The best things to do in Ubud Bali
Bali has definitely become quite the tourist destination. It used to be more lowkey about 10 years ago when it was more popular with backpackers. Now, the digital nomads seem to have taken over Bali. When I was researching where to stay in Bali, I knew it had to be Ubud. We spent our days visiting temples, waterfalls, cafés, rice fields etc. I have put together this ultimate Bali travel guide to cover the best things to do in Ubud Bali.
Ubud is probably one of the most beautiful places I have been to and is the cultural heart of Bali. I love the fact that even though there seems to be globalisation happening around, Ubud has somehow remained authentic. Well, I thought so. It felt traditional and gave me a warm village feel.
I also felt like Ubud was relaxing and slow. The real Eat, Pray, Love vibe where you feel like you’re in a romantic village and life just feels good.
The best things to do in Ubud Bali
1. Ubud Water Palace
Ubud Water Palace is the residence of the Ubud Royal Family and is free to visit. It is also a Temple, Puri Saren Agung and is a must visit in Ubud. The Palace has a gorgeous courtyard and walking around, you get to see very well preserved Balinese architecture built between 1800-1823.
This was one of those places we stumbled upon. Our transfer from the hotel dropped us a few steps away from the palace and I remember wondering why there was a buzz ahead of us. We followed the buzz and walked into the gates of one of the most stunning places ever.
I think with Bali, you get to a point in your trip where you feel like you have seen all the statues. Everything starts to look similar and you get somewhat used to the beauty of it all.
However, Ubud Water Palace was different. I suspect this is because we caught it at a good time, when the skies were blue and there weren’t too many people around.
2.Visit a hidden Waterfall: Sumampan
Bali is blessed with gorgeous waterfalls but the gem is to find the hidden ones. Thankfully, we had the wonderful Putu (our guide) for this experience and he dropped us off at this unassuming spot. We had to follow the trail and then the sound of gushing water to find the waterfall.
Visiting Sumampan is one of the best things to do in Ubud Bali. It’s not as imposing as the typical Bali waterfalls but if you are like me, you’ll love it.
We had it to ourselves for the first 45 mins while debating whether to get in or not. It was peaceful to just sit around and listen to the sound of the water. We eventually went in and the water was fresh.
The waterfall reminded me of the one we visited in Ghana. Also, the fact that it was not busy made it special.
There is a café at the drop off point so you can make it a full experience with lunch.
3. Spend the morning at Ubud Art Market
Ubud Art market has been in existence since the 1800s so it is as historic as they get. It is one of the most popular markets in Ubud. Everything you can think of is available at Ubud Art Market and it’s a feast for the eyes just strolling around. It is open from 8am to 6pm daily but some shops remain open until night. Entrance is free and there is parking for a fee.
Visiting Ubud Art market can be combined with Ubud Palace that is just opposite the market. The Monkey Forest is about 15 mins walk as well so all 3 can be done on the same day.
4. Visit a Rice Paddy
Going to the fields was top of my list as I had never seen one before. I even had no idea how rice was grown; so immediately I knew we’d be staying in Ubud, I googled the distance from my hotel to Tegalalang rice fields. Our initial plan was to get there at sunrise but the thing about Bali weather is that it is unpredictable. We had planned to leave the hotel at 5.45am so I set my alarm for 5am. Tell me why I opened the doors and the rain was so heavy that we had to wait it out. We obviously missed the sunrise but thankfully, got there when it was still empty.
Tegalalang rice terrace, Ubud Bali
Entrance to Tegalalang was 20,000 (about £1) per person and there were a lot of photo spots there. This is where the famous Bali swings and Cretya Day Club are; the day club which has now become one of the most popular places in Ubud. However, I was there to just enjoy the fields before it got busy.
We met a lovely Balinese farmer and thanks to Putu who was our translator too, we had such a wholesome conversation. The farmer had been working there for over 60 years (so I’m guessing he is in his 70s). It is a family business and his sons and grandsons are farmers too. You could tell that he was very proud of his land. He also mentioned that he loved that tourists visit the fields from all over the world.
5. Stay in one of the traditional villas or hotels
One thing Ubud will give you is accommodation in nature; and one of the best things to do in Ubud Bali, is to stay in one of them. We stayed in The Udaya which was a gem and our jungle pool suite was very Bali-esque.
Villas are quite popular in Bali and even cheaper; I also think they are perfect for families. For a more traditional experience, the tree houses or jungle rooms in hotels make you feel so much more immersed in nature. There is just something about feeling like you are in your nature oasis that becomes part of your Bali experience.
UBUD HOTELS:
*all hotels listed are family friendly and have pools.
6. Balinese Traditional Performance
The beauty of Ubud is how the Balinese culture is still so prevalent everywhere. One of the best things to do in Ubud, Bali is to watch a traditional performance. Ubud Water Palace is actually the perfect place to enjoy this Balinese tradition. There are staged performances every evening for a little fee. Every Sunday, there is a dance performance at 7.30 PM, and you are welcome to watch for 100 000 IDR (about £5). All around Ubud, there are posters inviting you to dance performances.
We were lucky that our hotel had a cultural night where they had the performers entertain the guests. We enjoyed it so much and even joined in the dance.
7. Visit a Temple
Goa Gajah Gianyar
It is located near Teges in Gianyar and is a must visit when in Ubud. Goa Gajah is also known as Elephant cave and is on the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites. It is actually incredible and still somewhat of a hidden gem. We arrived in the afternoon and it was relatively quiet. The entrance to the temple is lined with market stalls and vendors trying to sell things to you. There was a snake charmer as well and it was all so interesting.
Our guide, Putu mentioned that it is one of the few temples that visitors are allowed in and he acted as guide. We went into the mouth of the cave and saw some recent sacrifices. The complex holds ancient carvings, a waterfall, lotus pond and so much history. There is a Buddha statue as well and it was interesting to see what the inside of temple looked like. We found the experience incredible and it was lovely to know more about the Balinese culture during the visit.
Pura Tirta Empul
The more popular Temple is Pura Tirta Empul. It is where you can join in the ritual of bathing in the holy water. It is the century old Temple that has become famous for its healing powers.
8. Romantic experiences
Ubud is romantic and one thing you have to do there is to enjoy the experiences it offers. Flower baths are very popular in Bali but in Ubud, it is different. We did ours at the Kaveri Spa which is located in The Udaya Hotel and it was just wonderful. The experience felt like we were immersed in the jungle and were on our own secluded island.
We had dinner under the stars and Koi Fish boat picnic at Kamandalu Ubud. Our lovely hotel organised a beautiful romantic dinner for us, as well as a floating breakfast for 2. I think due to location, Ubud has the perfect backdrop for a lot of romantic experiences.
To Note: You don’t have to be a resident at the hotel to enjoy the romantic experiences.
Related: EPIC ROMANTIC EXPERIENCES IN BALI
9. Balinese coffee in a traditional café
Bali is known for its traditional coffee; and one of the best things to do in Ubud Bali is to try some of that coffee. I don’t mean the one that comes from the Luwak animal (civet cats). Jury is still out on how ethical the processing of Luwak coffee is. However, Bali has its own special coffee grown in its plantations. What makes it special is the unique way it is processed. This gives it an exotic taste and makes it quite popular around the world.
My recommendation is Sananda Café in the Ubud centre for coffee and cakes.
10. Yoga class
Why did I ever think that yoga was easy? Still on my Eat, Pray, Love quest, I knew I wanted to try yoga in Bali. What better place to have my first yoga experience than Bali? So when my hotel mentioned that they had a yoga instructor, of course we took the opportunity.
Yoga is a holistic experience of stretching the body. Mr E and I went together and the setting was so beautiful. The location was in the Sky Yoga hut that overlooked the property. It felt like we were in a tree house in a jungle and had the gorgeous clouds for views. Since Ubud is known as the cultural capital of Bali, it made sense to embrace the yoga culture in Ubud.
Bonus - Monkey Forest
My unpopular opinion is to skip this one. Maybe I am biased because I am terrified of monkeys and I made sure to stay very clear of them. They are mischievous and I had heard a lot of stories so I quickly scrapped it off my list. However, it would be impossible for me to mention things to do in Ubud Bali without including the Monkey forest. Everyone who I asked for things to do (including locals) suggested a visit to this forest.
The sacred Monkey forest is in Ubud’s town centre and is within Temple ruins from the 14th century.
To Note: The monkeys can be quite aggressive so follow all the rules to avoid any accidents. You are advised not to feed them or make eye contact, and keep your belongings close to you.
The best things to do in Ubud Bali - FAQs
Is Ubud, Bali worth visiting?
My very simple answer is Yes. But if you were to ask me to explain, I will tell you that it is one of the most incredible places I have been to. You visit some places and you feel thoroughly happy and in love with life – that’s what Ubud was to me. I feel like we had the best experience and I don’t want to go back so I can hold unto what we had forever. Does this even make sense?
How many days in Ubud?
We stayed in Ubud for the duration of our trip and chose to visit other places from there. I genuinely think there is so much to do in Ubud. 4 days minimum would be my recommendation; however, if you are just passing through, 2 days. We spent a week in Ubud and had a lot of rest in between our sightseeing. If I had to pick one place to stay in Bali, it will always be Ubud.
When is the best time to visit Ubud, Bali?
June to September are peak season as the weather is the driest in those months. It does not mean that you will not get rainfall but it is not as wet as other months. December to March are usually the wettest months. This means that hotels are cheaper and there are fewer tourists.
Where to stay in Ubud?
We stayed in the Udaya and absolutely loved it. I don’t think I will ever stop raving about this hotel because it was a dream. We also spent a day in Kamandalu which I loved; however, the Udaya was just a little more special as it felt more boutique to me.
How to get around Ubud?
As with all of Bali, renting a scooter is quite popular. However, if you’re like us, renting a car and driver make better sense. Ubud can get very busy and the traffic is ridiculous. So I understand why tourists rent scooters to get around; plus it is a cheaper option. However, we were there on a relaxing break so Putu, our driver-guide was the perfect companion for our Ubud.
If you need Putu’s contact, send me an instagram DM or email me.
The best things to do in Ubud Bali
Ubud is just lovely. I don’t know how to explain it but we thoroughly enjoyed making it our base. My sister asked me to describe it and my exact words were “loud, relaxing, serene and beautiful” You might ask how a place can be loud and relaxing but I cannot even explain it myself. There’s a tranquil when you are lost in the rice paddies or the hidden waterfalls or stunning Temples. I also felt totally in a bubble when we were in our hotel. So maybe that’s what it is?
All I know is that Ubud, Bali is one of the most beautiful and romantic places I have travelled to.
Bisous, Bugo x
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