Bali Itinerary – 10 Days in Bali
This Bali Itinerary will guide you through 10 days of some of the most stunning views and incredible experiences that Bali has to offer.
With its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and amazing food, the Bali Province of Indonesia is truly lives up to the hype. Whether you’re looking for an adventure, a culture immersion, or a luxury beach getaway, Bali has it all. You can swim with manta rays, explore the most beautiful beaches in the world, surf world-renowned breaks, dine on traditional cuisine, pamper yourself with party at beach clubs.
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Bali Itinerary Snapshot
Unfortunately, 10 days is not enough time to see everything that Bali, Indonesia has to offer. You could truly spend weeks, months (I vote for years!) there.
But alas, we can’t all drop everything and run away to Bali indefinitely. With that in mind, this itinerary will bring you to some of the places that (IMHO) you absolutely cannot miss in Bali. This itinerary also accounts for travel and ensures you’ll have enough time to appreciate each Bali destination.
Skip to a step of this Bali Itinerary:
- Arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport
- Seminyak
- Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan
- Day Trip to Nusa Penida
- Ubud
- Departure
Read this next: How to Travel Around Bali
Packing for this Bali Itinerary
I have a complete guide to packing for Bali here, but for the purposes of this 10-day Bali itinerary, here are some highlights to keep in mind:
- Pack light – ideally in a backpack. You’ll be hopping around to multiple cities, climbing onto ferries, walking sandy roads, and traveling by scooter or car so it’s best to bring only what you can easily carry by yourself.
- Bring comfortable sandals. Ensure they can stand up to sea and sand and lots of daily walking.
- Light layers of clothing. Breezy tops, shorts, and skirts are perfect for Bali.
- Modest outfit for temple visits. Modest clothing that covers (at least) from your upper arms and shoulders to down below the knee is required to enter any temple. It’s not just respectful, there will be someone waiting at the entrance to check that you meet the code. Many people will keep a sarang with them in their day bag so they can throw it on over their outfit as needed.
Check out this post where I share all my secrets to packing light for backpack-only travel
Arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport
Day 1
When you arrive in Bali, it’ll likely be through Ngurah Rai International Airport. The customs line is dependably long, and you’ll likely be worn out from a long day (or days) of travel. You won’t want to make any plans for your arrival day aside from checking into your accommodation and grabbing something to eat.
Prior to your trip, your hotel or Airbnb host will likely contact you and offer to set up a transfer from the airport. For the best experience arriving in Bali, I recommend taking them up on this offer. Arrange transportation through your hotel or Airbnb and they will greet you at the airport exit with a name sign then drive you to your first destination – Seminyak.
Read this next: How to Travel Around Bali for details on transportation options while in Bali
Seminyak
Days 1 – 3
From the airport, your first stop will be Seminyak. Seminyak is known for it’s food, beach clubs, and shops. It’s a beachy sea-side city and the perfect place to start your trip as you get used to the language and culture of Bali.
Seminyak has a large transplant population from Australia and Europe, so you’ll find an eclectic mix in the food, decor, and culture.
Where to Stay in Seminyak
- Here’s the Airbnb where we stayed in Seminyak. With 3 bedrooms, a stunning private pool, and a central location, it was the perfect place for our group to kick off the Bali trip. At around $155/ night total, it was also extremely affordable for our group to split.
Things to Do in Seminyak
- Beach Clubs – Seminyak is known for its beach clubs and restaurants. For something with a more casual beach-bar vibe try La Plancha. For a more party vibe with DJs, try Sugar Sand, Mrs Sippy, or Potato Head.
- Spas – Bali in general is known for its spa experiences. You could have a massage or a whole spa day at any leg of this journey. You’ll find many options in Seminyak.
- Beaches – Seminyak Beach is lovely and central. You can find colorful loungers and umbrellas as well as vibrant nightlife along the shore.
- Relax at your villa – Book a baller villa for your stay in Seminyak so you can recharge from the long journey by sipping on cocktails or Bintang by your pool.
- Boutique Shops – Wander through the shops of local merchants and surf shops.
- Surf – Whether you’re an experienced surfer or would like to learn, Seminyak is a great place to catch some waves.
Where to Eat in Seminyak
Seminyak is known as a foodie hub. There are so many great places to eat in Seminyak! Explore at your whim, or check out some of my favorites.
- Revolver Espresso – coffee shop
- Shelter – breakfast & lunch spot with instagram-worthy smoothie bowls.
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
Days 3 – 7
Next stop on your itinerary is to travel from Seminyak to Nusa Lembongan via the ferry in Sanur. Island life on Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan will provide adventure, gorgeous uncrowded beaches, and some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see.
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are connected by the famous yellow footbridge, but the ferry terminal is on Nusa Lembongan. You can stay on either island, but we chose to stay on Nusa Ceningan. Whether you choose to stay on Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan, you can easily walk or scooter from island to island and enjoy the sights of both. The islands are so close that at low tide, you can sometimes walk from one island to the other.
