The moment I stepped off the plane in Bali, everything just felt softer... slower. Like someone had taken the edge off Singapore’s pace and swapped it for sea breeze and incense.
Most Singaporeans think of Bali and picture beach clubs, cheap massages, maybe a plate of nasi campur. But once you go, you realise it’s so much more than that.
The island moves differently. Mornings feel slower, the air smells earthy, and in places like Ubud, even the heat seems gentler.
Temples to waterfalls, surf breaks to sunset drinks... whatever rocks your boat, Bali lets you take time and do it your way.
🗓️ 3-Day Bali Itinerary
If you’ve only got a long weekend, Bali still works. I booked this 3-day trip on impulse and it was exactly what I needed.
Not too packed, not too slow. Just enough to clear my head without coming home more tired than I left.
Here’s what worked: stay in one place (I chose Seminyak) and mix a bit of exploring with plenty of chill time.
Just don’t try to do everything.
🌅 Day 1: Arrival, Sunset & Beach Club Vibes
Our flight landed around 11am.
You know that moment when the cabin door opens and warm air hits your face?
Bali's heat felt softer and less harsh than back home. We reached our villa near Jalan Drupadi just after lunch, dropped our bags, and did... nothing. For a bit.
By late afternoon, we were walking along Petitenget Beach, shoes off, golden hour spilling everywhere.
Kids were kicking footballs, surfers chasing their last waves.
We ended up at Potato Head Beach Club.
Yeah, it’s a bit of a scene, but the cocktails hit the spot.
We found a couch, ordered two drinks, and watched the sun drop behind the water like we had nowhere else to be.
🌿 Day 2: Ubud Temples, Monkeys & Spa Escape
We left early for Ubud and took a Grab. Got there just after 8.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary was almost empty.
Just us, a few sleepy monkeys, and the smell of wet moss and incense. One of the monkeys tried to unzip my bag (ps: don’t bring snacks, seriously), but other than that? Calm.
After that, we wandered the market a bit, then headed to Bebek Bengil for crispy duck by the rice paddies. Pricey, but I’d go again just for the view.
Our last stop was Karsa Spa, and the walk there alone made the trip worth it. Narrow dirt paths, fields on both sides, birds calling in the background.
By the time they laid the towel across my back, I could feel my whole body slow down.
☕ Day 3: Brunch, Light Shopping & Send-Off
Started the morning slow with coffee at Revolver Espresso. We had flat whites, toast, and people-watching from a corner booth.
After that, we grabbed some last-minute gifts at Seminyak Village and stocked up on snacks from Krisna Oleh Oleh before heading to the airport.
The ride back was quiet.
Sun still on my skin, bag a little heavier, heart a little lighter. Felt like I’d crammed a week of calm into three small days.
📸 Best Moment?
There was a moment in the Monkey Forest where it is just a quiet corner. There's no one around.
I didn’t even reach for my phone. Just stood there and watched. Still thinking about it.
What Worked (and What I’d Do Again)
For this one, we stayed in Seminyak the whole time and just did a day trip to Ubud. Honestly, sticking to one base made things way less stressful. (So you’re not packing and unpacking every night!)
Ubud’s about 1.5 hours away by car, so leave early if you want to beat the crowd at the Monkey Forest or get a good lunch view.
And if you’re planning to treat yourself to a massage at Karsa Spa, don’t wing it. It books out fast so just ask your villa host to help reserve a slot a day ahead.
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🗓️ 5-Day Bali Itinerary
If you’ve got a bit more time, Bali really starts to open up.
Five days felt like the sweet spot. I split my stay between Ubud and Seminyak and that switch halfway through? It gave the trip a second wind.
Ubud was all calm and green, while Seminyak brought the buzz back. It was a good mix.
🌿 Day 1: Ubud Arrival & Ridge Walk Reset
We got to Ubud around 2pm and it was just nice to check in, cool off, and head out for a walk.
Campuhan Ridge was glowing in the late-afternoon sun, with that kind of quiet that makes you slow down without even trying. There was a hint of lemongrass in the air.
Dinner was at Warung Mendez. Nothing fancy, just oxtail soup and rice that hit the spot after the walk.
🛕 Day 2: Temples, Water & Wellness
We started the day early and made our way to Tirta Empul Temple.
Locals were already there, quietly lining up for the water ritual. I didn’t think much of it at first, but watching them something about it got to me.
We grabbed lunch after that at a café near Tegallalang Rice Terrace (the view’s as good as they say), and then I went back to Karsa Spa.
Yep, again. No regrets! It was just as good the second time.
🚗 Day 3: Scenic Transfer Day + Waterfall Stop
Instead of heading straight to the coast, we took our time.
Asked the driver to stop at Tegenungan Waterfall on the way out of Ubud. I didn’t expect much but standing at the bottom, soaked and grinning? It was actually kind of epic.
By the time we got to Seminyak, it was just before 5.
Checked into a little boutique place near Oberoi Road and took it easy from there.
☕ Day 4: Café Crawl & Market Wandering in Canggu
Spent half the day in Canggu, starting with a flat white at Crate Café. It was solid coffee and good people-watching.
We wandered over to Love Anchor Market after that. Didn’t buy much, just picked things up, put them down, laughed at a few weird finds.
Ended the day with sunset drinks at The Lawn. Feet in the sand, sky turning gold. One of those “this is why we came” kind of moments.
🌅 Day 5: Brunch, Massage & Fly
Our last day was an easy one.
