As far as island holiday destinations go, Bali has risen in popularity amongst families globally over the past decade. Why, you may ask? This Indonesian island paradise in Southeast Asia offers visitors an experience filled with rich culture, diverse landscapes, and vibrant experiences. It’s a place where you’ll make memories to last a lifetime!
With so much to see and do in Bali, you may feel a little overwhelmed when planning your family vacay itinerary. Don’t stress. We’ve rounded up some of the top “must-do” and “must-see” attractions, eateries, highlights, and places to rest your head in our family-friendly 10-day Bali itinerary.
In the mix, we’ve got action-packed activities, fun for the kids, sandy beaches, temple visits, food for the soul, and so much more! Gather the fam, pack your bags, and enjoy your fantabulous Bali adventure!
When planning your 10-day family trip to Bali, there are a few things you need to consider to help ensure your trip runs smoothly. These include:
We'll go into more detail below!
Before planning a Bali trip for your family, or any trip for that matter, you should set a vacation budget. Having a budget in place will help you feel more at ease on your holiday, as you won’t be worrying about how much you’re spending blindly while on vacay. You can focus on the more important things - like having fun!
Here are some points you can consider while preparing your budget:
Consider the following aspects of your budget in terms of how much you are able to spend on each of the following:
Also, ask yourself these questions:
For Bali accommodation options for your family, you need to decide on the type of accommodation you would like, the amount you wish to spend on lodging, the services you would like included, and in which area of Bali you wish to be based.
For our 10-day Bali itinerary, we recommend that you consider accommodation options in Ubud, if you wish to be more inland, or in Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Seminyak if you wish to be closer to the beach and near the Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar).
It’s also recommended that you pick one or two accommodation options for your 10-day stay, especially if vacationing with young kids. It can be disruptive to move lodgings every second night. Luckily, you only have to travel relatively short distances to travel around to different spots in Bali.
These are the more popular tourist areas in Bali. However, don’t hesitate to book your stay at any of the other great, often quieter, and more rustic areas of Bali such as Amed, Gianyar, Padang Bai, and Tabanan. Have a look at booking platforms like Airbnb, Agoda, Booking, and Expedia for accommodation options.
Here are some family-friendly accommodation options for you to consider:
There are a few modes of transport your family can use to get around Bali. Transport options include:
Our 10-day itinerary includes longer travel between different areas, cities, and villages in Bali. Our recommendation would be to either charter a private car/van to drive around yourself, especially if you have a larger family, or to hire a car/van with a driver or a taxi for longer travel.
This costs roughly between Rp.350,000-550,000, depending on the distance to be traveled and the driver’s own rates. Usually, your accommodation, hotel, or resort will offer airport transfer from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) to your lodging, but if not, book an official airport taxi to transport your family to where you’ll be staying.
Here are some transport options for you to consider:
Travel insurance is not a must when traveling abroad, however, having cover will give you peace of mind. Everything will probably go fine, but on the off chance that you miss a flight, your luggage goes missing, or one of your family members gets injured on holiday, you’ll be glad you have cover.
Travel insurance for Bali is not mandatory. There are many travel insurance options available to cover your family while vacationing in Bali.
We recommend you check out Heymondo and Starr Travel Insurance, which both include Covid-19 coverage.
There is so much to see and do in Bali. Our 10-day itinerary comprises a good mix of family-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy and to give you a truly authentic Balinese experience.
If you want to have a look at some other activities and tour operators available in Bali, here are a few recommendations to consider:
With only a limited number of days in Bali, we’ve planned an itinerary packed with the very best of what Bali has to offer families. Our goal is to get the whole family immersed in authentic Balinese culture together with vibrant experiences. Our 10-day Bali itinerary is suitable for families with children between the ages of 4 to 12, but could be adjusted to suit families with younger or older kids.
Spend your first day in Seminyak, a fun, hip, and trendy beach resort area of south-west Bali. With a rich coffee culture in Seminyak, we suggest kick-starting your day with a light breakfast and divinely brewed coffee at Coffee Cartel. Enjoy their blend and amaze the kids with an insta-worthy Coffee Ripple, where images or text are printed on your coffee’s foam layer.
