10 Days in Bali: Ubud, Coast and Islands
Bali, Indonesia
Bali's biggest trap is trying to day-trip everywhere from one hotel. The island is small on a map and slow in reality. This itinerary moves base three times so no day is spent sitting in traffic on the Denpasar bypass.
Opens the planner with this trip pre-filled — change the dates, budget or pace and get your own version in about a minute.
May, June and September are the sweet spot — dry season without the July–August crowds and prices. The wet season (November to March) still has plenty of sun, in shorter bursts, and is far cheaper.
Bali stretches to fit any budget. $60–$100 a day for two is comfortable in guesthouses and warungs; $200–$350 gets you villas with private pools and driver hire. A full-day private driver is typically $45–$60.
Hire a driver for long transfers, use Grab or Gojek in the south, and rent a scooter only if you already ride and have the right licence. Fast boats to Nusa Penida leave from Sanur.
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive and settle in Ubud
- Morning
- Land at Denpasar, driver to Ubud (60–90 minutes without traffic).
- Afternoon
- Campuhan Ridge Walk to shake off the flight.
- Evening
- Dinner on Jalan Gootama, then a legong dance performance at the palace.
Rice terraces and temples
- Morning
- Tegallalang terraces before the coach parties, then a jungle swing if you want the photo.
- Afternoon
- Tirta Empul water temple — bring a change of clothes for the purification ritual.
- Evening
- Back to Ubud for a Balinese cooking class.
Mount Batur or a slow day
- Morning
- Sunrise trek up Mount Batur (2am start) — or a spa morning if that sounds like too much.
- Afternoon
- Hot springs on the lake shore.
- Evening
- Early night.
Waterfalls and Sidemen
- Morning
- Tukad Cepung and Tibumana waterfalls, both under an hour from Ubud.
- Afternoon
- Drive out to the Sidemen valley for rice fields with almost nobody in them.
- Evening
- Dinner with a Mount Agung view.
Move to Nusa Penida
- Morning
- Driver to Sanur, fast boat across (about 45 minutes).
- Afternoon
- Kelingking Beach viewpoint late in the day when the light is better and the crowds thin.
- Evening
- Simple dinner near Toyapakeh.
Penida west coast
- Morning
- Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach at low tide.
- Afternoon
- Crystal Bay for snorkelling; manta point by boat if the swell allows.
- Evening
- Sunset at Crystal Bay.
Move to Uluwatu
- Morning
- Boat back to Sanur, drive south to the Bukit peninsula.
- Afternoon
- Beach club afternoon at Bingin or Padang Padang.
- Evening
- Uluwatu Temple kecak fire dance at sunset — book ahead.
Surf and cliffs
- Morning
- Surf lesson at Padang Padang or Balangan.
- Afternoon
- Nyang Nyang beach, the quietest of the Bukit beaches, with a steep walk down.
- Evening
- Seafood on the sand at Jimbaran.
Canggu
- Morning
- Move up to Canggu, or day-trip if you would rather not repack.
- Afternoon
- Cafés, shopping and the Echo Beach break.
- Evening
- Sunset at Batu Bolong.
Last day
- Morning
- Massage and a slow breakfast.
- Afternoon
- Airport — allow two hours for the drive in peak traffic.
- Evening
- Fly out.
Live prices
Live bookings
Real prices for your dates. Tap to book on the provider.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Bali?
Ten days lets you split Ubud, an island, and the southern coast without spending your holiday in the car. Seven days works if you drop Nusa Penida.
Is Bali expensive?
It can be either. Guesthouses and warungs keep a couple under $100 a day; private-pool villas, drivers and beach clubs push it past $300.
What is the best area to stay in Bali?
Ubud for culture and rice fields, Uluwatu for cliffs and surf, Canggu for cafés and nightlife, Sanur for calm water and boats to the islands.