Post Summary: Ubud points of interest you should check out
Headed to Bali and seeking the best things to do in Ubud? It’s a popular village for tourists in the center of Bali that is well known for its vibrant art scene, yoga retreats, delicious health food cafes, and amazing nature.
Ubud is our favorite area of Bali to visit as it’s where you can find something for everyone. Whether you want to go waterfall trekking, temple hopping, or enjoy a coconut water after a yoga sesh it’s hard to get bored here.
Last summer it was the perfect place for us to kick back relax and enjoy life for a month while we caught up on some work and enjoyed the digital nomad lifestyle. This is a mix of our favorite places and things to do in Ubud.
The Best Things to do in Ubud
Catch Sunrise at Tegalalang Rice Fields
One of the bests things to do in Ubud is to see the Tegalalang Rice Fields. You’ve seen these bad boys in just about every Instagram post from Bali.
The terraces are pretty mystifying and will leave you wondering about the process, “Subak,” used to create the impressive landscape. It’s a technique that dates back over millennia in Indonesia catch it during one of Bali’s jaw-dropping golden hours and you’ll be taken back in time — just be prepared to go back to thousands of other tourists looking for the perfect Instagram shot.
They’re a short drive outside of Ubud and well worth making the stop if you have a motorbike or driver for the day. If you want any chance of a crowd-free photo best to head to terraces in the early morning, around sunrise.
There are actually a surprising amount of things to do at the terraces beyond just walking around them and snapping photos. You can take part in any number of the “insta-swings,” learn how to harvest rice, have a coconut, or go shopping for souvenirs.
I’m sure more activities are already on offer as the whole area is quickly developing – not necessarily in the right ways either. That being said rice terraces are a really stunning sight to see. We loved seeking out a number that is not tourist stops as they’re all over the island so you can still get the experience without all the crowds.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
Visit Pura Taman Saraswati
This temple offers a reprieve from the madness right in the center of Ubud. It’s a temple dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of art and wisdom.
Inside the temple is a plethora of wood carvings celebrating the goddess and fountains. Those fountains fill a large pool that is intended for customary bathing and drinking in order to gain some power from the goddess.
As with many of the temples in Ubud, a traditional show takes place in the evenings that you can enjoy for a fee/donation.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
Visit Handara Golf Course Gate
This isn’t really a thing to do in Ubud, but more of a photo to take outside of Ubud. You’ve likely seen the Handara Gates on Instagram, hell Instagram made the Handara Gates a thing. They are a set of gates and temples that date back several centuries.
For a long time, they just sat along the road and no one paid any mind to gates until they gain popularity on the social media platform. Now, it’s one of the top places to grab a photo in Bali just because it’s a cool setting for a photo in the mountain mist.
The Handara Gates are located in the highlands of Bedugul and are very easy to miss if you are just driving by, although they can easily be seen right from the road. Although, these gates look like they’ll take you back to ancient times in photos in reality it is the entrance to the Handara Golf Club, which is a popular Bali golf course.
They are super popular and the golf club has begun to charge visitors for a chance to grab an Instaworthy shot. It’s best to get here early to avoid crowds.
Walk the Campuhan Ridge Walk
One of the best free things to do in Ubud is enjoying the Campuhan Ridge walk. We were fortunate to stay right up the road during our month in Ubud so we made a few stops to clear our heads. If you’re looking to escape the crowds in the center of Ubud, Campuhan Ridge Walk offers the best scenery and views in Ubud.
It’s a long winding path that rolls over a ridge and provides views over a verdant valley. The path shows off Ubud’s natural landscape and it’s the perfect spot for sunset or a sunrise walk. It’s also a traffic-free place to run and exercise, just make sure not to go in the heat of the day and bring lots of water!
I should warn you like many gorgeous spots in Bali it can draw a crowd. As with most other places on this list getting here at sunrise will score you the most peaceful scene and best photos.
You can get to the ridge walk by following the road to IBAH villas. Keep walking until you lay eyes on the beautiful Pura Gunung Lebah Temple and turn there. Keep walking past the temple until space opens up to the ridge.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
Explore Puri Saren Palace
This is the Royal Palace of Ubud and it’s located right in the heart of Ubud next to the Ubud Art Market. The palace dates back to the 1800s and it was built during the reign of Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel.
