2 Weeks in Bali: Our Ultimate Itinerary

Bali’s blend of stunning beaches, lush rice terraces, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine makes it a dream destination for any traveler.

Planning a two-week Bali itinerary can be overwhelming with so much to see and do, but having spent years exploring every corner of the island, we’ve crafted the ultimate guide to help you make the most of your time on this tropical paradise.

From relaxing on the beaches of Uluwatu to temple hopping in Ubud, this 14 day itinerary will help you discover the island's highlights and plenty of hidden gems. By the end, your only regret will be not staying longer!

Is Two Weeks Long Enough in Bali?

Yes, two weeks in Bali is the perfect duration for your first trip. It gives you the opportunity to experience the island's diverse landscapes, cultures, and activities, while still having plenty of time to relax and enjoy yourself.

With two weeks to explore, we’d recommend dividing your stay between four areas so you can see more of the island, from the tranquil villages in the north to the vibrant beach towns in the south.

If you don’t have a full two weeks, check out our 7 day itinerary or 10 day itinerary.

Where To Base Yourself

For this itinerary, we recommend basing yourself in Ubud, Sidemen, Nusa Penida, and Uluwatu. Each of these destinations has it's own unique charm and together provide a great combination of culture, beach days, and fun activities.

How To Get Around

Bali doesn't have many public transport options for tourists or a lot of group tours, so we'd recommend either renting a scooter or making use of private drivers and taxis.

Renting a Scooter

Renting a car in Bali isn't the best idea due to the small roads and chaotic traffic. However, renting a scooter is more manageable and gives you greater freedom to explore the island by yourself.

We'd only recommend renting a scooter if you have experience driving and hold an International Drivers Permit. Bikago is our go-to rental company, with several branches across Bali. They can even drop-off and pick-up the scooter at your accommodation.

You can travel with backpacks on a scooter, but if you have suitcases or larger luggage, consider how you'll transport these. You might have to use scooters for day trips and taxis for moving accommodation.

Private Driver

Hiring a private driver is the best option for day trips where you visit multiple destinations in one day. Local drivers are affordable and very knowledgeable about the island. Give them a list of places you want to visit and they’ll help plan your day.

Hiring a driver for a day is often better value (and less hassle) than getting lots of taxis, especially for larger groups. Use this booking form to arrange a driver in advance.

Online Taxis (Grab or Gojek)

For simple A-to-B journeys, such as moving accommodation or travelling to one specific attraction, we prefer using online taxi apps such as Grab or Gojek.

Download the apps and create accounts at the start of your trip. You can then order car taxis and scooter taxis from most places on the island. Just be aware of any Gojek-free zones where online taxis aren't allowed and make sure you have mobile data.

Itinerary Outline

Here's a quick summary of our ultimate 2 week Bali itinerary. Keep reading below for the full day-by-day breakdown.

How Much To Budget For Two Weeks?

In general, we recommend budgeting between 500,000 to 1,500,000 IDR ⓘ per person per day for spending money. For a typical two week itinerary, expect to spend between 7,000,000 to 21,000,000 IDR ⓘ per person on food, transportation, and activities.

The below itinerary falls towards the top end of this bracket, costing around 17,500,000 IDR ⓘ per person in total. This includes approximately:

• 7,500,000 IDR ⓘ on activities

• 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 IDR ⓘ on transportation (depending on how you get around and the number of people to share costs with)

• 6,000,000 IDR ⓘ on food and drink

These costs are vague estimates that do not include flights, accommodation, or pre-trip expenses such as visas and insurance. See our full guide on how much does it cost to visit Bali for an up-to-date list of prices.

Full Two Week Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Central Ubud

Morning

Ubud Story Walks

Start your trip by getting to know the historic tourist town of Ubud on a Past to Present walking tour with Ubud Story Walks.

This fantastic company offers unique small-group cultural tours led by passionate local guides. On a tour, you’ll learn about Balinese history and culture as you explore some of Ubud’s main landmarks.

The 3 hour morning tour includes a visit to the Puri Lukistan Museum, Ubud’s oldest art gallery filled with historic Balinese paintings and woodcarvings from across the centuries, and a short break to try some Balinese coffee and snacks. The tour starts at 8.30am and booking is essential.

Lunch at This is Bali

Not far from where the walking tour ends, you’ll find a great little restaurant called This is Bali, which serves unique twists on classic Indonesian dishes. The small restaurant is bright, modern, and super Instagrammable.

Afternoon

Ubud Arts Market

Walk off your lunch with a wander around central Ubud, which is packed with markets, palaces, and museums.

Stroll around the colourful craft markets, which sell everything from local handicrafts and artwork to t-shirts, sarongs, bags, and jewellery. The markets are a great place to pick up souvenirs for a bargain price – just remember to haggle!

The main sections of Ubud Art Market sit along Jalan Arjuna and in a large new venue on the corner opposite Ubud Palace. But there are stalls all over the town centre – they’re not difficult to find.

Ubud Palace

While exploring the town center, make sure to pop into Ubud Palace, a grand palace that was once the official residence of the royal family of Ubud. Today it's a free historical landmark and a fantastic example of traditional Balinese architecture.

Ubud Water Palace

After Ubud Palace, walk just along the road to discover Ubud Water Palace (Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati), which we love even more. This picturesque temple surrounds a large lotus pond dedicated to the Hindu goddess of learning.

You can pay a small fee to enter which includes traditional Balinese robes or admire the palace over a drink from Cafe Lotus next door.

Visit the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest

Finish your afternoon in Ubud with a visit to the famous Ubud Monkey Forest, which sits to the south of the town centre.

This beautiful nature reserve is filled with ancient temples, peaceful rivers, and over a thousand free-roaming long-tailed macaques. Here you can watch these cheeky monkeys play and interact in their natural habitat.

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether to include this spot on your Bali itinerary. But if the thought of a monkey jumping on your shoulders makes you uneasy, it might be best to give it a miss.

