Planning a 3 week Bali itinerary can be tough. With so many places not to miss, here’s our tried and tested route.
3 Week Bali Itinerary Map
Getting Around Bali + Tips
Getting around Bali couldn’t be easier. There are generally 3 options:
By Scooter:
We always choose to rent scooters, which start at around 50,000 IDR per day, and explore ourselves.
However be sure to read up on our renting a scooter in Bali guide beforehand!
Most accommodations will allow you to store your big bags with them, even after checkout.
So if you’re comfortable on two wheels, and looking for somewhere to rent scooters from, you can book a trusted Bali Scooter or Motorbike Rental with Delivery.
With A Driver:
Another option is to rent a driver, which is pretty popular for day trips around Bali, and they start at around 500,000 IDR per day (8 hours).
You can opt for standard 5 seater vans, or larger minibuses for bigger groups.
This is a great option for those looking to design their own itinerary. Simply jump in, tell you driver exactly where you wish to go, and he’ll navigate the most efficient route.
If you’re looking for for a reliable service, you can book a Bali Private Car or Minibus Charter With Driver for the day.
By Tour:
Some of the best days out we’ve had in Bali have been on private tours.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
There’s even a Bali: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour, for those looking to photograph its most recognisable locations.
From sunrise hikes, to waterfall treks and island hopping, there’s plenty to keep you busy on the bustling island!
What To Pack:
Seminyak
Things to do:
Best Seminyak Restaurants
Walk Along Seminyak Beach
Hit The Shops
Relax At The Beach Clubs
The flashy side of Bali!
The first stop for most holiday makers and your 3 week Bali itinerary!
Good for its night life and high end restaurants. You won’t really get a feel for Bali here as it’s very built up and a popular holiday destination amongst tourists. This will most likely be your first stop and most expensive one.
Although they do have some awesome little cafes!
Canggu
Things to do:
Canggu Cafes
Canggu Markets
Shopping In Canggu
Hop The Canggu Beaches
Surf At Echo Beach
Sunset At Batu Bolong Beach
Tanah Lot Temple
Best Warungs In Canggu
The hippest of all the hipster!
A foodies heaven! Just up the road from Seminyak but completely different!
This is where you see the smoothie bowls and avocados everywhere and is home to some of the best restaurants in Bali.
Canggu has a very laid back vibe and is popular amongst the surfing and digital nomad communities. This is the place where many people extend their stay because it has a certain homely feel to it.
They run beautiful markets in Canggu selling all kinds of chic and start up fashion labels. We guarantee you won’t walk away with your hands empty.
Ubud
Things to do:
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Ubud Monkey Forest
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tibumana Waterfall
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Hidden Canyon
Ubud Art Market
Mount Batur Trek
Take A Cooking Class
Absolute zen heaven, market heaven and waterfall heaven!
Ubud… Where do we start?
If you’re asking yourself what should I definitely have on my 3 week Bali itinerary? Then the zen capital is the single place where every one of your expectations will be fulfilled.
From the outstanding Tegalalang Rice Terraces to the crazy monkey forests. It’s pretty much exactly how Eat, Pray, Love depicts the island.
Munduk
Things to do:
Wanagiri Hidden Hills & The Famous Bali Swing
The Handara Bali Gates
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Munduk Waterfall
Banyumala Twin Waterfall
Nungnung Waterfall
Leke Leke Waterfall
Tamblingan Lake
Visit A Bali Coffee Plantation
Famous Instagram spots and epic waterfalls!
Much more of a tourist spot recently thanks to Wanagiri Hidden Hills, and an easy way to break up the drive between Ubud and Lovina is by stopping by Munduk.
Known by locals as the coldest place in Bali, there are some beautiful early morning rises worth getting up for.
Visiting Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (Bali’s most famous temple) is a must and the Handara Golf & Resort entrance has become somewhat a bucket list item thanks to Instagram!
If you want to tick off a few spots in one day with ease, we recommend the Northern Charm: Lake Bratan, Handara Gate, Waterfall & Swing tour.
Lovina
Things to do:
Dolphin Watching
Sekumpul Waterfall
Aling Aling Waterfall
Gitgit Waterfall
Dolphin watching and waterfall hunting!
Way way up in the fields and overlooking the most beautiful ocean views lays Lovina.
Great for dolphin watching and home to some of the best best waterfalls in Bali.
If you visit the north of Bali be sure to check out to Sekumpul, Gitgit and Aling Aling falls!
There’s even the North Bali Sunrise Tour with Dolphins, Waterfalls & Temples which covers the highlights of the north!
East Bali
Things to do:
Pura Lempuyang Temple
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
Mount Agung Sunrise Viewpoint
Hidden Canyon
Blue Lagoon Beach
Stay At Hideout Bali
Plenty more culture out East!
Home to some of the most famous landmarks on the island. but a little too far for most tourists to travel.
If you do get chance to drive out to Pura Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga Water Palace or Mount Agung Sunrise Viewpoint then you definitely should!
Eastern Bali has a much more traditional feel to it, and is a gem that most people miss on their Bali route!
