10 Days in Bali: The Bucket List Travel Guide 2025

Welcome to Bali! We’re starting our adventure in the surfing capital of the island, Uluwatu!

This beautiful coastal island is located on the southwestern tip of Bali, is a short 45-minute drive from the airport, and is the perfect location to get into the Balinese way of living.

The area itself is much more laid back than Canggu’s bustling nature. It is packed with stunning beaches, and magnificent rocky clifftops and is home to Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple.

If you’re visiting Uluwatu then Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple is an absolute must! As well as beauty, the breathtaking cliff temple offers rich insights into the history of the Balinese Hindu culture.

The entrance fee is only 50,000 IDR (~£2.50) for adults too!

Located close to Green Bowl Beach, this hostel features beautifully clean dorms and private rooms and offers complimentary dinners each night!

This complex of stunning wooden bungalows immerses you in the island lifestyle. Ocho Bali Surf Camp is more remote, making it perfect if you’re looking for a more private getaway.

Located on the doorstep of the favourite Padang-Padang Beach, this accommodation is perfect for couples who want a combination of relaxation and adventure.

Offering beautiful sea views and eco-friendly bungalows, Mu Bungalows adds a luxurious feel to your time in Bali.

Canggu holds a special place in my heart. It’s the first destination that I travelled to completely solo yet I felt so welcomed into the Balinese culture.

Jam-packed with healthy and aesthetically pleasing cafes, not to mention being a gym-goer’s paradise, it would be impossible for me to create a Bali Travel Guide without including Canggu!

It’s just a short 30-minute drive away from Uluwatu. I’d recommend travelling early to avoid the traffic and to have enough time to explore this lively destination!

◼️Recommended: The BEST Gyms in Bali for Backpackers that Cost £6 or Less!

My number one recommendation for tourists would be to take a surfing lesson at one of Canggu’s beaches. Lessons are around 350,000 IDR (~£17) and your teacher will be surfing with you, and they will provide tips to become a surfing pro!

If you’re a beginner, I recommend taking a lesson earlier during the day when the waves are smaller. You can find numerous locally owned surfing companies along Canggu Beach, take your pick!

◼️Related: Ultimate Guide to Bali’s Best Surf Beaches: From Beginner to Pro

A shopaholic’s dream! Home to Canggu’s Love Anchor Store, here you’ll find loads of beautiful gifts and souvenirs sold by the locals.

There are also many independent boutiques around the area to find unique pieces to bring home with you.

◼️ Related: 10 Awesome Activities You Need To Do In Canggu, Bali!

Some of my absolute favourite places I have eaten in Canggu include:

• Crate Cafe
• Superfood Health Restaurant Canggu
• The Avocado Factory
• The Shady Shack
• Nude
• Baked
• Motion Fitness Foods (for the best protein waffles ever!)

For further insights into the best places to eat in Canggu, see 9 Best Healthy Cafes and Restaurants In Canggu, Bali 2025!

This bright and light hostel is wonderfully clean, has its own pool, and hosts daily activities so you can make friends while on your trip! I loved my time here and recommend it to anyone who is looking to find a home away from home!

A complex featuring beautiful architecture and greenery, I stayed for 4 nights earlier this year at Leo Home Stay. The facilities were clean, the bed was super comfy, it was close to the beach and they had the most adorable cat running around greeting all the guests (honestly, what more could you want!). The family is so welcoming and kind, you can even rent a scooter from them too!

A literal retreat and only 1 minute walk away from Canggu’s Echo Beach! Here you can take yoga lessons and enjoy views from luxurious private balconies.

A 4-star hotel perfect for couples looking for a quality getaway! This hotel features an outdoor pool and bar as well as other luxurious facilities.

Explore Ubud’s beautiful forest surrounded by over 1,200 free-roaming long-tailed macaques! This truly was a highlight of my trip and with tickets costing a mere 80,000 IDR (~£4) during weekdays I cannot recommend this activity enough, no matter your budget!

Explore the wonderful waterfalls of Ubud! You can take a scooter or taxi and discover numerous hidden paradises in just one day. My favourite waterfalls include Kanto Lampo, Tibumana and Leke Leke Waterfall. Entrance fees per waterfall vary between 15,000- 30,000 IDR (~£0.75-£1.50) and many have easy-to-access parking.

There are so many beautiful cafes and restaurants located in and around the town centre. Some to check out include:

• KAFE
• Herb Library Bali
• Pison
• Clear Cafe
• Melali Ubud
• Mozaic Gastronomic Restaurant (award-winning restaurant)

Honeycombers has a great article reviewing all these locations and more in their article: The 54 best restaurants in Ubud

The location of this hostel is incredible! Situated 500m from Ubud Market and 1.1km from The Sacred Monkey Forest, this is a convenient hostel if you want to be close to the action of Ubud.

This is a beautiful homestay located close to Ubud town centre. It includes a beautiful rooftop pool and stunning views from the balcony of each room!