When your tums are full and the adults have had their morning caffeine fix, immerse yourself in Bali culture with a quick visit to the majestic Pura Petitenget Temple (Masceti Temple) near Petitenget beach. This beautiful historic Hindu Sea Temple was built to ward off evil spirits.
Then make your way to Seminyak’s most popular shopping and “eat” street, Jl. Laksmana/Jl. Kayu Aya. Pop through the chic boutique stores and charming little shops along the way. Shop anything from clothing and jewellery, to homeware and souvenirs here. Do browse through the quaint stalls at the Kayu Aya Square Oberoi Market.
With a diverse and vibrant food scene in the area, all foodies will be delighted! Grab some lunch at any of the cute cafes, funky eateries, or vibey restaurants. If the kids are keen, pre-book an afternoon surf lesson at Double Six Beach through Bali Green Surf School. This iconic Balinese activity will keep the whole family entertained all afternoon. The phenomenal waves in Seminyak are perfect for beginners too.
The perfect way to end the day off in Seminyak, is to catch one of Seminyak’s breathtaking sunsets. Watch the sunset from Double Six Beach, or make your way back up the coast to Kayu Aya Beach where mom and dad can enjoy sundowners at KU DE TA, one of Bali’s hottest beach club spots. Bonus, you can have an early dinner there too!
Coffee Cartel, Jl. Lb. Sari No. 8, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Seminyak, Bali, +62 812 4601 0515, blake@coffeecartelbali.com, www.coffeecartelbali.com
Pura Petitenget Temple, Jl. Petitenget, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Seminyak, Bali
Bali Green Surf School, Jl. Drupadi 2, No. 9, Seminyak, Bali, +62 878 8176 0313, info@baligreensurf.net, www.baligreensurfschool.com
KU DE TA, Jl. Kayu Aya No. 9, Seminyak, Bali, +62 361 736969, reservations@kudeta.com, www.kudeta.com
Who doesn’t love a sunny day at a gigantic water park? Set aside a whole day to head with the fam to Asia’s number one water park, Waterbom Bali. A little further down from Seminyak, this immaculate and exciting water park caters to all ages with a little something for everyone. From shallow splash pools for toddlers to thrilling slides for adrenaline junkies, visitors can spend the day enjoying the multitude of attractions and rides this water park offers. Waterbom is open daily between 9:00am to 6:00pm.
We suggest that you pre-book your entrance tickets and arrive early to book a cabana before the crowds arrive. An adult single day-pass ticket costs Rp.454,750, and a single child day-pass costs Rp.327,250. Load money onto wristbands you get at the entrance, topped-up at kiosks around the water park, for easy cash-free F&B purchases. Waterbom offers four restaurants and three bars with a wide selection of food and drink choices, including Halal and vegan options.
Keep your eye out for the opening of the new expansion areas at Waterbom during 2023, offering new attractions and bigger dedicated family areas.
Waterbom Bali, Jl. Kartika Plaza, Tuban Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, +62 361 755 676, info@waterbom-bali.com, www.waterbom-bali.com
If you’re not staying in the Ubud area already, travel early in the morning to Ubud city for a fun day of exploration. Ubud is well-known for its vibrant art, culture, and handicrafts. Start off on Jl. Raya Ubud Street. If you haven’t had breakfast yet, pop past Daily Baguette and grab some scrumptious pastries for the road. Only a few steps away from Daily Baguette, you can stroll through Museum Puri Lukisan, to take in antique Balinese sculptures and artworks. The museum is open daily from 9:00am, with an entrance fee of Rp. 50,000 per adult and free entrance for kids under 15.
If you’re eager to walk in between traditional Balinese rice paddies, you can hop onto the Sweet Orange Walk Trail right by the Museum for a short leisurely stroll through the Subak Juwak Manis rice fields. Make your way back towards Jl. Raya Ubud Street to visit the magnificent Saraswati Temple. This Balinese Hindu temple is dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati and is notable for its beautiful lotus pond. Entry is free, however the main temple area is only designated for worshippers and is not open to tourists. Further down Jl. Raya Ubud Street, also visit the Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung). The local royal family still lives at the palace, so only part of the palace is open to tourists.
