How to plan the epic Bali holiday of your dreams (2026 edition)

Planning a trip to Bali can be a little overwhelming. As a much-loved destination for travellers, business in Bali is booming, which means there are a lot of destinations, hotels, restaurants and activities to consider. With so many options, you may be struggling with how to make sense of it all and where to start. To help, I’ve put together this guide on how to plan the epic Bali holiday of your dreams, sharing everything from must-see destinations and different accommodation types to how long to spend in each spot and how to plan your meals!

Planning your trip?
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Hotels, I use Agoda
Insurance: Cover-More
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Travel eSIM: Simify

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Cash in on sale airfares

Bali is indeed a tourist haven and each year it seems to get busier. That remains the case today: the island is on track to surpass seven million international visitors this year, reaffirming its status as one of Southeast Asia’s most visited spots. At first glance that may seem like a negative, but with so many people keen to visit, it also means airlines are able to offer great rates on sale fares. When I plan a trip to Bali I first decide on a window of time I’d like to be there, it could be two weeks or even a whole month. Then I sign up for sale-fare notifications either directly through the airline or through a comparison site. If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll find many airlines now also offer cheaper fares for carry-on-only or basic fare classes.

Choose your must-see destinations

You’ve booked your flights and you know your travel dates, now it’s time to plan your time and decide where to go. This is the hard part! Where should you visit in Bali? How do you decide which spots are must-see and which ones are over-hyped? Don’t worry, I’ve got you sorted. Here are my tips on the absolute best spots in Bali and a little insight into why they should make your itinerary.

Ubud 

If you’re looking for a jungle escape, Ubud is the perfect destination. I enjoy the lush green rainforest and earthy, laid-back vibe of Ubud. You’ll find an abundance of healthy, organic and natural food options so it’s ideal for vegetarians and vegans. If you’re a meat-eater, don’t worry — there’s still a plenty of great food on offer. Ubud is a hub for artists so you’ll find plenty of amazing woodworkers and jewellers, painters, potters and creators. Think yoga in the morning, art classes, meditation and relaxation, jungle escapes and an earthy adventure. If you’re more into adventure activities, Ubud offers white water rafting, exploring rice paddies, whizzing around on a scooter, jungle treks and more. Read my guide to ‘Everything you need to know about visiting Ubud’.

Seminyak 

Seminyak is home to a myriad of sprawling beach resorts, gorgeous hotels and cool little boutique spots and homestays too. It’s the perfect spot to still be in the action of Bali, but take a bit of the over-the-top party edge off it. I’d recommend it for people who still want to be social, go out to dinner and bars, catch gorgeous beach sunsets and mingle with other travellers, but not get so drunk their shirt gets ripped off in a nightclub each night. You’ll find this area a huge range of boutique shops and really great bars and restaurants too. It offers a great mix of relaxation and luxury, with fun and excitement too. You’ll also find a good mix of accommodation to suit all budgets, from luxe right through to less. Read about ‘My amazing stay at a private villa in Seminyak.’

Canggu 

Canggu is the sort-of-new-kid-on-the-block. It’s yet to be tainted by heavy mainstream tourism and serves as more a hipster meets surfer escape. We’re talking very cool low-key beachfront bars with great music playing as the sunsets, sweet little family-run homestays and some amazing food. I’d recommend this spot as perfect for the chilled out traveller. If you love to visit a place and just keep it real, but still have some great meals and sunset drinks, this is the spot for you. It’s great for surfers, you’ll find a tonne rolling the streets on scooters and running by, boards tucked under their arms. My tip on the way to experience it best is to immerse yourself in this low-key vibe, think homestays, lazy days and plenty of beach time! Read my guide to ’12 Great places to eat and drink in Canggu.’

Nusa Dua 

If you’re dreaming of spending your holiday unwinding at an incredible beachfront resort, Nusa Dua is the spot for you. Away from the hustle and bustle of spots like Kuta and Seminyak, you can hole up in a super resort and bliss out in total luxury and comfort. There’s still plenty to do as you can take day trips from Nusa Dua or head out from your resort and explore the local area, which has a more chilled out approach to street stalls than somewhere like Kuta. I would recommend making sure you find a resort that offers a taste of Bali through its spa offerings, activities, restaurants and accommodation fit-out — otherwise you might feel like you could be anywhere in the world. Read my guide to ‘Everything you need to know about visiting Nusa Dua.’ 

Nusa Lembongan 

Need an island escape but don’t have too much time to spare? Nusa Lembongan has fast become a popular spot for Bali visitors due to its close proximity to the mainland, ease of access and gorgeous island lifestyle. I visited just before the boom and loved how you felt like you were away from it all, without having to go too far. The snorkelling here is great so it’s a top spot for beach lovers (that’s me!). I loved zipping around the island on the back of a scooter, discovering new spots, visiting different cafés and restaurants, finding hidden beaches and totally and completely unwinding.

The Gili Islands 

If you have a little more time to spare and love your island time, pop the Gili Islands on your list. There are three islands, each offering something different – Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. You’ll find Gili Trawangan a tourist fave as it’s the party island, offering fun times and plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars to enjoy. Gili Meno offers a quieter experience and is probably best suited to couples looking for a romantic escape — the beaches are incredible. Gili Air is the laid-back spot, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and diving schools, hippy vibes, acoustic music and chilled-out bars.

