3 Weeks in Bali Itinerary – Perfect Bali Route & Travel Guide

This Bali travel guide will give you the perfect itinerary for 3 weeks in Bali. It covers the best places to see and top things to do. In addition, this guide includes 4 days on the Nusa Islands, which should definitely be part of your Bali trip. I hope this Bali itinerary will help you plan your dream Bali vacation. We definitely had the time of our lives in Bali on this trip! In case you would like to read more detailed information on the individual places included in this travel guide, I have published separate, more elaborate blog posts about the most popular regions in Bali. So, make sure to check out all my Bali blog posts.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases/bookings made through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I’ve personally used and genuinely like.

Bali, also known as the Island of Gods, is the most popular island in Indonesia. After visting Bali myself, I can absolutely understand why. Bali is not just a place, it’s a feeling! Not many places on this planet are as diverse as Bali. From lush jungle, green rice terraces, and impressive waterfalls to white and black sand beaches, volcanic landforms, amazing underwater life, and fascinating culture… Bali has it ALL! Let’s explore this incredible island together on this 3-week Bali road trip.

💡 Looking for unique places to stay in Bali? Make sure to also check out my most recent Bali article: Cool and Unusual Hotels & Bamboo Villas

Best Time to Visit Bali

The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season from May to September. During these months, you will have the best weather conditions. Bali is all about outdoor activities, so I highly recommend visiting Bali during dry season. July and August are the peak season with the highest visitor numbers, so you should visit in May, June, or September for fewer crowds.

The shoulder season months of April and October are also a good time to visit, especially if you want to save some money. From October to April, it’s wet season in Bali. The rain showers can get pretty heavy during wet season (including flooded streets), so I don’t recommend visiting a bucket list destination like Bali during wet season.

We did this 3-week Bali road trip in August – September and had the perfect weather conditions during the entire trip. Over the years, we also visited Bali in different months of the year (from June – December) and were always very lucky with the weather, except for the time from mid November to December where it was raining all the time.

How to Get Around in Bali

The best way to explore Bali is by scooter. We rented a scooter (including helmets and raincoats) for 3 weeks for $70 in total. The traffic in Bali might seem crazy when being there for the first time (especially in hot spots like Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud) but you save a lot of time by weaving your way through all the cars. We had just one scooter for the two of us including our backpacks, which we only recommend if you are a skilled driver (Carsten has a motorcycle license).

In case you don’t feel comfortable driving a scooter (especially with luggage) we recommend getting a car with a local private driver. The prices range from $35 – $55 per day.

The best way to reach the Nusa Islands is by fast boat. We took a fast boat for around $40 return per person.

Our Perfect 3-Week Bali Itinerary – Overview

Below you can see a breakdown of our three weeks in Bali:

Our 3 Weeks in Bali Itinerary in Detail

Day 1: Arrival in Denpasar

On day 1, we arrived at the airport in Denpasar and took a taxi to our hotel for the first night. We stayed at b Hotel Bali & Spa, which is a great place to stay for one night on your arrival (or departure, it’s only 15 mins from/to the airport). The hotel is modern and very affordable.

We arrived pretty late during the night, so we went straight to bed to adjust to the time difference and to be relaxed and refreshed for the upcoming three weeks in Bali. In the next morning, we had a decent breakfast (the hotel offers a big buffet) and got our scooter delivered to the hotel by the scooter rental company, which is a great service. After check-out, we directly drove to Canggu to start our Bali adventure.

Note: If you arrive at the airport in Bali during daytime, I would recommend skipping the hotel stay in Denpasar and starting your Bali route directly with Canggu or Seminyak (see next section).

Day 2 – Day 4: Canggu / Seminyak

Canggu and Seminyak are both great places to stay for a few days for surfing, shopping, visiting beach clubs, and experiencing some of the best restaurants in Bali. Both places are also very popular for expats and digital nomads.

When we did this 3-week road trip, we decided to stay in Canggu instead of Seminyak because it was much less crowded back then (but this has definitely changed over the years). During our other recent Bali trips, we also stayed in Seminyak. We can confidently say that you can’t go wrong with both locations. You can experience pretty much the same things in Canggu and Seminyak. Moreover, due to their proximity to each other, you can easily visit restaurants, shops, and beach clubs in both places.

Ok, let’s dive a bit deeper into Canggu, which we chose as our first stop for this itinerary. Canggu is all about food, surfing, food, party, and oh did I say FOOD? Seriously, Canggu has the best restaurants and cafés in Bali. We had like five meals a day in different food places because there are so many great choices. Moreover, Canggu offers a big variety of delicious vegan restaurants. I probably ate my own weight in food while being in Canggu.

