Bali is a destination that has absolutely exploded in popularity in recent years, and that’s not without good reason. The island is sprinkled with incredible beaches, forests, rice terraces, and local towns that charm visitors from around the world. With so much natural beauty and countless things to do, it’s no wonder that Bali has become one of the modern world’s top tourist destinations.
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If it’s your first time on the island and you’re looking for the perfect 14-day Bali itinerary, look no further. This 14-day route will take you around some of Bali’s most popular and also most unique and uncovered destinations.
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Badung – 4 Days
Canggu
Arguably the most trendy area in all of Badung, Canggu is a haven for backpackers, digital nomads, free spirits, and serial tourists alike. This is a great place to start off when visiting Bali. You’ll never get bored with endless markets, beaches, and healthy, colourful cafes to eat at, many of which are sustainable and vegan. At least a 2-day stay in Canggu should be included in the perfect Bali itinerary.
A little further south, on Seminyak Beach, Potato Head Beach Club has been recognized by Conde Nast as the centre of the island’s creative scene. Film screenings, cultural conventions, and other events are regularly hosted at this beach club. Potato Head is also home to Ijen, Indonesia’s first zero-waste restaurant.
Pandawa Beach
Pandawa Beach is one of the best unspoiled beaches on the south tip of Bali. Tucked behind some secluded hills, this beach is perfect for all kinds of water sports as well as simply relaxing in the sun.
Uluwatu
Uluwatu is one of the most well-known tourist areas, but still one of the best places to visit during your Bali vacation. On the island’s southernmost point, you’ll find massive cliff lookout points and popular, idyllic surfer beaches on the Indian Ocean. This is one of the best places to enjoy a drink at a cliff-side bar and catch the sunset in Bali.
While you’re there, make sure you visit Uluwatu Temple. Perched on a dramatic seaside cliff over Uluwatu Beach, this ancient temple is a great spot for photos, especially during sunset. Just watch out for the Uluwatu monkeys – they’ve been known to snatch hats and cell phones from tourists! You’ll also have a chance to watch a Uluwatu Kecak Dance Performance, a traditional Balinese dance that enacts the story of Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic. The Kacak Dance is performed every evening at 6pm, and tickets can be purchased at the temple.
Because Uluwatu is so popular, there are plenty of beach clubs in the area that offer lovely amenities and opportunities for water sports.
Day Trip To Nusa Penida
The most popular of the Nusa Islands, Nusa Penida is located just a short, 25-kilometre trip from Bali’s east coast and is full of natural gems to explore. Nusa Penida is home to Kelingking Beach, Crystal Bay, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong. The coastal landscape of this island is stunning, with sheer limestone cliffs towering over beautiful beaches, awesome sea caves, and sheltered coves.
The easiest way to see Nusa Penida is to join a guided tour. This small group tour will pick you up, and take you across the narrow strip of sea and to several popular sites around the island. You’ll be free to grab lunch at a local spot on the island; then the tour operator will bring you back to the mainland.
You can easily make Nusa Penida a 2 or 3-day stop on your itinerary if you want to, but this full-day guided tour will hit the most scenic areas on the island. If you do decide to stay in Nusa Penida, there are plenty of sustainable accommodations to choose from. Bakung Cozy Cottage is a locally owned boutique resort that’s right on the beach and offers bungalow-style accommodations.
Ubud – 3 Days
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Once heading inland to Ubud on your Bali itinerary, the first thing you must do is visit the magical Rice Terraces of Tegalalang. This lush green wonderland is a popular tourist attraction but is well worth the visit during your trip to Bali. Make sure you’re a responsible visitor and stay on the paths so as not to trample the plants. To avoid crowds, visit at sunrise.
Ride Bikes In Ubud
Ubud is a wide and beautiful area, and one of the best ways to get to know it is by riding bikes. Either rent one and go on your own or consider a guided bike tour. If you have time, consider hiking the Campuhan Ridge Walk, a scenic trail that traces a ridge running alongside rice terraces, palm trees, and lush forests. You can make the hike as long or as short as you like, choosing from a 2 km route or the full 10 km circular path.
Visit The Green School
The Green School is one of the most unique attractions not only in Ubud but in all of Bali. This wallless and nearly waste-free school educates young students about sustainability, environmentalism, and creativity. They are supported by well-known altruists such as Ban Ki-moon and Jane Goodall and offer guided tours to visitors who want to learn all about how the facility operates.
Avoid The Ubud Monkey Forest
The Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is considered one of the best places to visit in Bali by many. However, because the forest allows human interaction with animals, we consider it to be quite unethical. If you want to be an eco-friendly and responsible traveler, definitely avoid the Monkey Forest when you visit Bali.
READ NEXT: 17 Best Things To Do In Ubud, Bali
Buleleng – 4 Days
West Bali National Park
As the only national park on the island, West Bali National Park is the stop for nature lovers. Located in the northwest corner of the island, you’ll find the park teeming with weird and wonderful wildlife that seeks refuge in the mangrove forests and open grasslands.
