Bali, known as Island of the Gods is the most famous island in the Indonesian Archipelago. And for good reason. It is the ultimate tropical dream destination for many as it offers something unforgettable for every type of traveller who visits. For beach lovers, there is endless pristine coastline to enjoy thrilling water sports. For nature lovers there is lush green forests, paddy fields and waterfalls. While spiritual seekers find heaven with luxury spa treatments and meditation retreats. You can also indulge in the amazing cuisine of Bali and partake in the bustling night cities to enjoy a party or two. And all this during a 7 day Bali itinerary.

If this sounds like the kind of vacation you are looking for, keep reading this 7-Day Ultimate Bali Itinerary for First Timers! Although seven days in Bali may not be enough to experience all of Bali, it is more than okay if you are a first-timer to Bali. And during this one week in Bali itinerary I suggest for you some of the best spots in Bali to be visited on your Bali vacation so you can include them during your first visit to Bali for 7 days. There is something for solo travelers to Bali, couples on romantic getaways to Bali and families visiting Bali with kids.

This 7 day Bali itinerary is divided in to two sections. The first section being the Bali one week itinerary. And the second being how to organise your first wonderful trip to Bali so you know the best time to visit Bali as well as places to stay in Bali and tips like what to wear in Bali. So here goes! Get yourself ready for a 7 day visit to Bali. This post is written by guest poster, Ella Donata, an Australian living in Bali as a digital nomad.

How to Spend 7 Days in Bali Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and Get to Know Kuta

Fire dance at Uluwatu Temple – a great way to end a day

Nusa Dua Beach

For your second day on your 7 day Bali visit you are heading to some of the best surf beaches in Bali. First stop Nusa Dua Beach. This is a premier Bali beach resort destination with a flawless white sandy beach in which you can relax or do some water sports like surfing, parasailing and jet skiing. There are a number of great golf courses to enjoy if that is your passion. After a morning at the beach head to another one for the afternoon and evening.

Uluwatu

Surfers from all over the world come to Uluwatu to surf the waves at some of the best beaches in Bali. Locals’ houses with ocean views, cafes with yoga classes and fresh fish stalls line the cliffs around Uluwatu. Maybe visit some of the surrounding beaches. Padang-Padang (where the beach scenes from the movie Eat, Pray, Love were filmed). Also Balangan, Bingin and Dreamland. Or maybe visit Single Fin, a surf shop and bar with incredible views that has been welcoming surfers, and others, for many years.

Located on an ocean cliff is the Uluwatu Temple, one of the holiest places in Bali. This beautiful cultural site witnesses a curious fire dance every night and is where you can learn about the history of the legendary white monkey! Also a great place to see some epic scenery over the cliffs and turquoise waters.The Uluwatu Temple was built in the 11^th century and is dedicated to the God in his manifestation as Lord Rudra. The temple is inhabited by hundreds of monkeys that live wild in the forest. Even though you can visit the temple any time, one of the best times to visit is in the afternoon before sunset to get a great photo and to see the fire dance held every night. What a great way to end day two on your Bali holiday.

>> Book your ticket to Uluwatu Temple and Fire Dance here.

Day 3: North of Kuta – Seminyak and Canggu

Learning to surf

Today, day 3 of this 7 day itinerary, it is about more Bali beaches. Head north from Kuta to Seminyak which is the resort town suited for those travellers seeking luxury, sophistication and peace. Quieter than Kuta, Seminyak represents the ultimate beach lifestyle. Spend your day enjoying stunning scenery, beautiful beaches or sit in a trendy restaurant or funky café. Maybe undertake a Balinese cooking class and market tour.

Further north is Canggu. This coastal village has become a safe haven for nomads and digital nomads with plenty of co-working and co-living spaces. Take a surfing lesson or simply relax on the soft sands with a cocktail in hand. In the evening, you can visit the Tanah Lot Temple located at the top of a small hill. It is a great spot for sunset photographing but you won’t be able to access the temple in high tide. So, make sure to check the nature of tides before visiting the temple. The entrance fee to the Tanah Lot Temple is 60,000 IDR. Or maybe end your evening on the beach or have a puppy yoga class.

Suggested activities

>> Book your surfing lesson in Canggu here.
>> Want to do yoga with a puppy? Book your puppy yoga class here.
>> Go on a market tour followed by a Balinese cooking class in Seminyak here.

