7 Days in Bali: Temples, Rice Terraces & Beaches Itinerary

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7 Days in Bali: Temples, Rice Terraces & Beaches Itinerary

7 Days in Bali: Temples, Rice Terraces & Beaches

Bali in a week — it sounds ambitious, but this carefully paced itinerary gives you the island’s very best without feeling like a whirlwind. From the surf-friendly beaches of Canggu to the spiritual heart of Ubud, the dramatic cliff temples of Uluwatu, and the quiet snorkelling coves of East Bali, this route covers the full spectrum of Balinese beauty. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve experienced the real Bali — not just the Instagram version.

Itinerary Overview

Route: Seminyak/Canggu (2 nights) → Ubud (2 nights) → Uluwatu (1 night) → East Bali/Amed (1 night) → Departure

Best for: First-time visitors, solo travellers, couples, culture + beach balance

Budget per person (excluding flights): €550–900

Pace: Moderate — no more than 90 minutes between each location.

Day-by-Day Breakdown

Day 1: Arrival in Bali — Settle into Seminyak or Canggu

Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and take a short taxi ride to your beachside base. Seminyak offers upscale boutiques and sunset bars, while neighbouring Canggu has a more chilled, surf-village vibe. Either way, your first day is about decompressing and easing into island time.

Activities: Airport transfer, check-in, afternoon pool time or beach walk, sunset cocktails at a beach bar (La Plancha in Seminyak or The Lawn in Canggu).

Accommodation: Mid-range hotel or villa in Seminyak/Canggu (€30–60/night). Recommended: The Haven Seminyak or COMO Uma Canggu.

Meals: Welcome dinner at a beachside restaurant (€8–15). Try nasi goreng or mie goreng.

Transport: Taxi from airport (€5–10, 30 minutes).

Estimated cost: €50–85

Pro Tip: Skip the expensive airport taxis — use Gojek or Grab for a fixed price of around €5 to Seminyak.

Day 2: Seminyak/Canggu — Beaches, Surf & Sunset

A full day to soak up Bali’s famous beach culture. Canggu’s Batu Bolong beach is perfect for beginner surfers with consistent breaks and a friendly atmosphere. In Seminyak, the double-six beach stretches for kilometres and is perfect for long walks.

Activities: Morning surf lesson (€15–25 for 2 hours with instructor), afternoon exploring Canggu’s boutiques and cafés, sunset at Tanah Lot temple (just 20 minutes north), dinner in Seminyak.

Transport: Scooter rental (€5/day) or Gojek rides (€2–5 per trip).

Meals: Breakfast at a trendy Canggu café (€5–8), lunch at a beach warung (€4–6), dinner at Bambu or La Luciola (€12–20).

Accommodation: Same hotel in Seminyak/Canggu.

Estimated cost: €45–80

Pro Tip: For the best surf lesson, head to Batu Bolong beach in Canggu before 9 AM — smaller crowds and gentler waves.

Day 3: Canggu → Ubud — Rice Terraces & Sacred Monkeys

Transfer to Ubud (1 hour) after breakfast. Drop your bags and head straight for the Tegallalang Rice Terraces — the iconic emerald-green paddies that have made Ubud famous. The afternoon is for culture and wildlife.

Activities: Transfer to Ubud, Tegallalang Rice Terraces (entry €3), Ubud Monkey Forest (entry €4), evening Ubud Palace traditional dance performance.

Transport: Private driver from Canggu to Ubud (€20–30) or Gojek (€10–15).

Accommodation: Ubud guesthouse with ricefield or garden view (€25–50/night). Recommended: Alam Shanti or Sari Api Villa.

Meals: Lunch at a terrace-side café with views (€5–8), dinner at Melting Wok Warung (€6–9).

Estimated cost: €55–90

Pro Tip: Skip the crowded main viewpoint at Tegallalang — walk down into the terraces for the best photos and a more immersive experience.

Day 4: Ubud — Temples, Art & Sacred Waters

Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, and today is all about diving deep. Visit the Tirta Empul Holy Water Temple for the purification ritual, explore the Campuhan Ridge Walk for spectacular valley views, and browse Ubud Market for artisan crafts.

