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Rest & Recharge
Bali, Bali: 4 days in Bali: Ubud and the south coastPhoto by Mahmud Ahsan on Unsplash
Rest & Recharge ExhaleTrip idea · Bali, Bali

4 days in Bali: Ubud and the south coast

The 7-day plan, rearranged for 4 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.

4 daysAnyoneMid June12 places
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
Bali: Lush green rice terraces with palm trees in Tegelalang, Bali
Photo by Niklas Weiss on Unsplash
Bali: Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple on a lake in Bali at golden hour
Photo by Katarzyna Zygnerska on Unsplash
How many days?Pick yours and the plan rearranges.
Rearranged from the 7 day plan. See it as written

Best time to go

March to October are the best months for a beach trip.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Arrival day

Before Day 1. The airport is in the south and Ubud is a slow drive north, so keep the first day light.Details
Getting around
Traffic in Bali is slow, and a short distance on the map can be a long drive. A driver for the day is the usual way to cross between areas, and taxis and ride apps work in the towns. Days 2, 4 and 6 are long driving days, so each day keeps to one part of the island.
Sea and currents
Many of the surf beaches have strong currents, and flags and lifeguards are not on every shore. Ask locally before you swim, and use the calmer bays on the beach days. Boats to Nusa Penida can be cancelled in rough seas, so they are not part of this plan.
Where to stay
Stay in or near Ubud for Days 1 to 3, then on the south coast for Days 4 to 7. Seminyak or Sanur both work as a base, because every day trip after the move starts from the coast. Move your bags on the morning of Day 4.
First evening
Day 1 starts on foot in Ubud, so settle in and keep the first evening light. At temples wear a sarong and sash with shoulders and knees covered, do not step over the small offerings on the ground, and keep your voice low.

Day 1. The north: terraces and holy water

3 stops · 4.6 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Tegallalang Rice Terrace

    Green terraces stepped down a steep river valley, watered by the old subak system that Balinese farmers share. Walk the paths between the paddies and stop at a cafe. Early is quieter, and the footing is uneven and slippery after rain.

    Go when Early morning, before the heat and the crowds.

    Local tip Stay on the marked paths, because the terraces are working fields. Wear shoes with grip, as the steps are steep and slippery in the wet.

    Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Bali: Lush green rice terraces with palm trees in Tegelalang, Bali
    Photo by Niklas Weiss on Unsplash
    About 12 min by car or transit3.7 km
  2. 2
    MiddayWorth the time

    Gunung Kawi

    Ten shrines carved into the rock face of a river valley, reached down a long flight of stone steps. A cool, mossy, quiet place. The climb back up is the work, so go slowly.

    Go when Midday, as a cool stop out of the sun.

    Local tip The steps down are long, and the way back up is harder, so carry water and take it in stages. Wear a sarong and sash, and be quiet at the shrines.

    Gunung Kawi, Bali
    Photo: Chainwit., CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  3. Lunch

    Soto ayam

    A bright yellow chicken soup with turmeric, rice or noodles, boiled egg and a squeeze of lime. Light and warming, and found in simple roadside warungs near the terraces.

    Local tip Add a little sambal on the side rather than in the bowl. The chilies are hot.

    Soto ayam
    Photo: Sakurai Midori, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 10 min walk0.8 km
  4. 3
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Tirta Empul

    A temple built around a holy spring, where Balinese worshippers wash in the pools in a purification ritual. Visitors can watch, and may join with a sarong and respect. Follow the rules on the signs and go gently.

    Go when Afternoon, when the day tours have thinned out.

    Local tip Watch for a while before you decide to join the ritual bathing. Ask a guide or a temple helper to show you the order, and keep valuables out of the water.

    Tirta Empul, Bali: red yellow and green floral basket
    Photo by Pier Francesco Grizi on Unsplash
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Day 2. Ubud

3 stops · 13.3 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. Travel from Tirta EmpulAbout 27 min by car or transit11.6 km
    Where Day 1 ended.
  2. 1
    MorningWorth a short visit

    Ubud Palace

    The old royal residence in the middle of town, with carved gates, courtyards and pavilions. Walk in, look at the stonework and the woodwork and go slowly. Dance performances are held in the courtyard, so check ahead for the evenings.

