Ubud, Bali, Indonesia: Travel Guide

You may have heard of Ubud from Instagram. Or if you are an Elizabeth Gilbert fan and read ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, then you probably have already sought out a Balinese medicine man and have a list of places to see in Ubud. If not, read on!

There is little equivalent to Bali’s shades of green. Though most travelers tend to give priority to popular beach destinations, such as Uluwatu, Canggu, and Seminyak, we decided to head directly to Bali’s cultural capital Ubud. It is the one tourist destination in Bali that still exudes the island’s true lifestyle. Ubud is centrally located and is known for its luscious foliage and post-card-worthy views. But also for epic waterfalls, rice terraces, volcano views, and yoga. It is also the center for traditional medicines and has a world-famous art scene. 

As a spiritual place, the best way to enjoy Ubud is to slow down, immerse yourself in nature, eat well, and achieve ultimate levels of relaxation by getting a few massages and perhaps taking a few yoga classes. Though the center of Ubud can get quite hectic with tourists, you can find peace by staying further outside of town and steep in serenity. So if you are still wondering if Ubud is worth visiting, here are our reasons to travel to Ubud, attractions included!

Reasons to Visit Ubud and Attractions 

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

A visit to the Monkey Forest is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Ubud. The tranquil park is located right in the center of town. The park itself is a peaceful getaway from traffic and noise, with well-paved paths hugged by lush jungle, and three ancient Hindu temples adorned with beautiful statues. But the 1260 long-tailed macaques who permanently reside there are the main attraction. Hence the name Monkey Forest.

You probably have been lured in with pictures of these creatures circulating the internet and oozing cuteness. But cute as they are, macaques are notorious troublemakers! And upon entry to the park, you will see plenty of warning signs asking visitors to avoid making eye contact or smiling at monkeys and refrain from bringing food and plastic bags as they associate them with food. Also, make sure there is no way to unzip or undo your bag to gain access to your belongings, and do not wear easy to grab accessories like sunglasses. If you decide to take your chances, you might just find out how smart and capable the monkeys are!

Ancient Temples

Since Ubud is the spiritual capital of Bali, it is teeming with temples, but not all of them are open to tourists. Some temples are partially accessible to visitors, and others even welcome foreigners to partake in rituals. Read up on restrictions before you go, and make sure to wear appropriate clothing with shoulders and knees covered, for which most temples will rent out a sarong.

The most popular temples to visit in Ubud are the Pura Tirta Empul, located 30 minutes outside of Ubud, and Saraswati temple, right in the center of town, as they both have beautiful water features. 

Pura Tirta Empul temple, also known as the Holy Spring Water temple, is one of the busiest temples in all of Indonesia. This is because not only is it sacred, but the springs that feed the water wells are said to have been created and blessed by the God Indra. Thus, anyone who bathes in it is considered purified. Locals and tourists alike flock to the purification pools to undergo the ritual of cleansing themselves at each of the 30 waterspouts, while wrapped in a sarong. 

Saraswati temple is known as Ubud Water Palace for the lotus flower ponds that frame the temple. The ponds are even more beautiful in the spring when the lotus flowers are in full bloom. Visit the temple early in the morning to avoid crowds and again at 19:30 to catch a performance of traditional Balinese dance. 

Campuhan Nature Walk

Another fantastic thing to do in Ubud is again located in the center of town. The Campuhan Ridge is a walk along a mountain that is less than 1.5 miles long, starting from the Wos rivers, but is very popular for its magical views, especially at sunset. It’s absolutely free and makes for the best way to enjoy a gentle well-paved stroll surrounded by intense shades of green provided by rice paddies.

Incredible Waterfalls

If you are planning a visit to Ubud, waterfalls will be at the top of your itinerary as they are abundant. While there are a few favorites tourists love chasing around Ubud, the waterfall famed the most is hands down Tegenungan Waterfall. Despite being so touristy, the views are well worth it! But while swimming close to the Tegenungan Waterfall is dangerous, Kanto Lampo is the perfect alternative for a refreshing dip. At Kanto Lampo, the water flow runs down a stair-like cliff that softens the pressure by the time it reaches the bottom. So getting close and under the stream is the best thing to do on a hot day. You can also climb the rocks, but we recommend wearing anti-slip footwear.

Balinese Cuisine

Balinese cuisine is as rich and vibrant as the island itself. It consists of spices, meats, fish, and fresh vegetables, which there is no lack of. There is more pork consumed on the island than in mainland Indonesia for lesser Muslims and less beef for more Hindus. Vegetarians will also find plenty of mouthwatering options in Bali. 

Of course, after sampling our fair share of Balinese food, we opted for a cooking class. Ubud has plenty of affordable cooking classes and the experience also includes a market tour or a visit to a traditional village, depending on how much time your itinerary is willing to spare. Regardless, you will get to learn about Balinese ingredients and takeaway recipes to treat your family back home.

Rice Terraces

The picture-perfect rice paddies of Tegalalang in Ubud, protected by the UNESCO World Heritage, have become well and truly Instagram-famous. So much so that you will find swings and installations to take photos with. Hence, you can imagine this is a touristy place. 

The rice paddies are located only 20 minutes outside of Ubud so getting there is a breeze and gives no excuse not to arrive early. If you make it there at sunrise, you can beat the photo-frenzied crowds that start to form starting at 9 am and take in the magic in solitude. Experiencing the rice paddies becomes more authentic the further you go into the village. Take a stroll through the terraces, searching for the best angle, and practicing your balancing act to avoid falling into the mud.

Art for Days

Ubud is also known as the creative hub and handcraft central of Bali and there is an entire market that works the double shift to make room for art. It runs as a produce market in the mornings and an Art Market from 8 am onwards. You can enjoy strolling through the market like an art gallery or hunt for unique paintings and decorations, and purchase souvenirs or clothing and accessories all made by local artisans. Whatever you are after, you are guaranteed to secure a one-of-a-kind find or gift. 

Alternatively, if you prefer to make your own one-of-a-kind souvenir, make time to join a Batik workshop. The technique of Batik painting originated on the island of Java back in the 12th century, and it is an extremely delicate but meditative process. In a Batik Making Class, you’ll learn about the traditional process of dying cloth with Indonesian patterns that have been passed down through generations. 

We hope these top Ubud attractions gave you enough reason to start planning your trip. If so, pin this guide for later and check out our posts about these two bucket list destinations in Indonesia: Komodo Island and Raja Ampat Islands.