Ubud is a town in Bali, Indonesia – mostly famous for its green landscape, numerous temples, rice terraces, waterfalls, arts and cultures. Almost everyone traveling to Bali visits this scenic town and spends their sweet time. This is your ultimate travel guide for Ubud.
When most people picture Bali, they see beaches. Turquoise water, golden sand, long sunsets over the Indian Ocean. And they are not wrong — Bali’s beaches are genuinely stunning. But if beaches were the only reason to visit, Bali would be half the place it is.
Ubud is the other half.
I have been to Bali more than once. And I keep coming back to Ubud — not because it’s easy or convenient, but because it does something to you that the beach towns don’t. It slows you down. It asks you to pay attention. The green countryside stretches in every direction. The temples are everywhere — not as tourist backdrops, but as living places of worship. The markets hum with activity. The rice terraces glow in the morning light.
Ubud sits in the middle of Bali, surrounded by valleys, rivers, and jungle. There is no beach. That’s the point. Everything here is land-bound, rooted, old. It is the cultural capital of Bali — where Balinese Hinduism, art, dance, and architecture are at their most concentrated and alive.
This is the guide I wish I had before my first visit: what’s worth your time, what to skip, where to eat, how to get there, and where to sleep.
Bali has so much more to offer beyond Ubud — from the stunning island of Nusa Penida to the relaxed vibes of Gili Air and the beaches of Bingin. But start here. Ubud earns it.
Ubud at a Glance
| Location | Central Bali, Gianyar Regency, Indonesia |
| Distance from Airport | 38 km (~1 hour by private transfer) |
| Best Time to Visit | May–September (dry season); avoid Dec–Feb if possible |
| Recommended Stay | Minimum 3 days; 5 days if you want to do day trips |
| Currency | Indonesian Rupiah (IDR); cards accepted in most hotels and restaurants |
| Getting Around | Motorbike rental, hired driver, or electric bike tour |
Best Things to Do in Ubud, Bali
Walk the Campuhan Ridge at Sunrise
Of all the things I have done in Ubud, the Campuhan Ridge Walk is the one I would do again without hesitation. Not because it’s spectacular in a dramatic, jaw-dropping way, but because of how quietly beautiful it is.
Imagine walking along a narrow paved path between two valleys. The river Wos runs below you on one side, the river Cerik on the other. The name Campuhan literally means “where two rivers meet.” The grass is long and green. The palms stand still in the morning air. It’s Bali at its most peaceful.
The trail is only 2 km (1.25 miles) one way — easy for anyone who can walk. I recommend arriving at sunrise: the light is gorgeous, the temperature is cool, and you’ll share the path with almost no one. By 9 AM, it starts to fill up.
To start, walk to the driveway of Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas. The trailhead begins just there. Budget under an hour for the walk — more if you plan to stop for photos (which you will).
💡 Pro Tip: Pair the ridge walk with a Ubud spa session after. Your legs will thank you.
📌 Book: Trekking and Spa Package in Ubud (Klook)
Cool Off at Tegenungan Waterfall
Ubud sits within reach of several waterfalls, and Tegenungan is the most popular — and for good reason. It’s accessible, well-organised, and genuinely impressive. The fall drops into a wide pool that you can wade into. There are wooden platforms for photos and a few cafés at the top of the cliff.
I went midday, which meant plenty of visitors. If I were doing it again, I’d go before 9 AM — the light is better and the crowds are thin. There’s a small entry fee to pay at the gate.
Other waterfalls worth visiting near Ubud:
Tibumana Waterfall — calm, green, good for swimming
Sekumpul Waterfall — arguably the most beautiful in all of Bali; requires a hike, rewards handsomely
Nungnung Waterfall — one of the tallest in Bali; a steep descent but an incredible payoff
Leke Leke Waterfall — tucked deep in the jungle, peaceful and rarely crowded
Kanto Lampo Waterfall — flows over dramatic rock formations, easy to reach
Visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces and Try the Swing & Zipline
Every photo you’ve seen of Bali rice terraces — the ones with perfect geometric steps of vivid green dropping down the hillside — was probably taken at Tegalalang. These are Ubud’s most famous attraction, and they genuinely deserve their reputation.
