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Wondering what to do in Ubud? I’ve got you covered with this comprehensive Ubud travel guide.
I’ve visited Ubud a few times since my first trip to Bali in 2005. On my most recent visit in 2023, it felt like a different place. It was bustling with people, particularly Europeans (compared to the Aussies crowding the beaches).
But you know what? Ubud truly has something for everyone. There are cute cafes, scenic walking trails, nearby natural attractions, and too many shops.
So, let’s explore what to do in Ubud. From accommodation to free activities, I cover all bases.
How to get to Ubud
This depends on where you’re coming from:
- Getting to Ubud from the airport. I’d recommend booking a private transfer beforehand through GetYourGuide or Booking.com. I’ve personally used both.
- Getting to Ubud from elsewhere. The easiest option is to get a car through Grab or Gojek. I did this to get from Ubud to Sanur and then Seminyak. In 2019, I also paid $6 to get the shuttle bus from Ubud to Kuta. It was old school, but it did the job! I organised this with the staff at the homestay.
Accommodation in Ubud
The last couple of times I’ve visited Ubud, I’ve stayed at Donald Home Stay. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with the price or location. It’s right off one of the main thoroughfares, with several restaurants literally on your doorstep.
But because it’s set behind a local family’s compound, it’s extremely quiet. The rooms are clean and spacious, the WiFi is good, the staff are friendly, and the pool area is small but luscious (as seen in the featured image). You also get breakfast, and this set me back under $50 AUD a night.
There is some truly gorgeous accommodation available in Ubud, though. If you have cash to splash, the interiors and pool at Kuwarasan are drool-worthy. There are hotels, homestays, and villas galore!
Free things to do in Ubud
1. Go on the Subak Juwuk Manis Rice fields walk
I found this walk while perusing Google Maps, and I’m so glad I did! It takes you past several rice fields, and the scenery is beautiful.
It’s also known as the Sweet Orange Walk Trail. But I recommend following the route on Google Maps, which takes you past Kajeng Rice Field and down Jl. Kajeng.
2. Visit Ubud Art Market
Ubud Art Market had transformed. Everything is so orderly, and there are floors of market stalls. Whatever Bali souvenir you want, you’ll find it here. Just prepare to barter!
3. Go shopping along Monkey Forest Road
This is free… if you stick to just window shopping. But if you prefer boutique shopping over market stalls, walk along Monkey Forest Road. Oh, and stop by Miniso for me! I love that shop so much.
4. Visit a temple or two
It’s free to look at both Ubud Palace and Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati (Saraswati Temple) on Ubud’s main street.
5. Do the Campuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Ubud. It was busier than the rice fields walk I mentioned and required more exertion. But the views are beautiful.
Another walk I didn’t get to because of the rain was the Sari Organic Walk, which is located between the two I did.
What to do in Ubud
Here are even more things to do in Ubud… that’ll cost a little bit.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
6. Do a day trip
Ubud offers too many day trips. Here are some of the more popular options:
– Tegenungan Waterfall
This is undoubtedly the most famous waterfall near Ubud. There are others you can check out, but this is pretty easy to access and pretty damn powerful!
Check out this Ubud waterfall tour, which takes you to three in one day!
– Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Another popular attraction near Ubud. While you won’t see me pay an exorbitant fee to swing over the rice terraces, you will see me have a cheap lunch overlooking them.
– Pura Tirta Empul
I honestly think this is one of the Ubud attractions that is overrun by tourists. I don’t know if I’d personally recommend it.
But if you want to check it out, I’d recommend this tour. It includes visiting the rice terraces and three waterfall stops, making your day trip more worthwhile!
– Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu
Instead, head to Gunung Kawi Sebatu temple. This hidden gem near Ubud had very few tourists milling around when I visited in 2019.
– Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
I personally haven’t been to Goa Gajah, but I’ve heard good things.
– Mount Batur
Seeing the sunrise over Mount Batur is one of the best things to do in Bali, period. But please note it’s not the easiest hike, and you do it in the dark. But the payoff is worthwhile.
Check out this guided hike, which includes a stop at the natural hot springs afterwards. Trust me, it’ll feel like heaven!
– Adventurous day trip
My final Ubud day trip recommendation is for any adrenaline junkies reading this post. Two more adventurous things to do in Ubud (besides the above hike) are ATVing and white water rafting on the Ayung River.
Check out this adventurous day tour to tick them both off your bucket list in one day.
