Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Once you’re checked in and have had a chance to recover from the journey, head into central Ubud for an easy first walk. Start at Ubud Palace; allow about 45 minutes to look around the historic royal compound. Then it’s a short stroll to Saraswati Temple, where the lotus ponds frame the ornate entrance. The temple grounds are generally viewed from the entrance, and access to inner areas may be restricted during ceremonies, so keep your visit respectful and follow posted guidance. Both stops are in the center and are easiest to explore on foot; traffic and limited parking make driving between them unnecessary.
Cross the road to Ubud Market for about 45 minutes of browsing. Stalls typically trade into the evening, but hours vary, and some close earlier than others; prices are often negotiable, so ask politely and compare before buying. Finish at Ibu Rai Bar & Restaurant, a relaxed central choice for Indonesian or international dishes. Budget roughly $10–25 per person and allow around 1½ hours. From the market, it’s only a short walk—save your energy for dinner and a gentle first night in town.
Go early to Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, in southern Ubud, before the paths get busy and the macaques become more active around visitors. Allow about two hours; entry is roughly IDR 100,000–120,000, but check the current rate at the gate. Keep snacks tucked away, secure sunglasses and loose belongings, and don’t touch or feed the monkeys. From central Ubud, it’s about a 10–15-minute walk or a short ride by local taxi.
Head to Pison Ubud for coffee and brunch—around a 10-minute walk or a few minutes by car from the forest. Expect to spend about $5–12 per person; it’s popular, so you may need to wait at peak brunch time. Take your time here before the next walk rather than trying to squeeze in another stop.
From the center, take a short ride or walk toward Campuhan Ridge Walk. The easy, open ridge route is best enjoyed in the cooler afternoon; allow about 1.5 hours for the walk and time to pause for views. Bring water and sun protection, as much of the path is exposed. Return to central Ubud for Museum Puri Lukisan, open daily in the daytime—typically around 9am–5pm, though hours can change. Set aside about 1.5 hours for the Balinese paintings, sculpture, and garden; admission is usually around IDR 50,000–100,000. Check current hours before setting out, and leave enough time to arrive before closing.
Hire a driver for the morning rather than trying to piece together rides; allow roughly 30–40 minutes from central Ubud to Tegallalang Rice Terrace. Arrive early, when the light is soft and it’s cooler on the paths, and give yourself about 1½ hours to wander the terraces. Entry is usually around IDR 25,000–50,000, with some paths or photo spots charging extra. From there, it’s about 20–30 minutes to Tirta Empul. Allow 1½ hours, plus time for the ticket queue; it’s generally open daily from morning to late afternoon, but check locally before setting out. Dress modestly and wear a sarong (often available to borrow or rent). The purification pools are optional: if you choose to bathe, follow temple guidance and expect the queue to add time.
Take an early lunch at Warung Pondok Bali, near the temple route; budget about $5–12 per person and an hour to eat. Then drive roughly 10–15 minutes to Gunung Kawi. Set aside about 1½ hours for the riverside shrines and the steep stairway down and back up—take water and go at an unhurried pace. Entry is typically in the tens of thousands of rupiah; check the current rate at the gate. You’ll need a sarong here too. Afterward, have your driver return you to Ubud; allow around 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Head southeast to Goa Gajah, about 15–20 minutes by car or scooter from central Ubud; a driver or ride-hailing car is easiest if you’re visiting all day. Allow around 1½ hours for the cave, bathing pools and garden paths. It’s generally open during daytime hours, roughly 8am–5pm, but check locally before setting out. Budget around IDR 50,000–100,000 for entry, and bring a sarong or use one provided at the entrance if required.
Continue south to Bebek Tepi Sawah, around 15–25 minutes away depending on traffic. Set aside 1½ hours for a relaxed lunch among the rice fields; the crispy duck is the signature, and a meal typically runs about $12–25 per person. It’s a popular stop, so arriving a little before the busiest lunch period can make seating easier.
From lunch, it’s roughly a 15–25-minute drive to Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets in Mas. Wander its traditional buildings and varied collection at an unhurried pace; allow about 1½ hours. Opening hours and admission arrangements can vary, so check before you go—donations are often welcomed. A driver is handy here, as the rural lanes are easier to navigate by car than by trying to find a scooter taxi for the next leg.
Return to central Ubud for Threads of Life, where you can browse Indonesian textiles and learn about the weaving traditions behind them. Give yourself about an hour; it’s usually open in daytime hours, but verify the day’s schedule before making the trip. Finish with a stroll around the nearby streets or a coffee stop, leaving some breathing room after a full day out.
Leave Ubud after breakfast in your pre-arranged private car and allow about 1.5–2.5 hours to reach Sidemen, depending on traffic. Confirm the drop-off with your accommodation in advance; once you’ve checked in and left your bags, ask your host about the best nearby rice-field paths and whether a local guide is available. Set out for an easy 1½-hour walk late in the morning or early afternoon. Paths can be muddy after rain, so wear shoes with some grip and bring water.
Make your way to Warung Dapur Kapulaga for home-style Balinese food and countryside views. Allow about an hour; budget roughly $5–12 per person, and check locally for current opening hours. The walk and meal are best kept unhurried—Sidemen is about enjoying the valley rather than racing between stops.
