How to See the Best of Bali in Just 7 Days!

Bali, also known as the Land of the Gods, offers a blend of breath-taking landscapes, sacred temples, and a rich cultural heritage. As one of the top-rated travel destinations globally, Bali had long been on my travel wishlist. So, imagine my excitement when I finally started planning my 7-day Balinese adventure!

Crafting the Perfect Itinerary: A Blend of Research and Excitement

I eagerly started to scroll through TikTok, searching for the best spots to visit, top places to shop, and essential tips for travelers in Bali. With hotels booked, I carefully slotted in tours and activities into each day, though I had to prioritise due to the many incredible options available.

Seminyak

Day 1: Exploring the Mystical Nusa Penida Island

Initially, I thought about exploring the island without a guide, but soon recognised the complexities of such an endeavour and opted for a private tour booked through TripAdvisor – a decision that turned out to be a great one! The tour included four major stops:

Stop 1: Broken Beach

Broken Beach, locally known as Pasih Uug, is famous for its unique structure: a hollowed-out cove with a natural archway that creates a stunning frame for the turquoise waters of the ocean beyond. The name “Broken Beach” comes from this arch-like formation, which gives the appearance of a broken tunnel leading to the sea.

Stop 2: Angel’s Billabong

The Angel Billabong is a natural rock lagoon with beautiful scenic seascape, located on the shore. It’s called Angel’s Billabong because according to local mythology this is where angels came to bathe.

Stop 3: Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach gets its name from its unique shape which resembles a T-Rex dinosaur, however “Kelingking” in the local language translates to “pinkie” or “baby finger”. The beach’s beauty is definitely worth a swim however it takes around 30-minutes to descent down the stairs from the top to reach the shoreline. We skipped it this time around.

Stop 4: Crystal Bay

The name Crystal Bay comes from the beach water. When exposed to sunlight it flickers like many crystal beads on the beach, so the local people give the name of this beach Crystal Bay. It was a great place to relax before heading back.

Each location was undeniably beautiful. Even though we spent a significant portion of the time traveling by car between those breathtaking sites, it was worth it!

We caught the return ferry at 3:30 pm to be back in Ubud for a dinner.

Day 2: Seminyak’s Flea Market and the Move to Ubud

To balance the rush of the previous day, I planned a visit to the flea market the next day. This market is an ideal spot for checking out locally produced cotton and linen clothes at reasonable prices, along with hand-made jewelry and rattan bags. It’s relatively small so you will have a comfortable shopping experience without feeling overwhelmed, and the chance to bargain adds to the fun (hello, savings!). I strategically chose to explore it early in my trip, allowing me the chance to wear any of my purchases during the rest of my stay.

Right next to the market, there’s the delightful restaurant Waroeng Bernadette (Bernadette’s Eatery), ), perfect for a tasty meal and a relaxing break.

After satisfying my shopping cravings, I was ready to journey onward to Ubud.

Ubud

Ubud, located in the uplands of Bali, is frequently considered the cultural heart of the island. Ubud is surrounded by rainforests and terraced rice paddies, dotted with Hindu temples and shrines, which are among Bali’s most famous landscapes. I was thrilled to be spending the remainder of my trip immersed in such natural beauty.

Day 3 in Ubud: A Cultural Immersion

Located within walking distance from Ubud’s center, the hotel was perfectly placed for exploring:

Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati

This temple, also known as the Ubud Water Palace, is dedicated to the Goddess of Knowledge. It stands out from other temples with its large pool of stunning pink lotus flowers.

Ubud Palace

The palace was the official residence of the royal family of Ubud and consists of a vast complex of historical buildings. At the time of the visit, I was lucky to watch young girls practicing the traditional Legong dance, a dance once reserved for the royal family only.

Ubud Market

Offering a similar vibe to the Seminyak Flea Market, strolling through Ubud Market was an enjoyable experience, with its lively array of stalls and unique offerings.

Day 4: Majestic Mount Batur Hike, Unique Luwak Coffee Experience and Monkey Forest Adventure

The Sunrise Hike up Mount Batur was nothing short of spectacular. When I planned the trip, I was torn between taking a jeep ride and hiking, but I’m grateful I went with the hike. The day started really early, with a 2:30 am pickup, as we needed to begin our hike by 4 am after an hour’s drive to the meeting point. Equipped with headlamps and walking sticks, we set off. Our local guide was entertaining and made the steep climb enjoyable. I won’t lie, the initial part of the climb was tough, especially since I’m not a regular hiker, but the breathtaking view at the top made every step worth it.

