Top Things to Do in Ubud & Surroundings (Bali)

Ubud, the artistic and cultural hub of Bali, is a mandatory stop during your trip to Indonesia. This enclave, surrounded by extensive rice paddies, is what makes Ubud an essential destination for any visitor to the island.

Ubud is the heart of Bali, so there are a lot of activities to participate in Ubud and surrounding areas. Furthermore, this inland village offers numerous opportunities for those interested in yoga or meditation.

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We spent two days in Ubud throughout the 7-day Bali itinerary we undertook as part of our 20-day trip to Southeast Asia.

If you are searching for suggestions for a trip to Bali, do not forget to feature some fundamentally important areas to explore in Ubud as part of your itinerary.

1. Ubud Market. The most important thing to do in Ubud

The Ubud Market is, without uncertainty, a vibrant place to visit in Bali. There, you’ll discover thousands of stores where handcrafted bags, Balinese masks, crafts, traditional art pieces, and all kinds of momentos are sold. Additionally, you’ll discover local food stalls.

Even if you don’t intend to make any purchases, touring this marketplace is still an integral site to experience in Ubud. Leisurely strolling along its narrow, not yet overly tourist-filled streets counts among the top activities in Ubud.

This town is considered the creative center of Bali, partly thanks to its exceptional marketplace. However, beyond the Ubud Art Market, you’ll find many impartial art galleries where you can purchase even more novel souvenirs. If you enjoy photography, don’t miss the Nacivet Photo Gallery, on Jalan Monkey Forest Street, which brings us to the second most pertinent place to explore in downtown Ubud.

2. Monkey Forest. An essential place to visit in Ubud

Experiencing the playful monkeys of the Monkey Forest is one of the most fun activities in Ubud.

The Ubud Sacred Monkey Woodland is famous for housing a macaque colony. The monkeys are so used to tourists that they won’t hesitate to approach, play, ask for food, steal things, or even bite you.

While the little ones might seem harmless, never interact with or feed wild creatures. I allowed some monkeys to climb on me, and one of them bit me. Thankfully, I had obtained adequate travel insurance for Indonesia that helped me with everything, however you still must exercise great caution.

The entrance fee for the Monkey Forest is IDR 20k ($1.42), although I recommend double-checking the official website.

Inside the forest, visitors will find several fantastical figures that lend an enchanting atmosphere to the attraction.

The jungle has grown over everything, so aerial roots unfold everywhere, consuming statues, bridges, and everything within reach. I advise you to go to the areas furthest from the entrance. There, you’ll find more jungle and fewer tourists. This area is one of my favorite places to visit in Ubud

3. Puri Saren Agung. The Ubud Royal Palace

Puri Saren Agung, the Royal Palace of Ubud, is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and entrance is free. Visiting this palace, which is located right in front of the Art Market, is one of the best activities to partake in in Ubud. Also, it will take you no more than half an hour.

As the royal family continues to inhabit the palace grounds, entrance for the general public is limited to a very specific area of the complex. The section open to visitors includes an interior courtyard decorated in traditional style which, when not crowded with sightseers, exudes incredible energy. Legends in fact claim the palace was constructed precisely at that location owing to the magnetism of the surroundings.

At night, traditional dance exhibitions are usually held in the main courtyard. If you want to know what days of the week to see them and what types of dance will be on, you can find the information at the palace gate itself. Experiencing a Kecak dance show is an essential activity to do in Ubud, although we decided to do it elsewhere in this town, as I’ll tell you about later.

4. Pura Taman Saraswati. The best temple to visit in Ubud Center

The temple of Pura Taman Saraswati was constructed in honor of the goddess of knowledge, literature, and art. It’s located on the same street as the market and the royal palace, so it’s one of the temples of Ubud that you should not miss.

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If you don’t have much time, these first four recommendations encompass the essential activities to engage in Ubud in a single day.

