Looking for the best things to do in Ubud? Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, and it sits right in the middle of the island. That makes it the perfect base for day trips to rice terraces, temples, waterfalls, and the volcano. We stayed three nights, which is just enough to see the highlights without rushing. This post expands on the Ubud stop from our 3-week Bali itinerary.
Things to do in Ubud: what we did
On vacation, we’re true early birds, and in Ubud you should make the most of that. Ray, our go-to guide on Bali, was at our door early every morning. That way you have the rice fields, temples, and waterfalls more or less to yourself, well ahead of the tour buses. Around noon the famous spots get really busy, and by then you’re already enjoying a cold Bintang.
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces lie north of Ubud and might be the most iconic view on Bali. Green steps of rice paddies with tall palm trees in between: in the soft morning light, it’s truly stunning. This is exactly where you notice how nice it is to go early. Later in the day the paths fill up and you’ll be waiting in line for every photo. Wear shoes you can walk well in, because the paths between the terraces are narrow and can be slippery.
Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi: two temples close together
Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi are close to each other, so you can easily combine them in one morning. Tirta Empul is a water temple built around a holy spring. Balinese people come here to purify themselves under the spouts in the pool, and as a visitor you can take part in the ritual too. Claudia went into the water: a special experience, especially if you take your time and let the local visitors go first. You’ll get a sarong at the entrance, because your knees need to be covered.
Gunung Kawi is completely different: a temple complex in a green valley, with large shrines carved into the rock face centuries ago. You’ll walk down quite a few steps (and back up again), but you’re rewarded with one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots around Ubud.
Would you rather visit Tirta Empul on an organized tour, including an explanation of the purification ritual? This tour gets excellent reviews:
Downhill mountain biking from Mount Batur
One of our favorite days: downhill mountain biking from the Batur volcano. You ride for about three hours, mostly downhill, through local villages and past rice fields. It shows you a side of Bali you’d otherwise quickly drive past: kids waving, little offerings in front of the houses, and farmers at work in the fields.
Fair warning: this ride isn’t for travelers who are a bit less coordinated and still need training wheels 😉 In our group, an Australian went flying over his handlebars, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. So take it easy on the descents. And bringing sunscreen is no luxury: you’ll be cycling for hours in the full sun.
The Monkey Forest
The Monkey Forest is right in the middle of Ubud and home to hundreds of macaques. Fun to see, but the monkeys know exactly what they want: sunglasses, water bottles, and anything that smells like food. So hold on to your things and keep snacks in your bag. We stayed close by and had visitors at our pool every day, but more on that below.
A Balinese cooking class
In Ubud we also took a cooking class, planning to recreate the food we loved so much in Canggu once we got home. Let’s just say it never got further than good intentions 😉 Still, we recommend it: you learn a lot about Balinese ingredients and spices, and you get to eat your own dishes. This cooking class on an organic farm has outstanding reviews:
Book your tours with Ray
We arranged all our trips from Ubud with Ray, our go-to guide on Bali. He puts the day tours together himself. You can reach him on Instagram: raymade_26. He takes you to all the beautiful spots around Ubud, helps you figure out the best order and timing, and is also a great driver if you want to go elsewhere on Bali. During every tour he also shoots gorgeous videos for Instagram. He sends them to you afterward, at no extra charge. That way you always have great footage to remember your trip by. We highly recommend him!
Where to stay in Ubud
We stayed three nights at Ubud Lestari Bungalows, in a Deluxe double room overlooking the pool and the rice fields. It’s a small hotel on a side path off Monkey Forest Street: central, yet quiet. Being so close to the Monkey Forest, we noticed it every day, because the monkeys came out of the forest to visit our pool. Just in case, the owner had left a big stick next to the pool for when they showed up a little too unexpectedly. We prefer to book directly with the hotel, and here you can simply do that through their website.
Where to eat and drink in Ubud
Ubud is a wonderful place to eat. You’ll find everything from simple warungs to upscale restaurants run by a Michelin-starred chef. These are our favorites.
Local food
- This is Bali
- Compound Warung
- Adi Warung
- Warung Pulau Kelapa
- Rococo Warung
Breakfast and coffee: Monsieur Spoon
Monsieur Spoon is a French bakery with delicious croissants and other sweet treats. Don’t skip the pain au chocolat, my favorite! They also serve good, strong coffee. One double espresso and you’re ready for the day.
Lunch, dinner, and cocktails
Donna is an Ubud hotspot for lunch, dinner, and great cocktails, with tapas and pasta on the menu.
PASIR Restaurant Ubud is the place if you’re craving fish or octopus. The cocktails here are a must-try too.
CHORA Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar has a beautiful inner garden and a Mediterranean menu. The vibe is upscale, and it’s pricier than all the local options.
Go to Three Monkeys for the view.
Treat yourself: Syrco BASÈ
Bring some extra spending money for Syrco BASÈ, the restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Syrco Bakker. Grab a seat at the Chef’s Table and book well in advance, or you won’t stand a chance.
From Canggu to Ubud
We came from Canggu, our first stop, and asked Ray to pick us up there. He actually handled all our transportation on Bali, and we recommend that to everyone. The drive takes about one to one and a half hours, depending on traffic.
From Ubud to Nusa Penida
There’s no direct connection between Ubud and the Nusa Islands. You first drive to Sanur and take a fast boat from there; the crossing takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Plan it for the morning, because rough seas can cause delays. Read on in our 3-week itinerary.
Things to do in Ubud: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Ubud?
We found three nights ideal. That gives you time for the rice terraces, a few temples, an active day like downhill biking, and the Monkey Forest.
What time should you arrive at the rice terraces and temples?
As early as possible. If you head out early, you’ll have the famous spots more or less to yourself and beat the tour buses.
Is Ubud a good base on Bali?
Absolutely. Ubud is centrally located, so you can visit rice fields, temples, waterfalls, and Mount Batur as day trips.
👉 Also read: Bali, the Nusa Islands, and Gili Trawangan in 3 weeks.
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