The PERFECT 7 Day Bali Itinerary for First Timers
Bali, often referred to as the Island of the Gods, is easily the most famous island in the Indonesian Archipelago. Between its lush greenery, unique temples, delicious cuisine, and killer beaches, Bali is a destination like any other. In this 7 day Bali itinerary, you’ll get a chance to see all of these things and more!
Spending 7 days in Bali is one of the best decisions you can make. It’s the perfect amount of time to get a taste of Bali. Yoga, surfing, and hiking are some of the most popular activities on the island, but there really is something for everyone!
Over the course of this 7 day itinerary, you’ll be splitting your time between North and South Bali, staying in Ubud and Uluwatu. However, you’ll take a few day trips to other parts of the island. Overall, I think 7 days is the perfect amount of time in Bali, but if you have more time, of course it’s worth it!
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How To Spend 7 Days in Bali: The Perfect One Week Bali Itinerary
Getting to Bali
The only airport on the island is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), located in Southern Bali. There are currently no direct flights between the USA and Bali, so expect to have at least one connection in Asia or Australia and prepare for over 20 hours of travel time (I promise it’s worth it!).
Once arriving in Bali, you’ll head directly to the town of Ubud, about 1-2 hours north of the airport, depending on the traffic. I recommend booking transportation through your hotel in advance, so you don’t have to worry about finding a taxi when you get there. If your hotel doesn’t offer transportation, you can use Viator.com for private shuttles!
TIP: When leaving the Bali airport, men might approach you to help with your bags. They act like they are part of your shuttle service. After they put your bags in your car, they’ll ask for money. And not just a tip, which we would have happily given! They told us we owed them 500,000 IDR (~$30 USD) EACH. It was crazy. We gave them 500,000 IDR and told them they needed to split it to get them to leave us alone.. but we should’ve known better.
Where to Stay in Bali
This 7 day Bali itinerary has you splitting your time between Ubud and Uluwatu, so you will need two different hotels. The town of Ubud is quite small, so as long as you are in the main area, you will be able to walk to all the main attractions in town. We had a great room at Ubud Village Resort for $80/night!
In Uluwatu, there are a couple different popular areas and something for every budget! JetSetChristina has a great Uluwatu guide with recommended hotels that I highly suggest reading!
Day 1: Explore Ubud & Hit the Spa
WELCOME TO INDONESIA!! Today is day one of your 7 day Bali itinerary. Spend your morning exploring and getting accustomed to the area. The town of Ubud is actually quite small and fairly easy to navigate.
Head towards the Ubud Art Market to get an idea of the overall layout of the town and then wander as you see fit. Spend your morning shopping for souvenirs at the market, which has a ton of different vendors selling a range of items. Once you’re done shopping, grab lunch at Melting Wok Warung – you won’t be disappointed!
After lunch, it’s time to hit the spa. After the long flight, there’s no better way to spend your first day in Bali. You’ll find massages are very common in Bali and are significantly less expensive than in the US.
If you need a recommendation, visit the Taksu Spa, nestled right in the middle of Ubud in its own lush paradise. This spa has a ton of different options for you to choose from.
For less than $100 USD, you can get an 1.5 hour massage, plus a body scrub, facial, 2-course lunch, and a mani-pedi. Don’t forget the famous Bali flower bath to end the day!
Day 2: Northern Temples and Waterfalls
Your second day in Bali will be full of picturesque temples and insane waterfalls. From Ubud, again I recommend hiring a private driver for the day – this should cost around 600,000 IDR (about $40 USD).
Private drivers/guides are very common in Bali and are usually the best way to get around. They typically have some suggested itineraries, but below is what I recommend. You can also book a specific tour on Viator.com!
- Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
- Handara Gate
- Wanagiri Hidden Hills
- Sambangan Waterfalls
Make sure you wear a bathing suit because the second half of the day will be jumping off waterfalls in Northern Bali. Sambangan Waterfalls is home to a few different wateralls that are all accessed on the same trail. You can jump off them, slide down them, swim in them, and more.
I’ll be writing a full guide on visiting the Sambangan Waterfalls soon, but make sure these waterfalls are on your to do list while in Bali!!
Day 3: Rice Terrace, Monkey Forest & Cooking Class
No trip to Bali is complete without visiting the famous rice terraces. Tegagalang Rice Terraces are only 30 minutes outside of Ubud and is absolutely breathtaking. To get here, you can hire a taxi or a private driver – or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a scooter in Ubud and drive yourself there.
Whatever transportation method you choose, make sure to get there early (sunrise is best!). There are much less people and watching the sunrise through the trees is unbelievable. Don’t forget to bring some small coins for donations as you walk through the terraces!
As the sun comes up, the rice terrace will start to get both hot and crowded.. When you’re ready to leave, head back to Ubud, grab an early lunch, and then make your way to the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest, which is located in the southwest corner of central Ubud (about a 20 minute walk from the Ubud Market).
Open every day from 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, the Sanctuary costs about $5 USD to enter. Inside, you will find over 700 free-roaming monkeys, as well as tons of lush greenery and some temple areas.
Spend the rest of your morning wandering around the sanctuary – and make sure to watch out for any loose belongings that the monkeys could swipe!
After the temple, it’s time to try out a Balinese cooking class – I always recommend a cooking class when visiting Asia. We did ours through our hotel (Ubud Village Hotel) but there are many to choose from in Ubud – Paon Bali Cooking Class and Flavors of Bali are the two best-rated on TripAdvisor.