One of the best ways to do an Ubud day trip is to hire a driver. Then, you can see exactly what you want to see. Drivers line the streets in Ubud, waiting to whisk you off on a day trip. But you can also organise one beforehand online with Bali Private Tours.
7. Visit a museum
There are several museums in Ubud. My parents personally recommend The Blanco Renaissance Museum, an art museum displaying Antonio Blanco’s works.
If you’d prefer to check out Balinese art, visit Museum Puri Lukisan, Museum Rudana or Neka Art Museum.
8. Go to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
You can’t do a post on things to do in Ubud without mentioning the iconic monkey forest. However, Balinese monkeys scare me, so I avoid this forest and the surrounding area at all costs when in Ubud 😅.
But if you dare enter Monkey Forest, remember to keep all loose items hidden—the monkeys are ruthless!
Check out this guided tour if you want to learn more about the sanctuary while exploring. Oh, and they’ll take fun selfies for you!
9. Join a yoga class
Yoga and Ubud go together like peanut butter and jelly! You can’t walk more than five minutes without hitting a yoga studio, so the options are pretty much endless. However, one of the most popular options is The Yoga Barn.
I LOVE a Bali cooking class!
10. Do a cooking class
If you love taking traditional cooking classes while travelling, I strongly recommend taking one in Ubud. You can learn to cook Balinese food using local ingredients at Ketut’s Bali Cooking Class.
Alternatively, join a half-day cooking class in a traditional village. You’ll visit a local market to grab fresh ingredients before cooking an authentic meal in a beautiful kitchen garden. It’s one of those unforgettable Bali experiences.
11. Make your own silver jewellery
If cooking isn’t your thing, how about making your own silver jewellery from scratch? Working with an experienced silversmith, you can make a ring, pendant, or earrings. What a cool souvenir to take home!
Things to do in Ubud at night
12. Dine out!
Dining out is definitely one of the best things to do in Ubud at night because there are so many options. Check out any of my recommendations below and you’re bound to have a good night.
Traditional dance performance
13. See a traditional Balinese performance
There’s nothing like seeing the Legong Ramayana Ballet at the historical Ubud Palace. Skip the line and grab tickets to see this traditional royal dance show. It’s hands down one of the most popular things to do in Ubud at night.
Ubud restaurants and cafes
14. Simply Social
Simply Social is a buzzing restaurant along the main street. It was bustling when I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon, with live music to accompany my meal.
15. KAFE
KAFE is a multi-storey cafe and health food restaurant serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Its focus is on organic ingredients. It’s very popular with digital nomads, but I just visited for lunch without my laptop.
I opted for the Kafe Red Rice Nasi Goreng because it sounded a little different from my usual. It now holds the place as the biggest nasi goreng I’ve ever eaten. I’m pretty sure it took me 30 minutes to finish it all!
16. Clear Cafe
Clear Cafe is another option for digital nomads. I pulled up a seat here to finish some work one day. It’s a very serene space serving primarily vegan and vegetarian meals. The nachos were pretty dang good!
17. La Baracca
La Baracca is an Italian restaurant that an Italian my parents knew on Magnetic Island works at! I strongly recommend getting the Morgana panini for lunch. It was so good I went to La Baracca in Canggu when I left Ubud and got it again.
18. This is Bali
This was one of my personal favourite Ubud restaurants. The space was beautiful, the staff was friendly, and the menu was unique. This is Bali allows you to build your own dish. So you choose whatever rice base and toppings you like. There are too many options, so have fun choosing!
19. White Orchid
If you want cheap local food, head to White Orchid. I’ve been to their Ubud and Sanur locations and am never disappointed.
20. Mixue Raya Ubud
Speaking of cheap, let me introduce you to Mixue Raya Ubud. Across the street from the Ubud Art Market, a soft serve sets you back less than a dollar.
21. Cafe Wayan
I didn’t get to Cafe Wayan, but it always made the list when I looked up the best Ubud restaurants. It’s a restaurant and a bakery, so I’ll make a beeline next time.
22. Warung Siam
This was another Ubud restaurant I didn’t get to. But every time I walked past Warung Siam, there was a line, so they had to be doing something right. I was just too impatient to wait!
23. Warung Pondok Maru
If you crave barbecue while in Ubud, Warung Pondok Maru is the place for you.
Now you know what to do in Ubud, I hope you have a great time exploring this part of Bali. Here are some more helpful Bali travel guides:
