Places to visit in Bali, with a 6-day plan
By Ganesh ·
The best places to visit in Bali (Ubud, the rice terraces, Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, the beaches, Mount Batur and Nusa Penida) with a 6-day plan, costs from India, visa basics and the best time to go.
The short answer: the best places to visit in Bali are Ubud (rice terraces, Monkey Forest, temples and waterfalls), the Uluwatu cliffs and temple in the south, Tanah Lot sea temple, the beaches of Seminyak, Canggu and Nusa Dua, Mount Batur for a sunrise trek, the lakeside temple of Ulun Danu Beratan, and a day trip to Nusa Penida. Five to seven days covers the highlights without rushing; split your nights between Ubud and one beach area.
Prices and rules below are approximate. Check before you go.
Bali at a glance
Bali is one island in Indonesia, but it travels like several small regions: the green, cultural centre around Ubud; the busy beach towns of the south-west (Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu); the resort peninsula of Nusa Dua and the cliffs of Uluwatu; the volcanic north and east; and the Nusa islands off the south-east coast. Traffic is slow, so plan your days by region rather than by a list of sights.
Top places to visit in Bali
1. Ubud
Ubud is the place most first-timers remember. Walk the Campuhan Ridge in the early morning, visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (keep sunglasses and phones out of reach), see a Legong or Kecak dance in the evening, and use Ubud as a base for the rice terraces, temples and waterfalls around it.
2. Tegallalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces
Tegallalang, 20–30 minutes north of Ubud, is the famous postcard view. Go before 8 am to beat the crowds. Jatiluwih, further west, is larger, quieter and a UNESCO-listed example of Bali's subak irrigation system.
3. Uluwatu Temple and the southern cliffs
Pura Luhur Uluwatu sits on a cliff about 70 m above the Indian Ocean. Come for sunset and the Kecak fire dance in the amphitheatre beside it. The nearby beaches (Padang Padang, Bingin, Melasti) are reached by steps down the cliffs.
4. Tanah Lot
A small temple on a rock in the sea, best at sunset. At low tide you can walk to its base. Combine it with Canggu or Seminyak on the same afternoon.
5. Seminyak, Canggu and Nusa Dua beaches
Seminyak has beach clubs and restaurants; Canggu is younger, with surf schools and cafés; Nusa Dua has calm water and big resorts, the easiest choice for families and older parents. Kuta is the cheapest and most crowded.
6. Mount Batur sunrise trek
A guided trek starting around 3–4 am reaches the rim of an active volcano for sunrise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. It takes about two hours up for most reasonably fit people. Book with a licensed local guide.
7. Ulun Danu Beratan and the north
The temple that seems to float on Lake Beratan is in the cool highlands near Bedugul. Pair it with the Handara gate, the twin lakes viewpoint and waterfalls such as Banyumala or Sekumpul.
8. Waterfalls near Ubud
Tegenungan, Tibumana, Kanto Lampo and Tukad Cepung are all within an hour of Ubud. Wear shoes with grip; steps get slippery.
9. Nusa Penida day trip
A fast boat from Sanur takes roughly 30–45 minutes. Kelingking Beach (the "T-Rex" cliff), Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong and Crystal Bay are the classic stops. Roads on the island are rough, so hire a car with a driver rather than a scooter.
10. Temples of the east
Lempuyang Temple's "Gates of Heaven", Tirta Gangga water palace and Besakih, the mother temple on the slopes of Mount Agung, make a long but rewarding day from Ubud.
How many days do you need?
- 4–5 days: 2–3 nights Ubud + 2 nights Seminyak or Uluwatu.
- 6–7 days: add Nusa Penida (as a day trip or one night) and a northern day for Bedugul and the waterfalls.
- 10 days: add the Gili Islands or Lombok, or slow down in Sidemen or Amed in the east.
A sample 6-day plan
- Day 1: Arrive, transfer to Ubud (about 1.5 hours). Evening walk and a dance performance.
- Day 2: Tegallalang at sunrise, Tirta Empul water temple, a coffee plantation, Monkey Forest in the afternoon.
- Day 3: Optional Mount Batur sunrise trek, then waterfalls (Tibumana, Tukad Cepung) and rest.
- Day 4: Move south via Ulun Danu Beratan and Tanah Lot at sunset; stay in Seminyak or Canggu.
- Day 5: Nusa Penida day trip from Sanur.
- Day 6: Uluwatu beaches, sunset at Uluwatu Temple with the Kecak dance; fly out the next day.
What it costs (approximate, per person)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights from India (often via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur; some direct routes) | ₹25,000–35,000 | ₹35,000–55,000 |
| Stay per night (twin share) | ₹1,500–3,000 | ₹4,000–10,000 |
| Car with driver per day | ₹2,500–4,000 per car | ₹2,500–4,000 per car |
| Food per day | ₹1,000–1,500 | ₹2,000–4,000 |
| Nusa Penida day trip (boat + car) | ₹3,000–5,000 | ₹5,000–8,000 |
| Visa on arrival + Bali tourist levy | around ₹3,500–4,000 together | |
A 6-day trip typically works out to roughly ₹55,000–80,000 per person on a budget and ₹90,000–1.5 lakh mid-range, including flights.
Best time to visit Bali
The dry season, roughly April to October, has the most reliable weather; July and August are the busiest and priciest. November to March is the wet season. Afternoons bring heavy showers, but it is greener and cheaper. Indian searches for Bali trips peak in December and in April–May, so book flights early for those months.
Visa and entry for Indians
Indian passport holders can get a visa on arrival (also available online in advance as an e-VOA) for a short tourist stay, and visitors to Bali pay a separate tourist levy. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official Indonesian immigration site, evisa.imigrasi.go.id, before you fly. Your passport needs at least six months' validity.
Getting around
- Car with driver: the most comfortable way to sightsee; agree the hours and stops in advance.
- Ride-hailing apps: Grab and Gojek work in most of the south and Ubud, though some areas restrict pick-ups.
- Scooters: cheap but risky in heavy traffic; you need a valid international driving permit with a motorcycle endorsement, and insurance often won't cover you without one.
Practical tips
- Carry a sarong for temples (most lend or rent one at the gate).
- Vegetarian food is easy to find, and Indian restaurants exist in Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud.
- Drink bottled or filtered water.
- Plan one region per day, a 30 km drive can take two hours.
- Keep your itinerary, hotel bookings and flight tickets in one place: plan the trip in Sancharees and share the link with whoever is travelling with you.
FAQ
Is 5 days enough for Bali?
Yes, for Ubud plus one beach area. Add a day or two if you want Nusa Penida or the north.
Ubud or Seminyak: where should I stay?
Both, if you can. Ubud for culture and nature, Seminyak (or Uluwatu, or Nusa Dua for families) for the beach.
Is Bali good for a honeymoon?
Very. Private-pool villas in Ubud and cliff-top stays in Uluwatu are popular and often cheaper than comparable places in the Maldives.
Do Indians need a visa for Bali?
Indians can get a visa on arrival or an e-VOA for a short tourist trip, plus the Bali tourist levy. Check the official site for current fees.
Photo: Brantan Bali Pura-Ulun-Danu-Bratan-01 by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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