This itinerary hits three of the best backpacker hot spots in Bali, staying at fun hostels, enjoying the best nightlife, experiencing three unique locations where the vibes are high.

This area has boomed in the last few years to become a hub for amazing food, nightlife and lifestyle establishments like co-working spaces, gyms and of course padel. With many fun day clubs, bars and nightclubs and fun hostels too, this is a great place to start. Some hostels I recommend below:

Kos One - centrally located, super modern, comfortable and beautiful with a lagoon style pool and waterslide. Their pool is also open to the public as Alternative Beach and they have big pool parties on Saturdays.

Lushy - not as central but I would say this hostel has more social events. Also very comfortable and modern with a nice pool area and bar where they play bar games.

Canggu recommendations:

Things to do:
- Surf lesson
- Shopping
- Spa/massage
- Yoga
- Padel
- Uma Desa walking track (rice fields)

Cafes:
- Mimpi Grocery
- Kynd Community (vegan)
- Bread Basket Bakery
- Times Beach Warung (on the beach)
- Brunch Club (try their porncakes)
- BREKKY Cafe
- Mowies

Restaurants:
- Luma
- Sa Mesa (dining experience, I highly recommend)
- MASON
- Sababa
- Secret Spot (vegan)
- Penny Lane
- Shelter
- ORIGEN
- iam Vegan Babe 
- Shady Shack (vegetarian)
- Billy Ho
- The Barn (Sunday roast - prebook)

Day Clubs:
- La Brisa (for sunset)
- FINNS (best for partying)
- Atlas (worlds largest beach club)
- Mari 
- Boheme 
- Le Bajo
- Lima Bay

Bars/Night Clubs:
- Luigis Hot Pizza (Mondays)
- Desa Kistune (Tuesdays & Fridays)
- Black Sand Brewery (Fridays)
- Old Mans
- Motel Mexicola
- Sand Bar (1am onwards once Mexicola & Old Mans closes)
- Miss Fish
- MESA
- Vault

Day Trips:
- Ubud (rice terraces, temples, monkeys and waterfalls)
- Munduk (bigger and quieter waterfalls & temples)
- Seminyak (more beach clubs, eateries and good shopping)
- Tabanan (Tanah Lot Temple & Luna Beach Club)

Get my complete Bali guide: https://stan.store/thewanderlusttimes/p/get-access-to-bali-hotspots

Gili T is the most lively of the three Gili Islands. Make your way to Padang Bai harbour to get a ferry across to Lombok. This ferry ride can be rough so prepare if you're prone to sea sickness. I recommend going as early in the morning as possible as the sea is typically calmer in the morning.

Recommended hostels:

Mad Monkey - known as a social and party hostel on the west coast of the island. They host foam parties, drinking games and the bar is often pumping (even to visit as a guest). It faces the sunset so sits on the west of the island and is a little bit of a walk from the ferry terminal and main street. Meaning you may have to walk with your luggage for 15-20 minutes or get a donkey-pulled cart (I do not recommend, this is pretty cruel for the donkeys).

M Box - also a social hostel/hotel in a more central location. They are also connected to one of the best bars on the island Tequila Sunrise. They offer family dinners every night, free shots, beer pong tables and more.

Gili T recommendations:

Things to do:
- Snorkel and find turtles at Turtle Shore
- Do a boat tour to the underwater statue
- Watch the sun set on the west coast
- Hire bicycles and cycle around the island
- Watch a movie at one of the open air cinemas
- Enjoy the local special shakes (iykyk)

Cafes: 
- Cats Of Gili and Kafe Kucing - cat shop and cafe
- Kayu Cafe
- Mana Anu Cafe

Restaurants:
- Mexi Koko
- La Cala Beach Club
- The Banyan Tree (vegetarian)
- Lolita
- Naty's

Bars & clubs
As the island is so small, the venues alternate on who will stay open the latest to make it fair. Best to ask the locals which bar will be best on the nights you visit but here are some of them:
- Ombak Bar
- Tequila Sunrise
- Sand Bar
- Pinkcoco Beach Club
- Exile Bar (sunset)
- Melon Bar (they have baby goats you can feed)
- Skinny Dip Sunset Club
- Hula! Sunset Beach Club
- Rabbit Jump
- Mad Monkey (backpacker bar)

Or get my complete Bali guide including the Gili Islands: https://stan.store/thewanderlusttimes/p/get-access-to-bali-hotspots

The surf capital of Bali with the best beaches, sunsets and cliff top views. A relaxing but fun end to your trip with some of the island's biggest nightclubs and events in this corner of paradise.

Hostel recommendations:

Bali Bobo Hostel - a cosy hostel just outside of Uluwatu in Jimbaran. It's an affordable option but not ideal as it is a 30-40 minute drive from most of the popular spots in Uluwatu. Can be social, but depends on people and not known as a party hostel.

One Degree Sunset Hill - a bit of a fancy option for your final few nights, sat up on a hill with an infinity pool and views out to the ocean. The hostel is very modern and clean and can be social depending on who is there but isn't known to be a party hostel.

Lay Day Hostel - this new hostel isn't on Plannin yet but looks to be modern, social/party and in a great location (book separately).

Uluwatu recommendations:

Things to do:
- Surf lesson
- Uluwatu Temple
- CWK Cultural Park
- Shopping in Kuta
- Padel @ Island Padel
- Yoga
- Spa/massage
- Sunset at Karang Boma Cliff
- Bali Wake Park
- Go Karting

Beaches:
- Padang Padang (high tide)
- Dreamland (sunset)
- Uluwatu Beach 
- Ausin Beach (Dreamsea Surf Camp)
- Green Bowl Beach
- Melasti Beach
- Bingin Beach

Cafes:
- The Place With No Name
- The Mango Tree Cafe
- The Cashew Tree
- Alchemy (vegan)
- Ours
- Suka Espresso

Restaurants:
- Morabito Art Cliff (best spot for sunset)
- MASON
- Ulu Fish Market
- Gooseberry
- Shaka Tacos
- La Baracca
- Sushimi
- YUKI
- Ulu Artisan
- Ulu Garden
- The Cave at The Edge (restaurant in a cave)
- Koral (Aquarium restaurant)

Day Clubs:
- Single Fin (for sunset)
- Palmilla (Instagram aesthetic)
- Sundays Beach Club
- Savaya (best at night)
- Oneeighty Day Club 
- Ulu Cliffhouse
- El Kabron

Bars/Night Clubs:
- Hatch (most lively with nightly events)
- Disco Pizza Palace (Mondays)
- Tabu (restaurant that turns into club)
- The Cashew Tree (Thursday nights - live music)
- Single Fin (Sundays)
- Ape Club Brewery

Day Trips:
- Nusa Dua (water sports, beaches, resorts, Canna day club)
- Sanur (dining on the beach watching the sunset)
- Nusa Penida (snorkeling tour or land tour)

Get my complete Bali guide: https://stan.store/thewanderlusttimes/p/get-access-to-bali-hotspots