1 Month Itinerary in Bali — Evan and Lemon

Get ready for a month-long adventure through Bali's diverse landscapes, rich culture, and stunning beauty. This meticulously planned itinerary will take you from the pristine cliffs of Uluwatu to the serene beaches of the Gili Islands. Explore Bali's treasures, immerse yourself in its culture, and unwind in its natural wonders.

Be sure to read our guide Everything You Need To Know About Bali.

Day 1-4: Uluwatu - Cliffside Beauty

How to get there: Prearrange transportation through your hotel or use the app Grab to book an affordable ride to your accommodation.
Where to Stay: Uluwatu is a smaller area and there are incredible places to stay near the ocean. We splurged and stayed at PinkCoCo Uluwatu (adults only) and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. For a more budget friendly stay, look for a guesthouse.
What to Do: Begin your Bali adventure in Uluwatu by exploring the iconic Uluwatu Temple. Watch the captivating Kecak Dance at sunset, and relaxing on the pristine beaches like Padang Padang. If you're a surfer, don't miss the renowned surf spots along the coast. If you are an experienced motorbike rider, we recommend to rent one from your hotel and ride around Uluwatu exploring beaches like Green Bowl, Suluban and Dreamland. Otherwise, hire a driver for the day (or half the day) and head to Melasti Beach. If beach clubs are your thing then you will be in heaven! This beach area is stunning and packed with fancy beach clubs. You can also opt to eat some delicious local food at the food stalls located just near the beach clubs.
Where to Eat: For breakfast and delicious coffee head over to The Loft. You might want to visit this next spot twice for dinner because it is THAT GOOD. Make a reservation at Ours for incredible pasta and wine and save room for dessert because it’s delicious!

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Day 5-6: Canggu - Surf and Relaxation

How to Get There: Hire a driver or take a Grab Taxi from Uluwatu to Canggu.
Where to Stay: If you aren’t an experienced motorbike rider then look for an accommodation within a 10 minute walk to the beach. Otherwise anywhere in the Canggu area will be fine. The traffic here is MAD so be sure to take that into account when looking for an accommodation. We’ve stayed at the following places and can recommend all of them. Na-Mi Guesthouse, #01 Modern Apartment Close to Batu Bolong Beach, and Frii Echo Beach Bali.
What to Do: Immerse yourself in the surf culture of Canggu with surfing lessons or simply relax on Echo Beach. Explore the trendy cafes, beach bars, and boutique shops. The shopping here is unlike anywhere else in Bali. You will find many unique clothing and jewelry shops but what Canggu is lacking in is culture. Canggu is the digital nomad capital of Bali so you will also find many western amenities here like co-working spaces, gyms, bars and restaurants.
Where to Eat: Try smoothie bowls, fresh juices, and international cuisine at Canggu's famous cafes. Some of our fav spots are Roti Canai Street Kitchen any time of day, Lola’s Cantina Mexicana for dinner (this whole place is a vibe), Shady Shack for breakfast and lunch. Honestly there are SO many places to eat in Canggu, just be sure to read the recent google reviews.

Day 7-9: Nusa Penida - Island Paradise

How to Get There: Take a ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida.
Where to Stay: You can find accommodations for all budgets but if you can afford to spend a little extra (think $50-$100 a night) there are some amazing hotels with incredible views. We recommend these top rated hotels in Nusa Penida: The Kama, Pramana Natura Nusa Penida, The Sankara Beach Resort. If you’re looking for a budget accommodation we recommend Hotel Arsa Santhi which is where we stayed. We did enjoy this hotel and it is near the pier but if we were to go back, we would probably splurge on a nicer accommodation with a view.
What to Do: Nusa Penida is an island filled with adventure! Explore Angel's Billabong, Broken Beach, Kelingking Beach, and snorkel in Crystal Bay. While the beaches are stunning, it takes some work to get to them. If you’re afraid of heights beware… usually the steps down to the beach are not guided by rail. Take a day tour to discover the island's natural beauty.
Where to Eat: Try local seafood and Balinese dishes at local warungs. Most hotels will include breakfast but for lunch or dinner the best recommendation is to eat at a local Warung nearby. There aren’t too many restaurants on Nusa Penida but we did find 2 hidden gems. Wyn’s Cafe Penida serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and we ate there several times and it was delicious. Also be sure to grab a coffee and freshly baked pastry at Orion’s Bakery near the pier. Often times, if you book a nicer hotel, there will be a restaurant on site.

