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The Best Bali itinerary: must do’s and less touristy places
This was our first trip to Bali, and we didn’t know when we would return. So, we wanted to see the top spots for the best Bali itinerary, including a less touristy area.
We decided to spend the first couple of days in Seminyak, then three nights in Ubud to explore the famous jungle, followed by a stay in Amed, which is much quieter and less touristy. Finally, we spent one night in Jindabyne to be near the airport before flying home.
Bali is easy to get around, so we used each area as a base to visit temples and beautiful sights, while also enjoying some relaxing days by the pool.
We flew to Bali on a Friday night (I think we arrived at 11pm!) and flew back out one week later on Sunday night. This meant we only needed to take 5 annual leave days off work, and got 9 amazing days in Bali!
- Day1 – Seminyak (arrive late from flight)
- Day2 – Seminyak
- Day3 – Ubud
- Day4 – Ubud
- Day5 – Ubud
- Day6 – Amed
- Day7 – Amed
- Day8 – Amed
- Day9 – Jimbaran
- Day10 – Jimbaran (fly home in evening)
Day 1-2: Seminyak
The first couple of days of our 9 amazing days in Bali itinerary, of course, begin with Seminyak! Seminyak was everything I heard it would be: streets full of vendors, tourist shops, Australian clothing stores, boutique shops, cool eateries, nice places to drink, and sports cafes. Make it whatever you like, but we actually loved our 2 days there and could have spent much more time exploring the beaches, cafes, and restaurants around.
Mobility:
We organised a taxi pick up which was included in our hotel stay by The Amala. They also had a free taxi for guests into the Seminyak centre and we used this service to get to get around in the evening.
Stay:
We stayed at the beautiful Amala hotel. A boutique quiet oasis of luxury rooms and pool villas in the middle of the busy town.
Highlights:
- Drinking Bintang at Corner House (has to be done!)
- Wondering down the main busy shopping street of Seminyak – Jalan Kayu Aya (for cafes, boutique clothes stalls, and anything!)
- Amazing Potato Head Beach Club for very chilled pre-drinks and awesome sunset views
- Sarong restaurant for dressing up, and insanely good asian cuisine.
- Never ending breakfast in the beautiful setting of The Amala hotel.
Day 3-5: Ubud
Lush green rice paddies, beautiful mystic temples in jungles, Ubud is really the most magical place. We made sure to split our time between busy days seeing all of the amazing places, and chill time in the amazing hotel.
Mobility:
We hired a taxi (organised by The Amala hotel) who took us from Seminyak to Ubud, he was a super nice guy and even took us to the Luwak Coffee Plantation on the way for no extra charge.
Day tour – we hired a taxi recommended from a friend (we had organised this before we left Australia). All drivers tend to use what app and all it takes is a whatapp message to book. The taxi cost $60 AUD for the entire day (8 hours).
Out and about in Ubud we used Bluebird Taxi, which is the safest taxi to use for short trips (you can flag them down).
Stay:
After so much research, we decided to stay in Kamandalu Resort. We chose the Valley Pool Villa, and it was so amazing.
Highlights:
- Trying Luwak Poo Coffee
- Visiting the magical Rice Paddies at 7:30am in the morning
- Staying at Kamandalu Resort, almost a village in itself
- Visiting the temples and waterfalls of Ubud
Days 6-8: Amed
Not yet fully on the must go tourist route in Bali, Amed felt a world away from the touristy streets of Seminyak. Amed is on the East Coast of Bali. This area is brilliant for snorkelling in the corals, seeing volcanic black sand beaches, having a beer with a view of Mount Agung (still active volcano).
Stay:
We stayed at the Griya Villas which was an absolute dream. All villas have their own pool which have a view of the East Coast Ocean, wow! This is not a small plunge pool, this is a pool large enough to swim in! When we stayed the cost was around 300 AUD a night, which was amazing value for what it was (and also included breakfast and transport).
Tip: make sure to order the floating breakfast for at least one morning, it will be a very memorable breakfast experience!!
Mobility:
Included in the hotel rate when booking directly on the website, there was free transport to and from the Griya Villas and airport. Luckily, as it was similar distance accepted to pick us up from our hotel in Ubud, and then when we left they dropped us off in Jimbaran. In fact on the way from Amed to Jimbaran there were a few temples we wanted to see in the area, and they allowed us to visit them on this journey for a very small cost.
Highlights:
- Snorkelling at Lipah Beach
- Outdoor cinema on Griya Villas rooftop
- Happy hour at the Griya
- Floating breakfast in the Pool Villa
- Drinking beer watching the sunset with a view of Mount Agung
Day 9-10: Jimbaran
If you don’t have much time in Bali, Jimbaran seems like a great place to base yourself. Little beach town with easy access from the airport, and to places like Uluwatu, Seminyak etc.
Jimbaran has a beautiful beach and many hotels to chose from. We decided to stay here on our last night to be close to the airport and therefore to not have any panic about not being able to get our flight because of the Bali traffic!
Stay:
We chose to stay at the Intercontinental Hotel, Jimbaran. This is more of a resort than a hotel. The was very good value for money (I think we paid 200 AUD). It has a HUGE pool overlooking the beach, many restaurants to chose from on site and is in the centre of the Jimbaran beach area. When we entered it felt really like a luxury resort, a huge metal drum was played as we entered into the huge reception area. For a chain, they had really made sure they acknowledged the traditional Balinese style everywhere, some areas of the resort feeling like some of the temples we had visited.
This hotel allowed us to stay using their facilities until our flight in the evening. Therefore the day consisted of hanging around the pool and dining at their amazing Sunset Bar and Grill restaurant (where the fresh fish was delicious!).
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