2 Week Bali Itinerary

Our 2-week Bali itinerary takes you on a whirlwind tour of the ‘Island of Gods’, giving you a taster of some of the best destinations in Bali.

Most people who visit Bali choose a one-stop strategy for a flop-and-drop style holiday. But a multi-destination vacation in Bali is easily doable, thanks to cheap and easy transport.

For example, you can drive between Sanur and Ubud in around an hour, and from Seminyak to Nusa Dua in around 30-minutes, depending on the time of day.

And there are so many amazing parts of Bali to explore, it would be a shame to miss out! If you’re up for a bit of an adventure and love to get out and find new places, then this 2-week Bali itinerary is for you.

I’ve given you suggested activities and accommodation in each place to help you on your way.

Getting around Bali

Getting from A to B in Bali is pretty simple these days. Ask someone who has already been to Bali and you’ll probably be able to get a recommendation of a driver.

Usually you can book a driver for a day, half-day or just for a one-way transfer.

Otherwise, you can easily book transport using one of these transport apps, which are the equivalent of Uber in other countries:

• Grab
• Gojek

Just like with Uber, you can easily book a car that is nearby and get a fixed price to your destination, then track where your car is. You can add your credit card for cashless payments, or choose to pay cash. 

You can also pre-book if you want to be picked up at a certain time. Even without booking, we have never had to wait more than 10 minutes to get a car, and they are super cheap.

For example, a ‘comfort’ car from Seminyak to Nusa Dua cost us Rp 162, 700 (approx $15 AUD or $10 USD).

Read more top tips for visiting Bali here.

Days 1-3: Sanur – Beach Time

Having a few days in Sanur is the perfect start to the holiday, where you can wind down on the beach and recover from travelling.

Sanur is a quieter option than some other areas of Bali, but it still has a good choice of family-friendly hotels, local restaurants, cafes and warungs, and even a shopping mall. 

Sanur Beach is great for families. It stretches for 8km and is protected by the reef, meaning the water is calm for kids to splash about in and makes water sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding easy.

The beachfront sidewalk is popular with both joggers and cyclists, and hiring bikes is a great way to get out and explore as a family. It’s also easy to walk between hotels if you want to eat at another hotel’s restaurants.

Things to do in Sanur

• Hire bikes and explore the 8km beachfront or take an e-bike tour of the local area.
• Take a pottery class at Kevala Studios.
• Do a snorkelling day trip to Nusa Penida.
• Go rock climbing at the indoor climbing centre Clip n Climb.
• Have a day of fun at Bali’s largest indoor adventure park, AeroXSpace.
• Go kayaking or paddle boarding – the calm waters of Sanur are perfect for this and you’ll find various places to hire equipment along the beach.
• Visit the Turtle Conservation Centres – you’ll find these along the beach, where you can visit the rescued turtles and, at times, witness the baby turtle releases.
• Go shopping at the ICON shopping mall.
• Watch sunrise – being on the east coast, Sanur is famous for its sunrises. Set your alarm and head down to the beach. You won’t regret it!

Where to stay in Sanur

• Hyatt Regency Sanur: A large hotel in beautifully landscaped tropical gardens. It has spacious rooms, two restaurants, a choice of swimming pools, a beautiful spa and a large kids club. Click here to check prices and availability. 
• Meru Sanur: Stylish luxury suite-only resort right on Sanur beach with two enormous swimming pools, great restaurants, friendly staff and a small kids’ club. You can read our full review of the Meru Sanur here or Click here to check prices and availability.
• Intercontinental Bali Sanur: Another beautiful option on the Sanur scene, The Intercontinental offers luxurious suites and villas in the heart of Sanur. As well as the main pool, there are two kids’ pools and a large air-conditioned kids’ club. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Maya Sanur: All the rooms at the Maya are spacious and adaptable for families, with the choice of 2 doubled beds and interconnecting rooms. When it comes to entertaining the kids, Maya has it all. It has four pools, including a family pool and a kids pool, a kids playground and an indoor kids’ club. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Andaz Bali: Located right next door to the Hyatt Regency, the Andaz offers a more cost-effective option to its bigger brother next door. It offers spacious rooms, suites and villas, a kids club, on-site restaurants and a lovely beachfront swimming pool. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Villa Seriska Satu Sanur – this private villa is a short walk to Sanur Beach, has four spacious bedrooms, an open-plan living and dining area and a 10-metre swimming pool. Click here to check prices and availability.