Tickets to visit the Monkey Forest cost 80,000 IDR ⓘ on weekdays and 100,000 IDR ⓘ on weekends.

Evening

Dinner at Zest

Ubud is famous for its incredible veggie and vegan scene, with Zest being one of the most iconic spots in town. The cool bohemian restaurant focuses on locally grown whole food and plant-based cuisine. We’re usually meat-eaters, but we absolutely love the dishes here.

You won’t find any animal products, refined sugar, or harmful oils in their dishes. Every single item is delicious, from the all-day breakfast to plant pizzas and colourful medicine bowls. It's also a super cosy place to relax for a while, with comfy sofas, plenty of board games, and a peaceful atmosphere overlooking the lush jungles.

Lelong Dance Show at Ubud Palace

End your day in Ubud with a traditional Legong dance performance at Ubud Palace, which takes place every evening at 7:30pm.

Legong is a traditional form of Balinese dance, characterised by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and intense facial expressions. Many of the dances act out traditional Balinese stories and legends.

You can buy tickets at the door for 100,000 IDR ⓘ.

It’s best to arrive by at least 7pm to get a good seat for the show. The performance lasts around 1 - 1hr30. You'll want to head straight home for a good night's sleep after the show, ready for an early start the next day.

Day 2: Kintamani Day Trip

Morning/Afternoon

Sunrise on Mount Batur

On day two, take a day trip to the Kintamani region to tick off a huge Bali bucket-list experience – sunrise from Mount Batur!

As the sun rises, Bali’s second-largest volcano rewards you with breathtaking views. Watch as the sky changes through shades of orange and red, illuminating the tranquil Lake Batur and unveiling panoramic vistas that stretch across the island.

There are two main ways to ascend Mount Batur for sunrise; hiking and 4WD vehicle.

Option 1: Hike Mount Batur

We chose to do the sunrise hike and didn’t find it too challenging. It took around 2 hours to reach the summit, getting to the top just in time to enjoy the sunrise with a banana sandwich (a Batur staple for some reason) and a hot chocolate.

You'll need to do the trek with a local guide which can be arranged through your private driver. If you’re making your own way there, you can book a trekking guide here and head to the meeting point yourself.

The hike begins around 4am, but you'll be asked to meet your guide and others in your group around 3:30am when you’ll have the chance for a pre-hike coffee and snack. This means leaving your Ubud accommodation around 2:15am – early but worth it!

Option 2: Take a 4WD Jeep Up Mount Batur

If hiking isn’t for you, there is also the option of reaching the summit by 4WD Jeep, where you'll drive across the black lava fields and ascend to a viewpoint for sunrise. You don't go right to the very summit with the jeep (where hikers go), but it's still an incredible view.

Toya Bungkah Hot Springs

Kintamani is home to a series of manmade hot springs, filled with spring water heated naturally by underground magma from the volcano. A soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters is perfect to relax your aching muscles after hiking Mount Batur.

We went to Toya Bungkah which is the largest and most well-known hot springs resort in the area.

Entry was 200,000 IDR ⓘ on the door, but you can get a good discount if you book in advance here. Your ticket includes entry to the pools, a towel, a locker, and a welcome drink. We recommend allowing just over an hour here.

Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur (Floating Temple)

After the springs, make a quick stop at Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur, one of our favourite temples in Bali. This peaceful floating temple sits on the edge of Lake Batur and can be accessed by a small bridge over the water.

The temple is far less touristy than many others around the island. You’ll often see local ceremonies taking place, making it a great place to experience authentic Balinese Hindu culture.

It’s completely free to visit, however, you’ll need to rent a sarong to enter, for which there’s a suggested 20,000 IDR ⓘ donation. Being quite a small temple, our visit only took around 20 minutes or so.

Café-hopping in Kintamani

Kintamani is full of stunning cafes and restaurants that overlook the volcano crater. Many tours skip these cafes, but this is one of our favourite things to do in Kintamani and would highly recommend visiting for a late brunch before heading back to Ubud.

Batur Geopark Museum

If you still have any energy left, make one final stop at the Batur Geopark Museum, which is completely free to visit. This large, modern museum showcases the geological, biological, and cultural diversity of Mount Batur and the surrounding area.

It’s a fascinating place to learn more about the Batur region, which in 2012 was named Indonesia’s very first UNESCO Global Geopark.

The museum tells the story of the volcanic processes that have shaped the landscape of Bali over millions of years, with an impressive collection of volcanic rocks and fossils. Visiting takes around 45 minutes to an hour. You might want to switch things around slightly on weekends as the museum closes earlier.

Evening

Dinner at Taman Dedari

After taking a well-deserved nap and some down time back at your hotel in Ubud, take a 10-15 minute drive north to Taman Dedari for dinner.

This traditional Indonesian restaurant has four towering angel statues that stand against a beautiful backdrop. We recommend heading here before sunset to properly enjoy the views.

While the restaurant has some Western dishes on the menu, we recommend sticking to the local options here. There's plenty of choice and it's a great opportunity to try cuisine from across Indonesia that's both authentic and delicious.

Day 3: Ubud Outskirts

Morning

Pura Tirta Empul

Start your third day in Bali bright and early once again with a visit to Pura Tirta Empul, a magnificent Hindu water temple around 15km north of the main town centre.

This famous temple holds great historical and spiritual significance. Its natural spring waters have long been used for a purification ritual called “Melukat”, which aims to cleanse your mind, body, and soul.

Pura Tirta Empul is the most popular place on the island for tourists to take part in this well-known water ceremony, which involves praying and bathing under a series of fountains.

The temple’s popularity means it can get extremely busy. We’d recommend arriving as early as possible for a more peaceful experience. We visited around 8am (it opens at 7am) and had the springs entirely to ourselves.

To take part, you’ll need to bring your swimwear and hire a special Melukat sarong. There are changing rooms and lockers available on site. It’s also possible to hire a guide to walk you through the ceremony which we’d recommend doing.

