When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the best travel insurance companies. You can get a 5% discount on Heymondo, the only insurance that pays medical bills upfront for you, HERE!
Taking a 7-day trip to Bali might seem stressful, but I assure you that with good planning, a week is enough to visit Bali and its main attractions.
On my first 20-day trip to Southeast Asia, I decided to plan a 7-day Bali itinerary. However, even though it’s enough time, I wasn’t able to get the most out of those 7 days due to poor planning.
To help you avoid the same mistakes we made, we’ve compiled the best Bali 7-day itinerary, alternative itineraries if you also want to visit the Gili Islands or the Nusa Islands, and tips for planning the perfect Bali vacations.
Do not miss anything to do in Bali in 7 days.
The best Bali 7-day itinerary
If you have 7 full days to tour the island, this is the best one-week Bali itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Ubud. Beginning of your 7-day Bali trip.
- Day 2: Tegalalang rice terraces and Ubud surroundings.
- Day 3: Sunset hike at Mt. Batur. The highlight of my one-week Bali tour.
- Day 4: Eastern Temples of Bali – Besakih, Lempuyang and Tirta Gangga.
- Day 5: Ulun Danu Beratan. Essential temple to visit in Bali in 7 days.
- Day 6: Taman Ayun Temple, Tanah Lot and Canggu.
- Day 7: Jimbaran and Uluwatu. End of your one-week trip to Bali.
Following this itinerary, you’ll be able to do most of the important things to do in Bali in the shortest time. Also, if you’re going to rent a scooter in Bali, we’ll tell you which other attractions you can visit every day.
If you don’t have your own means of transport and prefer to book top-rated Bali tours to visit each of the points of interest with a driver, you’ll also find the best options for you. Additionally, we’ll give you tips on where to stay in Bali to optimize your route to the fullest.
Before telling you about our route through Bali in 7 days, I’ll remind you of the importance of buying travel insurance to Bali. I had to use it due to an incident during my first day on the island.
DAY 1: UBUD CENTER: ROYAL PALACE, ART MARKET, AND MONKEY FOREST
I recommend booking transfer to Ubud. This means that as soon as you arrive in Bali, a driver will pick you up and take you to the center of the island.
During the first day of your one-week Bali trip, visit the principal attractions in Ubud. Start at Jl. Raya Ubud, the main street, and go from east to west. Visit the Puri Saren Agung, better known as the Royal Palace of Ubud. The royal family still lives in this palace, so you can only visit part of it.
Right in front of it, you’ll find the Ubud Traditional Art Market, a place where you can lose yourself among handicrafts such as handbags, sculptures, paintings, and earrings, and where you can buy the best souvenirs of your Bali 7-day trip.
Following Raya Ubud Street, you’ll find the Pura Taman Saraswati, a must-see in Ubud. This temple dedicated to the goddess of knowledge and wisdom stands out for its two ponds full of lotus flowers.
If you keep going, you’ll see the Pura Dalem Ubud temple, where some nights there are traditional dance performances.
Returning to Raya Ubud Street, at the corner of the Art Market, the Jl. Monkey Forest street leads to one of the essential places to visit in Bali, the Sacred Monkey Forest.
This forest is popular for being home to macaques who are very used to interacting with tourists. The monkeys will not hesitate to approach, play, ask for food, steal things, or even bite you.
They can become very aggressive, as I experienced myself; I let some monkeys climb on me and one of them bit me. Luckily, everything was fine because I had purchased the best travel insurance for Indonesia.
If you’re traveling on a budget, check the best cheapest travel insurance companies.
RECOMMENDED TOURS
You only need to book transfer to Ubud from the airport, which takes approximately 45 minutes. The rest of the attractions we recommend for the first day are accessible by foot.
However, if you prefer to take a guided tour, this one will visit the same places as the ones we recommended in this 7-day Bali itinerary.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
There are many accommodations in Ubud, including some of the best private villas in Bali. These are the accommodations we recommend for the first days of your trip, sorted according to budget:
DAY 2: UBUD SURROUNDINGS AND TEGALALANG. TOP THINGS TO DO IN BALI IN 7 DAYS.
During the second day of your one-week Bali tour, I recommend visiting the surroundings of Ubud.
