Bali in 7 day: Itinerary and tips
Are you ready to plan your itinerary for a weeklong trip in Bali? ¡Let’s begin! First, though, take a look at the following map, on which I’ve marked all the locations mentioned in this article, arranged by day. In this way, you can get a brief picture of the journey.
Summary of Bali 7 day itinerary
– Ubud: 3 nights.
– Amed: 2 nights.
– Uluwatu: 1 night.
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Day 1 in Bali: Ubud and surroundings
↠ Ubud: 3 nights – Search for hotels in Ubud.
On your first day in Bali, I recommend exploring Ubud and the surrounding area. Ubud is the epicenter of the island’s cultural and artistic identity, as well as one of travelers’ favorite locations. If you would prefer to spend your first day in Bali with a guide, you can book this tour of Ubud, where you’ll visit most of the following locations: If not, you can perfectly visit every place on your own.
Tegalalang Rice Fields
You can start in Tegalalang’s exquisite rice terraces, which are located 9 kilometers north of Ubud. I advise you to go early in the morning when there will be fewer people and less heat. Once there, take a break at one of the viewpoints to enjoy the lovely scenery before making your way through one of the many pathways in the fields.
Tirta Empul Temple
Continue by visiting one of Bali’s most beautiful temples, the Tirta Empul. Other than strolling through the temple’s interior courtyards, which will already bring you great peace, don’t forget to participate in the well-known purification ritual that locals and tourists perform at the main fountain in the compound. The experience will be unforgettable.
Waterfalls in Ubud
Do you struggle with the heat? No need to worry. The next stop will allow you to cool off. There are numerous waterfalls near Ubud that are worth visiting. I recommend visiting one of the following waterfalls after visiting the temple: Suwat, Kanto Lampo, or Tibumana. I especially recommend this last one.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Don’t forget to visit the Ubud Monkey Forest if you have time. In the forest, You can stroll across a large area surrounded by wilderness and temples while observing a day in the life of a Balinese monkey.
Don’t miss my article on the best things to do in Ubud (Bali) to see all the activities and the restaurants in the area.
🏨 Hotels in Ubud. 3-night stay in Ubud. Many hotel options are available. I’ll give you my hotel recommendations for various budgets below:
- $: Buda Cottage Ubud.
- $$: Raditya Villa Ubud.
- $$$: The Udaya Resorts & Spa.
- $$$$: Komaneka at Bisma Ubud.
Day 2 of this Bali in 7 days itinerary: North of Bali
The second day is when you go on a trip to northern Bali, which is much different from the rest of the island. To start, I want to let you know that the temperatures are much cooler, so don’t forget to bring a jacket. It is better if it is water-resistant.
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
We’ll begin by visiting Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, which is located on the shores of a lake surrounded by mountains. This temple is dedicated to the gods Brajma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Dewi Danu, the lake goddess. The temple is one of the best places to visit in Bali. The multi-leveled roof stands out.
Handara Gate and Twin Lakes
After visiting the temple, head farther north toward the Buyan and Tamblingan lakes, also known as the Twin Lakes. On the way, you can take a quick break at the well-known Handara Gate. Then, search for “Twin Lake View” on the map and follow the directions to this point, where you can enjoy some lovely views. It will be a scene that you probably weren’t expecting to see in Bali.
Leke Leke and Jatiluwih
On the way back to Ubud from the south, I advise you to stop at Leke Leke, one of Bali’s most beautiful waterfalls. It’s not difficult to get there; all it takes is a 15-minute walk along a straight path, and the surrounding area is lovely. However, if you prefer visiting rice fields, you can divert and head to the Jatiluwih rice fields before visiting the waterfall.
Day 3 in Bali: Nungnung waterfall and Canggu
I recommend visiting Nungnung waterfall on the third day before heading back to Canggu. You are advised that, as these locations are in different parts of the island, traveling to both of them may be a bit exhausting, but it is recommended if you have the energy.
Nungnung Waterfall
Start by visiting Nungnung Waterfall, one of Bali’s most impressive waterfalls. This is about an hour’s drive north of Ubud. It stands out for the force with which the water falls. You will need to first go down about 500 steps and then go up to see this natural beauty. Yes, it is difficult but well worth it. I assure you of it!
Now it’s time to head to Bali’s southernmost region, Canggu. Visit the Taman Ayun Temple if you want to take a break along the way.
Canggu and Tanah Lot
When you arrive in Canggu, I recommend exploring its streets, shops, and especially its cafes and restaurants. If there is one place in Canggu’s vicinity that deserves special mention, it is the Tanah Lot, which you should definitely add to your Bali 7-day itinerary.
The Tanah Lot stands out for being built on top of a rock along the coast. When the sea is high, the island is entirely surrounded by the sea. Although I’ll suggest another strategy, it is advised to visit this temple at dusk. Visit the temple after dinner for the best views of the Canggu sunset from Echo Beach.
The sunset from the Tanah Lot is incredible; however, there are usually large crowds at sunset, so it is best to watch in the afternoon and then enjoy the sunset from the beach while drinking a local beer or a cold coconut. You can book a guided tour of the Tanah Lot if you like.
Don’t miss my article on what the best places in Canggu (Bali) to see all the things you can do there and restaurant recommendations.
Day 4 in Bali: From Ubud to Amed
↠ Amed: 2 nights – Search for hotels in Amed.
It’s now time to leave Ubud behind and travel to Amed, a coastal town at the easternmost point of the island. Several locations are recommended for you to visit between Ubud and Amed. Don’t hesitate to make the following stops if you have the chance to!
