3 weeks in Bali is the perfect time length to explore Bali and nearby islands. It will be enough to explore famous and less-known locations where you can really get to know a lot about the Balinese culture. In this blog post, I will lay out the perfect 3 week Bali itinerary so that all you have to do is book your flight and enjoy your trip! Also make sure to check out these things to do in Bali at night.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Bali
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Bali hotels here! Other options include the following hotels.
- Desaku Bungalows
- Happy Together By Villa Kresna
- Serene Villas
- Hilton Bali Resort
- Grand Hyatt Bali
- Andaz Bali
- Conrad Resort Bali
Week 1: East and South Bali
For this 3 weeks in Bali itinerary, you will start your trip from Uluwatu where you will spend the first 3 nights. Relaxing by the beach will give you enough time to recover from your travels and start being aware of your surroundings. After Uluwatu, you will make your way to Ubud which is Bali’s cultural hub and stay until the end of week one. Ubud is also located towards the centre of the island which is ideal to reach the next locations on this itinerary.
Uluwatu
Day 1
Get a taxi from the airport to your hotel. The journey takes about 1 hour (if there is no traffic). I would suggest booking a driver through your accommodation because it normally offers a better rate than other taxis from the airport.
If you haven’t booked your hotel yet, Bingin Beach is the best location to look at because this is where the magic happens! This beach is great if you like surfing or swimming and around sunset time it turns into a painting! The sunset here reaches all the pigments of red you can imagine and there is live music playing every day.
From that area, you can also drive/walk to the main street in Uluwatu (called Jalan Labuan Sait) which is where you will find most of the restaurants, cafes and shops. I would suggest visiting Bingin or Padang Padang beach. They are not too far from each other so you can even visit both of them. However, the sun will leave Padang Padang earlier so you might want to go there first!
On the first evening, you should book a Kecak show by Uluwatu temple. This is an absolute must and it would immerse you into the Balinese culture straight away! The dance is a mixture of chants, dances and acts reminding the battle from the Ramayana. This is a must visit place during your 3 weeks in Bali.
Day 2
Start with a delicious breakfast by Suka Espresso. Their pancakes are unreal! From there you can just cross the road and walk down to Thomas Beach. It won’t be as busy as the other 2 you visited yesterday but it’s stunning and the water is quite shallow if you want to go for a relaxing swim.
If you are into yoga, you should check out The Space, a lovely yoga studio and coworking space, not too far from the famous Bambu Fitness which is an incredible gym! Bambu Fitness comes with a cafe as well which is delicious for breakfast or lunch!
I would then head to Impossible Beach and stay until sunset. This beach is not that easy to reach, it’s probably a good 20-minute walk from the main road, but it’s totally worth the hike! It’s a tiny beach, not crowded at all and super relaxing if you want to read a book. Wait until sunset because it’s magical. If you really enjoy sunsets, check out this blog post where you can find a list of the best sunsets in Uluwatu!
Day 3
On your last full day in Uluwatu, I would suggest heading to Ngang Ngang Beach. Not many tourists know about this peaceful beach which is what makes it even more special. As with most beaches in Uluwatu, you need to walk a bit to get there but the way down is super easy and cemented. You could drive down with your scooter as well but it gets a bit steep towards the end so unless you’re an experienced driver, I would walk it!
In the afternoon you can head to Tanah Lot and explore the incredible temple or visit one of the best SPAs that Uluwatu has to offer! For the evening, you could drive to Single Fin for dinner and incredible sunset views! It is a great place to visit during 3 weeks in Bali.
Day 4
On day 4 you should get a delicious breakfast at The Drifter. This place is both a vegan cafe and a shop. This shop is the place to be and it’s been mentioned in many books about people who travelled to Bali! It’s not that big but it is beautiful and perfect if you are into surfing. Their books selection is also top notch offering a mixture of surf books, self-care, fiction and historical local books (most of them in English). Once you are all set, make your way to Ubud!
