Best Things To Do In Ubud | Top Sites & Sacred Places

Discover the top things to see and do in Ubud, the center of traditional arts, dance, and spirituality in Bali. From treasured, ancient temples, used today for vibrant traditional dance performances like Legong, Kecak, and Barong, to walks in emerald green rice fields, many yoga studios, multiple spas, art classes, galleries and museums showcasing local artists, cooking classes, and a huge variety of amazing, healthy food options, Ubud is the perfect place to reinvigorate the body and the soul. Plus, the Balinese are such friendly and kind people, you can’t help but smile when you’re here.

Ubud has long been considered a mystical place with healing powers, getting its name from the Balinese word ubad (medicine), as it was once a source of medicinal herbs and plants used for healing. As far back as the 8th century, Hindu worshippers made pilgrimages here and royal families sent family members here for healing. And with the 2006 book, Eat, Pray, Love, Ubud’s spiritual side only strengthened, with people from around the world visiting.

With all this, Ubud is a busy, bustling place. Even off-season. With so many people wanting to experience its charms and the surge in digital nomads, it can be quite chaotic. To help minimize this, plan your stay a bit away from the very center of Ubud. As Ubud is nestled near the lush rice fields of the central foothills, serenity is just a few steps from its busiest road, with beautiful bungalows situated within these peaceful paddies. Penestanen, on the west side of Ubud, is another great option, just a short drive from the city center.

Top Things To Do in Ubud

Ubud Palace, or Puri Saren Agung

Ubud Palace, formally known as Puri Saren Agung, is one of the top things to do here. Once home to the royal family of Ubud, this is now a cultural center and a fun place to wander. This palace is free to explore during the day.

At night, Ubud Palace comes alive with traditional dance performances, which were once held for royalty here. These highly choreographed dance dramas include vibrant costumes and are accompanied by traditional music. The performance here changes nightly, so check the schedule at ubudcenter.com, but the palace usually features traditional Legong or Barong.

Legong, performed here most frequently, tells the story of an ancient King and a maiden he found lost in the forest. Barong features the battle between Barong and Ranga, and depicts how good triumphs over evil.

Ubud Palace is located on the main road in Ubud, Jalan Raya Road, where it intersects with Monkey Forest Road. Performances start at 7:30. 2023 prices are 100,000 IDR, which is about $6-7.

The Water Temple, or Pura Taman Saraswati

This Hindu Temple, dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati, the patron deity of Ubud and the goddess of learning, wisdom, art, and music, is one of the most beautiful temples in Ubud.

Located only a few minutes walk west of Ubud Palace, the large ponds brimming with pink lotuses, traditional Balinese architecture with thatched roofs, intricate wood carvings, and fascinating statues, are a must see. This Temple is also free during the day.

Designed as an open-air space of worship, tourists can walk the grounds, but only Hindus can enter the actual temple.

The Water Temple also hosts traditional dance performances nightly. You can see the Kecak fire dance, which is a drama performed repel evil spirits, as well as Legong (noted above). Check the schedule for details.

The entrance to this temple is beside the Lotus Cafe (which is a great place to eat and admire the temple) on Jalan Raya, just a 3-minute walk west of Ubud Palace. Performances start at 7:30. 2023 performance prices are 100,000 IDR, which is $6-7.

Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a well-known natural habitat and sanctuary for over 600 Balinese long-tailed macaque, as well as a variety of plant species and trees. There are also three temples inside the park: Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, Pura Beji, and Pura Prajapati.

Visiting this sanctuary is one of the top things to do in Ubud, but please be careful. These are wild monkeys and they can be unpredictable at times. It’s fun to watch the monkeys, and (most) are accustomed to humans, but make sure to follow all safety protocols.

First, don’t enter the park with any food. The monkeys will know it and come after it. If they think you’re withholding it, they may become aggressive. They can and do, bite and scratch. Second, don’t wear jewelry, sunglasses, or other items as the monkeys will snatch them, using them to barter for food (they’re smart!). Keep a firm grip on everything else including wallets, purses, phones and cameras.

