How many locations can I explore in Bali within a week?

Rachel Lovelock has spent nearly 26 years living in Bali, writing extensively about this beautiful island for various magazines and guidebooks. Here, she addresses a reader's query about what can be seen during a week-long visit to Bali.

Question: I’m planning a trip to Bali and would like to know how much of the island I can see. How many different locations can I include in a week-long getaway?

Answer: To truly discover Bali, a week is simply not enough. Next time, take full advantage of your 30-day visa-on-arrival and stay for a month! For this visit, consider what you want to experience on the island – are you seeking beach relaxation, nightlife, and fun, or a more cultural exploration? Here are two distinct ways to spend your week in Bali.

Enjoy a week-long beach party in the south

If your main goal is to soak up sun, surf, sand, and nightlife, you might as well stay in one spot for your entire seven-day visit. Canggu is known for its vibrant waves, yoga studios, gyms, vegan-friendly eateries, beach clubs, and lively bars, making it Bali’s trendiest area. However, frequent day trips are hindered by the notorious traffic jams affecting this once-peaceful village.

Alternatively, consider Uluwatu at Bali’s southwestern tip, where you can spend your week discovering the Bukit Peninsula. This area offers everything from stunning cliffside clubs and breathtaking views to some of the island's best surf spots and beautiful white-gold beaches. Explore the poetically named Dreamland and Green Bowl, as well as Bingin, Balangan, Padang Padang, Suluban, and Nyang Nyang, all of which are far more picturesque than Canggu.

Or venture around to experience Bali’s rich culture.

Are you disheartened by the rapid transformation of tourism on the island and the unregulated land development? I recommend avoiding the crowded southern plains. Skip the excesses of hedonistic Canggu and the influencer-driven tours of Bali’s most Instagram-worthy spots. Consider renting a car with a driver, or opt for self-driving, and embrace the adventure along this route.

Begin your journey in Ubud, Bali's cultural epicenter (2 nights)

For an authentic cultural experience, spend a few nights in popular Ubud, long regarded as Bali’s artistic haven, drawing in bohemians and seekers of the cosmic. Explore the museums and galleries, traditional market, royal palace, and the monkey forest featuring ancient temples. Witness the island's most skilled painters, stonemasons, woodcarvers, mask-makers, and silversmiths at work in nearby villages. The area is filled with shops and restaurants, and offers exceptional walking trails. Accommodation ranges from cozy family homestays in the rice fields to boutique hotels and villas perched on the steep banks of jungle-covered river gorges.

Experience agricultural life in Sidemen Valley (2 nights)

Sidemen welcomes visitors while remaining untouched by mass tourism in the royal regency of Karangasem. Here, Gunung Agung, Bali’s tallest and most revered volcano, serves as a stunning backdrop to a landscape of rice terraces and lush forests that stretch as far as the eye can see. This area provides a unique glimpse into Balinese farming practices, where you might observe activities such as planting or harvesting rice, or collecting vibrant orange marigold flowers used in traditional offerings. The Sidemen Valley also serves as the gateway for climbing the majestic Mt Agung or rafting down the Telaga Waja River.

Take a break at Pasir Putih for lunch.

Visit the beautiful Pasir Putih beach, which translates to 'white sands' — though it’s actually more silver than white — located just 26 km (16 miles) from Sidemen. This beach is lined with coconut trees and backed by a sheer cliff. Enjoy a meal of nasi goreng or fresh fish at one of the charming grass-roofed warungs (food stalls) while soaking in the relaxed atmosphere.

Candidasa makes for a great diving/snorkeling base (2 nights)

A 20-minute drive west from Pasir Putih, the quaint seaside village of Candidasa serves as another excellent spot for a two-night getaway. You'll find a range of accommodations and eateries — don’t miss dining at Vincent’s and taking advantage of some fantastic diving and snorkeling opportunities. You can hire a traditional jukung (flat-bottomed fishing boat), complete with a captain and snorkeling gear. Ask a local guide for a walk through the rice fields and to explore the ancient walled village of Tenganan, located 3 km (2 miles) from Candidasa, where residents maintain a rich cultural heritage centered around rituals and customs.

Plan a day trip to Kintamani

Make a stop at Kintamani; while it attracts many day-trippers, you'll encounter plenty of Instagrammers at the Tegallalang rice terraces along the way. The active volcano, Gunung Batur, and its stunning crater lake are truly breathtaking sights.

Unwind at the beach in Seminyak or Sanur (1 night)

Wrap up your holiday with an overnight stay in either Seminyak or Sanur, both vibrant beachside spots just a 30-minute drive from the airport.