Ubud
Day 1
For the second part of week one on this 3 weeks in Bali, you finally moved to the heart of Bali. It is far from the sea but the jungle has its charm! Unfortunately, in the last few years, Ubud has become more and more touristy and built up (not as much as Kuta but still!) therefore I would suggest booking your accommodation slightly outside the center so you can drive there every time you need to but at least you will spend the night in a peaceful place surrounded by rice fields.
For day 1 you should visit the Sacred Monkey Forest. This is a must if you want to learn more about Balinese culture. This location is not just a touristy spot, there are actual temples that locals head to every day, there are ceremonies taking place regularly and there is a cemetery as well! Make sure you read more information on the website to learn about the monkeys, places to visit and pricing.
You will notice that the weekend is slightly more expensive than weekdays (IDR100k vs. IDR 80k), however, keep in mind that most of the dance shows happen on weekends. If you want to visit the forest properly, it will take you most of the day. After that, you will want to shower and head to Sayan Point for a delicious dinner and a breathtaking sunset!
Day 2
Day 2 is going to be about some known and less-known spots around Ubud! You will not want to miss it on this 3 weeks in Bali itinerary.
Start from the Pura Tirta Empul which is an incredible temple, just 30 minutes drive from central Ubud. The entrance fee is IDR50k and they allow you to rent a sarong if you don’t have one. When visiting temples, it’s important to cover your knees, and shoulders and dress modestly. I normally wear a T-shirt, a sarong and flat sandals! If you want to learn about the temple, I would suggest hiring a guide or asking one of the locals if they can show you around and tip them.
Next, you are going back to Ubud and go to a secret place that barely anyone knows. It’s a local bookshop and library called Ganesha Bookshop. They have new and second-hand books, mainly focussed on Bali. There would be murder mystery books about Bali or real stories about foreigners falling in love with a local and moving to Bali forever… Even if you don’t love books, this is still a beautiful place to check out and maybe get a gift for a loved one.
Last but not least, you should check out the Yoga Barn, even if you’re not into yoga! This is a big and beautiful cultural centre in the heart of Ubud. You can attend all sorts of classes from yoga and meditation to salsa classes or even Indonesian language. This place also comes with a delicious cafe.
Day 3
Today you will spend the day walking about Ubud and feel what it would be like to live there! Head to the Ubud Palace first. This place is magical, if you are lucky you can see some dance rehearsals as well as visit the palace (for free!).
Next, you should book an offering class. This is a class that teaches you how to create a “Canang Sari” which is the colourful daily offerings that you will notice outside homes, shops, inside cars and so on. There is a lot to learn about them and it’s super fun to learn how to create one! I normally suggest asking your hotel staff to arrange a class for you!
Your day 3 will end with an incredible local dinner at Warung Krisna.
Day 4
On your last day, you should check the famous Tagalalang Rice fields and walk down the amazing Bukit Campuhan which is a scenic countryside walk just outside Ubud. Wrap up your day with a delicious coconut ice cream at Tukies Coconut Shop. There are quite a few of those ice cream shops in Ubud, all equally delicious and peculiar, just pick the closest to where you are and enjoy!
Week 2: North and East Bali
For this next part of this 3 weeks in Bali itinerary, we are moving to two locations which are less known by tourists but 100% worth visiting if you want to know more about Indonesian traditions and culture. We are going to start heading north to Lovina then ending in Amed where you will be able to take your ferry to Gili Trawangan for week 3.
Lovina
Day 1
For the first stop of week two during 3 weeks in Bali, move from Ubud to Lovina first. You can either rent a motorbike (however it’s a long trip and it might rain on the way) or get a driver! Lovina is going to look differently straight away compared to Ubud and Uluwatu. It’s much more relaxing and a lot less touristy.
On the first day, I would suggest relaxing by the beach and visiting the Brahmavihara-Arama temple in the afternoon. This is an incredible Buddhist temple, very well kept and still used to this date. The beaches here have black sand which would contrast a lot compared to the southern part of the island.
