Bali 6-Day Itinerary: Explore the Island's Best in Less Than a Week
No matter what people say about Bali these days, don’t believe the hype—it truly is a paradise.
Bali has become overly crowded; unfortunately, most tourists visit the same main attractions at the same time, which makes it hard to truly enjoy or experience the island’s authentic charm.
With so many legendary temples, Insta-famous rice terraces, and endless things to do, Bali can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’ve narrowed it down to a tested and flexible 6-day Bali itinerary that captures the island’s true spirit.
Since 2006, I’ve visited Bali many times, and I recently crafted this itinerary when I brought my mom along as part of our Southeast Asia trip. We followed and fine-tuned it together, so I’m confident it offers a balanced mix of must-see spots, hidden gems, and authentic local experiences—perfect whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or as a family.
This 6-day Bali itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors with limited time who want to explore both iconic sights and uncrowded hidden gems. I’ve also included alternative suggestions for some stops so you can tailor the trip to your interests, travel pace, or budget.
Before jumping into the day-by-day guide, check out my Comprehensive Bali Guide—it’s packed with practical tips, travel hacks, and planning insights to help you make the most of your Bali adventure.
Here’s how to spend an unforgettable six days in Bali—crowds avoided, highlights covered, and memories guaranteed.
Day 1 – Arrival in Bali, Jimbaran Beach Sunset & Seafood Dinner
After a late arrival at Denpasar International Airport (DPS), I picked up my rental car directly at the airport (I booked mine through a trusted agency online – read my guide about driving in Bali for tips!).
We checked into a nearby hotel in Jimbaran—not the expensive beachfront resorts, but a more affordable place inland. For just one night, it didn’t make sense to spend lots of money! Staying in Jimbaran is very practical. First of all it is only a short 15-minute drive from the airport, jet lag does not affect much. Then it is a good base to visit the Southern part of Bali before heading north.
For dinner, we headed straight to Jimbaran Beach, famous for its seafood restaurants with tables right on the sand. Every time I go, after scouting a few places, I always end up at the Radja Seafood Restaurant—they also let me move my table to the front for the best sunset view. I think a grilled red snapper is the must-try dish of Jimbaran, as the sky turns golden!
Day 2 – Rock Cliff Uluwatu Temple, Famous Kuta Beach & Arrival to the real Hearth of Bali – Ubud
In the morning, we visited Uluwatu Temple—but we didn’t have the opportunity to buy a sarong beforehand (a cloth that must be worn for temple visits – which later becomes the beach pareo or long lasting souvenir of all tourists ). Luckily, they offer them at the entrance.
The real temple of Uluwatu is really small and tourists are not allowed to visit it. However the real thing is the temple complex itself, walking along the way on the cliffs with beautiful ocean waves crashing the cliffs, while monkeys play on the walls you can observe the precious little temple from far away.
Actually this temple offers better colours at sunset but it also becomes overly crowded as they organize inside the temple complex area a traditional dance show kecak.
Another big attraction of Uluwatu Temple are the cheeky monkeys. They are really very intelligent, so do not underestimate them. Don’t carry anything loose and don’t even think about carrying food. They are very well nourished there, and you don’t need to attract them with food – they will be curious about you anyway. No matter how careful we were, they stole my mom’s sunglasses the instant we entered the garden and started taking pictures of them. But no need to be scared, just stay mindful.
Next, we headed towards Kuta Beach, around 20 km away, which should take about 50 minutes – but after a 1.5-hour drive due to traffic, we finally arrived. (You can easily park nearby on the street or at the garage of the large, modern mall behind the beach, which has a supermarket, shops, bars, and restaurants.)
It was just a quick stop for us before heading to Ubud. Instead of eating at the mall, we preferred to enjoy a lovely and cheap plate of nasi goreng (a typical Indonesian rice dish) right on Kuta Beach, famous for its surfers. Due to the low tide, the beach was empty.
After another almost 2-hour drive through Bali’s traffic jams, we finally arrived in Ubud and checked into our cozy homestay. We spent the evening wandering the charming streets of Ubud and had a delicious dinner with Balinese food at the lovely Warung Makan Bu Rus.
