Exactly How I Spent 2.5 Weeks in Bali: Tips, Highlights & What I’d Do Differently
Alas Harum, Ubud
There’s something about Bali that captures you the moment you arrive. Maybe it’s the warm, heavy air, the scent of incense drifting from every doorway, or simply the feeling that life slows down as soon as you step off the plane. My 2.5-week Bali and Gili Islands itinerary had a little bit of everything - beaches, jungles, sunsets, chaos, calm - and a few lessons I wish I knew beforehand.
Here’s how it all unfolded.
Canggu Travel Guide: The Best Way to Start Your Bali Itinerary
We landed in Bali at 1am, bleary-eyed but excited and headed straight to our villa, which was between Seminyak and Canggu. Within minutes of arriving, the exhaustion from the long-haul flight faded - Canggu has that effect.
The next morning eased us perfectly into island life. Breakfast at Milk & Madu (the smoothies alone are worth the visit), and I had to try and test a beauty treatment in Bali because they are so much cheaper than in London. So I went to Aetheria Spa and paid just £28 for a 90-minute lymphatic drainage massage that felt like the ideal cure for jet lag. By the afternoon, curiosity won, and we made our way to Finns Beach Club.
Is it worth the hype? If it’s your first time in Bali, absolutely - but it is pricier than expected for the island, around £40 per person for a bed with food and drinks included. Think of it as paying for the “ultimate tourist experience”.
A final Canggu breakfast in Copenhagen, and we were ready to switch from the beach to the jungle.
Finns Beach Club, Canggu
Things to Do in Ubud: Temples, Jungles & Mount Batur Sunrise
Ubud was home for five days - and while beautiful, in hindsight, it was probably longer than necessary. Still, we filled every day with something new.
We started with the basics: a plate of nasi goreng at a local warung, simple and perfect. Then came the Ubud activities that make this area such a must-visit:
ATV quad biking through muddy trails and rice fields - You can book your session HERE
Yoga at Alchemy, wandering the Ubud Art Market, and jewellery making at Alas Arum - You can book your session HERE
A visit to Tirta Empul water temple, followed by a free tour of a local coffee plantation
A half-day at Alas Harum / Creyta, home to jungle swings, infinity pools and all the iconic photo spots
Rain stopped us from visiting the waterfall we planned - but honestly, the jungle atmosphere made up for it.
The highlight of Ubud and arguably the entire trip was hiking Mount Batur for sunrise. Waking up at 2 am was worth every second once we drove 2 hours north of the island and hiked 1.5 hours to reach the summit, and while an overcast meant we could not watch the sunrise, our amazing tour guide, Coco and the views on the way down definitely made up for it. If you’re deciding what to do in Bali, put this at the top of your list. We paid just £9 for a round-trip transfer and £15 for the hike - you can book the same tour HERE. I recommend taking a jumper or jacket as the temperature drops quite quickly as you make your way to the summit.
After days of temple visits, coffee tastings and jungle heat, we were ready for a change of scenery - and the islands were calling.
Mount Batur
Gili Trawangan Guide: Cycling, Snorkelling & Island Living
Reaching Gili Trawangan is part of the adventure: a 1.5-hour drive to the port followed by a 2.5-hour fast boat. My biggest tip? Take the earliest boat and also the more expensive, bigger boat you can - the ride will be much calmer, and your stomach will thank you.
The moment you step onto the island, everything slows down. No cars, no chaos - just bikes, sandy paths and turquoise water.
We hired bikes and rode around the island and then headed to Sunset Bar for dinner with our feet in the sand while the sky shifted from orange to pink was one of those moments that defines a trip.
Our days on Gili T looked like this:
Sunrise runs before the heat set in
Beach hopping and exploring the island
A boat trip to Gili Meno where we swam with wild sea turtles
A visit to the turtle sanctuary
A bar crawl with new friends that somehow ended at Tequila Sunrise
A relaxing day up north with dinner at Bora Bora (beautiful setting, but overpriced compared to local spots)
After enough island time to forget what day it was, we boarded another boat to our final destination - and my favourite one.
Sunset in Gili Trawangan
Snorkelling with turtles in Gili Trawangan
Why Uluwatu Is the Best Place to End a Bali Trip
Uluwatu stole my heart instantly. If you’re planning a Bali route, make sure this is your final stop. The cliffs, the turquoise water, the tucked-away beaches and the golden sunsets make it the perfect ending to any Bali itinerary.
Here’s how we spent our days:
Cocktails at El Kabron and the colourful, laid-back Hatch
Beach afternoons at Padang Padang, Thomas Beach and Dreamland Beach, some of the best beaches in Uluwatu
A glam evening at Savaya, a dramatic cliffside club that looks like a movie set
Wandering around local markets and boutique shops
Sunset at Single Fin, I highly recommend going on a Sunday
The final days were slow and easy - morning gym sessions at Bambu Gym, lunches at small warungs and as many beach hours as possible before the flight home.
Thomas Beach, Uluwatu
Sunset at Single Fin, Uluwatu
My Bali Travel Tips: What I’d Change Next Time
Every trip teaches you something. Here are the changes I’d make next time:
Spend less time in Ubud. Three days is enough unless you’re there for a retreat.
Add the Nusa Islands. I skipped them, but everyone says they’re unmissable - next time they’re on my list.
Stay longer in Canggu for nightlife. Being close to Seminyak gives you twice the options.
Extend my time in Uluwatu. It’s the perfect mix of calm, beaches and incredible sunsets.
Download Grab or Gojek for Bike/Cab rides. - super cheap.
Always have cash on you. - Lots of places charge an extra fee for cards
Whether you’re planning your first Bali trip or returning for another round of sunsets and smoothies, I hope this guide helps you decide where to go, what to do and how to shape your own Bali itinerary. And trust me - once you visit, you’ll be planning your return long before you fly home.
