Best Day Trips from Seminyak

Seminyak is one of Bali’s most popular bases for good reason — upscale dining, excellent shopping, beautiful sunsets, and easy access to the rest of the island. But as much as Seminyak delivers on food, nightlife, and beach vibes, the real magic of Bali lies beyond its borders.

The great news is that Seminyak’s central south coast location makes it an ideal launching pad for day trips. With a private driver, you can reach most of Bali’s major attractions within 1-2 hours. Here are the best day trips to take from Seminyak, organized by direction and interest.

Ubud: Culture, Nature & Rice Terraces

Drive time from Seminyak: 1-1.5 hours (depending on traffic)

A day trip to Ubud is practically mandatory for anyone staying in Seminyak. The two areas could not be more different — Seminyak is sleek and cosmopolitan, while Ubud is lush, spiritual, and steeped in Balinese culture.

What to Do in a Day

Morning: Start at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Arrive before 9 AM to beat the crowds and get the best light for photos. The UNESCO-recognized subak irrigation system here dates back centuries, and walking through the cascading paddies is one of Bali’s most iconic experiences.

Mid-morning: Visit Tirta Empul, the sacred water temple where Balinese Hindus perform purification rituals. You can participate yourself — wear a sarong, follow the sequence of fountains, and experience something genuinely moving regardless of your beliefs.

Lunch: Eat at a warung with rice terrace views along the Campuhan Ridge. Ubud’s restaurant scene ranges from $3 nasi campur plates to high-end tasting menus.

Afternoon: Explore the Ubud Monkey Forest, wander through Ubud’s art galleries and artisan shops, or take a cooking class if you have scheduled one in advance.

Pro tip: Traffic between Seminyak and Ubud is notoriously bad between 8-10 AM and 4-7 PM. Leave early and come back late to avoid sitting in gridlock on the Denpasar bypass.

Uluwatu & The Bukit Peninsula

Drive time from Seminyak: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

The southern tip of Bali — the Bukit Peninsula — is a completely different world from the flat, developed south coast. Dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden beaches tucked into coves, and some of the best surf breaks on earth.

What to Do in a Day

Morning: Head to one of the Bukit’s hidden beaches. Padang Padang is the most famous (and most crowded). For something quieter, try Thomas Beach or Green Bowl Beach. Sundays Beach Club in Uluwatu offers clifftop-to-beach access with day beds, snorkeling gear, and a kayak.

Afternoon: Visit a beach club. Savaya (formerly Omnia) is built into the cliffs with an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. The Lawn is more relaxed. Single Fin has the best surf-watching perch on the island.

Sunset: Uluwatu Temple’s Kecak fire dance performance at sunset is one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences in Bali. The temple sits on a 70-meter cliff edge, and the performance — with dozens of men chanting in concentric circles around a fire — is unlike anything else. Book tickets in advance during peak season.

Dinner: The Bukit has excellent seafood restaurants along Jimbaran Bay, where you dine on the beach with your feet in the sand while grilled fish is prepared in front of you.

Tanah Lot & Tabanan

Drive time from Seminyak: 45 minutes

Head northwest from Seminyak and you reach Tabanan regency — a less-touristed region known for its sweeping rice terraces, traditional villages, and Bali’s most photographed sea temple.

What to Do in a Day

Morning: Visit Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is far less crowded than Tegallalang. The landscape here is vast and rolling — you can walk for hours through paddies without seeing another tourist. Bring good shoes and water.

Lunch: Stop at a local warung in Tabanan town. This area gives you a taste of Balinese life away from the tourist bubble.

Late Afternoon: Arrive at Tanah Lot temple by 4 PM to explore before the sunset crowds peak. The temple sits on a rocky outcrop in the sea and is one of seven sea temples forming a chain along Bali’s southwestern coast. At low tide, you can walk out to the base. At sunset, the silhouette against the sky is genuinely spectacular.

Add-on: The Taman Ayun royal temple in Mengwi is en route and worth a 30-minute stop — beautifully maintained gardens and far fewer visitors than the major temples.

Mount Batur Volcano Trek

Drive time from Seminyak: 2 hours (you leave at 2 AM)

The Mount Batur sunrise trek is one of Bali’s most popular activities, and doing it as a day trip from Seminyak works perfectly because you need to start absurdly early anyway.

How It Works

Your driver picks you up around 2 AM. You drive to Kintamani, meet your trekking guide around 4 AM, and hike for about 2 hours in the dark with headlamps. You reach the summit of this active volcano (1,717 meters) just as the sun rises over the caldera lake and neighboring Mount Agung.

Breakfast is cooked using volcanic steam at the top. You descend by mid-morning, and most people add a stop at natural hot springs nearby before heading back.

You will be back in Seminyak by early afternoon with the rest of the day free — which usually means collapsing by the pool, and you will have earned it.

Fitness level: Moderate. The trail is steep in sections but does not require technical climbing. Decent shoes are essential.

Nusa Penida Island

Travel time from Seminyak: 1 hour drive to Sanur + 30-45 minute fast boat

A Nusa Penida day trip is absolutely worth the early start. This island off Bali’s southeast coast has some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in all of Indonesia.

