15-Day Bali Itinerary: The Perfect Journey Through the Island of the Gods

Did you know that Indonesia has over 17,000 islands? And Bali is one of them! This magical island is famous for its sacred temples, rice terraces, waterfalls, and paradise beaches.

We visited Bali in August 2023 and loved it so much that we decided to return in November of the same year. Since then, this island has become a true refuge for us – a place where we feel at home. After exploring most of the wonders Bali has to offer, we’ve gathered all the tips to help you plan your trip.

Today, we bring you a complete 15-day itinerary to discover the best of Bali. At the end, we’ve also included shorter itineraries in case you don’t have as much time available!

Note: In this article, you will find some links to different travel partners. All of them are trustworthy, and if you use any of them to book an experience or accommodation, for example, you are helping us make this project more sustainable.

15-Day Bali Itinerary

Canggu: 1-2 Days

Our trip in Bali started in Canggu, and honestly, we didn’t like it much! This village is known for its beaches, trendy cafes, and beach clubs, but to be honest, we were on a backpacking trip across Southeast Asia for several months, so this wasn’t exactly the kind of experience we were looking for.

However, besides the trendy cafes, there are other things to do here. One of them is visiting the Tanah Lot Temple, enjoying the beaches, and even trying some surf lessons.

We also recommend that if you want to enjoy the sunset in a bar, you check out Finns Beach Club or La Brisa.

There is a market with a lot of jewelry, don't forget to negotiate the prices!

Ubud: 3-4 days

We continued our journey to Ubud and quickly fell in love with the place. Finally, we felt like we were surrounded by those incredible landscapes we see online, surrounded by rice fields and temples. There’s so much to do in the Ubud area, so we recommend spending a good part of your days here.

We started by visiting the Tegallalang rice terraces and exploring the Sacred Monkey Forest. We also visited the Ubud Palace and participated in the water ritual at Tirta Empul. We hiked the famous Campuhan Ridge Walk and discovered several waterfalls in the area, such as Kanto Lampo, Tukad Cepung, and Tibumana. In the center of the village, you can visit the Ubud Art Market and buy some souvenirs.

While in Ubud, we also did a day trip to hike Mount Batur and watch the sunrise.

Munduk: 2-3 days

Our initial plan was to go from Ubud to Munduk, but since it was high season, accommodations in that area quickly sold out. So, we changed our plans and stayed in the Sekumpul region.

This area has several waterfalls to explore, the most famous ones are:

Sekumpul Waterfall
Munduk Waterfall
Banyumala Twin Waterfall
Banyu Amertha Waterfall

The advantage of staying in the Sekumpul area was that we got a discount for access to the Sekumpul Waterfall. However, the downside was that we were quite far from the other waterfalls and had to travel long distances by motorbike to reach them.

In the Munduk area, you can also visit the Ulun Danu Bratan Temple and explore the Tamblingan and Buyan Lakes region.

Sekumpul is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Bali.

Amed: 2-3 days

We headed to Amed, in the north of Bali, a very peaceful coastal village known for its marine life and black sand beaches. In this area, we took the opportunity to go snorkeling, and it was here that we saw a blacktip reef shark! We also visited the Lahangan Sweet viewpoint, which offers incredible views of Mount Agung, and the Tirta Gangga Palace.

The view from the terrace of our homestay in Amed.

Nusa Penida: 1-2 Days

From Amed, we headed to Nusa Penida, which is about a 30-minute boat ride from Bali. This island is known for its stunning beaches and dramatic rock formations, with Kelingking Beach standing out due to its famous T-Rex-shaped cliff.

We spent two full days on the island and can confirm that traffic is chaotic, and the roads are in poor condition, making driving quite challenging. Despite this, we managed to visit some of the most iconic spots:

Diamond Beach
Angel’s Billabong & Broken Beach
Crystal Bay
Manta Point – a viewpoint where we spotted manta rays. There's also an option to join a snorkeling tour to see them up close.

If you prefer not to stay overnight, you can also take a day tour to Nusa Penida from Bali.

Gili Islands: 3-4 Days

We took a ferry to the Gili Islands, which are part of Lombok and are known for their white sandy beaches and incredible marine life. There are three main Gili Islands:

Gili Trawangan – The most developed, with the best tourist infrastructure.
Gili Air – A balance between lively atmosphere and tranquility.
Gili Meno – The quietest and least explored.

We chose to visit Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno. The atmosphere on these islands is incredibly peaceful—there are no cars, so the only ways to get around are on foot or by bicycle.

The Gili Islands are an amazing destination for snorkeling—we saw sea turtles every time we went into the water! Plus, the sunsets here are absolutely breathtaking.

Uluwatu: 2-3 Days

We returned to Bali and ended our trip exploring Uluwatu, a region famous for its beaches, cliffs, and surf.

Besides trying out surfing on the local beaches, you can also watch the Kecak dance performance at Uluwatu Temple and relax on some of the most beautiful beaches, such as Padang Padang, Bingin, and Suluban.

Don’t Have 15 Days to Visit Bali?

We know not everyone has 15 days available, so here are some alternative itineraries:

7 Days: Ubud – Munduk/Amed – Nusa Penida
10 Days: Ubud – Munduk/Amed – Nusa Penida – Gili Islands
12 Days: Ubud – Munduk/Amed – Canggu/Seminyak – Nusa Penida – Gili Islands

This way, you can still experience the best of Bali, even with less time.

Final Tips:

Rent a scooter to get around more easily.
Carry cash, as not all places accept cards.
Use a local SIM card to stay connected.
Respect the local culture and dress appropriately when visiting temples.

We weren’t too excited about visiting Bali due to the large number of tourists, but we completely fell in love with it. If you avoid beach clubs and visit the popular spots outside peak hours, you’ll get to see the true side of Bali—one of the best places we’ve ever visited!

We hope this guide is helpful—have an amazing trip!

Stay Connected

If you’re planning to visit Southeast Asia, keep in mind that mobile data from the EU won’t work outside of Europe!

The best way to stay connected to the internet is by purchasing a local SIM or an eSIM. We bought an eSIM from Holafly, and it worked perfectly. You just need a phone compatible with eSIM and can purchase it directly through the Holafly app—it’s super easy!

Get Travel Insurance

For any trip you take, especially outside Europe, being prepared is essential. Unexpected situations can happen, and no one wants to return from vacation with a huge hospital bill.

This is where travel insurance becomes your best ally, ensuring peace of mind and security for your trip.

IATI offers various travel insurance plans tailored to different types of trips, with extensive coverage. Plus, by purchasing your insurance through our link, you’ll get an exclusive 5% discount.

Don't let unexpected events ruin your adventure!