Activities: Early morning Tirta Empul temple visit (entry €3, sarong included), Campuhan Ridge Walk (free), Ubud Art Market, afternoon Balinese cooking class (€20–30).

Transport: Scooter (€5/day) or private driver half-day (€20–25).

Meals: Breakfast at guesthouse, market street food lunch (€2–4), dinner at the cooking class (included).

Accommodation: Same guesthouse in Ubud.

Estimated cost: €45–75

Pro Tip: Book a morning Balinese cooking class that includes a market tour — you’ll learn about ingredients you’d never find in a supermarket.

Day 5: Ubud → Uluwatu — Cliff Temples & Surf

Today you head south to the Bukit Peninsula. Uluwatu sits on dramatic limestone cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. The iconic Uluwatu Temple perches on the cliff edge and offers the most spectacular sunset in Bali. The area is also famous for some of the world’s best surf breaks.

Activities: Transfer to Uluwatu (1.5 hours), check-in, afternoon at Padang Padang or Thomas Beach, Uluwatu Temple sunset (entry €4), Kecak Fire Dance performance.

Transport: Private driver Ubud → Uluwatu (€25–35).

Accommodation: Cliffside villa or budget guesthouse in Uluwatu (€30–70/night). Recommended: The Ungasan Clifftop Resort or Murni’s Houses.

Meals: Lunch at a Jimbaran Bay seafood warung (€8–12), dinner after the Kecak dance nearby.

Estimated cost: €65–110

Pro Tip: Arrive at Uluwatu Temple by 4 PM to explore the grounds before the sunset crowds pour in for the 6 PM Kecak dance.

Day 6: Uluwatu → East Bali — Amed & Snorkelling

East Bali offers a completely different vibe — sleepy fishing villages, black sand beaches, and some of the best snorkelling in Bali. Amed’s calm waters and rich coral reefs are perfect for a day of underwater exploration. The Japanese shipwreck at Tulamben is a world-class dive site accessible from the shore.

Activities: Transfer to Amed (2 hours), afternoon snorkelling at Jemeluk Bay or Lipah Beach, visit the Tirta Gangga Water Palace on the way (entry €3).

Transport: Private driver Uluwatu → Amed (€30–40).

Accommodation: Beachfront bungalow in Amed (€20–40/night). Recommended: Santai Hotel or The Griya Villas.

Meals: Fresh grilled fish at a beachside warung (€5–8).

Estimated cost: €60–95

Pro Tip: Stop at Tirta Gangga Water Palace on the drive to Amed — it’s a stunning water palace with beautiful gardens and a fraction of the crowds of Ubud’s temples.

Day 7: East Bali → Departure

Your last morning in Bali. Depending on your flight time, take a final dip in the calm waters of Amed or visit a local market for last-minute souvenirs. The drive back to the airport takes about 2.5 hours, so plan accordingly.

Activities: Morning snorkel or beach walk, checkout, transfer to DPS airport.

Transport: Private car Amed → Airport (€25–35, 2.5 hours).

Meals: Breakfast at accommodation, lunch en route or at the airport.

Estimated cost: €30–45

Pro Tip: Traffic in Bali can be unpredictable — allow at least 3 hours for the Amed to airport transfer, especially if your flight is in the afternoon.

Practical Information

Best Time to Visit: April–October (dry season). July–August is peak — book 2 months ahead. November–March is wet season but quieter and greener.

Getting Around: Scooter (€5/day, needs international permit) or private driver (€30–45/day). Gojek/Grab for short trips.

Packing Essentials: Sarong for temples, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, light long-sleeved clothing for temple visits and evenings.

Temple Etiquette: Cover shoulders and knees. Sarongs are usually provided at entrance. Do not point feet at shrines or touch offerings.

Money: IDR 1,000,000 ≈ €60. ATMs widely available in Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud. Carry cash for warungs and markets.

Total estimated budget per person: €350–580 (excluding international flights)

Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and may vary by season. Always confirm opening hours and entry fees at temples. Travel insurance covering motorbike use is strongly recommended.