Allow around 90 minutes to explore the temple and take part in Melukat.

Pura Gunung Kawi

When you’re finished at Pura Tirta Empul, head next door to Pura Gunung Kawi, one of Bali’s most ancient archaeological sites. This hidden gem offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Balinese civilization.

The temple complex is home to a series of 11th-century royal tombs carved into the steep cliff face that surrounds it. The ten huge shrines sit over 7 meters (23 ft) high and are surrounded by dense jungle, giving the site a real tomb-raider feel.

The tombs are thought to have been built by King Anak Wungsu as a tribute to his father, the great Balinese ruler Udayana, and the Warmadewa Dynasty.

Afternoon

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Next, head to the famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces, around a 20 minute drive from the last stop.

Recognised by UNESCO as part of Bali’s culturally important subak irrigation system, the lush green rice terraces cascade down the rolling hills, embraced by dense jungle on all sides. The terraces have become somewhat of a symbol of the island and are a must-see in Bali.

Take a peaceful walk among rice paddies from one of the several entrances (quieter spots here and here). You’ll need to pay a small fee of around 25,000 – 50,000 IDR ⓘ in cash to enter.

Jungle Club

Spend the rest of your afternoon grabbing a bite to eat and relaxing at one of Tegallalang’s luxury jungle clubs overlooking the rice terraces. Here are a few you can choose from:

Evening

Dinner at Merlin’s Magic

After the rice terraces, you might want some downtime at your hotel before heading back into Central Ubud for dinner at one of Bali’s most unique dining experiences.

Merlins in Ubud is an unusual magic-themed restaurant and the first in the world where “the food chooses you”. This means that you each receive a tarot reading as you first sit at your table. The three cards you pick not only represent your past, present, and future, but they also reveal your starter, main, and dessert.

You can either stick with the dishes chosen for you, or you can opt to swap any of them out for something else on the menu. There are plenty of delicious choices to pick from, but the steak Emily had was particularly good.

No matter what you order, Merlin’s is a fantastic magical experience from start to finish, with its mystical candle-lit tables, robed waiters, delicious and innovative dishes, and elaborate presentation (plenty of dry ice!).

Day 4: Bedugul Day Trip

Morning

Boat Trip to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

On day four, hire a private driver for the day (or rent a scooter) and take a trip up to Bedugul in Bali's central highlands.

Start by visiting Ulun Danu Beratan, one of Bali’s most famous Hindu temples. It sits on the shore of Lake Beratan, earning it the nickname “the floating temple”.

But rather than going inside the temple complex, we recommend hiring a Jukung (a traditional Indonesian rowing boat) to enjoy the temple from the lake. This is a much more peaceful and unique experience away from the large tourist crowds.

We hired a boat just east of the main temple entrance (here) without paying the main complex entrance fee. We were quoted 250,000 – 300,000 IDR ⓘ for a 1-hour boat trip (for 2 people), but we managed to negotiate one down to 200,000 IDR ⓘ.

As well as the temple, your boat driver will also takes you to some other sites and viewpoints around the lake.

Handara Gate

On your way to the next stop, you'll pass by the Handra Gate, which has become a popular photo spot and a good alternative to the famous "Gates of Heaven" at Pura Lempuyang.

It's actually the grand entrance to a luxury hotel and golf resort, so it’s less culturally significant than Pura Lempuyang temple. But the lines do tend to be a little smaller if you really want to get the classic Bali split gates photo.

There’s a parking area next to the gates with a ticket booth where you’ll need to pay 5,000 IDR for parking and 50,000 IDR ⓘ each for a photo. For a small extra fee, a man at the gate can help take photos and create the iconic reflection effect.

Off-peak, you’ll probably need to wait 20-30 minutes for a photo, but this can be longer during peak visitor season. If the wait time is too long, give it a miss as you'll see more photo spots like this later in the trip.

Lunch at Rumah Gemuk

Head for lunch at the grand Rumah Gemuk. Sometimes used as a luxurious wedding venue, this unique glass building is also a beautiful restaurant open to the public.

The towering structure is filled with greenery and vibrant flowers, while majestic chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and spiral staircases lead to the upper floors. It’s all very Bridgerton-esque.

There’s regular table seating on the upper floor, but we opted to enjoy a cute little picnic downstairs on the lawn surrounded by the plants.

The picnic set menu included a simple 3-course menu and drinks for 265,000 IDR ⓘ between the two of us. It came served in a real picnic basket on a ready-laid blanket with plenty of pillows.

Afternoon

Bali Botanic Gardens

After lunch, spend the afternoon at the Bali Botanic Gardens, the largest botanic garden in all of Indonesia.

There are multiple different areas to explore, including the island’s largest collection of orchids, a huge cacti house, and a tropical rainforest trail. It's also home to many endangered plants and a wide selection of local bird and animal species.

Entrance to the botanic gardens costs 20,000 IDR ⓘ on weekdays and 30,000 IDR ⓘ on weekends.

While you can wander the gardens on foot or use the small shuttle to get around, we prefer hiring either a bicycle, an e-bike, or an electric scooter from the entrance (extra cost).

Evening

Dinner at Warung Dedari

On your way back to Ubud, make a stop midway for an early dinner at Warung Dedari. The restaurant has traditional Balinese decor and a substantial menu of both local and Western dishes. The Nasi Goreng was a generous portion and extremely delicious.

For a unique experience, dine in one of the private gazebos that sit around the edge of a large pond in the restaurant's spacious garden.

Day 5: Adventure and Artisans

Morning

ATV and Rafting

Spend today exploring the stunning natural scenery around Ubud on an exciting ATV adventure. On an ATV tour, you’ll race through the region’s dense jungles, discovering secret caves, valleys, and waterfalls.