The terraces use a traditional irrigation system called subak, a cooperative water management method that has been in practice for over a thousand years. In 2012, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces — part of the same landscape tradition — were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Standing at the edge of Tegalalang, watching water move from one bamboo channel to the next, you understand why.
Arrive before 8 AM if possible. Midday turns it into a crowded tourist photo zone with overpriced warungs. Early morning, it’s calm and golden.
If you want fewer crowds altogether, the rice terraces of Sidemen are a quieter alternative — a bit further from Ubud’s centre but absolutely worth it, especially at sunrise.
For those who want more adrenaline with their views, Tegalalang is also home to some of Bali’s most thrilling adventure experiences — swing out over the jungle canopy, zipline above the rice fields, or try the sky bike suspended between the treetops. It’s a genuinely fun way to see the terraces from a different angle.
💡 Pro Tip: Walk down into the terraces rather than just shooting from above. The deeper you go, the fewer people there are.
📌 Book: Rice Terrace Swing, Zipline & SkyBike Adventure (GetYourGuide)
📌 Book: Tegalalang Rice Terrace & Monkey Forest Tour (Klook)
Explore the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Ubud Monkey Forest is a wildlife sanctuary home to over 1,200 long-tailed Balinese macaques, set inside 27 acres of dense jungle. Three ancient Hindu temples — some dating back to the 14th century — sit within the forest, making it as much a spiritual site as a natural one.
The monkeys are bold, curious, and occasionally mischievous. I’ve seen them snatch sunglasses off faces, pull on bags, and claim snacks from unsuspecting visitors. Don’t bring food. Don’t make direct eye contact. Secure your belongings.
That said, watching them in their natural setting — grooming each other, carrying their young, leaping between the ancient stone carvings — is genuinely fascinating. This is one of those places that reminds you Bali has been here long before tourism arrived.
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
- Entrance Fee: IDR 80,000 (weekdays) / IDR 100,000 (weekends)
Walk Through Ubud Royal Palace — Free Entry
Right in the centre of Ubud, at the corner of Jalan Raya Ubud and Jalan Suweta, stands Puri Saren Agung — the Ubud Royal Palace. It’s still the official residence of the Ubud royal family, and several of its pavilions and courtyards are open to the public at no charge.
The architecture is intricate Balinese stonework: carved demons, golden pavilions, and lush gardens. It won’t take more than 15–20 minutes to walk through, but it’s a genuinely beautiful stop in the heart of the busy town. Visit in the morning before it gets crowded.
At night, the palace courtyard becomes a venue for traditional Legong and Kecak dance performances — some of the best in Bali. Legong is a refined, delicate dance from royal tradition. Kecak involves dozens of men chanting rhythmically while telling stories from the Hindu epic Ramayana, often with fire. Both are worth watching.
📌 Book: Kecak & Fire Dance Show Tickets, Ubud (GetYourGuide)
Visit Ubud’s Ancient Temples
Bali is home to over 20,000 temples — and the Ubud region has a remarkable concentration of significant ones. The Balinese practice a distinct form of Hinduism that blends Indian Hindu traditions with local animist beliefs. The temples here are active places of worship, not museum pieces.
The most important temples to visit in and around Ubud:
Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal: Located inside the Monkey Forest, used exclusively for active worship — tourists may not enter.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): Carved into a rock face in the 9th century. The entrance is a giant open-mouthed demon face — eerie and magnificent. One of my favourite spots in all of Ubud.
Pura Tirta Empul: A sacred water temple where Balinese Hindus come to purify themselves in holy spring pools. If you visit respectfully, you can witness one of the most intimate religious rituals in Bali.
