As Bali’s cultural capital, many of the best things to do in Ubud involve experiencing holy sites, Balinese Hindu customs, and meeting local artisans. Tucked away in the interior uplands, Ubud’s low-key town feels a world away from the coastal resorts, remaining a land of tradition and unapologetically green panoramas.
From the town’s sacred forests and royal dwellings to the ubiquitous rice terraces, verdant foothills and millennium-old water temples on its fringes, Ubud’s ethereal energy is a constant. Spend a few hours soaking up Bali’s sacred and spiritual epicenter, and you’ll soon understand why, out of Indonesia’s 17,000-odd archipelago, this one was dubbed the “Island of the Gods.”
Whether you want to partake in a perennial cleansing ritual, meet cheeky monkeys or creative communities, or simply surround yourself with serene nature, these are Ubud’s top experiences.
Find Peace in the Rice Paddies
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Given the Balinese’s penchant for fried rice, it’s little surprise that much of the island’s landscape is carpeted in vivid rice fields. But these lush paddies are more than just substance; they’re also Bali’s most swoon-worthy sights.
One of the most popular things to do in Ubud is visit the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, north of the town. Rising from the slopes of a river valley, these tiered rice fields shaded by soaring palms are especially picturesque when the thin terraces glisten underwater.
Irrigated by the ninth-century, UNESCO-recognised Subak water management system, the cultivated landscape is an ancient engineering marvel. Walk across the narrow, grassy ridges snaking between the terraces away from the juice bars, scenic swings, and zip line, and you’ll soon find a peaceful panorama to call your own.
Peek Inside a Royal Palace
Royal Palace
While the Ubud royal family—Bali was historically split into separate kingdoms—no longer holds any official powers, they still retain their long-held royal residence in the heart of Ubud.
Reconstructed following a devastating 1917 earthquake, the Ubud Royal Palace is now open to all.
Relatively modest for a palatial complex, the most impressive features are the Balinese embellishments, including the intricate wood carvings crafted by the talented villagers from nearby Mas and the ornate Puri Saren Agung temple.
Be Transfixed by Traditional Dance Performances
Kecak
Representing tradition, mythological beliefs, and dramatic storytelling, the many forms of traditional Balinese dance are enthralling.
Most common are the Kecak, a flame-wielding, chanting visual feast, and the refined Leogang, where gold-adorned dancers perform complex finger movements.
Seeing a live performance of either is one of the most fascinating things to do in Ubud. Both are regularly performed in the Ubud Royal Palace, the ornate backdrop further enhancing the experience.
Shop for Souvenirs at Ubud Art Market
Ubud Art Market
Artisans and creatives have long been lured by Ubud’s inspiring energy, making the town a destination in its own right for those seeking typical and authentic souvenirs.
At the vast, partly-covered, daily Ubud Art Market, you can buy directly from many local communities operating stalls here. Some of the best souvenir purchases are batik sarongs, hand-woven bags, and carved wooden trinkets.
As Ubud’s popularity has grown, so has the number of mass-produced designs. While browsing the stalls, be sure to enquire about the backstory behind any item to ensure you’re purchasing a genuine, locally made product.
Meet Ubud’s Mischievous Macaques
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Serene and shaded, central Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit in Bali. It blends weathered holy shrines and temples with a playground for more than a thousand wild, long-tailed macaques.
Meeting the monkeys—and if you’re not careful with your belongings, being accosted by them—is one of the top things to do in Ubud. Yet, the naughty primates are far from the forest’s only pull.
Within the lush grounds of Banyan trees, ferns, and dense vegetation, you’ll stumble across multiple moss-coated 14th-century temples. Most are only accessible by locals for prayer or burial purposes. Still, the exterior statues at Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, the largest salmon-hued temple, are visible from the walking path.
Stroll Ubud’s Most Scenic Trail
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Shrouded by dense vegetation, Ubud’s scenic setting lends itself to a serene, birdsong-soundtracked stroll. There are numerous trails, but the Campuhan Ridge Walk has become the most established for good reason.
The paved walking path traces the ridge, providing vistas over rice paddies and coconut palms as rivers trickle past below.
An easy-going amble, the 2.4-mile return route takes under an hour to complete—though you’ll undoubtedly want additional time to pause and photograph the landscape.
