How many days in Bali? 6 days split between Ubud and the coast
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Bali is bigger and slower to cross than it looks: traffic turns a 40 km drive into 2 hours. So give it six days and two bases: three nights in Ubud, in the green centre, for rice terraces, temples and the Mount Batur sunrise; and three nights on the south coast (Uluwatu, Canggu or Seminyak) for beaches, cliff temples, surf and a day trip to Nusa Penida. The easiest way around is a private driver for the day, which costs about the same as a taxi for a few rides.
Short answer
Four days is the minimum: two in Ubud, two on the coast, with no Nusa Penida. Six days lets you see both sides of Bali without spending each day in a car.
The 6-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Ubud: monkeys, market and palace
Morning. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (about IDR 80,000-100,000) early, with three temples among the banyan trees and about 1,200 long-tailed macaques. Keep sunglasses and phones in a zipped bag.
Afternoon. Walk to the Ubud Palace and the Ubud Art Market, then the Campuhan Ridge Walk, a 2 km path along a grassy ridge between two river valleys (free; best before 9:00 or after 16:00).
Evening. Watch a Legong or Kecak dance performance at the Ubud Palace or a temple in town (about IDR 100,000-150,000), then dinner in one of Ubud's warungs.
Bali charges every foreign visitor a one-off tourist levy of IDR 150,000, paid online before arrival or at the airport. Keep the receipt.
Day 2: Rice terraces and water temples
Morning. Go to the Tegallalang rice terraces at 7:00, before the crowds and heat (small entry and donation fees for each path), or the larger UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih terraces further west, quieter but 1.5 hours away.
Afternoon. Visit Tirta Empul (about IDR 75,000), the 10th-century water temple where Balinese purify themselves under 30 spouts. You can join with a sarong; follow the order of the spouts and the guidance of the temple staff. Then Gunung Kawi, rock-cut shrines in a valley reached by about 300 steps.
Evening. Have dinner at a babi guling (suckling pig) warung or an organic restaurant in Ubud; Ubud is also the place for yoga and spa (a Balinese massage costs about IDR 150,000-300,000).
Temples require a sarong and sash, usually lent at the entrance. Women who are menstruating are asked by temple custom not to enter.
Day 3: Mount Batur sunrise
Morning. A Mount Batur sunrise trek starts with a pick-up around 2:00 from Ubud. The climb to the 1,717-metre summit takes about 2 hours in the dark, for sunrise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. Tours with a guide, breakfast and transfers cost about IDR 600,000-900,000.
Afternoon. Soak in the natural hot springs at Toya Bungkah by the lake, then visit a coffee plantation on the way back, and rest.
Evening. Early night in Ubud. Tomorrow you move to the coast: by car, Ubud to Uluwatu takes about 1.5-2 hours.
It is cold at the summit, around 10-15°C before dawn. Bring a warm layer and a torch.
Day 4: Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula
Morning. Move to the south. Swim at Padang Padang or Bingin, beaches reached by steps down the cliffs, or at Melasti, with white cliffs and calm water.
Afternoon. Watch surfers at Suluban, the cave beach below Uluwatu's famous break, then rest through the heat.
Evening. Visit Uluwatu Temple on its 70-metre cliff (about IDR 50,000) and stay for the Kecak fire dance at sunset (about IDR 150,000), performed by a choir of men chanting 'cak'. Dinner at Jimbaran beach, with grilled seafood on tables in the sand.
The monkeys at Uluwatu are notorious for stealing glasses and phones and 'trading' them back for food. Remove your sunglasses before entering.
Day 5: Nusa Penida
Morning. Take a fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida (about 30-45 minutes) at 7:00-8:00. Hire a driver on the island (roads are rough and steep) to see Kelingking Beach, the T-Rex-shaped cliff, and Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong.
Afternoon. Snorkel at Crystal Bay or join a boat trip to see manta rays at Manta Point, where they gather much of the year.
Evening. Return on the afternoon boat to Sanur and dinner by the beach.
The steep path down to Kelingking Beach is dangerous and has caused injuries. The viewpoint at the top is the photo most people come for; going down is not necessary.
Day 6: Canggu, Tanah Lot and Seminyak
Morning. Take a surf lesson at Batu Bolong in Canggu, where the waves are good for beginners (about IDR 300,000-500,000 with board), or just swim.