Day 4: Ubud

see rice paddy terraces on a visit to Ubud

Day 4 of this 7 day Bali itinerary sees you venture to Ubud and surrounds. Famous for Elizabeth Gilbert’s hit book and movie, Eat, Pray, Love, Ubud is a lush city with organic cafes, yoga studios, boutiques and spas scattered throughout the region.

The must-visit attractions in Ubud are the Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Ubud Monkey Forest. The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are the closest rice terraces to Ubud and therefore, this makes a lovely morning trip when you are here. It provides a nice natural backdrop to take your Instagram photos as well. But you should be here before 8.00am if you want to take such photos because after that it becomes a little crowded. The entrance fee for the Tegallalang Rice Terraces is 15,000 IDR.

Then visit the Ubud Monkey Forest. This is a monkey sanctuary with different groups of monkeys, named according to the location they are in the forest. Be careful when walking here as the monkeys are notoriously attracted to food and shiny valuables. So unless you want a lot of monkey attention, hit any food and valuables.

Some who have been to Bali before often choose to stay in Ubud because of its proximity to other sights on the island of Bali, including  Mount Batur.

Because of limited time you may wish to book a day tour to Ubud taking in the rice fields, monkey forest, waterfalls and temples in the area.

>> Book your tour to Ubud here.

Day 5. Mt Batur Hike or visit to Denpasar

Mount Batur sitting proudly and waiting for you to climb it for great views over Bali

Today will be an early start if you decide you want to climb Mount Batur to see the sun rise. Most tours will see you depart from Kuta around 2.00am so you can complete the 2 hour hike to the summit. Mount Batur is a sacred volcano where you can see the sunrise over the top of Mount Agung. If you don’t want to get up early you could climb the mountain later in the day and stay for the sunset. But if you do, take a head lamp with you as you will be descending the mountain in the dark.

>> Book your climb up Mount Batur here.

If you aren’t feeling that athletic to climb Mount Batur you could spend the day at the beach, afterall, it is a beach holiday like a beach holiday in Cancun, Hawaii or the Greek Islands. Or visit the capital city of Bali – Denpasar. Denpasar is the capital city and main hub in Bali and worth a visit. You could

• see Pura Blanjong Temple containing a stone pillar with a 10th-century inscription.
• visit the Bali Museum displaying a large collection of Balinese cultural artifacts.
• explore the iconic Bajra Sandhi Monument a gothic-looking structure in central Denpasar.
• visit Satya Dharma, a modern Chinese temple.
• Shop till you drop at Living World Mall, one of Bali’s newest and largest shopping centers.

Day 6: Nusa Penida

T-Rex shaped beach on Nusa Penuda

On day 6 in Bali on this 7 Day Bali Itinerary, you can visit the Nusa Penida Island which is famous for its picturesque landscapes. Ensure to check out the Tegenungan Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali. You can do this on your way to Sanur which will allow you to go to the port at Nusa Penida. Take the ferry as early as possible to avoid the crowds. It will only be a 45-minute ferry ride from Sanur to Nusa Penida and explore its stunning beaches as well as other attractions. These include Kelingking Beach to see the famous T-Rex shaped beach. Also Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay, Diamond Beach, Rumah Pohon Treehouse, Thousand Island Viewpoint and Banah Cliff Viewpoint. Plenty to see and do. And try to make time to swim with the manta rays.

Suggested tours to Nusa Penida

>> Book a day trip to snorkel with manta rays and other underwater life here.
>> Book a day tour to Nusa Penida here.

Day 7: Last Day in Bali

This is your last day in Bali so make the most of this island paradise. Day 7 on your week in Bali is reserved entirely for you to relax and rest at the beach, sit in a café, shop till you drop for those last minute souvenirs or to do something else in Bali. I’m leaving day 7 in Bali up to you as only you know what time this Bali adventure is ending.

Organise Your Bali 7 Day Holiday

Now you know what to do and see in Bali, it’s time to organise your Bali holiday. Here is some useful Bali information or Bali basics to help you on your way to Bali, Indonesia.

How to Get to Bali

As Bali is an island you can reach it by air and by ferry. Many airlines fly in to Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport also known as Denpasar International Airport. To get a great airfare check out Skyscanner. If you prefer to sail, there are around 140 ferry trips per day from various islands ranging from 20 minutes to a few hours. Check out Bali Ferries for more details. If you are arriving in Bali by air, you will be wanting to get to your accommodation as soon as possible. For your first visit to Bali the best way to get to your accommodation is to book yourself a Bali Airport Private Transfer. That is unless you want to be harassed by dozens of guys offering you transport to your accommodation.

>> You can book your Bali Airport transfer here.

