Amazing Things to Do in Ubud, Bali

Alvina T Sinaga
5 min readOct 11, 2022

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Ubud is undoubtedly the heart of Balinese culture and traditions — and it is not difficult to understand why. Surrounded by beautiful nature, Ubud offers captivating landscapes with fresh greens. Besides that, the favorite part of Bali also brings the most authentic Balinese atmosphere through its ancient temples. With its art and cultural centers, Ubud has to be at the top of places to visit in Bali.

There is a lot to see and do in Ubud for everyone, and you want to know the great news? We have rounded up twelve amazing things to do in Ubud, Bali — straight from local people in the know!

1. Walk the Campuhan Ridge

Have you imagined how you would capture your golden hour in Ubud? If not yet, then head to Campuhan Ridge Walk!

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is the favorite walking trail in Ubud; it is one of the locations to escape from crazy traffic. With a few hills, it is not difficult to find an incredible view of rice fields down into a valley while capturing your golden hour in Ubud!

2. Stroll around at Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Bali has many unique terraced rice fields, and do you know what? One of the most impressive fields that have been popular worldwide is Tegalalang!

If you want to stroll around the incredible terraces while enjoying its magnificent view, it is best to visit the terraces before 10 AM to avoid the crowds. With the countless layers of rice fields, it is one of the best ways to start your day in Ubud!

3. Feel the freshness of holy spring water at Tirta Empul Temple

Want to feel the freshness of holy spring water in Ubud? If yes, come to Tirta Empul Temple!

Tirta Empul Temple has two purification pools where you clean yourself, and this temple is one of the locations you must visit when you are on vacation in Ubud. You could feel the freshness of the holy spring water to relax your soul and mind before continuing your fantastic holiday in Ubud!

4. Visit Monkey Forest in Ubud

Have you ever imagined being surrounded by adorable monkeys? If not yet, it is definitely your time to visit Monkey Forest in Ubud!

The Monkey Forest is one of the forests inhabited by hundreds of monkeys and has become one of Ubud’s favorite tourist destinations. As its location is strategically close to the center of Ubud, this forest is one of the locations you do not want to miss when you are in Ubud!

5. Enjoy the uniqueness of Elephant Cave

Aside from the beautiful nature, do you know that Ubud also has a unique cave? Ubud has many things to offer, and one of them you should not miss is Elephant Cave.

Don’t worry. You will not find elephants and other wild animals there! The Elephant Cave is one of the tourist attractions where you would be able to find ancient sites that are up to a dozen centuries old. So, if you are curious about Ubud’s ancient history, we recommend you visit this cave in Ubud!

6. Enjoy the beauty of lotus flowers at Saraswati Temple

As you might have known, Bali undoubtedly has many beautiful temples to visit, and the Saraswati temple is a temple you must visit when you are in Ubud. Do you know why? Simply, it is because this beautiful temple has a lovely water garden with blooming lotus flowers surrounding the area that you would not find elsewhere!

7. Hunting unique items at Ubud Market

Bali is not only fun to watch the sunset, play in the sand, to sunbathe on its beaches. An island is also an excellent place for shopping. You can buy unique items with Balinese artistic values at relatively affordable prices. If you are interested in hunting special items created by local producers while on vacation in Ubud, you will not want to miss the opportunity to come to the Ubud market!

8. Dive into Balinese art and culture in Ubud museums and art galleries

The Balinese art and culture draw non-Balinese people to come and experience the uniqueness when they are on the island. Suppose you are passionate about new cultures and traditions and want to learn more about Balinese art and culture. In that case, diving into Balinese art and culture in Ubud museums and art galleries should be one of the fantastic things to do when you are in Ubud, agreed?

9. Eat tasty food in Ubud’s best restaurant

Are you one of the food lovers? If yes, you should not miss the opportunity to eat delicious food in Ubud.

As an area in Bali has become one of the culinary centers, having eating experience in the best restaurants in Ubud. For example, Locavore restaurant, once named one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and a winner of the Sustainable Restaurant Award in 2019, is one of the fantastic things you do not want to miss when you are enjoying part of your life in Ubud, right?

10. Enjoy the majesty of Ubud Palace

Do you know that, apart from various royal palaces in Europe, you can also enjoy the majesty of a royal palace when traveling in Ubud? If you don’t, it is your turn to enjoy the grandeur of Ubud Palace!

Ubud Palace, built in the 15th century, was home to the royal family of Ubud in the past. Interestingly, if you visit the palace, you certainly will feel how the glory of the Ubud kingdom was in the past and also enjoy the majesty of the magnificent architecture that followed the customs and culture of its time.

11. Experience local wisdom at Ketut Liyer’s House

Locating in the beautiful area of Ubud, the family of Ketut Liyer owns a Balinese house. He was a famous spiritual practitioner worldwide, as he told a well-known author of the Eat, Pray, Love novel, Elizabeth Gilbert, about what would happen to her life through a palm-hand reading.

Even though Ketut Liyer has passed away, you can still experience the activity of palm hand reading, which is also part of local Balinese pearls of wisdom, guided by a family member of Ketut Liyer who inherited his ability. If you are in Ubud and want to experience a palm hand reading, like what Gilbert experienced, make sure you do not miss a chance to visit Ketut Liyer’s house in Ubud, okay?

12. Stay in a luxury resort

Want to have a different experience where you could wake up to a panoramic view of rice fields and birds singing in the trees and enjoy excellent facilities like luxury retreats in Bali? If yes, staying in a luxury resort in Ubud is your ideal choice.

You might wonder why right? Well, let us tell you the fact! Unlike other Bali areas, which are usually associated with crowds, Ubud has a quiet, peaceful, and serene rural atmosphere with rice fields, rivers, and vast forests. This fact is undeniably one of Ubud’s best attractions as a getaway to wellness.

So, suppose you are dreaming of an authentic atmosphere of Ubud with a panoramic view of rice fields when you enjoy luxury retreats, more than only staying in a luxury resort. You certainly do not want to miss staying at Uma Kalai, a luxury resort in Ubud, to give you one of the most unforgettable experiences in your life, which is genuinely different from what other Bali luxury resorts could offer in Ubud!

References:

https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/things-to-do-in-ubud/#header3

https://www.saltinourhair.com/bali/things-to-do-ubud/

https://www.viceroybali.com/en/blog/bali-activities/5-must-see-ubud-museums/

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/indonesia/articles/10-incredible-cultural-experiences-in-ubud-bali/

https://www.cntraveler.com/restaurants/bali/locavore

https://templesandtreehouses.com/an-eat-pray-love-palm-reading-in-ubud-bali/

https://theworldtravelguy.com/ubud-palace-puri-saren-ubud-royal-palace-bali/#The_Ubud_Palace

https://www.umakalai.com/

https://guideyourtravel.com/uma-kalai-the-best-luxury-resort-in-ubud-bali/

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Alvina T Sinaga
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A lifelong learner who loves research, analysis and communication.