One Week Bali Itinerary: 3 Dreamy Places in 7 Days
So, I’m going to assume you’ve landed on this page because you’re looking for a simple and realistic one-week Bali itinerary. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The Indonesian island of Bali is popular with travellers worldwide because of its beautiful beaches, lush rice fields, amazing people, and lively culture.
With so much to see and do on this wonderful island, planning a week-long itinerary can at times feel overwhelming. This is especially true for people coming from places that are very far, like Europe or Africa.
But don’t panic! After visiting Bali for a week, I’ve learnt that with a laid-back itinerary that doesn’t require you to run from one place to another, it’s possible to enjoy Bali in a week.
In this post, I will guide you through a one-week itinerary that includes three of Bali’s best places, like Seminyak, Ubud, and Nusa Penida Island.
And if you are wondering if it’s worth visiting Bali for a week, I think it’s definitely worth it!
I hope that after you read this post, I’ve convinced you to give it a go!
Best Time to Visit Bali?
The best time to go is from April to October, when it’s dry. Bali’s rainy season lasts from November to March but typically only pours for a few hours. We went in September during the dry season and had a fantastic time.
How do I get around Bali?
The two most common modes of transportation in Bali are hiring a driver or renting a scooter. I advise hiring a driver for longer distances between locations and sightseeing.
Download the Grab app for airport rides and direct trips. You can rent a scooter or motorcycle to get around town if you have riding experience.
Keep in mind that Bali’s traffic can be difficult for inexperienced riders as you travel around the island.
Is it worth going to Bali for a week?
Absolutely! Bali is a relatively small island, but there are so many popular attractions that you could easily spend weeks or months exploring it.
Many people, such as “digital nomads,” engage in this lifestyle. It wouldn’t surprise me if you felt the same way after your holiday!
However, I think you can visit the majority of the best locations with the one-week itinerary I’ve put together for Bali.
At least, it’s enough to make you want to come back for more. I certainly know I would love to visit Bali again!
Related: 10 Things You Have to Know for Your First Visit to Bali
The Perfect One week Bali itinerary
This one-week Bali itinerary is perfect if you’re visiting for the first time. We will explore the best, most well-known destinations in Bali, including Seminyak, Ubud and Nusa Penida Island.
Day 1-3: Seminyak
There is only one airport in Bali. From the airport, head first to Seminyak, which is only 20 minutes away.
Seminyak is a lively beach town known for its high-end resorts, hip restaurants, and busy nightlife.
After you get settled in, spend the day exploring the beautiful Seminyak Beach, relaxing by the pool, and enjoying the beach clubs.
In the evening, go to one of Seminyak’s well-known restaurants for a delicious dinner.
What to know about Seminyak
Seminyak is the sophisticated spa resort and shopping capital of Bali.
Prepare your wallet because the area has numerous trendy restaurants and long rows of designer shops.
The prices are fairly high for a Southeast Asian destination, but plenty of entertainment options exist.
Where to stay & how long to stay in Seminyak?
We stayed for 4 nights. Most places in Seminyak are within walking distance if you book a place near Jl Kayu Aya Street!
We stayed at the Bhavana private villas, a reasonably priced mini-resort in a fantastic location!
We had a wonderful time here, and the included breakfast buffet was fantastic!
What to Do and See in Seminyak
Here are some of my favourite things to do and see in Seminyak. I had planned for us to visit all of these, but we ran out of time. So, some of these are great extra suggestions of places you can add to your itinerary.
- The W hotel
- Seminyak village & square
- The Waterbom Bali
- Revolver Coffee
- Seminyak Flea Market
- LA Favela Restaurant and Bar
- Pura Petitenget Temple
- Coffee Cartel
- Potato Head Beach Club
*These popular places are in the centre of Seminyak or close enough to walk. You will either need to hire a private driver or rent a motorcycle for the other places.
Optional: I also recommend you spend one day in Uluwatu, closer to Seminyak (we did not have an opportunity to visit here).
Days 4–5: Ubud; Places to Visit Here
From Seminyak, you can take a taxi ride to Ubud, which is the cultural heart of Bali, in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ubud is one of my favourite places in Bali.
The landscapes are breathtaking, and the locals’ atmosphere, authenticity, and friendliness are also wonderful.
I love Ubud for good reasons. You can see waterfalls, rice fields, monkeys in the wild, and eat local food.
It is charming and serves as a wonderful introduction to Bali. Ubud is a beautiful place that should not be skipped when visiting Bali.
These are some of my favourite Ubud activities and main attractions:
1. Sacred Monkey Forest
Start your day off early and head to the Ubud Monkey Forest, where playful monkeys live in a sacred sanctuary. It was such a wonderful, amusing experience!
PRO TIP: By the way, the Sacred Monkey Forest is right in the centre of Ubud. There are many shops and restaurants within walking distance. It's a wonderful place to start getting to know Ubud before exploring the actual green parts of the city.
2. Tegalalang Rice Terrace
If you’re visiting Ubud, you must add the Tegalalang rice terraces to your list of places to visit in Ubud, Bali. It’s one of Bali’s top tourist destinations, but still an authentic Balinese cultural spot.
You will run into locals working on the rice terraces and kids playing when you visit them. They are super nice, so feel free to talk to them.
Tips for visiting Tegalalang Rice Terrace:
- Firstly, don’t go during midday as we did! It was very crowded with tourists. As a result, we didn’t get to explore the rice field properly
- If you are keen to explore the rice fields, bring water with you. It can get very hot, especially when the sun is out
- Wear comfortable clothing and easy-to-walk-in shoes. Ladies, avoid wearing long dresses or pants if you intend to do a lot of walking near the rice crop; they can get muddy
- Make sure you visit the Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation. It’s 5 minutes away from the Tegalalang rice terrace
3. Pura Tirta Empul
Pura Tirta Empul is a must-see temple in Bali. It is known for ceremonies that clean the water.
The temple, whose name means “sparkling water”, is situated around a sacred spring that supplies water to the Pakerisan River.
People believe that the spring water at Pura Tirta Empul has healing powers, both physically and symbolically.
When you visit, you can participate in the purification rituals by putting on a traditional sarong and going through the 15 water fountains in the purification pools.
The best way to understand and take part in the rituals is with the help of a local guide.
We didn’t take part in the ceremony, but it was enjoyable to see.
If I’m being honest, I wanted to visit this temple in particular because Michelle and Barack Obama went there when they were in Bali. Haha.
Other Places & Activities worth checking out
- Traditional Balinese Dance Performance at the Ubud Palace (you can find these in the centre of Ubud)
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Balinese cooking class, Ubud
- Leke-Leke Waterfalls
- The Real Bali Swing
- Wander through Ubud Market
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- Visit the Kclub
Some of these popular spots are within walking distance of Ubud’s city centre. You’ll need to hire a private driver or rent a motorcycle for the rest.
For example, a lovely place I’d also suggest spending the afternoon is at the K Club. This place is quite far from Ubud’s centre, but it has a beautiful jungle backdrop.
When you arrive, the design and finish are breathtaking; it’s an overwhelming sensory experience.
The Best Affordable villa to stay in Ubud
Ubud has beautiful hotels and villas for every budget, from small boutique hotels to luxury villas to the homes of the locals.
There are plenty of options to choose from. You can reserve a room at a hotel with an infinity pool in the middle of the jungle.
Ubud is the town in Bali where you can indulge in most of those things I’m sure you’ve seen on Instagram, like:
a flower bath, someone receiving a traditional Balinese massage, or enjoying breakfast on a floating tray in a pool.
But Ubud has a lot more to offer, really! If you love fancy places or want to take amazing photos like the ones you see from Instagram travel influencers, sure, go for it.
I won’t pass judgement if that’s your preferred style. Honestly, if I had the financial means or were given the chance, I’d eagerly embrace the opportunity. But we all like to travel in different ways.
Anyway, if you’re like me and want a cheaper place to stay where you can meet local people and enjoy real Balinese culture while still getting that classic Bali villa vibe, then Nick Villa is a great choice.
We stayed here during our time in Ubud. We had a fantastic time! Being in the villa and surrounded by rice fields was magical and gave us an authentic Balinese experience on a budget.
We had a private pool on our terrace. It was a bit farther from Ubud’s centre, but it was also cheaper and included breakfast, but we didn’t get a floating tray in the pool!
The host was super friendly, though; he even gave me a new sarong and earrings as a small gift.
You can find the Nick Villa reviews here.
Day 6-7: Nusa Penida Island Day Trip
You should definitely visit Nusa Penida and add it to your Bali trip.
This beautiful island is part of Bali and sits southeast of it. It’s famous for its amazing views and lovely beaches.
One big reason to visit is the island’s natural beauty. It has some of the best scenery in all of Bali. I remember seeing pictures of its famous spots and really wanting to go.
The views from the cliffs were incredible, and I’m sure you’ll think it’s amazing too. We were so amazed when we saw Kelingking Beach in real life.
Reasons to add Nusa Penida to your one-week Bali itinerary & why
In my opinion, it is worth a visit! But you don’t necessarily need to stay there to take in all the breathtaking sights.
You can take a day trip (which, by the way, is what we did). Since Nusa Penida island is only 40 kilometres from Ubud, I advise you to spend a day there while you’re in Ubud.
But remember, it all depends on what you’re looking for. For example, Nusa Penida is an amazing place to visit if you want to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Indonesia.
You won’t find a lively nightlife scene or a place to party here.
How To Get to Nusa Penida Island & Kelingking Secret Beach
You can get to Nusa Penida by ferry. It takes an hour to reach Sanur Beach. You can pre-book at least a day before.
There are many ferry companies, and you can also book online. Book through Klook; they’re reliable.
You can hire a bike or get a driver from the Nusa Penida harbour, but be prepared for a bumpy ride because the road is very bumpy and has many holes.
When you arrive, you must walk down from the parking area to get a full view of the cliff and beach.
I would not recommend the hike down to the beach. It is not for everyone; it is only for the fit and brave! For more details on a day trip to Nusa Penida Island, check out my complete guide below.
Also Read: The Best Nusa Penida Day Trip from Seminyak
Tips on visiting Nusa Penida Island
- Expect to find many people queuing to take photos. (especially on famous beaches like Kelingking Beach)
- Please bring cash to pay for specific spots if you prefer not to wait. We paid less than £1 for some shots. Check out the Kelingking photo of Alex and me above
- Be aware that Nusa Penida Island has many iconic beaches and natural landmarks that are on separate sides of the island. Kelingking Beach, for example, is on the west side. You can also visit Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Crystal Beach on the same side
- If you wish to explore the whole island, I suggest you spend a day or two. You can do a day-trip tour on the east side and see Diamond Beach and other places.
PRO TIP: There are a lot of organised day trip tours to Nusa Penida Island. You can opt for it if you want to see both the East and West in one day, but I would not recommend it because it will be rushed and you won’t get fully immersed in the beautiful scenery!
Final thoughts: Is it worth visiting Bali for just one week?
If you only have one week in Bali, it is worth it—especially if you plan well. In just 7 days, you can relax on the beaches of Seminyak, explore the rice fields and temples of Ubud, and enjoy the amazing views on Nusa Penida.
Yes, Bali is known for luxury, but you don’t need to spend a lot to have a fantastic time. Stay in budget-friendly places, eat local food (we were a bit disappointed, though, with the food), and use cheap transport to make the most of your trip.
Bali has so much to offer, even in a short time. If you love a mix of adventure and chill time, a one-week Bali itinerary can be the perfect start to your travels.
