When it comes to bucket list destinations, the island of Bali in Indonesia often places high on that list. The island’s culture and landscapes continually capture the imaginations of travelers. It’s not uncommon for a 10 day Bali itinerary to include a mix of beach play, temple visits, cultural activities and relaxation time. There are just so many things to do in Bali!
I’ve been visiting Bali ever since I was a young girl. And the island’s culture and the beauty has always fascinated me. In 2019, we spent two fulfilling months living in Bali, and the experience really allowed me to dive deeper into the culture of Bali.
I know not everyone is able to spend an extended amount of time in Bali, like we did. But it’s still possible to have similar cultural experiences as ours. For those of you who only have 10 days in Bali, rather than two a half months like me, I’ve put together a family-friendly itinerary for Bali for you to experience the many sides of Bali in just 10 days.
This post was updated on September 5, 2022.
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Logistics for visiting Bali in 10 days
Before diving into my 10 day Bali itinerary, there are a few logistics to sort out. In particular, consider lodging, transport, and activities. When you’re building your 10 days in Bali budget, make sure to take all of these logistics into account. Take a look at how much it cost us to spend a month in Indonesia to get ideas for how much a Bali itinerary for 10 days will cost your family. Also consider where you will need travel insurance during your multi-day Bali trip.
Although Bali is a small island, it’s not always easy to get around. And the many options for a hotel, villa, or resort in Bali can get overwhelming for someone who’s never visited the island. Take a read through my tips before starting to plan your 10 days Bali itinerary.
Finding lodging for your family
When it comes to lodging, the options for families range from simple homestays to fancy extravagant villas. We’ve stayed in a $35 a night modest home in Ubud. And we’ve also splurged in to a $600 a night gorgeous villa in southern Bali, complete with an infinity pool, private chef, and private tennis court.
Popular places in Bali for tourists include Kuta, Cangggu, Sanur, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. Inland, travelers like to stay in Ubud. However, if you want to go off the beaten path, consider Padang Bai and Amed, on the eastern side of the island, as well as Gianyar and Tabanan.
If you’re looking for lodging options for your 10 days in Bali, booking platforms like Agoda and Booking are helpful. Airbnb is also a great resource, particularly for families, as you’ll likely get more space for your dollars.
Lonely Planet’s Bali, Lombok, and West Nusatenggara travel guide is a helpful resource to give you ideas of where to stay in Bali.
Read my Bali blog posts for more ideas of things to do in Bali.
Chartering transport around Bali
When it comes to transport, there are several options for families to get around Bali. Companies like Perama offer shuttle buses between cities and villages. But the majority of travelers to Bali still use private drivers.
Most accommodations will offer airport transfer from Ngurah Rai International Airport in the city of Denpasar. If your hotel, resort, or accommodation doesn’t offer transport, you can book an official airport taxi.
Once you get to your first destination, ask around for driver contacts to take you elsewhere around the island. The cost of a car and driver ranges from Rp. 350,000-550,000 (roughly $25-$40 USD), depending on the distance and the driver. So make sure to take that into account as part of your 10 days in Bali cost. Sometimes drivers can also double as your Bali travel guide.
Click here to book a private Bali car charter with a driver.
Driving yourself during your 10 day Bali itinerary
Alternatively, you can choose to rent a car while you’re in Bali. While we have not personally done this, several friends of ours have rented cars during their stay in Bali. This option is particularly helpful for larger families, or for those planning to stay longer than 10 days in Bali.
Car rentals range from Rp. 350,000-500,000 (roughly $25-35 USD) per day. Besides being able to maneuver a car through the narrow streets of Bali, the biggest concern for car rental is finding parking. This is particularly true in cities like Ubud.
Within the cities, you can also try doing a scooter rental in Bali. This is a great way to have a more local experience during your 10 days in Bali itinerary. But you’ll need to be comfortable with driving a scooter.
Booking activities for your 10 day Bali itinerary
Planning all your activities for exploring Bali in 10 days may seem overwhelming. For general Indonesia and Bali travel, I recommend finding tour companies that focus on immersive experiences.
