The Perfect 10 Days in Bali Itinerary for Your First Visit

If you’ve never been to Bali before, figuring out where to go can feel like you’ve opened 37 tabs and somehow made less progress.

You want beaches, jungle, rice fields, waterfalls… and you don’t want to spend half your trip stuck in traffic or lugging your suitcase to a new place every other night.

This 10 days in Bali itinerary is for first-timers who want to see a bit of everything without turning it into a frantic checklist. You’ll have 3 main bases, minimal travel days, and enough time in each spot to actually settle in, without needing to scooter the whole island to make it work.

I’ll tell you how many nights to spend where, what to do each day (with options, of course), and the easiest ways to get between them.

I’ve spent over 3 months in Bali across multiple trips, stayed all around the island, and drank more Bintangs than I’d probably care to admit… plus I learned a few things the hard way, including one very humbling ferry ticket scam. So this itinerary is based on what actually works, not just what looks good on a map.

If you want a mix of beach, culture, and nature, this is the split I’d genuinely recommend: 3 days in Canggu, 3 days in Ubud, and 4 days on Nusa Lembongan, with an easy day trip to Nusa Penida if you’re feeling adventurous.

Days 1–3: Canggu (Cafes, Surf + Beach Clubs)

Canggu gets a bit of an eye-roll sometimes, but I actually love starting my trips here. It’s a great base for your first few days in Bali.

You’ve got beaches, trendy cafés, and a few rice paddies dotted around, so you get a little taste of everything straight away. It’s also super social, so if you’re travelling solo, it’s one of the easiest places to meet other travellers without having to try too hard.

Day 1: Arrive + Sunset At The Beach

When you first arrive in Bali, the first thing you’ll need to tackle is getting out of the airport without getting rinsed.

There’s no Uber in Bali, and once you walk through arrivals, it can be really overstimulating! Taxi drivers are everywhere, all offering “good price” (spoiler: it’s rarely a good price). And honestly, every time I’ve grabbed a random cab on arrival, I’ve been massively overcharged.

I’d do 1 of these instead:

• Arrange a pickup through your accommodation (easiest + least stress).
• Or head to the Grab lounge (closest thing to Uber). Download the app in advance and use the airport Wi-Fi if you don’t have a SIM yet.

Day 2: Choose Your Day (Beach Club or Cafés + Shopping)

Today’s a good day to go a bit boozy if you fancy it, because you’ve still got tomorrow in Canggu to recover.

If you’re in the mood for a proper beach club day, you’re spoilt for choice around Canggu (and neighbouring Seminyak). Just know they can be a bit spendy, so it’s worth checking minimum spends before you commit. My main picks are:

• Finns – James and I had such a laugh when we went, and we literally spent the whole day there (we were battered by the end of it). There’s a pool overlooking the ocean, good music, and really fun vibes.
• Potato Head (Seminyak) – an OG for a reason, with an infinity pool and more good music.
• La Brisa – beautiful, rustic wooden beach club with a pool and ocean views. I still haven’t made it here yet, but it’s the first one I’m going to next time I’m back.

But if beach clubs aren’t your thing (or you just can’t be bothered with daybeds and minimum spends), do a slow Canggu day instead.

Start with a café, KYND Community is my favourite brekkie/brunch spot, then have a mooch around the boutiques and markets. Love Anchor is a Bazaar Market, and La Brisa Sunday Market is worth it if you’re here on the right day.

You can also wander the Canggu rice paddies (sadly, there aren’t as many as there used to be thanks to development, but they’re still there). A nice, easy spot to find some is around Shady Shack.

Then finish the day with sunset. Head over to Seminyak and grab a bean bag at La Plancha. James and I accidentally stumbled across it a few years back, and we always come back now. 

The colourful umbrellas and bean bags are super cute, and it’s just a really easy place to sit and watch the sun go down.

Day 3: Tanah Lot + Beach Time

If you went a bit hard at a beach club yesterday and you’re feeling it today (most of us have been there), don’t stress, this day is easy to move around, depending on how rough you are.

Tanah Lot is only about 30 mins from Canggu (Bali traffic depending, obviously). It’s open 7am–7pm, and you’ve basically got 2 good options: go earlier in the day for fewer crowds, or go later for sunset.