To this day, parts of the royal family still live in sections of the palace. Not all of the palace is open to the public, but you are allowed to enjoy the wonderful Balinese gardens located inside.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
Indulge at Gianyar Night Market
If you’re looking for things to do in Ubud at night then you should definitely hit up the Gianyar Night Market. Night markets are fantastic throughout Southeast Asia, and the island of Bali is no exception.
If you staying in the Gianyar area I would recommend planning a night to go to the night market. This is where you can get cheap, good, and local food. Some great stapes are Gado Gado, Bakso, Ayam Betutu, Babi Guling, and a plethora of desserts. My personal favorites in Bali are Mie Goreng and Nasi Goreng.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
See the Cave at Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah, or the “elephant cave” is a 9th-century sanctuary that now is one of the most popular things to do in Ubud. Goa Gajah is an ancient Hindu and Buddhist temple with a very small cave used for meditation. If you like temple-hopping this is a beautiful place to head to for a quick stopover.
Honestly, I was expecting more out of the cave at Goa Gajah, but in reality, the cave is very small and it is really the whole site that deserves more attention. Women and men must cover themselves before entering, but a free sarong is included in the ticket price.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
Enjoy a Kecak Dance Performace
Kecak is a Balinese form of dance that combines music and drama. The spectacle is a must-see when visiting Bali so it’s little wonder why everyone recommends the show. The chants of a male chorus forming a ring make a sort of “enclosure” that sets the stage for the show.
Inside the circle are dramatic faces, elaborate costumes, and vivid actors and actresses that often tell the story of a battle from the Ramayana. The most popular place to see this dance is at Uluwatu Temple every night as the sunsets over the ocean, but it is also popular to do in Ubud.
Pura Dalem Taman Kaja is a Hindu Temple in the center of Ubud that has shows a few nights a week at 7:30 pm. Best to ask around in Ubud first for the show days as they change frequently depending on the season.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
See the Long Tail Macaques in the Monkey Forest
The Ubud Monkey Forest is a classic thing to do in Ubud for most visitors. I’ve visited twice – once in 2011 and again in 2018 and enjoyed both experiences. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is indeed a sacred temple where around 800 long-tail macaques live and can be observed by visitors.
115 species of trees have been identified here with many considered holy to the Balinese. Aside from being open to visitors, Ubud Monkey Forest is also a center for research and institutions to study monkeys’ social behaviors.
Monkey Forest can be hit or miss for most people and you either love it or hate it. Even though we’ve seen wild gorillas in Uganda and gone chimp trekking in Rwanda, we still found the monkey forest in Bali to be a fun thing to do if you have an hour or so to kill.
If you find yourself curious about the monkeys of Bali and venture into Ubud’s Monkey sanctuary here are some things you should know.
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
Treat Yourself to a Cheap Massage
A 90-minute massage for Rp 90,000 isn’t just a good deal, it’s an amazing deal for anyone. There are literally hundreds of massage parlors in Ubud so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a place.
If you are into massages, pedicures, manicures, or any kind of spa treatment the cost-to-service ratio in Bali can’t be beaten. Seriously, we’ve tried to find cheaper massages in Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam and it can’t be done.
There are so many massage establishments it can be really hard to find a clean and reputable one. My best advice is to look at Google and Tripadvisor to find businesses that have good reviews. We always like to see if others mention things such as hygiene and cleanliness.
Some of the better ones may require you to wait, or if you really want to play it safe and make sure you’re getting an A+ massage pay a little more (Rp 300,000) to go to a proper spa at a hotel or resort.
Bali was my first trip in Asia and below was the first my friend and I got cheap massages in 2011!
Practice Yoga
Bali is well known for being a spiritual place in the world. It’s well known in Indonesia that Bali is the Island of the Gods and is often listed as one of the best places around the globe to engage in meditation and yoga. It’s the perfect place to visit when seeking a tranquil yoga retreat.
As a full-time traveling yogi I was not going to miss my chance to experience the many great yoga studios around Bali. Ubud is the spiritual mecca of the island and you’ll find plenty of yoga studios to practice. Getting in touch with my spiritual side through yoga is easily my favorite thing to do in Ubud.