If a monkey becomes aggressive, stay calm. Stop what you are doing and slowly walk away. Don’t look them in the eye as this a sign of aggression and can escalate the situation.

There’s a reason that there’s a care clinic located right by the Monkey Forest. I was accidentally bit by a dog in Bali and had to go to his clinic (my fault and a different story). At the clinic, I learned that sometimes people come in daily that need rabies and tetanus shots from monkey scratches and bites. Sometimes multiple a day. Especially after the pandemic as the monkeys were not exposed to many humans when tourism was shut down. Trust me, this is not fun at all and can be very scary and quite expensive!

Because of this, I chose not to visit this park. Just walking by the sanctuary, I was able to see some of the macaque, which was enough for me. I also saw many macaques in Uluwatu, on Bali’s southwestern coast.

How To Get To The Monkey Sanctuary

The Monkey Sanctuary is located a 10-minute walk from the center of Ubud on Monkey Forest Road. Tickets are 80,000 IDR during the week and 100,000 on weekends. 60,000/80,000 for children (2023 prices). Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM.

By the way, the WhatsApp number for the Ubud Unicare Clinic there is +6282288880911. If you do get bit or scratched, it’s advisable to go to the clinic immediately for cleaning and care.

Walk Campuhan Ridge

Campuhan, which means “where two rivers converge”, is where the east and west Wos Rivers meet. Considered a holy place with healing properties, this area was founded by a Javanese priest named Rsi Markendya, who was on a spiritual quest in the 8th century. Hindu pilgrims followed, traveling here for cleansing rituals and healing. Because of this history, this sacred area is sometimes considered the origin of Ubud.

The ridge here is a serene and popular walkway overlooking the forest and rice fields with a gently terraced rice field at the end. It’s very popular to walk here around sunset.

Near the beginning of the trail is Gunung Lebah Temple (below left). It’s not open to tourists, but you can peak inside. As you walk along the trail, you’ll come across many local cafes, galleries, and shops along the rice fields.

Near the end of the trail, you’ll find popular Karsa Kafe (below center). Here you can sit in one of the raised huts overlooking the rice fields, or on the cafe rooftop for a panoramic view of some terraced rice fields (below right).

This free trail is a little over a half a mile (1 km) each way, so plan to spend at least an hour here. More if you stop for photos or a juice or meal. To avoid the heat, the best times to visit are early mornings and late afternoon.

Ubud Rice Fields Walks

In addition to Campuhan Ridge Trail, there are other amazing rice fields walks in Ubud. These rice fields are lush, serene, and easy to access, making a visit to one (or two) one of the top things to do in Ubud.

In additional to the beautiful scenery, and the fascinating history of rice in Bali, there are also many picturesque cafes and restaurants along these trails. Sweet Orange Warung, Pomegranate Cafe, Rumah Dadong, and Paddy Point are just a few. You can also find coconut stands, yoga studios, art galleries, and even art classes in the rice fields. You can also stay in the rice fields, as there are many bungalows and home stays here.

Most of the rice fields walks are located north of Jalan Raya Road (the main road in Ubud). There’s also a rice fields walk in Penestanen, which is located on the west side of Ubud. Honestly, Penestanen was my favorite. It’s the most beautiful and the least commercialized, but they’re all stunning. Especially directly after a rain when the sun comes out and the rice becomes a vibrant emerald green.

I’ve outlined detailed steps on how to get to these walks (as well as Campuhan above) and more amazing photos in my post of the Top 4 Rice Field Walks In Ubud.

It’s best to walk these fields in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat. Make sure to bring water and wear sunscreen. Also, some of the trails are better than others. This means sometimes you’ll be walking in muddy areas, so it’s best to wear good footwear.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces offer the iconic terraced rice fields you see in photos of Bali, really showcasing subak, the ancient form of irrigation used for rice farming in Bali for over a millennium. Located about 30-minutes north of Ubud, it’s an easy day trip, so quite popular. This also means, however, that it’s quite busy and commercialized. Especially near the entrance.