5. Rice terraces in Ubud

Ubud is surrounded by terraces of rice, and, although it’s accurate that they aren’t the most iconic rice terraces in Bali, if you don’t want to hire a tour to go to Tegalalang, they’re a magnificent choice.

The most beautiful views in Ubud are to the west and can be reached on foot from the center. If you are unsure what activities to enjoy in Ubud at sunset, I recommend strolling along Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Street to admire how the sun sets over the rice terraces.

The 0.6 mile trail departs from the main street of Ubud and crosses diverse rice fields. If you want to observe them when they`re vividly green, I suggest traveling during the optimal time to visit Bali.

To reach our destination, we downloaded the Maps.me app on our mobile device to gain access to an offline map of Bali and requested directions to Sari Organik, an organic eating establishment where we drank from a coconut before returning to the center of Ubud.

6. Goa Gajah. A must-visit place in Ubud

Although it’s somewhat far, Goa Gajah is an essential place to visit in Ubud.

Known as the Elephant Grotto, it is accepted that this sacred hiding place helps scare away terrible spirits. On the outside, the face of a scary beast is carved into the stone through whose jaws you can get to the grotto.

Once inside, you’ll see a depiction of Ganesh (with an elephant head) with many offerings at his feet.

The cave is small, but what really makes this a suggested place to visit in Ubud is its surroundings.

Just outside the cave entrance are two rectangular pools replenished with purifying water by female stone statues. However, my favorite section is farthest from the opening, where a tree exhibiting exposed roots planted in the same year construction of the temple started can be seen.

Visiting Goa Gajah costs 15k IDR ($1 approx.). If you don’t carry your own sarong to cover your legs, you can borrow one at the entrance.

To reach the Elephant Cave, you can walk approximately 3 miles from Ubud (around 1 hour). I did not feel comfortable renting a motorcycle in Bali myself ( as discussed in this article), so instead I hired a bicycle to get to the Elephant Cave. However, if you rent a scooter in Ubud, using the scooter would likely be the quickest choice.

These first six locations round out the list of our recommended things to do in Ubud in two days. The following recommended places to visit in Ubud are only suggested if you have more time.

7. Campuhan Ridge Walk

Campuhan Ridge Walk is one of the finest walking paths to traverse in Ubud. Along this 1-mile stone-paved trail, you’ll stroll amidst greenery and rice fields dotted with giant palm trees. From this route, you’ll likely catch sight of one of the most iconic views in Bali.

The route starts at Warwick Ibah, an incredible villa near the Pura Gunung Lebah temple, west of Ubud. At the end of the road, you’ll arrive at Karsa Spa, where receiving an authentic Balinese massage is among the essential activities to participate in within Ubud.

The trail presents a fairly ease gradient, allowing it to be covered at a leisurely pace in around two to three hours. Though parts involve some elevation changes, it remains suitable for all skill levels owing to its accommodating profile.

The optimal time to visit is at dawn when shadows are minimal, as the midday heat makes walking uncomfortable. Also, remember to carry water as there are no cafes initially on the trail.

8. ARMA. Something to do in Ubud when it rains

If you don’t know what to do in Ubud when it rains, jot down this idea. The ARMA museum has a fantastic grouping of artworks compiled by Agung Rai, a Balinese man who has dedicated his life to the preservation of traditional masterworks.

The exhibition space is situated within the four-star rated Arma Museum & Resort. Entry to the museum costs IDR 80k ($5.6), though guests of the resort receive free admission to the exhibition.

Another main attraction of the visit is the incredible tropical garden located within the complex. However, unless one has an passion for art, I would not necessarily consider exploring this to be essential during a trip to Ubud Bali, though it remains an suitable option if it happens to be raining.

9. Pura Dalem Ubud. Something to do in Ubud at night

There are numerous temples in Ubud that host traditional dance performances on varying days and locations, as well as different dance types. Possibly the most popular is the Kecak Fire and Trance, where fire and mysticism serve as central elements.