Day 10-13: Ubud - Cultural Exploration

How to Get There: Instead of just taking a taxi from Uluwatu to Ubud, hire a driver for a day and make a day trip out of it. Ask your driver to make some stops along the way and turn your travel day into an adventure! We’ve used Ketut as our driver several times in Bali and he’s super reliable and friendly- you can contact him on WhatsApp +6281999405463. WhatsApp is the app everyone uses for texting in Bali (including restaurants and other businesses).
Where to Stay: Ubud Center if you want to walk everywhere. If you are an experienced motorbike driver, or don’t mind taking a taxi into town, we recommend accommodations amidst rice terraces for an authentic experience. Ubud is a very central location which will acts as a great homebase for day trips. We’ve stayed at the following places in Ubud and can recommend them all: Ayunda Ubud Cottage, this Airbnb is a little off the beaten path but had STUNNING views of the rice terraces, Ubud Kerta City Hotel is a great budget option and right in the middle of Ubud.
What to Do: Dive into Ubud's rich culture by visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. We aren’t big fans of monkeys so we have skipped this on our trips to Bali. Hire a driver and explore Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Go shopping at the Ubud Art Walk or Ubud Market. At night, witness the traditional Balinese dance- these tickets can be purchased from the venu but make sure to get there at least 30 minutes ahead of time to get a good seat. Get a massage! The BEST massage I’ve ever had was at Gratia Spa- for the life of me I cannot remember the womans name but I’m sure they all give great massages. If you’re wondering how much a 30 minute foot massage is- its less than $6. As we mentioned before, Ubud’s central location will allow you to explore a lot of the island. An hour before sunset, hike the Campuhan Ridge walk for beautiful views. Visit the Goa Gajah Temple and be sure to dress appropriately (cover your legs, midrif and shoulders). A lot of Temples will still require you to wear a traditional sarong and will provide them for you either for a fee or included with the temple entry ticket. We recommend to hire a driver for the day and see as much as possible. If you aren’t sure what to do or where you want to go, you can always ask your driver for recommendations. Below we have listed several things you could do on day trips from Ubud.
Day Trips: Stop by a local coffee plantation for a tour and tasting of local coffee, including Luwak (poop) coffee. Visit one of Bali’s MANY waterfalls like Nyung Nyung or Leke Leke (waterfalls are best visited early in the morning to avoid the crowds). Hike Mt. Batur, which will require you to get up extremely early, or take a Jeep tour up to watch the sunrise. We opted for the latter and had the most amazing morning! 10/10 we recommend you take this walking tour that includes lunch. Not only did we get to spend time in the rice fields but our guide,Putu, was an incredible speaker and story teller. We learned SO much about Balinese culture, food and traditions. His wife, Ria, cooked us lunch at the end of the tour and to this day it was one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Head up to Sideman and make your own silver jewelry at Agung Silver- this was by far one of our favorite things we’ve done in Bali. Spend the morning at Taman Ujung Water Palace, it’s so beautiful here and a great place to take some photos. What you won’t see mentioned here is any of the “bali swing” locations as they are incredibly busy and not really our thing- no judgement at all so do it if you want! Get the real Balinese rice terrace experience without the crowds at Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a Unesco World Heritage site.
Where to Eat: Savor Balinese dishes at local warungs like Nasi Goreng, Nasi Campur or Gado Gado. Ubud is also FILLED with cafes and restaurants serving up delicious coffee and food. Here are some of our favorite restaurants. Stroll through the rice terraces just before sunset and have dinner at Sweet Orange Warung. They have both western and Balinese food and be sure to pet their friendly cat. Lazy Cats Cafe is going to be your go to breakfast spot, not only is this cafe incredibly aesthetic but the food and coffee are good too! For an escape from the Ubud crowds have breakfast or lunch at the true hidden gem Lexxy’s Ground. Located on top of a hill and connected to a hotel, this little slice of peaceful heaven is the perfect spot to have a quiet, and delicious, breakfast. Enjoy the most delicious coconut affogato at Tukies Coconut Shop. Some other places we enjoyed are MD Burger, Sushi at Ikigai Ubud, splurge on cocktails at The Lair.

Day 14-16: Sideman - Rice Terraces and Village Life

How to Get There: Hire a driver Ubud to Sideman.
Where to Stay: For a more local experience, stay at this guesthouse. The rooms are clean, comfortable, it includes breakfast and the family that hosts you is so kind. Samanvaya Adults Only is an incredible property with a beautiful spa, we didn’t stay here, but wish we did lol.
What to Do: Discover the scenic rice terraces, go trekking through the countryside, and experience the traditional way of Balinese life in Sideman's charming villages. Create your own silver jewelry with professional silversmiths at Agung Silver! This was one of the funnest days we had in Bali and totally worth the price. Spend a day lounging by the pool at THIS CAFE, the food is declicious! As most restaurants here in Sideman, they are run by a small family and often times the food can take a while if the restaurant fills up so be patient.
Where to Eat: Enjoy Balinese meals prepared by local families in Warungs. We recommend eating at Lihat Sawah Restaurant, Warung Tirta Unda, Sleeping Gajah Kitchen & Lounge, and Nana’s Pool & Bar Sideman.

Day 17-18: Munduk - Tranquil Mountain Village

How to Get There: Hire a driver from Sideman to Munduk.
Where to Stay: Enjoy a peaceful night amidst the cool mountains. There are several small family run spots here that are absolute hidden gems like THIS ONE. We opted to stay at this airbnb right in the rice terraces. The host was LOVELY and even made us an appetizer and tea one night but keep in mind this is an open house and had lots of critters. For luxury, we recommend Munduk Moding Plantation which is one of the most famous places to stay in Munduk and truly an incredible experience. For rice terrace views and a pool check out Mayura Bali Villa.
What to Do: Explore the lush forests, visit waterfalls like Munduk and Melanting, and take in the fresh mountain air. A few things to note, things are pretty spread out in Munduk so if you have experience riding a motorbike, that is the best way to get around. But since you are only spending 2 nights here, we recommend you get a comfortable place to stay with a beautiful view and just relax and eat at your hotel.