Go to Tegalalang, the most popular rice fields on the island, in the morning. If you’re lucky enough to time your 7-day Bali trip with the best time to visit Bali, the rice terraces will have an intense green color. In addition to strolling through the rice paddies, you can enjoy their swings with spectacular views and photograph some of the main sites of the island.
You can also stop at Tirta Empul, one of the most important temples in Bali, since the Balinese go there to purify their souls using the sacred water that flows from 12 pipes. Nearby, you can also visit the Pura Gunung Kawi, a temple in which the souls of royalty are symbolically buried and where you can visit a small waterfall.
In the afternoon, we recommend you go to the Elephant Cave, Goa Gajah, a must-do in Bali in 7 days. There, you can enter a grotto through the jaws of an evil monster, and inside, you’ll find a statue of Ganesh (son of Shiva with an elephant’s head). Outside the cave, you can see some ponds that are supplied with purified water through stone statues.
RECOMMENDED TOURS
If you have no transport, book this private tour, and tell the driver to skip the Monkey Forest and replace it with Pura Gunung Kawi.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
I recommend that you stay at the same hotel as the night before, because if you follow our 7-day Bali itinerary, the third day, you’ll have to get up very early.
DAY 3: BATUR VOLCANO. THE BEST OF MY TRIP TO BALI IN A WEEK.
For the third day of your trip, I recommend climbing the Batur volcano and seeing the sunrise from its summit. This was, without a doubt, the best experience of my trip to Bali in 7 days. Your guide will pick you up very early (around 2:30 a.m.) but having eggs for breakfast that have been cooked with the volcano’s steam is priceless.
From the top of Mt. Batur, you’ll see the sun rise behind Mt. Agung, one of the most important things to do in Bali in 7 days.
The hike wasn’t difficult for me, but in our group, there was a girl who couldn’t climb the volcano because she found it too exhausting. In total, it takes an hour and a half to go up. Once you’re at the top, your guide will prepare banana pancakes and boiled eggs for you.
Depending on the tour you choose, after the hike, you can go for a swim in a hot spring, visit a waterfall, or even go rafting.
The Mt. Batur tour will take you practically the whole day, but if you arrive back in Ubud early and you aren’t tired, I recommend you visit Campuhan Ridge Walk. There, you’ll find beautiful rice fields dotted with huge palm trees and idyllic scenery; it’s a magical place at sunset.
RECOMMENDED TOURS
You need to book a guide to climb Mount Batur, but there are a wide variety of tours. We took this one, but if you have more time, I would recommend one of the following:
If you’re planning a Bali 10-day itinerary, you may also be interested in a camping tour in Mt. Batur.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
You can return to the same hotel as the previous two nights or you can treat yourself to Hanging Garden of Bali, one of the best hotels in the middle of the jungle. If it’s out of your budget, I recommend the affordable option of Pertiwi Bisma 1, which is next to the Monkey Forest and is one of the most popular hotels on Instagram for its infinity pool in the middle of the jungle.
DAY 4: BESAKIH, LEMPUYANG AND TIRTA GANGGA. WONDERS TO SEE IN BALI IN 7 DAYS.
On the fourth day, I recommend visiting the eastern temples: Pura Besakih, Tirta Gangga, and Lempuyang.
Get up early to head to Pura Besakih, also known as Mother Temple for being the largest temple in Bali. You would need all day to see it in its entirety, since it’s composed of 22 independent temples. The most popular area and the one I recommend you to visit is Gunung Agung, where there is a 7-level temple that represents the universe. Each of the 7 levels is connected by a stairway that only Hindus are allowed to climb.
On the way to the temple of Lempuyang, you can visit the Tirta Gangga. This royal palace stands out for its tropical gardens, fountains, and ponds. Its most notable feature is a pond full of carp where you can walk on water thanks to some small platforms.
Continue to the Pura Lempuyang temple, where the well-known Gates of Heaven are. To get to this temple, you’ll need to be in good shape since you need to climb many stairs. The temple is in a mountainous area, and from the Gates of Heaven, you get one of the best views of the Agung volcano. This was one of the places I most wanted to see during our week-long Bali tour.
On the way back to Ubud, if you have time, you can stop at Pura Goa Lawah, the least recommended temple.
RECOMMENDED EXCURSIONS
If you don’t have any transportation, I recommend booking this tour to visit the three main temples we recommend for this day.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
For the fourth day of your trip to Bali in a week, I recommend you stay in Ubud, in any of the accommodations mentioned.
