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Bali Solo Travel Itinerary: 10 Days in Bali as a First-time Solo Traveller

If it is your first time visiting Bali and planning your Bali solo travel itinerary, I’m sure you would want to see everything. From beaches, rice terraces, and waterfalls to mountains, Bali has it all! Which makes it a difficult task to pick and choose because there is so much you can do on the “Island of Gods”.

The good news is I’ve done all the planning for you. I’ve been to Bali several times and saw many parts of the island where I can confidently say I compiled the best solo Bali 10 day itinerary for first-timers. Visit Seminyak, Uluwatu, Canggu and take a day trip to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Keep reading and learn how you can spend 10 days in Bali on your own and see the best places on the island. Are you ready? Let’s go!

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Travelling alone in Bali for 10 days: what you need to know

Before you start your 10-day Bali itinerary, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Bali. I included a lot of information, including how to get around Bali, how to get a prepaid SIM card and other essential Bali travel tips.

Here are a few additional tips for planning your solo Bali itinerary:

  • Indonesia’s official currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Most establishments accept cash only especially smaller restaurants and stores but other places will take credit cards.
  • The standard voltage is 230V. The power socket is type C, and F. Check here to determine if you need to bring a travel adapter for all your electronics.
  • Free wifi is available at your hotel, most restaurants and retail spaces but prepaid SIM cards are very affordable as well.
  • Follow my minimalist packing list and pack everything you need for 10 days in Bali. If you follow this template, your backpack can weigh less than 7kg, so you don’t have to check in your luggage.

Solo trip to Bali: best time to go

Because Bali is located south of the equator, the weather in Bali is mostly warm and humid all year round. Except it is slightly cooler around the central part of the island where the mountains are.

The best time to go to Bali is during the dry season which is less humid and less rainy, which includes April, May, June, September and October. It is the best time frame to spend 10 days in Bali.

It is possible to travel to Bali during the rainy season, between December to February. However, be prepared for a few drops of rain to torrential rain. Especially for those on the scooter, always pay attention to the weather forecast and bring a poncho with you.

How to get to Bali Indonesia

All air travellers will arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia.

It will take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes to get to Seminyak, your first destination in Bali. And depending on the time of day and the specific area of Seminyak you are going to.

You can arrange with your hotel or Airbnb for transportation from the airport. It might be the easiest (but not the cheapest) option. Pre-arranged transportation costs about 200k IDR.

How to get around Bali for 10 days

Rent a scooter

The best way to get around Bali is to hire a scooter. Distances between attractions may be far, and there aren’t any sidewalks on most roads, so pedestrians have to walk on the side of the road.

There are many scooter rentals in Seminyak, Ubud and Canggu. Renting a scooter costs about 60k IDR per day (not including petrol)

It is the cheapest way to get around Bali during your entire self-guided Bali 10 days itinerary.

Gojek

Gojek is Bali’s version of Uber and Grab. You can order a Gojek bike or car through an app on your smartphone.

If you really don’t want to rent a scooter for 10 days, you can use Gojek. Order a Gojek bike for trips within towns. It is very cheap. And for longer distances and going from town to town, order a Gojek car so you can bring your luggage along.

Solo travel Bali itinerary: 10 days in Bali as a first-timer

There is so much to do that 10 days in Bali may or may not be enough. But with proper planning and research, it is possible to see all the best highlights in Bali in 10 days.

Check out the map below for all the places mentioned in this blog. Follow the colour coding structure of the map to see the best places to go in Bali daily.

Here is a quick summary for the coloured pins:

  • Day 1 & 2: Seminyak and Jimbaran (blue pins)
  • Day 3: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan (yellow pins)
  • Day 4: Uluwatu (red pins)
  • Day 5 & 6: Ubud (purple pins)
  • Day 7: Mount Batur and Ubud (orange pins)
  • Day 8, 9 & 10: Canggu (green pins)

Bali itinerary day 1 – 4: Seminyak (4 days)

Welcome to Bali! Seminyak is a great introductory city in Bali for first timers. It is an upscale area on the west side of the island that has many beaches, boutique shops, and some of the best cafes that will satisfy all your food cravings.

So for the first four days in Bali, stay in Seminyak and use it as your home base as it is one of the best places to stay in Bali.

Seminyak accommodation: Lloyd’s Inn Bali

Lloyd’s Inn Bali is one of the most affordable boutique hotels in Seminyak. The overall design aesthetics of the hotel is minimal and modern. Book four nights and use it as a home base to see Seminyak and other parts of Bali.

I loved my stay at the budget boutique hotel so much that I wrote a post on my hotel review on Lloyd’s Inn.

Day 1: Seminyak

It depends on when you arrive in Bali, you can potentially see most of Seminyak or get the taste of the town.

Get a first glimpse of Seminyak by walking through Jalan Kaya Aya, the main street that is full of shops and restaurants. At the west end of the road, it leads directly into Jalan Petitenget, a long windy street with more boutique shops and cafes.

Try delicious Balinese cuisine at Breeze at the Samaya Seminyak Hotel. The beachfront restaurant offers the best view of Seminyak Beach while serving the most delicious food. Arrive before sunset so you can catch your first sunset in Bali.

