Twenty-one days is an ideal amount of time if you really seriously want to cover some ground backpacking Bali and the surrounding islands. In this timeframe, you have enough time to travel to and enjoy Canggu, Ubud, Sidemen, Amed, Gili T, Nusa Penida and Uluwatu. This will be a perfect mix of nightlife, cultural sights, snorkelling, beach-hopping, getting off the beaten track and sunset watching. Are you spending more or less than twenty-one days in Indonesia? Check out my 7-day itinerary, 14-day itinerary, and 30-day itinerary.
Day 1- Canggu
After arriving at Denpasar International Airport, Canggu is generally the first stop of most backpackers’ routes due to its proximity to the airport.
If you arrive during the day and want to get out and explore, head to Love Machine in the heart of Canggu to do some shopping and exercise your haggling skills. Walk around the nearby streets, a mix of brunch spots, cute boutiques and local shops filled with cheap sarongs, sun dresses and sunglasses.
In the evening, head to Lola’s for Mexican and Marg’s and the immaculate pre-drink vibes. Fancy a night out? Make your way to La Favela, a popular club with multiple levels catering to different music tastes. Want drunk food? Head to pitstop burgers on your way back from La Favela for a great drunken feed.
Day 2- Canggu
Wake up early in the morning for a surf lesson on Canggu beach. After your morning surf, head to one of Canggu’s top-tier brunch spots, such as Crate Cafe or Avocado Factory. Canggu has such a cafe and brunch culture that I wrote a whole post on my favourite cafes, which you can read here.
Enjoy a chill afternoon by the hostel pool, or treat yourself to a spa afternoon at one of Canggu’s affordable day spas.
At around 4 pm, go to Tanah Lot Temple to explore this significant Balinese temple. Before sunset, head to the beach next to Tanah Lot for one of the most phenomenal sunset views. Be prepared for crowds, so make sure you get there early!
In the evening, head to Black Sand Brewery for dinner and pre-drinks. Then head out to dance barefoot on the sand at Sandbar- an infamous beach-front club.
Day 3- Canggu
You’ll probably wake up feeling a little dusty after a late night in Canggu. But that’s nothing a morning swim in the hostel pool and some smashed avo on toast at a cute cafe can’t fix.
After you’re feeling moderately better, it’s time for more drinks. Head to one of Bali’s infamous day clubs for an afternoon of lounging in a cabana, swimming, drinking and maybe even having a cheeky dance. There are many day clubs, such as Finns, La Brisa and Potato Head, to suit different budgets and vibes.
For dinner, head to Luigi’s- an institution in Canggu known for being a great pizza place. It also doubles as a hectic club on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you end up at Luigi’s on a night that isn’t their club night, head to Havana Bar for cheap drinks and fun dance vibes.
Day 4- Canggu to Ubud
Enjoy one last hungover Canggu brunch before heading to a place to rest your liver and experience more Balinese culture. That’s right; we’re heading to Ubud. For the full travel guide to Ubud, click here. To avoid peak traffic, try to leave Canggu no earlier than 10 am and no later than 2 pm. Otherwise, the journey can take 2-3 hours instead of 1 hour.
Spend the afternoon exploring Ubud city centre. Here you can visit cultural sites such as the Grand Palace and Saraswati Temple, and shopping in Ubud Central Market. Grab an early 5 pm dinner at Sun Sun Warung to avoid the dinner crowds. Sun Sun Warung is some of the best food you will eat in Indonesia; make sure you try the Nasi Campur.
After dinner, head back to the Grand Palace and buy your tickets to see a traditional dance performance. While the performance doesn’t start until 7:30, if you get there at 7 pm, you can nab a front-row seat with unobstructed views (trust me, it’s worth it).
Day 5- Ubud
Wake up early and feeling refreshed to kick off a full day of sightseeing. Grab breakfast at one of Ubud’s popular cafes, Clear Cafe or Zest. Either hire a driver for the day or head out on a scooter to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Walk the breathtaking rice fields, take plenty of photos or even have a go at one of the infamous Bali Swings overlooking the terraces.