DAY 5: ULUN DANU BERATAN. ESSENTIAL IN YOUR BALI 7-DAY ITINERARY
Although Bedugul is somewhat remote, it’s worth spending a day here during your one-week trip to Bali.
In this mountainous area to the north of the island, there’s a trio of beautiful lakes (Tamblingan, Buyan and Bratan) that are completely different from the landscape you will have seen so far.
I recommend you visit one of its waterfalls (Banyumala Twin, Git Git, or Sekumpul), the temple of Ulun Danu Beratan , located on the waters of Lake Bratan, and the Handara gate.
On the way back to Ubud, you can visit the most impressive rice fields in Bali, which are considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO for their uniqueness: the rice fields of Jatiluwih.
Many visitors don’t visit this part of Bali, as it is somewhat remote. However, if there’s only one thing that I don’t recommend missing during your 7-day Bali itinerary, it’s a visit to the temple of Ulun Danu Beratan. This was, without a doubt, the most amazing temple we visited during our trip.
RECOMMENDED EXCURSIONS
Driving a motorcycle through these mountain roads can be somewhat uncomfortable, so I recommend you take this tour to visit the Bedugul area.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
This is the last night I recommend spending in Ubud, so I advise you to try some of the incredible villas you’ll find here.
DAY 6: TAMAN AYUN TEMPLE, TANAH LOT AND CANGGU
For the penultimate day of your trip to Bali in a week I recommend you visit the most touristy area of the island. It isn’t my favorite area, but you can’t leave Bali without seeing Kuta, Seminyakl and Canggu, where surfers, Australians looking to party, and the best “beach clubs” on the island come together.
These three cities are on the seashore in the southwest of Bali, and on your way there from Ubud, you can stop at Taman Ayun Temple and Alas Kedaton (this second one is totally optional).
Depending on the type of traveler you are, I recommend one of these three locations to spend the day:
- Canggu: If you want to surf and find “veggie” options in every restaurant.
- Kuta and Legian: If you prefer a beach full of young people and the best nightclubs in Bali.
- Seminyak: If you prefer beach clubs where you can eat well and have good drinks.
You can also visit a less crowded beach, such as Pasut Beach, famous for its slanted palm tree, which can be found on our tourist map of Bali.
At the end of the day, I recommend you go to Tanah Lot. This temple, located on an island that’s only accessible when the tide is low, is undoubtedly the best place to see the sunset in Bali. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to buy a roasted cob with hot sauce in one of the many stalls you’ll find and enjoy it while watching the sun set over the sea.
RECOMMENDED EXCURSIONS
You don’t need to book any tours for this day. If you don’t have transportation, you can request the necessary transfers here. A car with a driver will take you from one place to another for 10 hours, enough time to do the whole itinerary.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
If you decide that Canggu is the best option for you, I recommend one of these four options.
In case you prefer to stay in Kuta or Legian , these are the best alternatives for you.
If you want to stay in Seminyak , these are the four hotels that I recommend.
DAY 7: JIMBARAN AND ULUWATU
To finish your week-long tour around Bali, I recommend you visit the Bukit Badung peninsula, the piece of land that juts out to the south of the island.
This area stands out for its amazing white sand beaches, its cliffs and its incredible luxury resorts.
Some of the most famous beaches are Padang Padang (where the movie “Eat Pray Love” was filmed), Tebing Pantai Balangan, with its wonderful cliff views, and Pantai Tegal Wangi, which hides a cave.
If you have time, it may also be interesting to visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a park designed in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu that features impressive statues that are up to 120 meters tall.
In the afternoon, before the sun sets, visit the Uluwatu temple, located on a cliff; you can see one of the best sunsets on the island from here.
At this temple, there are also Kecak Fire and Trance dance performances, where a group of men singing in unison provide the music for hypnotically moving Balinese dancers. If it’s your first time in Bali, you should definitely go to a show. I went to one in Pura Dalem Ubud, although the most popular temple for Kecak shows is the Uluwatu temple.
After the performance, there’s nothing like a fresh seafood dinner in Jimbaran Bay to end your trip to Bali in a week.
RECOMMENDED EXCURSIONS
If you haven’t rented a scooter, this tour takes practically the same route that we’re recommending for this trip to Bali in 7 days.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
There are many accommodations in Jimbaran with beautiful sea views. Depending on your budget, I recommend any of the following:
Another option is to stay in Nusa Dua, east of the Bukit Badung peninsula, where you can find luxury resorts.
