Bali 5-Day Itinerary
A Short Trip Done Right

Five days in Bali is short, but it works well if you pick two bases and keep the driving down. It’s a common length for a long weekend from Australia, a stopover on a trip around Asia or a break from Singapore or the Middle East. This itinerary gives you Ubud’s rice terraces and temples, a sunset on the cliffs at Uluwatu and a beach day, with just one hotel change.

The short version: two nights in Ubud, two nights in Uluwatu or Seminyak. Do the Ubud highlights on day 2, move south on day 3 and catch the sunset at Uluwatu Temple, and keep day 4 for the beach or a trip to Nusa Penida. Skip the north and the islands this time.

Your 5-day Bali itinerary at a glance

Day	Where you stay	Plan
Day 1	Ubud	Land, drive to Ubud (1–1.5 hours), evening in town
Day 2	Ubud	Rice terraces, waterfall, monkey forest and water temple
Day 3	Uluwatu	Drive south (1.5–2 hours), beach, Uluwatu Temple and kecak dance at sunset
Day 4	Uluwatu	Beach day, surf lesson or Nusa Penida day trip
Day 5	–	Breakfast and the airport (45–60 minutes)

Day 1: Arrive and head to Ubud

Land at Ngurah Rai airport and drive straight to Ubud, which takes 1–1.5 hours. Arrange a pickup before you fly so there’s nothing to sort out at the airport. Walk around the centre in the evening and have dinner overlooking the rice fields.

Landing late? Spend the first night in Jimbaran or Seminyak instead, and swap the order: beach first, Ubud second.

Day 2: The best of Ubud in one day

With only five days, make this your big sightseeing day. Start early with the rice terraces at Tegalalang, then Tegenungan Waterfall, Sangeh Monkey Forest and the Tirta Empul water temple. Our Ubud day trip covers all four with a private driver and every ticket included, for $99 per person.

Prefer something active? Swap it for the Mount Batur sunrise hike, which starts from Ubud in the middle of the night and has you back by lunch.

Day 3: Move south to Uluwatu

Drive south after breakfast. Spend the afternoon at Padang Padang or Bingin beach, and be at Uluwatu Temple in time for sunset and the kecak fire dance on the clifftop. Our Uluwatu day trip includes the beaches, the temple and the kecak tickets.

Day 4: Beach day or Nusa Penida

You have two good options:

Take it easy: a beach morning, a surf lesson, a massage and a sunset at a beach club. After three busy days, this is often the best choice.

See Nusa Penida: the famous T-rex cliff at Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. It’s a long day starting with a 7 am boat from Sanur, but for many people it’s the highlight of Bali. Our Nusa Penida day trip includes the boat, a private driver, entrance fees and lunch for $99 per person.

Day 5: Departure

From Uluwatu it’s 45–60 minutes to the airport. Leave plenty of time for traffic, and be at the airport three hours before an international flight.

Where to stay for 5 days in Bali

Area	Nights	Best for
Ubud	2	Culture, rice terraces and temples
Uluwatu	2	Clifftop views, beaches and sunsets
Seminyak	Instead of Uluwatu	Restaurants, shopping and beach clubs, 30–45 minutes from the airport

With five days, don’t try to stay in more than two places. More in where to stay in Bali.

How much do 5 days in Bali cost?

Level	Per person, 5 days	What you get
Budget	$300–450	Guesthouses, local warungs, Grab and one tour
Mid-range	$650–950	Boutique hotels with a pool and two day trips with a private driver
Comfort	From $1,300	Villas or 5★ resorts, a private driver and spa treatments

A rough guide per person sharing a room, without international flights. See how much a trip to Bali costs, or price your own trip in our holiday cost calculator.

Tips for a short trip to Bali

• Sort everything before you fly. Apply for the e-VOA, pay the tourist levy and fill in the arrival card at home, so you’re through the airport fast. See our Bali visa guide.
• Book a driver, not taxis. A private driver saves time you don’t have. A car with a driver for the day costs $99 per car.
• Don’t chase everything. The north, the Gili Islands and Komodo need more time. Save them for the next trip.
• Book the big sights early. Tegalalang and Kelingking are best before 10 am.

Only have a few days and want to make the most of them? Send us your dates and we’ll plan the route, book the driver and add the day trips, with a reply within 24 hours.
Get this route tailored → See the day trips →

5 days in Bali: FAQs

Is 5 days enough for Bali?
Yes, if you stick to two areas. You’ll see Ubud, the beaches in the south and the sunset at Uluwatu. With a week, you can add Nusa Penida and a free day; see our 7-day itinerary, or try different trip lengths in our itinerary planner.

Where should I stay for 5 days in Bali?
Two nights in Ubud and two nights in Uluwatu or Seminyak. Avoid changing hotels more than once.

What should I skip with only 5 days?
The north of Bali, the Gili Islands, Lombok and Komodo. They all take at least a day each way.

Can I see Nusa Penida in 5 days?
Yes, as a day trip on day 4. It’s a long day, so skip it if you’d rather have a slower trip.

When is the best time for a short trip?
April to October gives the most sun and the calmest seas. Avoid the peak of the Australian school holidays and Christmas if you can. See the best time to visit Bali.