Take a look at these Bali tours offered through Viator:
Full-Day in Bali: Private Design-Your-Own Tour
Bali Full-Day Water Temples and UNESCO Rice Terraces Tour
Bali Full-Day Traditional Village Sightseeing Trip All Inclusive
For Ubud, specifically, I recommend Bali Adventours, a locally owned travel company that offers a variety of tours around Bali, including a tour through a Bali night market and a visit to Tukad Cepung waterfall.
You can also wait until you arrive in Bali before booking your activities. We found our cooking class, painting class, dance class, and Balinese gamelan music class just from walking along the street and keeping our eyes open for signs advertising activities.
The ultimate family-friendly 10 day Bali itinerary
It’s impossible to really immerse yourself in Balinese culture when you only have a short time. But you can definitely get a good introduction! When I was putting together this 10 day Bali itinerary, I really wanted to showcase the parts of Bali that we fell in love with while we were there.
This itinerary in Bali is ideal for families with kids ranging from 4-12 years old. But families with older kids or younger kids can adjust this itinerary of Bali to their preferences as well.
Even if you don’t have kids, this itinerary can still be useful. If you’re a couple, incorporate some of these ideas into your 10 day Bali itinerary for couples. Or if you’re a solo traveler, book these activities as a chance to meet other travelers.
Day 1: Kick off your 10 day Bali itinerary at the beach in Kuta
Start your Bali visit with a stay in Kuta. It’s arguably one of the most touristy destinations of Bali. But it’s also one of the closest destinations to Ngurah Rai International Airport. Depending on what time you arrive, you can spend your time at the beach.
Kuta Beach is often frequented by hawkers selling trinkets or massages. You don’t have to feel obligated to buy. Just a simple, “tidak, terima kasih” will be sufficient. The beach is generally safe, but avoid bringing valuables in case they get stolen.
While in Kuta, you can visit nearby Tanah Lot to the north. It’s a Hindu temple on the western coast of Bali in the middle of the sea. The temple is accessible at low tide. Alternatively, you can end the first day of your 10 day Bali itinerary with an evening at Uluwatu Temple in southern Bali. Each night, the temple has a performance of the famous kecak fire dance. This is a dance where men dance and chant in a percussive and rhythmic style.
Book a private Tanah Lot sunset tour here.
Day 2: Spend a day at Waterbom
The next day, treat your kids to a visit to a water park! Waterbom is Bali’s most famous water park, and is a perfect way to kick off your 10 day Bali itinerary with some fun. There are over 12 slides, and they are all clean and well-maintained.
Admission to Waterbom is quite pricey, at Rp. 535,000 (roughly $37.50 USD) for adults, and Rp. 385,000 (roughly $27 USD) for kids. So you’ll want to allot a full day to make the most of your ticket. Local residents receive a discounted rate if they show their KTP (Indonesian ID card).
You will need to pay extra for food and drinks. The money is loaded on a wristband that you use to pay throughout the park, and can be topped up at any time. The park is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
Book your Waterbom day pass ahead of time here, rather than waiting in line when you get there.
Day 3: Drive to Ubud
After starting your 10 days in Bali on the coast, head inland by spending a few days in Ubud. The drive from Kuta to Ubud only takes about an hour and a half. So you can drive into the city in the morning and spend the rest of the day doing activities in Ubud with kids.
One activity I recommend during your 10 day Bali itinerary is to visit the Saraswati Temple. This temple is located on Jalan Ubud Raya near Ubud Palace. My family and I call it the “Starbucks temple” because there’s a Starbucks located right next to it! Saraswati Temple is framed by two ponds with lotus plants, and is a beautiful spot for a picture.
Afterward, walk along Jalan Kajeng, right in front of the Starbucks, and head to the Juwuk Manis rice fields. There is a loop trail that leads to traditional rice fields, as well as a cafe called Sweet Orange Cafe. This is a great spot to enjoy dinner, among the rice paddies! The Juwuk Manis trail loops back towards Jalan Ubud Raya and drops you off a couple hundred meters west of Saraswati Temple.
Day 4: Have a village experience at Taman Anyar
No visit to Bali would be complete without a village tour! As I mentioned before, it’s impossible to fully experience the culture of Bali in 10 days. But you can certainly get a glimpse by doing a village tour.
