This 7-day Bali itinerary balances temples, beaches, rice terraces, and a sunrise trek without frantic hops.
Planning one packed week on the Island of the Gods? This guide lays out a clean route that keeps transfers short, hits the can’t-miss sights, and leaves room for naps and mango juice. You’ll split time between Ubud (nature, temples, waterfalls) and the southwest coast (sunsets, surf, cafés), with a pre-dawn volcano hike in between. Pick travel days carefully, book a driver where it saves time, and you’ll glide through the week.
7-Day Bali Itinerary With Smart Routing
Here’s the bird’s-eye plan. Use it as your base, then tweak stops to taste.
| Day | Where & Why | Top Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival & Settle In (Ubud) | Campuhan Ridge, Ubud Palace, artisanal streets |
| Day 2 | Ubud Temples & Rice Terraces | Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, coffee farm stop |
| Day 3 | Waterfalls Day | Tibumana, Tukad Cepung, Goa Rang Reng |
| Day 4 | Sunrise Volcano Trek & Soak | Mount Batur hike, hot springs, lake views |
| Day 5 | Transfer To The Coast | Canggu or Seminyak check-in, beach time |
| Day 6 | Coast Icons & Sunset | Tanah Lot, beach clubs, seafood dinner |
| Day 7 | Free Morning & Fly Out | Massage, quick shop, airport transfer |
Before You Fly: Entry, Levy, And Logistics
Most visitors use an e-Visa on Arrival or pay VOA at the airport. You can apply online through the official Indonesian portal and skip lines. Bali also runs a small levy that you can pay ahead of time via the provincial website; keep the QR code ready on your phone. At I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, metered taxis and ride-hail lounges sit just outside arrivals, so getting to Ubud or the southwest coast is simple.
Helpful official links: Apply through the Indonesian e-Visa site and prepay the levy at the Love Bali portal. The airport lists pickup points for taxis and ride-hail on its public transport page.
Where To Stay For A Smooth Week
Ubud (3–4 Nights)
Base here first. You’ll be near rice terraces, waterfalls, and temples, which trims road time. Pick a spot inside the center if you like cafés and evening walks; choose a valley-edge retreat if you want jungle views and quiet mornings.
Southwest Coast (2–3 Nights)
Canggu brings surf breaks and brunch. Seminyak leans stylish with sunset bars and boutiques. Jimbaran suits seafood lovers and an easy airport ride. All three work; pick one and stay put to avoid needless packing.
Day-By-Day Playbook
Day 1: Touchdown And Ubud Ease-In
Land, clear formalities, and head straight to your hotel. Grab a light lunch, then loosen up on Campuhan Ridge before the heat dips. In the evening, stroll past the palace and market, and keep dinner simple. Sleep early to bank energy.
Day 2: Terraces And Holy Springs
Start at Tegallalang before tour buses arrive. Walk the paths, sip a coconut, and shoot those lush curves. Late morning, make for Tirta Empul. A sarong and sash are required; rentals are at the gate. If you plan to join the purification sequence, bring modest swimwear, follow the posted order of fountains, and keep valuables dry in a pouch.
Route Tip
End the loop with a coffee farm stop on the way back to town. Roads are narrow; a private driver keeps the day easy and safe.
Day 3: Chase Waterfalls Without Crowds
Pick two or three falls and keep the pace steady. Tibumana is a gentle walk with a perfect curtain drop. Tukad Cepung sends you through a short cave for sunbeams around mid-morning. Goa Rang Reng spreads across slanted rock slabs—bring grippy sandals. Pack a dry bag, towel, and small bills for parking and locker fees.
Day 4: Mount Batur Sunrise & Hot Springs
Wake around 1:30–2:00 a.m. for a 4-wheel drive pickup to the trailhead. The hike is a steady climb on ash and rock, about two hours up at an easy pace. It’s chilly before dawn but warms fast after the first steps. At the top, steam vents and a glowing horizon deliver the show. After the descent, soak in one of the lakeside hot spring pools and let breakfast taste better than it should.
What To Bring
- Light jacket for the start, breathable tee underneath.
- Trail shoes or sturdy sneakers; no slick soles.
- Headlamp, water, a snack, and small cash for coffee or eggs at the top.
Day 5: Coast Move And Beach Time
Transfer to your coast base in the morning. Check in, grab lunch, and set up on a mellow stretch of sand. Berawa and Batu Bolong offer laid-back surf schools and sunset snacks. Keep the night easy; you’ve got a big golden hour lined up tomorrow.
Day 6: Tanah Lot And A Golden Farewell
Reserve the afternoon for Tanah Lot. Aim to arrive by 4:30 p.m. to wander the complex and watch the sea frame the temple as the sky fades. Back in town, pick a simple warung or a breezy beach club for dinner.
