Ubud · Sidemen · Amed · Nusa Lembongan · Uluwatu

Bali itinerary in 3 weeks: Ubud, Sidemen, Amed, Nusa Lembongan and Uluwatu

A twenty-night Bali trip from the inland rice fields through the quiet east to the cliffs in the south.

20 nights, 5 stops Best time to travel: Dry season roughly April to October, rainy season roughly November to March

Best time to go, weather and road tips

1. 

   Ubud

   6 nights

   Ubud is the place for you if you want to see rice fields and temples instead of beaches. The main area is around Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman. It is small and easy to get around. You will find cafés, shops and markets all near each other. You can walk from this area to the Ubud Palace and the Monkey Forest. If you want to walk through nature, try the Campuhan Ridge Walk.

   You can drive to the Tegallalang rice terraces. You can also reach the Tirta Empul water temple near Tampaksiring by car. People come to this temple for ritual purification in the water of the sacred spring. You are visiting a place where people still worship. Six nights is enough time for you to make these trips. You will also have calm days left to spend in town.

   Good areas to stay

   Centre (Jalan Monkey Forest, Jalan Hanoman)

   You will be staying in an area with cafés, markets, the palace and the Monkey Forest all nearby. You can get to most places on foot. However, the traffic here is heavier.

   Penestanan

   This village sits peacefully on the outskirts of Ubud. You can see rice paddies and lots of green all around you. To get to the main part of Ubud, you will most likely need some kind of transport.

   Nyuh Kuning

   This village sits quietly on the edge of the area. You will find it right if you like calm nights. You should know that you will need to arrange a way to travel if you want to go into town.

   On to Sidemen: about 1 h 30 by car

2. Sidemen

   3 nights

   Sidemen is a settlement located in the Karangasem area on the eastern side of Bali. Rice paddies, woodlands and waterways surround the village. When the weather is clear, you are able to see Mount Agung in the distance. The place feels peaceful with minimal vehicles on the roads and very little entertainment in the evenings. The area is popular for hiking across the rice paddies, such as treks near the yellow bridge and around Tabola.

   You can also find traditional cloth making in this region, including endek and songket fabrics. A number of family-run weaving operations allow you to observe their work. Ride sharing services like Grab and Gojek do not operate well in this area. You should arrange for your own driver if you want to take trips during the day. If you stay for three nights, you will have two complete days to walk through the area and experience how people live in the village.

   Good areas to stay

   Jalan Raya Tebola (Sidemen village)

   You will find most accommodation options along this road, which is just south of the centre. Walking to a few restaurants and shops takes you no more than ten minutes.

   Selat

   If you drive north for about ten minutes, you will find yourself in an area surrounded by rice fields and forest. It is very peaceful there. However, there are not many restaurants in this area. For this reason, you should choose a place that has its own kitchen.

   On to Amed: about 1 h 30 by car

3. 

   Amed

   4 nights

   Amed is not just one location. It is actually a series of small fishing villages on the northeastern coast of Bali. These villages stretch across almost 14 kilometres. You will see traditional outrigger boats called jukungs sitting on beaches covered with dark volcanic sand. In Jemeluk Bay, the coral reef begins just a few metres away from the shore. This means you can snorkel directly from the beach.

   Tulamben is located about 20 to 30 minutes north of Amed. The wreck of the US cargo ship Liberty sits there in the water. A torpedo hit this ship in 1942. The wreck lies around 40 metres away from the beach. At its highest point, the water above it is only about 5 metres deep. You can visit the Pura Lempuyang temple in about 30 minutes. The final part of the journey to the temple is steep. If you stay for four nights, you will have time for several days spent in the water and one trip.

   Good areas to stay

   Jemeluk

   The area of Amed that has the most activity is where you will find the most accommodation options, eating places, and diving businesses. The reef for snorkelling sits just beyond the shore in this same section.

   Bunutan

   You will find a beach that stretches far and stays peaceful. Fishing boats sit along the shore. Only a few structures stand here. This spot works well if you want to get away from crowds and noise.

   Lipah

   To the east of Jemeluk you will find things are more peaceful and the views are beautiful. There are some places to eat out here, though you won't have as many options as you would find in the main part of town.

   On to Nusa Lembongan: about 3 h by car and boat

4. 

   Nusa Lembongan

   3 nights

   Nusa Lembongan is a small island southeast of Bali. The island covers just under 9 square kilometres. Water with coral reefs surrounds it. You can take fast boats from Sanur to get there. Most boats arrive at Jungutbatu on the north side or at Mushroom Bay in the southwest. When you land, you often find yourself in shallow water. You will need to wade to shore. So you should pack your shoes and bags in a way that works for wet conditions.

   To travel around the island, you can use a scooter, ride a bicycle or walk. Mangrove forests are found in the northeast part of the island. A suspension bridge connects the island to Nusa Ceningan next door. Seaweed farming started again on the island in 2020. If you stay for three nights, you will have two full days to use. You can go snorkelling, take a loop route around the island and visit Ceningan on a side trip.

   Good areas to stay

   Jungutbatu

   The biggest settlement is found in the north. You will find the longest beach here. There are more restaurants to pick from than anywhere else. Many companies run snorkelling and diving tours from this location.

   Mushroom Bay

   There is a bay located in the southwest part of the area. The bay has its own boat landing. Restaurants sit directly on the sand where you can eat. The water stays calm, making it a good place for you to swim.

   Tamarind Bay

   Between Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay there is a beach that is less crowded than either of those two places. You will find it suitable for both swimming and lying in the sun.

   On to Uluwatu: about 1 h 30 by boat and car

5. 

   Uluwatu

   4 nights

   Uluwatu is located on the southern part of Bali in an area called the Bukit Peninsula. The Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple sits right at the top of a cliff. This cliff rises roughly 70 metres above the water. The temple is one of six temples that matter most on the island, known as the Sad Kahyangan. You can watch the Kecak dance there every evening around 6 pm. The sun sets behind the dancers as they perform.

   Small beaches sit below these cliffs. You will find places like Padang Padang and Bingin. Getting to some of these beaches means walking down a steep path. Surfers love the waves in this area. Be careful though, as some beaches have currents that pull hard. If you want to swim safely, look for areas without much movement in the water. Padang Padang works well for swimming if you go when the tide is right. Four nights give you time to enjoy the beaches during the day, see the temple in the evening, and take in all the beautiful views from the cliff tops.

   Good areas to stay

   Bingin

   You will find accommodations and cafés both up on the cliff and down on the beach. The path to the sand requires you to go down a steep slope. However, the evenings in this area are beautiful.

   Padang Padang

   This is a small surf beach that lots of people know about. You can find cafés, warungs and guesthouses close by that you can walk to. It works well if you are just starting to learn surfing.

   Suluban

   The temple and the well known surf break are right there. When evening comes, the clifftop bars make the area busy and full of life. If you do not have much money to spend, you will find fewer places to eat and drink.