Next, head to Tenungan Waterfall to swim in one of Bali’s most famous waterfalls (and for a good reason!). After an afternoon dip, make it back to Ubud city centre to tick off another bucket-list item- the monkey forest. Spend as little or as much time watching the Macau monkeys eating, playing and stealing unsuspecting tourists’ belongings from their pockets.
After you’ve had your monkey adventure fill, treat yourself to some banging Italian food at L’osteria. Then get an early night in preparation for another big day tomorrow.
Day 6- Ubud
Wake up early (like 2 am early) to tick off one of the best experiences in Indonesia, a Mount Batur Sunrise Hike. After getting in a fair few steps and hopefully witnessing a clear insta-worthy sunrise, grab a hearty brunch in town at one of Ubud’s cafes.
Head to Cretya Day Club in the afternoon to relax in their infinity pools overlooking the rice terraces. Treat yourself to cocktails, delicious food and a sneaky nap on a poolside cabana after a long morning of hiking.
If you’re not tired from such a long day, head to CP Lounge in Ubud city centre for more drinks and dancing.
Day 7- Ubud
Another early wakeup, this time to take a morning tour of a traditional market as a part of a Balinese cooking class.
After a morning spent cooking and eating, grab your swimming suit and jump in a car or scooter to visit Tirta Empul. Here you can participate in a traditional Balinese ceremony and be blessed by the holy waters of this temple.
Head back into town in time for a sunset stroll along the Campuhan Ridge. This is the best time to complete the walk both humidity-wise and lighting-wise for photos. After the ridge walk, head to Sun Sun Warung (yes, it’s that good you’ll want to go twice!). Enjoy your last night in Ubud with casual drinks and live music at Hideout Bar.
Day 8- Ubud to Sidemen
Wake up early again for a half-day traditional Balinese jewellery-making class in the silversmith village of Delodsema.
Head back into Ubud city centre with your new custom-made silver jewellery and go straight to Oka for lunch to try the Babi Guling, a famous Balinese dish, before making your way to the cutesy town of Sidemen. To make the most of your travel afternoon, consider stopping at Tukad Ceping Waterfall for a short hike and some swimming. Want more Sidemen recommendations? Head to my full travel guide here.
Wander around the small traditional village of Sidemen for golden hour. Then head to Asri Dining for happy hour cocktails and dinner. Get an early night’s sleep in your private villa, ready to explore Sidemen more tomorrow.
Day 9- Sidemen
After breakfast at the hotel, go for a walk or scooter ride through the rice terraces to the west of Sidemen. Stop at Warung Makan for great food and stunning vistas of the rice fields.
In the afternoon, head east to the traditional village of Iseh to enjoy more phenomenal views. Warung Organic has excellent food and panoramic countryside views if you need a snack or drink. Make one last stop at a traditional weaving shop for a demonstration. Then head back to your villa for a sunset dip in the pool.
Grab an early dinner at a local restaurant such as Warung Ady or Warung Tirta Unda before heading for an early night.
Day 10- Sidemen to Amed
Today, you’ll wake up before daylight, but I promise it will be all worth it. En route to Amed, head to Pura Lempuyang Temple, better known as the Gates of Heaven, for sunrise to beat the crowds. After spending the morning at the Gates of Heaven, explore the nearby Tirta Gangga Water Temple.
Grab some lunch at a local warung on the way to arrive in Amed early afternoon. After lunch, either book a half-day dive to the Japanese Shipwreck or go snorkelling just off the beach to see the underwater temple. Looking for more activities in Amed? I have a full travel guide on the destination here.
Before sunset, go to Blue Earth Restaurant. Here you can watch one of the best sunsets in Bali while eating delicious food and drinks.
Day 11- Amed to Gili T
Grab breakfast at Rimba Cafe or try their competitor Small Point Cafe, before heading to the port to depart for Gili T.
