6 days in Bali

The 6-day plan, day by day

1. 1

   Day 1 · Wednesday — Ubud arrival and central highlights

   Easy start in central Ubud with temples, market lanes and a rice-field walk

   5 stops€80 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Transfer into Ubud and hotel check-in

      Head from the airport area into Ubud and drop bags before starting the day in the town center.

      €20 per person

      TIPAllow extra time for south-to-central Bali traffic, especially around Denpasar.

   2. 11:002

      Saraswati Temple and lotus pond

      This elegant water temple is one of central Ubud’s most photogenic stops, with carved stone gates and a lotus pond fronting the shrine. It is an easy first look at Balinese temple design and sits right in the middle of the town’s walkable core.

      Jl. Raya Ubud No.14, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, IndonesiaFree

      TIPDress modestly around temple spaces and keep voices low near worship areas.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:153

      Lunch on Jalan Gootama

      This compact street near the center is lined with relaxed cafés and small local eateries that make an easy midday stop. It is a good place to try Balinese or Indonesian staples in a walkable setting close to the afternoon sights.

      €8 per person

      TIPA simple nasi campur or mie goreng lunch is widely available here.

   2. 14:004

      Ubud Art Market and palace area stroll

      The market lanes and streets around Ubud Palace are lively with textiles, woven bags, wood carvings and souvenir stalls. Even without heavy shopping, the area is a good introduction to the town’s craft culture and street energy.

      Free

      TIPVendors usually expect polite bargaining for non-fixed-price souvenirs.

   3. 16:005

      Campuhan Ridge Walk

      This gentle ridge path opens up to grass-covered hills and a calmer side of Ubud beyond the busy center. Late afternoon light is especially pleasant here, and the walk offers a simple reset after the market streets.

      Jl. Raya Ubud, Kelusa, Kec. Payangan, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, IndonesiaFree

      TIPBring water and start before dusk, as the path is best enjoyed with daylight.

   Evening

   1. 19:006

      Dinner around Jalan Hanoman

      The streets around Jalan Hanoman have a broad mix of casual restaurants, juice bars and garden dining spots. It is an easy area for a first evening meal with plenty of choice and a relaxed Ubud atmosphere.

      €12 per person

      TIPReserve ahead if you want a popular dinner spot with rice-field views.

2. 2

   Day 2 · Thursday — Rice terraces and sacred springs

   Classic Ubud day with rice fields, coffee countryside and temple rituals

   6 stops€74 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 08:301

      Tegallalang Rice Terrace

      These layered paddies are among Bali’s signature landscapes, with narrow paths cutting through bright green terraces and irrigation channels. The area is scenic early in the day before the strongest heat and largest crowds build.

      Jl. Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia€3 per person

      TIPWear shoes with grip, as terrace steps and paths can be slippery.

   2. 10:302

      Coffee plantation stop near Tegallalang

      Small plantation visits in the uplands introduce Bali coffee, cacao and spice plants in a compact rural setting. Tastings are usually informal and give a quick break between larger sightseeing stops.

      €5 per person

      TIPAsk which tastings are included before ordering any premium cups.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:003

      Lunch in Tampaksiring countryside

      A countryside lunch stop near the temple route offers breezy views over fields and villages. The area is well suited to a relaxed meal before the afternoon’s sacred spring visit.

      €10 per person

      TIPChoose a shaded terrace table if the midday sun is strong.

   2. 13:454

      Tirta Empul Temple

      This important water temple is known for its spring-fed purification pools and richly carved courtyards. Visitors can observe ritual bathing, admire the shrine compounds and get a deeper sense of living Balinese Hindu practice.

      Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80552, Indonesia€4 per person

      TIPSarongs are typically provided or available on site; shoulders and knees should be covered.

   3. 16:005

      Goa Gajah

      This compact archaeological site combines a dramatic cave entrance, bathing pools and leafy temple grounds. It is an atmospheric late-afternoon stop that adds an older layer of Bali’s religious and artistic history.

      Bedulu, Blahbatuh, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia€3 per person

      TIPThe stairways and stone paths are uneven, so take care after rain.