Lovina Beach
Lovina Beach is one of Bali’s most beautiful. Best known for its black sands and frequent dolphin sightings, this beach is an excellent place to take a breather from an action-packed Bali itinerary.
Lake Tamblingan And The Nearby Temples
Lake Tamblingan is one of the most well-known tourist spots on the island and deserves a place on every Bali itinerary. This glass-like lake is surrounded by mountain forests and encircled by tall-stacked temples. The entire temple complex called the Temple Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, deserves a full visit as well.
Waterfalls
Another great thing to do in Buleleng is to visit the many beautiful waterfalls that north Bali is so famous for. The Munduk, Git Git, and Banyumala Twin waterfalls are a few of the best places to visit in Bali.
Bangli – 1 Day
Sunrise Trek To Mt. Batur
Mt. Batur is one of Indonesia’s most prominent and majestic volcanoes. One very popular activity on many Bali itineraries is to climb the mountain for sunrise. Although a relatively short hike requiring only about two hours on the way up, the climb is fairly strenuous and can be especially dicey in the dark. Make sure to come prepared with a headlamp, sweatshirt, and hiking boots. Your efforts will be rewarded with mind-blowing views of the sun coming up over eastern Bali.
Karangasem – 2 Days
Dive Or Snorkel The Liberty Shipwreck Near Tulamben
Diving or snorkelling the Liberty Shipwreck is a very unique thing to add to your Bali 2-week itinerary. Although this US ship was hit by a torpedo and ran ashore during the war, it was actually sunk by the eruption of Mt. Agung. Exploring the underwater world here, you’ll have the chance to swim with lots of fish and marine critters that now call this sunken vessel home.
READ NEXT: Best Scuba Diving Spots in Indonesia
Temple Of Lempuyang Luhur
On your second day in the area, make sure to pay a visit to the famous Temple of Lempuyang Luhur. This photogenic temple is very recognizable and appears in countless photos of Bali in guidebooks and across the internet. This beautiful Hindu temple sits in the shadows of Mt. Agung, Bali’s highest (and very active) volcano.
7 Days In Bali Itinerary
If you don’t have a full Bali 2-week itinerary but still want to experience the best the island has to offer, then give this 7 days in Bali itinerary which is an abridged version of the 2-week option.
Days 1 & 2 – Explore Canggu and Uluwatu. Shop, swim, surf, and enjoy beach life.
Days 3 & 4 – Tour Ubud, visiting the rice terraces and Green School.
Day 5 – Visit Lake Tamblingan and the surrounding temples.
Day 6 – Hike Mt. Batur at sunrise.
Day 7 – Visit the Temple Of Lempuyang Luhur in the morning and dive the Liberty Shipwreck in the afternoon.
Where To Stay In Bali
Badung
One of the best places to stay in Bali is right on Canggu beach at the Ecosfera Hotel, Yoga & Spa. This beautifully outfitted hotel features a private pool, a restaurant that specializes in plant-based dishes, and yoga lessons.
If you’re spending more time in Uluwatu, try the Green Escape Eco Resort or Suarga Padang Padang. Both of these resorts are focused on sustainability, and have employed eco-friendly practices that include the use of renewable energy and mindful construction that poses minimal damage to the surrounding ecosystem.
Ubud
If you don’t know where to stay in Bali in Ubud, rest assured that almost anywhere you choose will be wonderful. In particular, we recommend Swasti Eco Cottages, Bambu Indah, and Blue Karma Ubud. These boutique hotels feature gorgeous accommodations built with sustainably sourced materials like bamboo and repurposed wood. Standout amenities and services include sustainable pools that don’t require concrete or chemicals, access to yoga or traditional Balinese dance classes, and onsite gardens that provide fresh produce for the hotel restaurants.
Buleleng
For a really special stay, book a couple of nights at the Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa. Their infinity pool with towering mountain views makes this hotel one of the best places to stay in Bali. For something a bit more affordable and eco-friendly, stay at the Gunung Paradis Retreat. If you want to stay near West Bali National Park, the Menjangan Ecolodge is an excellent choice.
Bangli
If you’re looking to stay close to Mt. Batur in Bali, consider staying at the Batur Green Hill or the Desa Saya Eco Luxury Resort & Spa. Desa Saya is just steps from the beach, and features beautiful wooden villa-style accommodations set in a tropical garden. All villas open out to the onsite pool and garden.
Karangasem
Two great places to stay in Bali in the Tulamben area are Matahari Tulamben Resort and Toyabali Resort, both right on the beach. Located just a 5-minute walk from the Liberty Shipwreck, Matahari Tulamben Resort has its own dive centre for visitors interested in scuba diving, and an excellent spa offering massage and beauty treatments.
No matter how much time you have on Bali, there’s a good chance it will never feel like enough. Even after exploring every attraction on the island, you could easily spend days, weeks, and months just enjoying the laid-back local lifestyle and stunning natural beauty that the island has to offer.
Bali is one of our favourite destinations in Indonesia, and although it has been thoroughly discovered by tourists, it is still well worth exploring time and time again.
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