If it’s active during your visit, browse Sidemen Market in the village center for produce and everyday local goods; allow around 45 minutes, but don’t count on a large tourist market or fixed schedule. Finish at Sleeping Gajah Kitchen & Lounge for a relaxed dinner, about $8–20 per person. It’s worth checking that it’s open and arranging a ride back to your accommodation if you’re staying outside the center.
Arrange a local guide through your accommodation for a roughly two-hour walk through Sidemen village and the surrounding valley. Starting early is cooler and gives you a better chance to see the day getting underway: ask your guide about farming, irrigation and village life, and wear shoes that can handle uneven paths. Agree on the route and fee beforehand; the walk may involve narrow lanes and muddy sections, especially after rain.
After the walk, visit a local weaving household or workshop in the Sidemen area, arranged in advance through your host. Allow about 1½ hours to see the process and chat with the weavers; buying something is entirely optional, but ask before photographing people or their work.
Head to Lahangan Sweet for the views toward Mount Agung. This is a scenic but longer outing than the listed two-hour estimate suggests: allow roughly 3½–4 hours round trip from Sidemen, including time at the viewpoint, and check road conditions with your driver before setting off. The final stretch can be steep or rough, so confirm whether your vehicle can make it or whether a local transfer is needed. Return to Sidemen for dinner at Warung Lu Putu, a relaxed stop for Indonesian dishes; budget about $5–12 per person. Call or ask your accommodation to confirm opening hours and arrange transport, as options can be limited after dark.
Leave Sidemen around 8:30–9:00am in your pre-arranged car, and confirm that your driver has agreed to the Taman Ujung Water Palace stop and any extra charge. The direct drive to Amed is roughly 2–3 hours, but the palace visit and lunch make this a longer travel day; allow several hours for the stop, meal and onward drive, and let your Amed accommodation know you’ll arrive later in the afternoon. At Taman Ujung, stroll the pools, bridges and garden paths for about 1½ hours. It’s generally open during the day; check the current hours and entry fee before setting out, as prices can change.
Continue to Warung Babi Guling Putra Celagi in the Amlapura area for Balinese roast pork and a filling lunch. Budget about $5–12 per person and around an hour. Roast-pork dishes can sell out, so it’s sensible to ask your driver or accommodation to call ahead; if you don’t eat pork, check what alternatives are available.
After checking in, head to Amed Beach to unwind by the shoreline for about an hour. A car or scooter is useful for getting around Amed’s spread-out coastal villages, but ask your accommodation to arrange a ride if you’d rather not drive. For dinner, go to Warung Enak, a well-established choice in Amed; allow about 1½ hours and budget $7–18 per person. Check its opening hours on the day, since local restaurant schedules can vary.
Start early at Japanese Shipwreck Point in Banyuning, about 20–30 minutes by car or scooter from central Amed. Go around 8am if conditions allow: the water is often calmer before the afternoon breeze, and you’ll have more space above the shallow wreck. Allow about two hours, including getting in and out of the water. Bring a mask, snorkel and fins, or rent them from a local operator nearby; check the current and waves before entering, and don’t touch the wreck or coral.
Head back along the coast to Amed Salt Center for an hour learning about traditional sea-salt production and browsing local salt products. Opening hours can vary, so ask your accommodation to check before you set out. For lunch, settle in at Warung Pantai, close to the water; expect to spend roughly $5–12 per person. Take your time, hydrate and leave a little gap before the next swim.
Make your way to Jemeluk Bay, a short drive from the warung, for a relaxed late-afternoon snorkel. Give yourself about 1½ hours to explore the sheltered bay and look for coral and the underwater sculpture. Conditions can change, so ask a local operator or your accommodation about visibility and currents before swimming; reef shoes can help on the rocky entry. You can rent gear around the bay if you didn’t bring your own, then head back before dusk.
Leave Amed around 6:00–6:30am for Pura Lempuyang Luhur; the drive usually takes about 45–60 minutes, depending on where you’re staying. Go with a driver or scooter only if you’re comfortable with the winding mountain roads, and check current temple access rules before setting out: visitors may need to use a designated shuttle between the parking area and temple, and queues for popular photo spots can add time. Allow 3–4 hours door to door, wear a sarong and modest clothing, and bring water—the climb and steps are exposed to the sun.
After the temple, stop at Warung Agung, near Lempuyang, for a simple Indonesian meal before driving back toward Amed. Budget roughly $5–12 per person and about an hour; carry some cash, as payment options can vary. The morning’s crowds and waiting can be unpredictable, so keep lunch relaxed rather than committing to a tightly timed afternoon booking.
Back in Amed, take an easy hour-long wander through the village to look for Amed Street Art—murals and small creative details are scattered around, so treat it as a casual stroll rather than a formal gallery route. Finish with dinner at Galanga, a garden restaurant where it’s worth lingering; expect around $10–25 per person and roughly 1½ hours. If you’re walking there after dark, use a torch or arrange a ride: village roads can be dimly lit.