Numerous companies offer ATV experiences around Ubud, with most taking similar routes. We went with Beji River Adventure which was reasonably priced and included one of the famous Gorilla Face caves.

If you're into adventure activities, we recommend combining an ATV tour with white water rafting on the Ayung River. The river has many class II and III rapids which meander through Ubud's countryside, with plenty of exciting drops and turns along the way.

You can get a good deal by purchasing both together in a package. You'll get lunch in between and the activities will take up most of your day. If you choose to do both, don’t plan anything else until late afternoon.

Afternoon

Jewellery making class

Ubud is famous for its many artisan craft workshops, with everything from silversmiths to woodworkers, many of which offer classes for visitors.

One of our favourite experiences in Ubud is a silver jewellery-making workshop with an experienced Balinese silversmith. It’s a fun way to spend a couple of hours and come away with an amazing souvenir to take home with you.

In a session, you’ll learn how to melt, mould, and shape silver to produce your very own ring, bracelet, or earrings. Just be prepared to sweat – it was more of a workout then we expected!

Evening

Sunset ridge walk

If you still have time left before it gets dark, end your day with a peaceful walk along one of Ubud’s popular walking trails.

Campuhan Ridge Walk is a paved hiking trail starting from Campuhan Bridge in central Ubud. The walking route leads you through the surrounding rice paddies and forests.

The Sweet Orange Trail is another looping walk starting and ending at Ubud Main Road, passing by old abandoned houses covered in colourful graffiti, before winding through scenic rice terraces.

Both walks take under an hour in total and are best done late afternoon just before sunset when the heat isn’t too intense.

Dinner at Warung Pondok Madu

Warung Pondok Madu is our favourite restaurant for delicious BBQ ribs in Ubud. This relaxed local spot is renowned for its signature ribs, which you can enjoy as a full rack with sides or as part of a full meal such as Nasi Goreng or Mie Goreng.

Although famous for their ribs, there are plenty of other options on the menu such as mozzarella stuffed chicken or beef burritos. Unsurprisingly, there aren't too many veggie options here.

Day 6: Cooking Class and Hotel Transfer

Morning

Morning cooking class

Prepare for another early start as you'll need to check out promptly and leave your luggage in your hotel's store room before heading out for a half-day cooking class with Bali Farm Cooking School.

Head to the meeting point in central Ubud and your guide will take you to an authentic morning market to pick up your ingredients for the day.

They'll then drive you to their farm to the north of Ubud where you'll spend the morning learning how to cook six authentic Balinese dishes. During our class, we cooked satay, chicken curry, sweet and sour tempeh, and more. You then get to enjoy your homemade dishes for lunch before heading back to your accommodation.

Afternoon

Transfer to Sidemen

After collecting your luggage, transfer to Sidemen ready to check in to your next accommodation. We tend to use Grab or Gojek for transfers, but you can also ask your hotel to organise a driver.

Following a busy few days, you'll probably want to take the afternoon for some downtime at your new hotel. If you've picked Wapa Di Ume Sidemen as we recommended earlier, you can take advantage of their amazing on-site infinity pool.

Evening

Dinner at Sleeping Gajah

Also onsite at Wapa Di Ume is a great open-air restaurant called Sleeping Gajah Kitchen & Lounge, which serves an excellent selection of Western and Indonesian dishes. Upstairs from the restaurant is a lovely bar serving beers and cocktails.

Day 7: Explore Sidemen

Morning

Rice Fields Trekking

Sidemen has long been one of Bali's top agricultural regions, famous for its picturesque rice terraces that continue for miles. While there are some great viewpoints where you can admire the rice terraces from afar, we recommend getting out and exploring them for yourself on a Sidemen trekking tour.

We’d strongly suggest heading out with a guide as it’s easy to get lost among the vast terraces. We booked local guide Komang Adi from Sidemen Trekking who grew up in the area and knew it well.

Before heading out on the 2 hour trek, we met Adi at the local market where he showed us some of the produce grown in the region.

During the trek, we chatted with Adi about all aspects of Balinese life, from families, religion, and traditions, to marriage, schools, and agriculture. He showed us local plants and farming techniques used in Sidemen along the way. He even stopped to make Emily a necklace out of Casova leaves – which he said was a childhood pastime of his.

Being a local, he knew a great route so that we could admire the paddies with Mount Agung in the background. He was also friendly with the local farmers which made us feel at ease walking through their fields and taking photos while they worked.

Gembleng Waterfall

After a morning of trekking under the hot sun, you'll be grateful for a refreshing dip in Gembleng Waterfall.

While the waterfall itself is not particularly powerful, its charm comes from the unique splash pools that cascade down the cliff at various levels. You can sit in these pools to enjoy an unobstructed view across the surrounding jungle – like your own natural infinity pool.

Gembleng isn't yet overrun with tourists, but we've definitely noticed it getting more and more popular each year. We had to wait in a small line to use the pool at the top on our latest visit, which has become somewhat of an iconic Bali photo spot.

The main parking area is found near the base of the waterfall, but the natural landmark looks most impressive from the top. The path takes around 4-5 minutes to climb with 140 steps in total. Entrance is donation-based, with most people giving around 30,000 to 50,000 IDR ⓘ per group.

Afternoon

Pura Besakih

Located just 30 minutes from central Sidemen, Pura Besakih, also known as "The Mother Temple of Bali," is the largest and most important temple on the entire island.

Visiting this grand temple is one of our favourite cultural things to do in Bali. Not just because of its extraordinary size and commanding position with Mount Agung in the background, but because it’s a place of cultural significance and a great opportunity to learn about Balinese Hinduism.

Besakih is not just one temple, but a giant complex of temples. It would take ages to see the whole thing, so your visit will concentrate on the main area where you’ll find the most important temples and shrines.

The entrance fee to visit Besakih Temple is 90,000 IDR ⓘ per person, which includes entrance, use of a sarong, a shuttle bus up from the entrance, and a local guide. The tour take around 1 hour in total.