Decide how long to spend at each place

Now you’ve probably got a good idea of which destinations do and don’t appeal to your travel style and what you want from your holiday. It’s time to work out how long you should spend at each destination. Here are my thoughts:

• Ubud – 2–3 nights. It takes a couple of hours to get from Kuta (or airport) to Ubud so you may find a one-night stay too quick. A two- or three-night stay in Ubud should be enough, especially as you start to crave the beach again after being in the jungle for so long.
• Seminyak – 3 nights. With its sprawling beach resorts, restaurants, bars and gorgeous beach sunsets, you can easily do three nights in Seminyak.
• Canggu – 2–3 nights. You’ll probably find two or three nights in Canggu are enough as you’ll be nice and relaxed by then and ready to get out and see a different side of Bali.
• Nusa Dua – 4–5 nights. If you’re visiting Nusa Dua you’re probably there to make the most of one of the super resorts, so you’ll have no trouble sinking back into a four-night stay and getting into a routine of buffet, swim, sleep, repeat.
• Nusa Lembongan – 3 nights. Given you have to catch a boat to get there, a two-night stay may feel too short. I’d recommend spending three or four nights on Nusa Lembongan to explore all its hidden corners and spend days in the water.
• The Gili Islands – 4 nights. How long you spend in the Gilis will depend on what you’re going for and whether or not you’re doing an island-crawl. For anyone looking for a romantic escape, four nights is a good amount of time. Those on the party trail might like to do one or two nights on each island.

Work out what type of accommodation you want

So you know where you’re going and how long you want to spend at each place, now it’s onto accommodation types. There is a whole range of different accommodation options in Bali and it’s important to consider which one is going to work for you! Things to take into consideration include how many people you’re travelling with, what you’re travelling for (i.e. honeymoon, romantic escape or family vacay) if you’ll have little ones with you and what type of holiday you’re after (luxe, budget or mid-range).

You might like to consider an all-inclusive resort if you’re looking to totally unwind and de-stress. These resorts really take the guesswork out of meal times and you really don’t have to worry about anything at any time. Families or groups of friends might like to look into a private villa. They’re surprisingly affordable, especially when the cost is shared. You’ll love having your own space away from it all and the privacy it affords. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a fantastic beachfront resort where you spend all day sipping watermelon or coconut cocktails, lazing by the pool, catching up on your reading. Finally, don’t overlook the option of a homestay. Homestays remain a strong budget option today as travellers increasingly look for authentic local stays with good value.

Need some hotel reviews or accommodation recommendations? Check these out:

Check the visa requirements

Be sure to check the visa requirements before you set off. As of 2026, the visa arrangements for Bali have been updated. For short-term tourist stay,s you can still get a Visa on Arrival (VoA) or e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) valid for 30 days, and extendable once for another 30 days (total up to 60). There are also longer-stay visa types if you plan to stay several months. Also notable: the new “All Indonesia” digital arrival declaration card became mandatory as of September 2026 at major airports, including Bali’s I?Gusti?Ngurah?Rai?International?Airport, and a tourist levy continues to apply. Always check for your country’s specific visa-exemption status and ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity.

Plan your activities

With your itinerary starting to come together, I’d recommend you start thinking about the type of activities you’d like to do while you’re in Bali. Your activities will also depend on which spots you find yourself visiting. There’s a lot to see, do and experience in Bali so consider whether you’re up for more adventure activities, chilled-out days, watersports, cultural experiences or just spending the whole time by the pool. You can definitely book things once you’ve arrived, so don’t feel too pressured to get everything planned, booked and paid for before you arrive. I usually leave some days flexible.
In 2026, you’ll also find more travellers drawn to wellness retreats, eco-tourism, digital-nomad friendly stays and deeper cultural immersion. Read my guide to’22 Awesome things you absolutely must do in Ubud.’

Find your must-try food experiences

Bali is a food haven and if you’re like me you’ll be keen to spend just as much time eating as you do relaxing and exploring. I’ve found the best way to tackle the Bali food scene is to go for a mix of cuisines. I also tend to stay away from street food when I’m unsure about hygiene (except for trusted local stalls). I’d recommend visiting a few authentic Balinese restaurants then mixing it up with other spots. Some of the best Italian food I’ve had has been in Bali and I had an incredible degustation that blew my mind!
While there are plenty of great cheap eats on offer, it’s well worth visiting a few fancy spots too because the food is excellent. In 2026 you’ll see more interest in farm-to-table restaurants, local markets and morning cafés that double as co-working spaces. You might like to read my guide to 5 of the best places to eat in Ubud.

Prepare a packing list

Have a think about what you might like to pack, then my guide to what to pack for a trip to Indonesia. Figure out any gaps, take into consideration the activities you have planned and do any necessary shopping. You’ll most likely do a fair bit of shopping (and haggling) in Bali so don’t pack too much. You might like to read a guide on ‘how to haggle like a professional in Bali.’
In 2026, I’d also add: charger adapters for digital nomad gear, day-packs for scooter rides, reef-safe sunscreen (eco-tourism friendly) and a reusable water bottle (single-use plastics are increasingly frowned upon). You might like to read my guide on ‘How to haggle like a professional in Bali’.

Research any ‘know before you go’s’

As with any new destination, it’s important to brush up on anything you absolutely must know before you go! You might like to read a guide to “things to know before you visit Bali.”
In 2026 the trend is shifting: local authorities are placing more emphasis on respectful behaviour, environmental awareness, and staying in less-crowded places. Balinese locals increasingly welcome visitors who travel with respect. I’m biased, obviously, but you might like to read my guide to 22 Things to know before you visit Bali.

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