If you’re looking for peace, quiet and to be engulfed in nature then Aji Lodge Bungalow is the place for you! This homestay is perfect for couples looking to spend quality time together in the heart of Bali. Bikes are available to rent from the desk too.

This dreamy property is great for families, hosting a kids’ club while the parents can sit back and enjoy the views from the magnificent infinity pool.

Take a 2-hour drive to the peaceful and tropical town of Amed. One of the lesser-known destinations in Bali, Amed is a quiet but no less beautiful town located on the western coast. This location is perfect for families or couples looking for a combination of downtime and marine adventure!

Amed is one, if not THE BEST location for snorkeling enthusiasts. The beautifully clear sea is perfect for watching the vibrant marine life.

Book a half-day tour with a local guide who knows the best snorkeling spots and with their help, you may even see a turtle!

A perfect way to the end of your trip, watching the sunset over the sea and sipping cocktails from one of Amed’s beachfront restaurants. It’s truly an unbeatable feeling.

I had some of the most delicious Balinese and other cuisines in Amed. My favourite restaurants include:

• Warung Enak
• Natnat (beautiful Thai restaurant)
• Good Stuff Cafe
• Di Lipah Warung
• Bukit Segara

The location of this hostel is amazing and an absolute for budget travellers. My favourite part is the scenic mountain views from each room’s balcony!

The hostel also offers an airport shuttle service ensuring the journey back is stress-free!

Just a minute’s walk to Jemeluk Beach, stay true to the Balinese way of living at Bamboo Bali. The homestay includes a gorgeous garden and pool too!

A stunning beachfront cabin that makes your stay in Amed extra special. Family rooms are available and all guests have access to an outdoor fireplace.

Travelling as a large group? No problem. This villa complex is a few steps away from Lipah Beach (a great snorkeling location) and is equipped with all the facilities you would need for a comfortable stay.

Although Nusa Penida is located on its own island of Penida, many tourists visit here since it’s only a short distance from Bali! You’ll need to get a ferry (or speed boat) from Sanur port to Nusa Penida. This takes roughly 30 mins to an hour and you can find tickets here using 12Go.

As a relatively untouched island compared to Bali, you’ll be blown away by the natural beauty of Nusa Penida. This little heaven on earth is another great way to finish your time in Bali!

Undeniably one of the most famous Instagram spots, this Kelingking Beach is for adventurers keen to take in breathtaking views and get that perfect photo opportunity.

You can trek from the clifftop to the beach which takes around 45 minutes but this is not for the faint-hearted! Be sure to bring appropriate footwear to stay on the safe side!

Many claim this is the most picturesque beach in Indonesia with its clean white sand, limestone cliffs, and glistening turquoise waters. This tourist favourite is a must-do when visiting Bali.

Despite being a small area, Nusa Penida does not fail to provide great dining experiences. My top recommendations that you should try out include:

• Secret Penida
• The Chill Penida
• Mambo Beach Cafe
• Penida Colada
• Wyn’s Penida Cafe

In the middle of all the best lookouts and beaches, The Penida Project also offers free daily activities making it a great place to make friends and have an amazing overall experience in Nusa Penida! Free activities include yoga, free diving, karaoke, and movie nights.

Located within 200 m of Mentigi Beach and 300 m of Batununggul Rastafara Beach, this peaceful and clean hostel is suited to travellers looking for a more relaxed stay in Nusa Penida.

As you can guess Kelingking Tatakan Bungalow is super close to Kelingking Beach and only 1.3km from Turtle Beach.

This luxurious accommodation also offers an airport shuttle service making it a perfect option for the end of your trip.

Here you can stay in adorable private rooms and you will only be 100m away from Diamond Beach and less than 1km away from Pulau Seribu Viewpoint!

Again, this property offers an airport shuttle service making it another convenient yet beautiful place to finish your time in Bali.

Getting around Bali is easy! The most popular options include renting a scooter from your hostel/ finding a company in town (these are easy to come by) or taking a taxi.

Popular taxi companies include Bluebird and Grab. Grab is my favourite way to travel between destinations, the app is very similar to Uber and the prices are extremely reasonable.

When taking short trips such as those around the town you are in, try to use local taxi drivers- it’s important to support all drivers of the local economy!

If you’re up for a thrill then why not take a Grab Bike or Gojek? It’s a fun and efficient way to get around the island if you don’t have much luggage. A key bonus is that this mode of transport skips traffic queues which can be an issue in some areas of Bali.

Travelling from Amed? Ask the desk of your accommodation to book a local taxi to take you to your next destination. Grab drivers are few and far in this area. There’s nothing worse than stressing that you won’t arrive at your next stop in time, especially if it’s the airport!!!

This post provides a 10-day Travel Guide for Bali. Don’t forget to save it for later!

You may also like:

• Is it Safe To Travel in Bali as a Solo Female Backpacker? (2025)
• Bali’s Best Food: Authentic Balinese Cuisine You Need To Try!
• The BEST Gyms in Bali for Backpackers that Cost £6 or Less!
• The Complete No-Nonsense Packing Guide for Southeast Asia