The guide was excellent and really made the experience for us. He had a wealth of knowledge about the temple and was able to share some interesting facts about the temple’s history and why it’s culturally significant. Although tourists are welcome to visit, you’ll still see many locals praying inside, so make sure to be respectful.

Evening

Dinner at D’padi Restaurant

D'padi is another of our favourite dinner spots in Sidemen and is less than a 5 minute walk from Wapa Di Ume, so there's no need to arrange transport.

With upmarket decor and candlelit tables, the restaurant is perfect for a romantic date night. The menu has a good variety of Western and Indonesian dishes, all of which tasted great, came beautifully presented, and were reasonably priced.

They have live acoustic music some evenings, although we’ve never managed to catch this ourselves.

Day 8: East Bali Day Trip

Morning

Taman Ujung

For your eighth day in Bali, take a full-day trip to East Bali. Either hire a private driver or rent a scooter for the day. You don't need a super early start, but try to leave before 9am.

Your first stop is Taman Ujung, a sprawling water palace built in the early 20th century by the King of Karangasem at the time. The palace includes beautifully manicured gardens, three large ponds, and floating pavilion-like buildings connected by bridges.

One of the architects hired to build the palace was a Dutchman (Bali was a Dutch colony at the time), which is why you can see a unique mix of Balinese and European architecture throughout the complex.

Inside the main building are relics and photos that remain of King Karangasem and his family… he had A LOT of children!

You can climb a long staircase to reach a viewpoint overlooking the entire site, which covers approximately 10 hectares of land, making it one of the island’s largest historical landmarks.

By visiting first thing in the morning, you’ll pretty much have this place to yourself. We’d recommend allowing around an hour here to fully enjoy it. Entrance costs 100,000 IDR ⓘ per person and you can pay with cash or card here.

Lontar Museum

Next, it’s time for one of our favourite hidden gems in Bali, Museum Pustaka Lontar (also known as the Lontar Museum). This is roughly a 20 minute drive from Taman Ujung.

Run by locals from Penaban Karangasem village, the museum aims to educate tourists about the Balinese language and how lontars (a type of manuscript) are created and used for written records.

Our workshop was led by Kadek, who first explained a little about the Balinese language and how it’s different from Bahasa, the main language used in Indonesia. Then we learned about the Balinese alphabet and lontars, which are traditional manuscripts used to keep written records throughout Balinese history.

As part of the workshop, we were taught how to write our names in the aksara alphabet and wrote them onto two lontars – one which we left behind at the museum in a special display area and another that we could take home with us as a lovely little souvenier.

The museum is free to visit but you must make a small donation of 50,000 IDR ⓘ per person for the lontar writing. You don’t need to make a booking. In total, the experience took us around 1hr15.

Lunch at Bali Asli Restaurant

Just around the corner form the museum is Bali Asli Restaurant which is a great spot to grab lunch. After learning about lontars, you’ll appreciate the restaurant’s unique menu which is written on one.

The restaurant is a great place to experience some traditional Balinese food. Many of the ingredients are grown onsite or in their neighbour’s garden and they cook using traditional methods on mud brick stoves.

It’s not just the food here that’s amazing. The restaurant has an open layout with stunning views over Mount Agung while you dine.

Afternoon

Tirta Gangga

After lunch, visit Tirta Gangga, another water palace built by the same ruler that built Taman Ujung. He commissioned a second palace after being inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France.

The buildings that once existed here were mostly destroyed when Mount Agung erupted in 1963. However, you can still enjoy the palace's manicured gardens, koi ponds, and intricately carved statues and fountains that depict characters from Hindu mythology.

The most famous activity here is crossing the trail of stepping stones over the main pond and feeding the koi fish that swim beneath. This is also one of the island’s most iconic photo spots. We’d recommend allowing around an hour here.

Lahangan Sweet

For your final stop in East Bali, head to Lahangan Sweet. This is a series of viewpoints overlooking Mount Agung from the top of a neighbouring mountain. The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR ⓘ which includes all photo spots except the swing.

The ticket point is around 25 minutes drive from Tirta Gangga. However, cars can’t reach the top of the mountain, so those travelling with a private driver will need to stop part-way and take a return shuttle for an extra 50,000 IDR ⓘ.

If you have a scooter, you can continue a little further to the midway parking point and walk. But the track is muddy and quite difficult so we’d recommend taking the shuttle if you're not comfortable with this.

There’s also a lovely little warung at the viewpoint with amazing views over the surrounding valley and coastline. Stop here after getting your photos for a fresh coconut or cold beer before making your way back to Sidemen.

Day 9: Hotel Transfer & East Nusa Penida

Morning

Transfer to Nusa Penida

To make the most of your short stay on Penida, we recommend setting off at a reasonable time. You'll need to take a taxi to Sanur Harbour and board a ferry to Penida. We recommend pre-booking your ferry on 12go.asia. Aim to arrive around 30 minutes before it departs.

For your arrival on Penida, pre-arrange a transfer with your accommodation. The hotel we've recommended (Mambo Beach Resort) offers free transfers. Just let them know what time you'll arrive on the island for pick-up.

It might be too early to check in and access your room, but you can drop off your luggage and head out for an afternoon to explore the east of the island.

Goa Giri Putri

For your first stop, visit Goa Giri Putri Temple, a larger-than-expected cave that contains a series of Hindu and Buddhist shrines.

Despite being a popular pilgrimage for Balinese Hindus who believe its spring water has healing powers, the temple remains somewhat a hidden gem among tourists.

When you first reach the entrance, everything seems normal. But after making a donation (50,000 IDR ⓘ per person is recommended), you’re directed to climb through a small hole in the rocks to reach the cave and temples.

The first few metres of the passage is narrow and low, so you need to duck to get through. But it soon opens up into an enormous underground cavern with a dimly lit path and several Hindu shrines.

A one-way system leads through the 300m long cave and out of the back exit, taking us around 35 minutes in total to get back to the parking area again.