Find Waterfalls Hidden in the Foliage
Tegenungan Waterfall
Ubud might not have Bali’s sugar-sand beaches on its doorstep, but that doesn’t mean a refreshing dip isn’t on the cards. A clutch of cascades, offering dramatic swimming spots hemmed by foliage, are found nearby.
Even if the chiller inland waters aren’t appealing for a plunge, the island’s pretty collection of waterfalls are visit-worthy for their serene settings. Sinkhole-like Suwat Waterfall and fern-hemmed Pengempu Waterfall are within striking distance of town.
Stray further south, and you’ll arrive at Tegenungan Waterfall, one of Bali’s most famous. After paddling in the refreshing waters, retreat to Omma Dayclub for a jungle-view lunch and a dip in the swimming pool.
Embrace a Water Temple Ritual
Pura Tirta Empul
One of the most unforgettable things to do in Ubud is to embrace the island’s waters in another way: joining locals for a millennia-old sacred bathing tradition.
A handful of Balinese Hindu water temples are on the town’s fringes. Sacred and spiritual, these petirtaans, or bathing places, have welcomed countless people over the centuries to partake in a melukat, a purification ritual and ceremony believed to wash away evil spirits and purify the soul.
Visit Pura Tirta Empul, one of the most famous, and you’ll witness the ritual performed across three holy springs. It’s an incredible sight as bathers descend the weathered stone steps to submerge themselves in one of the sacred pools.
Completing a melukat yourself is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in Ubud, so ensure you bring a suitable bathing costume and sarong. Nearby Pura Mengening affords a less crowded experience, making your first time less overwhelming.
Take Time to Temple Hop
Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati
In Ubud, you soon see why Bali is dubbed the “Island of the Gods.” You’ll spot hundreds of the temples that Bali is known for in all shapes, sizes, and vintages in and around the town.
While you might imagine seeing one is seeing them all, planning at least two complexes into your itinerary will allow you to see the range and variety of Balinese Hindu temples.
Start at one of the central temples, such as the Ubud Water Palace, officially Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, hemmed by a pretty water lily pond, or Pura Dalem, which also hosts cultural dance performances.
Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu
Then spend a little time exploring one of the out-of-town temples. Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu, with its towering rock-face shrine carvings, and more local Pura Taman Pule in artistic Mas Village are both detour-worthy.
Enter the “Elephant’s Cave”
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah, the “Elephant’s Cave,” is one of Ubud’s most bewitching sacred attractions. Believed to have been constructed around the ninth century, the complex is carved into rocks—a process that legend attributes to the fingernail of Kebo Iwa, a giant warrior from Balinese folklore.
Still used as a spiritual retreat and place of prayer, the cave’s facade is embellished with carved images of demons and other mythical creatures from Hindu and Buddhist legends.
Accessed via a narrow tunnel framed by a particularly menacing face, the sacred space within is devoted to the Hindu God Lord Ganesh. In the larger, subterranean shrine chamber, you’ll see the stone statue of Ganesh’s elephant head, which gave the mystical space its moniker.
Visit Ubud’s Artistic Communities
Celuk Village
Long before tourism discovered Ubud’s charms, the town had become a hotbed of creativity. Many suburban communities have spent centuries perfecting their craft, establishing their districts as experts in typical Balinese art forms.
To experience some of the more traditional things to do in Ubud, spend an hour or two meeting these makers in Celuk or Mas Village, two areas of town with refined artisanal connections.
In Celuk Village, celebrated for its jewelry, you’ll find hammers and specialist tools hard at work as metalsmiths craft pretty pieces ranging from bracelets and bangles to one-of-a-kind earring sets.
Mas Village
Mas Village’s specialty is wood carving. You’ll likely have seen some of the community’s most ornate woodwork across the Ubud Royal Palace. While many items on sale are giant statues, furniture, and decorations for Balinese temples, smaller flower motif boxes and trinkets are plentiful for those seeking an authentic souvenir.
Get Creative
Mas Village
Would you prefer to bring your own handmade piece of Ubud’s artistry home with you? Pre-book one of the inspirational and expertly-led workshops available in Celuk, Mas, or another of Ubud’s creative districts.
Learning the islanders’ ancestral techniques and crafting your own Batik fabric artwork or silver piece will make your souvenir more special. However, the most memorable part of the experience is talking with your teacher, hearing first-hand insights into Balinese life and tips on fashioning your creation.
