3 Weeks in Bali: The Ultimate Itinerary + Travel Tips

Before You Go: Essentials & Travel Tips

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

• Dry season: April to October — sunny days, ideal for beaches and boat trips

• Wet season: November to March — still warm, but expect tropical rains

💰 Budget (per day, per person)

• Backpacker : 20 to 30 $

• Family on budget : 40 to 60 $

• Luxury : +100 $

📱 Useful Apps

• Grab & Gojek : Transport and food delivery

• 12goAsia : book boats, buses & transfers

• Google Translate : translate Indonesian menu

• Google Maps, Maps.me : Offline direction, restaurant and activity reviews

🚗 Getting around

• Scooter rental: ~€4-6/day (International Driving Permit recommended)

• Fast boats: For Nusa Penida, Gili, and Lombok – check 12go.asia

• Private drivers: In Bali, you can easily hire one for full-day trips

Full Itinerary – 3 Weeks in Bali, Gili Islands & Lombok

🌿Days 1–4: Ubud – Rice Fields & Culture

Start your trip in Ubud, Bali’s spiritual and artistic heart.

Things to do:

• Tegalalang Rice Terraces

• Tirta Empul, Goa Gajah, and Gunung Kawi temples

• Monkey Forest & Ubud Art Market

• Campuhan Ridge Walk at sunrise

• Tegenungan or Tibumana waterfalls

• Cooking class or yoga session

• Ubud Spectacle

Where to stay:

Quiet guesthouses or boutique villas surrounded by jungle and rice fields.

🌴Days 5–7: Nusa Penida – Wild Beaches & Cliff Views

Take a fast boat from Sanur (~45 mins). Nusa Penida is raw, stunning, and unforgettable.

Top spots:

• Kelingking Beach (the T-Rex cliff!)

• Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach

• Snorkeling with manta rays (Crystal Bay or Manta Point)

• Angel’s Billabong & Broken Beach

• Treehouse viewpoint (Rumah Pohon Molenteng)

Tip: Rent a scooter if confident or book a private driver—roads are rough and tight

🐢Days 8–10: Gili Islands – Bike, Chill & Snorkel

Return to Bali → take a fast boat to the Gili Islands (from Padangbai or Serangan).

Choose your vibe:

• Gili Trawangan: nightlife & dive and snorkel by the beach

• Gili Air: relaxed with cute cafés

• Gili Meno: total peace

Must-dos:

• Bike around the island (no cars!)

• Swim with turtles

• Sunset swing photos

• Yoga or beach massage

🏄‍♂️Days 11–13: Lombok – Surfer’s Paradise

Hop over from Gili by fast boat (15 mins). Head south to Kuta, Lombok.

What to explore: if you are not a surfer or like hiking, skip this part

• White sand beaches: Selong Belanak, Tanjung Aan

• Surf spots for beginners and pros

• Scenic drives around Kuta’s hills

• Optional: Mount Rinjani hike (for the adventurous), it's now overbooked so be aware you are going to hike and sleep on tent with lot of people

🌊Days 14–16: Amed – Wreck Dives & Chill Vibes

Back to Bali via boat to Padangbai, then 1.5h drive to Amed (northeast coast).

Highlights:

• Snorkeling in Jemeluk Bay

• USAT Liberty shipwreck dive (Tulamben)

• Volcano views (Mount Agung)

• Black sand 

• Sunset from your beach bungalow

Why Amed? It’s peaceful, local, and still off the beaten path.

Quick tips : If you have time When you are on your way back to canggu, use the road to go to Gretek and through mount Batur by bicycle 

🌅Days 17–19: Uluwatu – Cliffs, Temples & Surf

Now head south to Uluwatu for dramatic views and epic sunsets.

What to do:

• Beaches: Thomas Beach, dreamland, Pantai Gunung Payung

• Surf in Padang Padang, Pantai Padang, Bingin

• Sunset drinks at Single Fin or Savaya

☕Days 20–21: Canggu – Surf, Brunch & Boutique

End your trip in Bali’s trendiest spot: Canggu.

Experience the vibe:

• Breakfast at Crate Cafe

• Catch some final waves at Echo Beach

• Boutique shopping & tattoo studios

• Sunset cocktails at La Brisa

• Shopping at Love Anchor Canggu,