Seminyak Beach, Seminyak
Start with a barefoot walk along the wide beach and save swimming for calm conditions. Return near sunset for a beachfront drink or casual meal, but do not expect the quietest sand in Bali.

A first-timer route through Bali's beaches, temples, rice terraces, cliffs, and islands
9 min readUpdated By Zoya












Yes, 7 days is enough in Bali because you can combine the southern beaches, Ubud's temples, Uluwatu, and one Nusa Penida day trip without changing hotels every night. Three days covers one beach base and a taste of Ubud; five days adds Uluwatu or the northern temples; seven days lets you include both, plus Nusa Penida and a slower final morning in Sanur.
A first-timer Bali route from Seminyak and Canggu to Ubud, Tegallalang, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, and Sanur, with realistic costs, practical timings, and room for traffic.
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What to skip: - Skip swimming at Angel's Billabong or below Kelingking because tides and cliffs make both unsafe.
Trip at a glance

Day 1
Seminyak, Bali
Settle in with temples, boutiques, and a sunset beach
5 stops

Day 2
Canggu, Bali
Surf, cafés, rice-field lanes, and a beach-club sunset
5 stops

Day 3
Central Ubud, Bali
Discover Ubud's palace quarter, art market, forest, and sunset walk
5 stops

Day 4
North Ubud and Tegallalang, Bali
Follow a short northern loop through terraces, a temple, and a waterfall
5 stops

Day 5
Uluwatu, Bali
Explore cliff beaches before the sea temple and sunset Kecak dance
5 stops

Day 6
West Nusa Penida, Bali
Take a fast boat for cliffs, coves, and snorkeling
6 stops

Day 7
Sanur, Bali
Have an easy final morning by the sea before departure
6 stops
This route moves from the southwest beaches to Ubud, then returns south for Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, and Sanur. Stop costs exclude lodging and most meals.
| Day | Where you'll be | Don't miss | Cost per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Seminyak | Petitenget Temple and Double Six Beach sunset | $3 |
| Day 2 | Canggu | Batu Bolong surf and Finns Beach Club | $60 |
| Day 3 | Central Ubud | Ubud Palace, Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge Walk | $10 |
| Day 4 | Tegallalang and north Ubud | Rice terraces, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi | $33 |
| Day 5 | Uluwatu | Thomas Beach, Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance | $29 |
| Day 6 | West Nusa Penida | Kelingking, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay | $65 + ~$25 boat transfer |
| Day 7 | Sanur and DPS airport | Sanur Beach, Pasar Sindu, Le Mayeur Museum | $11 + ~$10 airport transfer |
Settle in with temples, boutiques, and a sunset beach
Start with a barefoot walk along the wide beach and save swimming for calm conditions. Return near sunset for a beachfront drink or casual meal, but do not expect the quietest sand in Bali.

Allow about 20 minutes for this working temple and focus on the carved entrance and courtyard atmosphere. Wear a sarong or borrow one at the entrance, and do not enter areas marked for worshippers.

Browse handmade clothing, small gifts, and travel essentials between 10 AM and 10 PM. Stop at Baked for something sweet or Barbarossa for a drink, but skip buying the first souvenir you see.

Use this as an open-beach reset rather than a swimming mission. Walk toward the sunset and choose nearby dining when the light softens, since the surf and currents are not the main attraction.

Claim a beanbag near the beach bars before sunset and order a cold Bintang or fresh juice for people-watching. Skip this beach if you want snorkeling or an uncrowded swim; its strength is lively atmosphere.

Surf, cafés, rice-field lanes, and a beach-club sunset
Arrive early for a beginner surf lesson or coffee while watching the instructors work the break. The waves suit surf culture more than calm swimming, so stay in the marked beginner area and follow lifeguard advice.

Browse after the beach, when the market is open from 8 AM to 10 PM, and look for lightweight clothing, woven goods, and Bali-inspired gifts. Ask politely before bargaining at stalls.

Treat this rough lane as a brief scenic detour, not a polished attraction. Walk only in dry conditions or ask an experienced rider to guide you, and do not block local traffic.
Bring sandals for the hot black sand and arrive before the dry-season rush if you want a good place to sit. Order a coconut from a beach vendor, then stay for the western-facing sunset.

Go for pools, DJs, and sunset drinks, and check the current minimum spend before choosing a daybed. It is adults-only and party-focused, so skip it for a quiet beach evening.

Discover Ubud's palace quarter, art market, forest, and sunset walk
Use the early opening for a short, quiet look at the palace courtyards before tour groups arrive. Allow about 20 minutes, then cross the road toward the market and keep ceremony areas clear.

Stand beside the lotus pond for the best view of the carved entrance and pink blooms. This is a brief visit, so do not treat the inner temple as a photo set or enter restricted areas.

Arrive near opening for the widest choice of woven bags, sarongs, and small carvings. Compare stalls, bargain respectfully, and buy useful souvenirs instead of fragile decor.

Enter before the 5 PM close and secure sunglasses, food, loose bags, and phones because macaques grab tempting objects. Walk without feeding or touching the monkeys, and follow staff instructions.

Start from Jalan Campuhan for an easy 1 to 2 hour walk as the temperature falls. Stand on the ridge above the grass and palms for the best views, carry water, and turn back before dark.

