Bali, commonly referred to as the “Island of the Gods,” is a mesmerizing destination that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. Located in Southeast Asia, Bali is renowned for its stunning beaches, lush rice terraces, ancient temples, and vibrant arts scene.

Travelling to Bali is like stepping into a tropical paradise. The island’s breathtaking landscapes, with its iconic palm-fringed beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, are a haven for sun-seekers and water enthusiasts. Bali attracts visitors for various reasons. Whether you love the social digital nomad aspect of it, the nature, the waves or the spirituality of it.

We travelled to Bali during sprint time for my birthday week. Therefore I’ll be summarizing our one week itinerary where we have taken it very slow and chill. Whether you are staying less or more, there is always something and some places to visit and see in Bali. Don’t forget that Bali has many beautiful islands to explore beyond the main one.

4 days in Ubud

Ubud is a town located in the uplands of Bali, famous for its picturesque rice paddies, art galleries, and cultural events. Dubbed as the “Cultural Heart of Bali,” Ubud has a lot to offer to visitors who want to experience the island’s rich heritage and artistic traditions.

Ubud is a destination that offers a unique blend of culture, art, and nature. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a nature lover, or a spiritual seeker, Ubud has something special that will capture your heart. From exploring the lush rice paddies to immersing yourself in the town’s vibrant art scene, there are endless opportunities to discover the rich heritage of Bali in Ubud.

What to do and see:

Ubud Monkey Forest – where visitors can observe hundreds of playful macaques in their natural habitat. The forest is also home to several ancient temples and shrines that are open to visitors, providing a glimpse into Bali’s spiritual heritage.

Ubud Palace – Puri Saren Agung is the palace of the Ubud royal family, making it one of the most prominent landmarks in Ubud. Featuring well-preserved Balinese architecture and a charming garden setting, the palace was built during the lordship of Tjokorda Putu Kandel (1800–1823). The front section of the palace is open to the public, where there are walkthroughs for viewing and photos during the day.

Pura Taman Saraswati – officially Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, also known as the Ubud Water Palace, is a Balinese Hindu temple in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. The pura is dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati. Pura Taman Saraswati is notable for its lotus pond. Hence sometimes also called Ubud Water Palace.

Campuhan Ridge Walk – Lush, scenic locale known for its mellow hiking trails & sweeping hilltop views, for more adventurous ones who are looking for easy hikes surrounded by nature.

Goa Gajah – or Elephant Cave, is located on the island of Bali near Ubud. Built in the 9th century, it served as a sanctuary. Although the exact origins of the cave are uncertain, it is believed to have been built as place for spiritual meditation.

Alas Harum – It is a one-stop-shop for all the most famous activities in Ubud, from the high-swing to coffee tasting. It is an entertainment place filled with a few pool areas, bars, restaurants and photo stops. A perfect way to spend a chillout day in Ubud.

Tegallalang Rice Fields is situated in a valley that offers extraordinarily scenic lookouts over the terraces and surrounding green landscape. Along with the ones in the villages of Pejeng and Campuhan, Tegallalang Rice Fields form the three most stunning-looking terraced landscapes in Ubud region.

Tirta Empul temple is a Hindu Balinese water temple located near the town of Tampaksiring, Bali, Indonesia. The temple compound consists of a petirtaan or bathing structure, famous for its holy spring water, where Balinese Hindus go to for ritual purification.

Tegenungan Waterfall is a waterfall in Bali, Indonesia. It is located at the village of Tegenungan Kemenuh, also known as Kemenuh Village on the Petanu River in the Gianyar Regency, north of the capital Denpasar and close to the Balinese artist village of Ubud.

The Ubud Art Market is the most popular tourist market in Bali. You will find everything you need, from homeware, clothing to souvenirs.

Luwak coffee plantation – Luwak Coffee or civet coffee is a coffee made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet and other related civets, then passed through its digestive tract. There are a few Luwak plantations around Ubud and it is a great experience to taste and learn more about this type of coffee.