Even if you have never tried yoga before a trip to Bali is not complete with at least a stab at your downward dog – beginners are welcomed everywhere! My personal favorite is Intuitive Flow, which was right down the road from Yellow Flower Cafe, my favorite post yoga spot. The real magic of Ubud is the ability to relax and enjoy a healthy lifestyle by drinking turmeric lattes while reading a new book with a great view.
The views over the jungle here set the mood for any yoga session and its location away from town creates a quiet and peaceful environment. A drop-in class starts at Rp 100,000. Make sure to grab a fresh cold coconut in their reception after, for 15,000! You can also see all our favorite travel yoga mats here!
Location: Click here for a Google Maps Pin.
Shop At the Boutiques
If you like shopping at cute boutique stores you will love the shops on Jl Raya Ubud, the main street of Ubud. This is easily the most chaotic street in Ubud, but it’s also where you will find more of the shopping.
There are plenty of boutique shops to grab a few dresses, bathing suits, shoes, and whatever else you could need. I was even surprised to see a Starbucks here!
Raft Down the Ayung River
Adventure lovers don’t have to go far for some adrenaline in Ubud. The Ayung River is a great place to go white water rafting for a few hours. I’ve been white water rafting five times and this was among one of the more challenging (but not scary like the Nile in Uganda) white water experiences I’ve enjoyed.
Our guide was knowledgeable and showed us cool waterfalls and hidden gems along the river. The best part about the experience is that it is very inexpensive compared to white water rafting ventures in the west. One can have a half-day of rafting with lunch included for around Rp 450,000.
Take a Cooking Class
One of the best things to do not only in Ubud but all of Bali is to learn about Balinese cooking. Cooking classes are very popular and it’s easy to understand why as Balinese food is incredible!
Most cooking classes last a half-day and will start with a local family host taking you to the local markets to pick our fresh produce and ingredients, from there many hosts will explain more about Balinese culture and food before teaching you how to make a set dish.
Then it’s time to dive into the delicious food! Most cooking classes run about 400,000 IDR per person.
Marvel at Aling Aling Waterfall
Still, wondering what to see in Ubud? One of the top things to do in Bali is to chase waterfalls! Aling Aling waterfall isn’t exactly in Ubud, but it makes for a great day trip away from the cultural capital. Aling Aling is located in the north of Bali and is one of the most impressive waterfalls on the island. It takes over an hour to get to Ubud and Canggu, making it less popular than other Bali waterfalls and the perfect spot to enjoy nature. There are also three waterfalls around Aling Aling.
One that you can literally slide down (Kroya waterfall), one that you can cliff jump from, and one that you can just admire (although I have seen videos of some people jumping around it). The one that you can admire and the tallest is Aling Aling. All waterfalls are close together and connected via an easy cement path.
It costs Rp 20,000 to enter and view the waterfalls, but you will need a guide if you want to swim. The guide costs Rp 175,000 and is completely unnecessary and only there to watch you swim and make sure you don’t die.
We opted for the viewing ticket only. Although, Cam did take a dip in the pools anyway. Don’t forget to stop at the rice fields and snap a photo on the way in, and grab a coconut on the way out!
Eat Healthy/Cafe Hop
If you are one that watches what you eat and enjoys lemongrass chilled tea with an acai smoothie bowl you will never want to leave Ubud. Seriously there are so many good eats around here and for a fraction of what you would pay for healthy food back home.
While traditional Indonesian food may not be the healthiest, the Balinese have caught on for visitors’ want for Buddha Bowls, leaf-wrapped veggie burgers, tofu scrambles, and almond chai juices. You can find a hip cafe on almost every corner of Ubud and although it is more expensive to eat here than at a true local (or warung) in Bali, at 60,000 IDR for a turmeric smoothie bowl it’s hard to complain.
It’s also worth noting that Bali is one of the few places we have found in the world that truly caters to vegan and vegetarian diets. Seriously, on every menu, you can find amazing vegan and vegetarian dishes. No more side eye rolls for stating you’re a vegetarian here.
