At this time, we will present the best things you can do in Ubad. Ubud is a popular artists’ village in central Bali. The area is popular due to the surrounding rice terraces like Tegalalang, countless waterfalls, yoga retreats, or a hike up Mount Batur. Everyone spends their time in Ubud differently. While some prefer to stay out of the city on a retreat, others go from restaurant to restaurant or explore nature.
Nestled in the verdant central foothills of Bali, amidst rice terraces and rainforest, ubud It is the cultural and spiritual center of the island. Modern Ubud is something of an international hotspot, with a dizzying array of outdoor activities, shopping, day spas, and restaurants serving international cuisine. But its picturesque temples and traditions attracted expats and travelers long before the era of Eat, Pray, Love, and Ubud still takes pride in its Balinese heritage. A tour of the village will take you to the grand Ubud Palace, the impressive Saraswati Temple and the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where you must store your belongings because the resident macaques are fearless.
These sights are not to be missed, but the real charm of Ubud is its people and traditional culture. Here you can experience authentic Balinese life: take a woodcarving or pottery class, learn about Balinese cuisine, chat with locals in the market, and be sure to catch a barong or keris dance performance, usually accompanied by gamelan music. and drums. Located just an hour north of Denpasar and the international airport, Ubud is an ideal inland retreat and a perfect base for exploring the highlands. Hindu holy sites such as the magnificent Tirta Empul Temple and Goa Gajah are famous day trips, as is the village of Petulu, known for its flocks of Kokokan birds.
Here is the list of the best things to do in Ubud, Bali
Ubud Monkey Forest
The Ubud Monkey Forest, located on the outskirts of central Ubud, is home to more than 700 long-tailed macaques. This nature reserve is perhaps the best known in Bali thanks to its community management, location and easy access. Overseen by Padangtegal Village, Ubud Monkey Forest is a place of scientific research and a place of spiritual and cultural aspects, as there are sacred temples enshrined by the villagers. Ubud Monkey Forest is also called the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, and by its official name Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana.
Visit the waterfalls near Ubud
Theirs is the best thing people can do in Ubud. Some of the waterfalls near Ubud are known as the best waterfalls in Bali. If you find them on a hot day, they can be absolute heaven. Jump in the water, take some photos and have a great day with friends. The most popular of the waterfalls in central Bali is the Tegenungan waterfall. Tegenungan is a social and very familiar place.
There is an area to play with the fun posters and take photos with the waterfall in the background. There’s also a swing for the perfect Instagram photo of Bali. Another couple of our favorite waterfalls near Ubud are Leke Leke Waterfall and Tibumana Waterfall. Both are simple but relaxing waterfalls accessible to the whole family.
Read more: The best adventure activities in Bali
Walk through the rice fields
Another pleasant walk is along a flat path through the rice fields towards Sari Organik Farm and Restaurant. Sari Organik is now closed, but there are plenty of other cafes along the way where you can enjoy a drink or meal with a view. Try Cafe Pomegranate, Dragonfly Cafe, or Joglo Organic. Ubud Yoga House is also right on this road. An alternative route is to start at the other end of Jalan Kajeng and walk the other way to the rice field. The drawback is that motorcycles circulate on these narrow paths.
Shop at the art market
After Ubud’s talented artists and artisans have finished their carved statues, paintings, clothing, or other handmade products, they bring it all to market. Ubud Traditional Art Market and Sukawati Art Market are among the best markets in Bali to buy authentic souvenirs at affordable prices.
Dining at Locavore
Locavore is the most famous restaurant in Ubud, if not Indonesia. After winning a variety of awards, this is the place to go if you want to try the best fusion food. Chefs Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah cook locally inspired dishes using local produce and serve tasting menus that can include up to nine courses. This is the most popular thing to do in Ubud.
Meals here typically last over three hours and you can also choose dishes with wines to ensure you get the most out of your meal. Most of the dishes are fusion based, mixing local elements with foreign techniques. Famous dishes include smoked catfish and pork shoulder, and of course, you’ll need to book in advance if you want to visit.