Gunung Kawi: Massive 11th-century royal shrines carved directly into the rock face of a valley. One of Bali’s most atmospheric ancient sites.
Pura Taman Saraswati: The water temple in the heart of Ubud town, built over a lotus pond. The evening dance performances here are magnificent.
🙏 Dress Code: You must wear a sarong to enter any temple. Most provide one at the entrance for a small fee or for free.
Watch a Traditional Balinese Dance Performance
This is one of those experiences that transcends language. I stumbled upon a drama performance near the Saraswati Temple in Ubud — staged beside a Starbucks, in front of an ancient temple gate. The performers wore elaborate gold costumes and masks. The movements were precise, expressive, almost hypnotic.
I didn’t understand a word. I didn’t need to.
The Kecak fire dance is the most dramatic and visually spectacular. The Legong dance is more refined and intricate. The Barong dance tells the story of the eternal battle between good and evil. All are performed regularly in Ubud — at the Royal Palace, at Pura Dalem, and at several dedicated venues.
📌 Book: Kecak & Fire Dance Show Tickets, Ubud (GetYourGuide)
Browse Ubud Art Market
The Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) sits directly across from the Royal Palace and has been operating since the 1800s. It’s one of Bali’s best markets for handmade crafts — wood carvings, batik fabrics, coconut bowls, rattan bags, paintings, silver jewellery, and woven baskets.
Bargaining is expected and part of the fun. Start at around 40–50% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle. The vendors are experienced — but friendly — negotiators.
Head to the east section of the market for a more local experience, where you’ll find fresh produce and everyday goods rather than tourist items.
Enjoy a local Drama
Although you won’t understand the language of these dramas as they are staged in the Indonesian language, it’s worth watching one. You should be able to follow it if you watch carefully. I came across such a performance. It took place just beside the Starbucks in Ubud in front of Saraswati Temple.
I thoroughly enjoyed the expressions of the artists, their costumes and overall performance. It was fascinating to watch. You can buy a ticket before the starting of the show from the venue. Even if you don’t buy one, you can see it from far, you won’t get any seat in that case.
Explore the green countryside with a bike
Ubud’s countryside is best experienced slowly. The traffic in town can be frustrating — narrow roads, motorbikes everywhere. But once you get out of the centre, the roads open up into green farmland, quiet villages, and stretches of jungle where you might ride for 20 minutes without passing another tourist.
An electric bike tour is the practical and scenic way to do this. You cover more ground than walking without the heat and sweat of a regular bicycle. Several operators run tours through rice fields, temples, and traditional villages — with a guide who can explain what you’re actually looking at.
Take a Balinese Cooking Class
This is one of the best things to do in Ubud if you’re spending more than two days. Balinese cooking classes typically begin with a walk through a local market to buy fresh ingredients, then guide you through cooking 5–8 traditional dishes, and end with eating everything you made.
You learn things you actually use afterwards: how to make a proper base genep (Bali’s foundational spice paste), how to cook lawar, how to balance the flavours of tamarind, galangal, and coconut in a proper Balinese sambal.
📌 Book: Balinese Cooking Class in Ubud (GetYourGuide)
Spend an Hour at Neka Art Museum
If you want to understand Balinese painting — not just see it, but actually understand its development, its schools, its relationship with Dutch and Western artists who came to Bali in the 20th century — the Neka Art Museum is the best place to do it.
The Balinese Painting Hall alone is worth the visit, covering everything from traditional wayang-style works to the modernist movement that emerged when European artists settled in Ubud in the 1930s. Don’t miss the Lempad Pavilion, dedicated to Gusti Nyoman Lempad — one of Bali’s most significant artists.
Visit ARMA — Agung Rai Museum of Art
ARMA is one of Ubud’s finest cultural institutions — part museum, part cultural centre, part tropical garden. The collection spans traditional Balinese works alongside pieces by Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet, the European artists who helped shape Ubud’s identity as an artistic hub in the early 20th century.