Brunch at Sisterfields means big portions, good coffee, exactly what we needed. I snuck in one last massage at Spring Spa before we had to pack up. The place felt like the spa version of Tiong Bahru Bakery... the same stylish, polished, yet not too serious.
We flew out that evening, and weirdly, I felt lighter. Not just rested but recharged in a way I didn’t expect.
📸 Unexpected Highlight
Tirta Empul, for sure. I went thinking I’d just watch. Something about the way people moved through the water stayed with me. Not everything has to be dramatic to feel deep.
Handy Notes from This Trip
We split the trip between Ubud (2 nights) and Seminyak (3 nights). This flow worked really well.
If you’re doing the same, start with Ubud for the slower pace, then ease into the seaside vibe after.
And just a tip: some boutique villas offer free airport drop-offs if you stay a few nights, so it’s worth checking.
Top Things To do In Bali
🗓️ 7-Day Bali Itinerary
Give it a full week, and Bali starts to feel like something else entirely. Not just a holiday, but was more like a story unfolding.
You get the calm of Ubud, the ocean air up in Uluwatu, and then the energy shift when you end in Seminyak.
That mix?
It left me with more than just photos. I came home with space to think, which I didn’t even realise I needed.
🌿 Day 1: Land in Ubud & Let the Island In
We touched down in the afternoon and made our way to Ubud.
No plans, no rush.
Just checked in near Campuhan Ridge and wandered the trail while the sky turned soft gold. The air smelled like damp leaves and incense.
Dinner was at Sari Organik, tucked among the rice fields.
No frills. Just good food, quiet view, and that early-Bali feeling that makes you breathe deeper without noticing.
🛕 Day 2: Temples, Rituals & Local Warungs
We started at Tirta Empul. I ended up standing there for ages, just watching a family go through their water ritual.
It was quiet. Grounded. Something about it stuck.
Later, we walked down to Gunung Kawi. The temple ruins was carved into the cliffs and there was with a river running through. I’ve never seen that much green in one place.
Lunch was simple: grilled fish at Warung Bintangbali. Local crowd, plastic chairs, and the kind of sambal that makes your nose run a little.
🧘♀️ Day 3: Sidemen Side Trip & Spa Wind-down
We took a drive out to Sidemen. We heard it was beautiful and decided to go. And boy, so glad we did! Terraces rolling out in every direction. Barefoot farmers. A quiet that felt untouched.
Stopped at a roadside warung for mie goreng. Though it was nothing fancy, it was easily the best we had all week.
We got back around 4pm, and I sank straight into another Karsa Spa massage. Yes, again. And yes, still amazing.
🌊 Day 4: Uluwatu Transfer + Sunset Spectacle
Leaving Ubud was hard. But the coast was calling.
We drove down to Uluwatu and checked into a villa right on the cliffs.
By sunset, we were at Uluwatu Temple for the Kecak Fire Dance. It’s dramatic but in the best way. Fire crackling, waves crashing below, chants in the air.
Dinner was barefoot under the trees at The Cashew Tree. Everything about it just… worked.
🏖️ Day 5: Beach Hops & Chill
No alarms, no plan.
We had coffee at Suka Espresso, then bounced between beaches. From Padang Padang to Dreamland... basically, wherever felt right. Swam, napped, didn’t check the time once.
Ended up at Single Fin with drinks in hand, toes in the sand, and surfers turning into silhouettes against a pink sky.
☕ Day 6: Move to Seminyak & Café Culture
Time to switch it up again. We drove up to Seminyak and eased back into a bit of buzz.
First stop? Revolver Espresso for the strong coffee and solid brunch. It was a cool little spot to hang.
Spent the afternoon walking Oberoi Road, popping into shops, not really needing anything but still loving the vibe.
Dinner at La Favela felt like stepping into a jungle-themed movie set. Plants everywhere, fairy lights, mirrors. It was strange in the best way.
🛍️ Day 7: Massage, Last Bites & Fly
Wrapped up the trip with brunch at Sisterfields. Totally worth the wait!
We squeezed in one last massage at Bodyworks, then packed our bags with soap bars and Balinese snacks.
Left the island feeling lighter, in every way.
Just a bit of sun on the skin, and sand still clinging to the insides of my shoes.
📸 Worth the Trip Alone
Sidemen, without a doubt.
No itinerary, no crowd, no noise. Just space.
I didn’t realise how much I needed that until I was standing in the middle of it, doing absolutely nothing.
If You’re Planning This Too…
For this trip, we spent 3 nights in Ubud, 2 in Uluwatu, and wrapped up with 2 in Seminyak.
That order made all the difference. You see, Ubud helped us slow down, Uluwatu gave us those deep, wide ocean moments, and Seminyak let us ease back into a bit of city buzz before flying home.
If you’re curious about Bali beyond the usual stops, Sidemen is worth the detour. Just ask your Ubud villa host for a driver. It’s not that far, and you’ll see a whole other side of the island.
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The Magic of Making It Your Own
Bali has a way of staying with you.
Not just the beaches or the temples but in those little contrasts. One day you’re watching fire dancers under a cliffside sunset, and the next, you’re walking barefoot through rice fields with nothing but birdsong around you.
If I had to give a heads-up about anything, it’s the traffic. It can be slow. But even stuck in a car, the views outside your window remind you why you’re here.
What I really love about Bali is how it doesn’t rush you. You get to pick your pace.
Have fun out there and let Bali surprise you.