If you’re coming to Bali, Ubud should be high on your list of places to visit. The town was made famous in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, and while a lot has changed since the author visited the island, Ubud remains the cultural heart of the island.
If you love long walks in rice paddies, dream of seeing an Ubud traditional market, want to enjoy Balinese dance outside of Ubud Palace and the thought of stretching at Yoga Barn then Ubud, Bali could be your ideal destination.
However, even if you prefer to be by the beach than inland, there’s plenty to tempt every visitor to Ubud for a few days on their Bali holiday.
Where Is Ubud?
Ubud is in Central Bali. It’s not too far from the airport or the Southern beach towns of Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Jimbaran and Sanur.
It’s the centre of Gianyar Province and was the royal seat when Gianyar was a kingdom rather than part of the Republic of Indonesia.
There are no beaches in Ubud, but there’s plenty of culture and the rice fields in the surrounding area are some of the most beautiful places on the island.
How Do I Get To Ubud?
Ubud is about an hour’s drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar Airport) and if your hotel offers airport transfers then that might be the easiest way to get to Ubud.
Otherwise, we’d recommend that you use Grab or Gojek for a ride. These are Bali’s equivalent to Uber and they’re safe and cost-effective.
You can connect a card to these apps so you don’t need any Indonesian Rupiah to pay for your journey but we’d recommend getting some cash from an ATM before you travel, just in case.
How Do I Get Around Ubud?
Ubud is a fairly compact town but you should know that many of the sights associated with Ubud, Bali are, in fact, a fair way out into the rice fields and you will need to consider transport carefully if you want to visit Goa Gajah, the elephant cave, or the Ubud Valley of the Kings.
On Foot
Oddly, while the pavements/sidewalks are far from perfect, Ubud is one of the more walkable destinations in Bali and many things in the centre of town are within walking distance of each other.
You will need to keep a close eye on the road surface as you walk as well as the traffic around you, but as long as you do – you should be fine to get around on foot.
We’ve walked from the Monkey Forest to the Ubud Palace before without any hassles on a fairly busy day.
Scooter/Motorbike
We never recommend riding a scooter in Bali. Firstly, it’s difficult to be road-legal and if you’re not road-legal – you’re not insured.
And secondly, riding here is hard. Even highly experienced drivers find it stressful and Bali is no place for a newbie to learn.
Accidents are very common and medical costs here are much higher than you might expect.
However, if you decide to rent a scooter despite the warning, it’s relatively cheap to do so and there’s usually plenty of parking at the big tourist attractions and hotels, etc.
Taxi/Ride Share
We think that one of the best ways to get around Bali is to use ride-sharing services.
Uber isn’t in Bali but Grab and Gojek are and they’re cheap, reliable and safe. Ubud is now popular enough that there are plenty of drivers around, so you won’t have to wait too long for a ride.
Just be careful about going out into the countryside – it can be harder to get a ride back again. If you do use an Uber to get out into the rice fields, try and negotiate with the driver to come and pick you up again later.
You can rent a car but as with renting a bike, it’s not easy to be legal and it’s super stressful.
Instead of driving yourself, however, you can rent a private car with a driver for around 500,000 IDR a day (that’s $35 USD or $50 AUD) and that includes gas.
Then, you have all the advantages of a car but none of the drawbacks. It’s definitely the way to go if you want to go on long journeys or see a lot of places in one day.
About Ubud
Ubud is a town in rural Bali in the foothills of Gianyar Regency. It is often considered to be the cultural capital of the island and it’s surrounded by lush river valleys and rice terraces.
It used to be something of a sleepy backwater, but since the film of Elizabeth Gilbert’s book came out it’s been a major tourist draw.
There are many arts and craftspeople in Ubud and the villages around the town. You’ll find a decent number of museums and local markets too.
It’s also very spiritual with both the local religion well represented with temples and sacred monkey forests, but also more modern spiritual attractions such as yoga studios and meditation workshops.
The tourism cachet of the area also means there are chocolate factories, wildlife parks, white water rafting, ATV rides and much more to be done in this area.
Who Does Ubud Appeal To?
We think Ubud will appeal to almost every visitor to Bali but the town definitely has its “types” of tourists too. Three groups that Ubud is particularly popular with include:
Spiritually aware travellers – they don’t tend to be called hippies any more but that’s the vibe. They come for the yoga studios and wellness resorts and stay for the temples and purification ceremonies.
Digital nomads – while Canggu is definitely the prime location for nomads in Bali, Ubud comes a close second. That’s because it’s cheaper and there’s still plenty of things to do and decent coworking in town.