The grounds are beautiful and expansive. ARMA also hosts regular workshops, gamelan performances, and dance classes — check their schedule and book in advance if you want to join something specific.
Do a Yoga Class or Spa Day
Ubud has been a global yoga destination since long before Eat, Pray, Love put it on the map. The concentration of high-quality yoga studios, meditation centres, sound healing practitioners, and traditional Balinese healers (balian) is unlike anywhere else in Indonesia.
Yoga Barn is the most well-known venue — it runs a full daily schedule of yoga styles, meditation, breathwork, and other classes. Intuitive Flow is a smaller studio with a more intimate, experienced-focused vibe.
For a classic Bali spa experience, Ubud’s offerings are excellent and significantly more affordable than equivalent spas in Europe or Australia. A full two-hour traditional Balinese massage with a flower bath can cost IDR 200,000–300,000 (roughly USD $12–$18).
📌 Book: Trekking + Ubud Spa Package (Klook)
Try Luwak Coffee at a Local Plantation
Kopi luwak — coffee made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of a civet cat — is probably Indonesia’s most famous culinary curiosity. Love it or find it deeply strange, it’s an experience. Several coffee plantations just outside Ubud offer free tastings of 15+ types of tea and coffee, including kopi luwak.
The tastings are genuinely free. You’re expected to buy something if you enjoy it, which is fair. The plantation tour itself — seeing the civets, learning how the beans are processed, smelling the roasting — is interesting and takes about an hour.
⚠️ Ethical note: Some plantations keep their civets in small cages. Look for farms that allow their animals to roam more freely — this is becoming more common as responsible tourism grows.
Take a Full-Day Ubud Private Tour
If you only have one full day in Ubud, the most efficient way to cover the highlights is a guided private day tour. A good driver-guide will take you to Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul, a coffee plantation, Tegenungan Waterfall, and the Monkey Forest — all without the stress of navigating Ubud’s unpredictable traffic yourself. Everything is included, so you just show up and experience.
📌 Book: Ubud All-Inclusive Private Day Tour (Klook)
Go ATV Quad Biking Through the Jungle
If you want to get off the tourist trail — literally — an ATV quad bike ride through Ubud’s jungle terrain is one of the most exhilarating things you can do in the area. You ride through rice paddies, river valleys, narrow jungle tracks, and traditional villages on a 4-wheeler guided by a local instructor. No experience needed.
Alasan Adventure runs one of the best-rated ATV experiences in Ubud, set within a 25-hectare jungle property with multiple route options for different skill levels. You can also combine it with whitewater rafting on the Ayung River and a jungle swing for a full action-packed day.
📌 Book: Ubud ATV Quad Bike Ride by Alasan Adventure (Klook)
📌 Book: ATV Ride, Rafting & Jungle Swing with Lunch (Klook)
Watch the Kecak Fire Dance at Sunset
Of all the cultural experiences in Ubud, watching a Kecak dance at sunset is the one I most strongly recommend. A chorus of 50–100 men sitting in concentric circles, chanting “cak-cak-cak” in hypnotic rhythm while performers enact scenes from the Ramayana around a central fire — it’s theatre, ritual, and music rolled into one.
The performance at Uluwatu is the most famous, but Ubud has its own versions, often held at the Royal Palace or the forest temples. Arrive 20–30 minutes early to get a good seat.
📌 Book: Kecak & Fire Dance Show Tickets, Ubud (GetYourGuide)
Go Whitewater Rafting on the Ayung River
The Ayung River runs through a stunning gorge just outside Ubud, and rafting it is one of the most exhilarating half-days you can have in Bali. The route takes you past jungle-covered cliffs, stone carvings, and cascading waterfalls — about 2 hours on the water with rapids ranging from gentle to genuinely exciting. No experience needed. Most tours include hotel pick-up, equipment, and a buffet lunch.