Day 7: Massage, Coffee, And Departure
Book a morning massage, pack slowly, and pad airport travel with traffic time to spare. Keep water handy and shoes easy to slip on for screening lines.
Timing, Transfers, And Traffic Savers
Start Early, Rest Midday
Heat and crowds build late morning. A sunrise start fits terraces, temples, and falls better, then you can break for a long lunch and pool time before a softer sunset swing.
Pick A Driver For Big Days
Waterfall loops and temple days run smoother with a car and driver. Pricing is usually per day with fuel and parking extra. Agree on pick-ups, route, and end time before you hop in.
Ride-Hail For Short Hops
In and around the coast, ride-hail keeps costs down. Some zones prefer designated pickup points; your app will point you to the lounge or curb.
What To Pack For A One-Week Trip
- Breathable tops, light trousers or knee-length shorts, and a long sleeve for evenings.
- Loose pants or a wrap for temple visits; many gates offer sarong rental as well.
- Water shoes or sandals with grip for waterfall rocks.
- Electronics in a small dry bag on adventure days.
- Daypack, sun hat, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, compact umbrella.
Temple Etiquette And Simple Do’s
Sarong and sash are standard at major gates. Shoulders and knees covered inside temple grounds is the norm. Step aside during ceremonies, follow staff guidance, and keep drones packed unless signage says otherwise. For purification pools, keep jewelry in a zipped bag and move through the fountains in order.
Sample Daily Schedules (With Buffers)
Ubud Core Day
- 6:30 a.m. Tegallalang walk and coffee.
- 9:30 a.m. Tirta Empul visit; bring a wrap.
- 12:30 p.m. Long lunch back in town.
- 3:00 p.m. Pool or nap.
- 5:00 p.m. Ridge walk or gallery visit.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner near the palace.
Waterfalls Loop
- 7:00 a.m. Tibumana swim.
- 9:30 a.m. Tukad Cepung light beams.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch stop.
- 2:00 p.m. Goa Rang Reng last splash.
- 5:00 p.m. Back to base to rinse and rest.
Costs, Time, And Distance Cheatsheet
These ballpark ranges help set daily budgets. They skew to mid-range comfort with room for treats.
| Item | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private Driver (10 hrs) | IDR 700k–1.2m | Fuel & parking extra on long loops |
| Ride-Hail Short Hop | IDR 30k–120k | Zone pickup points near beaches |
| Mount Batur Package | IDR 500k–1m+ | Guide, pickup, sometimes breakfast |
| Temple Entry | IDR 30k–100k | Sarong rental at gates if needed |
| Waterfall Entry | IDR 20k–50k | Locker/parking small extra |
| Massage (60–90 min) | IDR 150k–400k | Day-spa rates vary by area |
| Beach Club Daybed | IDR 300k–1m min spend | Reserve sunset slots ahead |
| Simple Warung Meal | IDR 30k–80k | Nasi campur, mie goreng, juices |
| Airport To Ubud | 1–1.5 hrs | Timing swings with traffic |
| Ubud To Canggu | 1–2 hrs | Midday runs are slower |
Safety, Transport, And Common Snags
Road Sense
Two-lane roads and scooters are the norm. If you’re new to riding, stick to cars. If you do rent a scooter, wear a helmet and keep speeds gentle. Night rides in the rain can be tricky.
Cash And Cards
ATMs are widespread near tourist zones. Many cafés take cards, while parking lots and small stalls prefer cash. Keep a stash of small notes for day trips.
Respect At Sights
Drone bans and dress rules are signposted. Follow staff, step aside for ceremonies, and keep voices low around worship areas. Pools and trails get slippery after showers—good soles beat flip-flops here.
Custom Tweaks For Different Travelers
Food-Lovers
In Ubud, book a counter seat at a modern Indonesian spot one night and a countryside warung the next. On the coast, plan one seafood feast on the sand and one sundowner with small plates.
Families
Swap the volcano hike for an early-morning terrace walk. Add a soft-surf class, a calm beach day, and a cooking class with kid-safe knives. Pick a resort with a shallow pool and shady loungers.
Adventurers
Keep the hike, add white-water rafting on the Ayung, and tack on an ATV or canyoning slot. Book consecutive active days only if your legs recover fast.
One-Week Plan Recap You Can Screenshot
Days 1–4: Ubud base with terraces, temples, waterfalls, and the Mount Batur sunrise. Days 5–7: Coast base for surf, cafés, Tanah Lot sunset, massage, and departure. Keep transfers to two moves only, start days early, and add one “do nothing” window per day. That balance turns a packed island hit list into a breezy holiday.