The Perfect 5 Day Bali Itinerary For First-Timers

Searching for the best 5 day Bali itinerary?

Bali is by far the most famous island in Indonesia and a solid contender to many bucket lists. And there is no surprise here! Bali is a piece of paradise with gorgeous pristine beaches, dramatic clifftops, lush rice paddies and exquisite temples.

We’ve lived in Bali since 2020 and know the island of gods inside and out! We often create mini Bali itineraries for our friends, ensuring they get a taste of the island’s best-kept secrets, from the most scenic spots to the top eateries only locals know about.

Bali can be a perfect beach getaway, cultural exploration or adventure-packed break. There is so much to do and see here that no matter what your travelling style is, you will find Bali appealing. 

Is it worth coming to Bali for only 5 days? Absolutely. Exploring Bali in 5 days is going to be intense, but with our local knowledge, you will have an unforgettable trip. In this post, we will cover everything from things to do in Bali for 5 days to the best places to stay on the island.

Let’s dive in!🌴

5 Day Bali Itinerary: Overview 

So, what to do in Bali for 5 days? Well, in 5 days, you can get the feel of Bali’s best beaches in Uluwatu. You will also visit Bali’s cultural hub – our personal favourite – Ubud, and explore a little bit of the North. Sounds good? Let’s dive in!

Here is an overview of the Bali itinerary 5 days:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5 days in Bali enough?

5 days in Bali is doable, but we think you will want to return one day for more. Focus on Ubud and the South.

Is it worth going to Bali for 5 days?

Absolutely, although we normally recommend at least a week, 5 days is very brief, but you’ll catch the essence.

How much does a 5 day trip to Bali cost?

Is Bali expensive? That really depends on your travel style. For a mid-range experience, expect around $600-$1000, covering decent accommodation, meals, transportation, and some activities. But, equally, you can spend $50 per day by choosing hostels, riding a scooter and eating in local warungs.

Where to stay in Bali for 5 days?

Which places to choose for your 5 day Bali itinerary? We reccommend Ubud and Uluwatu. Ubud, known for its cultural heart and lush landscapes, contrasts beautifully with Uluwatu’s stunning cliffside views and beaches.

DAY 1: UBUD

Ubud is situated in the middle of the island, and it’s a great place to start your Bali 5 days itinerary. Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, and it’s an excellent base for visiting sites further North. Ubud is also famous for yoga studios and the most unique accommodation options in Bali.

Ubud also has some of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Our favourite place to eat in Ubud is the Lazy Cats Cafe. We LOVE its quirky decor and falafel pita for lunch! The fresh food served in Ubud will blow your mind and taste buds away (even if you’re not vegetarian). Start your 1/ 5 days in Bali by having breakfast at Lazy Cats.

📍Campuhan Ridge Walk

Begin your 5 day Bali itinerary, by taking a morning stroll along the Instagram-famous Campuhan Ridge. 

The walk takes you through a ridge between beautiful rice fields and palm trees. You’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and will be able to experience Ubud from a different perspective. 

Why come in the morning? You will avoid the crowds and will manage to have an intimate experience with no other people in those awesome photos you’re going to take. Also, there is not much shade, and during the day, it may just be too hot. 

The path is literally behind the main street, but the vibe is so different from the hustle and bustle of Ubud town. 

You can easily walk here from the centre of Ubud or come on a scooter. Simply find Warwick IBAH Luxury Villas and Spa on Google Maps. When you get to a crossroad, on the right, you will see a sign to IBAH, so take the opposite direction to reach the start of Campuhan Ridge Walk.

If you come on a scooter, there will be a car park before the bridge. There are no entrance fees. After the bridge, there is a pretty little temple that you can check out (don’t forget to bring your sarong), and to continue, walk along its fence to the right.

The walk is short and sweet, but you can continue as long as you want and go back when you’re ready.

📍Tegalalang Rice Terraces

After your morning activity, head to Ubud Rice Fields, which are the most scenic rice terraces in Bali. Not surprisingly, they are a tourist hot spot and one of the most epic Ubud places to visit! 

