Here's a 3-day Bali itinerary built entirely from TikTok and Instagram saves. Every rice terrace, cliff bar, and hidden waterfall on this list came from a video we saved to Plotline. Bali is probably the most TikTok'd destination on earth — and sorting the genuinely good spots from the tourist traps is half the battle.
We spent months saving Reels and TikToks of Bali — sunrise temple shots, drone footage over rice terraces, people jumping off cliffs into turquoise water. The hard part was never finding places. It was organizing all of them into something that actually made geographic sense. Here's the three-day trip that came out of it, broken into three distinct regions so you're not crisscrossing the island all day.
Day 1 — Ubud (Culture & Rice Terraces)
Morning: Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Start early. Be at Tegallalang Rice Terraces by 7 AM, before the tour buses arrive and before the heat gets oppressive. This is one of the most photographed spots in all of Southeast Asia — cascading green terraces carved into a steep valley, with palm trees rising above the ridgelines. The terraces use a traditional Balinese irrigation system called subak that dates back to the 9th century. Walk down into the terraces on the paths that weave between the paddies. There are several swings and photo platforms along the route (some charge a small fee). By 9 AM this place is packed, so the early start is non-negotiable.
Mid-Morning: Tirta Empul Temple
A 15-minute drive from Tegallalang brings you to Tirta Empul, one of Bali's holiest water temples. This is the purification temple you've seen all over Instagram — lines of people standing under carved stone spouts, water flowing over their heads. The temple was founded in 962 AD around a natural spring that Balinese Hindus believe has healing properties. You can participate in the purification ritual yourself (a sarong is required — rentals are available at the entrance). Follow the local worshippers and move through the fountains from left to right. It's a genuinely moving experience, not just a photo op.
Lunch: Locavore or Hujan Locale
Ubud has quietly become one of the best food destinations in Southeast Asia. Locavore is the standout — a farm-to-table restaurant that sources everything from Indonesian producers and has been recognized internationally for its inventive tasting menus. If you want something more casual but equally excellent, Hujan Locale (from the same team behind Locavore) serves Indonesian comfort food elevated with local ingredients. The nasi goreng and rendang here are exceptional. Book either one in advance — they fill up fast.
Afternoon: Ubud Monkey Forest
After lunch, walk off that meal at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. This dense tropical forest in the heart of Ubud is home to over 1,200 long-tailed macaques and three ancient Hindu temples dating to the 14th century. The moss-covered stone carvings, banyan tree roots, and shaded pathways make it feel like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film. Practical note: secure your sunglasses, phone, and anything dangling. These monkeys are bold and will grab things. Don't make direct eye contact and don't show food.
Late Afternoon: Ubud Art Market & Town
The Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) sits across from the royal palace and is best visited in the late afternoon when the midday crowds thin out. You'll find handmade silk scarves, woven baskets, paintings, wood carvings, and batik textiles. Bargaining is expected — start at about a third of the asking price and work from there. After the market, wander the streets around Jalan Hanoman and Jalan Dewi Sita for boutique shops, yoga studios, and juice bars that define Ubud's laid-back creative energy.
Evening: Dinner in Ubud
For a splurge, Room4Dessert is a dessert-focused tasting menu experience that's become one of the most talked-about restaurants in Bali. The multi-course progression builds from savory to sweet, and the presentation is theatrical. If you'd rather keep it local, Warung Biah Biah serves traditional Balinese dishes — babi guling (suckling pig), lawar (mixed vegetables with coconut and spices), and sate lilit (minced seafood satay) — at a fraction of the price, in a simple open-air warung that feels a world away from the tourist restaurants.
