The Best 2 Weeks in Bali Itinerary: Hotels, Restaurants & Things to Do
Disclaimer: Real-life human experiences. Written by a human. Created for humans. (Travels at Missy does not use AI for our articles. All posts and information are 1st hand experience. AI data-scrapping tools are expressly forbidden from using Travels with Missy content for AI Training).
Bali is one of those places that rarely disappoints. For first-time visitors to Bali, or even repeat visitors, you’ll be met with a sense of wonderment and awe – and it’s not just because of the incredible scenery, but also some of the friendliest people on our planet. My 2 week Bali itinerary allows for an easy-to-navigate journey and exploration of one of Indonesia’s most beautiful islands.
The longer you can spend in Bali the better, but with limited annual leave or vacation time, what is the best 2-week itinerary for Bali that packs it all in? My Bali guide will hit all the major highlights that visitors to Bali need to see at least once. I recently spent 2 weeks as part of a 6-week exploration of Asia and am bubbling with tips on Bali and how to get the most out of your dream vacation.
For the sake of this guide, I’m aiming it at first-time visitors to Bali, but even repeat visitors might find some gems throughout this 2 week Bali itinerary.
Traffic Travel Tips
If you’re traveling on a long-haul flight to Bali, you’ll want to stay close to the airport for 1 reason. The traffic in Bali sucks. The island is quite small, and the infrastructure was never built for the huge volume of tourists that visit this island in their millions throughout the year.
So if you’ve arrived in Bali after a 10 or 14-hour flight, the last thing you want to do is be stuck in traffic that barely moves. I made the mistake of staying in Canggu, and after a very long flight, I then had to spend another 2.5 hours in traffic! And the disappointing thing is that Canggu is really not that far from the airport! It is only 15 km. (Note: if you’re landing in the middle of the night after 10 pm, the traffic should be considerably better).
Stay near the airport in Jimbaran for the night if you’ve come off a long-haul flight, before continuing on with your 2-week Bali itinerary.
For more tips on how to get around Bali, essential apps to use and visa information head to my post of the best tips on Bali here.
2 Week Bali Itinerary Overview
Mix & match as needed – perhaps you don’t want to move around as much, or want to focus on relaxation, then cut days or places as needed.
- Day 1 – 3: Uluwatu
- Day 4 – 7: Ubud
- Day 8 – 10: Nusa Lembongan
- Day 11 – 12: Nusa Penida
- Day 13 – 14: Canggu/Amed/Lovina
Uluwatu
Uluwatu is the bulbous part of Bali and is known for its excellent surfing, dramatic beaches and laid-back cafes and restaurants. It’s a lot more spread out then say the likes of Canggu, but that’s also the appeal.
Rent a scooter to get your bearings, visiting acclaimed surf spots like Padang Padang Beach & Bingin Beach.
The beach clubs in Uluwatu are some of the best on the entire island, with Sundays Beach Club being a firm favorite of mine. Spend the day relaxing at a fantastic beach club that offers 5-star service.
One of the most popular activities to do in Uluwatu is to visit the Uluwatu Temple at sunset and watch the infamous Kecek dance which is mesmerizing and hugely popular.
Cafe culture in Bali is truly exceptional. You’ll find a great coffee culture too and if you’re working, you can find some great spaces to spend your days working from in Uluwatu.
Days 1 -3 Uluwatu
Day 1: Explore the many beaches of Uluwatu, and coffee hop your way around the cafes.
Day 2: Relax at a beach club before watching sunset at Uluwatu Temple and the Kecek Dance.
Day 3: Finish exploring the beaches of Uluwatu.
Best Cafes in Uluwatu
- % Arabica
- Ulu Garden
- Suka Espresso
- Alchemy Uluwatu
- The Loft
- Salty Coffee Bali
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
Uluwatu is spread out and has a mix of accommodations. You’ll find high-end resorts (and if you head over to Nusa Dua, you’ll find a lot more choice of mega-resort hotel types).