Other Week-long Bali itineraries
A few weeks before my first trip to Southeast Asia I was told about the Nusa Islands and the Gili Islands, some amazing islands very close to Bali. They stand out for their dreamy sunsets, seabeds full of life, and white sand beaches.
I knew I had to go to one of these two archipelagos of tiny islands, but I had already bought all my flights. I’d arrive in Bali from Yogyakarta and after 7 days, I’d head for Kuala Lumpur.
After reviewing our 7-day Bali itinerary many times, we decided to use two days to visit the Gili Islands, since it was the cheapest option. Here you can see how much was our trip to Southeast Asia.
If, in your case, you only have 7 days to visit Bali and the Gili Islands or you want to take a week-long trip to Bali and the Nusa Islands, here are other two itineraries that might be useful for you.
ONE WEEK TRIP TO BALI AND GILI ISLANDS
From the previous 7-day Bali itinerary, take out the two days you like the least to visit the Gili Islands. In my case, I changed the 4rd day (Eastern temples) and 7th day (Jimabaran and Uluwatu).
If I could make that decision again, I would definitely do it differently. I think the least interesting day is the 6th (Seminyak – although I would try to visit Tanah Lot, as it’s one of the essential places to visit in Bali). I would compress Mt. Batur and Tegalalang into a day and give up visiting other places around Ubud. Visiting the eastern temples seems like something important to do in Bali in a week.
The island that I decided to visit was Gili Trawangan, and the truth is that I liked it a lot. However, depending on the type of trip you’re doing, I would recommend Gili Air instead. In our travel guide to the Gili Islands, I tell you all about the differences.
To get to the Gili Islands, I recommend this ferry, which includes transfer from your hotel. If you follow my itinerary recommendation, after visiting the eastern temples, instead of going back to Ubud, head to Sanur to take the ferry the next day.
These are the accommodations that I recommend in Sanur:
In my case, I organized my excursion to the Gili Islands on my own, booking only the ferry, but if you prefer to buy a package that includes not only the ferry, but also the accommodation and the visit to the different islands for two and a half days (two nights), I recommend this tour.
7-DAY TRIP TO BALI AND NUSA ISLANDS
The Nusa Islands have some of the best places to visit in Bali. To see Bali and the Nusa Islands in a week, as with the Gili Islands, replace two days of the previous itinerary for a trip to the Nusa Islands.
You can do it on your own, staying in Sanur to catch the ferry to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida the next morning, or you can take this snorkeling tour.
IS IT A 7 DAY BALI ITINERARY ENOUGH OR DO I NEED MORE TIME?
If you just want to visit the main island, a week in Bali is perfect for seeing the most important things. However, if you also want to visit the Gili or the Nusa Islands, I would recommend you spend 8 days in Bali.
Anyway, don’t worry; if you have even fewer days, in this article about the best excursions in Bali, I have listed four tours that will allow you to see the most important things if you can only be in Bali for 4 or 5 days.
If you have even more time, here is a list of the best Bali itineraries.
Whatever itinerary you choose, remember that monkeys can be dangerous, so buy the best insurance to travel abroad.
Before you go, here are the essentials for your trip to Bali:
I’m so glad I found this itinerary. I’m hoping to plan a trip next year in May or June. I love unique stays. Any thoughts or ideas on like a tree house or other unique accommodations. Thanks
Hi Barbara,
Thanks so much! A good place to start is with our guide on where to stay in Bali. It has all kinds of options for different budgets and preferences. 🙂
Ascen
Hi
This itienary was truly helpful in planning our trip.
Keep up the good work
smita
Hi Smita!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you found it helpful. I’d love to hear about your Bali itinerary when you get back from your trip!
Ascen
“This blog post on the best Bali 7-day itinerary is fantastic! It provides a detailed plan for exploring Bali’s top attractions. A great resource for anyone visiting Bali!”
Thank you. I’m so glad you found it helpful!
I truly enjoyed reading your article and your suggestions. We are from California and I personally would love to see Bali we’ve been there 30 years ago and I’m sure there’s so many changes. Would you recommend what are the best months to visit particularly using your 7-8 day vacation itinerary.
Hi Sue,
I definitely recommend going during the dry season so you can fully enjoy Bali. Late spring through early fall is a good time to go, and June is a particularly beautiful time to go.