When I went, we did sunset and dinner after. It was genuinely stunning… but oh my god, the crowds were insane. I know I was part of the crowd too, but I was pretty shocked! So it really comes down to what you care about more: sunset photos or a calmer visit.

Either way, you can’t come to Canggu and not do a proper beach day, so just build that around Tanah Lot. Canggu’s also known for its beginner-friendly waves, so if you’re up for it, book a surf lesson.

If you’re not in the mood for all that, Times Beach Warung has cosy bean bags right on the sand, which are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and generally doing absolutely nothing (in the best way).

Where to Stay in Canggu (By Vibe + Budget)

Canggu is massive, so where you stay matters. I usually stay a little inland because it’s quieter (and cheaper), and I just use Grab/Gojek to get around. It’s easy, and the rides are so reasonable.

• Best Luxury Hotel: Desa Hay Canggu – If you want a boujee, calm stay tucked away in nature (and you’re not listening to someone’s speaker at the pool).
• Beautiful Villa: The Oasis Bali – Great if you want privacy and your own little slice of peace.
• Best Mid-Range: Kalm – Stylish and comfy, and really good value. Not too far from Berawa Beach.
• Rice Paddy Views: Puri Canggu Rooms 2 – If you want a quieter base with that green, Bali backdrop, this is a good shout (and you can Grab/Gojek your way to the beach bits).
• Best Budget-Friendly Option: Kos One Hostel – Clean, social, and actually good value. Perfect if you want to meet people without ending up in a chaotic party dorm.

Days 4–6: Ubud (Rice Terraces, Temples + Waterfalls)

I’ve done the Canggu to Ubud journey more times than I can count, and my biggest bit of advice is: leave early. Maps will swear it’s “about 1 hour,” but Bali traffic loves to humble you, and it can easily turn into double that (trust me, I’ve been there). 

As for how to get there, I’d either arrange a transfer through your accommodation (easy and usually fairly priced), or book a private driver, this is the option I use most of the time.

Ubud is basically the heart of Bali’s wellness scene, but it’s also the cultural hub, with lots of temples and local markets. And the best bit is the area around it: it’s ridiculously lush and green, with jungles, rice paddies, and waterfalls everywhere.

Day 4: Arrive in Ubud + Explore

Like I said earlier, leave Canggu early. Grab brekkie, get on the move, and you should get into Ubud late morning / early afternoon (as long as you’re not stuck at a standstill).

Once you’ve dumped your bags, head straight into the centre and have a wander. Ubud might have this chilled, yogi reputation, but the middle of town is actually a bit hectic, and you’ll be dodging people and scooters left, right and centre.

This is where you’ll find the iconic Ubud Market. I’m not usually a market girl because they can be stuffy and overcrowded, but I’ve actually picked up a few cute bits here. I’m still absolutely obsessed with my little hamsa hand necklace from one of the local stalls.

If the market isn’t your thing, Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati (the water temple) is just up the road, and Ubud Palace is nearby too. They don’t take long to see, but they’re genuinely beautiful and a good way to spend an hour or so.

After that, grab some lunch. Fair Warung Bali isn’t far from the market and they do a great mix of local dishes (with some vegan options too, obvs).

For the afternoon/evening, I really recommend the Campuhan Ridge Walk just outside Ubud. It’s lush, green, and unbelievably pretty (and it’s away from the crowds too). 

Just go later in the day, we did it at around 12pm once and we were melting… and stupidly forgot to bring water. There are a few little shops/cafés at the start though, so you can grab something before you set off.

And you might have the Monkey Forest on your list, loads of people do. I’m just going to be honest: I really don’t feel that it’s very ethical. It’s marketed as a sanctuary, but they sell tickets to get selfies with the monkeys, which doesn’t sit right with me.

I’ve also seen the monkeys nick people’s phones and sunglasses, basically anything they can grab. I did it once, about 8 years ago, and that was enough for me.

Day 5: Waterfalls + Rice Terraces

One of my favourite things about Ubud is how much nature you can see nearby. You don’t have to go far to get waterfalls, jungle, and rice fields in the same day.

