Bali is the ideal holiday destination for people who love jaw-dropping scenery as much as they love partying on the sand. This 5-day Bali itinerary strikes a great balance between buzzy beach clubs and serene pockets of natural beauty. For many years, we made Bali our home, enjoying the full boozy evenings around seaside spots like Canggu, while also knowing we could always escape to a quieter scene up north, amidst the rice terraces and jungle around Sidemen.
5 days in Bali is really not a lot to spend exploring somewhere like Bali – especially when you factor in that traveling around the island can take quite a bit of time. With that little caveat out the way, we’ve put together our perfect 5-day Bali itinerary for a first-time visitor who wants to see as much as they can of this little slice of paradise in Southeast Asia.
This guest post was written by Mal from Where to Stay Bali.
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The Ideal 5-Day Bali Itinerary
Overview – Explore Bali in 5 Days 📌
1. Uluwatu
2. Canggu
3. Ubud
4. Ubud Outskirts
5. East Bali
Day 1: Uluwatu
Sunbathing, Swimming & Surfing
Home to some of the best beaches in Bali, Uluwatu is a hotspot for the three S’s: sunbathing, swimming, and surfing! What we like most about this part of Bali is that it’s not quite as commercialized as Nusa Dua or Jimbaran, while still offering loads of cool places to stay.
Situated on the western side of the Bukit Peninsula, south of the airport, Uluwatu has a laidback vibe that matches perfectly with the surfer culture. We’ve spent many days just hanging out in one of the warungs (local cafes) overlooking Suluban Beach, chowing down on satay and glugging Bintang beer while watching people ride the waves.
When we’re in the mood for something a bit more chichi, we head to Ulu Cliffhouse, a stylish spot with a pool and top-notch service. They do classy meals here, but it’s also a nice place to come just for some cocktails and a view.
Explore Balinese Culture
Uluwatu is also where to stay in Bali if you want to take in some local culture. Perched on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean, the Uluwatu Temple is one of the island’s oldest, dating back more than 1,000 years. Today, it’s home to some of the most mischievous monkeys we’ve met in Bali!
The location is amazing, so make sure you come here in the early evening when the light is still good. That way, you can enjoy the panorama, before settling down to the Kecak Fire Dance performance that takes place almost every evening.
Kecak forms a key part of Bali’s rich Hindu culture, which you can discover more about at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. It is a little bit touristy, but they do have a very informative museum on traditional Balinese beliefs. Plus, it’s home to the largest statue in Indonesia, a 121-meter representation of the god Vishnu riding the avian deity Garuda.
Day 2: Canggu
Surfing & Relaxing
Another beachy highlight, Canggu is a bit buzzier than Uluwatu, but not quite as well traversed as Seminyak. When we first turned up in Bali, Canggu was a lot more boho than it is now, but even if it’s not quite as ‘undiscovered’ as it once was, it still has a great vibe. It gets particularly lively in the evening, so make sure you’ve packed your party outfit!
While Uluwatu is great for the experienced surfer, Canggu caters to more mixed-ability peeps. There are quite a few surf shacks down by the beach with instructors who will help relative newbies improve their technique.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, one of the most awesome things we’ve done in Canggu is head out on the ocean in the early morning. You get to practice your wave riding just as the sun crests over the island.
Sunsets & Party Vibes
After you’ve had your morning surf/swim, head to Copenhagen, our go-to place in Canggu for smoothie bowls and beautiful breakfast platters. Heads up: it’s quite a popular brunch spot, so you may have to wait a little while for a table.
During the day, you’ll probably want to spend most of your time enjoying Canggu’s beaches. During the evening, head to Lawn Beach Club in time to watch the sunset. It’s a chill but fun setting, prepping you up for a night of more hardcore partying.
Within stumbling distance of Lawn Beach Club are two of our fav spots to go dancing in Canggu. During the day, Motel Mexicola does a decent line of Mexican food, before transforming into a super fun club-type deal at night. Next door, Old Man’s leans more into the all-day beach bum schtick.
Day 3: Ubud
Exploring Temples & Markets
We get it if you want to spend your whole 5 days in Bali by the beach. Bali is famous for being an island paradise, right? But please, please, please try to tear yourself away from the sea for a day or two to check out the jungle interior, which offers a whole different experience.
