Hey, I’m Julia — been living in Bali like 7 years now, and lemme tell ya, I’ve seen tourists run themselves ragged tryin’ to tick off every “must-see” in one week. Don’t do that. You’ll burn out, spend half ya vacay stuck in traffic, and probs miss the real magic.
So here’s my deal: I cooked up a one-week Bali itinerary that actually works. It’s got temples, beaches, waterfalls, a volcano, even an island hop — but with breathing space. You get the bucket-list biggies without the crazy FOMO, plus some local vibes most blogs don’t even bother with.
And btw — this ain’t no copy-paste fluff from some booking site. These are spots I’ve sweated hikes for, scootered potholes for, eaten waaay too much nasi campur for. Real-tested, not just “Pinterest-perfect”.
Day 1 – Land, Chill, Sunset Vibes
Where: South Bali (Seminyak, Canggu, or Jimbaran)
Why here first: Flights are long, jetlag’s a beast. Don’t go rushin’ to Ubud straight off the plane, trust me.
Plan:
- Land, check into your villa or hotel.
- Jimbaran? Grab seafood at Jimbaran Bay, toes in sand, sunset’s killer.
- Canggu/Seminyak? Chill cocktail at Potato Head, La Brisa, or heck, even a random beanbag warung.
Pro tip: Don’t overschedule. Swim, eat, crash. Tomorrow’s when the adventure kicks.
Day 2 – Ubud, Rice Fields & Waterfalls
Where: Ubud (’bout 1.5–2 hrs from south)
Plan:
- Morning drive to Ubud. Stop at Tegenungan (touristy) or Tibumana (quieter, greener, feels more Bali-Bali).
- Check into villa with rice field views (bonus if lil’ infinity pool).
- Wander Tegalalang terraces — yeah, touristy, but still magical. Swing pic if that’s your jam.
- Dinner at a warung (Warung Biah Biah hits the spot, ngl).
Pro tip: Don’t waterfall-hop like crazy. 1–2 max, or you’ll be waterfall-ed out, promise.
Day 3 – Volcano Sunrise & Temples
Where: Mount Batur + temples near Ubud
Plan:
- Brutal 2am pickup for Mount Batur sunrise hike. Clouds, volcano, monkeys stealing your banana sandwich — the works.
- Post-hike: soak sore legs at Toya Devasya hot springs.
- Later: temple time. Goa Gajah or Gunung Kawi — moody, authentic, less Insta-fake.
- Evening: massage, then early crash (you’ll need it).
Pro tip: Skip the dirt-cheap sunrise tours. Ask villa for guide rec. Better snacks, safer trek, less headache.
Day 4 – Island Hop: Nusa Penida (or Lembongan if you hate crowds)
Where: Nusa Penida (day trip from Sanur)
Plan:
- Early fast boat (40 mins).
- Kelingking Beach (the T-Rex cliff). The hike down’s brutal tho — do it only if ya fit.
- Broken Beach + Angel’s Billabong. Don’t swim if waves are wild.
- Crystal Bay swim/snorkel before boat back.
Pro tip: Too much chaos? Go Nusa Lembongan instead. Chill, cute, less traffic.
Day 5 – East Bali Escape
Where: Tirta Gangga, Lempuyang Temple, maybe Amed
Plan:
- Drive east. First stop: Lempuyang Temple (aka “Gates of Heaven”). Pretty but crowded. Go early.
- Chill at Tirta Gangga — koi ponds, fountains, calm vibes.
- Into diving/snorkeling? Hit Amed (black sand, coral, fishermen hangout).
- Stay east overnight, or bounce back to Ubud.
Pro tip: Drives here are loooong. Don’t force it if you’re still wrecked from Penida.
Day 6 – Uluwatu Cliffs & Sunset Magic
Where: Bukit Peninsula
Plan:
- Morning: beach-hop Padang Padang, Bingin, Dreamland. White sand + turquoise postcard kinda vibes.
- Afternoon: nap, pool, chill.
- Evening: Uluwatu Temple fire dance with sunset backdrop. Legit goosebumps.
- Dinner: seafood BBQ or fancy clifftop (Sundays Beach Club’s solid).
Pro tip: Monkeys are sneaky lil’ thieves. Zip your stuff.
Day 7 – Last Day: Your Pick
- Chill: brunch at beach club, spa, last-minute shop.
- Adventurous: scooter ride + Nungnung waterfall.
- Cultural: Tanah Lot sunset goodbye (iconic).
Pro tip: Don’t book flights too tight. Bali traffic eats hours alive.
Wraping Up
And there you go — one week Bali, doable and actually fun, not just “for the gram”. You’ve got sunsets, temples, hikes, island vibes, even time to breathe.
Honestly? Bali’s the kinda place you’ll always feel like you missed somethin’. But that’s the point — gives ya reason to come back.
Stuff People Always Ask
Q: When’s the best time to come to Bali?
A: Dry season (May–Sept) is golden. Sunny days, less rain, vibes are strong. But hey, wet season ain’t the end of the world — showers come quick and clear, plus prices drop. Just avoid Nyepi Day if ya can’t handle a full island shut down (literally everything stops).
Q: How much cash do I need for this 1-week plan?
A: Depends if you’re a “villa with floating breakfast” type or a “hostel bunk + street food” kinda traveler. Rough ballpark:
- Budget: $350–500 (hostels, warungs, scooters).
- Mid-range: $700–1000 (nice villas, private driver sometimes, a beach club or two).
- Luxe: $1500+ (all the bougie stuff, spas, cocktails, private tours).
Q: Do I need a driver or can I just scooter everywhere?
A: Both, honestly. South Bali + Ubud backroads = scooter heaven (if ya confident). Long day trips (like East Bali or Nusa Penida) — better grab a driver. It’s cheap compared to most places (like $40–50/day), and saves your sanity.
Q: Can I swap things around?
A: 100%. This ain’t school, nobody’s grading you. Feel free to flip days or skip stuff. Wanna do Uluwatu first ‘cause you’re crashing nearby? Do it. Wanna chill 3 days in Ubud just yoga + eat smoothie bowls? Also fine.
Q: Any scams or tourist traps to avoid?
A: Yeah, a few. Airport taxis will try rob ya (in price, not literally). Use Bluebird app or Grab/Gojek instead. “Luwak coffee tours” = mostly tourist fluff, unless you really dying to see civet poop coffee. And don’t buy “fast-track visa services” from randoms in FB groups.
Q: Can I drink the water?
A: Nope nope nope. Stick to bottled or refill stations. Even brush teeth with bottled if you got a sensitive tummy. Trust me, you don’t want Bali belly on day 2 of vacay.
Q: Is Bali safe for solo travelers / couples?
A: Pretty dang safe. Petty theft happens (watch bags on scooters), but violent crime’s rare. Solo gals? Totally fine. Couples? It’s like honeymoon central.