Go early if you can. These places get busy fast, so visit the one you care about most first. You’ll also want a driver for today (unless you’re genuinely comfortable on a scooter).

Waterfalls worth considering:

• Tukad Cepung (45 mins from Ubud) — a cave waterfall with dramatic light rays. It’s about a 1 km walk from the car park and you’ll wade through a bit of river, so bring water shoes if you’ve got them (the rocks are sharp). We got there late morning and it was already busy.
• Tibumana (30 mins from Ubud) — my favourite waterfall in the area. We went early and had it to ourselves (a rare Bali victory). By around 9am, people started turning up.
• Tegenungan (20 mins from Ubud) — I still haven’t made it here, but it’s popular and there’s also a day club nearby if you want more of a chill-out afternoon.

Rice terraces:

• Tegalalang — iconic sure, but it’s started feeling like an Instagram obstacle course. No shade if you love that, but it’s lost a lot of charm for me. I’ve also seen recent reviews saying there are caged luwaks now (that wasn’t a thing the last time I went as far as I knew), so it’s not somewhere I’d recommend spending your money.
  If you still want the area without the circus and cruelty, I’ve heard typing “Ricefields Tegalang Real” into Google Maps takes you to a quieter section.
  
• Mupu Rice Terrace — a family-run rice farm with proper rice fields, no big swings and no chaos. It’s free to enter, with a donation box to help maintain the fields, a much better place to support (and honestly, I think you’ll have a better time here anyway). 

Day 6: Choose a Day Trip From Ubud

Ubud’s a great base for day trips because it sits more central, so you can see more of Bali without lugging your bags all over the island.

• North Bali / Munduk — Best for: waterfalls, jungle views, cooler air, and a break from the chaos. Start early because it’s a longer day, but it’s worth it if you want more nature. If you’d rather not organise drivers and stops yourself, this North Bali day tour is a good shout. 
• Coffee plantations (but do it ethically) — Best for: a chilled day, learning something new and decent coffee… just skip anywhere pushing luwak coffee or keeping animals in cages. Eco Bike Coffee near Mount Batur is a solid option and they don’t mention luwak at all.
• East Bali (temples + quieter scenery) — Best for: a calmer day with way less of the shitty tourist traps, especially if you want a slower vibe than the main Ubud loop. I’d hire a driver and explore near Sidemen. Views of Mount Agung, Gembleng Waterfall, and Tirta Gangga Water Palace.

Where to Stay in Ubud (By Vibe + Budget)

Ubud is really spread out, so where you stay depends on how close you want to be to the centre. I always choose somewhere a bit further out because I’d rather wake up to jungle and rice fields than scooters and honking.

• Best Eco-Resort: Fivelements Retreat — This one’s on my Bali bucket list. It’s right by the Ayung River and the whole place looks ridiculously peaceful (they do flower baths too).
• Best Luxury Hotel: Bisma Eight — I stayed here when it first opened and it’s honestly unreal. Infinity pool looking out over the jungle, and the Japanese-style baths are such a vibe.
• Rice Paddy Views: DITUJU Ubud — Private villas surrounded by rice fields, and it’s not far from Tegenungan Waterfall if you’re doing that side of Ubud.
• Best Mid-Range Option: Ayu Duwur Beji — More rice paddy views, lovely staff, and about 15 mins outside Ubud so it feels calmer without being miles away.
• Best Budget-Friendly Option: Joglo Organik Guesthouse — A peaceful little spot in a Javanese joglo house, set in organic gardens, with rooms looking straight out over rice paddies.

Where to Eat in Ubud (My Go-Tos)

As Ubud is the hub of wellness in Bali, loads of places are either fully plant-based or have genuinely good vegan options.

• Bali Soul Ubud — really creative dishes (the banana flower + tempeh steak combo is unreal).
• Sage — my favourite place to eat in Ubud. The tempeh bacon caesar and the cauli fritters are to die for.
• Sawobali — vegan and gluten free all-you-can-eat Indonesian buffet, and it’s such good value.
• Akasha — rice paddy views, a menu that works for mixed diets, and the dessert options are dangerous.
• Wild — used to be fully vegan, now serves meat too, but it’s still great. You build your own plate from a menu of Indonesian dishes.
• Siboghana Waroeng — fully vegan warung, really reasonably priced. It can take a bit longer, but that’s because everything’s made fresh.
• Alchemy — fully plant-based, mostly gluten free, and some raw options too.