Ubud is the largest inland town as well as being conveniently located to see a lot of Bali’s most memorable cultural and natural sites. Kick-off at Ubud Palace, a former royal residence that today has some gorgeous examples of traditional Balinese architecture. It gets busy during the day, so we’d recommend getting her as early as possible.
There are two more cool places to check out on your 5-day Bali itinerary within a couple minutes’ walk of the palace. First is the Art Market, an area stuffed with stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs, from colorful sculptures to batik apparel. Even if you don’t buy anything here, it’s worth going to see the breadth of local handicrafts.
Second is Saraswati Temple, aka the Water Palace. The most beautiful thing here is the lotus pond that surrounds the path leading up to the shrine, but the whole place has a soothing atmosphere that’s good for the soul.
Monkeys & Massages
A bit further out of town, the Ubud Monkey Forest is a sanctuary/tourist attraction that’s home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques. These cheeky little creatures get everywhere, clambering over the Hindu temples, scampering up the trees, and stealing anything they can get their hands on. You’ve been warned!
End the day with a nice little detox. Getting massages is cheap in Bali compared to Europe, so we (over)indulged quite a lot when we were living here. The ones in Ubud run the spectrum from cheap and cheerful to more deluxe, but all of them do A-grade foot massages.
Day 4: Ubud Outskirts
Experiencing Bali’s Nature
A good reason to base yourself in the town of Ubud for a day or two out of your 5 days in Bali is that it’s within easy reach of a lot of incredible natural wonders. Rice terraces and waterfalls are abundant in this part of the island, and it’s a great place to set out for a scenic hike.
One of the shorter, more accessible options is the Campuhan Ridge Walk. What we like about this trail is that it’s not particularly intense, with a paved path taking you through a taste of the lush landscape that’s common to this part of Bali. It’s only 2km, so you can always do a more serious trek if you want later.
Next, hop on your scooter and head out to the Tegalalang Rice Fields. These tend towards the touristy side, but they do offer the quintessential terraced rice paddies that are such a gorgeous feature of the Bali interior. You can basically make your own way along the various little pathways for as long as your endurance allows.
While you’re in this part of the world, stop by one of our favorite places for R&R, Cretya Ubud. Part pool club, part restaurant, it’s a treat chilling out here surrounded by the jungle canopy.
Temples & Waterfalls
Keep heading away from Ubud town to get to Pura Tirta Empul, an important Hindu water temple where people come to purify themselves in a ceremony known as melukat. The cleansing pools with their stone waterspouts are the stuff of Instagram legend but try not to let that distract you from the spiritual dimension of the experience.
End the day at one of our favorite Balinese waterfalls, Tukad Cepung. It’s not the easiest place to get to, and water shoes (or trainers you don’t mind getting wet) are advisable, but the way the water cascades into the rocky cavern is magical.
Day 5: East Bali
Enjoying the Best Views
The eastern side of Bali is one of the least visited parts of the island, so if you’re in search of a quieter, less bustling Indonesian experience, this is the place to set up camp on your 5-day Bali itinerary.
One of the most incredible sights on the entire island can be found at Lahangan Sweet, a viewpoint located up in the mountains where you can see for miles around. The vista takes in not just the jungle and the sea, but also Bali’s highest point, Mount Agung.
The locals have actually built a couple of tree platforms here where you can dangle your legs over a sheer drop while absorbing the breathtaking scenery.
About half an hour away, Tirta Gangga is a water palace that was once home to royalty. It’s a lovely, manicured space boasting ponds with evocative sculptures, stepping stones, and some of the most voracious koi carp we’ve ever seen.
Rice Terraces & Sunset Spots
One part of East Bali that has been getting quite a bit of love in recent years is Sidemen. That’s not to say it’s anywhere near as busy as Ubud, but we’ve certainly noticed the steady increase in hotels popping up around here, largely thanks to the attractive rice terrace setting. There’s a rustic trail that loops through the paddies that we highly recommend.
End the last day of your 5 days in Bali at Sunset Point Amed Bali. A perfectly located spot to enjoy a couple of drinks while you watch the sun dip beneath the horizon. The coast here is great for snorkeling and diving, so get here a little earlier if you want to check out the nature hiding beneath the waves.
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