The accommodation in Uluwatu is some of the more pricey end of things in Bali, and there is a limited range of budget accommodation over this part of the island.
Transport is a must for getting around Uluwatu, either renting your own scooter, using a grab bike taxi or hiring your own driver is a must.
Hotels in Uluwatu
Terra Cottages Bali – Bingin Beach location with stunningly decorated rooms. Probably the perfect Uluwatu location.
Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu – Large 5-star hotel less than 2000 feet from Impossible Beach.
Gravity Eco Boutique Hotel – Adults Only This iconic Balinese hotel with a stunning pool and extra bonus points for being adults only too!
Seno Guesthouse & Cafe – I stayed here for 5 nights and loved the small hotel feel. A great budget option.
Ubud
Ubud is one of the most beautiful places in Bali. There is something about Ubud that has drawn people to its serene center for decades. As much as I like Canggu, it’s quite superficial and not the real Bali that most tourists seek out on their 2 week Bali itinerary.
Ubud is worth spending at least 4 days exploring a variety of waterfalls, rice terraces, or just exploring the town of Ubud.
Waterfalls & Rice Terraces near Ubud
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces
- Tukad Ceping waterfall
- Leke leke waterfall
- Munduk waterfall
- Mundak rice fields
Known for lush rice terraces that are breathtakingly picturesque and now an influencer playground, you can easily spend a day exploring a day club, like Creyta, and looking over the magnificent rice terraces that are jaw-droppingly picturesque.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is an opportunity to see wild monkeys in their natural environment. I’ve been here twice and I have to admit I’m not a fan. The monkeys, especially the babies, may look sweet but at the end of the day they are wild animals and unpredictable.
However, the setting of Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is beautiful, set amidst a jungle with lush foliage and temples. If you don’t have any fear of wild animals, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this unique part of Ubud.
Spend a day learning how to cook traditional Balinese and Indonesian dishes in a cooking class, or visit one of the many beautiful yoga studios around the town are some of the fantastic ways of spending time in Ubud.
Days 4 – 6 Ubud
Day 4: Walk around the beautiful town of Ubud, shopping, eating, and visiting Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
Day 5: Head out to Tegalalang Rice Terraces and spend a morning or afternoon exploring the rice terraces and day clubs. In the afternoon pick a waterfall to explore.
Day 6: Visit the Ubud Art Market and walk the Juwak Manis Rice Field Walk. In the afternoon decide to spend it in a Balinese cooking class or Yoga studio.
Where to Stay in Ubud
Ubud has a huge variety of places to stay. For more luxurious resorts and hotels you’ll stay outside of the center of Ubud with properties located in lush jungle and rice fields. If you’re on a budget or just want to be in the mix of everything consider staying in the center of Ubud on either Jl. Monkey Forest or Jl. Hanoman roads.
- Ibah – 5-star luxury a few minutes walk from the center of Ubud and located near the entrance to the beginning of Campuhan Ridge Walk. A stunning luxury property and unforgettable.
- Dewangga Ubud – Steps from the center of Ubud town and a few minutes walk from Ubud Palace, Dewangga Ubud features a spectacular pool and traditional Balinese accommodation.
- Yuni’s House – A local homestay that’s warm and welcoming in the heart of Ubud. You cannot beat the location for being in the center of everything and great accommodation prices.
Nusa Lembongan
On my most recent trip to Nusa Lembongan, I fell in love with an island that I had previously promised myself never to revisit.
Arriving at Mushroom Bay Beach by ferry from mainland Bali takes only an hour and a half and you’ll suddenly feel miles away from the busyness of the ‘mainland’.
The best way to explore the island is to rent your own set of wheels – scooter or golf cart seem to be the most popular.
There is so much to see and do in Nusa Lembongan and neighboring Nusa Ceningan that it’s worth spending at least 3 days here before continuing to nearby Nusa Penida.
Days 7 – 9 Nusa Lembongan
Day 7: Exploration of Nusa Lembongan on a scooter.