This is one of the few temples in Bali where a sarong is required but isn’t included in the ticket price. You can hire one from a small shop in the parking area for around 10,000 IDR.

Lunch at Eastside Penida

Continue to the eastern side of the island and grab a late lunch at Eastside Penida, a brand-new eatery that's already one of the top-rated places to eat in this area. It has tropical-themed decor and a menu containing both local and Western dishes including sandwiches, burgers, and poke bowls.

Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach

After lunch, it's only a short drive to reach Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach, two of the most beautiful beaches on Nusa Penida.

Both share a parking area and an entry ticket, so they are easy to visit together. You can decide whether you’d like to spend your entire time relaxing on one of the beaches (we’d recommend Atuh) or split your time exploring the two.

Diamond Beach:

Named after the diamond-shaped rock that pokes out of the vibrant turquoise waters, Diamond Beach sits at the bottom of several hundred steps, It’s hard work getting there, but the journey is worthwhile and the picturesque views along the way are a great distraction.

The stunning untouched white sand beach offers no sun beds, no warungs or cafes, and no annoying vendors pressuring you to buy things – just a small slice of paradise that’s perfect for relaxing in the sun. However, the waves can get pretty strong here, so swimming is prohibited.

Atuh Beach:

Neighbouring Atuh Beach is most notable for the small limestone arch that sits just offshore.

The picturesque white sand beach has a few more amenities than Diamond Beach, with a row of sunbeds and a few tiny warungs selling cold drinks and snacks. But don’t expect any fancy or modern facilities.

You’ll have to conquer a steep descent down a long staircase to reach the beach, but the sheltered bay and calm waves are perfect for a cool swim once you get there.

Watch out for the mischievous monkeys that sometimes hang out near the steps. They’ve never caused us any problems but hold your valuables tightly to be safe.

When you're done at the beaches, head back to your hotel to properly check in and get some downtime. If you're staying near the harbour as we recommended, the return journey should take around an hour.

Evening

Dinner at Mambo Beach Cafe

Spend the evening at Mambo Beach Cafe (right on your doorstep if you're staying at Mambo Beach Resort).

The beachfront restaurtant can get busy in the evenings, so aim to arrive before 6pm to guarantee a spot on the beachfront beanbags. Enjoy the ocean views and glow of the sunset while you dine.

The food was good but the vibe is really what makes Mambo worth visiting. After dark, fairy lights illuminated the venue and a live band performed an relaxing acoustic set.

Day 10: Snorkelling & West Penida

Morning

Snorkelling With Manta Rays

Start your second day on Nusa Penida by taking a morning boat trip to some of Bali's top snorkelling spots. The waters around the island are teeming with marine life and you’ll have the chance to swim with unique underwater species such as Manta Rays.

These majestic giants can reach up to 9 meters in diameter and can be spotted swimming just a few metres beneath the surface. They are present year-round and tend to congregate around Manta Bay or Manta Point, so your chances of encountering one are quite high.

Emily and I went on separate days and both managed to see them, but it’s never 100% guaranteed.

We recommend booking this snorkelling trip and selecting a start time of 9am (on the checkout page). The meeting point is their office on Virgin Beach as detailed in the confirmation. If you're staying at Mambo Beach Resort, it's basically next door.

Snorkelling tours last around 2hrs30. You’ll visit several snorkelling spots, including the famous Manta Bay. The guides are all equipped with a GoPro to capture footage and share it with you afterwards for free.

After the trip, you'll probably be feeling a bit salty, so pop back to your accommodation for a quick shower.

Lunch at Penida Colada

After your snorkelling trip, enjoy lunch at Penida Colada, an aesthetic bar and restaurant overlooking the ocean.

It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy some of the best food on the island. They have an extensive brunch menu, as well as burgers, salads, pastas, and some local dishes.

True to its name, the decor is reminiscent of a tropical beach hut with pineapples everywhere you look. Even the fresh coconuts are shaped like pineapples (pictured above)!

Angels Billabong & Broken Beach

After lunch, drive for an hour or so across to the western tip of the island. Here, you’ll find Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach.

Angel’s Billabong is an iconic natural infinity pool on the coast of Nusa Penida. It’s formed where the strong tides surge over the cliff, filling a small crater formed by erosion in the volcanic rocks around the cliffside.

When the water is still, Angels Billabong blends seamlessly with the ocean making it almost impossible to distinguish one from the other.

Next to Angels Billabong is Pelinggih Beach, a white sand beach at the bottom of a giant cove. It’s more commonly known as Broken Beach because of the ‘broken’ hole in the side of the cove which forms a natural land bridge.

The beach is inaccessible on foot, but you can enjoy a walk around the top of the cove and over the bridge.

Angels Billabong and Broken Beach are right next to Manta Bay where you went snorkelling earlier in the day. Head over to the cliff edge to see if you can spot the giant Manta Rays from a different angle.

Visiting Angels Billabong and Broken Beach is free, but you might need to pay for parking if you have your own scooter. We recommend allowing just 30 minutes here.

Kelingking Beach & Paluang Cliff

The next stop is Kelingking Beach, one of Bali’s most iconic attractions. Here, a giant limestone headland protrudes out into the ocean resembling a T-rex with its mouth wide open. Once you’ve seen the dinosaur, you can’t unsee it!

At the bottom of the headland is a beautiful secluded cove with yet another untouched white sand beach. And this beach really is untouched as the path leading down to it is probably the hardest of all of Nusa Penida.

The hike down to the beach includes hundreds of steep and uneven steps winding their way down the cliff, with some parts where you actually have to climb down with the help of a rope. Emily has done this and described it as “one of the toughest things she’s ever done!”.

Most people visiting Kelingking don’t venture down to the beach but come to enjoy the iconic view from the clifftop. If you do decide to give it a go, allow at least 30 minutes each way for the hike.