Since the solitary day we had free to see this cultural dance act was a Monday, we made the decision to visit the Pura Dalem Ubud. Entrance was 75k IDR ($5.30 approximately), and even though the temple is not necessarily a must-see area to explore in Ubud city, the exhibition was worthwhile.

The Kecak is music without instruments, where all the sound comes from the voices of a group of over 100 men. These men, dressed in black-and-white-checkered sarongs, appear to enter a trance-like state during the show.

Repeating sounds are accompanied by a narrative presented by human characters and monsters with highly distinctive outfits that dance hypnotically.

For first-time visitors to the island, this experience is recommended, though I offer a warning that it may not warrant repetition on subsequent trips.

You can check dates, times, places and styles of conventional dances in Ubud on this list.

10. Ubud surroundings

There are many attractions to explore in Ubud and its vicinity, and we have left the last item on our list to briefly tell you about other places you can visit from Ubud. This list is quite long, since most Bali tours depart from this town, so we’ve focused on destinations within a 30-minute drive of the city center.

The 9 points above are activities to do in Ubud in three days, but if you have some more time, dedicate it to exploring Ubud and its surroundings in more depth:

• Tegalalang: The most well-known rice fields in Bali are just 17 minutes north of Ubud. As a matter of fact, Dan took a bike trip to see them, so they are fully accessible from Ubud.

• Ubud Swing: One of the most famous swings on the island, the swing known as the Bali Swing, located 20 minutes west of the center of Ubud. If experiencing swinging with incredible views of the surrounding jungle is what interests you, it will cost 385k IDR (around $27). As seen, it isn`t affordable, though near the previously mentioned swing lies an Airbnb accommodation called the Zen Hideaway containing a swing with equally spectacular scenery for 250k IDR (roughly $18).

• Waterfall areas near Ubud: Located approximately 20 minutes east of Ubud by vehicle, there is a region containing multiple impressive waterfalls. Some of the most notable include the falls of Wisata Air Terjun Kanto Lampo and Air Terjun Tibumana.

• Temples near Ubud:Finally, half an hour from the center of Ubud to the north, and very close to Tegalalang, there are two temples that deserve seeing near Ubud: The Tirta Empul, popular for its sacred waters, and the Pure Gunung Kawi, which stands out for its Candi, where the souls of royalty are buried symbolically. Visiting these two places would be something to do in Ubud in 4 days.

Best tours from Ubud

As mentioned previously, Ubud is the best area to lodge in Bali, since many excursions depart from here. One option is to book tours from Ubud for the morning and spend afternoons exploring the center of Ubud.

The most important excursions to undertake in Ubud are:

Context Travel: Introduction to Florence (3 hour 30 minutes) – During this tour, a local specialist helps provide background on Florence`s prominent sites and neighborhoods while discussing the city`s fascinating history. Visits are included to see Michelangelo`s renowned statue David and the Accademia Gallery`s collection.

• Surroundings of Ubud: This private tour takes you to Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, Goa Gajah, and Monkey Forest.

• Cycling through Tegalalang`s rice fields: You can participate in this tour riding bicycles to view the rice terraces of Tegalalang, which was part of Dan`s itinerary during his Bali visit.

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• Bedugul + Tanah Lot: Also from Ubud, one of the few tours leaves that takes you to my favorite temple: the Ulun Danu Bratan. In addition, it includes the rice fields of Jatiluwih and the incredible temple of Tanah Lot.

Best accommodation in Ubud

Ubud is an essential place to explore in Bali, so it isn`t surprising that it has the largest selection of hotels on the whole island. Additionally, it has some of the top villas in Bali, mainly located in the jungles and rice fields next to the city. These Ubud villas, usually provide free shuttle service to the center of Bali, so they`re usually the best option for couples or newlyweds.

If you’re looking for simpler and more affordable hotels in Ubud, don’t worry. In Ubud, there are cheap accommodations that are also very high quality. To help you choose where to stay in Ubud, we’ve selected the 4 best options and sorted them according to budget.