Day 2: Seminyak + Jimbaran

Visit Double Six Beach to sunbathe or learn to surf. If you want to be more social, visit one of the beach clubs like Potato Head Beach Club.

And if you like spa treatments like me, there are many to choose from in Seminyak. Try Spring Spa, Bodyworks Bali or visit a one-of-a-kind massage centre like Jari Menari; they are all excellent day spas in Seminyak.

And end the day with a fresh seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach. Order crab, fish, prawns, clams or lobster. Seafood is fresh and made to perfection. One of the best experiences you can have in Bali, you wouldn’t want to miss having the most delicious seafood meal on a beach while watching the sunset.

Day 3: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are two small islands just off the coast from Sanur on the east side of the island.

Make sure to book your fast book ticket online for a day trip from Bali. Scoot Cruise will pick up in Seminyak about 1.5 hours before your fast boat. And they will bring you back to your accommodation at the end of the day.

To spend a full day trip on the Nusa islands, book the 9:30 am fast boat to Nusa Lembongan and a 4:30 pm return fast boat. The fast boat journey takes about 30 minutes.

Once you arrive in Nusa Lembongan, hire a scooter for the day.

First, visit the Mushroom Bay Beach, Devil’s Tear and Dream Beach on Nusa Lembongan. And then cross the Yellow Bridge to visit Blue Lagoon and Secret Point Beach on Nusa Ceningan. For the rest of the day, hang out at Jungutbatu Beach for swimming or surfing. There are plenty of food options along the beach.

Day 4: Uluwatu

On day 4 of your Bali solo trip, visit Uluwatu, which is located at the south end of the island. Due to traffic, it takes at least an hour or so to get there. But it will be worth your time!

There are a few things you must do in Uluwatu. First, visit the abandoned Boeing 737 Aircraft. It is unknown how the aircraft got there, but it offers unique photo opportunities.

Next, visit some of the best beaches in Uluwatu. Head over to Pandawa Beach to see miles and miles of fine white sand and manmade limestone walls. Explore Suluban Beach as it has beautiful rock formations. Or relax at Bingin Beach with a fresh coconut.

After all the fun in the sun, visit Uluwatu Temple, a majestic temple perched on top of a cliff. While you are there, enjoy the Kecak Fire Dance in the evening. It is a dance performance at the cliff-top amphitheatre where many male dancers chant and dance to the love story of Rama and Shinta. The show is at 6:00 pm which is a great time to catch the sunset and the performance at the same time.

Bali itinerary day 5 – 7: Ubud (3 days)

A trip to Bali isn’t the same without visiting Ubud. It is a laidback town with arts and crafts, culture, rice terraces, sacred temples and waterfalls. Spend the next three days enjoying cooler weather and go sightseeing around Central Bali.

Ubud accommodation: Kamandalu Ubud Resort

Ubud has some of Bali’s best accommodations, including luxury villas and eco-lodges.

And I highly recommend staying at Kamandalu Ubud Resort. The resort has only private villas where each villa has a bedroom area, a large bathroom and an outdoor area where you can see the rice paddies and palm trees. Book three nights and enjoy a bit of luxury in nature.

Day 5: Ubud town

Get to know Ubud by seeing the town on foot. There are many sacred temples, souvenir shops, arts & crafts stores, galleries, spas, coffee shops, cafes and restaurants that can keep you busy for the entire day.

Make sure to visit the beautiful Saraswati Temple which is in the middle of the town. And watch out for the pesky little monkeys roaming around the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

At the west end of town, you will find Campuhan Ridge Walk, a relaxing walk between rice fields and palm trees. The best time to visit is either morning or late afternoon as the path is exposed to direct sunlight.

Day 6: Ubud rice terraces and waterfalls

First, visit Tegalalang Rice Terrace where you will see the cascading rice fields that are just perfect for Instagram. Then scoot on over to Pura Tirta Empul where you can see the sacred temples and even participate in a purification cleansing process.

Touring around Ubud isn’t the same without seeing a waterfall or two. First, visit Air Terjun Tibumana Waterfall and Pengibul Waterfall. They are both in the same vicinity. I like these two because they are not very touristy and mostly locals come here to escape from the summer heat.

Then scoot over to the last attraction of the day, Tegenungan Waterfall. You can easily spend a few hours taking photos of the waterfall, sipping fresh coconut at the cafe at the top of the waterfall and even going on one of the giant swings!

Day 7: Mount Batur and Ubud

One of the best things you can do in Bali is to see the sunrise from Mount Batur, one of the most active volcanoes in Bali.

Join a tour group to Mount Batur so you can ensure a safe and hassle-free excursion. The tour company will pick you up from your hotel at 2:15 am and shuttle you over to the base of the mountain. The ascend begins at 4:00 am which gives you sufficient time to see the sunrise at 6:00 am.

You don’t need to be in tip-top shape to climb Mount Batur. Just make sure you wear layers as it can be quite chilly in the early morning, but you will also be quite warm as you ascend the mountain. Also, wear proper hiking shoes to ensure safety and the best experience.