📌 Book: ATV Ride, Rafting & Jungle Swing with Lunch (Klook)
Learn Silver Jewellery Making
Ubud has a long tradition of metalwork and silver craftsmanship. A silver jewellery-making class lets you spend 2–3 hours learning to shape, solder, and polish a piece of silver under a local craftsman’s guidance — and you leave with something you made yourself. A ring, a pendant, a bracelet — whatever you choose is yours to keep. More satisfying than buying something from the market, and the story of how you made it travels home with you.
Explore Ubud Art Market
The Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) sits directly across from the Royal Palace and has been operating since the 1800s. Wood carvings, batik fabrics, coconut bowls, rattan bags, paintings, silver jewellery — it’s Bali’s artisan culture in concentrated form. Bargaining is expected; start at 40–50% of the asking price. Head to the east section for a more local experience with fresh produce and everyday goods rather than tourist items.
Watch a Gamelan Music Performance
Gamelan is the traditional percussion orchestra of Bali — bronze gongs, metallophones, and drums played in interlocking rhythmic patterns that create something hypnotic and unlike anything in Western music. It is the sound of Bali. Hearing it live, rather than as background noise at a restaurant, is a completely different experience.
The Gamelan Semara Ratih ensemble is one of the most acclaimed in Ubud, performing regularly in town. ARMA museum also hosts gamelan evenings — check the schedule when you arrive. Even catching an informal rehearsal drifting from a village temple is worth stopping for.
Visit the Blanco Renaissance Museum
The former home and studio of Antonio Blanco — a flamboyant Spanish-Filipino artist who moved to Ubud in the 1950s — sits right at the start of the Campuhan Ridge Walk, making it a natural pairing for that morning. The museum spans two acres of tropical gardens with lily ponds, exotic birds, and an architectural fantasia of a house-turned-gallery. The paintings inside are bold, detailed, and genuinely impressive. The grounds alone are worth the entrance fee.
Walk the Rice Paddies of Sidemen
While Tegalalang gets the tourists and the Instagram traffic, the rice paddies around Sidemen — about 45 minutes east of Ubud — are wider, greener, quieter, and in many ways more beautiful. Go at sunrise and you may have the whole landscape to yourself: terraced fields stepping down towards the valley, Mount Agung rising above the mist, a few farmers beginning their morning work. Sidemen is also known for its weaving villages, where traditional Balinese songket cloth is still made on hand looms.
Take a Sunrise Photography Tour
Ubud rewards early risers more than almost anywhere else in Bali. The light in the hour after dawn — over the rice terraces, through the jungle, along the Campuhan Ridge — is extraordinary, and it’s gone by 9 AM when crowds arrive and the sky flattens out. A guided sunrise tour takes you to the best viewpoints at the right moments, often combining Tegalalang, the Ridge Walk, and a coffee plantation stop. Even if you’re not a serious photographer, seeing Ubud before it wakes up is worth the early alarm.
📌 Book: Ubud All-Inclusive Private Day Tour (Klook)
Experience a Traditional Balinese Healing Session
Ubud is home to traditional Balinese healers known as balian — spiritual practitioners who combine herbal medicine, prayer, and energy work in a way deeply embedded in Balinese Hindu culture. The practice was made internationally known by Eat, Pray, Love, but it existed for centuries before the book.
A session with a reputable balian is genuinely interesting whether or not you believe in the spiritual dimension — the ritual, the setting, the cultural insight make it unlike anything else in Bali. Ask your hotel to recommend someone trustworthy, as quality varies. Approach it with respect and genuine curiosity rather than as a tourist box to tick, and it can be one of the most memorable experiences of your entire trip.
Day Trips from Ubud
Ubud makes an excellent base for exploring wider Bali. Here are the best day trips reachable in under 90 minutes:
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trek or Jeep Tour: A pre-dawn journey up an active volcano to watch the sunrise from the caldera rim. You can do it on foot (a 2-hour guided hike) or by jeep if you prefer the views without the climb. An optional photographer can capture the whole experience.