    Go when Morning, when the courtyards are calm and the light is soft.

    Local tip The palace is still lived in by the royal family, so keep to the open areas. Check ahead for the dance performances held in the courtyard in the evenings.

    Ubud Palace, Bali
    Photo: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 11 min walk0.9 km
  3. 2
    MorningWorth the time

    Campuhan Ridge Walk

    A paved path along a grassy ridge between two rivers, just west of Ubud. Flat and easy, with open views of palms and fields. Go early, before the heat, and take water.

    Go when Early morning, in the cool before the sun is high.

    Local tip The path is flat and open with little shade. Take water and a hat, and walk at an easy pace so you can stop and look.

  4. Lunch

    Nasi campur

    A plate of rice with small portions of vegetables, egg, tempeh and meat, each with its own sauce. The easy, everyday lunch of the island, found in a simple family warung.

    Local tip Point at what you like on the counter. Sauces vary in heat, so taste a little first.

    Nasi campur
    Photo: D.W. Fisher-Freberg, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 10 min walk0.8 km
  5. 3
    MiddayWorth a short visit

    Pura Taman Saraswati

    A temple for the goddess of learning and the arts, set behind a pond of pink lotus flowers. A quiet place to sit, a few steps from the main street.

    Go when Late morning, when the lotus flowers are open.

    Local tip Walk the stone path beside the pond to see the temple at the far end. Keep to the paths, and wear a sarong and sash if they are asked for.

    Pura Taman Saraswati, Bali
    Photo: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  6. Dinner

    Sate lilit

    Minced fish or chicken mixed with coconut and spices, pressed onto a lemongrass stick and grilled over coals. A Balinese version of satay, found on the grills of the small streets.

    Local tip Order a small plate to start. Peanut sauces are common in Indonesian cooking, so ask if that matters to you, and do not rely on a menu line.

If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Day 3. Ubud and Canggu and the west coast

3 stops · 46.4 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Ubud Monkey Forest

    A shady forest sanctuary of old trees, moss-covered statues and three temples, home to a large troop of macaques. Walk the paths slowly. The monkeys snatch food, glasses and phones, so keep them zipped away.

    Go when Afternoon, when the heat is easier under the trees.

    Local tip Do not carry food in view, and do not look the monkeys in the eye or touch them. If one grabs something, let it go and tell a keeper.

    Ubud Monkey Forest, Bali: a group of monkeys sitting on a tree branch
    Photo by Ernests Vaga on Unsplash
    About 36 min by car or transit22.0 km
  2. 2
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Tanah Lot

    A temple on a rock just off the shore, one of the island's best-known sea temples. Only worshippers enter the inner temple, but the shoreline and the paths along the cliff are open. Busy by late afternoon, and the tide changes how close you can go.

    Go when Late afternoon, around sunset (about 6:08 PM), though the sky may not clear.

    Local tip The path to the rock is busy, and the tide decides how close you can get. Check ahead on the tide, and do not climb the rocks or enter the inner temple.

    Tanah Lot, Bali
    Photo: Grayswoodsurrey, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  3. Lunch

    A smoothie bowl

    A thick blended fruit base topped with more fruit, seeds and granola, the signature lunch of the cafes around Canggu. Light for a warm day, and easy to share.

    Local tip Check the toppings if you have a nut allergy, and say why in plain words, as many are made with nut butter.

    A smoothie bowl
    Photo: rawpixel.com, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 38 min by car24.4 km
  4. 3
    AfternoonWorth a short visit

    Goa Gajah

    An old cave sanctuary known as the Elephant Cave, with a carved face over the entrance and ancient bathing pools in a garden below. Wear a sarong and sash, and be ready for steps.