Day trip to the North of the island

Nungnung Waterfall is one of the biggest and most powerful falls in Bali, Indonesia. It’s a bit harder to reach than others because you have to hike down a green tropical gorge to get to it, but the views are awesome and it’s very photogenic.

What to do and see:

Leke Leke Waterfall – There are way too many waterfalls in Bali, and all of them are unique and gorgeous. Leke Leke is a tall, narrow waterfall surrounded by vegetation & cliffs, reachable by a short hike.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, or Pura Bratan, is a major Hindu Shaivite temple in Bali, Indonesia. The temple complex is on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul. The water from the lake serves the entire region in the outflow area. This was a beautiful temple complex by the lake worth visiting!

Lake Tamblingan is a caldera lake located in Buleleng Regency, Bali. The lake is located at the foot of Mount Lesung in Munduk administrative village, Banjar subdistrict, Buleleng Regency, Bali, Indonesia. The lake is one of the three lakes that formed inside an ancient caldera, the other lakes to the east of Lake Tamblingan are Lake Buyan and Lake Bratan. Tamblingan lake is a pristine lake surrounded with dense rainforest and archaeological remnants of the 10th-century Tamblingan civilization. The lake and the surrounding settlements is designated as a spiritual tourism area protected from modern development by the government

2 days in Seminiyak

Seminyak is a popular beach town located on the west coast of Bali. Known for its trendy restaurants, chic boutiques, and vibrant nightlife, Seminyak has become a hub for travelers seeking a more upscale and fashionable destination. After spending a few days in the beautiful and calmness of mother nature, we then moved south to be near the beaches. We stayed in Seminiyak, from where we drove to nearby cities and places to visit.

Canggu is a resort village on the south coast of the Indonesian island of Bali. It’s surrounded by terraced rice paddies and known for beaches like Canggu and Echo, with strong surf. The nearby Seminyak resort area has high-end shops and restaurants. Just south of Seminyak, the beachside town of Kuta is known for its nightlife.

What to do and see:

Seminyak Beach is a white sandy beach situated in north of Legian Beach. The white sand stretch 3 km from Tuban Area has made it as a fascination for tourist to visit this place. A great stretch of beach with many beach bars and water sports to do.

Tanah Lot – is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home to the ancient Hindu pilgrimage temple Pura Tanah Lot (literally “Tanah Lot temple”), a popular tourist and cultural icon for photography. The Tanah Lot temple was built and has been a part of Balinese mythology for centuries. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast.

2 days in Uluwatu

Uluwatu is a rugged cliffside town located on the southern tip of Bali, renowned for its world-class surf breaks, breathtaking ocean views, and iconic cliffside temple. This laid-back coastal destination offers a unique blend of thrilling adventure and spiritual exploration.

One of the main highlights of Uluwatu is its legendary surf breaks, attracting surf enthusiasts from around the world.

What to do and see:

Uluwatu Temple is a Balinese Hindu sea temple located in Uluwatu. The temple is regarded as one of the sad kahyangan and is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in his manifestation as Rudra. One of the must to do things in Bali is to see Kecak dances, a performance based on the Ramayana. Kecak dances are available in various temples across Bali. We went to see Kecak dance in Uluwatu temple, and it was a beautiful scenery set against the sunset and ocean.

Padang Padang Beach is one of Bali’s most famous surf spots. Locally known as Pantai Labuan Sait, this beach on the north-western coast of the island’s Bukit Peninsula has an exotic setting – a stunning 100 metre-long stretch of sand that’s accessible down a flight of stairs and through a unique hollow rock entrance.

Dreamland Beach Bali is located along the western coastline of the Bukit Peninsula in Uluwatu. Boasting limestone cliffs, golden sands, and turquoise waters, this is a beloved tourist spot that’s not to be missed when exploring Uluwatu.

How to get around Bali?

The best way how to get around the island is either by renting a scooter or hiring a driver with a car if you are planning to travel around the island or visit places that are further from your hotel. There is no public transportation on the island, unfortunately, but you can easily get taxis to get around. Make sure to download Grab app on your phone.