What is Ubud known for?
Located in central Bali, Ubud is surrounded by many ancient rice terraces and extraordinary temples. The name is derived from the Balinese word 'ubad', meaning medicine which may explain the presence of many medicine men in Ubud. Ubud is also known as a thriving art centre, with many craft shops, galleries and some of the best art museums in Indonesia. Furthermore, it is also the place to take a yoga course in Bali.
Sights of Ubud
There are many sights in and around Ubud for which you will need at least three days to see them. To get you started, below are the main sights of Ubud.
Puri Saren Agung palace
Near the Ubud Art Market is the palace of Ubud's royal family: the Puri Saren Agung palace. This palace was built in the 19th century during the reign of Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel and was then well maintained by his successors. You will find beautiful Balinese architecture. The palace is also known for the traditional Balinese dances performed in the evening.
Pura Taman Saraswati
The picturesque ponds filled with lotus flowers is the main attraction of Pura Taman Saraswati, which is just a stone's throw from Ubud's main road, Jalan Raya Ubud. This beautiful spot provides the backdrop for dance and music performances at night, for which you can buy a ticket at Café Lotus.
Monkey Forest
Around Ubud are several parks in which the grey Balinese macaques live, the Monkey Forest being the most famous for its central location and easy accessibility. Also called the ' Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal', the park is one of the most popular attractions in Ubud and is well maintained.
Apart from the monkeys playing, there are some beautiful temples to admire, overgrown with moss. When visiting, be aware that the monkeys can be quite cheeky, so keep your belongings close to you in a bag and preferably don't wear shiny things like sunglasses. The Monkey Forest is open daily from 8am to 6pm.
Two macaques in the sacred Monkey Forest.
Famous bridge in the Monkey Forest.
Goa Gajah temple
Located just outside the centre of Ubud, the Goa Gajah temple is one of Bali's most impressive archaeological sites. At the bottom of the steps, you'll find a courtyard filled with relics and the important 11th-century 'cave'.
This cave is called the 'Elephant Cave', from which Goa Gajah gets its name. However, don't expect a giant cave filled with elephants, but a small meditation cave.
You will also find a Hindu temple and several baths with fountains on the premises. Goa Gajah is open daily from 8am to 4pm.
The entrance to the 'Elephant Cave'.
Ponds at the Goa Gajah temple. Photo by Alfons Taekema.
Tegallalang rice terraces
The Tegallalang rice terraces just outside Ubud are famous for the beautiful views of the rice fields, which use the traditional Balinese 'subak' irrigation system. The rice terraces are next to a road in a cool, windy area and you can descend - if you want - to walk through the middle of the rice fields.
At the top, you will find some kiosks and cafes and you can comfortably enjoy the stunning view. You don't have to pay an entrance fee. When walking through the rice fields, a local may ask you for a small fee, though.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
For a simple morning nature walk, the Campuhan Ridge Walk is a good place to take a break from the bustling centre of Ubud. Here, you can enjoy the fresh air and one of the most beautiful hill views in the region in peace. The short walk starts at the Gunung Lebah temple and you might encounter a few joggers and other hikers along the way, but often and especially in the morning, you'll have the whole path to yourself. Make sure you do have plenty of water with you if you want to do this hike.
Tegenungan waterfall
Halfway between Denpasar and Ubud you will find the Tegenungan waterfall. For nature lovers, this is a great opportunity to admire a waterfall not too far from Ubud. To see the waterfall up close, you will first have to descend quite a few steps.
Once at the waterfall, you can swim towards it in small shallow water. It is also possible to take a staircase to see the waterfall up close from the top.
The water volume of the waterfall is impressive almost all year round, but usually strongest during the wet season from October to April.
Admission here is 15,000 Rupiah (about €1).
Museums
As mentioned, there are many museums to admire in Ubud. One of the most popular is the Blanco Renaissance Museum, located at the top of a hill overlooking a valley. The museum was the home of flamboyant Filipino master Don Antonio Blanco and displays paintings, collages, illustrated poetry and lithographs of his favourite subject: nude Balinese women.
Exterior of the Blanco Renaissance Museum.
Another much-visited museum is the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), which consists of two main buildings exhibiting a large collection of artworks.
Another unique museum is the Setia Darma House of Masks, which displays more than 1,000 masks and 4,000 dolls from all over Indonesia, Africa, China, Latin America and Europe.
Pura Gunung Kawi
A little further outside Ubud, near the Pakrisan River is the Gunung Kawi temple complex. A long staircase takes you into a ravine. On either side of the ravine you will find beautiful carved statues called Candis in the rocks. The monuments date back to the 11th century and were probably made for the royal family of the Udayana dynasty.
The Gunung Kawi temple. Photo by Alfons Taekema.
Pura Tirta Empul
Close to the Gunung Kawi temple, near the village of Tampak Siring, is also the Pura Tirta Empul. This is a Hindu temple built in the year 962 during the Warmadewa dynasty. The temple is known for its holy water. You will therefore find many Balinese families performing cleansing rituals in the water near the temple.