Must-See Spots

• Kelingking Beach: The T-Rex shaped cliff that has become one of Indonesia’s most famous viewpoints. The hike down to the beach is steep and not for everyone, but the view from the top is free and extraordinary.
• Angel’s Billabong: A natural infinity pool formed in the rock where the ocean meets the cliff. Swimming is possible at low tide but dangerous at high tide — check conditions.
• Broken Beach: A natural rock archway over turquoise water. No swimming, but the views are incredible.
• Crystal Bay: The best snorkeling spot, with clear water and a chance to see manta rays.

Important: Nusa Penida’s roads are rough and the distances between sites are longer than they look on a map. Book a day trip package that includes a local driver on the island.

Waterfall Circuit: North of Ubud

Drive time from Seminyak: 1.5-2 hours

Bali has dozens of stunning waterfalls, and several of the best are clustered in the hills north of Ubud, making them perfect for a single day trip.

Recommended Waterfall Route

1. Tibumana Waterfall — Start here early (8 AM). Short walk through bamboo forest to a peaceful swimming hole. Rarely crowded.
2. Kanto Lampo Waterfall — Unique cascading formation over stepped rocks. Great for photos.
3. Tegenungan Waterfall — The most popular, but popular for a reason. Powerful falls with a large swimming area.
4. Tukad Cepung Waterfall — End your circuit here. A hidden cave waterfall where light streams through a crack in the rock above. Best visited before noon when the sun is overhead and the light beams are at their most dramatic.

This circuit can be done comfortably in 5-6 hours including travel time, leaving you back in Seminyak by late afternoon.

White Water Rafting on the Ayung River

Drive time from Seminyak: 1.5 hours to the put-in point

White water rafting on the Ayung River near Ubud is one of Bali’s best adventure activities and works perfectly as a day trip from Seminyak. The Ayung has Class II rapids — fun and exciting without being terrifying — and the scenery through the jungle gorge is stunning.

The full experience takes about 2 hours on the water, with carved rock faces, small waterfalls, and dense tropical vegetation on both sides. Most operators include lunch at the finish point.

Combine it with: A stop in Ubud on the way back. You will pass right through, and an afternoon of gallery hopping or a late lunch works well after the adrenaline of the river.

Lovina & North Bali

Drive time from Seminyak: 2.5-3 hours

This is the longest day trip on the list and works best as an overnight. But if you start very early, a single-day circuit through North Bali is possible and deeply rewarding.

The Route

Early morning: Drive north through the mountains, stopping at the Twin Lakes (Buyan and Tamblingan) viewpoint.

Mid-morning: Visit Gitgit or Sekumpul waterfall. Sekumpul is often called the most beautiful waterfall in Bali — a multi-stream fall surrounded by lush jungle — but requires a moderate hike.

Lunch: Eat at a Lovina beachfront warung. The black sand beaches of North Bali have a completely different, much quieter feel than the south.

Afternoon: Stop at Ulun Danu Beratan temple on Lake Beratan for the classic postcard shot of the temple appearing to float on the water.

Note: If you can make this an overnight trip, add dolphin watching at sunrise from Lovina. Wild spinner dolphins are spotted on most mornings.

Canggu & Pererenan

Drive time from Seminyak: 20-30 minutes

Technically not a “day trip” given the proximity, but spending a full day exploring Canggu and Pererenan from a Seminyak base is well worth it.

How to Spend the Day

Morning: Surf lesson at Batu Bolong beach — Canggu’s most beginner-friendly wave.

Brunch: Canggu’s cafe scene rivals Melbourne and Bali’s other foodie hubs. Crate Cafe, Milk & Madu, and The Shady Shack are local favorites.

Afternoon: Rent a scooter and explore Pererenan’s quieter rice field roads. This area gives you a glimpse of what Canggu looked like ten years ago — more peaceful, more local, and genuinely beautiful.

Sunset: Catch the sunset at Echo Beach or Batu Bolong with a Bintang in hand. The surfer silhouettes against the evening sky are quintessential Bali.

Tips for Day Trips from Seminyak

1. Book a private driver. At $40-60 for a full day (8-10 hours), a private driver is the best value in Bali travel. They know the roads, handle the traffic, and can adjust plans on the fly.

2. Leave early. Traffic out of Seminyak can be brutal from 8-10 AM. A 7 AM departure makes a significant difference.

3. Combine destinations. Most of the trips above can be mixed and matched. Ubud + waterfalls is a natural combo. Tanah Lot + Jatiluwih works well together. Ask your driver for suggestions.

4. Carry cash. Many temples, waterfalls, and rural warungs do not accept cards. Small bills are especially useful for parking attendants and entrance fees.

5. Dress appropriately for temples. Sarongs are required at all Balinese temples. Most major temples provide them, but carrying your own is more comfortable and respectful.

Let Gede Plan Your Day Trips

Not sure which day trips to prioritize? Gede has driven thousands of travelers around Bali and knows exactly how to structure a day to maximize your time without rushing. Tell him what you are interested in, and he will build a custom itinerary that fits your pace, your budget, and your curiosity.

Get your free personalized itinerary →