People getting away from the heat – the beach towns are lovely but the heat can start getting to some people after a while. Ubud’s a cooler place to be as it’s further inland and at a slightly higher altitude.
Cultural tourists – there’s no better place for temples, waterfalls, rice paddies, and all the things that make Bali, uniquely Bali.
When’s The Best Time To Visit Ubud?
There’s never a bad time to visit Bali and this is true for Ubud too. In fact, we’d say that given that Ubud isn’t a beach town – there’s absolutely no reason not to visit Ubud, Bali in the rainy season.
The waterfalls, rice paddies, monkey forest, etc. all look better when there’s been a little rain.
How Long Should I Spend In Ubud?
Ubud is one of those places that you will either fall in love with or want to move on from immediately.
You can probably do the main attractions in town in 3-4 days if you’re in a hurry to explore the rest of Bali.
But you could easily spend a few weeks in Ubud and still not see everything the area has to offer.
We’d recommend that you visit Ubud and get a feel for it and then decide how much time you want to spend, there are plenty of other areas in Bali where you can enjoy a 2, 3 or more centre holiday, after all.
How Much Will I Spend In Ubud?
It very much depends on you how much money you will spend. You could stay in a guest house for as little as $10 a night in Ubud or in Mandapa or the Four Seasons for over $1,000 a night.
You can grab a meal in a warung for $3-$4 or gorge in fine dining style and spend $200+ per person not including wine.
It’s free to wander around Ubud Art Market or take a stroll in the local rice terraces (Tegallalang rice terrace excepted) but if you want to make gold jewellery in Celuk Village, you can expect that to be fairly expensive.
That means Ubud, Bali is ideal for every sort of traveller and there’s something in the town for everyone to enjoy.
Some Awesome Things You Can Do In Ubud
So, let’s take a look at some of the things that you can enjoy in this part of Bali.
Central Ubud
These attractions are all in or around the center of the town:
Ubud Market/Ubud Art Market?
Sadly, Ubud Art Market burned down towards the end of 2024 and while there is a makeshift replacement in its place, initial reports aren’t all that favourable and it seems to be stocking a lot of imported rather than local products.
We’d go to Sukawati Art Market, instead, it’s not far out of Ubud and it’s far more authentic.
Ubud Palace/Puri Saren Agung
If you explore Ubud even a little, you’re going to find the royal palace and it’s a charming place.
The former royal family are still in residence and often stop to talk to visitors. At night they have dance performances in the grounds.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Perhaps, the most famous place in Ubud is the Monkey Forest. It’s home to several packs of monkeys as well as to three temples.
Just be warned, the monkeys are wild animals. It’s best to keep a respectful distance from them.
Yoga Barn
Yoga Barn is the most famous of Ubud’s yoga studios and it’s a good place to learn to stretch and flex with the best of them.
A yoga class isn’t particularly expensive in Bali and you’ll find that you meet a wide variety of people who love yoga in Ubud.
Neka Art Museum
This art museum was founded by a local art dealer with the assistance of both local and international artists.
It’s a great place to spend a day, particularly since they renovated the entire thing during the pandemic years – so it’s a very new and modern feeling inside now.
Blanco Renaissance Museum
This museum is dedicated to the life and work of the famous local painter Antonio Blanco. The art work inside is second to none and some of the finest art ever made in Bali.
The grounds are lovely too, with a pleasant cafe where you can get some coffee and take a wander in the gardens.
Museum Puri Lukisan
A lovely art museum which contains both paintings and intricate wood carvings from nearby Mas Village.
They also offer Balinese dance lessons if you fancy trying your hand at that.
Near Ubud
Just outside of town, you will find many more things to do including:
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Campuhan Ridge Walk is, perhaps, the most overhyped walk in Ubud and sadly, this once beautiful spot is now overrun with visitors at sunset.
While the temple near the start of the trail remains worth visiting, we’d skip this walk entirely and do one of the many other hikes in the area, instead.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces/Rice Paddies/Rice Fields
Tegallalang Rice Terraces are not as famous as the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and are not quite as pretty. But they are just outside of Ubud, Bali rather than a long drive away.
So, if you want to see gorgeous rice paddies but don’t want an uncomfortable drive to get there, Tegallalang Rice Terrace is just fine. Get there early in the day to beat the crowds.
Goa Gajah – Elephant Cave
Nobody is sure why this place is called the elephant cave, it doesn’t have any particular connection to elephants except for a few images of the god Ganesha.
