In a nutshell
- Bali is the most popular island in Indonesia — and incredibly beautiful and diverse. Think stunning waterfalls, sandy beaches, volcanoes, ancient temples, and sweeping rice terraces.
- The best way to see it all is a two-week road trip through Bali at your own pace, hitting all the major highlights across the island.
- We’ll walk you through our route on a map, share our hotel recommendations for Bali, and point out the must-sees at each stop — plus a three-week alternative with island hopping.
Our 2-Week Bali Itinerary on a Map
You’ll find the highlights of Bali mainly in the south, the center, the north, and on the neighboring island of Nusa Penida. Our Bali itinerary covers all of these areas. Bali is big, but getting from one spot to another is totally manageable. That’s why our route has just four base locations, from which you’ll explore everything around them.
Bali’s international airport is in the south. So you’ll start in the south, then make a stop on Nusa Penida, and continue north from there.
Our 2-Week Bali Road Trip at a Glance:
Days 0–3: Uluwatu
Days 4–6: Nusa Penida
Days 7–11: Ubud
Days 12–14: Lovina
Getting Around on Your Bali Road Trip
The best way to travel between stops on your Bali travel itinerary is by taxi, booked through Grab or Gojek. These two apps let you book drivers for specific routes — the price is fixed in advance and significantly lower than hailing a cab off the street. No haggling. It’s honestly one of the best travel tips for Bali.
Our tip: Download both apps and compare prices for each route. Depending on the time of day and the route, one app will sometimes be cheaper than the other.
At each of the four stops, renting a scooter is your best bet. It lets you explore the area on your own terms, gives you way more flexibility than a taxi, and gets you to more remote spots. As long as you avoid riding through cities, traffic is pretty relaxed.
Our tip: Rent a scooter from your accommodation. Your hosts want you to be safe on the road, and they’ll usually lend you better scooters than what you’d get from a rental shop. Almost every place to stay in Bali has scooters available.
Note: Bali drives on the left side of the road. You’ll get used to it faster than you’d think.
As an alternative to a scooter, you can also hire taxis or a private driver. With a private driver, you can plan your own custom route for the day.
Book your private driver for Bali
Days 0 to 3: Uluwatu
The first stop on your Bali trip is Uluwatu — THE surfer’s paradise on Bali. The area sits at the very southern tip of the island on a peninsula. From the airport, grab a Grab or Gojek straight there.
The beaches along the west coast are seriously stunning, with soft sandy beaches and towering cliffs behind them. The waves are high enough that you can surf or take a surf lesson.
On the south and east sides of the peninsula, the beaches are also great for swimming — the waves are much gentler over there.
Highlights near Uluwatu
- Uluwatu Beach (only accessible at low tide)
- Balangan Beach
- Thomas Beach
- The Pura Uluwatu temple
- Surfing or taking a surf lesson
Our Hotel Recommendations for Uluwatu
Here you'll find all hotel tips for Uluwatu:
Continuing to Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is an island right next to Bali, so you’ll first need a Grab or Gojek to get you to the ferry port in Sanur.
You can book ferry tickets in advance on 12Go Asia and pick them up on-site — your booking confirmation will show you exactly where. The ferries are always speedboats and reach Nusa Penida in about 30 minutes.
Note: Your luggage usually rides on the roof of the speedboat. If it rains, it can get wet. Pack your belongings securely — especially if you’re traveling with a backpack.
Days 4 to 6: Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a small dream island. It has long, pristine sandy beaches, turquoise water, jungle in the interior, dramatic sea cliffs, and some seriously cool sights.
Unfortunately, the island has become really crowded — especially with day-trippers. We strongly recommend staying overnight on Nusa Penida. That way, you’ll have the island almost to yourself in the morning and evening.
Highlights on Nusa Penida
- Kelingking Beach
- Diamond Beach
- Angel’s Billabong
- Broken Beach
- Teletubbie Hills
- Day trip to the neighboring islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
All the sights of Nusa Penida can be found here:
Our Hotel Recommendation for Nusa Penida
All our hotel tips for Nusa Penida can be found here:
Continuing to Ubud
From Nusa Penida, you’ll take the speedboat back to Bali.
At the ferry port in Sanur, you can’t order Grab or Gojek directly to the terminal for the ride to Ubud. That area is drop-off only, with access limited to regular taxis — which usually cost two or three times the app price.
No big deal though. Just walk five minutes down the road to the intersection. If you see a Dunkin’ Donuts on the right side (Google Maps), you’re in the right spot. Grab and Gojek drivers are allowed to pick you up there.
Days 7 to 11: Ubud
Ubud sits right in the heart of Bali. The town feels noticeably more authentic than the south of the island and has some great highlights of its own.
But the real draw of this stop is definitely the surrounding area. This is where you’ll find many of Bali’s incredible waterfalls, Bali’s rice terraces, and some fantastic hiking.
You absolutely should rent a scooter here. It’s the best way to reach all the spots scattered around Ubud.
Highlights near Ubud
- Monkey Forest
- Sweet Orange Walk Trail
- Goa Rang Reng Waterfall
- Gembleng Waterfall
- Nungnung Waterfall
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
- The Pura Tirta Empul temple
- Hike up Mount Batur
All our tips on attractions in Ubud can be found here:
Our Hotel Recommendation for Ubud
All hotel tips for Ubud can be found here:
Continuing to Lovina
For the next leg up to Lovina, book a Grab or Gojek again — straightforward and affordable.