Best Time to Visit Bali

Generally, the best time to visit Bali is during the dry season between April to October. This is when the weather is hot and pleasant. While the wet season is from November to March. During this season it often rains a couple of hours both in the morning and the afternoon. Then there will be a few rain-free hours during the day if you are lucky. If you want  the best weather on your first visit to Bali then you should visit during the dry season (April to October). Or add an umbrella to your beach holiday packing list.

If you want to avoid the crowds, consider that Bali is always busy during holidays like Easter and Christmas. The largest number of visitors arrive during July and August, in the middle of the dry season, because of the national school holidays in Indonesia. If you aren’t a fan of mass tourism avoid these times, if you can.

Of course, you can visit Bali for a week during the wet season, you will just experience a lot of rain. If you want to spend your days at the beach, then visiting during the wet season might not be a great idea.

Based on all this weather talk, the best time to visit, particularly for your first time in Bali is May, June or September. You will get the best weather and the famous sites and beaches won’t be as crowded either.

Bali Location

Bali is located in the Indian Ocean and is by far the most famous of all the 17,000 Indonesian islands. You will find Bali east of Java and west of Lombok. On a map, Bali looks quite tiny but in comparison to some other islands it is quite large. It has a distance of 145km from west to east coasts and 85km from north to south coasts. And it can vary the amount of time to drive around the island as this depends on what vehicle you do it in. As well as the main island the smaller Nusa Islands also are a part of Bali.

Population, Language and Religion

Bali is home to some 4.2 million people. It is quite hard to believe that so many people live on such a small island. The official language of Bali island is Indonesian but English is widely used due to the high level of tourists, particularly from Australia. Australians’ love Bali and flock to Bali year after year for the great holiday vibe. Plus Bali is a big digital nomad destination with a great infrastructure set up for traveling remote workers from many nationalities.

Indonesia is the biggest Muslim area in the world but Bali is the exception, being the only Hindu island in Indonesia. On saying that, it is rather Balinese Hinduism where is sort of a mixture of local beliefs with Hindu influences. Balinese people are quite religious with some 20,000 temples in Bali. While in Bali you will see and visit many temples during this 7 day Bali itinerary and be witness to many daily offerings to the gods. But that is part of why we travel right! To discover other cultures.

Local Currency

The local currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR or Rp). Cash is popular in Bali, you can also pay with credit card at most hotels and cafes but everywhere else cash is very much liked. Therefore always carry some around with you along with other methods of carrying your money overseas. And you will have a hard time finding an ATM in the countryside so it is better to have cash available.

Transport in Bali

Scooters for rent

Public transport in Bali is non-existent apart from some public minibuses called bemo. Don’t despair, there are a number of ways to get around Bali on your first holiday in Bali. Renting a bicycle, scooter or car is possible. Beware, the traffic is chaotic! Bikes, scooters, cars and animals all sharing the same lane and coming from every direction. And the roads are often in a bad condition. Scooter accidents can happen often so unless you are an experienced scooter rider I would suggest you avoid a scooter unless you want to spend your holiday lying in a hospital bed. But if you do try to ride a scooter, just be very careful. Don’t forget to take an International Drivers Licence so you can rent a vehicle and ensure you have travel insurance for any mishaps. I highly recommend World Nomads for a general holiday policy and SafetyWing for travel and health insurane. Read my review on SafetyWing here.

Two other transport options are taxi and hiring a private driver. There are two types of taxis in Bali. Bluebird Taxis and the rest. Bluebird taxis go by the meter and are very safe to use. They even have their own app. Non-Bluebird taxis usually have a number of tricks up their sleeves like claiming their meter is broken or taking you the long way to get to your destination. 

Hiring a private driver is a great option, especially if it is your first time in Bali and inexperienced at riding scooters or are travelling Bali with kids. Agree on a price and they will take you wherever you want to go. There are also plenty of tours you can go on also which you can organise in Bali from the front desk of your accommodation or online at GetYourGuide. Plus, GetYourGuide also has plenty of day tours you can go on which includes transport, entrance fees and lunch.

Stay Connected with a local Bali Sim Card

If you are looking to stay connected while exploring Bali consider purchasing a Bali sim card. While most cafes, bars and hotels have reliable fast wifi, having access to data on your phone will keep you connected. You can purchase a sim at the airport, as long as you have an unlocked smartphone or you can purchase an eSim online here.