In addition, Canggu is famous for surfing. So, of course, we took a surfing lesson. Bali has great surfing spots for beginners but unfortunately the waves were pretty big when we were there. Thus, it was quite a challenge but we managed to stand up several times. We also spent some time at the beach to enjoy the laid-back vibes of Canggu.

A typical day in Canggu (or Seminyak) could look like this:

• Have breakfast at one of the cute cafés
• Explore the many shops or get some work done at a coworking space
• Have lunch at a cool restaurant
• Relax at the beach/by the pool or go for a surf
• Sunset drinks at a beach club
• Have a delicious dinner to end an amazing day

In case you are looking for a cultural experience near Canggu, I can recommend visiting Pura Tanah Lot (Tanah Lot Temple). Since it’s a popular tourist destination, the best time for visiting this temple is early in the morning (before 9 AM) to enjoy the place without the crowds. The most popular time to visit, however, is sunset because of the spectaclular sunset views there. Pura Tanah Lot is probably one of the most photographed temples in Bali.

Where to stay in Canggu/Seminyak

Canggu is one of the places where I can highly recommend renting your own villa. There are endless options of different villa types in this area and many of them come at an affordable price. We stayed at Tamu Seseh in Canggu at a beautiful villa located within Balinese rice fields. Our villa had a pool including two relax areas, an outdoor bathroom (with a bathtub & shower), and an outdoor living room by the pool (where they serve you a delicious breakfast). I can highly recommend staying there.

For other accommodation options in Canggu, click here.

Villa Tamu Seseh in Canggu

In Seminyak we stayed at Blue Karma Dijiwa Seminyak and Beyond Bayou during our recent Bali visits. Both places are small boutique hotels offering different room and villa types. We really loved our stays at both hotels. Beyond Bayou definitely belongs to the most unique and aesthetic places we ever stayed at.

For other accommodation options in Seminyak, click here.

You may also enjoy reading: The Best Hotel Swimming Pools in Bali You Can’t Miss

Day 5 – Day 9: Ubud & Central Bali

Ubud is known as the spiritual and cultural center of Bali. The village is located in the middle of the jungle and probably the best place in Bali for yoga, wellness, and temple visits. In addition, Ubud is the perfect starting point to visit the famous Tegalalang Rice Terraces as well as the many amazing waterfalls in Central Bali. We decided to spend 5 days in Ubud on this road trip because there is so much to do and see. Also, we wanted to have some time to enjoy the relaxing jungle vibes. Generally, I highly recommend staying in Ubud for at least 4 days.

In this blog post, I am giving you a general overview of what we did in Ubud. For more information on the best things to do in Ubud I recommend reading my Complete Ubud Travel Guide.

Tip: Make sure to also check out my blog post Unique Places to Stay in Bali, which includes 6 mind-blowing hotels and villas in Ubud, next to some other amazing accommodation options around the island.

To search for the best hotels and villas in Ubud, click HERE.

To check out the best tours and activities in and around Ubud, click HERE.

What we did in Ubud – Overview

UBUD – NATURE:

• Tegalalang Rice Terraces
• Campuhan Ridge Walk
• Tegenungan Waterfall
• Tibumana Waterfall
• Suwat Waterfall
• Kanto Lampo Waterfall

UBUD – CULTURE:

• Sacred Monkey Forest
• Pura Tirta Empul Holy Water Temple
• Ubud Market
• Traditional Cooking Class
• Eat at local Warungs

UBUD – WELLNESS:

• Yoga Class
• Balinese Flower Bath & Massage

UBUD – FUN ACTIVITIES:

• Bali Swing
• Floating Breakfast

Day 10: Sidemen

Infinity Pool at Patal Kikian Villas

Sidemen is located in the Eastern part of Bali and a lot quieter than Ubud. It took us a 1 hour and 15 minutes scooter ride from Ubud to get there. Sidemen is nestled in between beautiful rice terraces and most hotels offer an incredible view of Mount Agung, Bali’s biggest volcano. We stayed at Patal Kikian Villas and absolutely loved the breathtaking view of Mount Agung from the infinity pool and our room.

For us, Sidemen is like a hidden gem. In the Sidemen valley, you can still experience more authentic sides of Bali. The roads are empty in this rural area and instead of tourists, you will meet local farmers, children in school uniforms, and women carrying their offerings to the temple. In the village, you will only find authentic Warungs for having lunch/dinner and no Western cafés. We probably had our cheapest dinner in Sidemen (around $3 for both of us together).