Tegallalang is located a 20-minute drive from Ubud town. There is a small entrance fee of 25k IDR ($2) payable in a small ticket office. You can enter the rice fields from multiple locations off the busy street that has got some cafes and warungs alongside.

Don’t be surprised if you get asked by a farmer to give a small donation to enter their part of the rice paddies. Another 10-15k IDR should be sufficient.

In the rice fields, you can find the iconic Bali swing, which is one of the top Ubud attractions. It’s enormous, and swinging on it can give you some sweet adrenaline rush, and it’s a pure treat, given the scenery! Not to mention the fantastic shot of you in a flowy dress swinging over lush rice paddies! The price for this pleasure is 300k IDR, which is steep by our standards.

We like stopping at one of the warungs lining the road for a cold drink after exploring the rice fields. There is nothing better than a cold coconut with a view!

📍Pura Tirta Empul Temple & Purification Ceremony

The next stop on your 5 day trip to Bali is Tirta Empul, a Hindu temple complex dating from 960 AD and a national cultural heritage. Tirta Empul means ‘holy water spring’, and it’s a natural water source that feeds the temple pools and ponds and is connected to the Tukad Pakerisan River. 

Tirta Empul temple is located 15 minutes drive from the Tegallalang rice fields and under half an hour from Ubud. 

What to expect?

The temple complex consists of a tropical, lush garden that welcomes you upon your arrival. There are various sculptures and pavilions for prayers, and the central part of the complex is a large bathing pool where the purification ritual takes place. You can either watch other people performing it or join in!

Cleans Ritual at Tirta Empul: Mal’s experience

During my visit, there was a festival in the temple, with many locals attending the purification ritual in the pool. I also decided to take part in the festivities. I rented out a green robe with a belt and was directed to a changing room, where I put on my temple outfit and left my belongings in the locker.

Then, I joined the line of people waiting to do their ritual in refreshing spring water. Families with children, couples and a handful of curious tourists were waiting with me in the queue, exchanging glances and giggles about how cold the water was. Big, colourful fish were swimming amongst us. 

After a while, it was my turn. I submerged my head under the first sculptured sprout, gashing with freezing water. I bowed with my hands crossed and prayed. I repeated the ritual 11 times under each water source, leaving the last two as instructed. The experience was exhilarating. It was great to be able to participate in something that special. 

📍Tukad Cepung Waterfall

Next one up on our 5 day Bali itinerary is Tukad Cepung Waterfall, which is one of our favourite waterfalls. It’s unique because it’s a waterfall in a cave! It’s located just over an hour’s drive from Ubud (20 km from Tirta Empul Temple), and it’s the next stop.

There is a small entrance fee of 20k IDR and a steep path down to the waterfall. I recommend wearing water shoes as you’ll be walking through muddy and rocky water. On the way back up, you’ll go past many little cafes where you can take a break and chill out.

Where To Stay In Ubud

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DAY 2 / 5 DAY BALI ITINERARY: MT BATUR HIKE & UBUD TOWN

📍Mount Batur

The Sunrise hike of Mount Batur is probably the most adventurous thing to do during this 5 days Bali itinerary, and it’s totally optional. But, Ubud is a great base to do the hike because it’s located only about an hour drive from where the hike begins. 

We love experiencing things that involve effort because it gives us a sense of achievement, and this sunrise hike is one of our favourite activities ever!

Mount Batur, also known as Gunung Batur, rises to 1,717 metres. It’s a strenuous hike, but at the end, you get rewarded with an incredible and tear-jerking sunrise view stretching over Mount Agung. On the way back, there is a treat for you – a hot spring stop where you can soak those sore muscles and enjoy the magnificent view of the lake.

We recommend taking the tour below, which will get you back to Ubud late morning, allowing for a lot of time to visit more places in Ubud:

If you don’t fancy a hike, you can swap this activity with morning yoga in Ubud at Yoga Burn.

