Skip to content
Indonesia Knowledge
itinerary

One Week in Indonesia — Bali + Yogyakarta

A realistic 7-day itinerary covering Bali's main destinations plus a 2-day Yogyakarta side trip for Borobudur and Prambanan. The classic 'taste of Indonesia' first visit.

4 min read

One week is not long for Indonesia, but it's enough to see Bali properly and get a substantial taste of Java. This itinerary covers the highlights both islands offer that pair well together — Bali for beaches and culture, Yogyakarta for the great temple complexes of Borobudur and Prambanan. It's the classic first-Indonesia-trip pattern and well-trodden for a reason.

At a glance

  • Days 1-4: Bali (south to Ubud)
  • Days 5-6: Yogyakarta (Borobudur, Prambanan)
  • Day 7: Return to Bali for departure (or fly home from Yogya)
  • Total time: 7 days, 6 nights
  • Estimated budget: USD 800-1,500 per person (mid-range)

Day 1 — Arrive Bali, settle in Seminyak or Canggu

  • Land at Ngurah Rai International Airport
  • Pay the IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy (online before arrival recommended)
  • Get a SIM card at the airport
  • Taxi or Grab to your hotel (about 30-45 min to Seminyak/Canggu)
  • Lunch at a local warung; afternoon at the beach
  • Sunset cocktails at Potato Head, Ku De Ta, or La Brisa
  • Dinner at one of the area's restaurants

Stay: Seminyak or Canggu beach hotel/villa.

Day 2 — South Bali essentials

  • Morning surf lesson at Batu Bolong (Canggu) or Kuta — beginner-friendly
  • Lunch on the beach
  • Afternoon at Tanah Lot temple (about 30 min from Canggu)
  • Sunset at Tanah Lot or back at the beach
  • Dinner at a quality restaurant (La Lucciola, Sea Vu Play, or similar)

Day 3 — Move to Ubud, cultural day

  • Drive to Ubud (about 90 min)
  • Morning at Tegallalang rice terraces
  • Lunch at a paddy-side restaurant
  • Afternoon at the Sacred Monkey Forest and Ubud Palace
  • Evening Balinese dance performance at the palace (7:30pm daily)
  • Dinner at a Balinese restaurant — Babi guling at Ibu Oka or similar

Stay: Ubud villa or boutique hotel.

Day 4 — Ubud and surrounds

  • Sunrise hike up Mount Batur (optional but recommended — book the night before)
  • Late breakfast in Ubud
  • Tirta Empul holy spring temple (purification bath)
  • Afternoon at Goa Gajah Elephant Cave and Yeh Pulu
  • Spa or yoga in Ubud
  • Dinner at Locavore (book weeks ahead) or Hujan Locale

Day 5 — Fly to Yogyakarta

  • Morning flight Bali → Yogyakarta (1 hour)
  • Arrive Yogya (NYIA airport), transfer to hotel
  • Lunch at a gudeg restaurant (Gudeg Yu Djum Wijilan, or similar)
  • Afternoon at the Sultan's Palace (Kraton) and Taman Sari water palace
  • Evening at Malioboro for shopping and street food
  • Dinner at a local restaurant

Stay: Yogyakarta hotel near the Kraton.

Day 6 — Borobudur and Prambanan

  • Early start: drive to Borobudur for sunrise (90 min drive, arrive by 5am)
  • Tour Borobudur (the largest Buddhist monument in the world)
  • Visit nearby Pawon and Mendut temples
  • Lunch in the area
  • Drive back, then to Prambanan (about 30 min east of Yogyakarta) for late afternoon
  • Tour Prambanan Hindu temple complex
  • If a full-moon evening: Ramayana Ballet performance at Prambanan
  • Otherwise: dinner in Yogyakarta

Day 7 — Depart

  • Morning at a final Yogyakarta sight (Affandi Museum, traditional batik workshop)
  • Fly Yogyakarta → Jakarta or Yogyakarta → Bali for international connection
  • Or fly direct from Yogyakarta if your airline offers it

Variations

Just-Bali (no Yogyakarta):

  • Days 1-2: south beaches (Seminyak/Canggu)
  • Days 3-5: Ubud
  • Day 6: east Bali (Sidemen, Tirta Gangga) or north (Munduk)
  • Day 7: return south, fly out

Bali + Lombok (skip Yogyakarta):

  • Days 1-4: Bali (south + Ubud)
  • Day 5: fast boat to Gilis
  • Day 6: Gilis
  • Day 7: return to Bali, fly home

Bali + Komodo (luxury):

  • Days 1-3: Bali (south)
  • Days 4-6: Komodo liveaboard
  • Day 7: return to Bali

Practical notes

  • Book domestic flights early especially during July-August and Christmas-New Year
  • Move accommodation no more than 2 times — packing and transit eats half your time
  • The dry season (May-October) is much easier weather-wise
  • Don't try to cram more islands — Indonesia rewards depth more than breadth in short trips
  • Allow buffer time for flight delays and traffic

Costs

Approximate per-person costs (mid-range, double occupancy):

  • Accommodation: USD 300-600 for 6 nights
  • Internal flights: USD 100-200
  • Food: USD 150-300
  • Activities and entries: USD 80-200
  • Transport (Grab, drivers, transfers): USD 100-200
  • Total: roughly USD 800-1,500 per person

Budget travellers (hostels, street food, public transport): USD 400-700 Upscale (5-star hotels, fine dining): USD 2,000-4,000

For a first visit to Indonesia, this 1-week itinerary covers the country's most accessible cultural and natural highlights without being rushed beyond the standard tourist pace.