Afternoon. Go to Tanah Lot, the temple on a rock in the sea, accessible on foot at low tide (about IDR 75,000), best in the late afternoon.
Evening. Sunset at a beach club in Seminyak or Canggu (minimum spends vary widely) or on the sand with a cold Bintang, then dinner in Seminyak.
Tanah Lot gets extremely busy at sunset. Arrive at 16:00, see the temple, then watch the sunset from the quieter cliffs nearby.
Only have 4 days?
With 4 days, spend two in Ubud (Days 1 and 2) and two on the coast (Days 4 and 6). You lose the Batur sunrise and Nusa Penida.
Got extra days?
With more time, visit Sidemen, a quiet valley of rice terraces near Mount Agung, the Gili Islands or Lombok by fast boat, or the north coast's dolphins at Lovina and the lake temple of Ulun Danu Beratan.
Where to stay in Bali
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Ubud centre / Canggu guesthouses | Homestays with breakfast, walkable areas. | IDR 350,000-700,000 |
| Mid-range | Ubud outskirts | Pool villas overlooking rice fields or jungle. | IDR 900,000-1,800,000 |
| Mid-range | Uluwatu / Seminyak | Cliff-top or beach hotels near the sunset spots. | IDR 1,000,000-2,200,000 |
| Comfort | Uluwatu and Ubud luxury resorts | Infinity pools over the ocean or the valley. | IDR 4,000,000-12,000,000 |
Getting around
There are no useful public buses. Use Grab or Gojek for cars and scooter taxis, or hire a private driver for the day (about IDR 600,000-900,000 for 8-10 hours). Only rent a scooter if you are an experienced rider with an international licence: accidents are common and police check licences. From the airport, Ubud is 1.5-2 hours away and Uluwatu about 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
What to eat in Bali
Eat at warungs, small family restaurants, where a meal costs IDR 30,000-70,000: nasi campur (rice with a little of everything), babi guling (spit-roasted suckling pig, a Balinese speciality in a Hindu island), sate lilit (minced fish satay on lemongrass sticks), bebek betutu (duck slow-cooked in banana leaves) and mie goreng. Ubud and Canggu are famous for smoothie bowls and vegan cafés. Drink bottled water, avoid ice in very small places and be careful with fresh salads to avoid 'Bali belly'.
Best time to visit
The dry season, April to October, is best, with highs of 30-31°C and lower humidity; July and August are the busiest. The wet season (November to March) brings short, heavy afternoon storms, green landscapes and lower prices. On Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence (usually in March), the whole island, including the airport, shuts down for 24 hours.
Month-by-month weather for Bali →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | IDR 250,000 | IDR 700,000 | IDR 2,500,000 |
| Food & drink | IDR 150,000 | IDR 350,000 | IDR 900,000 |
| Activities & temples | IDR 100,000 | IDR 400,000 | IDR 1,000,000 |
| Driver / transport (share) | IDR 100,000 | IDR 300,000 | IDR 600,000 |
| Total per person, per day | about IDR 600,000 | about IDR 1,750,000 | about IDR 5,000,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices in Indonesian rupiah (about IDR 17,000-18,000 to €1). Add the one-off IDR 150,000 tourist levy, and a visa on arrival or e-VOA fee for most nationalities.
Before you go
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most visitors need a visa on arrival or e-VOA (about IDR 500,000, valid 30 days), plus the separate IDR 150,000 tourist levy. Check the official immigration site for your nationality.
Ubud or the beach?
Both. Ubud for culture, rice terraces and wellness; the south for beaches, surf and sunsets. Splitting your stay avoids long daily drives.
Is the Mount Batur trek difficult?
Moderate: about 2 hours up on loose volcanic sand, in the dark. Reasonably fit adults and teenagers manage it; take good shoes and a warm layer.
Is Nusa Penida worth a day trip?
Yes for the dramatic cliffs and manta rays, but the island's roads are rough and a day trip is long. Staying one night is more relaxed.
How do I avoid traffic?
Base yourself in two areas, travel early in the morning, and avoid the Kuta-Seminyak-Canggu roads between 16:00 and 19:00.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Indonesia trips. Prices, levy and visa rules are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Love Bali (levy) and Indonesian immigration websites, and with operators, before booking.
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