📍Ubud Royal Palace

After the hike, have a little break and continue sightseeing in Ubud; there is still so much more to experience on your 5 days itinerary Bali.

Ubud Royal Palace, or Puri Saren Agung, is located right in Ubud on Jl. Raya Ubud 8. It is where the royal family of Ubud used to reside. 

There is also a dance performance every evening, which is one of the best things to do in Ubud at night. The entrance fee for the evening show is around $6.

📍Ubud Art Market

A visit to Ubud wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the art market. The market is situated very close to the Royal Palace on Jl. Raya Ubud Street and it’s open for business every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The market is vibrant and full of colours and a variety of products, and it’s the best place to do your Bali shopping. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s an experience on its own.

There is plenty of merchandise from colourful scarfs, hand-made pottery, dream catchers, traditional figurines and some fantastic paintings to Bintang t-shirts and fridge magnets. Mal’s favourite Bali souvenir are gorgeous wicker handbags!

The typical street market rules apply here. The asking price is always a starting price, and you are expected to haggle. Remember to stay polite and respectful and that many of these people are poor, and the additional dollar will make a difference to their income.

Also, if you want to buy silver, gold or batik, the street market is not the best place. Instead, go to a properly certified shop to avoid any possible scams.

📍Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary 

One of the must-visit places to see in Bali in 5 days is the Ubud Monkey Sanctuary. Spend the afternoon exploring the monkey forest. Yes, monkeys in Ubud have their own park where they can rule the world, or at least the park! Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a natural habitat for over a thousand long-tailed monkeys. The park is also an important conservation centre. 

There is a small entrance fee is $6 (100k IDR) for adults and a little less for children. You can also buy some bananas for the monkeys. 

The opening hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

It is essential to follow the rules set by the park because an upset monkey can be really vicious. As a general rule, you shouldn’t be carrying any plastic bags, plastic bottles or any loose objects that monkeys can snatch from you. Leave everything in your hotel, including sunglasses and never look them in the eyes. Lol, we know how it sounds, but it’s official advice.

If you follow the rules, you’ll have an enjoyable visit and will be able to observe a wild monkey’s life. There are many cute monkey babies! But be aware of their protective mothers who can attack you to defend their offspring if they feel threatened by you. So, stay at a distance.

If you dare to get up even closer to the monkeys, a park steward can help you take a selfie with a monkey for a small charge!

📍 Evening At A Spa

A visit to Ubud wouldn’t be complete without a spa experience. Nothing beats a massage or a whole spa package in Ubud. We visited Jaen Spa, which is a little away from Ubud, located in a peaceful village overlooking the rice terraces. They offer a free pick-up and drop-off service, so the location isn’t a problem.

We were welcomed with snacks, a drink and a cold towel. We had a scrub, whole-body massage and a flower bath. It was such a lovely experience, and we felt like a newborn royalty after it! There are so many excellent spas in Ubud, and you pay a fraction of the money you would pay back home for the genuinely royal treatment! 

DAY 3: North of Bali 

As we mentioned previously, Ubud is an excellent base for exploring further North. Today, take a day trip to see highlights of the North. You can either go on an organised tour or hire a motorbike and drive there yourself, whatever you’re comfortable with. Here is the suggested itinerary that worked for us.

📍Ulun Danu Temple 

This northern Bali Hindu temple, also known as Pura Bratan, is located on the shores of Lake Bratan, in the northern part of Bali, 44 km away from Ubud. It is another temple taken straight from a Bali postcard picture. It’s one of the most important temples in Bali, and the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan complex consists of 6 different temples.

There is an entrance fee of 75k IDR. The monument is very busy with local people paying a religious visit and international tourists alike.

We enjoyed a romantic boat ride around the lake, which allowed us to soak in the views from a different angle. The price for a boat for two people was 200k IDR.

📍Handara Gate

Handara Gate is one of the most Instagramable places in Bali. In Balinese culture, gates like this one have an important meaning, signifying coming from the outside world to the holy place, usually a temple. Ironically, this gate is an entrance to a golf resort.