Balinese take a bath in the holy water.
Furthermore, Ubud is also an ideal base to explore sights further north and east of Bali, such as the Pura Ulun Danu and Pura Besakih temples, the many waterfalls and volcanoes.
What to do in Ubud?
In and around Ubud, there are plenty of activities you can do. When you say Ubud, people quickly say yoga, but also think about cooking classes and inexpensive massages and spas.
Bird lovers can spot thousands of egrets in the nearby village of Petulu, where they look for a place to sleep in the trees at the end of the afternoon every day.
The area around Ubud is also ideal for mountain biking and exploring on your own. The roads can be hilly, so check your brakes carefully beforehand.
Another popular activity near Ubud is whitewater rafting on the Ayung River. This trip takes about 2 hours and you will encounter cool rapids in beautiful surroundings.
Eating in Ubud
Ubud has rapidly become one of the best places in Bali when it comes to food. From restaurants in the middle of rice fields to roadside stalls serving local specialities, Ubud offers a wide selection of dining options. Apart from Balinese cuisine, there are plenty of fast food, Italian and Mexican restaurants, but our advice is still to try the local cuisine above all. Some tips:
Ibu Oka Warung, famous for its babi guling - roasted 'suckling pig'.
Café Lotus, where you can watch an evening dance show with the Pura Saraswati temple in the background.
Sari Organik, which serves organic food with a great view of the surrounding rice fields.
Laka Leke, local specialities served in a quiet, serene setting.
Alchemy, 100% organic vegan food, and also sells loose produce.
Seniman Coffee Studio, where they have elevated coffee making to a scientific art form.
Seniman Coffee Studio. Photo by Alfons Taekema.
Shopping in Ubud
Ubud is the place to be in Bali for lovers of arts and crafts. You'll find some of the island's most important art markets, the most famous of which is the Ubud Art Market opposite the Royal Palace. You can find countless paintings, traditional clothes and other knick-knacks here. You will also find many fashion boutiques, galleries and other shops with both local and international designer brands on the main street Jalan Raya Ubud (and its side streets).
The Ubud Art Market. Photo by Alfons Taekema.
Staying in Ubud
There are over 1,400 accommodations in Ubud from which to choose to stay. From simple guesthouses and hostels to mega luxury resorts with private pools
Iconic are hotels like Viceroy Bali and Hanging Gardens of Bali, less pricey but still luxurious are, for example, Labak River Hotel or Suarti Boutique Village. View and compare all hotels in Ubud here on Booking.com.
For those seeking an opulent experience, 5-star accommodations offer an unrivalled level of luxury and service. Discover the finest 5-star hotels in Ubud at https://www.all-balihotels.net/en/ubud-hotels-15271/5-stars/ for an unforgettable stay in the heart of Bali.
Travelling to Ubud - how to get there?
Ubud is located in central Bali and from the airport (just below Kuta) it's just over an hour's drive to get there. Airfare to Bali starts from €600 and there are plenty of drivers at the airport to take you to Ubud.
To put together your own Indonesia roundtrip/Bali trip with building blocks, check out 333 Travel, Riksja Indonesia or Van Verre, which offers, among others, the building blocks cycling in Ubud and active around Ubud.
Any comments? Additions?
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35 Ubud travel experiences and tips
Roy on 13-11-2017
"Charming place among the rice fields"
Lovely place! Mostly known for the monkey forest, but that's not the interesting thing about Ubud at all. Ubud is full of galleries, has really good restaurants a number of hip drinking spots. There is a lot of wellness, the hotels there are very nice (we were in Komaneka Monkey Forrest) with friendly staff.
If you're there a bit longer, a bike ride is also worthwhile, as is an evening performance of traditional dance/music.on 12-11-2017
"Ubud: my favourite"
During my 3 weeks of travelling around Bali, I spent (only) 3 days in beautiful Ubud. Despite being incredibly touristy and busy, I found this no problem at all in Ubud. Ubud is of course known for the popular Sancred Monkey Sanctuary which is definitely worth a visit. I also did an incredibly fun Indonesian cooking course here at Jambangan Bali Cooking Class. Definitely recommended. While being taken towards the location of the cooking class, we passed the Tegallalangrice fields where we were able to stop for a minute for an epic photo. I also took a yoga class at the Yoga Barn in Ubud (you must have done this once in Bali anyway) and then enjoyed the delicious food and drinks they offer there (the Chai Latte is highly recommended). Taking at least one massage in Bali is also definitely a must. I did this in Ubud, among other places, at The Bodywork Centre. Here I got a full body massage plus scrub & flowerbath for an hour and a half for just 14 euros. Now this is still on the 'expensive' side for Bali, it is certainly possible to get a massage for even cheaper elsewhere. During my time in Ubud, I stayed at the Dewa Hostel. Very small hostel but definitely a good one. It is very central and not expensive. Furthermore, it's easy to get to Goa Gajah (elephant cave) from Ubud, which is also definitely worth a trip.