Whatever class you choose, learning how to make some traditional Balinese favorites, like pisang goreng (fried bananas) and urab sayur (long bean salad) is something you must do on your trip. You won’t be disappointed!
Day 4: Yoga, Hiking & Transfer to Uluwatu
Today is your last day in Ubud! In the morning, I recommend doing a quick yoga session (yoga is huge in Bali!) and then head to the Campuhan Ridge walk for a relaxing hike before you go. The entire hike is paved so it is relatively easy to navigate. I’d recommend going at sunrise for the best weather and to beat the crowds.
The entrance to the path is located in central Ubud behind the Warwick Ibah Villas. From there, its about 20 minutes of walking & hiking until you reach some local warungs (small, family-owned restaurants).
We stopped at NAMO Warung for some water and fresh juice drinks. When you’re ready, start the trek back to town and grab an early lunch in Ubud.
After lunch, it’s time to check out of your hotel and start the second leg of your trip. You’ll be heading down to Uluwatu today, which should take about 2 hours from Ubud (depending on traffic).
Again, a private car is probably your best choice for this travel. Once you make it to Uluwatu, check into to your hotel and explore the area.
Day 5: Seminyak Shopping & Beach Clubs
Today kicks off part two of this 7 day Bali itinerary!! For your first full day in South Bali, head to to Seminyak – an upscale beach town with some amazing restaurants, shopping, and more. It’s a quick 30 minute cab ride away from Uluwatu.
Start your morning with some coffee and breakfast at Revolver Espresso. The entrance is tucked away down an alley (some serious Speakeasy vibes) – once inside, the fun decor and delicious lattes will make you want to stay awhile!
After breakfast, start making your way towards the beach – there are a few different beaches to choose from depending on what you’re feeling. Head to Seminyak beach for people watching, day drinking, and beach bars. If you’re looking to just chill out and swim without a ton of people around, head to Batu Belig or Double Six beach.
Once you’ve had your fill of beach time, head back into town and spend time exploring the streets of Seminyak. There is tons of shopping, yummy restaurants, and cool bars in this area. In the late afternoon, make your way to one of the famous beach clubs to get some happy hour drinks and watch the sunset.
I highly recommend KU DE TA, which seems to be one of the most popular spots. It is a little pricey – but totally worth it. Get there an hour or two before the sun sets to make sure you can grab a seat or hop in the pool. With live music, yummy tapas, and tropical cocktails, you won’t want to leave after the sun sets!
Day 6: Day Trip to Nusa Penida Island
Today you’ll head to the picturesque island of Nusa Penida! If you’ve ever googled pictures of Bali, you’ve likely seen photos of this island. To get here, you’ll head to the Port of Sanur and hop on a fast-ferry.
In my opinion, the best way to visit this island is to book a full day tour with a local – Get Your Guide has some good options for Nusa Penida, or you can ask your hotel for recommendations.
Either way, the entire day should cost you no more than 100 USD. This will include pick up from your hotel, RT transportation on the ferry, and a local guide and transportation around the island. This trip will fill your entire day – expect to be gone at least 10 hours!
Here are the main spots you should to hit on the island. These famous spots get busier as the day goes on, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the crowds.
- Broken Beach
- Kelingking Beach
- Crystal Bay
- Angel’s Billaong
Be aware that the roads to get to these beautiful sights are unpaved and the island is very undeveloped. (Motion sickness pills are recommended for the weak-stomached). Although the trip is tough, the views are absolutely worth it!
Note: If you have more time to spare than 7 days in Bali, I highly recommend staying overnight on the island of Nusa Penida. This will allow you to see more of the island without the crowds. When you do a day trip, it can feel pretty rushed jumping from one popular spot to the next.
Day 7: Surfing Lessons and Uluwatu Temple
Spend your last day in Bali checking out some of the famous beaches in Uluwatu. Again, there are lots to choose from, the most popoular being Padang Padang, Jimbaran, Balangan, and Bingin.
As you have probably realized, surfing is very popular in Bali, due to the warm water, diverse swells, and insane scenery around the beaches. All of the beaches in Uluwatu are great for surfing, from beginner to expert level. So find a local surf shop and take a lesson on your last day! Nothing like saying you learned to surf in Indonesia!
After your day at the beach, spend the afternoon checking out the famous Uluwatu Temple. Perched on the edge of a rocky cliff, this temple offers unbeatable views of Uluwatu.
The temple is also surrounded by a small forest, so monkeys are common here and are thought to be the guardians of the temple. If you’re there around sunset, don’t miss the Balinese Kecak dance and fire ritual.
If you’re looking for some nightlife in the area, check out Single Fin Bali – a laid back surf bar that often has live music/DJs, yummy food, and killer views of the sunset. It’s the perfect place to enjoy your last night in Bali.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my Ultimate 7 Day Bali Itinerary. I hope I’ve convinced you that Bali absolutely needs to be on your bucket list! From rice paddies to temples to yoga to surfing, Bali is packed full of adventure activities!
If you have MORE than 7 days in Bali, even better! Here are some areas that I recommend checking out which weren’t featured in this itineary:
- Gili Islands (Gili T, Gili Air, or Gili Meno)
- North Bali (Lovina)
- Stay overnight at the Nusa Islands (Lembongan)
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
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