Bali

The Island of Gods — temples, surf, rice terraces and a dining scene to rival anywhere.

Temples and living Hindu cultureSurf for every levelRice terraces and volcanoesWorld-class diningWellness and yoga

Bali packs an improbable range into one island: clifftop temples and living Hindu ritual, surf for every level, cool highland rice terraces and one of Asia's most creative food and wellness scenes. Each region has its own character, so where you base yourself shapes the whole trip.

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Visit Gilis·10 Jun 2026

First-time Bali: choosing where to base yourself

Bali is not one destination but many, and the single most important decision you will make is where to base yourself. Each region has a distinct character, and the wrong choice can colour a whole trip. Here is how the main areas compare for a first visit. Canggu and Berawa. The current favourite of surfers, digital nomads and a younger crowd. Cafes, co-working, beach clubs and a strong social scene, with surf for most levels. Lively and walkable in parts, but the traffic can be heavy. Seminyak. Upscale and polished: the widest range of restaurants and beach clubs, good shopping, and a beach you can actually stroll. A comfortable, well-connected base if you want style without roughing it. Ubud. Bali's cultural heart, inland and cooler, surrounded by rice terraces, temples and forest. The place for yoga, wellness, art and day trips into the island's centre and north. No beach, but plenty of soul. Uluwatu and the Bukit. Dramatic clifftop scenery, world-class surf, and some of the island's most striking beaches and cliff bars. Spread out, so you will want transport. Sanur and Nusa Dua. Calmer, family-friendly and resort-focused, with gentle beaches. Sanur is also a main fast-boat port for the Nusa islands and the Gilis. Jimbaran and Legian. Jimbaran for seafood on the beach and a relaxed pace; Legian as a middle ground between Kuta's buzz and Seminyak's polish. A simple plan that works for many first-timers: a few easy days in Sanur or Ubud to settle in, then a stretch on the coast at Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu. And if you are heading on to the Gili Islands, base your last Bali nights near Sanur or Padangbai to make the boat connection painless.

4 min read

Visit Gilis·10 Jun 2026

Bali in a week: a first-timer's itinerary

A week is not long for an island as varied as Bali, but it is enough to get a real taste if you resist the urge to see everything. The trick is to pick two or three bases and travel slowly between them. Here is a relaxed first-timer's route. Days 1 to 2: Sanur or Ubud, to arrive and adjust. If you land jet-lagged, ease in. Sanur offers calm beaches and a gentle pace; Ubud offers rice terraces, temples and cool air. Either is a soft landing after a long flight. Days 3 to 4: Ubud and central Bali. Spend a full day in and around Ubud, taking in the market and palace, a rice-terrace walk, a temple or two, and an afternoon spa or yoga class. Use a car with driver for a day trip to the central highlands: a water temple, a waterfall, and a viewpoint or volcano. Days 5 to 6: the south coast. Move to Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu for surf, beach clubs, sunset bars and dining. Choose Canggu for a younger surf scene, Seminyak for polish, Uluwatu for clifftop drama. Day 7: slow down before you fly. Keep the last day light, with a final beach, a long lunch and last-minute shopping, and stay somewhere close to the airport so the departure is stress-free. Two pieces of advice. First, do not over-schedule: Bali's traffic is real, and an hour on a map can be two on the road. Second, build in a buffer if you are continuing to the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida by boat, as fast-boat schedules can slip in bad weather. Better to lose a relaxed afternoon than a flight.

3 min read