Hey,
Thanks for sharing this great information! Your writing style is engaging and your content is really interesting. I think your readers might be interested in Holiday eSIM. It is designed to save people from the hassle of physical sim cards, and has received great reviews from customers. I would be happy to provide more information if you’re interested.
Thanks for the info! We’ve been using the Holafly eSIM for years now, and we love it!
Hi is renting a scooter to explore most places in Ubud for the entire 7 trip advisable? Except for the places where we must go hiking on a mountain. How much does a scooter approximately cost per day? Thanks! Your blog is very helpful!
You can rent a scooter in Ubud for $2.50-$3.00/day, so it’s a viable option!
Planning a trip to Bali in mid November. Time is locked in because we are four people meeting there from different parts of the world and that’s what works. How rainy is the rainy season? We will be there for 10 days and using your itineraries as a guide with a side trip to Nusa Penida. Because it’s the rainy season would you recommend less time inland in the mountains and jungle? Or just bring some good rain gear and go with it?
Thank you!
Hi Lisa,
You can find more information about the weather in Bali here.
Said that, I wouldn’t change the plan just because you’re traveling in Nov. Just bring good rain gear and you should be fine.
Have a great time in Bali!
Ascen
Hi Ascen,
I am planning to visit Bali in first week of September we are a couple and will be staying for 6Nights. Just had few queries if I start with Ubud ( 2 Nights) then, nusa penida island ( 1night ) and finally Seminyak ( 3 nights).
Does this sound good or do I need few changes in it.
Please recommend your views on it.
Thank you
Yash
Hi Yash,
I like your itinerary. I would maybe give one more day to Ubud and surroundings and one day less to Seminyak, but that is my personal opinion.
Ascen
Hi Ascen
Can’t thank you enough for your itinerary. I used it as the primary base for planning and executing my Bali trip. You’re a girl after my own heart with all the emphasis on temples and nature. I’ve had an incredible experience, with all your guidance.
I have to choose between Tanah Lot and Uluwatu temple. Which one would you recommend ?
Thanks much
Bharathi
Hi Bharathi,
Thank so much for your words 🙂
I would choose Tanah Lot even if it’s a little crowded always. Still, the experience of seeing the sunset there is just magical.
Have fun!
Ascen
Hello,
Thanks for the great explanation, extremely happy to have bumped into your blog. We are a group of 5 friends who are planning a Bali trip in the month of August. Could you please give me an idea about the total cost (all inclusive) per person if we plan to have a very budget friendly trip? We are not very keen on the stays, just want to cover as many places as possible and make great memories 🙂
Thanks in advance!
Hi Rashmi,
In our Bali Trip Planner, you can check the estimate cost of this trip. There is a “on a budget” option too. I would say, plan around $30 per person per day.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Ascen
Hello
we are planning to Go Bali in June’22 for 6 night and 7 days
So pls share itinerary with total cost for 2 people
(19th June- 26th June)
Hi Kamal,
Please check the article with a 7-day and 6-night itinerary for Bali.
Hope you enjoy your trip!
Ascen
Very detailed n nice explanation. it helped a lot to plan my Bali trip.
So happy to hear!
Hope you had a blast!
Hi,
Fantastic explanation. I am planning a trip to Bali in April. Around 9 days. So, I should be able to cover the itinerary suggested by you for 7 days + the Gili islands. Do you recommend Gili islands or Nusa islands ?
Hi Shiva,
You can find a 10-day Bali itinerary here. If you are traveling with friends, I would go to Gili Island, for couples, I’d go to Nusa Penida. Both are great options!
Let me know if you have any questions.
Ascen
at which areas did you stay? only in ubud?
Hi Cisem, We´ve taken 2 different trips to Bali and stayed across most of the island apart from Ubud 😉
sir
we are planing to Go bali in Feb.
So pls suggest cost with Us.
Hi Keerti,
Thanks for your comment. How many days are you planning to be traveling?
Ascen
how did you make that cute little map?
We have a friend who is a fantastic artist and draw that Bali map for us 😉
We want to go bali in end December. So please tell m6the details.
Hi Veena,
We’ve been to Bali in November and June, but never in December since it’s the beginning of the rain season, so we can’t give extra advice beyond the tips mentioned in our Bali guides and articles.
Hope you have a nice Tour in Bali!
Dan