1Forest and sanctuary
Ubud Monkey Forest
Follow a selected circuit through the forest and its stone gateways, leaving room to stop rather than chasing the monkeys. Temple interiors and sacred areas can be restricted.
4-day itinerary · Indonesia
4 Days in Bali
Four days in selected parts of Bali: Ubud’s art and forest, the temples around Tampaksiring, Denpasar and Tanah Lot, then a relaxed southern coast day. Longer drives are part of the plan, not hidden between the sights.
- 4days
- 13sights
- 0.4 kmon foot between sights
Updated 11 September 2026 · 4 official sources checked · report an error
The plan at a glance
Ubud, the central temples, Denpasar and the south coast
Bali is an island, so this is a regional road itinerary rather than a walkable city break. Use Ubud for the first two days and a southern base for the final two, arranging a driver or suitable transport in advance. The Denpasar day can form part of the move south, but leave extra time for luggage and check-in. Day budgets start at the first sight and end at the last; hotel and airport journeys are additional. Four days cover this selection, not the whole island. Mount Batur, the far north and the offshore islands need separate days.
Day 1Art and a walk through UbudUbud Monkey Forest · Agung Rai Museum of Art · Ubud Palace · Museum Puri Lukisan4 sights · 320 m on foot
Day 2The springs and shrines of central BaliTirta Empul · Gunung Kawi, Tampaksiring · Goa Gajah3 sights · Transport between sights
Day 3Denpasar culture and the Tanah Lot coastBali Museum · Pura Jagatnatha · Bajra Sandhi Monument · Tanah Lot coastal viewpoints4 sights · 100 m on foot
Day 4A slower beach morning and UluwatuKuta Beach · Uluwatu Temple and cliff paths2 sights · Transport between sights
At a glance
Ways to use these days
Day 1
Art and a walk through Ubud
Start with the Monkey Forest, then visit ARMA before heading into central Ubud. The afternoon combines the public palace courts with Museum Puri Lukisan. Two smaller art visits give context to the temples on the following day.
- 4 sights
- 320 m on foot
- Longest walk 320 m
Morning
Allow about 20 minutes for a local transfer and the entrance approach; use the actual road route rather than a straight line through the grounds.
2Art museum
Agung Rai Museum of Art
Explore a selection of Balinese paintings and the museum gardens. This is a museum visit; resort facilities, workshops and performances have separate arrangements.
Midday
LunchChoose a seated lunch in Ubud before continuing to the palace area. Keep food outside the Monkey Forest and allow a proper break from the heat.
Afternoon
Allow about 25 minutes for local transport into central Ubud, including traffic and walking from the drop-off.
3Palace precinct
Ubud Palace
Look around the publicly accessible entrance courts and carved gateways. The palace remains a living cultural place, so this short visit does not promise access to residential areas.
320 m · about 5 min on foot
4Art museum
Museum Puri Lukisan
Spend time with Balinese painting and woodcarving in the museum buildings and gardens. Choose a few galleries carefully rather than trying to see every object.
Evening
DinnerHave dinner in central Ubud. A palace dance performance is an optional evening booking with its own ticket and schedule.
Day 2
The springs and shrines of central Bali
Arrange transport for the day. Begin at Tirta Empul, then explore Gunung Kawi at Tampaksiring before lunch. Continue south to Goa Gajah. The shrine descent and climb deserve their own time; this day does not include a Mount Batur sunrise hike.
- 3 sights
- Transport between sights
Morning
1Water temple
Tirta Empul
Explore the visitor-accessible temple courts and the setting of the sacred springs. The allowance is for a cultural visit; taking part in a purification ritual needs extra time and guidance.
Allow about 20 minutes by car including local access; the steps within the site are included in its visit allowance.
2Rock-cut shrines
Gunung Kawi, Tampaksiring
Descend to the carved shrines and river-valley setting, with time for the climb back up. This is Gunung Kawi at Tampaksiring, not the different water temple at Sebatu.
Midday
LunchStop for lunch around Tampaksiring before the longer drive south. Keep water and a rest break available after the steps at Gunung Kawi.
Afternoon
Allow about 50 minutes by car toward Goa Gajah, with more margin when traffic is heavy.
3Archaeological temple site
Goa Gajah
Visit the carved cave entrance, bathing pools and a selected part of the accessible grounds. The short cave visit is only one part of the site.
Evening
DinnerReturn to Ubud for dinner and a quiet evening. Allow additional time for the journey back to your accommodation.