What to expect at Handara Gate

Expect to pay an entrance or, shall we say, a photo fee of 50k IDR and wait between 30 and 60 minutes in the queue to take a picture at the gate! I know, it’s absolutely crazy.

We must admit that we succumbed to this madness and waited our turn in the queue! In our defence, however, the magnificent Handara Gate and the lush mountains in the backdrop create some dramatic scenery for a breathtaking and unique photo! So, no regrets on our part!

The second time we visited Handara (the photo above) was just after sunrise, and there was no queue. 😂 It was also a very cold scooter trip from Ubud!

📍Wanagiri Hidden Hills

Have you seen a photo of a giant swing over a lake on your Instagram feed? Well, you will have the opportunity to take your very own here. The place is not far from the Handara Gate, and it charges a 100k IDR entrance fee. For another 250k IDR, you will have access to a giant swing like the one in the photo.

Be aware that on the same road, other photo stations are imitating the Wanagiri Hidden Hills. They are nowhere near as good as the original, but it’s a way of making extra money for the locals.

📍Banyumala Twin Waterfall 

If you’re not too tired and want to explore more, then we recommend checking out Banyumala Twin Waterfall. It’s about 40 minutes drive from Ulun Danu Temple and a 13-minute drive from the Wanagiri. The entrance costs 50k IDR, and it’s really worth it. 

The hike down to the waterfall is very scenic, with lush greenery, and the waterfall itself looks incredible. Take a refreshing dip in the pool. It’s a fantastic way to reward yourself for a productive day of sightseeing and exploring Bali’s North. 

DAY 4 / 5 DAYS ITINERARY IN BALI: ULUWATU

What to see in Bali in 5 days? Well, we think Uluwatu, which has an entirely different vibe from Ubud. Situated on the Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is home to some of the best Bali beaches, and the choice is ample! Uluwatu is also famous for some of the world-class surfing spots, attracting professional surfers from all over the world and a chilled vibe.

📍Spend the morning lazing on the beach 

On day 4 of 5 day Bali itinerary, we recommend Bingin Beach, where you can watch the surfers from a local warung or take a surfing class yourself. Padang Padang is also a great choice. During the low tide, you can actually walk between those two beaches. On Padang Padang, you can do some stand-up paddleboarding or canoeing. 

📍Uluwatu Temple 

If you love exploring temples like us, don’t miss this one! Uluwatu Temple, also known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu, is located in a dramatic setting – on a steep, narrow clifftop. Don’t forget to cover your knees and shoulders during your visit.

An incredible way to fully appreciate this temple is to watch a traditional Balinese dance called Kecak that is performed within the temple grounds in the evenings.

📍Single Fin Beach Club 

Finish off your day 4 of 5 days itinerary for Bali in the iconic Single Fin, sipping a cold Bintang from an infinity pool. The place has a great vibe despite being touristy. It’s situated on the clifftop, so be prepared to experience a breathtaking sunset while watching the surfers riding the waves.

If you have some spare time, go down to Suluban Beach, where all the surfers hang out, and you can explore some cool caves during the low tide too.

Where To Stay In Uluwatu

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DAY 5/ 5 DAY BALI ITINERARY: NUSA PENIDA

So, a standard Bali itinerary for 5 days would take you to Canggu or Seminyak, which are the most touristy spots in Bali and typical beach resorts where most people stay. However, we want your Itinerary for Bali to be truly epic, and to do that, you can’t leave Bali without seeing Nusa Penida! You’ll thank us later. 

Nusa Penida is a small but mighty island just off the shore of Bali. Penida Island has some of the most incredible scenery we have ever experienced and a lot of adventurous things to do. 

You can get a speed boat from Sanur harbour. The boat journey to Nusa Penida takes only about 30 minutes. 

You can also visit Nusa Penida on a day tour with hotel transfers, snorkelling with mata rays and a guide included: 

📍Kelingking Beach 

Kelingking viewpoint is an absolute top of things to do on Nusa Penida island. If you only could do one thing, then do this! This is the most famous rock formation (which looks like the head of a T-Rex) that makes this ocean view genuinely spectacular. 

