10-Day Bali Itinerary: Ubud, North Bali & Uluwatu Peninsula

Book a private driver in advance — IDR 250,000–350,000 from the airport. Grab does not operate from Ngurah Rai arrivals. The drive north takes you through Denpasar and into the rice-field hills of Gianyar.

Drop your bags and take a slow 30-minute walk along the main street. Art galleries, warung, incense smoke and the sound of gamelan — this is Ubud at its most alive in the late afternoon.

A gentle first look at local craft — batik, carved wood, silver jewellery, woven bags. Prices are negotiable but don't feel pressured. Browsing on Day 1 gives you a baseline for the rest of the trip.

The Royal Palace is lit softly at dusk and often hosts traditional dance. Check the performance schedule at the gate — Kecak and Legong run most nights from 7 PM. IDR 100,000–150,000.

Try Locavore NXT for modern Balinese sharing plates, or a quiet warung on Jalan Dewi Sita for a local meal under IDR 60,000. Early night — you have nine full days ahead.

Arrive just after sunrise — the early light and morning mist make the terraces almost empty and genuinely beautiful. Entry donation ~IDR 10,000. Allow 1 hour to walk the full path down and back up.

An 11th-century carved cave entrance with bathing pools hidden below. Less crowded in the morning. Sarong rental at the entrance. Entry ~IDR 50,000. Allow 45 minutes.

The Royal Palace grounds are free to enter during the day. The Art Market next door is good for gifts — batik scarves, wooden masks and silverwork. Prices are better here than in the tourist shops.

Take your time — Ubud has some of Bali's best food. Warung Ibu Oka for babi guling (arrive before 1 PM or it sells out), or Kafe on Jalan Hanoman for a relaxed garden setting with good salads and smoothies.

A 9 km ridge walk through jungle and coconut groves. Start at Pura Gunung Lebah — the late afternoon light through the palms is some of the best in Bali. Free entry. Wear sunscreen; there's little shade on the ridge itself.

Catch the last light from Murni's Warung terrace over the river gorge, then dinner nearby. Hujan Locale on Jalan Sri Wedari is worth booking ahead — creative Balinese food in a jungle garden.

A 10th-century spring-fed temple where Balinese Hindus perform ritual purification (melukat). Respectful visitors can observe and sometimes enter the outer pools — wear a sarong and follow staff guidance. Entry IDR 50,000. Allow 1.5 hours.

A forest temple home to over 700 long-tailed macaques. Keep bags zipped and don't hold food in the open. Entry IDR 80,000. A slow one-hour walk through the temple complex — the monkeys are genuinely wild.

Lunch at a warung of your choice, then the afternoon is yours. Ubud has excellent spas — a 2-hour traditional Balinese massage runs IDR 200,000–400,000. After three days of walking, highly recommended.

Catch a Kecak, Legong or Barong performance — they run nightly in Ubud at Pura Dalem Ubud or Ubud Palace. Tickets IDR 100,000–150,000. This is the best send-off from Ubud before heading to the islands tomorrow.

About 1 hour by car. Several fast-boat operators depart from Sanur Beach from 8 AM onwards — Rocky Fast Cruises and Maruti Express are reliable. Book tickets the day before. Fare ~IDR 100,000–150,000 each way.

Hire a local island driver at Buyuk Harbour — IDR 350,000–500,000 for the full day. Roads are rough in places; a local driver who knows the island is far better than self-driving.

Nusa Penida's iconic viewpoint — a limestone cliff shaped like a T-Rex head above a pristine white beach. Take your time at the top. The hike down to the beach is 30–40 min each way and very steep; the view from the top is just as good.

Lunch at a warung near the west coast (~IDR 60,000–100,000), then visit Angel's Billabong — a natural rock pool carved by the ocean. Only enter at low tide; check tide times before you go.

One of the clearest water in the Bali region. Good snorkelling off the rocky point — bring your own mask or rent on site. Manta rays are occasionally spotted in the deeper water around the headland.

Last boat around 5:30–6:00 PM. Back in Ubud by 8 PM. Light dinner and an early night — Day 5 heads north into the highlands.

About 1.5–2 hours north through coffee and cacao farms. The road climbs steadily — by Bedugul you'll need a light layer. Stop at a roadside warung for coffee when you see a good view.

Broader, greener and far less commercial than Tegallalang. A UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk the paths slowly — the scale only reveals itself on foot. Entry IDR 40,000. Allow 1.5 hours.

Bali's most serene temple, rising from the surface of a crater lake at 1,200 m. Have lunch at one of the warung stalls near the water. Entry IDR 75,000. Morning mist often lingers past noon — genuinely atmospheric.

A hidden 25 m twin waterfall reached by a 20-minute jungle trek. The pool at the base is cold and perfect for a swim after the drive. Bring a change of clothes.

Overnight in Munduk village at 1,000 m elevation — noticeably cooler than south Bali. Small guesthouses and villas run IDR 300,000–800,000/night. Dinner at a local warung with valley views and a cold night ahead.

Breakfast at your guesthouse with valley views before the mist burns off. Munduk grows its own coffee — ask for a locally roasted cup before you go. This is one of the quieter mornings on the itinerary.

