Ubud is the cultural heart of the island, set among rice terraces and river gorges in the central uplands.
- Airport: about 43–86 min by road
- Good for: History & culture
- Nearest other base: Sanur, about 21–42 min by road
Five days in Bali leave room around Ubud for waterfalls and temples before the coast takes over. You see Goa Gajah, Tegenungan Waterfall and Tirta Empul, then Padang Padang Beach and Uluwatu Temple on the Bukit. It suits travellers who like culture and nature at an unhurried pace, with a few longer drives in between.
5 days · 2 adults ·
You get between stops by road: taxi, ride app (car or motorbike) or a rented scooter.
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5usually 2–4 min by road
10:34 Ubud · Morning · 2–4 h4–5 min walk
12:38 Ubud Palace · Midday · 15–45 min5–7 min walk
12:58 Ubud Art Market · Midday · 30–60 minusually 7–14 min by road
13:42 Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Ubud) · Midday · 1–2 husually 11–22 min by road
10:22 Gunung Kawi Temple · Morning · 60–90 minusually 4–8 min by road
11:30 Tirta Empul · Morning · 1–2 husually 29–58 min by road
13:28 Tukad Cepung Waterfall · Midday · 1–2 husually 10–20 min by road
10:20 Goa Gajah · Morning · 45–90 minusually 8–16 min by road
11:21 Kanto Lampo Waterfall · Morning · 45–90 minusually 10–20 min by road
12:26 Tibumana Waterfall · Midday · 1–2 husually 19–38 min by road
13:06 Bingin Beach · Midday · 90–180 minusually 6–12 min by road
14:48 Padang Padang Beach · Afternoon · 90–180 minusually 6–12 min by road
16:30 Uluwatu Temple · Afternoon · 1–2 husually 13–26 min by road
12:42 Canggu · Midday · 2–4 husually 5–10 min by road
14:52 Echo Beach · Afternoon · 60–150 minusually 19–38 min by road
16:30 Tanah Lot Temple · Afternoon · 90–180 minPick a base for each part of your trip. Road times are typical ranges; traffic can make them longer.
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How Troovz stays freeQuick answers to common questions.
Ubud has two full days of its own, then a waterfall morning with Tegenungan Waterfall, Goa Gajah, Kanto Lampo Waterfall and Tibumana Waterfall. The last two days go to the Bukit with Jimbaran Beach and Uluwatu Temple, and to the coast at Canggu and Tanah Lot Temple. As of 30 Oct 2026.
Five days are enough to see the south, the Ubud area and its waterfalls at an easy pace. The east coast and the northern highlands stay for another trip, and the temples and waterfalls each take about an hour or more: Goa Gajah usually 45 to 90 minutes and Tibumana Waterfall 60 to 120 minutes. As of 30 Oct 2026.
Keep the waterfall morning early, since the falls open in daylight and the stairways are tiring in the heat. Tegenungan Waterfall usually takes 60 to 120 minutes and Kanto Lampo Waterfall 45 to 90 minutes, and guides say cash is needed at the ticket booths. As of 30 Oct 2026.
Several do. Tegenungan Waterfall has a long stairway down that is tiring to climb back up, Goa Gajah has many stairs, Gunung Kawi is reached by a long stone stairway, and Padang Padang Beach by a narrow staircase, so shoes with a good grip help. As of 30 Oct 2026.
First time? We suggest for the sights.
Ubud is the cultural heart of the island, set among rice terraces and river gorges in the central uplands.
Kuta, Legian and Seminyak share one long west-facing beach just north of the airport.
Uluwatu and the Bukit peninsula sit on a dry limestone plateau at the southern tip of Bali.
Canggu is a former farming district on the west coast that is now known for surf breaks, cafes and lanes through the rice fields.
Road times by car · as of October 2026
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