Ubud · Ubud, cultural heart of Bali
Things to do in
Ubud
Rice terraces, water temples and craft villages set among the forested hills of the island's interior.
- Ideal stay
- 3 to 4 nights covers the temples, terraces, walks and a craft village or two.
- Best time
- The dry season from April to October gives the clearest walking weather; mornings are calmest year round.
- Getting around
- A private driver or scooter reaches the outlying temples and terraces; the town centre is walkable.
- Good to know
- Bring a sarong and sash for temples, and start popular sights early to beat the tour coaches.
Ubud is where Bali's Hindu culture, art and landscape come together in one walkable upland town.
Ubud sits in the cooler central hills of Bali, ringed by rice terraces, river gorges and villages known for wood carving, painting and silverwork. The town grew around its royal palace and a cluster of temples, and it remains the island's centre for dance, craft and wellness. Days here mix temple visits, ridge and rice-field walks, and slow mornings over coffee, with the coast well over an hour away. It suits travellers who want culture and green scenery rather than surf and beach clubs.
Before you go, read up on money and the rupiah, getting around by ferry, bus and car, the best time to visit and staying safe and healthy.
-
01 Sacred forestSacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Monkey Forest is a wooded temple reserve on the southern edge of town, home to several hundred long-tailed macaques. Shaded paths run past moss-covered statues, a stream and three old temples used by the surrounding community. The monkeys are wild and bold, so food and loose items are best kept out of sight and out of bags. It is an easy, atmospheric introduction to how forest, temple and daily worship overlap in Bali.
Entry around 80,000 rupiah (about 5 US dollars), open roughly 09:00 to 18:00; a short walk south of the centre down Monkey Forest Road.
Tip. Do not carry food or dangle sunglasses and phones, as the macaques will snatch anything within reach.
-
02 Rice terracesTegallalang Rice Terraces
Tegallalang is a steep valley of sculpted paddies about 20 minutes north of Ubud, shaped by the traditional subak irrigation system. Narrow paths cut down and across the terraces, passing coconut palms, small cafes and photo swings perched on the slope. Local farmers often ask for a small donation to cross their land, which keeps the paths open. Early morning brings soft light and far fewer people than the middle of the day.
Small entry and path donations of around 20,000 to 50,000 rupiah (about 1 to 3 US dollars); roughly 20 minutes north by scooter or driver.
Tip. Arrive before 08:30 to walk the terraces in cool light and avoid the coach crowds and midday heat.
-
03 Water templeTirta Empul purification temple
Tirta Empul is a spring-fed temple north east of Ubud where Balinese Hindus have come to bathe for over a thousand years. A row of carved spouts feeds a clear bathing pool where worshippers move along in sequence, ducking under each fountain in turn. Visitors may join the ritual with a sarong and a guide's explanation, or simply watch from the walkways. The complex also holds courtyards, koi pools and the source spring itself.
Entry around 75,000 rupiah (about 5 US dollars), open roughly 08:00 to 18:00; about 40 minutes north east, best paired with Tegallalang.
Tip. Bring a dry change of clothes and a small towel if you plan to enter the purification pool.
-
04 Ridge walkCampuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a paved path that follows a grassy spine between two river valleys just west of the centre. It climbs gently past tall grass and scattered trees, with open views that feel far from the town traffic. The full there-and-back route runs a couple of kilometres and can be extended into the hills beyond. It is free, easy and best done at first light or late afternoon.
Free; open all day; the trailhead sits beside Pura Gunung Lebah, a short walk or ride from central Ubud.
Tip. Start at dawn to beat the heat, as the ridge has almost no shade once the sun is up.
-
05 Royal townUbud Palace and evening dance
Ubud Palace, or Puri Saren Agung, is the historic seat of the local royal family and still frames the centre of town. Its carved gates, pavilions and shaded courtyards can be visited free during the day. In the evening the front courtyard hosts Balinese dance performances, including Legong and Barong, accompanied by a live gamelan orchestra. The nearby art market and Saraswati temple with its lotus pond are a few steps away.
Palace free by day; dance tickets around 100,000 rupiah (about 6 US dollars) for shows from roughly 19:30; in the town centre.
Tip. Buy dance tickets in the afternoon and arrive early for a central seat with a clear view of the stage.
- 06 Food and craft
Markets, warungs and craft villages
Ubud is a good base for tasting Balinese food and meeting the makers behind the island's crafts. Warungs around town serve dishes such as nasi campur, babi guling and hearty vegetable jackfruit stews. The morning market sells produce, spices and offerings before it turns to souvenirs later in the day. The lanes towards Mas, Celuk and Tegallalang are known for wood carving, silverwork and painting studios.
A warung meal costs around 40,000 to 90,000 rupiah (about 3 to 6 US dollars); markets and studios sit in and just north of the centre.
Tip. Visit the traditional market before about 09:00 to see it trading food rather than tourist goods.
Top-rated Ubud tours
The best-reviewed guided experiences right now, live from Viator, with free cancellation on most.
Free cancellation
Popular
PRIVATE Authentic Balinese Cooking Class in Ubud at Putu's Home
Free cancellation
Ubud Tour - Ubud Highlight - Private Tour All inclusive
Free cancellation
Ubud Adventure All Inclusive Private Day Tour
Free cancellation
Ubud Private Tour - All Inclusive
A first-timer's three days
A relaxed way to fold the essentials into a long weekend, keeping the busiest sights for the cooler ends of the day.
Town and temples
- Walk the Campuhan Ridge at first light before breakfast
- Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest and the Saraswati lotus temple
- Watch a Legong or Barong dance at Ubud Palace after dark
Terraces and water
- Reach the Tegallalang rice terraces early for a quiet walk
- Continue to Tirta Empul for the purification pools
- Return for a late lunch at a warung in town
Craft and market
- Browse the morning market before it turns to souvenirs
- Tour a wood carving or silver studio towards Mas or Celuk
- Finish with a cooking class or a slow river-view dinner
Insider tips
A few things that make Ubud smoother, and keep the trip easy.
Start the sights early
Tegallalang, the Monkey Forest and Tirta Empul fill with coaches by mid-morning, so an early start pays off.
Carry a sarong
Temples require a sarong and sash; bringing your own saves rental fees and lets you move between sites freely.
Hire a driver for the day
A private driver reaches the outlying terraces and temples in one loop and costs far less than several separate trips.
Respect ceremonies
Processions and offerings are part of daily life; give way, keep quiet and never stand above a praying worshipper.
Ubud things to do: FAQ
How many days should I spend in Ubud?
Three to four nights lets you see the temples, rice terraces and ridge walks without rushing, plus a craft village or class.
Is Ubud good for families?
Yes, the Monkey Forest, gentle walks and cultural shows suit families, though small children should keep their distance from the macaques.
How far is Ubud from the beaches?
The southern beaches are roughly an hour to ninety minutes away by car, so Ubud works best for culture and scenery rather than surf.
What should I wear at the temples?
A sarong and sash with shoulders covered are required; many temples lend them at the entrance, but bringing your own is easier.
When is the best time to visit Ubud?
The dry season from April to October gives the best walking weather, while early mornings are calm and cool at any time of year.