After checking in at your accommodation, rent a bicycle to explore the island. Jump off the bike anytime you fancy a drink at one of the beach bars or just a swim in the bluest waters you’ll ever see. Some other key stops are Pinkcoco (an all-pink restaurant that features in many Insta grid posts), Kelapa Villa Road (a cute laneway filled with bright flowers) and Casa Vintage Beach (a beach with rope swings, also very instagrammable). End your bike ride outside Mad Monkey Hostel, where you can watch the sunset and swing on the famous swings in the water.
Head to Jali for dinner and treat yourself to a delicious cocktail and even better burgers. The peanut butter burger is fantastic!
After dinner, head back to your hostel for pre-drinks, then head out to whichever venue is hosting the party that night. On Gili T, every night of the week, the party alternates between one of the many popular venues, so it is entirely dependent on the night of the week for where you will end up. For more information on the Gili T party scene and other recommendations, read my full travel guide here.
Day 12- Gili T
If you’re not too hungover, head to Banyan Cafe for a sensational smoothie bowl and coffee on the beach.
In the afternoon, if it’s a Thursday or Saturday, sign up for the My Mates Place Boat Party. After an afternoon of drinking, dancing and swimming off the boat, head back to whichever club is hosting the party for that night of the week.
Day 13- Gili T
Depending on how hard you partied last night and how much of a sleep-in you needed, either sign up for the three-island turtle snorkel trip or the sunset turtle snorkel. The three-island turtle snorkel lasts from 10 am- 3 pm and includes lunch. But if you need the sleep, jump on the shorter sunset turtle snorkel tour, which lasts from 3 pm- 6 pm and does not include any meals.
After enjoying a hopefully turtle-filled day, head to Regina’s for delicious, cheesy Italian food. If you’re not keen on another night out, head to the Aston Resort. At either 7 pm or 9 pm to grab a beanbag and enjoy their free beach cinema.
Day 14- Gili T to Nusa Penida
Wake up just before sunrise to join sunrise stand-up paddle board (SUP) yoga. This is one of the best activities I did on Gili T! Finishing up around 9 am, enjoy an early morning breakfast at Ayu Cafe overlooking the beach.
Spend the rest of the morning chilling out by the hostel pool. Alternatively, rent a snorkel and go for a swim to the east of the island anywhere where you see “turtle point” signs to hopefully spot some turtles.
Jump on an afternoon ferry to your next destination, the infamous Nusa Penida Island. You should arrive in time for sunset, which you will spend at Penida Colada restaurant and bar. You can enjoy sunset views, great food, live music and plenty of cocktail happy hour options. Want more recommendations and tips for Nusa Penida? Head to my full travel guide here.
Day 15- Nusa Penida
Enjoy complimentary breakfast at your accommodation before heading out for a day jam-packed with sightseeing on the island’s East Coast. The sights on the East Coast include Teletubbies Hill (called Bukit Teletubbies), Goa Giri Putri (Temple inside a cave), Treehouse (also called Molenteng Hill or Thousand Island Viewpoint) and Atuh Beach/ Diamond Beach.
While you can spend any amount of time enjoying the above locations, if you start early enough, you should be able to finish in time to enjoy the sunset and happy hour at one of the many sunset bars. Tonight, head to Secret Penida to try local and Western dishes, drink great cocktails and watch the sun go down. Head to bed early before another big day of sightseeing!
Day 16- Nusa Penida
After a complimentary breakfast at your accommodation, head off early to experience the beauty of the West Coast of Nusa Penida. The West Coast sights include Kelingking Beach (T-Rex Rock formation viewpoint), Broken Beach, Angel Billabong, and Crystal Bay Beach for snorkelling.
Again, I recommend finishing in time to make it back to the beach bars for sunset. Another excellent sunset bar with good vibes, food and drinks is Chill Penida.