After seeing Kelinking, walk around to Paluang Cliff, which takes 10 minutes on foot (or you can drive). This is another stunning viewpoint that’s a little less busy than Kelinking. It costs 30,000 IDR.

Look out for the small local temple near the viewpoint called Pura Paluang. It’s nicknamed the Car Temple because there’s an unusual shrine in the shape of a car.

Evening

Dinner at AMARTA Penida

Spend your evening at Amarta, an oceanfront restaurant with an infinity pool perfectly positioned for watching the sunset, so don't forget your swimwear!

You can choose from a table in their main restaurant, a cosy day bed on the grass, or tiered seating where you can enjoy a scenic view over Nusa Lembongan and mainland Bali.

Although the menu doesn’t have the widest choice, the dishes they serve are fantastic and it’s easily among the best restaurants on Penida. If you have a sweet tooth like me, finish off your meal with their heavenly Basque cheesecake!

Amarta has recently installed a set of traditional Balinese split gates complete with a view of Mount Agung on mainland Bali perfectly positioned in the background.

It’s a fantastic photo spot and a great alternative to the Gates of Heaven for those who don’t want to wait in line. Although, unfortunately, it was a bit too cloudy to see the volcano on the day we visited.

Day 11: Visit Nusa Lembongan

Take a Boat Across to Lembongan

For your final day on the Nusa Islands, take a day trip to Nusa Lembongan using the frequent local boats. They cost 50,000 IDR per person and it only takes 15 minutes or so. These boats operate on a 'leave when full' basis so waiting times can vary.

The ticket office on Nusa Penida is here. If you don't have a scooter, you'll probably want to arrange transport to the office as it's down on the south end of the harbour.

When you reach Lembongan, the boats will drop you off on the shore near the Yellow Bridge. There are no jettys, so expect to get your feet wet.

How To Get Around on Lembongan

Once on Lembongan, the best way to explore the island is by hiring your own transport or booking a tour.

As you get off the boat at the Yellow Bridge, you'll be bombarded with offers for scooter hire. You can negotiate on the spot but we prefer to pre-arrange transport. Reach out to Lembongan Cheerful Rental (for scooters) or Ricky Raja Buggy (for golf buggies) and they can meet you when you arrive. Cars aren't common due to the road conditions.

If you don't want to drive yourself around, you can also take a tour. We recommend this private guided tour of Lembongan as the meeting point is right near the Yellow Bridge where you'll arrive. You can stick to their planned itinerary or set your own based on the below guide.

Lembongan Mangrove Tour

For your first stop on Lembongan, head to the island's famous mangroves. Spanning the northeast coast, the mangroves are vital for protecting the island from strong waves and coastal erosion. The dense coastal forest is also home to many amazing plant and animal species.

You can take a 30 minute guided tour of the mangrove forest on a small gondola-style boat. Or you can rent a kayak/stand-up paddleboard to explore the peaceful waterways yourself.

There's no need to pre-book a boat trip at the mangroves. You can simply turn up and you'll find plenty straight away. You will need to negotiate on price. As a guide, you should pay around 100,000 IDR per person for a 30 minute trip.

Brunch at Ombak Zero Waste Cafe

Next, head towards nearby Jungutbatu, the island's main beach, where you can enjoy a laid-back brunch overlooking the ocean.

Ombak Zero Waste Cafe is our favourite food spot on the island. It’s a cute, sustainable cafe on the beach. Every dish is amazing, but make sure to leave room for their homemade banana bread!

The cafe is located right on the sand, so you can easily cool of with a quick dip in Jungutbatu gorgeous blue waters while you wait for your food to come.

Devils Tears

After lunch, drive around 10-15 minutes to Lembongan's southeast coast and the popular tourist attraction known as Devil's Tears.

Devil's Tears is a unique coastal formation where many caves and blowholes line the rugged cliffs, causing the waves to spray metres in the air when they slam against them. The huge crashing waves are quite the spectacle and often cause natural infinity pools and rainbows to form.

Standing close to the spray is a great way to cool down on a hot day in Nusa Lembongan. But don't cross the rope barriers. Standing too close to the cliff edge can be dangerous as you never know when a huge wave will hit.

As of early 2024, it now costs 25,000 IDR per person to enter the area. Make sure you have cash with you. You could spend around 30 minutes here exploring the unusual stretch of coastline.

Afternoon

Dream Beach

Next door to the Devil's Tears, you'll also find the picturesque Dream Beach. Its powdery white sand, turquoise waters, and dramatic coastal backdrop make it one of the most popular beaches on Lembongan.

You can climb down the small stone staircase to take a stroll or relax on the beach. Just be careful when swimming as the waves can get strong here. Alternatively, head to one of the clifftop restaurants for a coconut or cocktail overlooking the scenic bay.

Once you've finished here, head back to the Yellow Bridge to catch your return boat to Penida. The final boat departs around 4pm, but try to return before this just to be safe.

Evening

Dinner at Holy Penida

For your final evening on Nusa Penida, have dinner at Holy Penida which is within walking distance of Mambo Beach Hotel.

Holy is a casual restaurant with cute, colourful decor and excellent food. They play live music on Saturdays if that happens to work with your itinerary.

Day 12: Hotel Transfer and Spa Afternoon

Morning

Transfer to Uluwatu

Check out of your accommodation on Nusa Penida and make use of the free shuttle to return to the harbour. As with your outbound trip, book your ferry in advance on 12go.asia and aim to arrive around 30 minutes early.

Once back in Sanur, you won't be able to take a Grab or Gojek from the harbour as it's a no-gojek zone (no online taxis allowed). Instead of negotiating with local taxis and overpaying, it's best to ask your hotel in Uluwatu to organise this leg of the transfer.

The drive from Sanur Harbour to Uluwatu will take around 1hr30, depending on traffic.

Afternoon

Uluwatu/Suluban Beach

After checking into your hotel, head back out and spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the best of Uluwatu.