Leave Amed around 8:00am in your pre-arranged private car; with the stop in Klungkung, allow roughly 4–6 hours door to door, and longer if traffic builds toward Canggu. Ask your driver to wait while you visit Kerta Gosa Pavilion in central Klungkung. About an hour is enough to see the historic court pavilion and its painted ceiling; check the current opening hours and entry fee locally, as these can change.
Stop at Warung Hindu for a relaxed local lunch before continuing west. Budget about IDR 80,000–190,000 per person (roughly $5–12); keep the meal to about an hour so you have some buffer for the drive and Canggu traffic.
After checking in, head to Batu Bolong Beach for a walk if you arrive in time for sunset. The southern approach can be slow, so treat this as a flexible plan rather than a guaranteed sunset stop; a short ride-hailing trip or scooter ride from your accommodation is usually easiest, though traffic and parking can be awkward near the beach. For dinner, go to Warung Bu Mi for Indonesian favourites from its broad selection, around $5–12 per person. It’s popular at peak dinner time, so expect a short wait; if you’re tired from the road, keep the evening easy.
Start at Love Anchor Canggu on Batu Bolong, where market stalls and small shops make for an easy browse; give it about an hour, and check what’s open when you arrive, as individual stalls can keep their own hours. It’s a short walk to Crate Cafe for brunch and coffee. Budget about $7–15 per person, and expect a lively late-morning crowd.
Head west to Pererenan Beach for a coastal walk and a slower change of pace from central Canggu. A ride-hailing car or scooter takes roughly 10–20 minutes, but allow extra time if Batu Bolong traffic is backed up. Spend around 1½ hours here; bring water and sun protection, and check the surf and tide before swimming.
Return to Batu Bolong for a sunset drink at The Lawn Canggu—arrive early enough to find a spot, and check whether reservations or a minimum spend apply. Finish nearby at Mason for wood-fired dishes and a lively dinner; allow about 1½ hours and budget roughly $15–35 per person. It’s a popular spot, so booking ahead is wise, especially for a preferred dinner time.
Leave Canggu in the morning in your pre-arranged car, allowing about 2–3.5 hours door to door; traffic can stretch the drive, so don’t plan a tight lunch booking. Confirm your accommodation’s exact area in Uluwatu and ask about drop-off and luggage storage if your room isn’t ready. After checking in or leaving your bags, head to Nyang Nyang Beach in Pecatu. Give yourself about two hours for the beach, including the steep walk down and back up; bring water, sun protection and shoes with grip, and check sea conditions before swimming.
For a late lunch or early dinner, drive to Gooseberry Restaurant in Bingin, a leafy spot where you can slow down after the beach. Budget around US$12–30 per person, and check current hours before setting off, as service times can change. Then continue to Bingin Beach for the late-afternoon light. Allow about an hour, plus time for the steep steps; parking near the beach is limited, so arrive with some patience and follow local directions rather than leaving valuables in the car.
Head to Uluwatu Temple in Pecatu by car or scooter, allowing extra time for the winding roads and traffic; from most Uluwatu stays, the ride is roughly 15–30 minutes. Give yourself about two hours for the clifftop paths and ocean views. The temple generally opens during the day, but check current visiting hours and entry rules before setting out; budget roughly IDR 50,000–75,000 for admission, subject to change. Wear a sarong if required, keep sunglasses and loose items secure around the resident monkeys, and arrive early for the dance: sunset shows are popular, and entry depends on the day’s schedule and ticket availability.
Stay at Uluwatu Temple for the Kecak and Fire Dance, a roughly one-hour performance with the sunset as its backdrop. Get to the performance area well ahead of showtime to queue and find a seat; book ahead if tickets are offered, but don’t count on getting in without checking availability that day. Afterward, drive to Jimbaran Bay Seafood Club in Jimbaran—allow around 30–50 minutes, longer if traffic is heavy—and settle in for a relaxed seafood dinner by the shore. Plan about 1½ hours and roughly $15–40 per person; confirm the restaurant’s current hours and menu prices before you go.
Spend a relaxed couple of hours at Thomas Beach, reached by a steep stairway from the parking area off Jalan Labuansait. Go while it’s still relatively cool, and check the tide and surf before swimming: the shoreline can narrow at high tide, and waves aren’t always beginner-friendly. Bring water and some cash for parking and any local access fee; there’s little shade, so pack sun protection.
Head to Suka Espresso for a leisurely brunch and coffee—allow about an hour and roughly $7–15 per person. It’s a short drive from the beach, but Uluwatu’s roads can crawl, so leave a little slack rather than counting on a precise arrival time. Check current opening hours before setting out.
Continue to Suluban Beach for the cove and its limestone passages. Allow about 1½ hours, including the stairway down from the clifftop; wear shoes with grip, and check the tide before exploring the lower passages, which may be difficult or unsafe to access at high water. Parking is near the top, with a walk down to the shore.
Finish at Single Fin, perched above the surf, for sunset drinks and a final look out over the ocean. Arrive early to find a good spot—sunset draws a crowd, and traffic can slow the short drive from the beach. Budget around $10–25 per person, and check the venue’s current hours and any event schedule before heading over.
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