We knew we wanted to slow down our pace once we landed on the island of Bali after our busy road trip through New Zealand. We put together a Bali itinerary that would allow us to explore a few different places, but be able to settle in each one a little more.
We also changed the itinerary once we checked into Legian. We were originally staying there for 7 days, but we hated it. We added on the last stop, and it ended up saving the end of our time there from being just horrible. If you are looking for some help planning your itinerary for Bali, we are happy to answer any questions in the comments.
Our Full Bali Itinerary
Ubud – 2 weeks
We were so happy to get here and get settled. We picked a spot that was close enough to town to walk, but not right in the center of everything. We chose the Chili Cottages and it was a perfect place for us to stay.
We explored the area around Ubud, got used to the hot and humid temps, took two different tours of the temples and surrounding areas, and fell in love with Bali. It was a perfect spot to get introduced and easy a slower pace of life with everything we needed within a walking distance.
If you want more info on Ubud, check out these posts:
Favorite Vegetarian Restaurants in Ubud
Sidemen – 5 days
This little gem of a town is about an hour away from Ubud. I imagine that it’s similar to what Ubud looked like before tourism found it and took hold. There are a few homestays and small hotels scattered among rice terraces covering the valley.
On clear days, you will get great views of Mt. Agung and the surrounding green hills. It is the perfect place to unwind and relax, and it should absolutely be included in any Bali itinerary.
Amed – 5 days
We also knew we wanted to get some snorkeling on our itinerary and Amed was recommended to us by one of our fabulous hosts in New Zealand. This little seaside spot was not in any of the online guides we read, and it felt like a hidden gem.
We loved our stay here and would have loved to add another day or two just to spend more time with our faces underwater. The waters of the Indian Ocean are warm and full of color. We could not believe the deal we got at these bungalows. The staff was lovely, and the food was fantastic.
Read more about our snorkeling adventure here.
Legian – 3 days
This was the worst part of our month in island paradise. The best way I can describe it to people is a mix between Daytona Beach and Times Square. There are lots of honking, fast food chain restaurants, and tourists everywhere. The beach was beautiful once you got to it, but the area around there was not our scene at all. Too many nightclubs, tattoo parlors and shops selling the same beer tank tops as the next.
It was the opposite of everything else we had experienced in Bali, and we knew we had to get out of there. We spent three nights there since we couldn’t get a refund at our hotel and really tried to make the best of it. Finally, we were able to move to a town about 30 minutes away that was much quieter and enjoyable. Also, some people disagree with us and enjoy this area.
Canggu – 4 days
Our time here will forever be engrained in my memory because it was such a wonderful escape from Legian. We stayed at a quiet boutique hotel with a great pool and excellent service. Sadly, that hotel is no longer open, but if you stay in the area, you’ll have similar access.
We enjoyed iced coffees at peaceful cafes and enjoyed meals at the local warungs. We visited the beach every day to sit in bean bag chairs and enjoy the breeze. If you want to stay close to the airport and the beach, definitely check this area out. It’s very popular for surfing also.
Read more about our Canggu favorites.
What We Would Change About Our Bali Itinerary
The best advice is often learning what people would change about their plans after they’ve lived through them. I wanted to provide that full transparency here so you could take these into consideration when planning your trip.
AVOID LEGIAN
I think you probably got this from the paragraph above. I would also advise against Kuta and Seminyak if you’re looking for a Balinese experience instead of an Australian vacation on a different island. There are so many amazing places on this island, and you should definitely get away from the airport a little bit.
Visit Uluwatu
I wish we would have had a chance to get to the very southern part of the island. Uluwatu is supposed to have a beautiful beach and a very cool temple. It’s a definite addition to our next visit.
Take at least a Day Trip to a Smaller Island
There are a few islands right off the coast of Sanur near the airport that are pretty popular for snorkeling and day trips. You can also spend a few nights at the Gili Islands off the northeast coast for good diving and snorkeling. We almost changed our time in Amed to include a trip to the Gili Islands, but we just made a note to get there in the future.
Get to the North or West Coast
We didn’t even touch the northern part of the island or the western portion. Now that we are experts on the scooter, I think it would be fun to do a road trip around the island to the quieter parts.
Final Thoughts on Planning a Bali Vacation
We absolutely loved Bali. It is a stunning island to explore and relax. It is small, but there is definitely something for every kind of traveler. Any of the places we visit would have enough to explore to keep you busy for at least a few days, but I think you should check out at least two spots during your time on the island to get different perspectives.
Comment below if you are thinking about planning a trip to Bali and let us know if you have any questions. We hope this helps you plan your Bali itinerary.
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