Uluwatu Beach is a small sandy beach sheltered by tall limestone rocks in the heart of Uluwatu. You’ll need to climb down a short but steep staircase into the small bay to reach the beach.

At low tide, another secret beach can be accessed by wading through a sea cave, also known as Suluban Beach. You'll need to duck through caves to reach the secret beach which is all part of the fun.

While certainly picturesque, the tiny beach has become increasingly popular in recent years so it's no longer the hidden gem it once was, but it's still worth a visit.

The Istana

Spend the rest of your afternoon relaxing at one of Bali’s top day spas. The Istana was designed as a place to detox with mobile phones banned and no alcoholic drinks allowed.

They have all the typical spa facilities such as pools, saunas, and ice baths, but they also have more unusual additions including hyperbaric chambers, sound domes, and sensory deprivation tanks.

The Istana have morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. The afternoon session is 3–5:30pm so time your visit accordingly. You’ll need to book this ahead of time.

Evening

Dinner at Mana

Right next door to The Istana is Mana, a large restaurant perched on the clifftop with panoramic ocean views that’s perfect at sunset.

The restaurant serves a broad menu of Western and Indonesian dishes, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Day 13: Go Beach-Hopping

Morning/Afternoon

Balangan Beach

On the penultimate day of your two weeks in Bali, enjoy some of the island's best beaches with a day of beach-hopping around the Bukit Peninsula.

Start with the picturesque and underrated Balangan Beach. This soft white-sand beach is yet to see the same rise in development as much of the Uluwatu region, with only a few small rustic cafes and surf schools lining the back of the beach.

Balangan is easy to access, with two parking areas just a short distance from the sand. At the far end is a large cliff that offers a perfect vantage point for photos.

Dreamland Beach

Dreamland is one of the beaches in Bali we visit most often. It’s easily accessible, with scooter parking just a few metres from the sand and car parking a short walk away.

The sandy beach is well-equipped for tourists, with toilets, showers, shops, sunbeds, and a large local eatery with beach seating. We recommend grabbing some lunch here if you're feeling hungry.

Much busier than Balangan, Dreamland has a lively atmosphere throughout the day. Most visitors tend to congregate near the entrance where the beach is wider and most facilities are. But if you walk further along the beach, there's space for a more peaceful experience.

Bingin Beach

For your third and final beach of the day, head to Bingin, a laid-back sandy beach sitting below a towering cliff, just a short drive from Dreamland. To access the beach, you’ll need to walk down almost 200 steep and uneven concrete steps, meaning it’s unsuitable for those with mobility issues.

At low tide, there’s a lovely stretch of soft white sand to enjoy. There are no sun loungers on the beach, so most people just lay down a towel on the sand. A few local women rent out parasols for protection from the intense midday sun.

Evening

Kecak Show at Uluwatu Temple

While staying down in Uluwatu, you can't miss the famous Kecak and Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple.

Kecak is a traditional Balinese dance known for its dramatic choreography and use of fire. It's performed by a huge chorus of 50-60 men who chant “cak-cak-cak” throughout. Starting at dusk, the performance tells stories from the Hindu epic, Ramayana, focusing on Prince Rama’s quest to rescue Sita.

Once the sun sets, the dance culminates in a fiery climax where bamboo torches are lit, illuminating the temple in an enchanting orange glow.

The show lasts for one hour, but arrive a little early so you can enjoy Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), one of Bali’s nine directional temples. It’s not huge so 30 minutes is plenty to explore.

Dinner at Ours Home

Most people know Ours Home as a brunch or lunch spot, but we went for dinner after the kecak show and it didn’t disappoint. In the evenings, there’s an intimate vibe with softly lit tables and excellent service.

The menu takes inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine but has a wide selection of pastas, burgers, salads, and seafood. The creamy truffle risotto was our favourite dish (pictured above), but the butter chicken curry was also good with great spices and a lovely flatbread.

Day 14: Day at a Beach Club

As you wrap up your 14 day adventure, enjoy some final relaxation at one of Uluwatu’s top beach clubs. Here are a few options to choose from depending on the vibe you prefer:

Sundays

Sundays is one of our favourite beach clubs in Bali. This chilled beachfront venue sits on its very own stretch of white sand and is lined with plenty of bean bags and sunbeds. You can easily spend a full day here relaxing, eating, swimming, and sunbathing.

Their famous cable car will take you most of the way down the steep cliff to the beachfront, with amazing views over the coastline along the way.

The sea next to Sundays is surprisingly calm and great for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, with free watersports equipment free for guests to use. Stay until after sunset when a DJ hits the decks and you can roast marshmallows on a beach bonfire.

Savaya

Savaya scoops the prize when it comes to the most impressive venue on the peninsula. Located on a 100m high clifftop in Uluwatu, the upscale beach club has two large infinity pools with swim-up bars, overlooked by its iconic cube bar which is seemingly suspended over the cliff edge.

Savaya is a popular hangout spot among Bali’s chic and affluent crowd, so make sure you dress to impress and be prepared to splash out. We'd recommend getting a day bed if you're planning to spend the whole day here.

If you like to party, stay until after dark when things really get lively. Occasionally, the club hosts big international DJs (you'll need a ticket for these events). On other days, local DJs hit the decks for a more chilled party.

OneEighty

OneEighty is a clifftop day club that’s part of The Edge, a 5-star resort in Uluwatu with luxury villas that overlook the ocean. The day club is open to everyone, not just resort guests. They have four different pools including a natural pool known as the lagoon.

The club's most iconic feature is an infinity pool which extends 6m over the edge of the cliff. It has a glass bottom so you can see the waves crashing against the cliff below as you swim. Keep in mind that this is a popular spot so you certainly won’t have the pool to yourself as it looks in the photos.

If you spend the day at OneEighty, consider dinner at The Cave, a unique restaurant near the beach club where you quite literally dine in a cave. The food here is fine dining level, and so are the prices.