2-Day Bali Itinerary: Temples, Rice Terraces & Beaches
Two days is tight, but with the right route you can cover Bali's two best experiences: the cultural heart of Ubud and the sun-soaked coast. Day one heads inland for rice terraces, ancient temples and the Sacred Monkey Forest. Day two drops south to Seminyak's world-class beach clubs before ending on Uluwatu's dramatic cliffs at sunset.
Day 1 — Ubud: Rice Terraces, Temples & Culture
Start early in Ubud to beat the heat and the crowds. Most highlights are within 20 minutes of the town centre.
- 17:00 AMTegallalang Rice Terraces
Arrive at sunrise before tour buses. The mist in the valley makes for the best photos. Entry donation ~IDR 10,000. Allow 45–60 min.
~20 min drive (10 km south) - 29:00 AMGoa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
An 11th-century temple complex with a dramatic carved cave entrance. Sarong rental available at the entrance. Entry ~IDR 50,000.
~10 min drive (3 km) - 310:30 AMUbud Palace & Art Market
The Royal Palace is free to enter and sits right next to the best craft market in Bali. Good for batik, wooden carvings and silver jewellery.
2 min walk - 412:30 PMLunch in central Ubud
Try Warung Ibu Oka for the famous babi guling (roast pig), or a warung on Jalan Dewi Sita for local prices.
5 min walk - 52:00 PMSacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
A forest temple complex home to over 700 long-tailed macaques. Keep bags zipped tight. Entry IDR 80,000. Allow 1 hour.
~10 min drive (2 km north) - 64:00 PMCampuhan Ridge Walk
A gentle ridge walk through jungle and rice fields. Start at Pura Gunung Lebah. Free entry, best light in late afternoon.
5 min walk to nearby restaurants - 77:00 PMDinner & overnight in Ubud
Stay overnight in Ubud. Dinner suggestion: Locavore or Hujan Locale for modern Balinese cuisine.
Day 2 — Coast: Seminyak Beach Clubs & Uluwatu Sunset
Drive south from Ubud (1.5–2 hours). Arriving by 10 AM gives you a full beach day before heading to the Bukit cliffs for sunset.
- 19:30 AMSeminyak Beach
Arrive before beach clubs fill up. Seminyak has the best stretch of west-coast beach — calmer than Kuta, more accessible than Canggu.
5 min walk - 210:30 AMPotato Head Beach Club
Book a daybed in advance. Day rate includes a food and drink credit. The recycled shutter façade architecture alone is worth seeing.
8 min walk - 31:00 PMKayu Aya Eat Street
Best street for lunch — a mix of local warungs and upscale restaurants. Try La Lucciola for beach views.
~45 min drive (30 km south) - 43:00 PMDrive to Uluwatu
45-minute drive south onto the Bukit Peninsula. Book a private driver for the day — IDR 500,000–700,000 covers the full day.
Arrive at temple car park - 54:30 PMUluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu)
One of Bali's six key temples, perched 70 m above the Indian Ocean. Watch for macaques stealing glasses. Sarong required. Entry IDR 50,000.
2 min walk (within temple complex) - 66:00 PMKecak Fire Dance
The nightly clifftop Kecak performance starts at sunset (~6 PM) and runs 60 minutes. Tickets at the temple entrance — IDR 150,000.
~15 min drive (8 km north to bay) - 78:00 PMSeafood dinner in Jimbaran
Head down to Jimbaran Bay for seafood grilled on the sand. Menega Café or Lia Café are reliable picks. Set meal ~IDR 200,000–350,000 per person.
Practical tips
Getting around
Book a private driver for both days — IDR 500,000–700,000 per day. Grab works for short rides in Ubud and Seminyak but drivers can't pick up near temple gates.
Best time of year
April to October (dry season) is ideal. Skies are clearer for photos, temple grounds aren't muddy. July–August is peak — book accommodation at least a month ahead.
What to wear
Bring a sarong for all temple visits. Light, loose clothing works everywhere else. The Bukit cliffs get breezy at sunset — bring a light layer.
Budget estimate
Budget: USD 60–80/day (hostels, warungs, local transport). Mid-range: USD 150–220/day (boutique hotel, beach club daybed, driver, restaurant dinners).
2-Day Bali trip — common questions
?Is 2 days enough to see Bali?
Two days covers the two core experiences — Ubud's culture and a coastal sunset — but Bali rewards longer stays. If you can add a day, consider Nusa Penida or a morning at Tirta Empul water temple.
?Should I do Ubud or the coast first?
Do Ubud first. It gets you out of bed early for the rice terrace sunrise, and the energy is calmer for acclimatising. Day 2 on the coast is more relaxed — beach clubs and a sunset to finish.
?How do I get from Ubud to Seminyak?
The easiest way is a private driver (1.5–2 hours, IDR 250,000–350,000 one-way). Grab also works but can be hard to find in Ubud. There is no direct public bus.
?What is the Kecak dance at Uluwatu?
Kecak is a Balinese performing art where 70+ men chant rhythmically while performers re-enact scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The clifftop setting at Uluwatu makes it one of the most dramatic performances in Southeast Asia.
?Do I need to book anything in advance?
Book accommodation early — Ubud has limited rooms. Pre-book a daybed at Potato Head if visiting on a weekend. Kecak tickets can be bought at the temple gate.
?What should I do if it rains?
Bali rain is usually a short, heavy downpour that clears within an hour. Carry a small packable raincoat. If caught outdoors, duck into a warung for a coffee and wait it out. Indoor alternatives: ARMA Museum in Ubud, or a spa afternoon in Seminyak.
?How do I get around Bali by taxi or ride-hail?
Grab is the most reliable option — download it before you arrive and use it for rides in Seminyak, Kuta, and most of south Bali. In Ubud, Grab drivers can't always pick up near temple gates or on narrow lanes; your hotel can arrange a local driver instead. Bluebird is the most trustworthy metered taxi company if you prefer flagging a cab — look for the blue logo and always confirm the meter is running. Avoid unlicensed taxis that approach you at tourist spots.
?What should I do if I get sick?
Bali Stomach (Bali Belly) is common — stick to bottled water and avoid ice at street stalls. If symptoms are serious, BIMC Hospital in Kuta and Siloam Hospital in Denpasar are the most reliable clinics for tourists. Most hotels can arrange a doctor visit. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
?What apps are useful for travelling in Bali?
Grab — ride-hailing and food delivery, works across south Bali. Gojek — local alternative to Grab, slightly cheaper and available in more areas including Ubud. Google Maps — works well for navigation, though some Ubud back roads aren't mapped accurately; ask your driver. XE Currency — for checking USD/AUD to IDR rates before exchanging cash. Google Translate — offline Indonesian pack is useful for warung menus and market signs. WhatsApp — most drivers, hotels and local businesses communicate via WhatsApp.
?What if my driver doesn't show up?
Open Grab and book a car — it works well in Seminyak and most of Bali's south. In Ubud, ask your hotel reception to arrange a local driver on short notice; they usually have a trusted contact and can sort it in 20–30 minutes.
?What are the emergency numbers in Bali?
Police: 110. Ambulance: 118. Tourist Police (English-speaking): +62 361 224 111. Save these before you arrive. Your hotel front desk is also a reliable first point of contact for any emergency — they deal with tourist situations regularly.