In the future, I will definitely go back to Ubud again to enjoy this great town even longer.fenne helmich on 10-11-2017
"Ubud: paradise in the rice fields"
The vibe in Ubud is hard to describe but as far as I'm concerned it really is a very relaxed town with beautiful temples, fantastic rice fields and gastvrjie people. And the food is just as good as in other parts of Indonesia. Tip: rent a scooter to explore Ubud and its surroundings and just take a side street when driving towards the famous rice fields, here you will find rice fields without tourists.
Lisa Koops on 10-11-2017
"An all time favourite"
For me, Ubud really is one of the very nicest villages in Bali. It is very relaxed, the people are hugely friendly and calmly pose for your photos and you can do all sorts of things. I have been there twice in October and it is not too touristy then, but it seems to be different in July and August. If you need any souvenirs, this is the place to score them! This is also a great place to bargain as there is so much on offer. Massages are also available on every street corner here.
For some adventure, head to the monkey forest, where the monkeys can be really cheeky. Don't bring any food and be careful with drinks too. I had a water bottle on the side of my bag that a monkey was after. He jumped on the back of my bag, grabbed my bottle, emptied it on the ground and licked up the water. What shrewd animals they are! From Ubud you can take many tours around the island. There is another monkey forest near Ubud, where the monkeys are a lot sweeter and more willing to pose on your shoulder for a photo. This is also where many tours go.
My favourite homestay in Ubud is Rumah Roda, which is family-run. They are incredibly sweet, have wonderfully spacious rooms including a fridge(!), a nice little pool and traditional breakfast which is a surprise every morning. It's not right in the centre, so you're not bothered much by the busy traffic you see here either.
Fantastic and super cheap food is at Arimas warung, which is on a side street to the west on the north side of jl. Monkey Forest. Here I had the best soto ayam ever, deliciously spicy (not spicy!) and tender pieces of chicken: a true delight!Hidde on 03-11-2017
"Nice village in the middle of Bali"
Ubud is one of the fun villages in Bali - there is plenty to do, including Monkey Forest, rice fields, coffee plantations and temples. In Ubud you can get wonderful massages and you can eat delicious food - for the NL'ers you can also get croquettes etc. When you go to Monkey Forest in Ubud which costs IDR 50,000 (about 3.50) you have to remember to keep your bag closed, as the monkeys are very curious. Just outside the city you will find the campuhan ridge walk, a nice walkin Ubud, best done in the morning. The start of the walk is quite difficult for some to find , but it is close to the Ibah Hotel. The ridge walk is free of charge.
Rudi Peeters on 01-11-2017
"Beautiful town, oasis of calm"
Ubud is obviously touristy. The film "East, Pray, Love" did ensure this. That does not mean it is not worthwhile. It is not really much more than a village, but beautifully located among the rice fields. The nature around Ubud is downright beautiful! You can take beautiful walks from Ubud, with or without a guide. The famous Campuan Ridge walk is beautiful, fun and doable for everyone. In the evening it cools down nicely, which is also nice once in a while.Again, it's best to eat at the local warung, and you'll find the best babi guling and bebek betutu in all of Bali!
Marco Sterk on 01-11-2017
"Ubud, how beautiful you are...."
Ubud is in the middle of Bali and, given its location, very hot with high humidity. When booking accommodation here, it is very advisable to have a swimming pool nearby. It is especially fun to go on a cycling or walking tour in the area, then you will encounter real life as far as I am concerned.
It's also great fun to visit the Bali Bird park or Monkeyforest, both a fun way to get acquainted with these tropical animals.Leon Runnenburg on 30-10-2017
"Tourism at its best"
When I read about Ubud beforehand, I thought I would end up in very relaxed village among all yoga-loving women. Nothing was further from the truth, I've come across few places on a trip as packed with tourists as Ubud. You almost fall over each other. Still, Ubud does have its charms. For instance, you can visit rice terraces in the area, you have lots of nice cafes and restaurants, and you have the fun Monkey Forest. I myself stayed in a cheap hostel, Dewa Hostel, but didn'tlike the atmosphere very much. In general, people there seemed mainly interested in themselves.
Willemijn Buijn on 30-10-2017
"Mega touristy but couple of days is fine"
Very busy, but nice to just walk through the shopping street, have a nice meal.
Then book bike tour going downhill and then lunch with locals; highly recommended.
Lots of yoga options. Lots of vegan options.
Cooking class is really fun to do. I appreciate my rice table all the more.
Personally, I have nothing to do with a monkey forest, but there were people who really super enjoyed it. Morning tour up the mountain with sunrise a must.Sanne on 29-10-2017
"A nice village in Bali"
Ubud is busy, but very cosy. When I'm in Bali I usually spend 3 nights in Ubud. You can do all kinds of things there like visit the market, see the rice plantations and see temples. You can also get a lovely massage and eat there. At Nomads a restaurant in Ubud you can eat delicious food on lounge sofas at a good price.