Some of our favorite places to eat in Ubud are:
Sekumpul Waterfall
The Sekumpul village anchors this dreamy waterfall. Sekumpul consists of multiple cascades gushing downwards in slightly different styles. Only the determined tourist will take on a trip to this waterfall; besides what seems like 500 steps of stairs, you have to deal with the slippery nature of the paths and vegetation. However, in our opinion, this is the Bali waterfall to see so it is all worth it!
Visiting Sekumpul waterfall costs just 20,000 IDR. Once you arrive at the town entrance at the top of the falls you will have locals telling you to pay 175,000 IDR to enter, however, this is not necessary unless you want a guide. The trek is not hard if you are reasonably fit and you do not need a guide to take you to the waterfall, so just walk past the persistent locals (who even have official shirts on) and continue on your own.
This isn’t to say the guides are bad, we had a great one that took all our photos. Having a guide to guide you around makes life a lot easier; they will lead you through a trail that cuts across the village, where you can see daily village life and the locals hard at work in the rice paddies on the way. Our guide also always kept his eyes on our day bags while we were taking photos.
Regardless of the time or effort spent getting to this waterfall in Bali, the view more than makes up for it – it will take your breath away. The cascades, the surrounding vegetation, and the rocky floor of the waterfall are stunning vistas and make for some memorable photos. You could spend hours taking pictures – that’s how magnificent the scenery.
Rent a Motorbike
There are a few ways to get around Ubud. Many of the things I mentioned are walkable depending on where your accommodation is. It’s also possible to rent a bicycle although sometimes the streets and sidewalks can be a bit hectic. The most popular way to get from point to point efficiently and fast in Ubud is with a motorbike rental.
Motorbike rentals in Bali generally start at 70,000 IDR a day, but in the low season, you’ll be able to negotiate that down to 50,000 IDR or so. Many hotels or guesthouses will have their own motorbikes or know someone that has a motorbike so that should be your first point of contact for nabbing one. If you can’t seem to find a reputable motorbike seller walk into any laundromat or fuel station and they should be able to help you out. Please for the love of God wear a helmet!
The Best Places to Stay in Ubud
The center of Ubud these days has turned into a loud, noisy, and traffic-congested mess. We spent three weeks hanging around Ubud and tried to keep our time in the town center to a minimum. The best areas around Ubud are the outer villages filled with villas, homestays, and resorts.
Most of our time was spent in the village of Penestanan. The small villages and neighborhoods of Ubud are filled with tons of great hidden gems like local warungs, cafes, yoga studios, and plenty of villas. It’s easily where I would tell anyone to book their accommodation in Ubud.
How to Get to Ubud from Ngurah Rai International Airport
There are a few ways to get from the airport to Ubud. The first and cheapest option is to take a public minibus, or bemo, which can cost anywhere from Rp 10,000 to 50,000 depending on how good your haggling skills are. If you want to travel to Ubud via bemo it’s best to get an early start.
It’s also possible to get your own private taxi for an affordable price. This is what we did from our airport hotel and the drive took us about 1.5 hours. We paid Rp 350,000 and it was well worth the convenience of having our own private taxi to chill out in and bring us right where we needed to go.
However, our taxi driver kept asking us if we wanted to stop at random shops (likely his friends’ businesses) where we were expected to spend money on things we had no interest in. A polite no thank you is all you need to say should this happen to you.
We have also used both Grab and GoJek, apps similar to Ubud in Bali, and found their prices to be the most competitive.
Plan For Your Trip
- Protect Your Trip: We don’t travel without travel insurance, nor should you. You never know what can happen while traveling, so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans.
- Find Cheap Flights: Sign up for Going (formerly Scotts Cheap Flights) to get notified when prices get low.
- Book a Rental Car: We use Discover Car to book all our rental cars! You can also read our top tips for renting a car abroad here.
- Travel Adapter: Make sure you find a good adapter to keep your personal electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
- Travel Backpack: We like the Nomatic Travel Backpack for our travels. Check the price here.
- Our Favorite Travel Shoes: Our answer to this question is always ALLBIRDS! Check them out on their site!
- Get a Travel Credit Card: We travel worldwide for free because we have leveraged our spending into points. See why you should get a travel credit card and how you can do the same with our favorite travel credit cards.