Days 7–10: The Nusa Islands (Views, Snorkeling + Beach Time)

After Ubud, it’s island time, and if you’ve been to any of the islands in Thailand, you’ll love the Nusas. 

You’ll want a driver to take you to Sanur, then you’ll hop on a fast boat over to Nusa Lembongan. Just be careful, as this is also where James and I got absolutely scammed, not once but twice (lol!). 

We bought a ferry ticket to a ferry that didn’t exist. Not cancelled. Not late. Just completely fictional. Then we bought another one and later learned we paid about 8x the normal price. It’s our own faut at this point…

Day 7: Travel to Nusa Lembongan + Settle In

Today’s a bit of a travel day, so don’t plan anything too ambitious. From Ubud to Nusa Lembongan, you’re looking at at least 1 hour in the car (traffic depending), plus a bit of faff time to get your stuff checked in and onto the boat. The fast boat itself is usually around 30–40 mins.

If you get seasick, don’t forget your tablets. James really suffers with it and he’s been caught out a few times on this exact journey.

You’ll probably arrive early afternoon, and honestly, you’ll probably want a chilled one after a busy few days. 

Either flop by the pool where you’re staying, or head to Jungutbatu Beach and pick a spot on the sand. There are loads of nice cafés along there. Ginger & Jamu is a great shout for food and it’s right on the water.

If you enjoy exploring the underwater world, Penida is also a hotspot for manta rays and there’s even a spot literally called Manta Point. I haven’t done this one personally (yet), but if swimming with mantas is high on your list, this is where to do it. 

Just don’t try and cram loads of land stops in afterwards, pick 1 (or 2 at a push), or just head back and chill.

Either way, you’ll work up an appetite. For yummy, wholesome food, Vegan Soul Kitchen is one of my faves on the island.

If you’re doing the manta day:

Do the snorkel/dive trip first, then keep the rest simple: grab lunch, then pick 1 or 2 land stops if you’ve still got energy (Crystal Bay is an easy one), or just head back to Lembongan and flop.

Day 9: Nusa Lembongan (Beaches + Snorkel Options)

After Penida yesterday, you might just fancy a chilled beach day, and honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that! Lembongan makes it very easy to do absolutely nothing without feeling guilty about it.

You’ve got loads of good beach options depending on the vibe: Tamarind Beach, Mushroom Beach, Jungutbatu Beach, and Dream Beach. Pick one, park up, and call it a day.

If you didn’t snorkel yesterday, or you just want more, there are loads of snorkel spots around Lembongan. You can rent gear and go straight from the beach, but it won’t be as good as hopping on a boat tour out to the reefs.

And if you’re a surfer, Lembongan has a really good surf scene too. There are a few solid spots: Playgrounds, Lacerations, and Shipwrecks.

If you do feel like hopping around a bit more, James and I actually rented a golf buggy (yes, literally a golf buggy!) for half a day, and it was such a fun way to get from place to place. We couldn’t stop giggling!

You can’t drive it across the Yellow Bridge, but we parked it nearby and walked over to Nusa Ceningan instead. On the way, we also detoured to Devil’s Tears, which is 100% worth a stop.

Once you’re over in Ceningan, it’s perfect for a beach bar afternoon. I love Sea Breeze, they’ve got some cute swings and hammocks literally in the ocean, and their smoothies are yum. Secret Point Beach is stunning too, and if you’re braver than me, you can cliff jump at Mahana Point.

Day 10: Slow Beach Morning + Departure

Depending on what time you’ve booked your boat back to mainland Bali, you might have time for one last slow morning, either a final beach dip or a quick pool session.

Make sure you grab a proper breakfast first (and even lunch if your boat time allows), because once you’re on the move, it’s very easy to end up hungry and grumpy with all your luggage in tow.