Once into the rice fields, and past all the swings, nests, and instagram spots, it’s a little easier to appreciate the lush scenic views. Unfortunately, they’re a bit overdone.

The trails may be challenging for those not accustomed to hills and can be slippery and muddy if wet, so wear good footwear if you plan to walk down into the fields. Also remember to bring water and sunscreen to walk here. As with the other rice fields walks, it’s best to visit early morning or in the afternoon. Especially at Tegallalang as it can get very busy.

After your walk, or instagram experience, have a drink or meal at one of the many cafes along the top of the ridge.

The entrance fee as of 2023 is 50,000 IDR and parking is 5,000. There are additional fees for the instagram experiences. Note that there may be rice farmers asking for small donations to walk on their land. Have small 10,000 IDR bills for this. 10,000 IDR is about $.65, so really reasonable for walking in their field.

Jatiluwih Rice Fields

The UNESCO listed Jatiluwih Rice Fields are a little farther away, about an hour and a half northwest of Ubud, at the foot of Mount Batukara.

They’re also much larger than Tegallalang. In fact, these rice fields are over 600 hectares, making them the largest in Bali. If you want to see natural, iconic, terraced rice fields in Bali, this is the place to visit. Plus, since they are farther away, fewer people visit, so they are less touristy.

Yoga

Yoga is huge in Ubud. This area has been considered a place for spirituality and healing for centuries and many still come here today to for the same reason. The Yoga Barn, made famous by the book Eat, Pray, Love, is the most iconic place to take a yoga class here. Plus they offer so much more than just yoga. There’s a variety of wellness opportunities, an amazing cafe, special events, trainings, accommodation, and more.

The facility is beautiful, an open-air 2nd floor studio overlooking the tropical paradise with many very talented teachers. That said, because it’s popular, it may seem a bit intimidating. It’s absolutely a great place to experience if you’re into yoga, but there are many, many other great yoga studios in Ubud.

Some other well-known locations include Ubud Yoga House, which is located in the rice fields, Intuitive Flow, which is in quiet Penestanen on the west side of Ubud, Radiantly Alive, Ubud Yoga Center, and many, many more.

How do you decide with all these options? Stop at a few of these places and see which ones you feel a connection with. Each offer different styles of yoga, and have different options, times, and prices. Try classes at a few different places. Then narrow it down to your favorite from there.

Eat Amazing Food

There are many amazing, inexpensive, healthy food options in Ubud. Delicious and beautiful creations full of fruits and vegetables, including vegetarian and vegan options seem to be everywhere. But there’s also pizzas and burgers, as well as Indonesian food, Indian, Korean, and more. There’s something for everyone here and so many choices, I can’t even begin to cover them here. Just know that you will probably be taking photos of your food here. Ubud is a food paradise.

Take A Cooking Class

On the topic of food, I highly recommend taking a Balinese cooking class in Ubud. Mine started in the local market, where we bought our supplies. Then we drove to a stunning, open-air kitchen in the rice fields and made 7 delectable dishes! You can read more more about my experience on Taking A Cooking Class In Ubud.

Unfortunately, I did not get the name of my cooking class as it was booked through my accommodation. If you Google ‘cooking classes in Ubud’, you’ll see several dozen, so this is a very popular, as well as delicious, thing to do in Ubud.

Try Ubud Raw Chocolate

You absolutely must try the chocolate at Ubud Raw. They are amazing! Chocolate made with Bali’s best organic cocoa beans, no refined sugar, preservatives, chemicals, or other such things. They are also vegen, gluten free, and GMO free. Simply divine! Especially if you’re into healthy versions of traditional sweets.

Many of the healthy cafes and restaurants offer them, so make sure to look for and try them! If you’re like me, you’ll be hooked forever. I miss them already…

Spas

Ubud is also packed with spas. The Balinese are best known for their massage and you’ll find a variety here. But you can also get manicures, pedicures, facials, and more at very reasonable prices. As you walk in Ubud, you will inevitably run into several spas in just a few minutes.

