The Ideal 5 Day Bali Itinerary and Guide
Bali is an amazing destination full of beaches, surfing, waterfalls, temples, and so much more. As you plan your trip, it can be overwhelming to know what to do in a short time. Here’s the most ideal 5 day Bali itinerary to help you make the most out of your trip! It covers the best things to do in Bali during a short time frame.
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⭐ Check out my Instagram highlight here with all my Bali tips.
Before you go:
🏨 Select 1 to 2 bases for your 1 week Bali itinerary. I would recommend Roomates Hostel in Canggu ($) and Jannata Resort ($$) or Soka Homestay ($) in Ubud
🛂 Apply for the required visa here to enter Bali ahead of time.
🚖 Pre-book your airport transfer to your hotel
🚗 Rent a Scooter: You’ll need to rent a scooter to get around!
🧷 Travel Insurance with SafetyWing in case of any accidents. Better safe than sorry!
📱Mobile E-sim card to stay connected for less than $1 a day. There’s no hassle of changing out your physical sim card!
💜 Best time to visit Bali: May to August to avoid rainy season
Is 5 Days Enough to See Bali?
5 days is not that long to see Bali because it has so much to offer and it takes a long time to get from one place to another. However, if you’re short on time, you can definitely still enjoy your time in Bali. Seeing Ubud is a must during your 5 days. From Ubud, you can also explore some of the North of Bali on a day trip. Then, you could pick one other destination whether it be Canggu, Seminyak, or Uluwatu. 5 days may not be enough time to see the other islands like Nusa Penida or Gili Islands. You could however prioritize these places over the others mentioned if that’s your preference. They are a bit tougher to get to from the airport though.
How to Get to Bali
Bali can be reached by arriving to it’s main airport, the Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Additionally, there are smaller airports such as Tabanan Airport (DTB) and Blimbingsari Airport (BWX) but you’ll likely arrive into DPS. From the airport, you should book a private transfer to get to Ubud or Canggu.
How to Get Around Bali
The best way to get around Bali is to rent a scooter. However, you’ll need to be a skilled driver to do this as the roads are narrow and traffic can be bad. You can also call Grab and ride on the back of a driver’s scooter.
Here are a few options for getting around Bali:
Use Bali’s Uber equivalent
Gojek or Grab is similar to Uber and is commonly used in Asia. You should download the app ahead of time and use it to travel around. It’s super affordable!
Rent a Scooter
As mentioned earlier, the most convenient and cost effective way to get around is by renting a scooter and driving yourself. Prices are around €4 a day, €14 per week, or €60 per month. You can rent a scooter online ahead of time. Be warned that the roads can be narrow and have big hills so you’ll want to make sure you’re a confident driver if you take this option.
Rent a Car
Renting a car in Bali is also an option but it is more expensive. It will cost around €30-40 a day and you’ll need to ensure you get insurance too. I recommend using Rentalcars.com to compare prices across rental agencies to find the best deal.
Hire a Driver for the day
For as little as €40, you can hire a driver for the day. They will take you around wherever you want and wait for you at the attractions. You can book a customized tour through GetYourGuide (linked here). There are even add ons like hiring a local guide or a photographer which can be helpful if you’re visiting Bali solo.
Helpful Tips for Bali
- You need a visa to visit depending on where you’re from. Apply for a visa ahead here.
- The water in Bali is not safe to drink. If you go to a restaurant it is safe to drink the ice as the ice is regulated.
- Pack with you travel-sized mosquito repellent and tampons if you’re a female. These products are more overpriced and tampons are not really available in Bali due to the culture.
- ATM withdrawals are capped between Rp 2,000,000 and Rp 2,500,000 which is €120 to €150. You’ll have to keep withdrawing if you need more money or visit a local bank.
- Bali belly can happen which is travelers diarrhea. I never had an issue but it’s something to be aware of.
- Get Travel Insurance: You never know when something can go wrong. Safety Wing is a trusted insurance provider and protects not only for medical accidents but also flight delays, cancellations, and more.
- Purchase a digital SIM card: I use Airalo and it costs as little as $1 a day.
Best Time to Visit Bali
It is best to avoid rainy season in Bali and travel from end of April to September. June and July are peak times so you’ll expect Bali to be more crowded. I visited in both April and June before. I did prefer the cooler weather in June compared to April, which is oddly warmer.
5 Day Bali Itinerary
3 days in Ubud
Ubud is located in the heart of Ubud. It’s known for its many Hindu temples, rice terraces, and scenic views. Here you won’t find a beach at all but instead you’ll be surrounded by nature and lush landscapes. The central Ubud area is full of shops, and cafes, and has a lively atmosphere. When you first think about Bali, Ubud is probably the image you have in your mind! It’s home to the famous Ceking Rice Terrace and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. There are so many amazing things to do in Ubud.
Here’s how to spend the perfect 3 days in Ubud:
Day 1:
- Start your morning with a flower bath at Kaveri Spa. Be sure to book well in advance as it can sell out.
- Check out Ubud Art Market where you’ll find so much to shop for including accessories, clothing, and more.
- Spot monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- If you’re looking for a really unique experience you can have a Boat Lunch surrounded by koi fish at Kamandalu Hotel (book the experience here). Otherwise, you can have lunch at one of the many amazing restaurants in Ubud like Casa Luna.
- Take a walk at sunset through Campuhan Ridge Walk, an easy walking trail surrounded by lush greenery.
- Have dinner at Warung Babi Guling Pande Egi for their famous Babi Guling (suckling pig).
Day 2:
- Start early to escape the crowds and visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. You’ll be in awe by the many tiers of lush greenery at these famous rice paddies.
- Have brunch nearby at Tis Cafe which overlooks the rice terraces. Actually, you can enter the rice terraces for free from their restaurant instead of the normal entrance.
- Go searching for waterfalls! Check out Kanto Lampo, Tibumana, and Tukad Cepung Waterfalls for instance.
- At sunset, visit a pool with views like Creyta Ubud or Wanna Jungle Pool & Bar. There are entry fees but mostly nominal since it will include a food and beverage credit.
- Enjoy dinner at Warung Gauri in a unique garden setting.
You can book this tour that will take you to the Ceking Rice Terrace & the 3 waterfalls I mention above!
Day 3:
- Do a sunrise trek to Mount Batur. It is well worth the effort for amazing views! I highly recommend going there on a tour like this one.
- For even more views of Mount Batur, you can visit a cafe like Vedzpresso Coffee in Kintamani.
- Visit Purta Turta Empul, the largest water temple and you can even bathe in the holy springs.
- Try Balinese coffee as it’s deeply rooted in the culture. You can try it at Satria Luwak Coffee and they also have a swing in front of the rice terraces. This is more of a hidden gem compared to popular swings in Bali.
- Murni’s Warung for dinner for authentic Balinese cuisine.
Where to Stay in Ubud:
$ Umah Anila | Soka Homestay
$$ Korurua Dijiwa Ubud | Bisma Eight
$$$ Jannata Resort | Wapa di Ume Ubud | Maya Ubud
2 days in Canggu
Canggu is one of the top areas to visit when planning a 5 day itinerary to Bali. Here you’ll find many water activities including surfing, which is really popular to do here. You can even take surfing lessons for beginners (book here). Even if you aren’t into the beach and surfing scene, you’ll love all the shops and cafes in Canggu. They have so many amazing brunch spots including my favorites KYND Community and Milk and Madu among many others. Don’t forget to venture out further and see the rice paddies surrounding Canggu’s outskirts. You’ll want to plan your visit around a Sunday so you don’t miss the amazing La Brisa Sunday Market.
Day 1:
- Have lunch at KYND Community, one of the most instagrammable cafes in Bali.
- Stroll through the town streets shopping at places like Love Anchor.
- If you’re lucky to be in Canggu on a Sunday, don’t miss the La Brisa Sunday Market. There’s a nice vibe and so many cute shopping opportunities.
- After you can visit the La Brisa Beach Club ideally at sunset. You can even enjoy dinner here.
Day 2:
- Start your morning with a yoga session either at your hotel if they offer classes or at a place like Samadi Bali.
- Enjoy breakfast at Milk and Madu or Milu by NOOK
- Venture off track by renting a scooter to visit the Canggu rice fields like Jalan Babadan or Jalan Raya Seseh.
- Watch the sunset on Echo or Batu Bolong Beach
- Eat an affordable dinner at a Warung which are small, local eateries. Warung Varuna or Warung Jaba are great options.
Where to stay in Canggu:
$ Budget: Roomates Hostel by Ini Vie: This solo travel-friendly hostel is perfect for meeting others and it’s one of the nicest hostels you’ll ever stay in. They also have really nice private rooms which are a bit more expensive around €50-60 a night. If you share a room, prices start at €14. They have the option for floating breakfast too! Hostel rooms start at €14.
$$ Mid-range: Tapa Tepi Kali Canggu
Alternative Itinerary: Uluwatu
If you decide to go for Uluwatu instead of Canggu, here’s some ideas of what to do during your 5 days in Bali. You can always do both too by visiting Uluwatu for a day from Canggu if you fancy.
- Brunch at Chela
- Nyang-Nyang Beach
- Uluwatu Temple for sunset
- Karang Boma Cliff
- Suluban Beach
- Karma Beach
- Lounge at a Beach Club like Single Finn’s
Where to stay in Uluwatu:
$$ Uluwatu Desa
$$$ Anantara Uluwatu
Additional Time in Bali
If you have more time to visit Bali, check out my full guide on how to spend 2 weeks in Bali.
I’d add the following destinations to your list!
- 3 days in Gili Islands & Lombok
- 4 days in Nusa Penida & Nusa Lembongan
- 1 day in Seminyak
- 2 days in Sidemen
- 3 days in Munduk (things to do in Munduk).
Hopefully, you enjoyed this 5 day itinerary to Bali!
For more reading, you may also like:
🚶♀️Bali Solo Travel Guide
🏝️ Unique Things to Do in Bali
🏖️ Things to do in Uluwatu
🐒 Top 10 Things to Do in Ubud, Bali
🌴 Guide to Campuhan Ridge Walk
🏡 10 Most Beautiful Villas with a Private Pool in Bali
🌿 7 Best Things to do in Munduk, Bali
⛰️ Best Viewpoints of Mt Agung
🌅 Guide to Bukit Cinta for views of Mt. Agung