Embrace Your Inner Yogi
Yoga class
Many will say no visit to Ubud is complete without finding your inner zen. And being one of the yoga capitals of the world, it’s not hard to tune your mind into the healing energy Ubud is renowned for.
Book a yoga class at the long-standing Yoga Barn or Yoga House, and you can work through your Vrksasana and Shavasana perched in an almost tree-house-like setting peering out across a panoramic, verdant backdrop.
Feast on Flavorsome Local Dishes
Babi guling
Balinese cuisine is fresh, fragrant, and flavorsome. In Ubud, the local food scene is elevated by the multiple fusion, vegetarian, and health-focused restaurants that complement the more authentic warungs, small, locally, and usually one-family operated restaurants.
Local specialties include babi guling, a slow, spit-roasted pig dish unique to Hindu Bali, as most other Indonesian islands are majority Muslim; sate lilit meat skewers; and betutu, a spiced chicken dish.
Indonesia’s constant favourites, such as spicy sambal sauces and nasi goreng, a staple fried rice dish, are also prevalent. For some of the most wholesome, intimate dining experiences, choose one of the easily overlooked and family-run warungs on the edge of town like Sri Uma or Lalapan Krengsengan Madiun.
Take Balinese Recipes Home
Cooking class
The abundant use of local herbs, spices, and flavors in Balinese cuisine can make the dishes appear complicated. Join a cooking class, though, and you’ll soon know how to recreate these mouthwatering plates at your next dinner party.
Many local chefs offer educational experiences in and around Ubud, with classes typically lasting around three hours. Some begin at the market, but all end with a feast of all your newly learned recipes. And as many of Bali’s best dishes are meat-free, it’s an excellent activity for vegetarians.
Chill in a Jungle “Beach Club”
Cretya
With so many things to do in Ubud, staying busy in this relaxed town is easy. But embracing the slowness and stillness of Bali’s uplands is one of the area’s greatest joys, especially with a poolside view.
Pack your swimwear and towel and head to one of Ubud’s inland “beach clubs” for a more pampered appreciation of the jungle panoramas. Cretya and The Jungle Club are two of the most popular.
At either, you’re invited to while away the afternoon with a cool cocktail or locally brewed Bintang beer in hand, flitting between scenic swimming pools, and relishing the vegetation views from a sun lounger. It’s pure Balinese bliss.
Appreciate Ubud’s Excellent Art Scene
Neka Art Museum Photo by Mx. Granger on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC0 1.0
Balinese art is an inspiring blend of traditional folk and Hindu storytelling, and contemporary works capturing life-like rural scenes. Spend a little time exploring Ubud’s galleries and museums to discover some of Bali’s finest collections.
If you have only time for one, make it the Neka Art Museum. Inaugurated in the 1970s, the museum’s thousand-strong trove of traditional Balinese art on display is wide-ranging. Highlights include Anton Kustia Widjaja’s stylized pieces capturing masked Balinese dancers and Dewa Putu Bedil’s pastel-hued community reflections.
Blanco Renaissance Museum
The Blanco Renaissance Museum, showcasing the works of Spanish-born Don Antonio Blanco—who relocated to Ubud and worked in the now mansion-museum—is another excellent curated space worth visiting.
Experience an Adrenaline Rush on the Ayung River
Ayung River
Bubbling rapids, evocative scenery, and a gentle adrenaline rush make rafting down the Ayung River one of the uplands’ most exciting experiences.
Slicing through rice terraces, wooden villages, and dense jungle, Bali’s longest river snakes leisurely from the northern mountains to the east coast, with most half-day trips commencing in Kedewatan Village, near Ubud. As you float away from the crowds, the tranquil scenes give a new perspective on Bali.
Go Birding With a Local Guide
Golden pheasant
Inland Bali’s soundtrack is tumbling cascades, temple gangsas, a kind of local xylophones, and birdsong. For birders keen to learn more about the latter, especially the species often hidden in the canopy, consider joining Su of Bali Bird Walks to spot some of the more elusive birdlife.
Su has called the uplands home for two decades, so you’ll be in knowledgeable hands to assign every chirp, squawk, and trill. As the silent landscape helps you tune into nature, you might see swallows, cuckoos, vivid azure Javan Kingfishers, and yellow-feathered Indian White-eyes.
Read: Best Things to Do in Bali
Royal Palace
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