However, the cave mouth is awesome for a fearsome photo from Bali and the small temple inside is worth a visit.
Bali Swing
Bali Swings are high adrenalin tourist spots where you can take a ride out over the jungle canopy while a friend, family member or the swing staff take amazing photos of you for your Instagram feed.
Just be aware that while there have been no serious accidents on the swings, so far, you ride at your own risk.
Tegenungan Waterfall
There are so many beautiful waterfalls around Ubud, Bali that you have to visit at least one of them.
We prefer Tegenungan Waterfall to the more famous Sekumpul Waterfall because it’s a more relaxed, less crowded affair.
Mount Batur
Mount Batur is Bali’s second-highest peak and second-most active volcano. It’s much easier to climb than the tallest and most active – Mount Agung too.
If you’re in reasonable shape then making the summit for sunrise should be easy enough. You can cook eggs in the volcanic steam for breakfast.
After you’re done, why not stop in the hot springs at the base of the volcano and enjoy a soak to relieve your aches and pains?
Sangeh Monkey Forest
If you find the Ubud Monkey Forest a bit hectic, this charming monkey forest about 30 minutes away from town is a much quieter affair.
It too has plenty of monkeys (though they are a bit less aggressive than the ones on monkey forest road) and a very nice temple in the centre.
Saraswati Temple
This temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess of learning is very attractive and the Lotus Cafe on its grounds has regular dance performances at night.
You can enjoy the show for free as long as you buy something to eat or drink at the cafe.
Coffee Plantations
Bali is a great place for coffee lovers and you can visit the local coffee plantations and enjoy learning about how your favourite beans are grown and prepared.
Just try and stay away from kopi luwak – the civet coffee – the cats are not treated kindly in the making of this product.
Bali Bird Park
The bird park is awesome with birds from all over Indonesia and all over the world. It’s also part of the breeding program for the critically endangered Bali starling.
You will also find the Bali Reptile Park right next door to the bird park and can get a combined ticket for both.
Where To Stay In Ubud?
Ubud, Bali is a great place to stay and there’s a much wider variety of accommodation in Ubud than in some of the beach towns.
Whether you want a high-end luxury property, an affordable mid-range place or a budget bargain that still offers plenty of great facilities, you’re guaranteed to be in luck.
Luxury
If you want luxury hotels, you cannot go wrong in Ubud as it has some of the most expensive and luxurious properties on the island.
Some of the top picks in this area include:
Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve – this is consistently rated by guests as a near-perfect place to stay. It’s in the middle of the Balinese countryside in an idyllic location and the service is legendary.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan – this resort was ranked the best place to stay in the world a couple of years ago and it’s certainly the kind of place to have a superb holiday.
Viceroy Bali – speaking of the best hotels in the world, Viceroy topped a poll for the best hotel of 2024 globally! It’s one of the best-established hotels in Ubud and offers superlative service.
Mid-Range
You don’t have to have a megabucks budget to enjoy some nice hotels in Ubud, though. There are plenty of places with great facilities that us more ordinary mortals can enjoy including:
- The Sankara Suites & Villas by Pramana – a very lovely jungle resort with a world-class breakfast included in the room price. They have awesome hot tub facilities on site too.
Beehouse Dijiwa Ubud – if you want a place with some serious style, then this four-star in the rice fields might be the perfect place to stay. It’s the most Instagrammable spot around.
Budget
And even if you’re on a very tight budget, you can get a bargain in Ubud, so don’t worry about where to leave your backpack. Try one of these places:
Sahadewa Resort & Spa – this 3-star resort isn’t the prettiest but the outdoor pool area and bamboo bags around the edges is pleasant enough and at roughly $15 USD or $22 AUD a night, you really can’t go wrong.
Bakung Ubud Resort & Villa – with a full-service laundry, outdoor pool, room service and free Wi-Fi and air conditioning, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was one of the more upmarket spots but it’s very budget-friendly.
Ubud Tropical Garden – if you look on Google Maps you will see that this is an awesome spot to explore Ubud from and it’s super cheap but they still have hot tubs, an outdoor pool, an onsite restaurant and much more!
Where To Eat In Ubud
As with accommodation, there are a lot of dining options in Ubud and it’s one of the best places to eat in Bali.
You have everything from world-class fine dining to amazing humble warungs making some of the best Indonesian cuisine on Earth.
So, don’t worry about your budget, you’re going to have a great time.
Fine Dining
Let’s start with fine dining and you’ll be very glad to sate your appetite at any of the following venues:
Hujan Locale – if you love modern Indonesian cuisine, you won’t be disappointed at Hujan Locale. The range of local ingredients and their combinations is second to none.
Honey & Smoke – this “open fire bistro” knows exactly what it’s about from the striking building that it’s housed in to the wonderful creations in the kitchen. If you want to take cooking with fire to the next level, don’t miss this place.
Arcadia – try the seafood lunch menu at Arcadia and you will think you’ve already gone to heaven. The mixture and balance of flavours are incredible. The chef’s innovative skills are matched by the staff’s first-rate service too.
- Portofino Ubud – an excellent Italian with a superlative range of vegan and vegetarian options. The wine list is brilliant too. It really does feel like being in mama’s kitchen.
Mid-Range
In the more affordable price range, you will also find some lovely places that are very much worth tracking down. Try:
Baba Bistro Ubud – you can get a great deal on both food and cocktails at this lovely semi-open dining room. The wine list is fabulous too.
Kebun Bistro – the food is delicious but we have to note the portions are not the most generous, this is probably how they keep the prices down. The European-style dining room is great though.
Plant Bistro – if you need plant-based food, then you’re going to be very happy at this reasonably priced vegan restaurant. All the staff speak perfect English too, so if you have any special requirements, it will be easy to communicate them.
Kalos Bali – this pleasant cafe environment in the jungle has a wide range of cuisines on the menu and it’s all reasonably priced. It’s a great spot for breakfast.
Sayuri Healing Food – this vegan restaurant is so good that it has its own chef’s academy. Plant-based eaters rejoice!
Budget
If you’re on a budget don’t despair, the warungs of Ubud offer amazing food for very reasonable prices. Why not check out:
Puspa’s Warung – a lovely place on a quiet side street away from the busy roads in the centre of town. The staff are super welcoming and the menu is a great mix of local and international dishes.
Warung Krisna – local food prepared by a wonderful team in the open in front of their guests. The portions are huge and the pries are super low, so what are you waiting for?
Sweet Orange Warung – this is the best place in Ubud for reasonably priced satay. It’s one of our go-to places whenever we’re visiting the town.
Made Becik Wareong – we love that this is one of the most sustainable restaurants we’ve ever visited in Bali. No plastic here just eco-friendly packaging. The family who run the place are awesome too.
Warung Lokal – if you’re in the mood for some excellent pork ribs, then this is a great place to stop in while you’re in Ubud, Bali and get your fill.
Great Day Trips From Ubud
If you’re staying in Ubud, Bali for a few days, you might want to consider a few day trips to explore some of the other parts of the island.
In particular, you might want to visit:
FINNS Beach Club
FINNS is the world’s best beach club and Canggu is not that far from Ubud (though the traffic can make it seem further than it is).
If you want to enjoy the best sunset in Bali, cold cocktails in a beachfront infinity pool, amazing food from around the world and incredible entertainment, you have to visit FINNS.
FINNS is so popular that 1 in 8 visitors who come to the island opt to visit FINNS. Can you really say that you’ve been to Bali if you haven’t been to FINNS? We don’t think so.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple sits on an island just offshore from Bali and it’s one of the most remarkable sights here.
It’s also famous for its part in the infamous Bali curse, but if you want some incredible photos of a Balinese temple at sunset, this place can’t be beaten.
It is very popular though, so make sure to get there early if you want a good spot to stand in.
FAQs
What Is The Main Area Of Ubud?
The main area of Ubud is Jalan Raya Ubud (Jl Raya Ubud) and it features the royal palace, the street market, the art market, and much more.
There are plenty of places to grab some delicious food in this area and to enjoy a cold drink too. There’s a lot to do around the city centre but do make sure to get out into the rice paddies and see the traditional side of Bali.
Ubud, Bali has some incredible natural beauty to offer visitors as well as some of the finest cultural highlights on the island and it would be a shame not to take full advantage of them.
Is 4 Days In Ubud Too Long?
No! In fact, 4 days in Ubud might be just about right. You can enjoy the cafes overlooking the rice paddies such as Bali Buda, explore Ubud’s temples, markets, and tropical gardens, enjoy a yoga class, etc. without getting bored in 4 days.
Central Ubud, Bali is a great staging point to enjoy this area to the full and if you combine your stay in Ubud with some day trips, you could easily spend a week here or more.
What Is The Cleanest Village In Ubud?
Penglipuran is famous around the world for being one of the cleanest villages on Earth. Unfortunately, the village has, to some extent, been a victim of its own success.