Days 4-8: Ubud – Cultural Immersion

Next we’re going to travel to Ubud, around a one-hour drive from Sanur.

Known as Bali’s cultural and spiritual heart, Ubud is surrounded by lush rice terraces and jungle. It is known for its art galleries, temples, wellness resorts, and a more relaxed pace of life.

There’s no beach here, but plenty of nature-based and adventure activities, markets, temples, cooking classes and traditional performances to watch.

Ubud has a lovely laid-back feel to it (although traffic has increased 100x fold over the last few years), but it still boasts a good selection of restaurants and bars, and some beautiful family-friendly resorts.

Don’t miss the chance to take a wander through the Tegallalang Rice Terraces and to visit the famous Tirta Empul water temple.

Things to do in Ubud

• Hire a driver for a day tour of the area – this is a great way to see all the main sights in a day, eg. the Tirtu Empul water temple, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, waterfalls and the Sacred Monkey Forest.
• Take part in a traditional Cooking Class – we did this farm cooking class and it was a really fun way to spend the day as a family (and the food was delicious!)
• Watch a traditional performance, such as the Kecak and Fire Dance or the Legong Dance Show at the Ubud Palace.
• Join an ATV Quad Bike Tour that takes you through the jungle and past the paddy fields.
• Do the Sunrise Mount Batur hike – note that this is only recommended with teenagers as it is strenuous and also requires you to get up at around 2.30am!
• Go White Water Rafting on the Ayung River.
• Do the Zip Line and Jungle Swing Adventure.

Where to Stay in Ubud

• Westin Resort & Spa Ubud Bali: Located just outside Ubud, the Westin has an amazing infinity pool with jungle views, a good variety of rooms, choice of restaurants and even a kids club. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Padma Resort Ubud: Located north of Ubud in lush jungle surroundings, it has a beautiful infinity pool with swim-up bar and kids club with small kids pool and waterfall. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Four Seasons Sayan: If money is no object, it’s hard to beat the Four Seasons Sayan. Family suites have separate kids bedrooms, there’s a two-tiered swimming pool and one of the best kids clubs in Bali. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Plataran Ubud Hotel & Spa: Offers a tranquil retreat right in the heart of Ubud (good for avoiding those traffic jams). The hotel has two infinity pools and a small Kids Club, plus fish to feed and sheep and rabbits to visit. The cookery class is another fun activity for families. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Villa Melati – A traditional-style villa with thatched alang-alang roofs set in the hills just a short drive from the centre of Ubud. Open-air living and dining areas allow you to connect with nature while you relax. Click here to check prices and availability.

Days 9-11: Seminyak – Shopping and Sunsets

Next stop is Seminyak, around 1.5 hours from Ubud. This really depends on traffic and where you start off in Ubud, as at certain times of day it can take over 30 mins just to drive across Ubud.

Seminyak is known for being trendy and stylish, with a wide range of upscale restaurants, beach clubs, boutique shopping, and a vibrant nightlife.

The beach is wide and good for surfing, though the waves can be rough for young kids and the black sand is less appealing than those white sandy stretches in Nusa Dua or Sanur.

It’s a fun place to hang out for a few days though, to try out some of Bali’s best restaurants, hit up the trendy boutiques and enjoy fabulous cocktails at sunset.

There is a good choice of high-end beachfront hotels here and also a good selection of Bali family villas.

