2 Week Bali Itinerary | 2023 Guide

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.

Bali Itinerary for the Responsible Traveler
Streets of Bali, Indonesia
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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.

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Beach in Canggu Bali

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.

Pandawa Beach
Pandawa Beach, Bali, Indonesia

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.

Add this to your Bali itinerary: Uluwatu bali
Uluwatu cliff views
Uluwatu Temple Entrance
Uluwatu Temple Entrance

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. 

Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach

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.

Bali Itinerary for the Responsible Traveler
Rice paddy fields in Bali, Indonesia

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.

 

Add this to your Bali itinerary: Green School
Photo courtesy of The Green School

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.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, 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.

Sunset in Lovina Beach, Bali
Sunset in Lovina Beach, Bali

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.

Temple Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Temple Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

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.

Add this to your Bali itinerary: Mt Batur
Mt. Batur in 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.

Tulamben Shipwreck
Diving near Liberty Shipwreck

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.

Add this to your Bali itinerary: Lempuyang Luhur temple
Temple of Lempuyang Luhur

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 â€“ Explore Canggu and Uluwatu. Shop, swim, surf, and enjoy beach life.

Days 3 & 4 â€“ Tour Ubud, visiting the rice terraces and Green School.

Day 5 â€“ Visit Lake Tamblingan and the surrounding temples.

Day 6 â€“ Hike Mt. Batur at sunrise.

Day 7 â€“ Visit the Temple Of Lempuyang Luhur in the morning and dive the Liberty Shipwreck in the afternoon.

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Rice terraces in Bali

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.

Canggu Beach from above
Canggu Beach from above

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.

Early morning meditation
Early morning meditation in Ubud

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.

mount batur bali
Mount Batur

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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