DAY 3 – Iconic Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and UNESCO Heritage Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
We started our day with fresh coconut water and homemade mango pancakes prepared by our lovely Ubud homestay. Then we took our rental car and drove a couple of hours to reach what I consider the most beautiful temple in Bali—Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. The view is pure poetry: the layered temple adorned with colorful flowers, framed by emerald-green hills and the serene Beratan Lake. It’s the kind of place that makes you forget to blink.
On the way back, we stopped at Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are the largest rice fields in Bali, and exploring them takes time—you could easily spend half a day here. We rented a buggy car with a driver because (1) the chances of getting lost were high, and (2) the sun was relentless! Thanks to our driver, we not only navigated the maze of terraces but also discovered a hidden temple complex nestled in the middle of the fields, surrounded by lush forest.
As we were driving back, commenting on how lucky we were to have a guide and a car, we spotted a lost French couple—completely dehydrated and disoriented under the scorching sun. Of course, we gave them a ride!
Before the entrance of the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, there are small panoramic restaurants if you need a meal. We skipped those but couldn’t resist stopping at one of the many “Coffee Plantation” signs along the road. We tried the famous Balinese coffee (and free snacks!), and it turned into a full mini-tour—they explained the coffee-making process and showed us their garden with various plants (vanilla, cacao, spices).
But a sad note: They had caged luwaks (civet cats) for “luwak coffee” production. It always breaks my heart to see wild animals in captivity. (Read more about the ethical concerns of luwak coffee in my Java Island article.
We made it back to Ubud before dinner and treated ourselves to a delicious meal at Casa Luna—a restaurant owned by Janet DeNeefe, the author of The Fragrant Rice, a must-read book about Balinese culture. (P.S. They offer cooking classes too
We missed it, but you cancheck it out: A quick stop at Taman Beji Griya Waterfall on your way back to Ubud. It seems that this is a lesser-known gem with a spiritual vibe! Bring a sarong and sash and wear your swimming suit under!
DAY 4 – Ubud’s Cultural Heart: Goa Gajah Temple, Sacred Monkey Forest & Royal Palaces and Traditional Balinese Dance Show
After yesterday’s adventures, we decided to dedicate our fourth day entirely to Ubud’s cultural treasures—no more bumpy mountain roads for us!
We started early and drove just 15 minutes from Ubud to Goa Gajah Temple (Elephant Cave). The moment we arrived, we were greeted by a priest offering morning blessings. With joy, we received the sticky rice pressed onto our foreheads (the “third eye”) and frangipani flowers tucked behind our ears. Balinese rituals are full of fascinating symbolism—if you’re curious, I’ve written more about their meanings in my Bali guide post.
While Goa Gajah is famous for its ancient elephant-carved cave, what captivated us most was the temple’s spiritual atmosphere—lush jungle, sacred springs, and a palpable sense of serenity. You don’t just see this place; you feel it.
Sacred Monkey Forest:
Next, we returned to Ubud’s center for the Sacred Monkey Forest. (On my first visit almost 20 years ago, the entrance was just a simple street door, and monkeys swarmed the souvenir shops!) Now, there’s a proper parking area, and near the entrance, we spotted a charming warung (local kiosk) selling intriguing snacks.
We couldn’t resist sitting there, sampling sweet and salty treats while admiring the rice fields right in central Ubud—until a friendly goat trotted over to join us! After a playful interlude, we finally entered the forest.
Sacred Monkey Forest for me is pure magic: moss-covered stone statues, monkeys swinging from ancient trees, Balinese women placing offerings, the symphony of monkey chatter blending with rustling leaves. We were extra lucky, and this visit was extra special—we encoutered an important Balinese ceremony, adding even more excitement to the experience. (I took hundreds of photos, but I’ll only share a few here!)
After the Monkey Forest, we relaxed at Lotus Café, sipping coffee with a stunning view of the Ubud Water Palace’s lotus ponds.
Later, we visited the beautiful Ubud Palace and bought tickets for that night’s Legong Barong dance performance.
We had our dinner at one of the many cozy restaurants around the Ubud Palace, to not to go far away, to not to miss the Legong Barong Show! As we encountered Barong at the Sacred Monkey Forest, the show got more curious 🙂 It really was a hypnotic show of intricate costumes, dramatic masks and intrigate music mixed with the ambiance of the Ubud Palace. A perfect end to our cultural day!