Day 17- Nusa Penida to Uluwatu
Start the morning early with a Mantaray Snorkel or Dive (at your own risk, read my full experience with the manta snorkel here).
Afterwards make your way to the beach to catch a ferry to Sanur Port. From Sanur, it’s on to the last destination, the chilled-out surfer town of Uluwatu. For the full guide on tips and recommendations in Uluwatu, click here.
Grab lunch at the cult classic Yeye’s Warung for one of the best Nasi Campur’s Indonesia has to offer. Spend the rest of the afternoon swimming and chilling on the infamous Padang-Padang Beach, where some of the iconic scenes of Eat, Pray, Love were filmed. Make sure you check the tide times before you go. Padang-Padang Beach is best at low tide, as there is little beach to sit on, and it tends to get crowded.
For dinner, go to The Rolling Fork for authentic and delicious Italian food. If it’s a Tuesday night, make sure you stay for their Salsa Night in the back garden (one of the most random yet best nights!).
Day 18- Uluwatu
Start the day with a stunning smoothie bowl from Nourish Cafe before heading to Bingin Beach to watch the pro-surfers take on massive waves at high tide. Afterwards, go to the nearby Dreamland beach to swim in the crystal blue waters.
Head to Mazu Beach Club on Balangan Beach for a late lunch. The food is delicious, and there’s no minimum spend to use the infinity pool or spend the afternoon lounging on their beach-side cabanas.
For dinner, head to Ulu Cliffhouse for great burgers and cocktails. Ulu Cliffhouse becomes a club with great DJs if it’s a Friday or Saturday night. Want to keep partying after Ulu Cliffhouse winds down? Head to AngelMartz just near Singlefin for kick-ons. It is technically a convenience store, but after hours it becomes the only place open for a sesh.
Day 19- Uluwatu
Grab breakfast at one of the hottest cafes in Uluwatu- Suka Espresso. Be warned; you may have to wait for a seat. After you’ve enjoyed great food and coffee, go to Thomas Beach across the road and spend the morning relaxing on a lounger.
At midday, make your way to One-Eighty Day Club. Try and book a time slot at least 24 hours in advance. Treat yourself to fancy (and delicious) foods and cocktails to reach the minimum spend for a day bed. Make sure you make the most of the glass-bottom, cliffside infinity pool (yeah, you heard that right), which is every Tik Tok Creator’s wet dream.
At around 4 pm, head to Uluwatu Temple to explore the sight and also for the famous Fire Dance. Make sure you get there early to queue for your ticket. Also, to walk around to explore the temple in daylight before heading to the arena for the show.
After you’ve worked up an appetite at Uluwatu Temple, head to district 6 for Italian. If it’s a Monday or Wednesday night, they have all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta for cheap.
Day 20- Uluwatu
Start the day with a leisurely brunch at Ours Cafe. Try and get a table in the cutesy back garden area. After brunch, head to the famous Nyang Nyang Beach at low tide. Walk the scenic beach and take photos on top of the beached shipwrecks.
For lunch, head back to Yeye’s Warung for one last Nasi Campur (worth it for the double visit!). In the afternoon, head to Sulaban beach for a swim, relax and watch the surfers.
Just before sunset, make your way to SingleFin Day Club to enjoy the sunset. Grab food and a few drinks at Singlefin (if you can get a table). If not, walk just 5 minutes to the main road where there are many good restaurants such as Ulu Garden. If it’s a Sunday night, head back to SingleFin for their iconic Sunday evening party. When SingleFin closes, either head to Angelmartz or TwinFin (underneath SingleFin) for late-night drinks.
Day 21- Uluwatu
Depending on what time you leave, grab one last smoothie bowl at either Nourish, Ours or Suka Espresso Cafes. Spend the day revisiting one of the iconic Uluwatu beaches or chill in the hostel pool.
After getting in one last swim in the crystal clear waters surrounding Uluwatu, make your way to the airport in a Grab or scooter.
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