Across the road, make your way to Ubud Art Market and to the Ubud Street Market on Jl. Karna Street to shop from a wide selection of Balinese crafts, traditional art pieces, and souvenirs, and fill up on great street food at the local food stalls.
Spend the rest of your afternoon making your way down Jl. Monkey Forest Street to end up at the famous Ubud Monkey Forest. This is not to be missed on your 10-day Bali trip! Be one with the forest and get up close to the mischievous local macaques. Be on guard, though; these artful monkeys won’t hesitate to steal hats, jewelry, or sunglasses in exchange for food.
We recommend you bring a bag of bananas along to keep them happy! The sanctuary is open until 6:00pm with entry fees at Rp. 80,000 for adults and Rp. 60,000 for kids.
Round the day off with snacks and a traditional Balinese dance performance at the Ubud Palace at 7:30pm with tickets starting at Rp. 100,000 per person, or dine at Shichirin, Bali’s hottest Japanese Konro Grill & Teppanyaki restaurant. Secure your reservation early to get a seat at the Teppanyaki Table.
For this day, pack a change of clothes, swimwear, comfortable walking shoes, raincoats, hats, sunscreen, water, and insect repellant.
Start the day early with a white water rafting tour on the Ayung River, near Ubud. Most of these tours include hotel pick-up around different areas. The rafting tour with Rafting Ubud Bali for ages 6 to 65, commences at about 10:00am for 2,5 hours at a cost of US$35 for adults and US$25 for kids, all inclusive. The rafting tour ends at lunchtime, and we recommend you make your way to Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge to enjoy Asian fusion cuisine in a beautiful spot with a festive atmosphere.
After lunch, head to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and Ubud’s lush terraced rice paddies showcasing an innovative irrigation system. This is the perfect place to snap some insta-worthy family vacay pics! You can spend a good hour here wandering around this beautiful, less crowded spot and get insight into true Balinese culture. Depending on what day and time you arrive, you could get free entry or pay an entrance fee of up to Rp.15,000.
We suggest you enter on the eastern side of the valley along Jl. Raya Cebok. Another option is to enter from Ume Ceking (Tegalalang Swing Complex) at a cost of Rp.50,000. For Rp.200,000, you get unlimited use of 4 swings, including a family swing and several nests. Have some extra cash on you for small donations if you want to walk across private land.
If white water rafting is not your thing, or if your kiddos or adults don’t meet the age requirements for that activity, we have a fabulous alternative day plan for you.
Start your day off with a quick visit to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, as this activity really is not to be missed! Afterwards, make your way to the Mason Elephant Park & Lodge for an elephant-tastic adventure. This multi-award winning and renowned conservation reserve is home to 32 endangered Sumatran elephants.
The park is open daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm with park admission costs of Rp.395,000 for adults, Rp.240,000 for children, and Rp.120,000 for infants. Admission includes elephant hand feeding and encounters and visits to the Baby Elephant Nursery, Elephant Lake View area, Treetop Observation Walk, Elephant Museum, Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens, and more!
The whole family can enjoy a day packed with some elephant love. At an extra cost, you can experience more intimate encounters with the elephants such as washing these beautiful creatures, and even bathing with them in the lake. There is a restaurant and cafe at the park to get a bite to eat for lunch, alternatively have dinner at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge.
A trip to Bali is not complete without a trek to the top of one of Bali’s active volcanoes, Mount Batur. The views from atop Mount Batur are absolutely spectacular! Mount Batur is sacred to the Balinese, so this offers you a truly authentic Balinese experience. If you’re able to set your alarm to get everyone up super early, and depending on where in Bali you’re staying, book one of the unforgettable sunrise viewing and breakfast Mount Batur tours. If departing from Seminyak, you would need to depart at about 1:30am and from Ubud, at about 2:30am.
Check out Bali Trekking Tour for their fantastic Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Tour which includes early morning hotel collection, guided trek, sunrise views atop Mount Batur, and breakfast at the top cooked with the steam of the volcano.