You can stop at the Tukad Cepung waterfall on the way, which stands out for being located inside a cave. There are a few stairs to descend, a trail to walk, and a canyon to cross in order to get to the waterfall. Following your visit to the waterfall, you may still have the energy to visit the most sacred place in Balinese culture, the Mother Temple of Besakih. You’ll need to deviate somewhat in order to go.
Since the journey is so long, you will undoubtedly be exhausted when you get to Amed. To help you relax, I advise you to visit Amed Beach, from which you can enjoy stunning views of Mount Agung.
🏨 Hotels in Amed: Book two nights in Amed. I’ll list a few hotels that I recommend for various budgets:
- $: Bubu Racok Homestay.
- $$: Amed Beach Villa, Bali Dive Resort Amed (my hotel).
- $$$: Nalini Resort.
Day 5 of this Bali 7 day itinerary
On the 5th day, we’ll really explore Amed and it surroundings.
Lempuyang Temple
I strongly advise starting the day very early because the Lempuyang Temple, famous for its “Gates of Heaven,” will be the first stop. My advice is to arrive here before 7:00am because later on it fills up with tourists taking pictures while posing for them, which is a misery.
The effort of waking up early is well worth it in order to enjoy the magical Lempuyang Temple with greater peace of mind. Your experience will be entirely different.
Tirta Gangga Temple
Once you’ve been to the Lempuyang Temple, you should visit the Tirta Gangga Water Palace, another amazing place to see if you’re visiting Bali in 7 days. You can stroll around a lovely area filled with gardens, sculptures, and ponds. The most famous location in this temple is a pond with columns that rise above the water, through which you can walk. It’s a beautiful place.
Snorkeling and diving in Amed
Another activity you could partake in when you visit Amed is snorkeling or scuba diving. This area of Bali is the perfect place to carry out these activities because of the peace and clarity of the water. Some of the most well-known locations for snorkeling or scuba diving include the USAT Liberty Shipwreck, a U.S. sunken ship, and the Jemeluk Bay, where you can see coral and numerous fish.
Lahangan Sweet
I had the opportunity to see a fascinating viewpoint during my last trip to Bali. Lahangan Sweet is about 15 kilometers away from Amed. Simply mark the location’s name on your map, arrive, park your motorcycle, and start walking along the path that branches off the highway. You will finally get to the viewpoint, which offers stunning views of Mount Agung. The journey from the road to the viewpoint takes 20 minutes.
Visit my article on the best things to do in Amed (Bali) to see all the activities as well as the restaurants I recommend.
Day 6 in Bali: Journey from Amed to Uluwatu
↠ Uluwatu: 1 night – Search for hotels in Uluwatu.
After spending two amazing nights in the eastern part of Bali, get on the road and travel as far south as possible, namely to Uluwatu. Uluwatu stands out for having some of Bali’s best beaches, making it the perfect place to wrap out your trip and enjoy the area’s beautiful beaches and sunsets.
Beaches in Uluwatu
You can go to Bingin Beach, a lovely beach with many restaurants near the shore. You can eat while enjoying the ocean views and taking a bathroom break. Some nearby beaches to which you can travel include Thomas Beach, Padang Padang, and Balangan.
Uluwatu Temple
I recommend visiting the Uluwatu Temple, one of the best places to visit in Bali in 7 days. You may enjoy the beautiful scenery here while watching the kecak show, a Balinese dance, which is performed in this temple every afternoon at 18:00. I advise you to reserve your seats for the kecak show in advance.
🏨 Hotels in Uluwatu: Book one night in Uluwatu. There are numerous options. I’ll include a few recommended hotels with various budgets:
- $: Willy Homestay.
- $$: Oceanna, Telaga Sari (my hotel).
- $$$: Hari Indah Boutique Hotel & Spa.
- $$$$: Renaissance Uluwatu Resort & Spa, one of the best hotels in Bali.
Day 7 in Bali: Uluwatu
Time to wrap up your 7 day trip to Bali. To conclude your trip in the best way possible, I recommend spending a relaxing morning at an Uluwatu beach or a beach club. I’ll give you a few recommendations below.
Nyang Nyang Beach
One of Bali’s most magnificent and scenic beaches is Nyang Nyang. Formerly it was necessary to knock down a lot of stairs to get to her, but now a motorcycle can get there too. There are not many services on the beach. Simply locate a place that serves food and drinks. Not at all is it a place with many shadows. I recommend it to anyone looking to have a more adventurous experience.
Sundays Beach Club
In my opinion, Sundays Beach Club is the best beach club in all of Bali. This is the place to go if you want to have your last luxury experience in Bali while taking advantage of a magnificent beach day. The entrance will get you access to a lovely beach, kayaks, snorkeling gear, and more. In addition, the food is delicious and they always make a fogata.
Melasti Beach
I recommend going to Melasti Beach if you want to enjoy a wonderful beach that offers good services without having to pay for admission to a beach club. This beach features a white sand beach and gorgeous blue water. You can rent tumbons, eat something at the nearby restaurants, and enjoy yourself as if it weren’t morning.
Don’t miss my article on things to do in Uluwatu (Bali) to see all the activities you may engage in on the island’s southern coast and the best restaurants.
If you want to continue planning your trip, don’t forget to read my Indonesia travel guide.
I hope that my Bali 7 days itinerary has been very helpful to you in planning your trip to this amazing Indonesian island. If you have any questions or would want to contribute, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send me an email. Enjoy your travels!