The most luxurious will be the spas inside the high-end resorts. These, however, will also be the most expensive. If you just want something basic, which will probably still be great, ask at your accommodation. They’ll be able to help you find the best place closest to you.

Art Museums And Galleries

As you explore Ubud, you will stumble across galleries and artwork all over town. Especially when walking in the rice fields noted above. I love that there’s so much creativity energy here. In addition to the variety of gallery artwork, Ubud also has some nice museums.

Puri Lukisan is Bali’s oldest art museum. It features modern traditional Balinese paintings and woodcarvings. This museum is centrally located, just west of the Ubud Water Temple off of Jalan Raya road. This museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily.

The Blanco Renaissance Museum, which sits on an hilltop overlooking the Campuhan River, is the former house and studio of one of the most famous artists to live in Bali, Don Antonio Blanco. Originally from the Philippines, he fell in love with Bali on an visit and moved here in the 1950’s. This museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily.

The Agung Rai Museum of Art showcases Balinese and Indonesian artwork from traditional to contemporary. It was founded by Agung Rai, a devotee to the preservation of Balinese art and culture. This museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily.

Take An Art Class

As Bali is known as a center of arts, taking an art class is a great thing to do in Ubud. The Balinese are such nice, patient people, I can’t think of a better place to try a new form of art. Plus, the typical class offerings center around Balinese traditional art, making this a cultural experience as well. Some top examples include traditional batik making and wood carving, as well as silver jewelry making.

A quick Google search shows several offerings, but check Airbnb experiences as well as I’ve also seen several there. I’ve even seen some of studios advertising classes while walking in the rice fields.

Rent a Scooter And Explore Ubud

Renting a motorbike, or scooter is a great option if you’re comfortable with driving one. It will make it easier to get around Ubud, as you’ll be able to zip around traffic, but it will also allow you to more easily explore areas around Ubud.

You must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your regular license to drive here. You can get this from your home country before you leave.

Make sure you rent from a well-known, reputable rental agency. I’ve read that there are scam rental agencies that rent bikes in bad condition or with scratches, then blame you for the damage when you return it. Look the bike over thoroughly, test drive it, and document any issues in writing or with a video before driving off with it.

Note: Recent news (March 2023) states that Bali may exclude tourists from renting scooters as so many have been flouting rules or being disrespectful. Please follow the rules and drive safely.

Take Day Trip To Trek Mount Batur

If you like to hike, arrange a tour to hike Mount Batur. A hike up to see the sunrise is the most popular trek here. This, however, means leaving very, very early, like 1 or 2 AM, for the one hour drive and two hour hike up to its peak. The tour groups often include breakfast cooked over the steam from the volcano. AllTrails notes this trail as a challenging 5.8 mile (9.3 km) out and back trail.

Unfortunately, I did not do this hike when I was here, so will need to make a return trip one day.

Goa Gajah, or Elephant Cave

Pura Tirta Empul

One of the largest and busiest water Temples in Bali, Pura Tirta Empul. This Temple is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu God of Water. It’s located in the village of Manukaya, about a 30-minute drive north of Ubud, and 5-minutes from Tegallalang, here.

Known for its sacred holy springs, it’s said to have been created by The God Indra and is used for purification and bathing. There are two purification pools and 30 waterspouts feeding them. Unfortunately, however, this Temple is known to be a little touristy.

Ganung Kawi

The Funerary Complex of Ganung Kawi, a short drive from Tirta Empul, has giant, ancient shrine reliefs carved into the face of a cliff, thought to be dedicated to members of the royal family of King Udayana. Although not technically a temple, it is UNESCO listed and revered by locals.

This complex is located in terraced rice fields about 30-minutes north of Ubud, and 10-minutes from Tegallalang. Be prepared for lots of steps. 300 of them!