Read more: Best amazing waterfalls in Bali
Puri Saren Agung
The Ubud Royal Palace, officially Puri Saren Agung, is the palace of the royal family of Ubud and one of the most famous landmarks in Ubud. Built during the reign of Tjokorda Putu Kandel with well preserved Balinese architecture and lovely gardens, it is well cared for by his heirs. The Royal Palace in Ubud is best known among Balinese art lovers as one of the main venues for traditional dance performances. Every night, the Puri Saren Agung stage features angkul-angkul art performances with gamelan percussion orchestras.
Visit Pura Taman Saraswati
This quaint little temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of wisdom and art named Dewi Saraswati. To that end, you’ll find beautiful carvings of the goddess throughout the building, as well as fountains that spring from the front of the temple and fill a large, transparent pond area. The pond is covered with lush lotus flowers and it is customary to bathe or drink the water to harness some of the goddess’s power. In the evenings, when the temple is lit up against the night sky, dance performances are also held here, which are even more magical than during the day.
stay out of town
Ubud does not make the best first impression. We stayed in the city center for the first few days wondering what the hell we were going to do there. The center is overloaded with traffic, tour groups and souvenir shops. There are gems to be found, but to get the most out of your stay, we highly recommend staying outside of the center, ideally somewhere with a view of the rice fields.
We moved 3km out of town and ended up staying for almost five months and coming back for another five months the following year. Relaxing by our pool overlooking the rice fields or the jungle is the highlight of Ubud for us. There is a wide variety of accommodation in Ubud, from budget homestays to luxury resorts.
Read more: Best places to visit in Bali for a complete vacation
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Possibly the most popular things to do in Ubud and definitely the most famous rice fields in Asia. The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are located in the center of the island, just over a 20-minute drive from the city center. It will be an early wake-up call, but sunrise over the lush green fields and palm trees is an epic way to start your day exploring Ubud.
The natural rays of the sun peeking through the palm trees and bouncing off the rice fields are truly magical. Take a walk, watch the local farmers at work, even hop on the zip lines and jungle swings if you’re feeling adventurous. There is a specific point of sunrise that has become very popular for taking pictures. Once you enter the Tegalalang grounds, go to the back of the fields.
Of museums and galleries
With all its quirks and charms, Bali, and Ubud in particular, has captivated and inspired countless talented artists. Now tourists can enjoy some of the best works by some of the world’s greatest in Ubud’s many art galleries and museums. The Blanco Renaissance Museum houses the master’s works of art in its own villa overlooking lush tropical jungle, while the Agung Rai Art Museum and the Neka Art Museum showcase diverse collections by renowned and contemporary artists from around the world.
Campuhan Ridge Hike
Ubud is a bustling and busy city, but it is surrounded by natural beauty. Take the Campuhan Ridge Walk to escape honking cars and crowded sidewalks. It’s a man-made stone path that takes you up a hill, through trees and tall grass. From this vantage point, you have a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape and see vast green spaces.
It’s a breathtaking sight and there are also soothing sounds of the water cascading down from the depths of the hill. The trail is a little over a kilometer long, so allow about an hour for the round trip at a normal walking pace. The path does not make a loop. When you reach the end you have to turn around and go back the same way. This means you can make the walk as long or as short as you like.
Tirta Empul Temple
If you are looking for sacred places in Bali, this is the perfect place for you. Do not miss the opportunity when you visit Ubud Bali Discover the famous Tirta Empul Temple. Tirta Empul is a complex of temples with a mountain spring in the city of Manukaya in Bali. The temple complex was built around 960 AD, it is also a silent observer of the years of the ancient Balinese Kingdom, especially the time of the Warmadewa dynasty. Other Adjacent and unmistakably on a slope is the Presidential Palace, Istana Tampaksiring, built during the country’s first president, Soekarno.
Last words
We hope you enjoy some of these suggestions for things to do in Ubud. But remember, if you can’t get out of your lounger overlooking the rice paddies, don’t feel bad. Ubud is best explored at your own pace. Ubud pampers the body and mind of its visitors. The fine restaurants and spas here will delight and relax the senses. Walking through the lush rice fields and watching the colorful processions of women gracefully balancing mountains of fruit offerings on their way to the temple are lasting impressions and simply breathtaking. To best experience the nature of Ubud, you should choose an accommodation that is located outside the center of Ubud, somewhere between the greenery and the sounds of nature. However, if you want to stay close to the action, there are also plenty of accommodations in central Ubud.
I hope you understand this article, Best Things to Do in Ubud, Bali.