What to Wear in Bali

Despite Bali being a religious island, there is not strict dress code for tourists. However, there are some religious sites where you always have to wear a sarong and a scarf if your shoulders are not covered by your clothes. If you don’t have your own sarong don’t worry, as you can usually rent one. 

On saying there is no dress code, what you wear will be dependent on the weather. As it is usually hot and humid you will be walking around mostly in shorts and t-shirts during the day but dressier clothes at night for going out to dinner and to bars and clubs. So pack for any beach holiday with a few additions. I suggest you pack light-weight cotton clothes that are loose and will breath. A hat for the beach is a must. Regarding shoes, you can wear thongs or flip flops and sandals but having a good pair of comfy sneakers or walking shoes will come in very handy, particularly if you will be hiking. And throw in a warm jacket if you are hiking the mountains. The Mount Batur hike can get cold and windy at the top.

What to Eat in Bali

A huge part of Balinese culture is food and foodie travellers are in for a treat. The main ingredients of Balinese cuisine are spices and herbs such as ginger, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, limes, coriander seeds and chilli. A typical Balinese meal involves four or five dishes arranged around a bowl or mound of rice with a side of sambal. Most Balinese dishes comprise of a serving of pork or chicken, fish, tofu or tempeh (fermented soy-bean cake), egg, various vegetable dishes, and crunchy krupuk (rice crackers). As a predominantly Hindu population, cows are considered sacred, so you probably won’t see much beef on the menu. Some Balinese dishes to try include Nasi Goreng, Satay, Gado Gado and Mei Goreng to name a few. There are also plenty of international cuisines available. With all the great food on offer be wary of what you consume as you don’t want to end up with Bali Belly.

Where to Stay in Bali – Bali Accommodation Options

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to Bali accommodation as Bali has a plethora of accommodation options available. So if you are travelling Bali solo, on your honeymoon, with friends or family with kids to Bali, there is accommodation to suit all types and budgets. Here is a quick overview of some of the areas you could choose to stay.

South Bali, which includes Kuta is packed with beautiful beaches, fancy restaurants, posh cafes and cool party places. If you don’t want to stay in party central Kuta, then go a little north to Seminyak or Canggu or south of Kuta to South Kuta Jimbaran or Uluwatu. These places offer a less party atmosphere and attract honeymooners and families who just want to enjoy everything Bali has to offer. And they aren’t too far away from Kuta if you want to party. Here are some suggestions of places to stay in Bali that are based on first-hand and friend’s experiences. If you can suggest a place that you have stayed please leave the name in the comments below.

Places to stay in Kuta

Hostel: Interconnection Kuta Hostel, Taste of Bali Hostel.
Budget: Best Western Kuta Beach.
Mid-range: Poppies Bali.
Luxury: Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort.
Family Friendly: Bali Dynasty Resort.

Canggu is digital nomad paradise due to the large number of co-living and co-working spaces available. Canggu also has some of the best beach bars in Bali. Fancy spending the afternoon relaxing at one of these and then watching a Bali sunset? Then Canggu might be the place for you. Read my post on Being a Digital Nomad in Bali.

Places to stay in Canggu (north of Kuta and Seminyak)

Hostels: The Hide Hostel @ Canggu.
Mid-range: AmantraNa Canggu
Luxury: Ametis Villas

Central Bali is the cultural heart of Bali and the most picturesque side of the island. If you don’t want to stay near the beach then consider staying in Ubud. Ubud is close to many attractions such as the Monkey Forest, Rice Paddies and you could use it as a link to other areas on the island of Bali.

Places to stay in Ubud

Budget: Puji Hostel
Mid-range: Ubud Village Hotel
Luxury: The Udaya Resort and Spa

For more accommodation options check out HostelWorld and Booking.com.

Are You Ready to Visit Bali for 7 Days?

I hope this 7 day Bali itinerary for first timers has helped you prepare for you first trip to Bali. Seven days in Bali is probably not enough to truly experience all that Bali has to offer, but it is a great start. And who knows, you may become one of those travellers that returns to this island paradise year after year. I hope you guys like this Bali travel guide for first timers. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email.

Extend Your Stay in Bali to 14 Days

If 7 days in Bali is not enough, then extend your visit to 14 days in Bali or even 21 days in Bali. There is plenty more to see and do in Bali so you can easily fill up your days during a fortnight in Bali, 3 weeks in Bali or even 1 month in Bali. Things you could do include:

• spend more time at the beach – you have hundreds to choose from.
• go on different hikes in the jungles and see waterfalls.
• kick back on a yoga retreat.
• learn more about Balinese culture when visiting different temples.