How to choose: the plan in one minute
- A week or less: pick two bases at most, for example Ubud then Uluwatu, and choose from those two zones. The 3-day itinerary and the 10-day itinerary show how to link them.
- Two must-sees outside your zone: the Mount Batur sunrise and a day on Nusa Penida both start from Ubud or the south.
- Distances matter: the north and east are 2.5 to 3 hours from Ubud each way. For those days book a private driver or a tour with transfer.
- Before you go: Bali's tourist levy is 150,000 IDR per person, paid once (see before you go to Bali).
Ubud and around (7 places)
Ubud is the easiest base for culture, rice terraces and waterfalls. A full day is laid out in Ubud in 1 day; to compare tours, read which tour to choose from Ubud.
| Place | Region | Time to allow | Price found (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Monkey Forest | Ubud | 1 h to 1 h 30 | 100,000 to 130,000 IDR |
| Tegallalang rice terraces | North of Ubud | 1 h 30 to 2 h | 15,000 to 25,000 IDR |
| Tirta Empul temple | Tampaksiring | 1 h 30 | 50,000 to 75,000 IDR |
| Tegenungan waterfall | Sukawati | 1 h to 1 h 30 | 20,000 to 30,000 IDR |
| Campuhan Ridge Walk | Ubud | 2 h to 2 h 30 return | free |
| Ubud Art Market | Central Ubud | 1 h | free |
| Ayung River rafting | Ubud | 2 to 5 h | depends on the tour |
Visit Tegallalang early in the morning to avoid the crowds. At Tirta Empul, a bathing sarong and a locker are rented separately if you take part in the purification ritual.
The south and Uluwatu (6 places)
The south has the cliffs, the surf beaches and the sunsets. For where to sleep, see where to stay in Bali; for the area, the Uluwatu page.
| Place | Region | Time to allow | Price found (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uluwatu temple | Uluwatu | 1 h 30 to 2 h | about 50,000 IDR |
| Kecak dance at Uluwatu | Uluwatu | 1 h | about 150,000 IDR |
| Uluwatu beaches | Uluwatu | half a day | Padang Padang about 15,000 IDR |
| Garuda Wisnu Kencana | Ungasan | 2 h | about 150,000 IDR |
| Seafood dinner at Jimbaran | Jimbaran | an evening | 20 to 25 dollars (set menu) |
| Tanah Lot temple | West, Tabanan | 1 h 30 | about 75,000 IDR |
Uluwatu temple and the kecak combine at sunset: arrive early, as the monkeys steal glasses and phones.
The Nusa islands (3 places)
The islands are reached by fast boat from Sanur (30 to 45 minutes to Nusa Penida). Compare the options in Nusa Penida: east or west tour.
| Place | Region | Time to allow | Price found (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelingking Beach | Nusa Penida | 1 h 30 (stairs included) | about 25,000 IDR |
| Nusa Lembongan | Nusa Lembongan | 1 day | free access, boat extra |
| Snorkelling at Manta Point | Nusa Penida | 2 to 3 h by boat | 25 to 35 dollars (tour) |
One day on Penida is not enough to see everything: choose the east or the west.
East Bali (5 places)
The east is the zone of spectacular temples and diving, 2 h 30 or more from Ubud.
| Place | Region | Time to allow | Price found (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lempuyang Gates of Heaven | Karangasem | 3 h with the queue | about 100,000 IDR plus shuttle |
| Tirta Gangga water palace | Karangasem | 1 h | about 90,000 IDR |
| Besakih temple | Karangasem | 1 h 30 | 90,000 to 150,000 IDR |
| Amed | East coast | 1 day or more | beach snorkelling free |
| Liberty wreck at Tulamben | North-east | 5 to 10 h | free access, outing extra |
At Besakih, fake guides pester visitors: read the guide page before you go.
The north and centre (4 places)
| Place | Region | Time to allow | Price found (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Batur sunrise | Kintamani | 8 to 9 h, night start | 35 to 75 dollars (tour) |
| Ulun Danu Beratan temple | Bedugul | 1 h to 1 h 30 | about 75,000 IDR |
| Jatiluwih rice terraces | Tabanan | 2 h | about 75,000 IDR |
| Sekumpul waterfall | Buleleng | 3 h walking | 125,000 to 150,000 IDR (medium trek) |
Batur and Ulun Danu combine well with Jatiluwih in a day by car; Sekumpul needs a day of its own.
The three mistakes that cost the most time
- Trying to see everything from one base: sleep in two zones, see where to stay in Bali.
- Underestimating the road: the times shown by apps are optimistic, especially in the evening.
- Ignoring the season: the dry season (roughly April to October) is the best for volcanoes and waterfalls, see the best time to visit Bali.
Going further
For a day-by-day plan, read Bali in 10 days; for the budget, Bali travel budget; to rent a scooter or a driver, scooter rental in Bali and private driver.
FAQ
How many days do you need to see Bali?
Five to seven days let you see two regions without rushing; ten days leave time to add Nusa Penida and the east.
Which region is best for a first visit?
Ubud for culture and rice terraces, Uluwatu for cliffs and surf. Many travellers do both.
Are the prices on this page official?
No: they are readings from travel guides in October 2026, to be confirmed on the spot.