There are a few viewpoints here. The first is the most famous. You just sit on a block of concrete with your legs down. To get to the second one, you climb a few steps down. Hold on to the wooden fences and take it slowly.

The last one can be found on the way back. Just keep walking along the cliff edge. After a few minutes, you will see the opening. There is actually a tree where people climb to get a drone-like image.

If you’ve got the time and guts to do it, climb down the perilous staircase down to the beach. 

📍Angel’s Billabong 

Angel’s Billabong is a natural rock lagoon formatted where Nusa Penida River ends in the sea. It is located on the Western side of the island. 

The entrance is free of charge, but a 5k IDR is collected for parking. 

Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to swim in the pool due to safety concerns. But during the high tide, you can watch the massive waves crashing into sharp rocks. 

The place is very popular for photography due to its unique scenery. 

📍Broken Beach 

Just a few minutes walk from Angel’s Billabong, you can find Broken Beach Nusa Penida. 

This is another incredibly unique place to include within your 5 day itinerary in Bali and a perfect spot to take jaw-dropping photos.

Broken Beach was formed by the erosive power of the sea, where part of the shore collapsed, and a natural lagoon was formed. 

Walk the rock archway to the viewpoint where you can see mantas swimming down below in the sea. 

📍Crystal Bay Beach 

Crystal Bay Beach is probably the busiest Nusa Penida beach where all-day trips tend to finish, and visitors get free ‘time to kill’ before their departing boat. It’s also conveniently located a 15-minute drive from the speed boat port where you can go back to Bali mainland. 

There are many warungs on the beach where you can grab something to eat or simply sip your Bintang and chill on a bin bag. 

The sea here is protected within the bay, and it’s actually suitable for swimming once you get past the wave breaking point. 

The place is excellent for snorkelling, and you can hire a mask flippers and even a towel. There are also organised snorkelling boat tours that leave from here. 

Tip: Bring your water shoes as there are lots of sharp rocks and broken coral in the water.

Best Hotels In Nusa Penida

Here are the best places to stay on Nusa Penida:

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Planning A Trip To Bali 

What’s the best time to visit Bali?

Bali has a tropical, warm and humid climate with two main seasons to consider – dry and rainy seasons. The temperature in Bali oscillates around 30 degrees. 

The rainy season starts in November and lasts until March. If you want to make the most of Bali’s beaches, I would avoid this time. But if you’re going to do more sightseeing, then this is still a good time. When it rains in Bali, it pours for a short time, and then the sun comes out again. 

July, August, Easter, and Christmas are considered high seasons. It’s the time when Bali gets the highest number of visitors. Beaches are a little more crowded, traffic gets heavier, and accommodation prices are at their highest. 

Between April and June and September to October, crowds are lighter, and hotel prices are cheaper. Those months are still within the dry season with blue skies and clear water, perfect for scuba diving, snorkelling and other water sports. 

On my last trip to Bali, which was in June, the sky was blue every day, and I witnessed the most stunning sunsets of the year.

Currency and Money

The currency used in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). These are the rough exchange rates (updated for 2024):

We would never carry a lot of cash because ATMs are widely available in Bali. When travelling, we always use a prepaid travel card (in the UK, we have a Monzo card) with free cash withdrawals worldwide, which is really handy! Other cards that we use are Revolut and Wise.

Visa

Most Western countries can get a free 30-day visa on arrival. But double-check the visa exemption policy for your nationality before you book your trip. 

How to get around Bali?

Public transport in Bali is virtually non-existent. The road system is poorly developed, and Bali often suffers from bad traffic. What should be an hour’s drive can easily take double. So please have that in mind while planning your logistics. Don’t be over-ambitious like us, thinking you can do multiple remote areas in one day. 😅

With a private driver

The most convenient way to get from one area to another is hiring a private driver, especially when you want to follow a whole day itinerary. In Bali, everyone is a driver, so it should be fairly easy to get one. You can ask your hotel/hostel or book one online. The going rate for a driver is around 900k IDR for 8 hours, including petrol and small parking fees.