Day 8: Mangroves of Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan exploration.
Day 9: Find your favorite beach to relax and enjoy a lazy day at the beach. If skipping Nusa Penida, take a day trip across and experience the island and all its sights.
Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan has a great selection of really affordable hotels and homestays. Its a budget paradise, and for very little you’ll get a lot. For more ideas of where to stay look at my post dedicated in Nusa Lembognan for a more indepth review of what to see, do and where to stay.
- Mola Mola House – Mushroom Bay Beach is my top choice of locations in Nusa Lembongan to base your stay and Mola Mola House is located at the end of one of the best beaches in Nusa Lembongan and is the perfect budget stay. You’re also steps from the ferries back to Bali.
- The Shacks at Sandy Bay – One of the best places to watch the sunset, Sandy Bay is gorgeous and small with one or two restaurants and fantastic accommodations. The Shacks at Sandy Bay are divine and if you’re lucky enough to get a booking here, well worth the price. Perfect for a break from the hustle and bustle.
- Le Pirate Beach Club – Adults Only – Adorable little triangle huts of Le Pirate on neighboring Nusa Ceningan are fantastic. Nusa Ceningan is a superb island and totally worth basing your stay on too, with so much to see and the infamous Yellow Bridge that connects it with Nusa Lembongan is iconic.
Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is action-packed. A lot of visitors tend to visit Nusa Penida as part of a day trip from Bali, but it’s so worth staying at least 2 nights on the island and exploring at your own pace.
Nusa Penida is home to some of the most iconic beaches that you’ll have seen splayed across TikTok and Instagram. Diamond Beach & Kelingking (T-Rex) Beach are two of the most famous beaches, with a daring descent only for the brave (or you can look at the beaches from the top of these perilous cliffs and still enjoy the spectacular views).
Renting a scooter is only for those who are extremely comfortable on dirt roads, and being overtaken at high speeds by large white SUVs. Book a tour that covers either the east or west side of the island in a comfortable car like this one.
Nusa Penida was one of my favorite parts of my 2 week Bali itinerary and surprised with every new corner I drove my scooter around, and left me yearning for my own GoPro so I could have captured some of the incredible scenery.
Swim with Manta rays (or don’t!), one of the most popular snorkeling tours off Nusa Penida is to swim with these wild sea creatures. On my Manta Ray tour we didn’t see any, and to be honest I was kind of glad as they’re huge! However, I did see a turtle, and that made the entire trip worth it for me.
Days 7 – 9 Nusa Lembongan
Day 10: Explore the East Side of Nusa Penida – Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach & the infamous Tree House.
Day 11: Explore the West Side of Nusa Penida – Kelingking Beach, Broken Bay, Angel’s Billabong & Crystal Beach.
Day 12: Manta Ray Snorkel Tour & Relaxation
Where to stay in Nusa Penida
- Double G Guest House – I based my stay in this basic homestay with the loveliest owners. They couldn’t have been any nicer or more helpful as I navigated Nusa Penida on my scooter on my own. It’s basic, but excellent value and close to the ferry to Nusa Lembongan.
- Le Roja Bungalows – Located on the east side of Nusa Penida, this is one of the best locations for a longer stay. Le Roja Bungalows are located on the main road to Diamond Beach, but it’s still very peaceful, with lots of beach bars and restaurants along the way.
- Sea La Vie Resort Nusa Penida – A fabulous 4-star hotel on the water’s edge with spectacular snorkeling in the waters by the hotel’s jetty.
Canggu
It’s time to head back to mainland. Canggu is the last place of your 2 weeks in Bali itinerary and it’s time to visit beach bars, shop in the Canggu boutiques and spend your days wandering from cafe to cafe.
For a detailed post, read my Canggu Guide here.
Canggu has become an influencer paradise, and the cafes and restaurants here are really exceptional. If at this stage of your 2 week Bali itinerary, you’re craving something other than Indonesian food, you’ll find the widest range of restaurants serving everything you could imagine.