Day 2 — Canggu & Seminyak (Beach & Surf Culture)
Morning: Batu Bolong Beach
Day two shifts from the jungle interior to Bali's southwest coast. Start the morning at Batu Bolong Beach in Canggu — the epicenter of Bali's surf culture. If you've ever wanted to try surfing, this is the place. The waves here are beginner-friendly, and there are dozens of surf schools offering lessons right on the sand. Not a surfer? Grab a coffee and breakfast at Crate Cafe, a Canggu institution known for its smoothie bowls and excellent coffee. The digital nomad crowd starts filtering in around 8 AM, so come earlier for a mellower vibe.
Brunch: Shady Shack or KYND Community
Canggu's brunch scene is legendary. Shady Shack is a plant-filled garden cafe with some of the best vegetarian and vegan food on the island — the halloumi burger and sweet potato fries are outstanding even if you're not remotely vegetarian. KYND Community is the Instagram-famous spot with its pink facade and photogenic acai bowls. The food is legitimately good, not just pretty — though it is extremely pretty. Both places have that specific Canggu energy: barefoot surfers, laptop workers, and the occasional rooster wandering through.
Afternoon: Tanah Lot Temple
About 30 minutes from Canggu, Tanah Lot is one of Bali's most iconic landmarks — a sea temple perched on a rock formation just offshore. At high tide, the temple appears to float on the ocean. At low tide, you can walk across to the base of the rock (you can't enter the temple itself unless you're Balinese Hindu, but the exterior views are spectacular). The temple was built in the 16th century by a priest who traveled along the coast and chose this spot for its beautiful sunset views. Come in the afternoon and stay through sunset — the silhouette of the temple against an orange sky is unforgettable.
Late Afternoon: Finns Beach Club or La Brisa
Head back toward Canggu for some beach club time. Finns Beach Club is the big-production option with multiple pools, daybeds, DJs, and a party atmosphere that ramps up as the afternoon goes on. If you want something more bohemian, La Brisa is built entirely from reclaimed boats and driftwood right on Echo Beach — it looks like a shipwreck turned into a bar, and the design alone is worth the visit. Order a fresh coconut, settle into a beanbag, and watch the surfers.
Evening: Canggu Nightlife & Dinner
Start at Old Man's — the Canggu bar that's been the social hub of the surf community for years. Cheap beers, live music, beer pong, and a crowd that ranges from backpackers to expats who've been here for a decade. For dinner, Ji Terrace by the Sea offers elevated Indonesian cuisine with ocean views, while Fishbone Local does excellent grilled seafood in a more casual setting. End the night watching the sunset from Echo Beach — one of the best sunset spots on this side of the island, with hawkers selling cold Bintangs right on the sand.
Day 3 — Uluwatu & South Bali
Morning: Uluwatu Temple
Your final day heads south to the Bukit Peninsula, where Bali's dramatic cliff coastline meets the Indian Ocean. Start at Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), a clifftop temple perched 70 meters above the sea. The views are staggering — endless blue ocean crashing against limestone cliffs, with the temple silhouetted against the sky. Like the Monkey Forest, there are macaques here, and they're even bolder. Secure everything. A sarong is required for entry (free rentals at the gate). If you can time it, the Kecak fire dance performed at sunset on the cliff's edge is one of the most spectacular cultural performances in Bali.
Mid-Morning: Suluban Beach (Blue Point)
A short drive from the temple, Suluban Beach — also known as Blue Point — is a hidden beach accessed through a dramatic cave opening in the cliffs. You'll descend a steep staircase cut into the limestone, pass through a narrow cave, and emerge onto a small beach flanked by towering rock walls. The water is crystal clear and the surf break is popular with experienced surfers. Even if you're just watching, the setting is extraordinary. The caves and rock formations make this one of the most photogenic beaches in Bali.
Lunch: Single Fin
Single Fin is quite possibly the most TikTok'd bar in Bali. It's a cliff-edge bar and restaurant in Uluwatu with panoramic views of the ocean and the surf break below. The multi-level wooden deck is perched right on the cliff face, and watching surfers ride waves directly below you while eating fish tacos is an experience unique to this place. Sunday sessions with live DJs draw a crowd, but any day of the week the views and the vibe are worth the visit. Order the grilled catch of the day and a cold Bintang and settle in.