Day 2
On the second day, you should try the Dolphin experience. It’s quite early in the morning and they would take you out with a lovely fish boat from where you will see dolphins swimming close by. In the afternoon you can either relax by the beach or head to Munduk which is an incredible place to explore if you want to be surrounded by mountains and waterfalls (such as Munduk Waterfalls Trekking Point).
Day 3
Today you will check out the waterfalls and head to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. It’s about 1 hour drive from Lovina Beach but it’s worth it! It’s a stunning temple by Baratan Lake and it’s so beautiful you would love it even on a rainy day. Again, make sure you are dressed modestly just like you would dress for other temples. On your way back home, stop by the Coffeenosky Cafe in Lovina for a healthy and nourishing meal!
Amed
Day 1
On your first day in Amed during 3 weeks in Bali, you should check your surroundings and relax, as it’s been an intense trip so far, and there is lots more to come! The beach in Amed is stunning, especially because of Mount Agung is a constant sight from the beach. Just like Lovina, Amed would have a lovely black sand. For a nice meal, head to Rimba Cafe, which is a beautiful cafe not far from the beach.
Day 2
On day 2 you should go on an unforgettable hike. You can choose between Mount Agung and Mount Batur. It really depends on your experience and fitness level, the Mount Agung hike is quite challenging and it includes some parts of climbing too. Mount Batur is much easier to hike even for absolute beginners.
Whatever you pick is going to be epic, especially because these hikes are normally planned around sunset times. I would suggest relaxing by the beach after this because you will feel super tired! If you caught a rainy day, check out this blog post that will give you 7 ideas on what to do to make the most out of Amed anyway!
Day 3
On your last day in Amed, you should book a snorkelling experience before making your way to Gilis. Amed is notoriously famous for snorkelling, so this is an absolute must before moving to the Gili Islands! Get your ferry from Amed to Gili Trawangan. Book your tickets a few days in advance on this link.
Extra tip for this week: rent a scooter once you get to Lovina or get a driver because there is no Gojek or Grab. The same goes for Amed!
Week 3: Gilis and Lombok
In your last week of this 3 weeks in Bali itinerary, you will leave Bali and move to Lombok and its incredible islands. If you don’t want to leave Bali, keep reading because I’ll give you an alternative!
Gili Trawangan
Day 1
On day one, try to absorb your new reality. There are no cars or motorbikes around you, which is a good change compared to Bali. The island is completely walkable, but you can hire a bike and cycle around because it’s a lovely experience! You will definitely want to add it to your 3 weeks in Bali.
Although the island is going through a development boost (just like Bali) there is still quite a lot of land with cows taken care of by farmers, which is nice to see. Nearby the harbour you will find most of the restaurants and cafes. If you go to the opposite side of the island it will be quieter until sunset time. Around that time you will see quite a few people coming over to watch the sunset and enjoy live music while sipping a cocktail.
Day 2
On day 2 you should visit the other 2 Gilis next to Gili Trawangan. I’m talking about Gili Meno and Gili Air. These islands are a lot quieter compared to Gili T but they are just perfect to explore and relax by the beach. Head to the harbor in Gili T to find out which ferry to take. There will be different companies with different prices or even taxi boats.
If you are into snorkelling you can even book your spot for a snorkelling experience around the islands. You can do that by booking it online (on websites such as Get Your Guide) or locally (there will be quite a few stands dotted around the island). You will be able to swim with turtles and admire the beautiful underwater sculpture named NEST.
After this long way out and about I would suggest making your way back to Gili Trawangan and getting some delicious local food at Sumi Sate. This is the perfect addition to your 3 weeks in Bali itinerary.
Day 3
On your last day, I would suggest having breakfast at Coffee & Thyme. This place serves super tasty meals, the staff is very friendly and it’s easy to meet other people as well if you are travelling alone! After breakfast make your way to Lombok by getting a speedboat by the harbour.