Day 19-21: Mount Batur - Adventure and Relaxation

How to Get There: Hire a driver to take you from Munduk to Lake Batur. You can organize this with your previous hotel. Ask him or her to stop at a grocery store or market so you can stock up on provisions before you reach Mt. Batur.
Where to Stay: Mount Batur Area - Find accommodations with views of the lake and the volcano. We stayed at this hotel and had the BEST pancakes of our lives and incredible views of the lake. If you aren’t experienced in riding a motorbike, be sure to bring some provisions with you and inquire with your hotel if there is a place to store them. The roads are windy and not super walkable. Most restaurants are located at these little hotels and options are limited so take this into consideration when booking an accommodation. We also informed our hotel that we would be drinking beer so they could stock up. Most of these businsesses are very small and family run and serve mostly Balinese food with little western options. We cannot stress enough to either choose a hotel with an on site restaurant or stay somewhere within walking distance (5-10 mins). Volcano Terrace Bali also offers views of Lake Batur and is top rated in the area.
What to Do: Embark on a thrilling sunrise trek to the summit of Mount Batur. Afterward, relax in natural hot springs with stunning views of the volcano and Lake Batur. If you’re not feeling super adventerous, you can take this jeep tour which we took and throughly enjoyed, up a mountain to watch the sunrise on top of the jeep and eat a local breakfast and coffee or tea.
Must-Try Food: Warm up with a cup of traditional Balinese ginger tea and enjoy local favorites like Nasi Goring and Gado Gado.

Day 22-28: Gili Islands - Paradise in the Ocean

How to Get There: Take a boat from Bali to the Gili Islands. There is a fast boat and a slow ferry and our recommendation is if you get sea sick to take the slow ferry as the ship is bigger and less rocky. The fast boat is what most people take and is more expensive, but saves you on time.
Where to Stay: We recommend everyone to stay on Gili Air as it is the best of the 3 islands. GIli T is more of a tourist/party island and Gili Meno doesn’t have as much to offer and better suited for honeymooners. We stayed at this airbnb and absolutely loved it, though the room is very sall, we enjoyed the location, the cold AC, the amazing included breakfast and the kind staff. You could really stay anywhere that has good reviews, just make sure it’s not right next door to the Mosque as the call to prayer will be very loud. Other top rated hotels include Mowies Gili Air, Villa Tokay if you want to splurge, and Gili Air Escape.
What to Do: The best thing you can do on the Gili Islands is to relax and enjoy the beaches and swim in the crystal clear waters. Take this snorkeling tour and start as early in the morning as possible- seriously we made the mistake of going around 10am and all of the snorkling spots were packed. You are here to relax so be sure to post up at a beach club, like Zipp Bar Restaurant or Raja Bar & Restaurant. Enjoy a movie al fresco at 7Seas Restaurant.
Must-Try Food: Our FAVORITE spot to eat on Gili Air is Mama Pizza for beachfront Italian dining. The food here is absolutely incredible and we bet you will eat here more than once during your trip. We also recommend Oranges Warung and Best Friends Warung for lunch or dinner. It’s worth it to take a trip to Gili T just to eat fish tacos and indulge in hand crafted Tiki cocktails at Tiki Grove. The owners are so kind and the second you step into their outdoor restaurant you feel like you’ve been transported to the French Polynesia. Make a reservation as there tends to be a line out the door each night!

Day 29-30: Kuta Beach - Farewell and Relaxation

How to Get There: Take a boat back to Bali from the Gili Islands and drive or take a taxi to Kuta.
NOTE: We only recommend to stay in Kuta the day before your flight. The traffic in Bali can be INSANE and for us, it’s not worth the risk of missing our flight by staying somewhere outside of the airport area. Kuta used to be a popular spot in Bali years and years ago but it is now a little run down and completely westernized. You won’t experience the true Bali culture in Kuta but you will have peace of mind knowing you are only 10 minutes or less from the airport.
Where to Stay: Mamaka by Ovolo , BS Home and Amnaya Resort are some of the highest rated hotels in Kuta. We stayed at Amnaya and it was a beautiful ending to our time in Bali.
What to Do: Spend your final day in Bali with a visit to Kuta Beach to watch the sunset with a Bintang in hand. There is also a lot of shopping available in Kuta if you want to pick up any last minute souvenirs.
Must-Try Food: You will find mostly western restaurants in Kuta and honestly, we ordered delivery to the hotel instead of venturing out.

We are so excited for your adventure in Bali! We curated this 1 month Bali itinerary to maximize your time on the Island while also giving you time to relax. With the resources, links and tips in this 1 month itinerary your trip to Bali will prive to be unforgettable!

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