   Evening

   1. 19:006

      Dinner in Ubud center

      Back in central Ubud, the evening is ideal for a relaxed dinner among busy streets, small galleries and softly lit courtyards. The area offers everything from Indonesian staples to lighter international dishes after a full day out.

      €12 per person

      TIPIf you want a quieter setting, pick a place a few minutes off the main road.

3. 3

   Day 3 · Friday — Monkey Forest, crafts and sunset dance

   Nature, village crafts and a classic cultural evening in Ubud

   6 stops€76 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 08:301

      Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

      This shaded forest sanctuary blends giant trees, mossy statues and temple fragments with long-tailed macaques moving freely through the grounds. It is one of Ubud’s most distinctive walks, mixing nature, architecture and local spiritual heritage.

      Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia€6 per person

      TIPKeep sunglasses, phones and loose items secured around the monkeys.

   2. 10:452

      Agung Rai Museum of Art

      This museum presents Balinese and Indonesian art in landscaped grounds with pavilions and garden paths. It gives helpful context for the styles, stories and visual traditions seen across temples and craft villages around the island.

      Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia€7 per person

      TIPThe galleries are easiest to enjoy in the cooler late morning hours.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:453

      Lunch in Pengosekan

      Pengosekan has a convenient cluster of cafés and local restaurants close to museums, workshops and the Monkey Forest road. It works well for a midday break before heading out to nearby craft villages.

      €9 per person

      TIPThis area is good for a quick lunch that still feels calmer than the main center.

   2. 14:304

      Mas village craft workshop area

      Mas is known for wood carving, with workshops and galleries displaying traditional and contemporary pieces along the roadside. A visit here shows how Bali’s craft traditions continue through skilled village artisanship.

      Free

      TIPMany workshops are family-run, so a polite greeting goes a long way.

   Evening

   1. 18:305

      Ubud Palace Legong dance performance

      An evening dance performance in the palace setting brings together intricate costumes, gamelan music and expressive storytelling. It is one of the most accessible ways to experience Balinese performing arts in a beautiful open-air courtyard.

      Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia€8 per person

      TIPArrive early for better seats, especially on a Friday evening.

   2. 20:156

      Supper near the palace lanes

      The small lanes around the palace stay lively after performances, with plenty of easy places for a late meal or dessert. It is a pleasant way to extend the cultural evening without needing extra travel.

      €8 per person

      TIPA lighter meal works well after the dance if you ate lunch late.

4. 4

   Day 4 · Saturday — South Bali cliffs and seafood sunset

   Big ocean views, temple cliffs and a beach club afternoon in the south

   4 stops€138 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 08:301

      Transfer to the Bukit Peninsula

      Travel south toward Bali’s limestone cliffs and beach areas, allowing time for weekend traffic on the main roads.

      €25 per person

      TIPStart early to make the most of the day before the coastal areas get busier.

   2. 11:002

      Uluwatu Temple

      Perched high above the sea, this cliffside temple is one of Bali’s great coastal landmarks, with sweeping views along the edge of the Bukit Peninsula. The setting is dramatic in any weather and combines temple architecture with some of the island’s best scenery.

      Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia€3 per person

      TIPWatch belongings closely here too, as monkeys around the temple can be bold.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:003

      Lunch at Jimbaran Bay

      Jimbaran’s beachfront dining strip is a classic south Bali lunch stop, with sandy views and a broad choice of grilled seafood and Indonesian dishes. The bay is calmer than the surf beaches and works well for an easy midday break.

      €18 per person

      TIPSeafood prices vary by catch and display, so check before ordering.

   2. 15:304

      Padang Padang Beach

      This small cove beach sits between rocky headlands and is reached by a staircase through the cliff. It is a compact, scenic stop for a swim, shoreline break or simply a look at one of south Bali’s best-known beach settings.

      Padang Padang Beach, Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia€1 per person

      TIPThe steps are narrow, and high tide leaves less sand space on the beach.

   Evening

   1. 18:005

      Sunset dinner along Jimbaran beachfront

      As evening falls, the beachfront becomes especially atmospheric with tables on the sand, sea breezes and sunset colors over the bay. It is a classic Bali dinner setting and an easy way to end a coastal sightseeing day.