If Canggu doesn’t sound like the place for you, swap it out with either Lovina or Amed for beach, snorkeling, and escaping the influencer set.
Canggu is all about relaxation, massages, facial treatments, sipping cocktails and watching epic sunsets from the beach bars. Visit Love Anchor market for fantastic shopping, as well as the many other wonderful boutiques in the area. Visit Tanah Lot, one of the most important water temples in Bali – sunset is one of the most popular times to visit (just be weary of the insane traffic afterwards.)
Head to La Brisa for the ultimate cocktail sundowner, before zooming off on your bike to nearby dinner in the excellent restaurants in Canggu & Pererenan.
If you’re a keen surfer or would love to give it a try, then Canggu is a great place to join a surf camp and learn how to catch a few waves.
Canggu Cafes & Restaurants
- Copenhagen Canggu
- Sensorium Bali
- Shelter Restaurant
- RiZE Bali
- Woods Pererenan
- Milk & Madu
- Revolver Canggu
- almond.
Where to stay in Canggu
Canggu has a variety of accommodations for all budget styles. The closer to Canggu Beach & Pererenan Beach the pricier things tend to get. You can still get a few local homestays which are so worth staying in.
- BoHo Canggu – I loved my stay in Boho Canggu overlooking a peaceful rice terrace and a 7-minute drive from the beaches of Canggu. It’s a slice of BoHo paradise and just a superb hotel. The sunsets were spectacular.
- Villa del Mar – A beautiful 3-star hotel in one of the best locations. Easy to walk everywhere and just off the busy main road, it’s an affordable slice of Balinese heaven.
- Putu Homestay – Another superb location with really affordable rooms. If you’re planning on not renting a scooter (use Grab Bikes if you’re nervous), Putu Homestay is a great place to stay.
Best Time To Visit Bali
There are certain times of the year when you’ll get fantastic weather, hot days and blue skies. And then there’s the wet season.
The dry season runs from April – October.
The best time to visit Bali is during the months of June, July & August. These also happen to be the busiest times of the year to visit Bali as well as the hottest!
September is the optimal time to go to Bali, the weather is perfect and it’s a bit quieter and not quite yet rainy season!
The rainy season starts in November (but can also start as early as October) and continues until around April. Rainy season does not mean entire days of rain, but usually a downpour that lasts an hour or so. Sometimes it can be less, or more, but an entire travel day will rarely be washed out.
Also good to note for anyone heading off to Thailand next, the rainy seasons are the opposite in Thailand. So when its raining in Thailand, head to Bali!
Destination Alternatives
If you’ve been to Bali before or some of the destinations on my 2 week Bali itinerary don’t sound appealing consider the following places:
Instead of Ubud head to Sideman for a quieter experience with hardly any commerical rice terraces like the ones found in Tegalalang Rice Terraces.
Amed – If Canggu sounds like your idea of hell (& it’s definitely not for everyone), head north-east to Amed for epic snorkeling, beach huts and a lot less commercial.
Lovina – I haven’t been to Lovina since my first trip to Bali in 2009, so I don’t know if its changed a lot. It was a lovely low-key destination back then, and I don’t think it has changed too much. It’s quite a distance from the airport so you’ll need to plan your trip accordingly if heading there after or before a flight.
Conclusion
Bali is a wonderful destination and you can pack a lot into a 2 week itinerary. Or take it as slow as you want. I crammed a lot into my 2 weeks in Bali itinerary and loved every second of it.
However, I also recognize that this may be quite exhausting if it’s your only vacation of the year. So take it at your own pace. And enjoy the beautifulness and joy that Bali brings.
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Meet Missy…
Missy spent the first 2 decades of her life living in her native Dublin, Ireland. Before a life living overseas called to her, and she spent the next decade living in China, Laos & Belgium. She now splits her time in Antwerp, Belgium, and wherever the sun is currently shining. You can follow Missy’s real-time travels on her Instagram.
