Where I Stayed & How Long
My route felt varied without being rushed. Beach towns, jungle landscapes, and quiet island life all within relatively short distance, even if getting between them sometimes took longer than expected.
Here’s exactly where I went, how long I’d recommend each place, and my honest thoughts on every stop.
Seminyak (3 nights)
I started my time in Bali in Seminyak, and it was exactly the soft landing that I needed after India and Singapore.
It felt easy from the beginning: a quiet base close to the beach, cafés nearby, and just enough structure to settle into solo travel without feeling overwhelmed.
My days were simple. Beach walks, coffee stops, and slowly adjusting to doing everything on my own.
Accommodation: Chill Hotel Seminyak (~159 € / 3 nights)
A clean, spacious hotel in a quiet area, close to the beach.
Pros:
clean, spacious rooms
huge pool area to relax
close to the beach
quiet location, away from the main noise
Cons:
not very central if you want nightlife or busy streets
My recommendation: A very good starting point in Bali if you want something calm and easy after a long travel. 2-3 days is what I’d recommend, depending on if you’re a beach person or not. Also, I’d choose between Seminyak OR Canggu.
Ubud (7 nights)
From Seminyak, I moved inland to Ubud, and this is where Bali started to feel like its own rhythm.
Surrounded by forest and rice fields, everything slowed down here. My days fell into a pattern of yoga, plant-based restaurants, short excursions, and a lot of quiet time in-between.
It was also one of the easiest places to be solo. Everything is set up for it.
Accommodation: The Lokha Ubud (~795 € / 7 nights)
A more luxurious stay surrounded by nature, slightly outside the center.
Pros:
Beautiful rooms and peaceful surroundings (forest and rice fields)
Breakfast included, free afternoon tea with snacks
Free yoga classes
Free shuttle to Ubud center
Extremely friendly and helpful staff
Cons:
A bit far from central Ubud
Requires shuttle/transport or a hot & humid track to get into town
Feels more resort-like than walkable
My recommendation: perfect if you want peace, nature, and comfort. Staying slightly outside the center made the experience feel much calmer and more grounded. 3-4 nights are enough if you want to experience the town and surrounding places to visit, longer if you want to explore wellness activities like yoga.
Gili Air (5 nights)
From Bali, I took a speedboat to Gili Air, and this was one of the most peaceful parts of the entire trip.
No cars, no scooters. Just bikes, sandy paths and the ocean.
Days became very simple in the best way possible. Swim, read, eat, repeat.
Accommodation: Living Asia Sunset Resort (~278 € / 5 nights)
A beachfront resort with a relaxed island feel.
Pros:
Beautiful beachfront location with sunbeds
Pool area and beach bar
Spacious and clean rooms
Great breakfast included (oat milk FTW)
very friendly staff
Cons:
I honestly can’t think of one
My recommendation: A great place to fully slow down. Gili Air in general if you want a break from movement and noise. 5 nights were perfect for me.
Canggu (2 nights)
Back in Bali, I stayed briefly in Canggu, mostly to meet up with my cousin who lives there from time to time.
Canggu felt like a mix of routine and lifestyle travel. Cafés, co-working spaces, fitness classes, and very social atmosphere.
Accommodation: ZIN Canggu (~189 € / 2 nights)
A modern hotel with strong community and lifestyle focus
Pros:
Clean, modern rooms
Multiple pools and close to the beach
Free breakfast and evening cocktail
Free cycling class (a highlight for me)
Great co-working space
Cons:
more crowded, traffic can be intense
very social and busy atmosphere (not ideal if you want quiet)
My recommendation: great for a beach stay like Seminyak, I’d recommend 2-3 nights in either place. Looking back, I’d probably choose Canggu because I liked the vibe more.
Uluwatu (3 nights)
Uluwatu was my final stop in Bali, and it felt like a natural slowdown before leaving Indonesia.
Cliffs, ocean views, and a more spread-out landscape replaced the café rhythm if Canggu.
It wasn’t about doing much here, more about ending the trip gently.
Accommodation: The Seaglass Villas Bingin (~269 € / 3 nights)
A spacious villa near Bingin beach with a private feel.
Pros:
Large, clean rooms with private plunge pool
Nice café located directly outside
Peaceful atmosphere
Close to Bingin and surrounding beaches
Cons:
You need grab or scooter to get around
Not very walkable
Distances are longer than they seem
My recommendation:
A good final stop if you want space and quiet before flying out. I’d recommend 3-4 nights.
Getting Around
Getting round Indonesia is relatively easy, but rarely fast.
Grab & Gojek: reliable and cheap in most of Bali
Private drivers: best for longer distances or day trips
Scooters: very common, but only if you feel confident
Boats: necessary for island transfers
My takeaway: everything takes longer than expected. It’s better to plan loosely, especially on travel days and allow more time than you think you need.
Final Thought
This route gave me a natural progression through different versions of Bali and beyond.
A soft start in Seminyak, stillness in Ubud, simplicity on Gili Air, routine in Canggu, and quiet space in Uluwatu.
Looking back, it didn’t feel like moving through destinations. It felt more like moving through different speeds of life.
I can also understand some of the stereotypes and opinions people have about Bali. It is touristy in parts, busy, and not always what people imagine it to be.
But for me, it still felt like a place where something clicked. There was a sense of ease and familiarity I didn’t expect, almost like a version of home in a place far away from everything familiar.
I can’t wait to go back one day, to explore more of Indonesia beyond the obvious places and to see what the rest of the country feels like outside of the usual routes.