Day 3
Denpasar culture and the Tanah Lot coast
Reach Denpasar early for the Bali Museum and neighbouring Jagatnatha temple. After lunch, visit Bajra Sandhi before continuing to Tanah Lot’s coastal viewpoints. Check the museum calendars first and keep the coast flexible if the road is slow.
- 4 sights
- 100 m on foot
- Longest walk 100 m
Morning
1Cultural museum
Bali Museum
Start the Denpasar day with a focused visit to the museum’s cultural displays and courtyards. Check which pavilions are accessible instead of assuming every collection room is open.
100 m · about 2 min on foot
2Temple precinct
Pura Jagatnatha
Walk to the neighbouring temple for its exterior and any areas open to respectful visitors. If worship limits access, appreciate the entrance without interrupting ceremonies.
Midday
LunchHave lunch in Denpasar before the monument visit and longer westbound drive. If changing hotels today, keep check-in and luggage arrangements outside the sightseeing allowance.
Afternoon
Allow about 25 minutes by car across Denpasar, including pickup and the final approach.
3Monument and history displays
Bajra Sandhi Monument
Continue to the monument for its architecture and a selected look at the history displays when open. The visit includes the approach through the surrounding public grounds.
Allow about 90 minutes by car from the monument area toward Tanah Lot, including traffic and parking access.
4Coastal temple setting
Tanah Lot coastal viewpoints
View the offshore temple from permitted coastal paths and viewpoints. The route does not require crossing tidal water or entering the temple’s inner sanctuary.
Evening
DinnerEat near Tanah Lot or after returning toward your southern base. Sunset is optional; allow extra return-journey time after the busiest departure period.
Day 4
A slower beach morning and Uluwatu
Start later with time on Kuta’s shore, then have lunch before driving south. Leave a generous traffic allowance and visit Uluwatu in the later afternoon. This intentionally lighter day creates room for rest; a Kecak show is an optional extension, not included in the temple stop.
- 2 sights
- Transport between sights
Morning
1Beach and waterfront
Kuta Beach
Use a relaxed morning for a selected beach walk and a shaded break nearby. This is time on the shore; a surf lesson or a long swim would be a separate activity.
Midday
LunchHave lunch near Kuta and take a shaded break before the drive. Do not leave the transfer until the last possible moment if you have an evening performance ticket.
Afternoon
Allow about 90 minutes by car from Kuta toward Uluwatu, including traffic and parking; busy periods can take longer.
2Coastal temple setting
Uluwatu Temple and cliff paths
Walk the visitor cliff paths and appreciate the temple from permitted areas. The generous allowance includes access and a pause for the view; the evening Kecak performance is an optional separate booking.
Evening
DinnerChoose dinner in the south after the cliff visit. If booking Kecak, allow for its entry queue, performance and the later drive back.
Before you go
Good to know in Bali
Plan road days and temple access
- Temple visits require appropriate clothing and respect for worship areas. At Tirta Empul, a cultural visit and participation in a purification ritual are different choices; ask staff about access and allow extra time for any ritual.Source: Indonesia Travel · checked Sep 2026
- Follow the Monkey Forest’s visitor rules: do not feed or touch monkeys, keep food out of the forest and secure small objects. Stay out of restricted sacred areas.Source: Monkey Forest Ubud · checked Sep 2026
Museums and the coast
- ARMA’s museum, resort and cultural programmes are different parts of the site. Check museum access and separately book any workshop or performance you want to add.Source: ARMA · checked Sep 2026
- Uluwatu is a temple and cliff setting. Plan a respectful visit and treat an evening Kecak performance as a separate timed activity with additional travel margin.Source: Indonesia Travel · checked Sep 2026
Questions
4 days in Bali: quick answers
Why does this Bali itinerary take 4 days?
The island’s roads connect separate regions. Four days let Ubud, the central temples, Denpasar and the southern coast have realistic space without attaching a mountain hike to a full sightseeing day.
Can I stay in one hotel?
Yes, but commuting can lengthen the days considerably. Ubud for the first part and a southern base for the second reduces some repeated travel. Add hotel transfers and check-in time to the route.
Does the route include Mount Batur or Nusa Penida?
No. A volcano hike or an offshore island trip needs its own early start, transport arrangements and recovery time. Add a day or replace a full day here.
Are the drives guaranteed to take the stated time?
No. They are planning allowances, not live traffic predictions. Confirm the day’s route with your driver and shorten a later stop when roads are slow.
Can I enter every temple area?
No. Visitor access depends on the site’s rules and religious activity. Follow staff directions, wear the required clothing and do not assume inner sanctuaries are open.
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