With Go Jek or Grab

Another way to get around Bali is by downloading a Go Jek or Grab travel app. They are the Asian equivalent of UBER. We’ve had a good experience with them being reliable and much cheaper than regular taxis, especially the ones ordered at hotels where a hotel gets a cut of your fare.

You usually need to pay the driver in cash. And they also offer a food delivery service to your hotel room, which can be really handy after a busy day of exploring.

By scooter

For smaller distances, we recommend hiring a scooter. It should cost around 60k IDR for a whole day. It can be a fun way of moving around as long as the traffic is not too bad. We live in Canggu and ride scooters every day.

But please, if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it. Get a Grab ride instead! It costs pennies and can save your butt.

Scooter Safety in Bali

If it’s your first time, make sure you are shown how to operate your motorbike. Check that breaks and lights work correctly. Always wear a helmet! Remember to drive on the left side (same as in the UK).

If you need to top up your fuel, petrol is sold in glass bottles on the side of the road. It’s cheap but doesn’t last very long. Always make sure you’ve got enough petrol to come back to your accommodation.

If you’re planning to watch the sunset, remember that you’ll be coming back in the dark again. Make sure your lights work, and your phone has enough battery to use maps and get safely back to your hotel. Also, after dark, there is way more traffic, so if you’re not so confident, consider another mode of transport.

Most points of interest in Bali can be found on Google Maps and are relatively easy to navigate. When you’re on your motorbike, don’t look at your phone. Instead, put your headphones on and listen to the audio navigation.

Bali SIM

The cheapest way to use the internet on your phone in Bali is to get a local SIM card. You can choose how many GBs you want, and the card costs around $5. The best places to buy your card are specialised SIM shops, where you can buy your internet top-up, and they will set everything up on your phone, so you don’t need to worry.

Be aware! SIM cards sold at the airport are a lot more expensive. Also, when you get a taxi from Denpasar Airport, your driver may stop in a shop for you to buy one. The prices of those SIM cards are at least five times more expensive, and your ‘helpful’ driver gets a cut for bringing you to the store.

Simply politely turn down the offer and ask the driver to take you to your accommodation without any more detours.

Is Bali safe?

Bali is largely safe, but there are a few cautions: scooter driving can be challenging due to traffic and road conditions, strong sea currents require careful swimming, especially at certain beaches, and ‘Bali belly’, a common digestive upset, is something to be mindful of by drinking bottled water and eating at reputable places.

Arriving At Rai International Airport 

Rai International Airport is located in the Denpasar area. 

I know how overwhelming it can be to arrive at the airport in a foreign country that you’re visiting for the first time, especially as a solo female traveller. So here are a few tips to get you through it painlessly:

✅ There are official taxi stands at the airport after customs in the arrival area where you can get a fixed-price taxi depending on the area you want to get to.

✅ If you’re travelling solo and you are worried, talk to the taxi counter and get a fixed fare or pre-arrange the pickup with your hotel. This option will be more expensive, but it will give you peace of mind after a long flight.

✅ Alternatively, you can talk to a driver outside but agree on the price before you get into their car.

✅ There is now a Grab lounge just outside of the airport arrival terminal, which we normally use when we come back to Bali.

✅ If you don’t have any Indonesian money, use an ATM at the airport to withdraw enough money to pay for a taxi. The maximum you can withdraw is 3,000k IDR per transaction. While it is essential to have some cash to pay for food at small warungs, drinks, tips and small souvenirs, we would never carry large sums of money with us.

Also, check with all your hotels if they take cards. Some small hotels in Bali will only accept cash payments, so check with them and be prepared.

5 Day Bali Itinerary: Final Word

Bali is such an incredible place to experience. The 5 day Bali itinerary will definitely give you a good amount of flavour of this paradisical island. And who knows, you may fall in love as deeply as we did and will be back to explore more!