During our time in Bali, we visited a place called Taman Anyar, run by a Balinese family who opens their home to travelers. We learned about life in a traditional Balinese home, complete with making offerings, plowing a rice field, and cooking traditional Balinese food. We really enjoyed our immersive Bali cultural experience, and we think other travelers will enjoy it too.
Take a look at this culturally immersive Ubud day tour that you can book during your 10 day Bali itinerary:
Private Tour: Ubud Day Tour with Traditional Offering Lesson
Learn how to incorporate worldschooling into your travels here.
Day 5: Explore Ubud
On day five of your 10 day Bali itinerary, spend time exploring the city of Ubud. In the early morning, take a stroll through Ubud market to see the local produce vendors. Around 8 am, they’re replaced by artisan vendors.
Alternatively, go for an early morning hike along the Campuhan Ridge Walk. This is a paved walkway that goes along hills and fields. Then take a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where you’ll see Balinese long-tailed macaques. Tickets for the Ubud monkey forest are Rp. 80,000 (roughly $5 USD) for adults and Rp. 60,000 (roughly $4 USD) for kids.
In the afternoon, take a class at Pondok Pekak library and learning center. This community center offers classes in Balinese painting, gamelan music, wood carving, offering making, and cooking costing around Rp. 300,000 (roughly $21 USD) per person.
End your day with a traditional Balinese dance and gamelan music performance at Ubud Royal Palace. Tickets are Rp. 100,000 (roughly $7 USD) per person, starting at 7:30 pm. This is a must for your Bali itinerary 10 days experience!
Make the most of your time in Ubud with one of these Ubud tours:
- Nature, Temple, Rice Terrace, Waterfall and Coffee Tour
- Private Sight-seeing Tour and Waterfall
- Nature, Culture, Heritage and Temples
Ready for a change? Take the first step to living a life of full time travel.
Day 6: Drive to Amed
After spending a few days in Ubud, continue your 10 days in Bali northeast. In the early morning, stop at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. These traditional rice terraces are about 30 minutes north of Ubud. The beautiful Tegalalang Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage site. And they are a must-see for your ultimate Bali bucket list. Bring about Rp. 20,000-50,000 ($1.40-3.50 USD) for donation to the rice farmers.
Afterward, continue your 10 day Bali itinerary north to Danau Batur, a lake at the base of Mount Batur. There are nice Bali hot springs in the area. We like Toya Devasya, which offers 7 hot springs pools, restaurants, and a gorgeous lake view.
Alternatively, visit Ulun Danu Beratan temple, a picturesque Hindu temple located in the middle of a lake. Entrance costs Rp. 75,000 (roughly $4.50 USD) for adults and Rp. 50,000 (roughly $3 USD) for children.
In the late afternoon, continue on to the beach town of Amed. This small village has a much more relaxed pace than the western beach towns of Kuta, Canggu, and even Seminyak. From Toya Devasya, the drive is about an hour and a half.
Day 7: Experience Amed snorkeling
A stay in Amed is a great way to incorporate some snorkeling in Bali into your 10 day Bali itinerary. There are several places to snorkel around the coasts of Amed. The spots we visited were the Japanese shipwreck and Lipah Beach.
The Japanese shipwreck is on the eastern side of the village. You can access the shipwreck from the shore through the Kawi Karma Beach Cottages and Restaurants. However, you will need to pay a small fee. The fee includes one drink and use of the bathrooms.
Lipah Beach, located on the western side of the village, has free access to the beach in front of Di Lipah Warung. After a day of snorkeling, you can have dinner at any of the beachside restaurants.
If you are interested in a guided snorkeling tour, book this Amed snorkeling tour from Wandernesia.
Day 8: Drive to Padang Bai
The next day, continue your journey south east. Start your morning with a visit to Pura Lempuyang (also known as Lempuyang Temple). This is a Balinese Hindu temple with the famous Gates of Heaven, located about an hour’s drive from Amed.
Entrance is a simple donation of Rp. 50,000 for a family of four. If you don’t want to wait hours to take a picture with the iconic temple gates, arrive at 6 am, right at sunrise.