The tour is rounded-off with a visit to a traditional Balinese coffee plantation where you can sample local herbal tea, coffee, and the “unusually-processed” and most expensive coffee worldwide, Coffee Luwak. Although a gentle 2-hour climb up, the Mount Batur crater trek can be a steep climb for young kiddos. If you have toddlers, perhaps consider a tour around the base of Mount Batur to still savor the beauty of this majestic giant.
If you do the sunrise Mount Batur trekking tour, or later morning climb with some time to spare in the afternoon, you can spend the afternoon at Toya Devasya Hot Spring Waterpark. Here you can enjoy the stunning Danau Batur lake views while lazing around in the park’s 8 hot spring pools. Grab lunch or an early dinner at Toya Devasya’s Food Stall Resto or drinks at one of the Sunken bars.
Set aside a whole day for a tour to Penglipuran Village, Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and some of Bali’s eastern temples. We recommend that you book the “Bali’s Gate of Heaven & Must Visit Spots” Private Tour with local tour guide Tude, offered through Tours By Locals. This tour package costs US$204 per person.
What’s great about this tour is that it’s also customizable according to your preference, and it provides a more intimate experience. This tour includes hotel pick-up with private transportation, guide, all admission tickets, buffet lunch, sarong for temples, and bottled water. Pack extra clothing and towel if you wish to get wet at the waterfall. This tour does require a level of fitness to tackle the stairs at the waterfall and temples.
Your first stop in the morning is at Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang or better known as “Bali’s Gates of Heaven” Temple. This Balinese Hindu temple is located on the slope of Mount Lempuyang. It’s a popular tourist spot, so you may not get a chance to snap that insta-shot standing in the middle of the iconic gates overlooking Mount Agung, but the visit there is still worth it!
Next, a visit to Tirta Gangga, a former Balinese Hindu royal water palace in Karangasem. This gorgeous place boasts sacred bathing pools and serene fountains, and landscaping.
If you have some time before or after lunch on tour, ask your guide to pop past Besakih Temple on the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s most important, largest, and holiest temples in respect of Balinese Hinduism. Alternatively, you could stop at Amed Beach for a short stroll to see the area and the black volcanic sand on the beach.
The next part of the tour is to enjoy a scrumptious buffet lunch at Mahagiri Panoramic Resort & Restaurant in Tembuku. After lunch, everyone will travel to Tukad Cepung Waterfall in Tembuku. Here you can enjoy bathing in the waterfall’s refreshing water.
The last stop on your tour is to visit the charming traditional Penglipuran Village with a beautiful bamboo forest. Here you will get to experience authentic Balinese village life and walk amongst the traditional village houses. Talk to some locals and explore this magical place before returning to your lodging.
For other tour package options, check out the “Bali: Penglipuran Village, Temples, and More” Full Day Tour or the “Bali: Besakih Temple & Lempuyang Temple Gates of Heaven” Tour offered the Inclusive Bali Tour’s packages.
Your Bali family holiday is not complete without a day at one of Bali’s idyllic sandy beaches. This day's plan is obviously weather dependent and you can change the itinerary around if you find the weather not suitable for a day at the beach.
Our recommendation is to spend the day at the toddler-friendly Mertasari Beach in Sanur, on the south side of Bali. This beach is truly magical with colourful fishing boats passing by, vibrant kites flying up high, and kid-friendly waves to splash in. What makes this beach a true gem for families, is that it comes with various cute cafes for quick snacks and drinks, golden sands for building sandcastles, shaded areas, and a 5km paved beachside walkway. What more could you ask for?
There are also many restaurants, bars, and shops in this area. If you’re interested in water sports, find various activities along this coastal stretch, including banana boat rides, glass bottom boat rides, kayak hire, and more. You can hire bicycles and cycle along the paved path. If you stroll north up the coastline, you’ll get to Sanur Beach, Sindhu Beach, and Sindhu Beach Market.
If you don’t want to spend the whole day lazing on the beach, get some turtle and water action in the morning before your beach chilling or later in the afternoon. Visit the Bali Sea Turtle Society or the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) to learn more about the conservation of Bali’s turtles. If you’re lucky, you might visit at the right time to watch the hatching and release of baby turtles.
