Looking for cool things to do in Ubud, Bali? Check out this list of must-see sights and the very best things to do in Ubud.
Ubud is the cultural center of Bali and is centrally located on the island surrounded by rice terraces, majestic temples, and lush jungles. The city is full of tourists even though there are no beaches or absolute must-see sights in Ubud. The traffic is insanely chaotic and there are literally scooters everywhere! Despite all this, there’s still something truly magical about Ubud.
It seems that the bohemian lifestyle and laid-back atmosphere surpasses all the chaos in Ubud. Art galleries, health shops, yoga studios, and organic restaurants can be found on every street corner. In fact, it’s hard not to be gripped by the laid-back atmosphere that has really left its mark on Ubud.
It isn’t without reason that tourists from all over the world travel to Ubud, which has become one of the most popular places to visit in Bali, Indonesia – if not the most popular. There aren’t exactly absolute must-see sights in Ubud. But there are certainly many fun and cool things to do in Ubud and the surrounding area.
So, if you’re planning to visit Ubud, you should read this list of the very best things to do in Ubud, Bali.
Table of Contents
The best things to do in Ubud:
1. Monkey Forest
Monkey Forest is the main attraction in Ubud and is a lush forest in the middle of the city with about 700 macaques. The monkeys are wild and can leave the forest whenever they want. So, it isn’t unusual to see monkeys in the nearby streets or buildings. It was such a unique thing to do in Ubud for us as we aren’t exactly used to seeing monkeys in the streets at home. But you probably aren’t either?
The monkeys are used to humans and can be extremely intrusive, especially if you bring food. They’re also completely crazy with plastic bags and shiny objects. So please for your own sake, remember to empty your pockets and leave important items at the hotel.
At the entrance to Monkey Forest, you can buy bananas for the monkeys. However, this is seriously not something I would recommend. As I said, they’re already very intrusive and it can get a little dramatic by bringing food.
Besides the monkeys, the Monkey Forest is also a great experience in itself. In many ways, it’s a bit like a jungle with exotic plants and a few temples. Oh, and by the way, most tourists spend about 1-2 hours in the Monkey Forest in Ubud.
Balinese name: Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana. Price: IDR 60.000.
2. Ubud Palace
Located in the heart of Ubud, Ubud Palace is home to the royal family of the city. The palace is built in the finest traditional Balinese architecture with beautiful ornate carvings, large gates, and well-kept gardens.
When visiting Ubud, it’s almost impossible to avoid Ubud Palace as it’s strategically located at the intersection of the two main roads of the city. The royal family still lives in parts of the palace, but you’re welcome to walk around the gardens and enjoy the fine architecture.
Ubud Palace is also known for its popular performances of traditional Balinese dance. They’re held in front of the palace several evenings a week. However, you should be aware that attending the Balinese dances isn’t a free thing to do in Ubud.
Balinese name: Puri Saren Agung. Price: Free to visit.
3. Ubud Market
Another of the best things to do in Ubud is to visit Ubud Market which is held daily. If you arrive early in the morning, you’ll find a large selection of fruits, vegetables, and meats.
If you arrive after 8:00 AM, the market is transformed into small stalls with all sorts of tingle tangle. Here you’ll find lots of souvenirs, sculptures, basket bags, silk scarves, colorful sarongs, light shirts, and much more. Most things sold in the market are handmade by the residents of the nearby towns.
Remember that you can negotiate the price on the Ubud Market. For the most part, it can easily come down to half the starting price. In fact, you can probably get the price even further down if you feel like it. Many of the sellers often demand an unrealistically high price for their stuff. But to be completely honest, they probably need the money more than we do.
If Ubud Market looks familiar, it might be because it has been used as a movie location in the movie “Eat Pray Love” with Julia Roberts.
Balinese name: Pasar Seni Ubud. Price: Free to visit.
4. Taste Balinese food
So, Ubud seriously has some of the best food in all of Bali. In fact, this is where you’ll find the largest and most varied selection of restaurants on the island. Ubud is absolutely perfect for any food lover in Bali! You’ll be able to find countless vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Ubud, but there are also Michelin restaurants, small warungs, and great local restaurants.
Balinese and Indonesian food is notorious for being very spicy and strong. But luckily, the restaurants have gradually learned that tourists don’t like their food too strongly. However, some food is still reasonably strong in street kitchens, also called warungs.
Either way, the local food in Bali tastes delicious and truly provides a great tasting experience. Best of all, the Indonesian dishes are always much cheaper than other dishes on the menu. You should expect to pay somewhere between $ 4.50-15.50 for a delicious meal at a restaurant in Ubud.
5. Tegallalang Rice Terraces
In Bali, there are many insanely beautiful rice fields, but several of the most breathtaking are to be found around Ubud. You simply cannot visit Bali without visiting at least one of these iconic rice terraces. It’s seriously an absolute must-see sight in Bali!
The most popular rice terrace near Ubud is Tegallalang Rice Terraces. A visit is one of the very best things to do in Ubud. It is just a short drive north of Ubud by taxi or scooter. The beautiful rice fields are shaped in steps surrounded by hundreds of palm trees and other tropical plants. It’s a unique sight that you shouldn’t miss.
