7 days in Bali — south, Ubud, east coast
Seven days lets you cover Bali properly without rushing — south, Ubud, the east coast and Nusa Penida. The most popular Bali-only timing.
A week in Bali is the most-recommended timing for a relaxed first-Bali experience. You can see the major areas (south, Ubud, east), do a Nusa Penida day trip, fit in serious dining and one or two big experiences, and still have time to do nothing.
Recommended split
- Days 1–3: South Bali (Canggu or Seminyak)
- Days 4–5: Ubud
- Days 6–7: East coast (Amed, Sidemen or Tulamben for divers) — or extend Ubud and do a long Penida day trip
Day 1 — arrive south Bali
- Land DPS, SIM card, Bali tourist levy
- Grab to Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu hotel
- Lunch warung, pool, beach
- Sunset cocktail at a beach club
- Early dinner near base
Day 2 — south essentials
- Surf lesson morning (Batu Bolong / Padang Padang)
- Lunch at the beach
- Afternoon at a temple (Uluwatu)
- Sunset Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu
- Dinner at Single Fin or Cuca
Day 3 — Nusa Penida day trip
- Early fast boat from Sanur (~30 min)
- West Penida trio: Kelingking, Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong
- Lunch on island
- Return on late-afternoon fast boat
- Dinner south Bali
Day 4 — transfer to Ubud
- Late breakfast, check out
- Drive Ubud (90 min)
- Stops en route: Tanah Lot if you want, Tegenungan Waterfall, or direct
- Check in to Ubud villa
- Sacred Monkey Forest, then walk Bisma street
- Dinner Hujan Locale, Locavore or Mozaic
Day 5 — Ubud cultural day
- Sunrise option: Mt Batur sunrise hike
- Or: Tegalalang rice paddies, Pura Tirta Empul (water temple)
- Cooking class afternoon
- Sunset rice-paddy walk through Penestanan
- Dinner at Sari Organik or Bridges
Day 6 — transfer east, dive or relax
- Drive to Amed or Tulamben (2.5 hours from Ubud)
- For divers: Tulamben USS Liberty wreck dive in afternoon
- For non-divers: Sidemen valley villa with rice paddy views
- Sunset at Mt Agung from Amed
- Dinner at Warung Enak or similar
Day 7 — east coast morning, evening flight
- Morning snorkel or beach
- Slow lunch
- Drive back to airport (3 hours from east coast)
- Evening flight home
Variations
Active version: Add a serious Rinjani-look-alike Mt Agung sunrise hike (very hard) Day 5 Family version: Skip Penida (too much boat for small kids), add Sanur beach time and Bali Bird Park Diving version: Base 2 nights at Tulamben for multiple dives, skip Ubud day Wellness version: 3 nights Ubud yoga retreat, 1 night Amed, 3 nights Canggu
Budget estimate
- Hotel/villa: USD 90–500/night
- Food: USD 40–100/day
- Transport (including transfers): USD 200–400 total
- Activities: USD 200–400 total
- Total 7-day estimate for two people: USD 1,500–5,500
Common mistakes
- Trying to fit Lombok in (it's 90 minutes by fast boat each way — adds 2 days minimum)
- Booking 7 nights in one area without seeing the others
- Doing Mt Batur sunrise the night before departure
- Renting a car instead of using drivers (Bali traffic is painful)
- Skipping the east coast — it's quieter and shows a different Bali
Verify before acting
Visa, levies and tour operator quality change. Use a reputable operator for any boat trip. See disclaimer.