Follow a short northern loop through terraces, a temple, and a waterfall
Arrive at opening for cooler air and clearer terrace views, then descend only as far as your shoes allow. Follow local signs and choose a café overlooking the paddies instead of a rushed swing photo.

Walk through the courtyards and sacred spring in a sarong with covered shoulders and knees. The standard ticket does not automatically include purification, so follow temple procedure before entering the pools.

Descend through rice fields to see the cliff-carved royal memorials in the river gorge. Bring water for the climb back and pause at the lower carvings rather than rushing through the site.

Arrive before late afternoon for a short walk to the fan-shaped cascade and easier photo space. Wear shoes with grip, check the current before entering shallow water, and leave if rocks look slippery.

Use the village as a flexible dinner stop after the loop rather than chasing a particular attraction. Ask your driver for a well-reviewed local warung, order nasi campur or grilled fish, and confirm the return route before sitting down.

Explore cliff beaches before the sea temple and sunset Kecak dance
Arrive early to swim or claim sand before the small cove fills. Bring a dry bag, watch belongings around the entrance monkeys, and do not expect much space later in the day.

Descend the steep stairs for a quieter beach and order a fresh coconut from a local stall. Swim only when tide and surf look manageable, then budget energy for the climb back up.

Follow the stairs through the surf shops and caves for cliff formations and wave views. Check the tide before descending, avoid slippery ledges, and save sunset drinks for clifftop bars.

Enter before the 7 PM closing time and walk the cliff path while keeping sunglasses and phones away from macaques. Wear a sarong or use the provided covering, and stay behind cliff barriers.

Queue early for sunset seating and keep your ticket ready because the show is popular. Watch the all-vocal Ramayana drama build to Hanoman's fire finale, and bring water for the open-air stands.

Take a fast boat for cliffs, coves, and snorkeling
Expect a wet landing and a slower return after a full island day. Arrange your Sanur ride before boarding, then eat nearby rather than adding another cross-island transfer.

Stand on the right side of the main viewpoint for a less blocked T-Rex profile when the crowd allows. Enjoy the cliff view and skip the dangerous descent unless local conditions and guidance support it.

Walk the rim for views through the natural ocean arch and pair it with Angel's Billabong next door. This is a viewpoint, not a beach, so stay behind safe edges and avoid unstable rock.

Visit for the tide-shaped rock pool and photograph it from a safe distance when the water is calm. Treat it as a viewing stop, not a swimming pool, because waves can surge over the rocks.

Finish at the sheltered bay with a beachside drink and a short snorkel only if your operator confirms safe conditions. Keep close to shore, avoid touching coral, and leave time for the return boat.

Expect a wet landing and a slower return after a full island day. Arrange your Sanur ride before boarding, then eat nearby rather than adding another cross-island transfer.

Have an easy final morning by the sea before departure
Walk the beachfront at sunrise while the water is calm and the promenade is cooler. Choose a simple breakfast and gentle swim, not a surf session, because Sanur suits easy mornings.

Continue along the shoreline for wave-barrier views and optional local water activities. Keep this flexible and do not book anything that could make you late for the airport.

Browse for fruit, snacks, and small last-minute gifts using cash and comparing prices calmly. The food stalls are livelier around 6 PM, but a morning visit is safer on a departure day.

Allow about 45 minutes for the preserved home, intimate paintings, and Ni Pollok's story, checking the shorter Friday hours before visiting. It is compact enough for a departure day if traffic is light.

Use Mertasari for one last low-key shoreline walk and a quiet drink before collecting your bags. Leave for the airport at least three hours before an international flight, allowing for Bali traffic.

Aim to reach DPS about three hours before an international departure and keep your passport, boarding pass, and receipts handy. The terminal has dining and duty-free options, but do not rely on a last-minute transfer.

Seven days gives first-timers a broad Bali introduction, while shorter trips need a firm choice between beach time, Ubud, and island excursions.
| Length | Best for | What you'll fit | What you'll miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | A short beach-and-culture break | Seminyak or Canggu, central Ubud, and one Uluwatu sunset | Nusa Penida, the northern loop, and a relaxed final day |
| 5 days | First-timers with limited time | One beach base, Ubud, Uluwatu, and either north Bali or Nusa Penida | The second excursion and slower Sanur morning |
| 7 days | First-timers using this plan | Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Tegallalang, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, and Sanur | North Bali waterfalls, East Bali, and a genuinely slow beach holiday |
Per person, estimated
$186
The planned stops cost about $211 per person, including entrance fees, the Uluwatu show, modest food and shopping allowances, and Nusa Penida transport. For this active midrange trip, budget roughly $850 to $1,250 per person excluding international flights, including lodging, meals, local transport, boats, activities, and a buffer.
Best weather
May and October
These shoulder-season months balance drier weather, manageable crowds, and better prices.
Driest months
June through September
Expect sunny beach days, but book hotels and boats early because this is Bali's busiest period.
Wet-season trade-off
November through March
Rain can be heavy but brief, and Ubud greenery is at its freshest.
Avoid
July, August, and major Indonesian holidays
Popular roads and beach areas can turn short drives into long transfers.
All 37 stops over 7 days, color-coded by day. Tap any pin for the address, rating, and a link to Google Maps.
Overview
Pick a day to focus the map on a single neighborhood, or tap any pin for the place itself.