When visiting Tegallalang rice terraces, be sure to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This is partly because there are usually fewer visitors than in the middle of the day. But it’s also due to the light that falls better for pictures at these times of the day. Oh, and don’t forget to take a walk on the paths that lie between the rice terraces.
Tegallalang rice terraces are a completely free thing to do in Ubud, even if the locals say otherwise. They may also ask for donations. Of course, you can choose not to pay them, but some of the locals are seriously eager and unpleasant. And it certainly doesn’t get any better if you don’t bother donating money. However, it’s entirely up to you, but they mostly demand so little that it isn’t even worth the hassle.
Balinese name: Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Price: Free to visit.
6. Saraswati Temple
There are many beautiful temples in Ubud, but Saraswati Temple is the most popular temple inside the city. This temple is located near Ubud Palace and is tucked away behind Cafe Lotus and Starbucks.
Saraswati Temple is made in honor of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom and art. The area is full of sculptures of the goddess and beautiful Balinese architecture with unique decorations. In front of the entrance to the temple, there’s a bridge that leads over a pond with a lot of lotus flowers. It really is a beautiful sight in Ubud!
Note that you must wear a sarong when visiting a temple in Bali. If you don’t have a sarong yourself, you can always borrow one at the entrance to the temples. The eager locals in front of the temples may trick you into buying one yourself because they think it’s a requirement – but that isn’t true.
Saraswati Temple is also known for its dance performances, held several evenings a week. However, be aware that attending the performances isn’t a free thing to do in Ubud.
Balinese name: Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati. Price: Free to visit.
7. Practice yoga
Ubud is known for its laid-back atmosphere with plenty of yoga studios and wellness spots. Ubud is the spiritual center of Bali and therefore you can’t miss attending a yoga class. The yoga studios are located on every street corner in Ubud. So, it can easily get a little overwhelming with the many options.
However, the Yoga Barn is one of the most popular places to practice yoga in Ubud. Here you’ll be able to choose between many different yoga courses on different levels of difficulty. If you’re a beginner in the world of yoga, it may be advisable to choose the class of beginners yoga.
You can see The Yoga Barn’s schedule of yoga classes on their website. Unfortunately, you can’t book a yoga class in advance. Registration for the day classes doesn’t begin until 30 minutes before the class starts. Meanwhile, registration for the evening classes begins 1 hour before the class starts.
You should also be aware that the yoga classes get filled up fairly quickly, especially in peak season. There’s a first come first served principle, so remember to arrive well in advance. It isn’t as demanding as it may sound and it’s really one of the best things to do in Ubud, Bali.
Price: IDR 130.000 per yoga class at The Yoga Barn.
8. Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah is also called the Elephant Cave and is only a short drive south of Ubud. The temple complex is one of the most popular attractions in Bali, mainly due to the impressive cave believed to date from the 11th century.
The entrance to the cave consists of a demonic monster and if you want to enter the cave, you must go through the monster’s mouth. It’s very dark inside the cave, but there are a few cave paintings and religious relics.
The temple complex also offers a courtyard with swimming pools and fountains, surrounded by statues and beautiful ornate walls. Goa Gajah isn’t that big, and you should probably only expect to spend about 1 hour there.
The temple is still used for worship, so remember to wear a sarong. The locals on the way to the entrance may desperately be trying to sell you a sarong. However, you can just borrow one at the entrance, even if the sellers claim otherwise.
Balinese name: Goa Gajah. Price: IDR 50.000.
9. Attend a traditional Balinese dance performance
Ubud is the cultural and artistic center of Bali, and therefore it’s obvious to see a traditional Balinese dance performance. A dance show provides a great opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of Indonesia, told through dance and music.
There are many opportunities to experience a dance show in Ubud and there are many kinds of dances as well. Bali’s most popular dances are the Kecak dance, the Legong dance, and the Barong dance.
You can find dance shows everywhere in Ubud from the Royal Palace to restaurants and public places. It may be a good idea to visit the local tourist office or ask your hotel to get an overview of shows during the period you’re in the city.
Price: Around IDR 100.000 per person.
10. Campuhan Ridge Walk
Another of the best things to do in Ubud is a walk on the Campuhan Ridge Walk. A very beautiful and easy hiking trail, starting at Gunung Lebah Temple on the outskirts of Ubud. The path winds along a hilltop with stunning views of the lush landscape of Bali with green hills, rice fields, forests, and palm trees. It really is a scenic place not to be missed in Ubud!
Many people choose to take a break at Karsa Kafe where they order a tropical drink while enjoying the breathtaking views. After this, most people choose to return to Ubud, but you can easily continue the trip as well.
The hiking trail from Gunung Lebah Temple to Karsa Kafe is only about 2 kilometers long. But of course, it gets twice as long when you must go back the same way. So, it will be a trip of about 4 kilometers in total. Expect to spend about 2 hours including a short break at Karsa Kafe.
The best time to visit Campuhan Ridge Walk is early in the morning or shortly before sunset. It can be extremely hot in the middle of the day and there isn’t much shade along the hiking trail.
