Why base here: Easy access to beaches and Nusa Penida boats, plus dramatic sunsets and excellent dining.
• Where to stay:
  • Refined beachfront: The St. Regis Bali Resort (Nusa Dua)—butler service and calm waters. View rates
  • Family favorite near Kuta’s waterparks: Bali Dynasty Resort. See rooms
  • Great-value beds: M Boutique Hostel (Seminyak) for sociable travelers. Check availability
  • Browse more stays on VRBO Uluwatu or Hotels.com Uluwatu and also Hotels.com Jimbaran.

Day 5: Ubud → Uluwatu transfer, beach time, and cliffside sunset

Morning: Depart Ubud around 9:00 a.m. for Uluwatu (1.5–2.5 hours depending on traffic). Expect IDR 400,000–600,000 for a private car. For door-to-door flexibility with stops, book a driver:

Experts Bali Driver: Best Bali Private Driver — customize your route and timing.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Padang Padang for a swim between limestone outcrops. Late lunch at The Cashew Tree (great salads, fish tacos) or Suka Espresso (Aussie-style café fare, strong flat whites).

Evening: Watch surfers carve at Single Fin as the sky turns mango-pink. Dinner on Jimbaran Beach—try Menega Cafe for smoky clams and grilled snapper, or Lia Cafe for prawns with sambal matah. Barefoot tables on the sand, waves at your feet.

Day 6: Nusa Penida snorkeling with manta rays + island viewpoints (no split)

Early pickup to Sanur for a private-boat crossing and a full day of snorkeling and scenic spots. Visibility is best in the morning; mantas favor certain conditions, but guides know the reefs.

Nusa Penida day trip: boat, 4 snorkeling, Manta rays & Land tour — private fast boat, four snorkel sites, and land stops like Kelingking and Crystal Bay.

Dinner back on the mainland at Ours Uluwatu (Mediterranean-leaning comfort food) or Cuca in Jimbaran (creative small plates—don’t miss the BBQ octopus and the Bali-inspired desserts).

Day 7: Surf, spa, and Uluwatu Temple Kecak fire dance

Morning: Breakfast at Drifter Cafe (house-made granola, great espresso). Beginners can book a surf lesson at Thomas Beach’s gentler waves; experienced riders head to Bingin at mid-tide.

Afternoon: Unwind at Melasti Beach, where a dramatic road curls down the cliff to white sand and teal water. Treat yourself to a Balinese massage at The Asa Maia or a chilled coconut under your umbrella.

Evening: Cap the day with Uluwatu Temple’s cliffside Kecak dance—hundreds of chanters, a setting sun, and a mythic Ramayana tableau. Many tours include an easy transfer and dinner after.

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

Pre-show bites at Ours or post-show seafood at Jimbaran if it’s included in your tour. For a special toast, consider Rock Bar at AYANA or El Kabron’s cliffside loungers.

Day 8: Slow morning, last tastes of Bali, and departure

Morning: Brunch at Suka Espresso (corn fritters, avocado toast) or Tarabelle (pancakes and smoothies). If you prefer a final dip, Melasti’s calm shore is a lovely farewell swim.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Warung Nasi Ayam Bu Oki (Jimbaran) for spicy chicken rice and lawar before your airport transfer (~30–60 minutes to DPS from Uluwatu/Jimbaran, traffic dependent). Check flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional add-ons in Ubud (if you arrive early or extend)

All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour — a flexible Ubud day if you want more time at waterfalls or coffee farms.

For North Bali’s lakes and temples, this scenic loop is another great full-day option:

Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey

Dining cheat sheet:

• Ubud coffee/breakfast: Seniman Coffee Studio; Alchemy (raw, vegan); Clear Café (colorful bowls).
• Ubud lunch: Warung Bintangbali (paddy views); Warung Dedari (near Tegalalang); Cafe Wayan (classic dishes).
• Ubud dinner: Mozaic (tasting menu); Apéritif (fine dining); Naughty Nuri’s (ribs and martinis).
• Uluwatu coffee/breakfast: Suka Espresso; Drifter Cafe; Tarabelle.
• Uluwatu lunch: The Cashew Tree; Mana Uluwatu (wood-fired plates); Sundays Beach Club (feet-in-sand).
• Uluwatu/Jimbaran dinner: Menega Cafe or Lia Cafe (seafood on the sand); Ours Uluwatu; Cuca (innovative small plates).

Logistics tips:

• SIM & money: Pick up a local eSIM/SIM at DPS; ATMs are common in Ubud and South Bali.
• Getting around: Private drivers are efficient for day trips; scooters are for confident riders only. Some beaches restrict ride-hailing pickups—walk to designated points.
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders and knees covered; sarongs often provided at entry.

This 8-day Bali itinerary balances ritual and reef, spice and sea breeze. From holy springs to cliffside chants, you’ll leave with sunrise in your bones and sand still clinging to your sandals.