Afternoon: Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang Beach is the beach that put Bali on the Hollywood map — it was featured in Eat Pray Love, and it's been a social media staple ever since. Access is through a narrow crevice in the cliff, and the beach itself is a small crescent of white sand sheltered by rock formations on either side. The water is calm and impossibly blue. It gets crowded by midday, but in the early afternoon the day-trippers start to leave. Bring a snorkel — the rock pools at the edges have surprisingly good marine life.
Late Afternoon: Sundays Beach Club or Omnia Dayclub
For your last afternoon in Bali, go big. Sundays Beach Club is accessed via an inclinator that descends the cliffs to a private white-sand beach below. It's the kind of place that feels like a secret cove — kayaks, paddleboards, clear water, and a relaxed vibe. If you want something more high-energy, Omnia Dayclub is an architectural marvel built into the clifftop with an infinity pool that seems to spill into the ocean. The design is dramatic and the crowd is dressed-up — this is the Bali you see on luxury travel TikToks.
Evening: Jimbaran Bay & Farewell Drinks
End your Bali trip the way the island does everything best — on the beach at sunset. Jimbaran Bay is famous for its seafood warungs (simple restaurants) set up directly on the sand. You pick your fish, prawns, lobster, and squid from the display, they grill it over coconut husks right in front of you, and you eat it at a candlelit table with your feet in the sand as the sun drops into the ocean. It's not fancy. It's perfect. For a final drink, Rock Bar at AYANA Resort is carved into the cliff face 14 meters above the Indian Ocean — one of the most dramatic bar settings on earth.
Practical Tips for Bali
- Getting around: Rent a scooter if you're comfortable on two wheels — it's the fastest and cheapest way to get around (about $5-7/day). If not, hire a private driver for the day (around $40-50 USD for 8-10 hours). Grab is available in more touristy areas but not always reliable in Uluwatu. Avoid negotiating with taxi touts at the airport — use the official counter or pre-book a transfer.
- Temple dress code: A sarong and sash are required at all temples. Most major temples provide free or cheap rentals at the entrance. Covering your shoulders is also expected. Bring a sarong in your daypack regardless — you'll use it constantly.
- Money: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is the currency. $1 USD is roughly 15,000-16,000 IDR. ATMs are everywhere in tourist areas. Many restaurants and beach clubs accept cards, but warungs, markets, and smaller shops are cash-only. Don't change money at random street exchanges — use ATMs or authorized money changers.
- Best time to visit: Dry season (April through October) is ideal — sunny days, lower humidity, and the best surf conditions. Rainy season (November through March) brings afternoon downpours but also fewer tourists and lower prices. It still doesn't rain all day.
- Visa: Most nationalities can get a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at the airport for 500,000 IDR (about $30). It's valid for 30 days and extendable for another 30. Pay at the clearly marked counters before immigration. Have cash or a card ready.
- Avoiding tourist traps: Skip the overpriced "Instagram swings" (most are mediocre photo ops with long lines). Eat at warungs instead of Western-style restaurants — the food is better and a tenth of the price. And if someone on the street offers to be your "guide," politely decline and keep walking.
From Saved Videos to Boarding Passes
Bali was the destination that broke our saved folders. We had hundreds of TikToks and Reels stacked up — cliff jumps, temple ceremonies, rice terrace drone shots, plates of nasi goreng. The problem was never finding what to do. It was making sense of where everything actually was on the island and which things could be grouped together in a single day without spending half the trip in traffic.
We shared every video to Plotline, and the map did the organizing for us. Ubud spots clustered in the center, Canggu and Seminyak hugged the southwest coast, Uluwatu anchored the south. Three clear days, three distinct regions, zero backtracking. The itinerary above is exactly what came out of that map — real places from real videos, arranged into something you can actually follow.
If your Bali saves folder is already out of control, you're closer to this trip than you think.