Balinese name: Campuhan Ridge Walk. Price: Free to visit.
11. Cooking course
Bali is famous for its delicious local cuisine. And you can learn how to cook the local food yourself, so why not try it? It’s one of the best things to do in Ubud because it creates a better insight into the culture. There are a wide variety of cooking classes all over Bali that often take place in the morning or afternoon.
Most cooking classes start with shopping at the local market where the fresh ingredients for the dishes are purchased. After this, the cooking class makes a total of about 5-8 traditional Balinese dishes. Finally, the delicious meals are enjoyed with the rest of the participants. It’s one of the funniest and most memorable things to do in Ubud.
Price: Expect around IDR 350,000 per person.
12. Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is located about 10 kilometers south of Ubud and it’s one of Bali’s most popular sights. The popularity of the waterfall isn’t to be mistaken, there are really many tourists! But it’s still a great thing to do in Ubud and the surroundings.
Tegenungan Waterfall isn’t the largest waterfall on the island, but it’s one of the most powerful waterfalls. Oh, and you can swim in the river below. The waterfall is surrounded by beautiful green nature and is a wonderful spot away from the bustle of Ubud.
On the way down to the waterfall, there are lots of stairs. It can seriously be hard to get up from there again, especially if it’s hot outside. So, try to arrive as early as possible to avoid the heat and the worst tourist crowds.
Balinese name: Blangsinga Waterfall. Price: IDR 20.000.
13. Get a massage
Everywhere in Ubud, you’ll find spa salons. So why not take advantage of the situation and enjoy a little pampering? Try a traditional Balinese massage or get a facial massage, foot massage, or something completely different. You can find all kinds of massage in Ubud, but the quality and price are very different.
I recommend that you research places in advance to get the best experience. You can easily find cheap massages for as little as $ 4.50, but it’s often an advantage to choose the “expensive” massages for around $ 8.
One thing is for sure, it’s one of the best and most relaxing things to do in Ubud. Who doesn’t like a little wellness? And at that price! I’m sold! A lot of luxury can be enjoyed at the low prices in Bali, that’s for sure!
Price: Prices start from around IDR 60,000.
14. Rent a scooter
The scooter is a very popular means of transportation among the locals and there are literally scooters everywhere in Bali. Therefore, it’s a fun experience to drive on the small winding roads of Bali as a local would have done. It’s also a super-easy way to get around to all the very best things to do in Ubud on this list. You can easily drive to the temples and waterfalls just outside Ubud.
When driving a scooter in Bali, be aware that there’s left-hand traffic in Indonesia and the locals are driving like crazy! So, it’s important to keep the tongue straight in the mouth, especially in the beginning.
Also, make sure to have an international driver’s license as there may be police checks. You can also risk being stopped in the middle of the street in the villages by vendors or people claiming to be police officers. We had a hard time separating the corrupt police officers from the real ones.
We stopped the scooter and paid about a dollar to a man who didn’t seem to be a police officer anyway, but we would rather be on the safe side. Just remember that if something seems unrealistic, then there’s probably something about it. The last tip for renting a scooter is that you must remember helmets, both for the driver and the possible passenger.
Price: Expect around IDR 60,000 per day for a scooter.
15. Gunung Kawi
Gunung Kawi is another popular temple in Bali and is located about 14 kilometers from Ubud. This is one of the most sacred temples on the island and is located next to a sacred river that is said to have healing powers. So, therefore, it isn’t abnormal to see the locals bathing in the water to get their bodies and souls cleansed.
Gunung Kawi is located at the bottom of a valley and is best known for the ten giant shrines carved directly into the solid rock wall. However, the temple complex also has ponds, swimming pools, and impressively ornate buildings. Remember to wear a sarong that can be borrowed at the entrance to the temple.
Balinese name: Pura Gunung Kawi. Price: IDR 20.000.
16. Tirta Empul
The last attraction on this list of the very best things to do in Ubud is Tirta Empul. This is an important Hindu water temple because of the sacred spring that runs through the temple.
Both the locals and tourists bathe in the two ritual pools with holy water that are supposed to heal and purify their bodies and souls. They all follow the ritual of getting under each of the 30 taps by going from left to right. Also remember to see the rest of the temple complex, full of unique and mysterious shrines.
You can borrow a sarong at the entrance, but it costs about $ 0.80 to borrow a special cloth to be able to bathe in the holy water. Tirta Empul is located about 15 kilometers from Ubud and requires only a short drive.
Balinese name: Pura Tirta Empul. Price: IDR 50.000.
So that’s all on this list of the very best things to do in Ubud. What are your favorite things to do in Ubud, Bali? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Bali? Feel free to leave a comment.
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Be very very careful about riding any scooter in Ubud. The police specifically target foreigners for a license scam including helmets, drivers licence and traffic infringement. Only foreigners are targeted. This is only about getting money as locals are not treated the same. You cannot argue with these criminal police and will have your bike confiscated until you pay. Avoid Ubud if you’re on a scooter and refuse to stop when asked. This is a total scam as it has NOTHING to do with traffic violations and is purely to harass foreigners and raise revenue because the police know that they could NEVER do this with locals!