The ultimate Bali itinerary - how to plan your dream Bali vacation

Lying slap bang in the middle of the tropics, Bali has two main seasons. The dry season runs from May until September. Better-value accommodation and slightly lower humidity can be had outside the peak months of July and August. The other half of the year is the wet season, although in between showers large parts of the day are still perfect for sightseeing and relaxing on the beach.

Balinese, rather than Bahasa (Indonesian), is the island’s main language. However, a huge number of people on Bali speak good English, ensuring your Bali itinerary can run without a hitch.

Outside of the best restaurants in Ubud, which will accept credit and debit cards, you’re going to want some physical cash. There are plenty of counters changing the main international currencies, and a good number of ATMs for withdrawals.

The best way to stay healthy is to drink only bottled or treated water, which is easy to come by. Also, consider avoiding salads and other food items that may have been washed or prepared using untreated water.

Set on the edge of Bali’s central mountains, Ubud is the island’s cultural capital, with a fantastic ambience and plenty to explore amid its lush foliage and stunning local architecture.

If you’re wondering what to do in Ubud, a list of things to do in Ubud must include a visit to the seventeenth-century royal palace. Not only is the compound beautiful in its own right, but each evening there’s also an alternating schedule of traditional dances.

Nearby, you’ll find Ubud Art Market, offering a range of handcrafted souvenirs, while the temples in Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary are slightly further along the same road. This small patch of forest in the heart of Ubud is home to more than 1000 long-tailed macaques, who consider the three temples their own personal property.

Before you leave Ubud, be sure to explore the natural wonders slightly further afield. The Tegallalang Rice Terraces combine a fine natural setting with the twenty-first-century addition of a zipline and jungle swings, while Tegenungan Waterfall is the perfect place to cap off your itinerary of Ubud things to do.

Where to stay in Ubud

In Ubud’s verdant embrace, where ancient temples whisper through morning mists and rice terraces cascade like emerald silk, the finest retreats understand that luxury here means harmony with nature’s grand design. Capella Ubud emerges from the rainforest canopy like a vision of sophisticated wilderness living, its tented pavilions elevated amongst the treetops offering unparalleled intimacy with the jungle’s rhythms. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve occupies a more classical interpretation of Balinese luxury, where traditional architecture meets contemporary refinement along the sacred Ayung River. For those seeking complete immersion in nature’s splendour, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape redefines accommodation through its remarkable no-walls philosophy, whilst Viceroy Bali crowns a dramatic ridge with striking contemporary architecture where infinity pools cascade into the jungle below.

Sweeping along Bali’s southwestern peninsula, Jimbaran presents a more tranquil alternative to the island’s bustling beach scenes, where a crescent of golden sand meets calm waters perfect for swimming and reflection. This former fishing village has evolved into one of Bali’s most sophisticated coastal destinations whilst retaining its authentic charm, evidenced by the traditional jukung boats that still dot the shoreline at dawn and dusk. The bay’s gentle waters and consistent lack of strong currents make it ideal for leisurely swims, whilst the famous seafood warungs that line the beach offer the quintessential Jimbaran experience—dining on fresh catches with your toes in the sand as spectacular sunsets paint the sky in shades of gold and crimson.

Beyond the beach, Jimbaran’s elevated position on the Bukit Peninsula provides easy access to some of Bali’s most dramatic clifftop temples, including the iconic Uluwatu, where ancient architecture perches precariously above crashing waves and traditional kecak fire dances unfold against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean’s endless horizon.

Where to stay in Jimbaran

Where Bali’s southwestern peninsula meets the Indian Ocean’s endless embrace, Jimbaran Bay unfolds as a crescent of golden sand blessed with spectacular sunsets and sophisticated beachfront luxury. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay has established itself as the peninsula’s crown jewel, where traditional Balinese village architecture cascades towards the beach in hillside villas, each designed as a private compound with courtyards and reflecting pools. The resort’s clifftop spa, with treatment pavilions positioned to capture ocean breezes and sunset views, elevates relaxation to an art form.

If you’re up for a few days in quintessential scenes of paradise, the Gili Islands are the places to stay in Bali for you. Located off the coast of neighbouring Lombok, fast boats can make the trip in around two hours, and avoid the hassle of airports. With three days there’s the potential to visit each of the three main islands – Trawangan (or Gili T), Air, and Meno.

Trawangan is the largest and liveliest, making it the place to head for those looking to throw shapes long into the night. Air is a little more muted, but still has plenty to entertain the visitor, while Meno is the top pick to forget about the rest of the world.

Whichever island you end up on, you can’t come to the Gilis without slipping on a snorkel and mask – the corals off the islands are exquisite.

Where to stay in the Gili Islands

Beyond Bali’s eastern shores, the Gili Islands float like three perfect pearls in the Lombok Strait. On Gili Meno, Villa Tokay represents barefoot luxury at its finest, where private villas scattered along powder-white beaches offer their own stretch of pristine sand and private pools. The absence of motorised transport adds to the sense of discovering paradise, where snorkelling amongst vibrant coral gardens requires merely stepping from your villa into gin-clear waters.

Famed for its sunsets, Seminyak on Bali’s southwest coast is a touch more refined than other destinations on this part of the island. Here you’ll encounter those who enjoy the finer things in life rather than the backpacking crowd, creating an atmosphere where sophisticated beach clubs, designer boutiques, and world-class restaurants have transformed this former fishing village into Bali’s answer to the French Riviera. As a result, things to do in Seminyak centre around the mile-long stretch of volcanic black sand beach, where upscale beach clubs like Potato Head and Ku De Ta offer infinity pools, craft cocktails, and international DJs spinning sunset sets.

The spa scene here rivals anywhere in Southeast Asia, with luxury wellness centres incorporating traditional Balinese healing techniques alongside cutting-edge treatments. Seminyak’s streets pulse with creative energy, home to concept stores showcasing local designers, art galleries featuring contemporary Indonesian artists, and innovative restaurants where internationally trained chefs reimagine Indonesian cuisine with modern flair. Further afield, there’s Tanah Lot, the much-photographed Hindu pilgrimage site perched on a rocky outcrop just offshore, which is worth the detour before heading to the airport, particularly at sunset when the temple’s silhouette creates one of Bali’s most iconic views.

Where to stay in Seminyak

Along Bali’s sophisticated southwestern coast, Seminyak pulses with refined hedonism that attracts discerning travellers seeking beachfront luxury and cutting-edge culture. W Bali Seminyak captures this spirit with striking contemporary architecture and vibrant design, whilst Regent Bali Canggu offers serene coastal luxury mere steps from celebrated surf breaks. For complete adult sophistication, La Reserve 1785 Canggu Beach presents an exclusively adults-only sanctuary where French colonial elegance meets Balinese artistry in intimate suites leading directly to secluded beach.