Book a glass bottom boat tour through Wira Water Sports to see the turtles, reefs, and marine life without having to get into your scuba gear! It costs Rp.500,000 per boat. The tour also stops at Turtle Island Conservation Center for more turtle education and interaction with an admission fee of Rp.10,000 for adults and Rp.5,000 for kids under 10.
One area of Bali not to be missed is the popular resort area along Bali’s southern coast in the Bukit Peninsula, Nusa Dua. It’s easy to get around Nusa Dua on foot.
Dad and the boys can enjoy a round of golf at the Bali National Golf Club, home to one of the best 18-hole golf courses in Bali. However, the course can get busy, so book your game in advance. Mom and the girls can make their way to Bali Collection for a spot of shopping. You’ll find department stores, outlets selling traditional Balinese souvenirs, and various cafes, and eateries here.
Definitely squeeze in visits to Waterblow and Puja Mandala for some worthy Nusa Dua sightseeing. Waterblow is a natural site with tight rock formations and a massive blow hole off the ocean into the air. Take care when in this area to avoid danger. You’ll find Waterblow near the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Puja Mandala is a unique cultural and religious complex in Nusa Dua. It was built to represent the 5 major religions in Indonesia.
An affordable dining option in Nusa Dua is the Nusa Dua Beach Grill. This restaurant is located on Geger Beach and is open until 8:00pm. Enjoy the freshest seafood delights here.
It’s essential that you end your day off in Nusa Dua by watching the absolutely fantastic Devdan Show. This stage show runs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night at the Bali Nusa Dua Theatre from 7:30pm. This spectacular cultural performance showcases true Indonesian performance arts and traditions. It’s 90-minutes of incredible acrobatics, costumes, dancing, music, props, and pyrotechnics. Book your tickets up to 3 months in advance to not miss out. Show tickets start at Rp.450,000 for adults and Rp.225,000 for kids.
Uluwatu is another beautiful and scenic area in the southwest of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula. This hilly area is well-known for its cliff-top Uluwatu Temple, a must-visit in the area. The incredible cliff views overlooking the Indian Ocean are truly memorable, and you can snap some great shots in this area. Also, visit the Karang Boma Cliff in this area.
Stop at Bingin Beach to explore the exotic seaweed-covered boulders and for some more great photo ops. Head to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park to see the giant Hindu Statue figures. The statue of the god Vishnu riding a mythical bird Garuda in the center of the park stands 120 meters tall, one of the tallest statues in the world.
Grab a bite to eat at Mana Restaurant situated at Uluwatu Surf Villas. This restaurant offers a refined yet laid-back setting to savor flavorful cuisine. Enjoy the spectacular ocean views while dining. It’s open daily until 11:00pm.
There are many beautiful beaches in the Uluwatu area to explore if you have some time to kill.
Canggu is a cool and hipster vibe resort village area on the south coast of Bali, near Seminyak. You’ll find an array of cafes, shops, and entertainment for the kids here. Plus, if you feel like you want some more beach time before heading home, Canggu Beach offers a great place to chill.
Yoga is big in Canggu, and what a fitting way to end your holiday. We recommend that your family finds their zen with a yoga class at Desa Seni. This serene setting in the heart of Canggu offers all types of yoga classes, including classes open to all levels with special rates for children aged 10 - 17 years.
Get a dose of retail therapy with goods to shop for the whole family in the various shops and markets. Do pop into Billie’s Bali for the coolest kids' treasures like funky mermaid tails. Stroll through Bali’s most iconic market in the heart of Canggu, Love Anchor. This bazaar market runs daily, but comes alive on weekends with trendy brands showcase their work. Shop everything from clothing and jewellery, to street food and souvenirs.
Visit the notable Tanah Lot Temple where you can be personally blessed by a monk. It’s one of the most well-known temples in Bali and shouldn’t be missed.
End your last day off at the ‘world’s best beach club in Bali,’ Finns Beach Club. This hot beach club is situated on Berawa beach and offers a dedicated family area. Set over an expansive oceanfront lawn; families can enjoy a choice of 4 pools, 7 bars, and 5 restaurants, with daily DJs, live vocalists, and stunning sunset viewing areas.
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