Best Bali Road Trip Routes
Scenic drives, hidden gems, and unforgettable journeys across Bali by car.
Bali may be a small island, but it packs an astonishing variety of landscapes into just 5,780 square kilometers. From coastal highways to mountain passes and jungle backroads, some of Bali's most memorable experiences happen behind the wheel. Here are our favorite road trip routes, curated by the Baliqu team after years of driving guests across the island.
Route 1: The Classic South Bali Loop
Seminyak → Uluwatu → Nusa Dua → Sanur → Seminyak | ~75 km | 4-6 hours with stops
This is the perfect half-day introduction to Bali for first-time visitors. It covers the Bukit Peninsula's dramatic cliffs, southern beaches, and ends with a sunset seafood dinner on the east coast.
- Stop 1: Padang Padang Beach (30 min from Seminyak) — A stunning beach nestled between limestone cliffs. Great for swimming and photos.
- Stop 2: Uluwatu Temple (15 min from Padang Padang) — Bali's most dramatic sea temple. Arrive by 4:30 PM to explore the grounds before the 6:00 PM Kecak fire dance.
- Stop 3: Jimbaran Bay (25 min from Uluwatu) — Famous for beachfront seafood barbecues. Dinner for two: IDR 300,000 - 600,000.
- Stop 4: Nusa Dua Beach (15 min from Jimbaran) — Calm, family-friendly swimming with white sand.
- Stop 5: Sanur Beach (25 min from Nusa Dua) — End the day with a peaceful walk along Sanur's paved beachfront promenade.
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, families with children.
Route 2: The Cultural Heartland (Ubud & Beyond)
Canggu → Ubud → Tegallalang → Tirta Empul → Kintamani → Canggu | ~110 km | Full day
This route takes you deep into Bali's cultural and agricultural heartland. Expect rice terraces, sacred temples, artisan villages, and volcanic mountain views.
- Stop 1: Ubud Monkey Forest (45 min from Canggu) — Arrive early (8:30 AM) to see the macaques at their most playful.
- Stop 2: Tegallalang Rice Terraces (20 min from Ubud) — The iconic green cascades. Stop at one of the cliffside cafes for a photo with the famous Bali Swing.
- Stop 3: Tirta Empul Temple (15 min from Tegallalang) — A 10th-century holy spring water temple where Balinese Hindus perform purification rituals. Visitors are welcome to participate.
- Stop 4: Kintamani & Mount Batur (40 min from Tirta Empul) — Panoramic views of Bali's active volcano and Lake Batur. Lunch at a volcanic-view restaurant costs IDR 150,000 - 250,000 per person.
- Optional detour: Tegenungan Waterfall (30 min from Ubud on the return) — A powerful waterfall with a natural swimming pool.
Best for: Culture lovers, photographers, spiritual travelers.
Route 3: The Northern Waterfalls & Temples
Seminyak → Bedugul → Sekumpul → Lovina → Seminyak | ~180 km | Full day (early start required)
Northern Bali is less developed, more lush, and significantly cooler than the south. This long but rewarding route covers mountain lakes, Bali's most impressive waterfall, and black-sand beaches where dolphins swim at dawn.
- Stop 1: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (1.5 hours from Seminyak) — The iconic floating temple on Lake Beratan in Bedugul. Arrive by 8:00 AM for mirror-still water and no crowds.
- Stop 2: Handara Gate (10 min from Ulun Danu) — Bali's most photographed stone gateway, set against misty mountain scenery.
- Stop 3: Sekumpul Waterfall (1 hour from Bedugul) — Seven waterfalls cascading down a jungle cliff. A local guide is required for the full trek (IDR 175,000).
- Stop 4: Lovina Beach (45 min from Sekumpul) — Famous for sunrise dolphin-watching boat tours (IDR 100,000 per person). The beach itself has distinctive black volcanic sand.
- Lunch: Stop at any of the warungs (local restaurants) along the mountain road for authentic Balinese cuisine at IDR 30,000 - 50,000 per meal.
Best for: Adventure seekers, nature lovers, experienced drivers comfortable with winding mountain roads.
Route 4: The East Bali Heritage Trail
Sanur → Goa Lawah → Tirta Gangga → Lempuyang → Candidasa → Sanur | ~140 km | Full day
East Bali is the island's spiritual and historical heart. Ancient kingdoms once ruled from this side of the island, and the landscape is dotted with some of Bali's oldest and most sacred temples.
- Stop 1: Goa Lawah (Bat Cave Temple) (45 min from Sanur) — A temple built around a cave inhabited by thousands of bats. The temple faces the ocean and is considered one of Bali's six spiritual pillars.
- Stop 2: Tirta Gangga Water Palace (1 hour from Goa Lawah) — A royal water garden built in 1946 with tiered fountains, stone sculptures, and koi-filled pools where visitors can wade.
- Stop 3: Pura Lempuyang (Gate of Heaven) (30 min from Tirta Gangga) — Bali's oldest temple, reached by climbing 1,700 steps. The famous "Gates of Heaven" frame Mount Agung perfectly on clear days. Hire a sarong at the entrance (IDR 10,000).
- Stop 4: Candidasa (45 min from Lempuyang) — A quiet coastal town with excellent snorkeling at Blue Lagoon. A relaxed place for a late lunch overlooking the water.
Best for: Spiritual travelers, history enthusiasts, photographers chasing the "Gates of Heaven" shot.
Route 5: The Hidden West Bali Safari
Canggu → Tanah Lot → Jatiluwih → Belimbing → Medewi → Canggu | ~130 km | Full day
West Bali receives far fewer tourists than the south or Ubud, which makes it ideal for travelers seeking solitude, unspoiled nature, and authentic village life.
- Stop 1: Tanah Lot Temple (30 min from Canggu) — Bali's most photographed sea temple. Visit at low tide to walk across to the temple base.
- Stop 2: Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (45 min from Tanah Lot) — A UNESCO World Heritage site covering 600 hectares of subak irrigation terraces. Far less crowded than Tegallalang and more expansive.
- Stop 3: Belimbing Village (20 min from Jatiluwih) — A hidden valley of rice terraces and coffee plantations where you can take a guided village walk.
- Stop 4: Medewi Beach (1 hour from Belimbing) — Bali's longest left-hand surf break. A pebbly beach with rustic warungs serving fresh seafood.
Best for: Surfers, off-the-beaten-path explorers, repeat visitors to Bali.
Road Safety Tips for Bali Road Trips
- Always carry your original driver's license and International Driving Permit.
- Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, but be prepared for poor signal in remote mountain areas.
- Fill up on fuel before leaving the south — petrol stations are sparse in the north and east.
- Avoid driving at night outside major towns; many rural roads lack street lighting.
- Start early (6:00 - 7:00 AM) to avoid traffic and catch sunrise views at your first stop.
- Carry cash (IDR) for entrance fees, parking, and meals — card payments are not accepted at most rural attractions.
- If your rental car breaks down, call Baliqu's 24/7 roadside assistance: +62 851-7529-9919.
Choose the Perfect Car for Your Bali Road Trip
The right vehicle makes all the difference on Bali's varied roads. For mountain routes, choose a car with good ground clearance. For long distances, air conditioning and comfortable seating are essential. For families, an MPV or SUV provides space and safety.
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