      €22 per person

      TIPWeekend sunsets draw crowds, so reserve or arrive a little early for a front-row table.

5. 5

   Day 5 · Sunday — East Bali temples and water palace

   Historic royal sites and mountain-framed scenery in eastern Bali

   5 stops€118 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 08:001

      Drive to East Bali

      Set out early for eastern Bali, where the roads are longer but the scenery opens up to villages, coastline and views toward Mount Agung.

      €30 per person

      TIPBring water and a light layer, as the car journey is longer than most Ubud day trips.

   2. 11:002

      Tirta Gangga Water Palace

      This former royal water palace is known for its pools, fountains, stepping stones and carefully kept gardens. The layout is graceful and photogenic, and the surrounding hills give the whole site a calm eastern Bali character.

      HHQQ+836, Jalan Raya Abang Desa Adat Jl. Raya Tirta Gangga, Ababi, Kec. Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia€3 per person

      TIPThe stepping stones can be slick, so move carefully if you walk across them.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:453

      Lunch in Amlapura area

      Amlapura and the roads around it offer simple warungs and local restaurants that make a convenient pause between East Bali landmarks. It is a practical place to enjoy a relaxed meal before the afternoon palace visit.

      €9 per person

      TIPLocal warungs here are often best for hearty rice dishes and quick service.

   2. 14:304

      Taman Ujung

      This expansive former royal complex combines pavilions, long reflecting pools and bridges with sea and mountain views in the distance. It feels more spacious than many temple sites, making it especially pleasant for a slow afternoon walk.

      Taman Ujung, Tumbu, Kec. Karangasem, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80811, Indonesia€5 per person

      TIPThere is limited shade in parts of the grounds, so carry sun protection.

   3. 16:455

      Scenic roadside stop toward Sidemen

      The inland route back offers broad views over rice fields, valleys and village landscapes that show a quieter side of Bali. A short stop here breaks up the return and adds some rewarding scenery beyond the headline sites.

      Free

      TIPBest views depend on weather, so keep this stop flexible with your driver.

   Evening

   1. 19:306

      Dinner back in Ubud

      After the long East Bali loop, a relaxed dinner in Ubud is the right finish, with plenty of familiar options close to the hotel. The evening can stay low-key after a day of driving and open-air palace visits.

      €12 per person

      TIPChoose somewhere close to your hotel to keep the evening easy.

6. 6

   Day 6 · Monday — Final temple views and departure

   A last scenic temple outing with a relaxed final meal before heading out

   4 stops€78 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 08:301

      Pura Taman Ayun

      This royal temple complex is set within broad gardens and surrounded by a moat, giving it a spacious and orderly feel. Its multi-tiered meru towers and landscaped grounds make it a rewarding final temple visit west of Ubud.

      Jl. Ayodya No.10, Mengwi, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia€2 per person

      TIPMorning is a comfortable time to visit before the grounds heat up.

   2. 10:302

      Jatiluwih scenic rice-field section

      The Jatiluwih area is famous for wide rice terraces spreading across Bali’s central slopes, with walking paths and layered green views. It is a more expansive rural landscape than the tighter valley terraces near Ubud and works well as a final nature stop.

      €3 per person

      TIPCloud can gather on the slopes later in the day, so earlier views are often clearer.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:453

      Lunch in Jatiluwih area

      A countryside lunch here comes with open terrace views over rice fields and a cooler upland atmosphere. It is a relaxed last meal in Bali’s agricultural heartland before turning back toward the south.

      €10 per person

      TIPPick a terrace seat for the best field views if the weather is clear.

   2. 15:004

      Tanah Lot sea temple viewpoint

      Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s best-known sea temple settings, with a rocky offshore shrine framed by surf and dramatic coastal light. It is a strong final iconic stop, especially for a shoreline walk and broad ocean views.

      Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82121, Indonesia€4 per person

      TIPCrowds build through the afternoon, so keep an eye on timing for the transfer out.

   Evening

   1. 17:305

      Transfer out for departure

      Leave from the sightseeing area with enough buffer for traffic on the way to the airport.

      €20 per person

      TIPTraffic can be heavy from Tanah Lot toward the airport corridor, so keep your buffer generous.