From Uluwatu’s cliff-top temples and Ubud’s jungle treks to Canggu’s legendary beaches and surf breaks, Bali delivers sun, sand and soul in one complete package
Bali is one of those destinations that feels like a dream.
For centuries, this sunny island has been the spiritual heart of Indonesia, shaped by Hindu-Buddhist kings, ancient water temples and a cosmology that sees the divine in every rice grain and volcano.
Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali is where three entirely different worlds collide: the dramatic clifftop temples of Uluwatu, where the Indian Ocean crashes hundreds of metres below; the misty jungles and rice terraces of Ubud, sacred and slow; and the sun-kissed beach clubs of Canggu, where sunset drinks and thumping basslines carry on late into the night.
You could spend weeks exploring the island, but with three focused days, you can still get a feel for Bali’s contrasting personalities. This three-day itinerary takes you from cliff to coast: think temple visits, jungle walks, farm-to-table dining and sundowners by the beach. Ready to explore? Let’s go.
Friday
Morning. Start your weekend in Uluwatu, home to surfers and sun-seekers alike, who flock to its beaches by day and clifftop clubs by night. Grab a towel and head to Padang Padang Beach for soft white sand and easy surf breaks, or Bingin Beach for rustic cafés and more of a laid-back, bohemian vibe. If a VIP beach club is more your scene, ride the inclinator down to Sundays Beach Club (The Ungasan Cliffside Resort; @sundaysbeachclub) for elevated sundecks and bungalows with front-row views of the beach – watersports included.
Afternoon. Scoot your way over to Lola’s Cantina Mexicana (10 Jln Labuansait; @lolasbali) for awesome tacos and margaritas or Warung Local (10A Jln Labuansait; @warunglocal) for some delicious nasi campur, with over 40 different dishes to make your own mixed rice plate. For something sweet to finish off your meal, cross the road to Mamada’s Café and Bakery (42 Jln Labuansait; @mamadasbali) for the best sticky toffee pudding on the island. Continue walking down the street to check out the many day spas and shops, including What’s Good x SoSo Swim (62 Jln Labuansait; @whatsgood.store), a thrift store and café selling chic, sustainable swimwear.
Evening. First-timers to Bali should be at Uluwatu Temple (Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency; uluwatutemple.id) by dusk to catch the nightly kecak fire dance at 6pm, a mesmerising performance of men chanting against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Afterwards, grab a romantic meal at Mana Uluwatu (Jln Pantai Suluban, Pecatu; @manauluwatu) or head to Single Fin (Jln Pantai Suluban, Jln Labuansait; @singlefinbali), a legendary surfer bar with a cliffside terrace and great tunes. End (or rather, start) your night at Savaya (Jln Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak; @savayabali), Bali’s hottest day-to-night club, with stunning ocean views and a roster of world-class DJs.
Saturday
Morning. It’s about an hour’s drive to Seminyak from Uluwatu, but trust us, it’ll be worth it when you arrive at Bread Yard (12 Jln Kayu Aya; @bread_yard) for some of Bali’s best pastries (get the pistachio almond croissant) and strong cups of joe. Next, stop by John Hardy Boutique & Gallery (Jln Petitenget, Kerobokan; @johnhardybali) for an eclectic mix of silver and gold jewellery inspired by Balinese heritage and handmade by local artisans in Ubud. In need of a massage after the long ride? Jari Menari’s (21 Jln Raya Basangkasa; @jarimenari_seminyak) “dancing fingers” technique will get those knots out in no time.
Afternoon. Continue on to Canggu for a healthy lunch at The Shady Shack (53 Jln Tanah Barak;
@theshadyshack), a haven for the veggie-friendly, with rainbow-coloured salads, smoothie bowls, wraps and more. Carnivores can head next door to Santanera (55–57 Jln Tanah Barak; @santanerabali) for Latin-infused, meaty dishes made for sharing. Work off lunch with a Lagree class or a game of padel at Bali Social Club (188 Jln Raya Kayutulang; @bali.socialclub) or head to Desa Kitsuné (9 Jln Munduk Catu; @desakitsunebali) for some cold drinks and quintessential beach lounging.
Evening. After sunset, head 10 minutes north to Pererenan, Canggu’s new and happening district for authentic Balinese comfort food at Home by Chef Wayan (92 Jln Pantai Pererenan; @home.by.chefwayan) or dig into European bistro fare paired with fine wines at Bar Vera (84 Jln Pantai Pererenan; @bar.vera.bali) across the street. Finish the evening with a few scoops of creamy Italian gelato at Ettore (88 Jln Pantai Pererenan; @ettoregelato).
Sunday
Morning. Catch an early 45-minute car ride to Ubud and head straight for Tegallalang Rice Terraces for that must-have Instagram shot (jungle swing, optional). Alternatively, stay closer to Ubud proper with the Campuhan Ridge Walk (Jln Raya Ubud, Kelusa; campuhanridgewalk.com), an easy 2km walking trail overlooking lush green valleys, ideal for nature and bird lovers. Feeling bendy? Stretch it out afterwards with an invigorating Power Flow yoga class at Alchemy Yoga (Jln Penestanan; @alchemyyogaubud).
Afternoon. Fuel up at Zest (7 Jln Penestanan; @zestubud), a barefoot haven for healthy, vegan eats accompanied by live music on most days, or venture further up the hill to Yellow Flower Café (Jln Raya Campuhan;
@yellowflowercafe), a hidden gem with stellar volcano views. Serious foodies should head to Hujan Locale (5 Jln Sri Wedari; @hujan_locale) for modern Indonesian cuisine, including juicy lobster dumplings alongside sate buntel (minced lamb sausage), then try some local coffee around the corner at Seniman Coffee (5 Jln Sri Wedari; @senimancoffee). Walk it off at Ubud Palace (8 Jln Raya Ubud), the official residence of the Ubud royal family, grab some souvenirs at the Ubud Art Market and continue shopping down the street towards the Sacred Monkey Forest Ubud Sanctuary (monkeyforestubud.com).
Evening. For an authentic farm-to-table dining experience, Begawan Biji (Melinggih Kelod, Payangan;
@begawanbiji) is a fully sustainable restaurant just outside of Ubud that promotes regenerative farming in support of the local community. There, chef Andrew Fahludza prepares nature-inspired dishes from his mother’s recipes using local ingredients, many of them grown right on the farm.
Have a sweet tooth? Start – and end – with dessert by trying the iconic 15-course tasting menus at Room4Dessert (Jln Raya Sanggingan; @r4d_room4dessert), a sweet and savoury way to close off the weekend.
Best of the boutique stays
The Asa Maia, Uluwatu
Wellness meets luxury at this intimate, 10-suite resort with daily contrast therapy, yoga and spa. theasamaia.com
Desa Hay, Canggu
Solar-powered eco-luxury resort with six nature-inspired pool villas, surrounded by a lush, private garden in Pererenan. desahay.com
Stone House, Ubud
Rustic-chic stay with reclaimed teak wood houses, a safari-style lodge, jungle pool and vegetable garden. stonehousebali.com