Tip for Gili Trawangan: If you are into diving, Gili T will be the perfect place for you! There are quite a few hostels and accommodations including Diving classes and you can also enrol on a course to get your PADI certification.
Kuta (Lombok)
People say Lombok reminds them of Bali more than 10 years ago, meaning there aren’t many touristy spots yet. The reason why I’ve added Lombok to your itinerary is because it’s nice to have a different taste of Indonesia before going home. The landscape will be completely different from Bali and the same goes for the local culture. You have to add it to your 3 weeks in Bali.
Day 1
If you love surfing, you will want to be based in Kuta. There are different surf schools here or places to hire your surfboard. It’s the perfect base from where you can move around and discover incredible places or reach out to surf spots. You also have a wide range of restaurants and cafes (both local and Western).
On the first day, I would suggest getting comfortable at your hotel and heading to Tanjung Aan Beach. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Lombok and it looks totally different from other beaches you’ve seen until now! There will be white sand, and crystal clear water surrounded by gentle hills. In the evening you should watch the sunset from a hill called Bukit Merese because it’s spectacular!
Day 2
On your second day, you could either explore more beaches or go for a hike at Mount Rinjani. If you are opting for the hike, I would suggest spending the night around Mount Rinjani as well because it’s located a 2h30 drive from Kuta – but also, there is a lot to explore so 1 day might not be enough. There are loads of incredible waterfalls and views you can’t possibly miss!
However, if you would rather stay around Kuta you should visit a beach called Selong Belanak and book a cinema night experience in Kuta. There are quite a few, but I would recommend the one by Mana Retreat because it’s set in a lovely yoga studio and serves the best smoothie bowls too! It is a great place to visit during 3 weeks in Bali.
Day 3
If you enjoyed your time in Gili Trawangan, you will want to hear this. Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air are not the only Gilis around Lombok – there are many and many more! On your last full day in Lombok, you should explore some of the less-known Gilis because they will blow your mind.
Get in touch with Adventure Divers Lombok to plan your trip. They don’t only cover diving trips but also relaxed exploring experiences. They will help you choose the best Gilis to explore based on the time you have available. In the evening you should watch the sunset from Bukit Sunset Seger because it’s spectacular! You will have an amazing view over the sea, the cone-shaped hills and surfers catching the last waves.
Day 4
It’s time to head back to Bali. You can either fly or go back to the harbor and get a ferry to Bali. The timelines are quite similar, the airport is only 30 minutes drive from Kuta and the flight is about 40 minutes. If you choose the ferry you will need to drive to the harbor (about 1h30) and get the ferry to Bali which is close to 3 hours. Either way, it is worth adding Lomboc to a 3 weeks in Bali trip.
Alternative for Week 3
If you don’t feel like venturing out to Lombok and its stunning islands, you can still spend your last week of 3 weeks in Bali visiting 2 incredible islands right next to Bali. You’ve probably heard about Nusa Penida by now, which is super popular by tourists but this is not where you should go. Check out Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan instead! These islands are incredible, less touristy, and full of activities to try out (from surfing to hiking, or they even host lots of yoga retreats).
Final Thoughts on 3 Weeks in Bali Itinerary
I hope this 3 weeks in Bali itinerary has inspired you for your next trip to Bali. Remember not to over-plan your trip too much as you will discover many other things to try out once you get there! If you have more time to travel around Southeast Asia, make sure to add in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Both are easy to get to from Bali and make for amazing stops.
About the Author
Meet Silvia, a globe-trotter whose heart beats for Bali. Splitting her time between bustling London and laid-back Bali, Silvia has crafted a life as diverse as it is fulfilling. Her love affair with Bali began many years ago and since then her life changed upside down. Through her blog The Good Observer, she serves as your digital guide to Bali, equipping you with insider tips and secrets for an unforgettable solo journey.