    Go when Afternoon, when the light is soft on the carved entrance.

    Local tip There are steps down to the garden and the pools. Take them slowly, and wear a sarong and sash, which can be lent at the gate.

    Goa Gajah, Bali: a stone building with statues with Goa Gajah in the background
    Photo by Reena Yadav on Unsplash
  5. Dinner

    Bebek betutu

    Duck slow-cooked in banana leaf with a rich spice paste until it falls from the bone. A Balinese celebration dish that a few warungs prepare around Ubud.

    Local tip It often needs to be ordered a day ahead, so ask when you arrive in town.

    Bebek betutu
    Photo: Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Day 4. The Bukit and Uluwatu

3 stops · 40.8 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. Drive from Goa GajahAbout 46 min by car35.9 km
    Where Day 3 ended.
  2. 1
    MorningA place to sit

    Dreamland Beach

    A wide sand beach below limestone cliffs, popular with surfers, with a stepped path down. Sit and watch, or paddle. Currents and waves can be strong, so check with the lifeguards or the signs before swimming.

    Go when Morning, when the waves and the crowds are smaller.

    Local tip Watch the sea for a few minutes before you step in. Currents can be strong, so swim only where the lifeguards or the signs say it is fine.

    Dreamland Beach, Bali: a view of a beach with umbrellas and a cloudy sky
    Photo by Alexander Nrjwolf on Unsplash
    About 25 min walk2.0 km
  3. 2
    MiddayWorth a short stop

    Padang Padang Beach

    A small cove reached through a narrow gap in the rock and down some steps, with pale sand and a surf break just offshore. The beach shrinks at high tide, and the waves can be strong, so check ahead.

    Go when Midday, though it fills up as the day goes on.

    Local tip The steps are narrow and uneven, so wear sandals with grip. Check ahead on the tide, because the beach is small and the sea comes in close.

    Padang Padang Beach, Bali
    Photo: TMFalkner, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  4. Lunch

    Nasi goreng

    Fried rice with egg, shallots and sweet soy, topped with a fried egg and prawn crackers. The dish every kitchen on the island can make, found in the warungs above the beaches.

    Local tip Ask for it pedas if you want chili, and tidak pedas if you do not.

    Nasi goreng
    Photo: shankar s., CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 10 min by car or transit2.9 km
  5. 3
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Uluwatu Temple

    A sea temple on the edge of a high cliff at the far end of the peninsula. Wear a sarong and sash. The resident macaques steal sunglasses and phones, so keep them zipped away and keep to the paths.

    Go when Late afternoon, around sunset (about 6:08 PM), though cloud can hide the sky.

    Local tip Take off sunglasses, caps and anything loose before you walk the cliff path, and keep a firm hold of your bag. The macaques are quick.

    Uluwatu Temple, Bali: a scenic view of the ocean and a cliff
    Photo by Alexandra Smielova on Unsplash
  6. Dinner

    Gado-gado

    A salad of boiled vegetables, tofu, tempeh and egg under a warm peanut sauce. Filling and gentle after a long day on the road.

    Local tip Peanut is the main ingredient of the sauce, so skip it if you have a nut allergy, and say why in plain words to the cook.

    Gado-gado
    Photo: Piknikdong, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. You end on the south coast near the airport, so the last day stays easy.Details
Check-out
Ask your hotel if it will keep your bags after check-out. Then a last slow morning, a swim or a walk by the water needs nothing to carry.
To the airport
The airport is on the south coast, and the roads to it from Seminyak and Sanur can be slow. Leave more time than the map suggests, and allow extra for check-in.
Taking things home
Check your own country's rules before you buy wood carvings, plants, seeds, food or shells to carry home. Some are restricted, and a customs officer will ask.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Bali?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, March to October are the best months for a beach trip to Bali. This plan is built for mid June, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 4 days in Bali, planned for mid June. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 1.7 to 46.4 kilometers between its stops, and 57.6 kilometers in all across 4 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

Keep exploring

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A trip idea · Updated October 2026

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