After a glorious morning at one of the highest peaks in Bali, spend the day relaxing by the hotel pool. And book a luxury spa treatment at one of the many spa facilities in Ubud, like Spa Alila Ubud. A visit to Bali isn’t the same without a proper spa treatment which includes a Balinese massage. You’ve earned it!

Bali itinerary day 8 – 10: Canggu (3 days)

Canggu is a small coastal town just north of Seminyak and south of Tanah Lot. It is the perfect spot to end your epic Bali 10-day itinerary.

Canggu accommodation: Theanna Eco Villa and Spa

Canggu is known for its laidback vibes, beautiful beaches and cheap private Airbnb villas.

But there is an amazing hotel that you must stay at during your 10 day Bali itinerary. Theanna Eco Villa and Spa is a boutique hotel that only has private villa rentals. Book three nights at this centrally located hotel: it is right on the main road, Jalan Batu Bolong.

Day 8: Canggu

There are many things to do in Canggu as a solo traveller, and some of the best highlights include visiting Tanah Lot, learn surfing at Batu Bolong Beach and sunset at Echo Beach.

Once you arrive in Canggu, walk around Jalan Batu Bolong, which is one of the main streets in Canggu, to get familiar with the new neighbourhood.

While you are browsing the new hood, check out one of two of the best cafes in Canggu. Cafe food is not as cheap as local Balinese food, but it is not expensive either. For what you get in Bali, you would have to pay 2 to 3 times back home.

Then spend the rest of the day on the beach swimming or surfing. And make sure you get in a spa treatment (or two) while you are in Canggu. There are many excellent day spas in Canggu and they are very affordable.

Day 9: Tanah Lot and Canggu

Tanah Lot is a famous landmark just 20 minutes away from the heart of Canggu. The shrine is perfectly situated along the shores where waves come crashing in. It is an easy excursion from Canggu. And it is best to go early in the morning or catch the sunset in the late afternoon.

Before you return home, you might want to do a bit of souvenir shopping. Check out two of my favourite markets in Canggu: La Brisa Farmers Day Sunday Market (10 to 4 on Sundays) and Bali Niki Natural Art Market Canggu (10-5 daily).

And since this is your last full day in Bali, slow down and take your time to enjoy Bali. And Canggu is the best place to do that. Everyone in Canggu heads to the beach in late afternoon. Many people watch the sunset at Echo Beach and have a drink at La Brisa or The Lawn Canggu.

Day 10: Fly home

10 days in Bali go by quickly. Depending on the time of your flight, you may be able to soak in a bit more of Canggu before your flight home.

Beyond your solo Bali 10 day itinerary

All the places that part of the Bali 10 day itinerary are must-sees. But there are so many more incredible things to do in Bali

When you return to Bali next time, you can further explore the island including the north side of Bali to see more waterfalls and maybe even explore Nusa Penida. There are dolphins in Lovina, and west Bali is supposed to be beautiful as well.

Bali solo trip: 10 days in Bali itinerary

There you have it! My ultimate 10 days in Bali itinerary for first time visitors! This is the best solo Bali trip itinerary for any solo traveller who has never been to Bali before and want to see everything on the island.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about this solo itinerary or if you have tried it out. Would love to know your thoughts.

Thank you for reading my solo Bali itinerary post

You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Bali:

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About Author

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I've been a solo traveller for 18+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!

7 Comments

  • josie
    February 17, 2020 at 8:14 am

    This so timely – thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • queenie mak
      February 17, 2020 at 9:18 am

      Thank you, Josie! Hope you have a great time in Bali!! 🙂

      Reply
  • tours a marruecos
    April 10, 2020 at 6:54 am

    es muy lindo

    Reply
  • Gwendolin
    April 21, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Thank you for the detailed post! I will sure use the giude once I will be able to visit 🙂 may I ask how much budget is recommended for the 10 days, roughly? For food, travel and leisure activities. Thanks again! Gwen

    Reply
    • queenie mak
      April 22, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Hi Gwendolin, It all depends how much you want to spend on food, accommodation and entertainment. I would say food costs between $10-30USD/day, accommodation can be $30-100USD/day, and entertainment about $5-20USD/day (including scooter rental). Hope this helps!

      Reply
  • Cher
    April 6, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU!
    (I sent you a msg on IG but you might not read it as you’re not following me. )
    I wanted to book a holiday for myself but I kept thinking “oh I better until I have a boyfriend” (lol) as it’s overwhelming to plan a trip alone…then I read this blog. I immediately realized that I CAN do this alone and it will probably be more fun solo! So I literally booked my entire trip that night following your ultimate 10-day itinerary! I have even booked the hotels you suggested! This will my first trip in over 2 years because of covid and I absolutely can’t wait!
    Your blog is interesting and easy to follow, it was like having a friend help me! Thanks again for being such a legend!

    Reply
    • queenie mak
      May 5, 2022 at 6:33 pm

      Hi Cher, not sure why there is a glitch on my website – I responded but don’t know where it went?! Anyway I was saying you are sooo welcome! I would love to know how your trip goes. I hear tourism is booming again in Bali – so jealous you’ll be there! And thanks again for your kind comments 🙂

      Reply

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