Building the Best Itinerary for Bali: Make the Most of Your 6D/5N

The small island of Bali in Indonesia is a tropical paradise with a bit of everything—beautiful beaches, clean diving spots, and relaxing resorts that make it a fun-in-the-sun getaway. It's no wonder it's one of the most sought-after destinations in the world!

Ever wonder what to do in Bali? Come and discover the vibrant culture and delicious food in the company of hospitable locals on this smiling island. Whether you’re a first-time or frequent visitor, there are plenty of activities and things to do. So, start planning your itinerary for Bali now.

While you figure out a plan, we tell you how you can build the best five-day Bali itinerary, taking in all this tropical paradise offers.

First things first: as soon as you arrive at the airport, you’ll need to book a hassle-free cab ride from the airport to your hotel. Don’t forget to include even the basic transportation details and transfers in your itinerary for Bali. Even as you head toward your destination, you will also experience Bali’s hospitality firsthand.

After you arrive at your hotel, it’s advisable to relax and rest for a few hours; You’ll need to gear up for the rest of your Bali travel itinerary! Once refreshed, you can visit The Uluwatu Temple, a Balinese shrine to the sea gods, with a commanding view of the ocean sunset. You can also watch a traditional choreographed Kecak Fire Dance performance straight from one of the Ramayan episodes.

After watching the sunset, you can head to Jimbaran Beach for a nice seafood dinner, perfect for couples and honeymooners looking to share a romantic moment.

Dedicate the next day to some fun sightseeing and outdoor activities in Bali’s cultural capital: Ubud.  Here you can come face-to-face with the exquisite birdlife of Indonesia at the Bali Bird Park, which houses birds from all across the Indonesian archipelago. You can even meet one of its most famous residents – the Komodo Dragon. After these close birdlife encounters, flock to Pura Desa Batuan or learn more about Bali’s Hindu heritage at this thousand-year-old ancient temple.

End your tour with a visit to the beautiful temple complex of Goa Gajah. Discover intricate sculptures, reliefs, and some of Bali’s finest sceneries. Moreover, the place is filled with hundreds of shops selling antiques, wood carvings, crafts, textiles, paintings and jewelry. You won’t want to miss shopping for all these souvenirs!

Another option for Day Two is to visit Kintamani on a mountain biking adventure. Blessed with tranquil landscapes covered in verdant rice paddies, this location is perfect for those looking for an offbeat experience. This tour allows you to take a break from Bali’s tropical landscapes and discover the relatively unexplored countryside.

Hop on a bike and pedal off after your guide as he takes you down the winding roads where you spot local farms, dense jungles, and coffee plantations. Don’t forget to snap photographs of Mount Batur's stunning volcanic slopes and Lake Batur's navy-blue waters.

Lastly, if you want to enjoy more attractions besides the landscapes of Kintamani or the wildlife of Ubud, we highly recommend embarking on a Nusa Penida day trip as well! Nusa Penida is a beautiful offshore island near Bali, which you can easily go to via a quick boat ride that you can book on Klook. You can visit many beautiful beaches around the island, take Instagram-worthy photos, and experience fun activities like dolphin watching, manta ray watching, snorkeling, and more.

After a heartwarming day in the hilly countryside, we head back to the tropics to splash out with some water activities. Besides, your Bali vacation is incomplete without trying watersport activities like river rafting, banana boat ride, scuba diving, surfing, snorkeling, and cave tubing.

Almost all water activities are operated at Tanjung Benoa Beach, located 10 minutes from Nusa Dua Beach and roughly a 30-minute drive from Kuta Beach, Legian Beach, Seminyak Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, Tanjung Benoa Beach, and Jimbaran Beach.

Alternatively, if you want to take a short breather from visiting the ocean, then go whitewater rafting at Ayung River (one of Bali’s top adventures). Follow the lead of expert guides while you marvel at the river’s gorgeous surroundings.

Your water adventures will mostly end in the evening. So if you’re looking to do something more after, see the Devdan Show to learn more about the colorful and diverse Indonesian culture. This award-winning local show will take you on a visual journey across the archipelago, displaying all the locals from different communities living in synergy. In your itinerary for Bali, it’s always a good idea to include activities that will help you learn more about the island’s culture.

Cap off the day by savoring a delicious buffet and receive convenient roundtrip transfers from your hotel.

The fun continues on Day Four with a visit to the famous Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, the largest rice terrace in the region. You can even do a small trek to the top of the terrace to catch a panoramic view of the entire Jatiluwih village, or explore these via bicycle. Apart from rice paddies, you can even visit a few beautiful temples nearby, like Taman Ayun Temple and Batu Karu Temple, to experience tranquility.

You would not want to miss including this in your itinerary for Bali: visit the famous Tanah Lot Temple, a fantastic place to catch a breathtaking view of the sunset. In case you want to avoid a flood of tourists, grab a table at the nearby cafe or beach shack and watch the setting sun.

While you’re around the vicinity, you can also try to visit the Taman Ayun Temple (also known as Garden Temple) en route and stop by Alas Kedaton, Bali’s protected monkey forest.

There’s no running out of things to do in Bali, so even after all your activities, there is still shopping and relaxation to get to! Your trip is incomplete without shopping, and Bali has enough spots to entice the shopaholic in you. Roam around the local markets, and you’ll understand why Bali is a go-to for shopping.

From designer clothing to traditional handicrafts and Bali’s finest Kopi Luwak coffee, there is something for everyone. The prices are reasonable and don’t burn a hole in your pocket.

There are various local street markets, shopping malls, food courts, and more where you can shop ‘til you drop. Ubud Art Market, Mal Bali Galleria, Discovery Shopping Mall, and Sukawati Art Market are just a few of Bali's busiest shopping corners.

Don’t fret if all the shopping has worn you out; why not relax over a luxury spa treatment? This island is renowned for its luxury spas, world-class relaxing techniques, and ancient healing therapies. You can check out Lluvia Spa in Seminyak to unwind after a long day of walking and activities.

Do check into one of these spas and experience a sense of calmness, it’s a great way to end your trip. De-stress your body and mind and uplift your mood for the journey home.

As your trip ends, we suggest that you pack your luggage and relax for the journey back home. You can use the private cab transfer services again to safely return to the airport.

After the six days, we’re sure you will be looking back at the trip re-energized and fulfilled. This itinerary for Bali will let you explore the tropical paradise in its true breath. And it will help you realize that there is truly a neverending list of things to do in Bali, Indonesia! If these 6 days are not enough, a week is more than what we recommend to spend on this beautiful island so that you can spare some more time to explore the rest of its wonders.