Where To Stay In Ubud

With all the tourists visiting Ubud, here’s also many choices of where to stay. The center of Ubud can be quite congested, but usually the guests houses or hotels are a little removed from the busy streets. If you want true peace and quiet, stay in the rice fields themselves, or north of Ubud where it’s a little quieter.

Shoestring

The Jati Homestay, is where I stayed in I stayed on my first visit to Bali. It was very basic, but if you want to experience life in a traditional Balinese complex, it’s a great option. My room was quiet and located between the Monkey Forest and Ubud Palace, about a 10-minute walk to each.

Yoga’s House is a locally owned guesthouse that gets positive reviews. It’s located about a 10-minute walk south east of Ubud Palace and about 15 north of monkey Forest. Note that this place is named Yoga’s as that’s the owners name, not because they offer yoga classes.

Affordable

Nyoman Sandi Guest House is another guesthouse located a little farther out, about a 15-minute walk north of Ubud Palace, but located closer to Ubud’s rice fields.

On my most recent visit to Ubud, I stayed at Kubu Tropis, which has a nice chilled vibe. This small complex only has a few rooms, all facing the pool with tables for breakfast/internet use, making it a nice place to meet other travelers. It’s located on Bisma Road, about a 10-minute walk southwest of Ubud Palace.

Honeymoon Guesthouse Ubud also offers affordable stays, just up the street from Kubu Tropis. The spacious rooms are spread over two traditional compounds set in lush gardens overlooking lily ponds and stone statues. They also offer yoga classes at the yoga center across the street and cooking classes.

Moderate

If you want to stay in the Penestanen rice fields, look at Rumah Dadong. These charming, highly-rated villas, run by Erna and Yudi (wife and husband), book up quickly. They reportedly also let you visit their traditional house and learn more about their Hindu rituals…as well as have the snack shop noted in the blog above. At the very least, stop and chat with them there.

Tejaprama Bisma, also located on Bisma Street, is about a 10-minute walk from the Monkey Forest. This beautiful resort offers rooms overlooking the jungle in a quiet setting.

Splurge

Viceroy Bali is a (rare) family owned and operated 5-star hotel in a spectacular jungle ravine. In 2021 is won the World Luxury Hotel Award for the best luxury resort in Asia. They offer Yoga and Pilates classes as well as an opportunity to meet with a renowned Ubud shaman. It’s located about a 10-minute drive northeast of Ubud Palace.

The Kayon Jungle Resort Ubud, set in rainforest on the banks of the Petanu River, is an upscale, tranquil hotel with traditional Balinese styling. It’s for adults only, making it perfect for honeymoons, romance, healing, and relaxation. This resort is located north of the Tegallalang Rice Terraces.

This post may use affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you choose to make a booking or purchase through one of these links. This is at no additional cost to you. If you find my content helpful, please consider booking through me as it is completely win win!

Want More Of Bali?

To read more about Ubud, and what to do here, see the Top 4 Ubud Rice Fields Walks. They’re serene getaways from Ubud’s chaotic streets. Or read about my homestay with an extended Balinese family in Ubud, at My Homestay In Ubud, the perfect way to get a better understanding of local customs and culture.

To learn even more about the culture, read about the Cremation Ceremony I was invited to in Ubud. It may sound morbid, but surprisingly, it’s a fascinating celebration of life, as well a sending-off of the soul for rebirth.

If you want to explore some exotic, tropical beaches in Bali, visit Uluwatu. The beaches here are at the base of tropical cliffs on Bali’s southwestern coast. It’s known for its surfing, offers great yoga, great food, and has the clifftop Temple that this area was named after here, Uluwatu Temple.

For an interesting visit to some smaller, more cultural villages in Bali, read about the Small Villages of Munduk and Lovina. They are both a great escape from the more touristy parts of Bali (including Ubud) to see more culture, as well discovering a variety of stunning waterfalls and temples.

For an overview of all highlights of Bali, as well as logistics like safety, scams, money matters, and more, see my Ultimate Bali Travel Guide.

Safe Travels!

Julie