Things to do in Seminyak

• Ride the water slides at everyone’s favourite water park – Waterbom!
• Learn how to surf at nearby Kuta Beach.
• Hit the boutiques – Seminyak is famous for its trendy boutique shopping. Head to Jalan Kayu Aya (aka Eat Street) or Jalan Raya Seminyak to browse.
• Go for a massage – you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing spas in Seminyak. We love the four-hands massage at Jari Menari.
• Join a Cooking Class – learn about the local cuisine and have fun together as a family.
• Watch sunset – Seminyak is famous for its sunsets. Head down to the beach bars at the southern end of Seminyak beach and grab yourselves a beanbag.

Where to Stay in Seminyak

• Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach: Everything you want from a Seminyak hotel – it’s funky and trendy, has a beachfront setting, awesome swimming pools and fantastic restaurants. An easy walk to some of Seminyak’s sunset bars. Read our full review of Hotel Indigo Bali here or Click here to check prices and availability.
• W Bali: While there is no kids club, kids will love their tiered swimming pool and easy access to the beach. Staff are great with kids and there is a toy box in the restaurant. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Seminyak Beach Resort: Another option if you want to be beachfront and in the heart of the action. It offers spacious interconnecting room and villas plus all the facilities you could want, including a 45m infinity pool overlooking the beach. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort: If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, and don’t mind not being absolute beachfront, then this is a great option. It has a choice of rooms, including family rooms and 2-bedroom suites, plus an awesome swimming pool complete with sunken bar. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Villa Sanook: A beautiful 4-bedroom contemporary villa in the heart of Seminyak, its central location making it an easy stroll from shops, restaurants and the beach. The sizeable swimming pool has a shallow end, ideal for kids to play. Click here to check prices and availability.
• Villa Alun: A chic modern villa in the northern part of Seminyak, just a short stroll from Batu Belig beach. It has a large living room and a beautiful swimming pool with a covered gazebo and BBQ. Click here to check prices and availability.

Days 12-14: Nusa Dua – Flop & Drop

We’re going to end our Bali itinerary with a couple of days chilling on the beach in Nusa Dua. This area is known for its white sandy beaches and beachfront resorts.

You won’t experience a lot of local Balinese culture here, as the area is really just dedicated to luxury beach resorts. However, it’s a great place to unwind, chill out and enjoy some beautiful beaches. There is also a good golf course here.

You will find a lot of the big international chain hotels in Nusa Dua and dining out really centres around these hotel restaurants.

Most people who choose to stay in Nusa Dua don’t venture too far from their resort during their time here. If you do prefer to eat outside of hotels, we recommend heading to Bali Collection for a choice of restaurants.

Things to do in Nusa Dua

• Hit the beach – it’s all about beach life in Nusa Dua, having some of Bali’s best beaches right on your doorstep.
• Watersports – most hotels will have kayaks and paddleboards you can hire, but for more action, such as jetskis, banana boat rides, parasailing, water skiing etc, head to Tanjong Benoa beach.
• Watch the Devdan Show at the Nusa Dua theatre, where you can learn about Balinese culture through music, dance and acrobatics.
• Go shopping at Bali Collection – this shopping mall has a wide selection of shops, spas, restaurants and bars, making it an easy place to hang out for an afternoon.
• Play Golf at the Bali National Golf Club, a beautiful course offering three distinct playing environments throughout the 18-hole course.

Where to Stay in Nusa Dua

• Westin Resort: Family friendly facilities include three swimming pools, waterslide, outdoor playground. We love their two-bedrooms family suites. Click here to check prices and availability.
• The Mulia Resort: Large beachfront property with several large swimming pools, kids’ water play area, good choice of restaurants with amazing buffet options and three kids’ clubs for different ages. Read our full review of the Mulia Resort here or  Click here to check prices and availability.
• Grand Hyatt: Full of family facilities, including five swimming pools, water slides, tennis courts, outdoor playground and kids club. Click here to check prices and availability.