5 days in Bali
Rice terraces, temple ceremonies and surf at sunset. A 5-day plan; allow 7 days for a slower pace.
Bali is more than beach clubs. Inland, Ubud's jungle valleys and terraced fields hold a living Hindu culture of daily offerings, dance and temple festivals; the coasts offer world-class surf and diving.
Day by day
Day 1: Ubud
Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest, take a Balinese cooking class and watch a legong dance in the evening.
Day 2: Rice terraces and holy springs
See the Tegallalang terraces early, then Tirta Empul temple.
Day 3: Mount Batur
Hike for sunrise on the volcano, then rest or soak in hot springs.
Day 4: Canggu and Tanah Lot
Move to the coast, take a surf lesson in Canggu and watch sunset at Tanah Lot.
Day 5: Uluwatu
Spend the day at the beaches below the cliffs and see the kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple at sunset.
Make it work
- Best months: Apr–Sep. See the season calendar.
- Book ahead: the most popular sights and restaurants, especially in peak season.
- Where to eat along the way: Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka, Mozaic, Merah Putih.
- Getting around: Traffic is heavy and distances take longer than maps suggest.
Short on time, or staying longer?
With less time, keep the first days and skip the day trip. With more, add a slower day for a neighbourhood from our best areas to stay, or choose more from the full list of things to do.
Opening days and times change, and some sights close one day a week. Check before you go. Last reviewed October 2026.