Bali travel guide, a 3-week itinerary
This 3-week Bali travel guide includes all kinds of sceneries like paradise-looking beaches, incredible cliff drops, waterfalls, and the northern mountain views.
Bali is relatively small, distances are short but it can take some time to just drive a distance of 15 km. You can either get around by driver in Bali or by renting a motorbike.
Some of the days below contain links to much more information about that specific location.
Day 1 – 2: Arrival and staying in Seminyak or Canggu
Flying into Denpasar Airport doesn’t mean you have to stay in Denpasar after your flight. From the airport, take a taxi to Seminyak or Canggu. Canggu is a laid-back, trendy surf-vibe town, and Seminyak is more about beautiful beaches and beach clubs. Before arriving, be sure to know which visa for Bali, Indonesia suits your visit.
Read: Things To Do in Seminyak or Canggu Guide
Where to stay in Seminyak or Canggu
With great beaches and surfing, great local boutiques and markets, and a fantastic food scene, Seminyak and Canggu have much to offer. Seminyak is more luxurious, whereas Canggu feels more bohemian.
Day 3 – 4: Staying with a local family
Bali is known for its luxury and perfect island life. Have a unique experience while staying with a local family in Bali. You will learn so much about life, food, and culture in Bali.
The best part is that you will make a lot of new life-lasting friendships. We stayed in Gadugan, which is a 1-hour drive from Canggu.
Read about: Staying at a homestay in Bali
Day 5 – 6: Staying in the Munduk area
Many people do a day trip to the Munduk area for the temple at Tamblingan Lake. Actually staying in Munduk will give you the time to see even more beautiful places. The area is a little cooler and can feel really comfortable. Waterfalls, swings, coffee, trekking, Munduk has it all. From Gadugan to Munduk is a solid 2.5-hour drive. These are the best things to do in Munduk.
Where to stay in Munduk
Munduk offers a good selection of guesthouses and hotels for every kind of price category. Plan to spend one or two nights in this area if you want to do all the things to do in Munduk.
Day 7 – 10: Ubud and Waterfalls
From Munduk, organize a trip to do the Bali waterfall route and end your trip in Ubud. Do a one or two-day trip and be amazed by Bali’s beauty. It’s best to hire a driver in Bali these days. Discover the full Bali waterfall route here.
Ubud is a great village in the center of Bali. There is so much going on here like the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, countless waterfalls, yoga retreats, and many more things to do in Ubud.
Read more: 14 x Things to do in Ubud
Where to stay in Ubud
There are some beautiful hotels in the town and the surrounding villages and a great choice of hostels in Ubud.
Day 11 – 13: Gili Air
After the great life in Ubud, head over to one of the smallest islands you will ever be. There are no cars or asphalt roads on Gili Air. Get around by bike, relax at one of the many beaches, go on a search for turtles and enjoy the most incredible sunsets.
Read about: Gili Air island Guide
Where to stay in Gili Air
The island offers a wide range of hotels and guesthouses for every kind of budget.
Day 14 – 16: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida
From Gili Air, hop on the boat and go to Nusa Lembongan. It takes about 3.5-hours to get from Gili to Nusa. The Nusa Islands are less tropical but the vibes and views here are just right.
Read more: Nusa Lembongan Guide
Nusa Penida can be seen on a Nusa Penida day tour. However, if you have the time, we recommend you to do a 3-day Nusa Penida trip.
Pssst: Combine your Bali travel itinerary with this Central and East Java route.
Where to stay in Nusa Penida
There are many different accommodation options, from budget-friendly guesthouses on Atuh Beach to bungalows overlooking the ocean in Crystal Bay.
Day 17 – 18: Nusa Ceningan
Nusa Ceningan and Lembongan are connected via a yellow suspension bridge which is just wide enough to cross it with a motorbike. The life on the Nusa Islands is good and we would recommend staying on Ceningan for one or two nights. Nusa Ceningan is just a 20-min trip from Nusa Lembongan town.
Where to stay on the Nusa Islands
There is a wide selection of hotels, resorts, and hostels on the Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan islands. Pick something that suits your budget, and keep in mind that Lembongan is a bit more lively.
Day 19 – 21: Uluwatu or Canggu
The last days of your trip you can either spend in Uluwatu or again Canggu. Both places are close to the airport, laid back and you can surf as well. We loved Canggu’s vibe and stayed there.
Read: Things to do in Uluwatu
Where to stay in Uluwatu
We’d recommend choosing accommodation on the clifftop for breathtaking ocean views. There is a mixture of luxury villas and hotels, and budget hostels to pick from.
Best time to visit Bali
Bali’s absolutely best time to visit runs from May until July. However, if you are a surfer you might want to pick another season. May to October is known as the best season to surf around Bali.
Costs of food in Bali
The price of food in Bali is different per city and kind of meal. Eat very local food in a not-too-fancy-looking place, and you will pay $1.50 for a full plate of delicious food. When eating across the road at this great-looking and tasting vegan place, you probably will pay somewhere from $5 – $8 per meal.
Planning to spend more time in Indonesia? Plan an unforgettable Komodo Islands boat tour.
Flight tickets Bali
The price of a flight ticket to Bali can be cut in half when going off-season. We found our ticket deal via Skyscanner. We paid €700 for a 1-stop return flight from Amsterdam, which is not the cheapest, but the flight was only 15 hours. With a 1-hour layover in Singapore.
When you purchase something through our links we earn a small fee. However, you still pay the same. Win-win!
- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to Bali via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via Viator
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.
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