Where once this charming spot in Central Ubud only saw the occasional visitor, it’s now often overwhelmed by coach parties of tourists.
It’s still clean, mind you, but we’d recommend that you arrive early and leave early if you want to get the best out of this place.
Is Ubud Full Of Mosquitoes?
Rice paddies and rice fields tend to attract a lot of mosquitoes as they provide plenty of stagnant water for them to breed in.
However, Ubud is not overrun by mosquitoes and if you use DEET-based insect repellant and wear long sleeves and trousers in the early morning and early evening, you won’t get badly bitten.
This is especially true if you take a walk in the country through the rice terraces or try the Campuhan Ridge Walk, for example.
Is Ubud Cooler Than Seminyak?
If you mean is Ubud colder than Seminyak then the answer is usually “yes.” That’s because Ubud is inland and at a higher elevation than the beach town of Seminyak. It’s a bit cooler all year round though not quite as cool as some of the highlands around Kintamani in the north of Bali.
Ubud is, on the other hand, not “cooler” than Seminyak if you mean “cool vibes”. Ubud has a sort of hippyish feel to it (though there’s a certain corporatism in town in places like Yoga Barn that didn’t used to be there).
Whereas Seminyak is popular with the young, hip, beautiful and affluent crowd and thus, it tends to have a “cooler” vibe.
Why Is Ubud So Famous?
Ubud is famous because it features heavily in the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert which was a huge bestseller and was adapted into a very popular movie of the same name starring Julia Roberts.
While the bustling town has seen many changes since the author’s visit, it remains the heart of Balinese culture and there’s so much to see and do in the town, that it’s becoming very popular with visitors even though it’s a long drive from the beaches that many people come to Bali to enjoy.
Does Ubud Have A Town Centre?
Yes! The area around Jalan Raya Ubud (Jl Raya Ubud) is very much the center of Ubud Town and you will find temples, palaces, shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, yoga studios, etc. in this area.
You’re not far from the rice paddies, mind you, and a 10-15 minute walk from the center can see you in the local countryside enjoying the rice fields and lush jungle.
Is It Safe To Walk At Night In Ubud?
Ubud, Bali is a very safe destination and any guide to Ubud will tell you that you can visit Bali without worrying about violent crime. It’s safer than most Western cities.
However, you should take sensible precautions and ensure that you don’t walk down any remote, dark roads late at night.
We would also note that the most dangerous part of walking around at night is not so many people with bad intentions but the terrible quality of the road and pavement surfaces as well as the bad driving from scooters and cars on the road.
If you do decide to explore Ubud on foot, make sure to keep a careful eye on where you are walking.
Should You Stay In The Centre Of Ubud?
Now that Ubud has become a popular destination on the island, it’s worth considering staying in the center of Ubud Town, that’s because you’ll be within walking distance of many of the best attractions.
You can walk down Jalan Raya Ubud (often written as Jl Raya Ubud) and find yoga studios, Balinese culture, a traditional spa, and much more without having to get a taxi or ride share.
Even the sacred monkey forest sanctuary is just a stroll up the Monkey Forest Road leading out of town.
This part of Central Bali is more walkable than many of the beach towns. However, you don’t have to stay in Central Ubud as long as you skip the worst traffic periods in the day, if you’re a few miles out in the countryside, it won’t be too long to get into town and visit the Ubud Monkey Forest or Ubud Market.
Is Ubud A Party Area?
No, if you want parties Southern Bali (Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta) is a better bet than Ubud. Of course, if you explore Ubud you can find bars, etc. and some of them may get a little rowdy at night but the overall vibe of this part of the island is more relaxed and chilled.
The best place to party is no more than an hour away on Bali island in good traffic and that’s FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, in Canggu.
Final Thoughts On Our Ubud Guide
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our guide to Ubud and that it’s helped you decide on where you want to visit in the town.
Whether you want to spend time at an ancient Hindu temple, swim in the private pool of your villa, get pampered in a traditional spa, or enjoy tasty pork ribs and mixed rice at a local warung, there’s something for everybody in Ubud.
However, as there’s no beach in town, we’d recommend that you combine Ubud with another destination in Bali to get the full island experience. Nusa Dua, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, etc. are great places to add to your itinerary.
Read more:
The Best Things To Do In Ubud: Finding The Highlights Among The Rice Fields
The Best Ubud Hotels & Villas For Every Budget
The Best Ubud Restaurants: The Ultimate Guide To Dining In Bali’s Spiritual Heart
