This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases and bookings at no extra cost to you. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT! More info: Read Disclosure & Privacy Policy
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 for its beautiful beaches, lush rice fields, great people, and lively culture.
With so much to see and do on this amazing island, planning an itinerary that covers all the must-see spots in just one week can be overwhelming.
But don’t panic! In this post, I will guide you through a one-week itinerary that includes three of Bali’s most popular destinations: Seminyak, Ubud, and Nusa Penida Island.
And if you are wondering if it’s worth visiting Bali for a week, in my opinion, it’s worth a visit!
And by the time you finish reading this post, I hope I’ve convinced you to go there!
Read on, and get ready to discover the best of Bali!
When should I 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 were supposed to go on our honeymoon to Bali in April, but we ended up moving it to September because of some restrictions that were in place in April.
We had a fantastic time, and September was just the right time.
Start here to get an overview and practical tips for planning your trip, such as planning an itinerary for any trip, choosing a travel destination, and other important things you should know about planning any trip.
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.
There are a lot of people who do this and call themselves “digital nomads.” And it wouldn’t surprise me if you thought the same thing after your holiday was over!
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: Interesting 10 Things You Have to Know for Your First Visit to Bali
ONE WEEK ITINERARY FOR BALI (Seminyak, Ubud & 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 an Asian tourist 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 great time here, and the included breakfast buffet was fantastic!
What to Do and See in Seminyak
Some of my favourite Seminyak activities and main attractions are:
- 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 to. 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 visit here).
Day 4–5: Ubud
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.
There are many beautiful places to visit in Ubud, and it should be on your list of places to visit in Bali.
What places to visit and what things to do in Ubud
Some of my favourite Ubud activities and main attractions are:
Monkey Forests
You must go there and see the monkeys.
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!
Tip
By the way, the Sacred Monkey Forest is right in the centre of Ubud. There are a lot of shops and restaurants within walking distance. It’s a great place to start getting to know Ubud before exploring the actual green parts of the city.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Tegalalang rice terraces must be visited if you’re visiting Ubud.
I think you must see it! One of Bali’s top tourist destinations and most genuine locations is this one.
You will run into locals working on the rice terraces when you visit them.
They are super nice, so feel free to talk to them.
TIPS FOR VISITING THE TEGALALANG RICE TERRACE
- Firstly, don’t go during the midday as we did! Lol, it was very crowded with tourists. As a result, we didn’t get to explore the rice field properly.
- If you want 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 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.
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 nice to see.
If I’m being honest, I wanted to visit this temple in particular because Michelle and Barrack Obama went there when they were in Bali. lol
Additional Ubud activities & main attractions
- 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
- Ubud Market
- Tegenungan Waterfall
* 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.
I’d also suggest you spend an afternoon at the Kclub, which is quite far from the centre of Ubud but has a beautiful jungle backdrop.
(The design and finish when you arrive are wild; it’s a sensory overload.)Folk Pool & Gardens, and plan a dinner at Locavore, Indonesia’s best restaurant.
Always make reservations in advance!
ACTIVITIES I WOULD RECOMMEND
Where do I stay in Ubud?
Ubud has beautiful hotels for every budget, from small boutique hotels to luxury hotels to the homes of the locals.
You can reserve a room at a hotel with an infinity pool in the middle of the jungle.
where you can take a flower bath, get a traditional Balinese massage, or eat breakfast on a boat.
Ubud, however, is much more than this! It’s great to hang out with locals and see Balinese sights.
Nick villa
We stayed at the amazing Nick Villa in Ubud.
We had a fantastic time there! Being in the villa and surrounded by rice fields was magical.
We had a private pool on our terrace. It was also cheaper and so much fun!
You can find the full hotel review here.
Day 6-7: Nusa Penida Island Day Trip
You must visit Nusa Penida, and it should be on your itinerary for Bali.
This stunning island, which is a part of the Indonesian province of Bali, is located southeast of Bali and is known for its breathtaking scenery and stunning beaches.
The breathtaking natural beauty of Nusa Penida is one of the main reasons you should go there.
The island has some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Bali region.
I remember seeing one of its most famous sights in stock images, and ever since then, I’ve wanted to see it for myself.
When I saw how spectacular the views from the cliffs were in real life, my jaw dropped.
I’m sure that you will also be amazed by its beautiful sights.
Should I add Nusa Penida Island to my one-week Bali itinerary, & is it worth a visit?
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.
However, everything depends on what you’re looking for.
Nusa Penida is a great place to go if you want to find a place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Indonesia. You won’t find a lively nightlife scene or a place to party here.
Things To Know about Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida
- Kelingking Beach is located on the west coast of Nusa Penida Island, one of Bali’s largest three islands.
- Kelingking Beach is well-known for its unusual rock formations that look like the backbone of a dinosaur. From the top of the cliff, you can look out at the beautiful view of the coast and see the ocean in all directions. You can find more interesting facts 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 with 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!
Also Read: The Best Nusa Penida Day Trip from Seminyak
Optional Activities to do on Nusa Penida Island & tips
- Expect to find a lot of people queueing to take photos. ( especially on famous beaches like Kelingking Beach)
- Come with cash to pay for specific spots if you don’t have the patience 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!
The Verdict for a one-week Bali itinerary
To sum up, this trip to Bali was fantastic! Even though we visited just one island and two major towns and took numerous walks over 7 days, it was quite laid-back.
We saw stunning sunsets and wild waterfalls, interacted with the locals, played with monkeys, and unwinded in infinity pools.
Bali is a magical place that offers something for everyone.
Whether you want to relax on the beach or explore the island’s culture and nature, Seminyak, Ubud, and Nusa Penida Island should be on your itinerary.
This Bali one-week itinerary is just a suggestion and can be altered to suit your preferences and attractions. To ensure a smooth travel experience, I advise you to plan your trip well.
Check the latest travel advisories and confirm the locations’ operating hours before you go.
I hope you like this one-week itinerary for Bali!
Please let me know where you are going and what you plan to see if you are going to Bali soon.
Please feel free to ask me anything; I would love to get to know you guys.😉
Enjoy your trip to Bali, and I’ll see you on Instagram for more exciting adventures!
My ultimate Travel Resources
🏨 Find hotels via ➡ Booking.com and Agoda
🧳Find budget accommodations via ➡ Hostelworld.com
🚕 Best Airport Transfers ➡ Kiwitaxi.com
🥳 Book Tours & Activities ➡ GetYourGuide and Viator
🚗 Find a Rental car via ➡ Rentalcars.com
🥘 Find places to eat & reviews ➡ TripAdvisor.com
Leave a Reply