Bali 7-Day Itinerary
One Week, Day by Day

Seven days is the most popular length for a Bali trip, especially if you’re flying in from Australia, Singapore or elsewhere in Asia. It’s enough to see the rice terraces and temples of Ubud, watch the sunset from the cliffs at Uluwatu and take a day trip to Nusa Penida, without spending half your holiday in the car. This is the route we’d plan for a friend: two bases, one hotel change and a good mix of sights and slow days.

The short version: spend three nights in Ubud and three nights by the beach in Uluwatu, Seminyak or Sanur. Do the Ubud highlights and Mount Batur sunrise from Ubud, then Uluwatu Temple at sunset and a day trip to Nusa Penida from the south. Keep one day completely free.

Your 7-day Bali itinerary at a glance

Day	Where you stay	Plan
Day 1	Ubud	Land, drive to Ubud (1–1.5 hours), dinner in town
Day 2	Ubud	Rice terraces, waterfall, monkey forest and water temple
Day 3	Ubud	Mount Batur sunrise, then a slow afternoon with a massage
Day 4	Uluwatu	Drive south, beach afternoon, Uluwatu Temple and kecak dance at sunset
Day 5	Uluwatu	Day trip to Nusa Penida
Day 6	Uluwatu	Free day: beach, surf lesson or a beach club
Day 7	–	Breakfast and the airport (45–60 minutes)

One hotel change in a week is the sweet spot. Every move costs half a day, and Bali’s traffic is slower than the map suggests.

Day 1: Arrive and head to Ubud

Most flights land at Ngurah Rai airport in the south. Go straight to Ubud while you still have the energy; the drive takes 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic. Spend the evening walking around the centre, and have dinner somewhere with a view over the rice fields.

If you land late at night, sleep near the airport in Jimbaran or Seminyak and drive to Ubud the next morning instead.

Day 2: The best of Ubud

Start early, before the tour buses. A good day in Ubud covers four places:

• Sangeh Monkey Forest: calmer than the monkey forest in central Ubud, and the monkeys are used to people.
• Tegenungan Waterfall: a big waterfall you can swim near, about 20 minutes from town.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace: best in the morning light, before it gets busy.
• Tirta Empul: a water temple where Balinese come to purify themselves in the holy springs.

Our Ubud day trip covers all four with a private driver and every ticket included, for $99 per person. More ideas in our Ubud travel guide.

Day 3: Mount Batur sunrise

Ubud is the best base for the Mount Batur sunrise hike, since it’s the closest of the tourist areas. You’re picked up in the middle of the night, hike up the volcano with a guide and have breakfast at the top as the sun rises over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. You’re back before lunch.

Spend the afternoon slowly: a Balinese massage, a nap by the pool or a cooking class. Not keen on a 2 am start? Swap in a cooking class, a rafting trip on the Ayung River or a visit to Goa Gajah.

Day 4: Move south to Uluwatu

The drive from Ubud to Uluwatu takes 1.5–2 hours. Check in, spend the afternoon at Padang Padang or Bingin beach, and be at Uluwatu Temple for sunset. The kecak fire dance on the clifftop, with the ocean behind it, is one of Bali’s great evenings.

Not a fan of cliffs and surf? Choose Seminyak for restaurants and shopping, or Sanur for calm water if you’re travelling with young kids. Both are closer to the Nusa Penida boats too.

Day 5: Day trip to Nusa Penida

For many people, Nusa Penida is the highlight of the whole trip. You take the fast boat from Sanur at 7 am, and a driver on the island takes you to Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Crystal Bay. It’s a long day, but the views are worth it.

Our Nusa Penida day trip includes hotel pickup timed for the boat, a private driver on the island, entrance fees, the local levy and lunch, for $99 per person. Everything you need to know is in our Nusa Penida guide.

Day 6: A free day

Don’t plan this day. Lie on the beach, take a surf lesson, book a spa or spend the afternoon at a beach club. Bali is best when you leave space for it. With kids, this is a good day for Bali Zoo or Waterbom.

Day 7: Departure

From Uluwatu it’s 45–60 minutes to the airport, but leave plenty of time for traffic. Check-in for international flights opens three hours before departure.

Where to stay for 7 days in Bali

Area	Nights	Best for
Ubud	3	Culture, rice terraces, temples, yoga and Mount Batur
Uluwatu	3	Clifftop views, surf, beaches and sunsets
Seminyak or Canggu	Instead of Uluwatu	Restaurants, cafés, shopping and beach clubs
Sanur	Instead of Uluwatu	Families, calm water and the shortest trip to Nusa Penida

See our guide to where to stay in Bali for more on each area.

How much does 7 days in Bali cost?

Level	Per person, 7 days	What you get
Budget	$450–650	Guesthouses, local warungs, Grab and one or two tours
Mid-range	$900–1,300	Boutique hotels with a pool, three day trips with a private driver
Comfort	From $1,800	Villas or 5★ resorts, a driver whenever you need one, spa days

Prices are a rough guide per person sharing a room, without international flights. Flights cost around $300–600 return from Australia and Southeast Asia, and $700–1,600 from the Middle East, Europe and North America. More in how much a trip to Bali costs, or price your own trip in our holiday cost calculator.

Getting around

For this route, a private driver is the easiest option: they pick you up at the hotel, wait while you explore and know the shortcuts. A car with a driver for up to eight hours costs $99 per car. For short trips in town, use Grab or Gojek. We don’t recommend scooters unless you’re very experienced. More in transport in Bali.

Change the route to suit you

With kids: stay in Sanur instead of Uluwatu, swap Mount Batur for Bali Zoo and keep the days shorter. See Bali with kids.

As a couple: book a villa with a private pool in Ubud and add a flower bath, a couples massage and a sunset dinner in Jimbaran. See honeymoon in Bali.

Want more beach: swap one day in Ubud for snorkelling at Nusa Lembongan, or add the Gili Islands if you can stretch to ten days.

Only have five days? See our 5-day Bali itinerary. Got longer? Our 10-day itinerary adds the north and more islands. Or build a route for exactly your nights in our itinerary planner.

Like this route but want it built around your dates, hotels and pace? Send us your dates and we’ll send a tailored plan with prices within 24 hours, free and with no obligation.
Get this route tailored → See the day trips →

The best time for a week in Bali

The dry season from April to October brings the most sun, the calmest seas for Nusa Penida and the clearest sunrises on Mount Batur. July, August, the Australian school holidays and Christmas are the busiest and most expensive. May, June and September are the sweet spot. See the best time to visit Bali.

7 days in Bali: FAQs

Is 7 days enough for Bali?
Yes. A week is enough to see Ubud, the beaches in the south and Nusa Penida at a relaxed pace. With more time, add the north, the Gili Islands or Nusa Lembongan.

Where should I stay for 7 days in Bali?
Split the week between Ubud and one beach area: Uluwatu for views and surf, Seminyak or Canggu for restaurants and nightlife, or Sanur for families.

Should I stay in Ubud or Seminyak first?
Ubud first. You get the busy sightseeing done while you’re fresh, and end the trip relaxing by the beach close to the airport.

Can I do Nusa Penida as a day trip?
Yes, it’s how most people see it. The fast boat from Sanur takes 35–45 minutes, and a private driver on the island makes the day much easier.

How much spending money do I need for a week in Bali?
Around $50–80 per person per day covers food, drinks, local transport and small entrance fees on a mid-range trip. Tours and spa treatments come on top.

Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most visitors need a visa on arrival, which you can buy online as an e-VOA before you fly. See our Bali visa guide.