If you’re going straight to the airport after you arrive in Sanur, I’d line up a taxi in advance so you’re not trying to sort it the second you step off the boat. 

We’ve done this before, and it took ages to get a Grab because drivers kept cancelling, luckily we weren’t in a rush, but you don’t want to be stressing when you’ve got a flight to catch.

Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan (By Vibe + Budget)

• Best Luxury Accommodation: White Horse Resort— A proper treat! Sleek villas, loads of space, and close enough to the beach that you’re never far from a swim (or a sunset drink).
• Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Jenggala Hill — The infinity pool views are the main character here. A great place to stay if you want that “wow” factor without splashing out on full luxury.
• Best Beach Location: United Colors of Lembongan— If you want to roll out of bed and be straight on the sand (with cafés within easy wandering distance), this is the easy pick. Bonus points for the lush, tropical garden.
• Best Budget Option: Kakiang Guesthouse— Really good value for what you get, and you’re in a handy spot: a short walk to Tamarind Beach and close to Devil’s Tears.

Where to Eat in Nusa Lembongan (My Go-Tos)

Lembongan has a surprisingly good food scene, and you won’t be stuck eating a bowl of fries and a sad looking salad (unless you want to, obviously). Here are my go-tos:

• Ginger & Jamu — right on Jungutbatu Beach with a huge menu and loads of options for different dietary needs. Fresh, healthy, and just super delicious.
• The Deck Café & Bar — gorgeous views over the boats and water, and they grow around 75% of their ingredients in their hydroponic garden (so cool). Lots of plant-based options and swaps too.
• Hai Bar & Grill — plenty of options for everyone, and they’ve got a handful of vegan dishes too, including a tempeh rendang (delish, as my Nan used to say!).
• Ombak Café & Huts — close to Ginger & Jamu and very chilled. They’re committed to zero waste, and there are loads of vegan + GF options.
• Soka Warung — cute little local warung with tasty dishes at a reasonable price when you want something simple and authentic.

Easy Itinerary Swaps

Even though I think this is a really great itinerary for a first visit to Bali (it’s genuinely exactly what I’d tell my friends to do), you might already have something else on your Bali bucket list. Here are a few easy swaps depending on what kind of trip you want.

If You Want More Beach Time

If you want more beach time than just Canggu and the Nusa Islands, swap Ubud for Uluwatu. Uluwatu is down south, has some of the best beaches in Bali, and it’s great for surfers, just be ready for a lot of stairs (worth it, but your legs will feel it).

If You Want Somewhere Off the Beaten Path

If you want a quieter, less touristy version of Bali, I’d drop Canggu and start in Ubud, then add in Sidemen or Munduk before heading to the Nusa Islands.

Sidemen is my favourite area in Bali, it’s more rural, ridiculously peaceful, and you can stay in some gorgeous bamboo houses surrounded by rice fields.

Munduk is up in the mountains, and it’s much cooler than the beach towns. You’ve got some stunning views, waterfalls, and coffee plantations, and it just feels like a different side of Bali entirely.

If You Don’t Want to Ride a Scooter

Good news! This itinerary works really well without a scooter. In Canggu and Ubud, it’s easy enough to use Grab or Gojek for short rides, and private drivers are very reasonably priced for longer days. 

On Nusa Lembongan, hiring a golf buggy is a fun (and very low-effort) way to get around.

Best Areas to Stay in Bali If You Have More Time

If you’ve got more than 10 days in Bali, you might be wondering where else you could go. Bali really does have a bit of everything, jungles, mountains, beaches, rice fields. This all sounds amazing until you’re trying to choose which areas you should visit.

Even after all the time I’ve spent in Bali, I still haven’t been everywhere (yet), so the best way to plan is to start with what you care about seeing most. If you’re here for proper beach time and surfing, you’ll build a totally different trip from someone who wants jungle, waterfalls, and rice terraces every day.

What I’ve found works best is keeping it simple: 1 base every 3–4 days. You get enough time to settle in, actually enjoy where you are, and still see a lot with day trips, without moving every other night and feeling like you’re constantly “on the go” and burning out.

If you’re still not sure which areas fit your vibe, my best places to stay in Bali for first timers guide should help you figure out what to expect in each location.