Hiking in the dark was a novel experience for me; it was fascinating to witness the same path in two different lights – the darkness of the early morning and the bright clarity of daylight.

After the hike, which I booked with Get Your Guide, we visited a Luwak Coffee plantation, home to one of the world’s most unique and controversial coffee types. Why is it unique and controversial at the same time? Luwak, an Asian mammal, eats ripe coffee cherries but can’t digest the beans. These beans are then fermented in its digestive tract, collected from its feces, cleaned, roasted, and grounded to produce coffee.

Did I try it? Of course! I found it interesting that there’s a taste difference between beans “produced” by male and female Luwaks. But overall, the coffee is strong hence I stopped my experiment on the trial phase. 😉

Later in the afternoon, after a proper nap, we headed to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Initially, I was apprehensive about encountering the monkeys, but they were surprisingly laid-back, probably because it was their feeding time. It was delightful to watch them walking around freely, and one even joined me on a stroll up the stairs!

Day 5: The Thrill of Swing Heaven and the Beauty of Rice Fields

Bali Swing had always been high on my bucket list. After seeing countless stunning photos of it, I knew it was a must-do for my Bali trip. It absolutely lived up to my expectations. After some in-depth research, I chose Swing Heaven, and it turned out to be a brilliant choice. Not only did I get to rent a beautiful dress that made me feel like royalty, but the staff there also went above and beyond to capture perfect photos and videos of the experience.

I was so caught up with posing, that I had to remind myself to pause and appreciate the incredible view – it was simply breathtaking.

After a morning filled with photoshoot, I decided to spend the afternoon wondering through the rice terrace paddies. There’s a certain magic in being able to roam these terraces on your own, taking in their beauty at your own pace. However, things didn’t go exactly as planned. We ended up at Tegalalang Rice Terrace, entering through Ceiking Rice Terrace, which was, to my surprise, not as lush and green as its neighbour. My intention to revisit the next day failed as the terrace was closed off due to a movie shoot. Well, looks like Bali has given me another reason to come back. 😉

Day 6: Serenity at Campuhan Ridge Walk and Tirta Empul Temple

Getting closer to the end of our trip, we chose a more relaxed pace, focusing on laid-back activities. This decision led us to skip visits to the waterfalls and the yoga experience, opting instead for a calmer itinerary.

After the floating breakfast we decided to go for the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Campuhan Ridge Walk is known for its scenic beauty and serene atmosphere. It’s short, up to 2 km one way, and the path takes you up and down hill along rice fields and palm trees.

Next, and last, on the list was Tirta Empul Temple. This sacred site is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu God of water.

The name ‘Tirta Empul’ translates to ‘water gushing from the earth’, which is why Tirta Empul is regarded as a holy spring. It is believed to be blessed water that could purify those who bathe there. Visitors are required to wear a temple-provided sarong before entering the pool, respecting the local customs. At each spout, individuals will immerse themselves under the flowing water. The last few spouts are specifically reserved for purification rituals related to the dead, therefore visitors are asked to refrain from using these spouts, out of respect for their sacred purpose.

Day 7: Relaxation at Putri Bali Spa

Is there a better way to wrap up a holiday than spending half a day at a spa? I chose to visit Putri Bali Spa as it was highly rated. The package I selected included an aromatherapy massage, ayurvedic (shirodara) therapy, coconut scrub, among others. Shirodhara, the practice of gently pouring warm oil over the forehead, was a new experience for me. This ancient technique brought about deep relaxation and a meditative peace, tapping into the body’s natural healing abilities. Initially, it took me a moment to get used to the sensation of the oil stream on my forehead, but soon after, I found myself completely immersed in relaxation. The subtle vibrations created by the oil’s flow were truly a unique and calming experience.

After that there was nothing else left than go to the airport and head back home.

Additional resources

Throughout our journey in Bali, our driver, Putra, was indispensable. He offered fantastic recommendations for dining and hidden gems we wouldn’t have discovered without him. If you’re planning a Bali trip, consider reaching out to him.

Nusa Penida Island Tour- TripAdvisor

Mount Batur Hike Tour – Get Your Guide

Bali Swing – Swing Heaven