Day 5 – East Bali Adventure: Taman Ujung Water Palace, Tenganan Traditional Village, Goa Lawah Bat Temple & Petulu Bird Watching in Ubud
On our fifth day, we couldn’t resist exploring more of the island and decided to head east by car. We left early in the morning to visit Taman Ujung, one of Bali’s royal water palaces and the sister site of Tirta Gangga. It took us about an hour to reach, and the peaceful setting was absolutely worth the drive.
After another 30 minutes on the road, we stopped at Tenganan Village—one of the island’s oldest and most traditional villages. It gave us a unique glimpse into the ancient rural way of life in Bali, far removed from the tourist crowds.
On our way back to Ubud, we made a brief stop at Goa Lawah, also known as the Bat Temple. This is a lesser-known, non-touristy site with a very different, authentic atmosphere. It doesn’t take long to visit and there’s no entry fee, so I definitely recommend stopping by if you’re passing through.
So, on this day, we visited Taman Ujung and Tenganan Village. Alternatively, you could plan a different East Bali route—starting with Tegalalang Rice Terraces in the early morning before the crowds, then continue to Tirta Empul Temple to witness people receiving blessings in the sacred waters. If time allows, head further to Besakih Temple, the “Mother Temple” of Bali.
We were lucky to return to Ubud just before sunset—perfect timing for a quiet and somewhat secret experience: bird watching in Petulu Village. This isn’t a major tourist attraction, but it’s a truly unique one, especially if you’ve never seen it before or love birdwatching. Just outside Ubud, the small village of Petulu comes alive every evening as hundreds of white herons return to nest in the treetops. There are so many that the trees look like they’re growing giant white fruits.
We sat on a little terrace-bar attached to a private home and were mesmerized as the birds glided in against the golden sky. It was peaceful, magical, and deeply memorable—a must for nature lovers.
For our last evening in Bali, we wandered through the charming streets of Ubud, browsing for souvenirs and soaking in the atmosphere. We finished the day with a lovely dinner at one of the many cozy restaurants in town, and ended the night with a comforting cup of Balinese coffee—the perfect goodbye.
If you’d prefer to stay closer to Ubud but still want a deeply fascinating cultural experience, you can swap out Bali’s most sacred temple (Besakih) for one of its most ancient. Start your morning with a visit to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces before the crowds arrive, then continue on to Tirta Empul, where locals and visitors alike take part in traditional water blessings.
From there, head to Pura Gunung Kawi, one of the oldest and most atmospheric temples in Bali, carved into the cliffs of a lush river valley. It’s a personal favorite—peaceful, powerful, and beautifully surrounded by jungle.
Day 6 – Tanah Lot Temple, Jimbaran Beach and Farewell to Bali
On our last day, we wanted to keep things light and smooth—especially knowing the traffic to the airport would likely test our patience. After saying goodbye to our beloved Ubud and checking out from our cozy homestay, we set out for one final stop: the iconic Tanah Lot Temple.
Perched on a rock formation surrounded by the ocean, Tanah Lot offered a dramatic and serene view. The temple itself is deeply rooted in Balinese spiritual life, and we enjoyed taking in its significance while watching waves crash below. The entrance area felt more like a souvenir shopping mall—but honestly, that worked in our favor! We picked up the last few gifts we hadn’t managed to find earlier, and thanks to the competition between stalls, the prices weren’t bad at all.
Since our flight wasn’t until later in the evening, we decided to end our Bali journey the way we began it—with a feast by the sea. We headed to Jimbaran Beach, found a relaxed seafood spot, and enjoyed fresh grilled fish and a cold beer while the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. The sunset, as always in Jimbaran, was pure magic.
Before heading to the airport, we checked into a budget-friendly but comfortable hotel room nearby. It gave us a few hours to shower, rest, and gather ourselves before the long flight ahead—a small luxury that made a big difference.
Leaving Bali was bittersweet. We carried with us not just souvenirs and photos, but a deep appreciation for the island’s mesmerizing landscapes, vibrant culture, and the kind-heartedness of its people. Each Bali trip leaves its mark that I remember each for a lifetime.