There are so many things to do in East Bali that you could easily spend a few days exploring by scooter.
However, some tourists opt to book onto a tour with a guide, such as the Lempuyang’s Gates of Heaven Tour.
Gili Islands
Things to do:
Snorkel With Turtles
Relax At The Beaches
Rent Bicycles & Explore
Enjoy Sunset At The Gili Swings
Party At Sama-Sama Bar
The home of party and turtles!
A lot of travellers don’t realise that the famous Gili Islands are actually part of the Lombok rather than Bali.
Regardless, they are well worth the hour boat trip out East.
For crystal clear waters, diving and snorkelling adventures and a few famous sunset swings you won’t want to miss Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno.
Also if you love turtles, Gili T is the place to swim with them in the wild!
Nusa Islands
Things to do:
Nusa Penida
Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan
Iconic photos and islands of adventure!
If it’s white beaches and island life you’re looking for on your Bali route, then these three are a slice of heaven!
This is usually the highlight on peoples 3 week Bali itinerary.
Just a 40 minute boat ride from the main land the Nusa islands have become super famous through social media.
Broken into Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan these palm tree covered islands are the closest place we’ve ever been to paradise.
From Kelingking Beach and its crazy dinosaur head shaped rock, to the underwater wild life on offer such as swimming with Manta Rays!
We have a complete Nusa Islands Bali Guide that breaks down where to go and what to do.
Although we recommend booking your Nusa Penida Tours & Activities in advance in the peak seasons.
Uluwatu
Things to do:
Visit The Best Beaches
Karang Boma Cliff
The Abandoned Plane
Surf
Beach and surf in paradise!
Uluwatu, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran – The southern bubble of Bali also gives a great place to unwind and is where you can find some of the best beaches in Bali.
With spots such as Padang Padang, Bingin and Melasti Beach you won’t be stuck for ideas.
There are plenty of surf spots and places to explore in the south and you may even come across the abandoned airplane. A perfect final stop before you head back to the airport yourself.
Where To Stay In Bali
For pre-booking accommodation when travelling, we always recommend Booking.com!
From 5 star hotels, to budget backpacker hostels, it’s got everything and the site is super easy to use.
We’ve actually written a full where to stay in Bali guide which covers a break down of each individual area on the island.
Otherwise you can pre book all of your Bali accommodation and check the latest prices on Booking.com.
More Bali Blogs
8 Things To Do In Ubud That You Cannot Miss
Bali Waterfalls – The Best Waterfalls In Bali
The Best Uluwatu Beaches – An Ultimate Guide
The Only Nusa Islands Bali Guide You’ll Ever Need
Pin It For Later!
Ruby Schroeder
Wednesday 22nd of June 2022
Hello ! Awesome blog, saw it while researching something about a 3 week stay in Bali. What would you recommend, where should we start our trip first from Airport based on the locations you recommended? Aiming to be there from 8-24 August 2022. Appreciate your input. Gili is definitely on my list too because we love to snorkel. TIA
Charlie Pauly
Thursday 23rd of June 2022
Hey, I would literally do it in the order I've listed. You could even skip Lovina and East Bali in order to have more time.
BO BO
Thursday 3rd of October 2019
Hi Charles & Lauren,
Thank you so much for posting this route. This is exactly what I want to go with my family. You have saved so much of my time searching around the website.
We have two kids(11 & 7 years old) and two Adult. I wonder if we should skip Penida Island and Lembongan Island. For sure, we will take kids to Gil T. They love snorkeling and see the turtles. Beaches for sure it's good for everyone. :) Please advise. Thank you.
Charlie Pauly
Saturday 5th of October 2019
Heyy, aw thanks so much it's such a great feeling when people leave feedback like this! :) For sure I think the Nusa islands may be a little tough for the kids but Gili T is super chilled and easy! Enjoyyyy x
Akram M. Salem
Tuesday 25th of June 2019
I've been doing massive online researches to find the ideal itinerary for Bali before visiting and then I came across this page which is basically a dream to everyone visiting Bali!
I think you covered absolutely everything! CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH!
Charlie Pauly
Tuesday 25th of June 2019
Hey thanks so much man! Comments like this really make our day, and make all the effort we put into the blogs worthwhile! Have a safe trip to Bali and enjoy.
Ezequiel Caggiano
Monday 3rd of June 2019
Hi guys, how are you? Im going to Bali next week and im not sure about the nights to spend in each place. My Idea is to be first in seminyak one night, 3nights in ubud, 3 nights in munduk and visit lovina, and 2 nights in east bali (I dont know where could be a good option to sleep). What do you think about it?
Thanks guys
Frankie
Monday 14th of January 2019
This is such a wonderful itinerary, my boyfriend and I are traveling to Bali in September and have got some really good ideas from here! What do you do for phone data etc when you're traveling so you can access maps etc without massive charges?
Charlie Pauly
Thursday 17th of January 2019
Hey Frankie, thanks so much, that means a lot! Because of us working online we usually just buy local sims wherever we go and top up the data. Although for offline maps 'Maps.me' is an awesome app. :)