📌 Book: Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour & Trekking (Klook)
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: The UNESCO-listed terraces about 45 km from Ubud. Quieter than Tegalalang, more expansive, and even more beautiful.
- Tanah Lot Temple: Bali’s most photographed temple, perched on a sea rock off the southwest coast. Best at sunset.
- Nusa Penida: This island off Bali’s southeast coast deserves its own two or three days, but you can also do a long day trip if you start early.
Best Hotels in Ubud
Ubud offers some fantastic accommodation options ranging from luxurious 5 stars hotels to boutique stay. Below are some of the best hotels in Ubud considering different price ranges.
Four Seasons Ubud
If you can afford it, this hotel is simply the best in Bali. The architecture of Four Seasons Ubud is so mind-blowing, it could easily make it to the top things to see in Bali list.
Amori Villas
My stay in the Amori villa was fascinating. As soon as you will enter through their main gate, you will be astonished by the amount of green soothing your eyes. When you will extend your eyes, you will experience a tranquil background full of trees on small hills,
A bridge connects two part of the villas where you will find several cute little huts. There is a big space for yoga sessions, too. Overall, you will be amongst nature at its best. They have restaurants and bars, too, albeit a little more expensive than outside.
Alaya Resort Ubud
This hotel has 60 rooms and located in downtown Ubud. It’s clean, intelligently decorated, and peaceful. The breakfast they serve is delicious.
The Kayon Resort by Pranama
The Kayon Resort by Pranama is arguably the best hotel in Ubud. Perched on a hill amidst lush green jungles, this 5-star boutique resort is everything you can ask for – sublime views, great hospitalities, fantastic amenities.
The Udaya Resort and Spa
Spa, flower bath, infinity pool, sparkling clean, quietness, and welcoming staffs – these sums up the Udaya Resort and Spa. This is also one of the very best hotels in Ubud.
Best Restaurants in Ubud
Ubud has one of the most interesting food scenes in Bali — a genuine mix of authentic warungs, creative plant-based cafés, and world-class fine dining hidden inside jungle gardens. Here is the full list of restaurants worth your time.
Fine Dining & Special Occasions
Locavore NXT — Ubud’s most celebrated restaurant, and one of Southeast Asia’s finest. The menu is built entirely around hyperlocal Indonesian ingredients — obscure jungle greens, small-batch ferments, things you won’t find on any other menu in Bali. Innovative, intelligent, and deeply delicious. Book well in advance; it fills up weeks ahead.
Mozaic — French-Indonesian fine dining set inside a lush tropical garden. Award-winning and consistently ranked among Bali’s best. Go for the tasting menu and take your time.
Hujan Locale — Authentic Balinese and Indonesian flavours elevated into something elegant. Carefully sourced local ingredients, modern technique, warm atmosphere. Outstanding.
Kepitu Restaurant — Delicious food, unbeatable ambiance inside the Komaneka resort. One of the best fine dining experiences in Ubud, and a step more accessible than Locavore or Mozaic.
The Grill @ Luxe — Do you want a steak or a proper grill in Ubud? This is your go-to place. Fine dining done simply and well.
International & Fusion
Kojin Teppanyaki Restaurant — The best Japanese restaurant in Ubud. If you’re craving something different from Balinese food mid-trip, this is where to go.
Monkey Legend Restaurant & Bar — A small, friendly restaurant serving both international and local food. Try the lemongrass pannacotta, satay, rendang, and pasta. A good all-rounder for any meal of the day.
Taco Fiesta — The best Mexican food in Ubud. Their tacos are genuinely unbeatable and the value is excellent.
Pica — A South American gem in the middle of Bali, serving specifically Peruvian and Latin food. Unexpected and excellent.
Vegetarian & Plant-Based
Kafe — Organic menu with vegan and vegetarian options. Nice decor, relaxed atmosphere, serves Indonesian and Balinese cuisine. A reliable choice for healthy eating.
