5-Day Bali Itinerary: Ubud, Nusa Penida & Uluwatu

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.

An 11th-century temple complex with a dramatic carved cave entrance. Sarong rental at the entrance. Entry ~IDR 50,000.

The Royal Palace is free to enter and sits next to the best craft market in Bali. Good for batik, wooden carvings and silver jewellery.

Try Warung Ibu Oka for babi guling (roast pig), or a warung on Jalan Dewi Sita for local prices.

A forest temple complex with over 700 long-tailed macaques. Keep bags zipped. Entry IDR 80,000. Allow 1 hour.

A gentle ridge walk through jungle and rice fields. Start at Pura Gunung Lebah. Free entry, best in late afternoon light.

Stay in Ubud tonight — early start tomorrow for the Nusa Penida boat. Dinner suggestion: Locavore or Hujan Locale.

About 1 hour by car from Ubud. Several fast-boat operators depart from Sanur Beach. Book in advance. Fare ~IDR 100,000–150,000 each way.

On arrival at Buyuk Harbour, hire a local driver for the day — IDR 350,000–500,000. Don't rent a scooter — roads are steep and poorly marked.

Nusa Penida's most iconic spot. The hike down to the beach takes 30–40 min and is very steep; the view from the top is unmissable.

Two natural wonders side by side. Angel's Billabong is a natural infinity pool — only safe at low tide. Broken Beach is a dramatic circular cove. Entry IDR 10,000 each.

Warung Dapur Dewa or Rocky's Warung near Crystal Bay. Fresh fish and cold drinks ~IDR 60,000–100,000 per person.

One of Bali's clearest snorkelling spots. Rent a mask for IDR 30,000. Mola mola (sunfish) spotted here between July–October.

Last boats depart around 5:30–6:00 PM — confirm with your operator. Drive to Ubud for overnight (1 hour).

Return to Ubud for the night — early start tomorrow for the North Bali drive. Light dinner at a local warung.

About 1.5–2 hours north of Ubud. The road climbs through coffee and cacao farms with sweeping valley views. Hire your driver the night before.

A UNESCO World Heritage site — wider, quieter and more dramatic than Tegallalang. Entry IDR 40,000. Allow 1–1.5 hours to walk the trails through the paddies.

One of Bali's most photographed temples — pagodas appear to float on Lake Beratan. Best light in the morning before clouds roll in. Entry IDR 75,000.

Try the warung stalls near the lake market for fresh grilled corn and local food with mountain views. Budget ~IDR 50,000–80,000.

A hidden 25 m twin waterfall reached by a 20-min jungle trek. No entry fee. Bring a change of clothes — most visitors swim. Slippery path, go slow.

Drive south from Bedugul to Canggu (about 2 hours). Check into your accommodation. Canggu has Bali's best coffee shop scene — explore Jalan Batu Bolong.

Canggu has Bali's most diverse dining. Try Warung Local for traditional food or Shelter Restaurant for a relaxed evening after a long day.

Canggu's most popular surf break. Beginner lessons available on the beach (IDR 200,000–350,000/hr with board). Even non-surfers enjoy watching the morning sets.

Canggu's largest beach club — multiple pools, beach access and a casual daytime vibe. No daybed booking required before midday on weekdays.

Canggu's main street — lined with cafes, health bowls and warungs. Try Warung Dandelion for local-price nasi campur or Betelnut for açaí bowls.

Bali's most visited sea temple sits on a rock 100 m offshore. Accessible on foot at low tide (check tide times). The surrounding clifftop has great sunset viewing spots. Entry IDR 60,000.

Stay for the sunset — the temple silhouette against the orange sky is one of Bali's defining images. Arrive 30 min early for a good spot on the viewing cliffs.

Check into Seminyak for your final two nights — central for Day 5. Dinner at Merah Putih or a Petitenget warung.

Your last morning in Bali — take it slow. Seminyak's beach is wide, clean and less crowded than Kuta. Grab a coffee at a beachfront warung.

Book a daybed for a final beach club session. Day rate includes food and drink credit. The pool deck faces the ocean.

Last chance for Seminyak's best restaurant strip. Try La Lucciola for one final beachside lunch.

45-minute drive south onto the Bukit Peninsula. Keep your driver from the morning or arrange a new one — IDR 500,000–700,000 for the afternoon.

One of Bali's six key sea temples, perched 70 m above the Indian Ocean. Watch for macaques. Sarong required. Entry IDR 50,000. Allow 1 hour.

The perfect send-off — 60 minutes of rhythmic chanting and fire at the clifftop amphitheatre as the sun drops into the ocean. Tickets IDR 150,000.

Grilled seafood on the sand at Jimbaran Bay — the classic Bali finale. Menega Café or Lia Café. Set meal ~IDR 200,000–350,000 per person.