💡 Tip: Bring cash with you if you are staying in Sidemen and want to explore the areas outside of your accommodation or eat out. Credit Cards are not accepted in the village and most of the ATMs don’t take foreign credit cards (or ran out of money).

Sidemen is also known for its incredible bamboo houses in the middle of nature. There are many unique bamboo villas in this area that are worth checking out. We recently stayed at Camaya Bali and Magic Hills Bali. Both places offer amazing bamboo villas with a very unique architecture and interior design. We absolutely loved staying there! Both places are fully booked most of the time, so make sure to book way ahead of time.

➡️ Click here to check prices & availability for Camaya Bali.

➡️ Click here to check prices & availability for Magic Hills Bali.

Click here to search for other accommodation options in Sidemen.

From Sidemen, we did a half-day trip with our scooter to Tukad Cepung Waterfall and Pura Besakih Temple. Tukad Cepung is probably one of the most famous and touristy waterfalls in Bali. It is known for the epic light rays beaming through the waterfall. The sun rays start to appear around 9 AM. Therefore, the best time to arrive at the waterfall is shortly before. We arrived at the parking lot at around 08:40 AM. It’s only a short (15 minutes) and easy walk down to the waterfall. Be prepared that your feet will get wet on the way to the waterfall.

When we reached the waterfall at 9 AM, only a few other people were there, so we had enough time to take some awesome shots. When we left, it was pretty crowded with a long queue, so I don’t recommend coming much later. Even though this place is very touristy and crowded, I still recommend adding it to your Bali bucket list because it’s one of the most unique and mystical waterfalls I’ve ever seen.

After visiting Tukad Cepung Waterfall, we drove to Pura Besakih Temple, which is the largest and holiest temple complex in Bali. It’s also called Bali’s ‘Mother Temple’. We had a local guide leading us through the temple complex and telling us many interesting facts about the different temples, Hindu religion, and Balinese culture. It was my favorite temple visit in Bali.

Day 11 – Day 12: Amed

Amed is known for its great diving and snorkeling spots. We only went snorkeling in Amed but I have to say that I was pretty disappointed by the underwater life. What I liked about Amed though, were the beachside restaurants with their chilled atmosphere, great seafood, and good music. Amed is the perfect place to spend a relaxed evening at the beach.

Click here to check out accommodation options in Amed.

From Amed, we went on a day trip with our scooter to visit Bukit Cinta (Mount Agung viewpoint), Tirta Gangga Water Palace, and Taman Ujung Water Palace.

We drove to Bukit Cinta early in the morning, when it was still dark, to arrive there just before sunrise. Sunrise is the perfect time to visit this viewpoint because you have the best chances to see Mount Agung on a clear morning. Mount Agung is an active volcano and the highest point on the island with over 3000 meters (almost 10,000 feet). We were lucky to have a perfect view of the volcano and the surrounding rice fields. Words really cannot describe how stunning this place looks – the pictures speak for themselves…

— My Travel Photography Gear —

Camera: Sony A7R III
Allrounder Zoom Lens: Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 35mm F/1.8
Telephoto Zoom Lens: Sigma 100-400mm F/5-6.3
Drone: DJI Mini 3 Pro
GoPro: GoPro Hero11 Black
Phone: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Camera Tripod: Rollei Compact Traveler No. 1 Carbon
Phone Tripod: Lammcou Tripod

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Check out my Presets (photo filters) to edit like me!
To read more about my photography gear, click HERE.

After visiting Bukit Cinta, we drove to the Tirta Gangga Water Palace and arrived there exactly at opening time. Tirta Gangga Water Palace is one of the most popular tourist spots on the island. The place was already crowded with tourists right after opening. Even though it’s a beautiful water temple, I didn’t like it that much because it was hard to enjoy this place due to the crowds. Thus, we only stayed there to take a few pictures and a quick stroll through the Palace grounds before we left for our next stop.

Our next stop was Taman Ujung Water Palace. Compared to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, this complex wasn’t crowded at all. The palace consists of several large ponds and has a remarkable architecture. In the backdrop of Taman Ujung Water Palace you can see mountains (including Mount Agung) on one side and the sea on the other side. I loved exploring the charming palace grounds and the beautiful gardens. I definitely recommend visiting this place.

Day 13 – Day 15: Munduk & North Bali

Munduk is located in Northern Bali and home to the most beautiful waterfalls of the island. The climate in Munduk is a lot cooler because it’s located in the mountains. So, make sure to bring some warmer clothes for the cold mornings and evenings.

We stayed in Munduk for only 2 days (at Munduk Moding Plantation, you can find my detailed hotel review HERE) but we would have loved to stay longer because we really fell in love with this beautiful area. That’s why I have published a separate blog post for Munduk and Northern Bali.