Zest Ubud — A creative plant-based hub with stunning views and a menu that makes you forget there’s no meat involved. The smoothie bowls and raw desserts are worth coming back for.
Local & Budget
Sun Sun Warung — One of the best options for cheap Indonesian food in Ubud. Authentic, delicious, and easy on the wallet. A must-visit for your first meal in town.
Simply Social — A lovely open-air spot with relaxed seating. Serves full meals as well as fantastic desserts. Great atmosphere for a casual lunch or evening out.
Just Desserts
Room4Dessert — Serves the best desserts in town, hands down. Creative, boundary-pushing, and worth every rupiah. Don’t leave Ubud without coming here.
💡 Note: Fine dining restaurants like Locavore NXT, Mozaic, and Kepitu fill up fast during high season (July–September). Book your table before you arrive in Bali.
Ubud Travel Tips
- Wear a sarong when entering temples — most provide one at the gate for free or a small fee.
- Download the Grab app before you arrive. It works for both taxi rides and food delivery.
- Motorbike rental gives you the most freedom, but be careful — Bali’s roads can be unpredictable. Consider a hired driver for day trips.
- Carry cash in Rupiah. Most markets and smaller restaurants don’t accept cards. There are ATMs and money changers throughout Ubud.
- Book popular tours and hotels in advance during high season (July–September). Availability fills up fast.
- The rainy season runs November through February. If you visit then, build flexibility into your plans — afternoon downpours are common.
- Respect active ceremonies. If a procession or prayer session is happening, step back and observe quietly. Bali’s religious calendar is busy — you’ll likely encounter one.
- Fine dining restaurants like Locavore NXT and Mozaic require advance reservations — sometimes weeks ahead during peak season. Book before you land in Bali.
Final Thoughts on Ubud
Ubud is one of those places that rewrites how you think about travel. It’s not a destination you tick off a list. It’s one you absorb.
I’ve been to Bali more than once now, and I find myself returning to Ubud specifically — not to see new things, but to re-experience the rhythm of the place. The morning light over the rice terraces. The sound of a gamelan practice drifting across the street. The monkeys being impossible in the forest. The temples filled with offerings.
Give it at least three days. More if you can.
Best Restaurants in Ubud
- Kafe – Organic menu with vegan/veggie options. Nice decor, serves Indonesian, Balinese cuisine.
- Monkey Legend Restaurant & Bar – A small restaurant serving both international and local foods. Try their lemongrass pannacotta, satay, rendang, and pasta.
- Kojin Teppanyaki Restaurant – Best Japanese restaurant in Ubud
- The Grill @ Luxe – Do you wanna have a steak or grill? This is your go-to place. Fine dining.
- Kepitu Restaurant – Delicious food, unbeatable ambiance, one of the best fine dining options in Ubud.
- Taco Fiesta – Best Mexican food in Ubud, their Tacos are unbeatable.
- Sun Sun Warung – One of the best options for cheap Indonesian food in Ubud, a must-go place for your food.
- Room4Dessert – Serves the best dessert in town, hands down.
- Pica – A south American delicacy in Ubud serving specifically Peruvian, and Latin food.
- Simply Social – Lovely place, open-air seating options, serves full meal as well as fantastic desserts.
How to Get to Ubud
Time needed: 4 days
- From Bali Airport (Ngurah Rai International)
Ubud is 38 km from the airport. By private transfer, it takes approximately 1 hour with normal traffic though Bali traffic can be unpredictable. A private airport transfer is the most comfortable and straightforward option, costing around USD $15–$25 and bookable in advance.
📌 Book: Private Airport Transfer to Ubud (Klook)
📌 Book: Bus to Ubud from Airport (12GoAsia) - From Kuta or Seminyak
About 34–38 km from Ubud, usually 1–1.5 hours by car. The easiest option is to book a private driver or use the Grab app (the regional equivalent of Uber).
Leave a reply