Ubud is not the kind of place where you need a lengthy to-do list. None of the sights or actions are"must-dos". If you ever did during your stay has been eat, walk through the rice fields, and possibly get a massage or take a yoga class, then that's a powerful Ubud visit in my view.
That said, if you're feeling more energetic, there are lots of things to do in Ubud to occupy your time.
The best things to do in Ubud include exploring ancient temples, imperial royal palaces, and green hillsides and rice terraces.
A treasure trove of cultural landmarks, this Balinese town and its outskirts inside the Gianyar regency, are where a number of the planet's celebrated sailors and artisans have seen and worked in.
The Majority of the local galleries and museums are along the primary Jalan Raya Ubud. There are loads of natural landscapes and attractions which are within a brief drive outside the town centre.
Prominent and unmissable landmarks in Ubud comprise Ubud Monkey Forest and the photogenic Tegallalang rice terrace.
Which are the best things to do in Ubud?
Visit Saraswati Temple and Ubud Palace
As a first-time guest to Ubud, one of the first things you may notice is that the design. It is hard not to as elaborate and eye-catching since Balinese architecture is!
Of all of the architectural eye candy in Ubud, two of the most significant constructions are Pura Taman Saraswati (pictured below) and Puri Saren Agung.
The prior is a water temple devoted to the Hindu goddess of wisdom and artwork called Dewi Saraswati, while the latter is that the palace of the imperial household.
Both attractions are free to visit and located within minutes of the Ubud Art Market. From what I have read, cultural dance performances are held in both venues in the evenings too.
Temples in Ubud, Bali Villas, Indonesia
Saraswati Temple and Ubud Royal Palace may be the most noteworthy but there are lots of fascinating buildings in Ubud.
I suggest taking a walk with no actual strategy. Balinese architecture is fascinating and fun to photograph.
Temples at Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
These ornately decorated divide gates are called candi bentar and are a common sight in Bali.
Temples in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Estimated Time to Spend: 2-3 hours / Entrance: FREE
Observe Monkeys at the Holy Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest is one of the most visited attractions in Ubud. It's a lush forest sanctuary that's home to more than a hundred gray long-tailed macaques.
They're free to roam the park so you're going to find them walking across avenues in troops or gorging on fruit in designated feeding stations such as this one.
They are adorable and tempting to interact with, but they're still wild animals so you're advised to keep your space. They've been known to grab loose bling and retreat into the forest canopy.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
The macaques may be the main draw, but I may have enjoyed the sanctuary itself even more. It's a heavily wooded area with several walking paths along with a stream in the base.
There are a few moss-covered temples inside the forest too.
I researched the monkey forest in my but in the event that you'd like to go within a guided Ubud excursion, then there are several you can reserve on Get Your Guide.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Suggested Length of Visit: 1-2 hours / Admission: IDR 80,000 for adults, IDR 60,000 for kids (ages 3-12)
Shop at the Ubud Art Market
In case you're searching for presents or souvenir things in Ubud, then this is most likely the ideal place to get them.
Located near Ubud Royal Palace, Ubud Art Market is a vibrant network of stalls selling a wide assortment of products like jewellery, scarves, fabrics, bags, hats, and handmade goods.
I have read that this can be the best spot on the island to purchase these kinds of goods.
The art and souvenir section of this marketplace is geared towards tourists but if you're interested in seeing a more local side to Ubud, then you may want to have a look at the wet market section as well. Liveliest early in the morning, there you will find vendors selling typical market create like fish, poultry, and veggies.
We made a stop there on the road to some fun cooking class at Paon Bali Villa Management.
Go to an Art Museum or Gallery
There are plenty of museums and galleries in Ubud featuring art which range from the traditional to the more contemporary.
This was one of the things that surprised me most about Ubud when we visited. I'm utilized to seeing kitschy folk art made for tourists in similar island destinations, however in Ubud, there's a severe arts community creating thoughtful contemporary art.
Have a walk around town and you will find lots of galleries and museums to eat up your time.
Estimated Time to Spend: About 3-4 hours / Admission: Varies
This is among my favorite places in Ubud, simply because it gave me brief respite from the crowds of tourists that flock to Ubud in July.
Campuhan Ridge Walk is precisely because it names suggests -- a paved course at the crest of a hill. The trail begins just off busy Jalan Raya Ubud and gives you uninterrupted views for around 9 km.
It's an easy walk but there is no cover so that it's ideal to go early in the morning or just before sunset, prompting you enjoy baking in the scorching heat of Bali's midday sunlight.
Here's me saying hello to the aliens. Campuhan Ridge Walk is a great place to fly your drone. I moved on my own but in the event that you'd like to go on a guided walking tour, then you can book one through Access Your Guide.
Estimated Time to Purchase: 2-3 hours / Admission: FREE
Go on an Instagram Tour
Ubud is an Instagrammer's paradise. If you're active on IG, then I'm sure that you've seen heaps of scenic travel photographs shot in Ubud and Bali. What you see isn't trickery.
It is really that beautiful.
In case you really ant to liven up your feed, then you may want to go on this Instagram highlights tour. It'll take you to favorite photography spots like the Gates of Heaven (pictured below), Tirta Gangga, as well as also the Ubud rice terraces and jungle swings.
Woman posing in the Gate of Heaven in Bali
PHOTO:"Gate of Heaven" by Enrico Strocchi, utilized under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Processed in Photoshop and Lightroom.
Have a Cooking Class
Ren's a fantastic cook so we try to create time for one cooking class on each trip. In Ubud, we took this superb cooking course at Paon Bali Cooking School at which we learned how to make courses Indonesian dishes such as sate, gado-gado, and pepes ikan.
For me personally, there's no better way to learn about a fresh cuisine than to take a cooking course. It's like searching under a cuisine's hood.
If you're interested in taking a cooking class in Ubud, then you may check out this listing of Ubud cooking courses on Cookly.
Cooking class in Ubud, Bali Indonesia
Get a Massage
Among the best things you can do at an island destination like Bali is to detach and unwind, and what better way to get you in a more relaxed condition than a massage?
Every time I get a massage I almost immediately fall asleep, which is perfectly fine in a location such as this.
We had time to kill until our lunch reservation at Locavore so we randomly walked into a reflexology centre nearby and got a foot message.
There are plenty of massage facilities in Ubud, but you can probably get a better one at a suitable spa.
You can select from many options on Klook (Choice 1 | Choice 2) and Get Your Guide.
Care in Ubud, Jasa SEO Bali, Indonesia
Do Yoga
As explained, Ubud is now a mecca for yoga in Southeast Asia. If you have even the smallest interest in yoga, then you'll probably need to do it here. Have a look at this excellent article on all things yoga at Ubud for recommendations and insider tips.