The road drops through rice fields, clove farms and small villages. No specific stop needed — the drive itself is worth paying attention to. Ask your driver to take the coastal route via Kerambitan if time allows.

Several warung and mid-range restaurants cluster around the Tanah Lot area. Eat before visiting the temple — the food options inside the complex are overpriced.

Walk the sea-cliff path and explore the temple grounds before the sunset crowds arrive. At low tide you can walk across to the base of the rock. Entry IDR 60,000.

The temple silhouette against the orange sky is one of Bali's defining images. Find a spot on the viewing cliffs 30 minutes before sunset — it gets crowded fast.

Arrive Canggu after dark. Drop bags and find dinner on Jalan Batu Bolong — Warung Dandelion for local nasi campur, or Old Man's beach bar for a cold Bintang and a burger after a long day on the road.

Canggu has Bali's best café scene. Hungry Bird on Jalan Pantai Berawa for specialty coffee and eggs, or Betelnut on Jalan Batu Bolong for açaí bowls and fresh juice. No rush this morning.

Both beaches have consistent waves suitable for beginners and intermediates. Surf school lessons run IDR 200,000–350,000/hr including board and instructor. Book directly on the beach. Morning swells are the best of the day.

The main drag has everything from cheap nasi campur to upscale bistros. Crate Café for brunch plates, or Warung Dandelion for a proper Balinese set meal at local prices.

Walk 15 minutes north of Echo Beach to Pererenan — fewer people, same black sand, better for a relaxed swim. The surf is powerful here; stick to the shallows if you're not a strong swimmer.

Echo Beach faces due west — the sunsets are reliable and the surfers in the water add to the scene. Grab a table at one of the beach shacks and order a Bintang. No entry fee.

End the day at Shady Shack for a vegetarian-forward dinner in a garden setting, or head to Ji Restaurant on Jalan Pantai Berawa for grilled fish and rice. Sleep well — tomorrow is Seminyak.

No alarm. Walk to the beach with a coffee and watch the waves. Seminyak is wide and calm in the morning before the beach clubs set up their umbrellas. One of the best slow mornings on this itinerary.

Seminyak's most iconic beach club — book a daybed in advance or arrive early for walk-in access. The day rate includes food and drink credit. The curved amphitheatre pool is the centrepiece.

Jalan Kayu Aya (also called Eat Street) is Seminyak's best dining strip. La Lucciola for the beach view and wood-fired pizza, or Sarong for a more refined Indonesian lunch. Both require a reservation on busy days.

A working sea temple tucked between the beach clubs — a quiet moment of real Bali amid the resort strip. Free entry. Sarong required. Ceremonies happen frequently; respect the space if one is in progress.

Seminyak has Bali's best boutiques — local brands like Indigo, Biasa and Drifter Surf Shop. Good quality linen, jewellery and resort wear. Better value than the airport and the quality is reliably higher than the markets.

One of Bali's best restaurants — Indonesian dishes from across the archipelago served in a stunning open-air pavilion. Book well ahead. If unavailable, Motel Mexicola on Jalan Petitenget is a lively, affordable alternative.

One of Bali's most famous surf beaches — a narrow cave entrance opens onto a perfect cove. Arrive before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Entry IDR 10,000. Good snorkelling off the left-hand rocks at high tide.

A steep staircase (around 200 steps) leads down to one of the Bukit's most beautiful beaches. Crystal water, a reef break watched by surfers from the warung above, and far fewer people than Padang Padang. Bring cash for lunch.

Perched on the cliff above Uluwatu surf break, Single Fin has one of the best views in Bali — watch world-class surf while eating a burger or nasi campur. Busy on Sundays; arrive early for a cliff-edge table.

The quietest of the Bukit beaches — a long crescent of white sand backed by low cliffs. Good for a final afternoon swim. The reef at the north end shelters the water. Warungs on the beach for cold drinks.

One of Bali's six key sea temples, perched 70 m above the Indian Ocean. Walk the clifftop path — the views are some of the best on the island. Sarong required. Entry IDR 50,000. Monkeys are present; keep bags closed.

Sixty minutes of rhythmic chanting as the sun drops into the ocean behind the cliffs. The most cinematic moment on this entire itinerary. Tickets IDR 150,000 at the temple gate. Arrive 15 minutes early for a good seat.

No rush today. Most Jimbaran accommodation includes breakfast — eat slowly, pack unhurriedly. The bay is at its calmest in the morning; worth a walk along the shore before the fishing boats come in.

One of Bali's most authentic morning markets — local fishing boats unload the catch and vendors sell direct. Not a tourist attraction; it's a working market. Go early, walk slowly, and just watch.

Grilled seafood on the sand — your last proper Bali meal. Menega Café and Lia Café are reliable and fairly priced. Set meal including grilled fish, prawns, squid and rice ~IDR 200,000–350,000. The calm bay, the sound of waves, a cold Bintang.

Allow 2 hours before departure — the airport can be slow at peak times. Duty-free Kopi Bali and Balinese sea salt make good last-minute gifts. The departure hall has decent food options if you have time to spare.