I recommend reaching out to your villa/Airbnb/hotel hosts to help arrange your transfer from Seminyak to Nusa Lembongan.
Where to Stay on Nusa Lemongan or Nusa Ceningan
- [Nusa Ceningan] Blue Lagoon Avia Villas – (About $100/night) While we didn’t stay at the Blue Lagoon Avia Villas, we explored (swooned over) the property while checking out the Blue Lagoon.
- [Nusa Ceningan] Ocean Brothers Ceningan – This is where we stayed on Nusa Ceningan. At around $20/ night, this is extrememly budget friendly yet comfortable place to stay. Breakfast is included, as are stunning sunset views and fun & friendly staff.
- [Nusa Lembongan] Lembongan Bay Shore Huts – This is a great option if you’d like to stay on Nusa Lembongan.
Things to Do
- Snorkel with manta rays – Swim with these enormous gentle giants and explore the coastlines of the islands
- Explore the Blue Lagoon [Nusa Ceningan]
- Ohana’s Beach Club [Nusa Lembongan]
- Take a day trip to Nusa Penida – More on this day trip below.
- Explore the beaches – The coasts of Nusa Lembongand and Nusa Cengingan offer countless places to explore.
- Go surfing – Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan both have notable surf breaks
Where to Eat
- Klyf Club Blue Lagoon
- Kuun Sunset
- My Beach Warung and Bar
- Sea Breeze Cafe Ceningan
Nusa Islands in Photos
Day Trip to Nusa Penida
If you’ve seen any photos of Bali, the beaches of Nusa Penida were likely among the images you were swooning over. The magic of Nusa Penida is that the beaches here are even more beautiful in person. With only 10 days in this Bali itinerary, I recommend taking a day trip to Nusa Penida from Nusa Ceningan.
There’s less infrastructure on Nusa Penida, which means that there’s a bit less tourism here than in some of your other stops along the way. It also means that it can be a bit more challenging to get around. Because of this, I recommend a day trip with a driver so you don’t waste time getting lost without GPS on difficult to navigate roads. By taking a day trip with a driver that knows the island and is comfortable navigating the sketchy hairpin cliffside turns, you’ll be able to get the most out of your time on Nusa Penida.
We booked our day trip through Airbnb Experiences and while the specific tour we selected is no longer available, there are lots of very similar options. They all typically include the ferry to and from Nusa Penida, a private driver/ guide to the beaches of your choice, and lunch (usually on the beach). Because large vehicles don’t fit on Nusa Penida roads, you can usually expect your group to be the only ones in the car.
Ubud
Days 7 – 10
Next, after an adventurous few days on Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida, you’ll head back to mainland Bali and travel inland to Ubud. Ubud is a sleepy Balinese town built amid tropical rainforests, misty rice paddies, and Hindu temples. It’s the perfect finale to your Bali vacation itinerary.
Photo Inspiration of Ubud
Where to Stay
- The White Villas – Starting around $85 USD/ night. This is where we stayed in Ubud, and arguably our favorite place of all. It was absolutely stunning! We were welcomed with fresh juice and refreshing cucumber towels, fresh breakfast was served to our terrace each morning, and the staff were so incredibly kind.
Where to Eat
- Hippie Fish
- Cafe Lotus
Things to Do
- Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest – Explore another world where thousands of monkeys roam freely in the Sacred Monkey Forest. This is an absolutely unmissable experience.
*A reminder: there are no walls between you and the wild animals in this part of the world, so just be sure you follow all the safety recommendations like not offering food or grabbing/ chasing/ cornering the monkeys. - Treat yourself at a day spa – If you only visit one spa during your time in Bali, save it for Ubud. I highly recommend Bali Botanica Day Spa. Spa packages typically include transportation to and from your villa.
- Try Luwak Coffee – despite the “unusual” journey from coffee cherry bush to your cup, Luwok is arguably the most sought-after coffee in the world. Try Luwak coffee in Bali and meet some of the cats (technically Asian Palm Civets) that make it possible.
- Explore Tegalalang Rice Terrace – With its winding pathways through misty green paddies, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world. Plan to arrive in the early morning for the best views – and to avoid the crowds and direct sun.
- Puri Saren Agung, or Ubud Palace – Visit at night to see traditional Balinese music and dancing. There is a restaurant within view where you can eat and have drinks while you enjoy the show.
- Take a yoga class – Take a yoga class or escape for a whole yoga retreat. If you practice yoga, Ubud is the bucket-list place to practice.
Check this out next: Highlights of Ubud
Departure: Travel from Ubud to Ngurah Rai International Airport
Day 10
Finally, if you haven’t been convinced to leave the world behind and move to Bali, then it’s time to go home. Today, you’ll check out of your villa and make the drive to the airport. You can arrange transportation with your villa host.
The drive from Ubud to Ngurah Rai International Airport takes just under an hour. That said, traffic jams and security lines are unpredictable in Bali. Missed flights can be expensive, so give yourself about 5 hours from Ubud departure to your boarding time.
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