After visiting Lempuyang Temple, head to nearby Taman Tirta Gangga, a water palace with beautiful fountains and pools for swimming. Entrance to Tirta Gangga costs Rp. 30,000 (roughly $2.10 USD) per person. The swimming pool costs an additional Rp. 10,000 (roughly $.70 USD) per person.
In the afternoon, drive to Padang Bai, about an hour and a half away from Tirta Gangga. Padang Bai is a port town on the eastern coast of Bali. It’s often used as a gateway to neighboring Lombok island, or the nearby Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air).
A unique and relaxing place to stay in Padang Bai is Bloo Lagoon Eco Village. This family-friendly Bali eco stay offers families a tranquil setting amidst gorgeous views of the surrounding ocean and lagoon.
Learn more about how to travel sustainably with your kids.
Day 9: Snorkel at Blue Lagoon
Building in snorkeling time into your 10 day Bali itinerary is an absolute must. One of Padang Bali’s main attractions is the Blue Lagoon, a popular snorkeling spot in the area.
You can snorkel from the shore at Blue Lagoon, but the waves can be quite rough. It may not be ideal if you have young kids. Alternatively, you can visit Blue Lagoon as part of a boat tour. The tour will drop you off further into the water, beyond the breaks. You’ll have a better chance of seeing coral than if you were coming in from the shore.
Day 10: End your 10 day Bali itinerary back in Denpasar
Depending on your return flight’s departure time, you can either stay at Padang Bai in the morning or head immediately back to Denpasar. Padang Bai is about an hour and a half’s drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
On the way into Denpasar from Padang Bai, you’ll pass by Pura Goa Lawah (the Bat Cave Temple) and Candidasa (a beach resort town). You can make a quick stop in either of these places during your 10 day Bali itinerary if you have some time to spare.
Alternative options for your 10 day Bali itinerary
The 10 day Bali itinerary above isn’t the only itinerary you can do for your visit to Bali. Besides Kuta, there are other beach destinations to visit during your 10 days itinerary Bali experience. Travelers like Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak or Padang Padang Beach south of Kuta.
Or you can include a hike in your Bali itineraries along Karang Boma Cliffs before ending with your sunset Kecak Fire Dance performance at Uluwatu Temple.
If you aren’t in the mood to brave the rowdy tourist crowds during your multi-day trip to Bali, you can skip Kuta altogether and drive directly to Ubud. You can use the extra time in north Bali in Amed or in east Bali at Padang Bai.
Alternatively, you can use the extra day to take a trip out to the Nusa Islands (Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan), the Gili Islands, and Lombok. We spent three weeks in Lombok. And we had fun checking out all the fun things to do in Lombok with kids.
Supplementing your 10 day Bali itinerary
If you have a little more time to spend in Indonesia, consider visiting another island such as Flores, Java, or Sumatra as a supplement to your 10 day itinerary Bali trip.
The island of Flores is a jumping off point for exploring Komodo National Park. Families can take either a one day or multi day Komodo tour. The island of Java is home to the historic city of Yogyakarta, a great place to learn about the non-Balinese side of Indonesian culture. And for nature lovers, the island of Sumatra offers wonderful national parks where you can take an orangutan tour and see these impressive creatures in the wild.
Book one of these tours to explore the other islands of Indonesia
- Lombok: Sasak Cultural Tour
- Komodo: 1 Day Komodo Trip by Fast Boat
- Java: Small-Group Walking and Food Tour in Yogyakarta
- Sumatra: Half-Day Orangutan Trek from Bukit Lawang
Take a look at all the other destinations to explore in Indonesia here.
Making your 10 day Bali itinerary memorable for your family
However you choose to spend your 10 days in Bali, take advantage of all that Bali and Indonesia has to offer. Indonesia is a fascinating country. And the island of Bali offers travelers a great mix of culture and nature to enjoy.
Have you visited Bali before? Share your suggestions for what to include in a 10 day Bali itinerary in the comments below!
Prep for your trip to Bali and Indonesia with these posts:
11 Essential Bali Facts You Didn’t Know
6 Useful Things To Know About Traveling With Kids In Indonesia
And if you’re planning to visit Bali as part of an around the world family adventure, use my ebook, Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel! as your guide for planning your family gap year.
Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My Travel Budget Worksheet is just the tool you need! Click here to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.