Days 12 to 14: Lovina
Lovina on the north coast is much less touristy than the other stops on this Bali 2-week itinerary. Far fewer visitors make it up to the north, which is exactly why it’s worth the trip.
There are some really cool things to do in Bali up here too — including the tallest waterfalls on the island and a natural water slide that’s honestly one of our favorite off-the-beaten-path finds in Bali.
Many visitors also come to Lovina to see dolphins. You head out on a boat tour at sunrise — just make sure you choose an operator that doesn’t chase the dolphins. Popeye Lovina Dolphin Tour is a reputable choice.
Swimming on Bali’s north coast is a bit tricky. Lovina has a beach, but it’s not ideal for a swim. There is, however, a nice beach about an hour away by scooter.
Highlights near Lovina
- Dolphins
- Sekumpul Waterfall
- Fiji Waterfalls
- Aling Aling Waterfall
- Water Slide Lemukih
Our Hotel Recommendation for Lovina
Back to the Airport
Your best option is to book a driver through your hotel for the ride back to Denpasar. The Edicha offers an airport shuttle.
Grab and Gojek are available in Lovina, but far fewer drivers operate up here than in the center and south. Going with a hotel-arranged driver is the safer, more reliable bet.
3-Week Bali Road Trip with Island Hopping
If you have three weeks to spend in Bali, you can extend your road trip even further. In that case, we recommend doing a bit of island hopping to the islands nearby.
3-Week Bali Road Trip Route on a Map
On this extended Bali travel itinerary, you’ll start — as before — with Uluwatu and Nusa Penida. But before heading on to Ubud, you’ll visit a few other islands first.
From Nusa Penida, you’ll take a speedboat for just under four hours to the Gili Islands. These are three small islands next to the large island of Lombok. There are no cars or scooters here — just long sandy beaches, snorkeling, and the chance to spot sea turtles.
The three islands each have a different vibe. Gili Trawangan is the party island. Gili Meno is completely laid-back and quiet, and Gili Air is somewhere in between. We especially loved Gili Meno and Gili Air — perfect for relaxing and swimming. Plan for two to three nights.
From the Gili Islands, you’ll head to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan — the two neighboring islands of Nusa Penida. The vibe here is much more relaxed, with fewer crowds. The main draw is the beautiful, uncrowded sandy beaches, though there are a few other worthwhile spots too.
The two islands are connected by a narrow yellow bridge that you can cross on a scooter — and honestly, that crossing is an attraction in itself.
Plan to spend two nights on these two islands as well. After that, it’s on to Ubud and the rest of the route as planned.
3-Week Bali Route at a Glance
- Days 0–3: Uluwatu
- Days 4–6: Nusa Penida
- Days 7–10: Gili Islands
- Days 11–13: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
- Days 14–18: Ubud
- Days 19–21: Lovina
Frequently Asked Questions About a Bali Itinerary
How much does a two-week trip around Bali cost?
Estimating your Bali travel costs in advance is tricky — you can spend very little or quite a lot here.
If you’re happy skipping luxury beachfront hotels and mostly eating at warungs, you can get by on around 30–40 euros per day. That covers accommodation, transportation, food, a visa, and some tours.
Beachfront hotels and guided tours can push costs up quickly, though. If those matter to you, budget 70–90 euros per day — and book beachfront hotels a few months in advance for better rates.
Flights to Bali start at around 800–900 euros.
Which is more expensive: Bali or Thailand?
In most tourist areas, Bali and Thailand are pretty comparable in price.
In the less touristy areas, Bali is still slightly cheaper than Thailand — but the difference really isn’t significant enough to be a deciding factor. In particular, activities in Bali cost about the same as in Thailand.
How much time do you need for Bali?
You need at least two weeks to do Bali justice and see the most beautiful highlights on the island.
Two to three weeks is even better — that gives you time to explore a few of Bali’s neighboring islands as well.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
Bali is warm year-round — expect around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
The main difference is between the rainy season and the dry season. During the dry season (April through October), it’s warm and sunny — but the island also gets very crowded. In our opinion, the best time to visit Bali is April, May, September, and October — just outside of peak season.
If we had to pick one month, we’d go in May.
For even fewer tourists, aim for the transition period leading into the rainy season — March or November. Just expect a few rainy days.
During the rainy season (November through March), it typically rains every few days for one to two hours at a time, with occasional longer storms. Afterward, the beaches can be a bit messy. But honestly, you’ll still get plenty of sunshine, and the rainy season rarely derails a trip.
Can you combine Bali with Singapore?
Absolutely — combining Bali with Singapore is a great idea! Singapore totally won us over too.
If you fly with Singapore Airlines, you’ll have a layover in Singapore anyway. Just extend your stay by a few days and make the most of it.
Is it safe for a woman to travel to Bali alone?
Absolutely.
Bali is a very safe destination and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Solo female travelers consistently feel comfortable exploring the island.
Do you need a visa for Bali?
Yes, a visa is required to enter Bali.
You can apply online in advance or get a visa on arrival directly at the airport.
The visa costs 30 euros and is valid for 30 days — and you can extend it once for another 30 days.
