Kuta is Bali's liveliest beach town, ten minutes from the airport, with a long surf beach famous for sunsets, shopping streets, Beachwalk mall, cafés and Indian restaurants within walking distance of most hotels. (3 nights)
The Gili Islands are three tiny islands off Lombok with no cars or motorbikes, just bicycles and horse carts (cidomo), white-sand beaches and clear water for snorkelling with turtles. (2 nights)
Ubud, in the green hills of central Bali, is the island's cultural heart: rice terraces, temples, art markets, the Monkey Forest, yoga studios and resorts overlooking the jungle. (2 nights)
Nusa Dua on the southern peninsula is Bali's resort enclave, with calm, clean beaches, large international resorts and the Tanjung Benoa water sports beach right next door. (3 nights)
Read our guide to where to stay in Bali to compare the areas.