Click HERE to read my complete Munduk travel guide.

To search for the best hotels in Munduk, please click HERE.

What we did in Munduk:

• Sekumpul Waterfall
• Banyumala Twin Waterfall
• Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall
• Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
• Handara Gate
• Wanagiri Hidden Hill
• Relax at Munduk Moding Plantation
• Leke Leke Waterfall (on the way to Sanur to hop on the fast boat to Nusa Penida)

Day 16 – Day 17: Nusa Penida

The Nusa Islands were one of my absolute highlights of our Bali visit. The islands consist of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. The easiest way to get to the Nusa Islands is to take a fast boat from Sanur Beach to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. I definitely recommend visiting all three islands.

We started our visit of the Nusa Islands with Nusa Penida, which is the biggest of the three islands. We stayed there for 2 days (at Kompyang Cottage, beautiful boutique accommodation with floating breakfast) and rented a scooter to explore as much as possible in this short time. The streets on Nusa Penida are very bumpy, so you have to drive very carefully and be prepared that it takes pretty long even to drive short distances. An alternative option is to get a car with a local driver.

What we did on Nusa Penida:

• Diamond Beach
• Atuh Beach
• Rumah Pohon Tree House
• Thousand Islands Viewpoint
• Kelingking Beach
• Angels Billabong
• Broken Beach
• Crystal Bay

To read my complete Nusa Islands travel guide, please click HERE.

To search for the best hotels on Nusa Penida, click HERE.

Day 18 – Day 19: Nusa Ceningan & Nusa Lembongan

From Nusa Penida, we shared a small private boat with another couple (for $20 for 4 persons in total) to get to the Yellow Bridge, which connects Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. We decided to stay on Nusa Ceningan which is the smallest of the three islands. Nusa Ceningan has the best sunset spots as well as great cafés and restaurants. We really liked the intimate island vibes there.

What we did on Nusa Ceningan & Nusa Lembongan:

• Blue Lagoon
• Yellow Bridge
• Devil’s Tear
• Manta Snorkeling Trip
• Enjoy the sunset at a beach bar

To read my full Nusa Islands guide, please click HERE.

Looking for accommodation options on Nusa Lembongan / Ceningan? Click HERE.

Day 20 – Day 21: Uluwatu

Uluwatu is located in the South of Bali. In Uluwatu, you can find beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water, fantastic surfing spots, impressive cliffs, and the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. Uluwatu was the last stop of our 3-week Bali trip.

After changing locations every day in the last few weeks, we wanted to end our trip in a relaxed way. Therefore, we spent quite some time at the pool of our bamboo hotel (Toraja Bambu Boutique Hotel), had a relaxing massage, and lots of delicious food (there are many great restaurants in Uluwatu). We definitely want to revisit Uluwatu to explore the many beaches next time.

Click here to look for accommodation options in Uluwatu.

Update: During our recent Bali trip, we visited Uluwatu again. We stayed at Sal Secret Spot, which is a lovely boutique hotel with a laid-back boho vibe. We explored Uluwatu’s coast and I completely fell in love with the stunning beaches there.

We visited Dreamland Beach, Suluban Beach, Padang Padang Beach, Bingin Beach, Nyang Nyang Beach, and Melasti Beach. All of them are beautiful in their own way and definitely worth checking out.

We also visited two beach clubs: OneEighty (with the iconic glass pool at ‘the edge‘) and Palmilla Bali (boho-chic vibe). After visiting Uluwatu for the second time, it belongs to my absolute favorite areas in Bali.

Alternatively to Uluwatu, you can also stay at a beachfront resort in Nusa Dua for a few days to end your Bali trip. Some of the island’s most luxurious resorts are located in the Nusa Dua area.

Click here to search for hotels in Nusa Dua.

I hope you found this 3-week Bali itinerary & travel guide helpful for planning your next Bali trip! For us, it was the perfect itinerary to see the highlights of Bali in 3 weeks.

In case you have more than 3 weeks in Indonesia, I highly recommend visiting some other incredible Indonesian islands, next to Bali, such as the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno), Lombok, and the Komodo National Park. We absolutely loved visiting these amazing places! I will publish detailed blog posts about them soon.

Looking for more Bali travel guides? Click HERE or select one of the articles below!

• Best Things to Do in Ubud
• Best Things to Do in Munduk and North Bali
• Best Hotel Pools in Bali
• Ultimate Guide for 4 Days on the Nusa Islands

Looking for unique places to stay in Bali? Make sure to check out my blog post about Cool and Unusual Hotels and Bamboo Villas in Bali.

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