28 BEST Things to do in Ubud, Bali (2024 Guide!)

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No trip to Bali is complete without a visit to Ubud, the island’s spiritual center. Unlike other popular towns like Canggu and Uluwatu, Ubud is not known for its beach clubs and surfer scene, but rather for its beautiful rice terraces, lush jungle, and stunning waterfalls. We also love visiting the local temples and markets in Ubud to learn about Balinese art, culture, and spirituality.

Daniel is from Perth which is only a 3.5-hour flight from Bali, so we’ve been here countless times, and we always set aside time to visit Ubud during our stays. We seem to uncover new activities and bucket list-worthy tours every time we visit, so we’ve put together this ultimate guide on the best things to do in Ubud.

Things to do in Ubud

1. Best of Ubud Tour

If you’re short on time in Ubud, then we highly recommend taking this private sightseeing tour, which ticks off a lot of the activities in this blog. You can even be picked up from other parts of the island if you can only visit Ubud on a day trip. 

Our private driver took us around to see Ubud’s top highlights, including the Monkey Forest and the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, which are so fun to soar over on a giant swing. 

We also visited Tirta Empul Temple to participate in a traditional water purification ceremony, and Tegenungan Waterfall (FYI: make sure to bring a swimsuit). Then, the tour finished with a visit to the Ubud Art Market where we browsed local art and grabbed some handmade souvenirs. If you want more details on our amazing day, our in-depth review of this Ubud tour will fill you in, or check out the 11,000+ reviews from other travelers!

The price of the tour varies based on the size of the group, but it ranges between $69-$95 USD. We think this is great value for a full-day private tour including all admission fees, lunch overlooking the rice terraces, and round-trip transportation.

Book this private all-inclusive Ubud tour here!

2. Learn to cook authentic Balinese cuisine

After taking a cooking class in Sri Lanka, I fell in love with cooking local foods. Even if you’re not much of a chef, a cooking class is a must while you’re in Bali. The food here is so delicious and full of flavor, and with this cooking class and market tour, you get to make and eat 9 different dishes. It’s easily one of the best experiences we’ve had in Ubud.

The class takes place in a well-equipped warung kitchen and we made dishes that you might not have even heard of, like green Klepon rice balls, and my personal favorite, sambal – just be careful as this chili sauce is SPICY. 

The instructors are really patient and make the whole experience feel fun and welcoming, but of course, our favorite part was when we got to sit down and eat all the delicious dishes we made! 

This tour has availability in the morning and the afternoon, but we recommend booking the morning session because then you get to visit the local market and learn first-hand how to select the best ingredients for Balinese meals. 

The class lasts around 5 hours and costs just $26 USD per person with a 2-person minimum. We think that’s a total steal because the price includes a HUGE meal, and hotel pickup and dropoff in Ubud are included.

Book this cooking class in Ubud

3. Zoom through the rice fields on an ATV Tour 

Ubud’s rice fields, waterfalls, and rainforests make it the perfect place in Bali for an adventurous ATV tour. We loved our quad biking experience because we got off the beaten path (quite literally) and explored lesser-visited sites in Ubud. We even got to drive through a narrow underground tunnel, which was so exciting! We found this tour was an amazing way to combine sightseeing with an adrenaline-pumping adventure, and tandem rides start as low as $36 USD!

But if, like us, you want to take your adventure to the next level, you can actually book this combo tour instead, which combines an ATV ride with whitewater rafting! The rapids were pretty easy to navigate, but it was still so much fun to zoom down the river. Our guide drove us between both activities and we got to enjoy a much-needed lunch along the way. 

Prices for the combo deal start at $59 USD, but you can pay extra for pickup from your accommodation. Personally, I think both activities are better during the rainy season, because the rain makes the rapids more powerful, and we always find that quad biking in the mud is way more fun!

4. Go whitewater rafting in the jungle

We went whitewater rafting in Ubud as part of the combo tour that we mentioned above, but you can also book the experience by itself. Even though the rapids were low-grade and perfect for beginners, it was still an exciting experience, and the tour was well worth it.

We think you’ll enjoy it regardless of whether you’ve been rafting dozens of times, like us, or if it’s your very first time. Plus, the Ayung River is absolutely stunning and we were blown away by the views! We also really enjoyed the Balinese-style buffet we got to chow down on the end, which was a welcome treat after two hours of paddling. 

This tour starts at $24 USD and includes Ubud hotel transfers and lunch. There is an age limit of at least 7 years old, so keep that in mind if you’re traveling with younger ones. There’s also an option to upgrade which includes a tour of the village around Mount Batur, a pretty famous volcano in Bali.

Book this whitewater rafting tour here!

Related Read: For another epic adventure, check out our guide on the types of tours available in Bali including the ones you shouldn’t miss!

5. Relax at Cretya Ubud

Ubud is inland, so there are no beach clubs, but you’ve got to check out the insane three-level infinity pool at Cretya Ubud! This restaurant and day club is a perfect getaway. Plus, we would argue that the jungle views of the rice terraces are even better than the ocean views at some of the beach clubs in Bali.

Another thing we love about this pool club is how much more affordable it is than your typical beach club in South Bali. You can snag a VIP booth for 2 people for around $65 USD, which is much more affordable than places like Finn’s or Potato Head in Canggu.

Cretya Ubud is open from 8 am until 9 pm daily, so I think it’s more of a place to relax during the day or enjoy a few evening cocktails rather than a traditional party spot, but as we mentioned, Ubud is very chilled out. There is an age requirement of 18+ for pool access, and you can make a reservation for Cretya online here or by messaging them on WhatsApp.

6. Walk the Ceking Rice Terrace/Tegallalang Rice Terrace 

The Tegallalang Rice Terrace – also known as the Ceking Rice Terrace – is one of the most famous places in Ubud, and it’s just a 20-minute drive from the town center. 

You’ve probably already seen the rice terraces on Instagram as they’re one of the top photo stops in Bali! Nowadays, they’re more geared towards social media users and photographers, with a bird’s nest to climb inside, a colorful “I Love Bali” sign, and a giant bungee swing. 

The reason the rice terraces look as vibrant as they do is thanks to the traditional Indonesian subak irrigation system, which you’ll learn more about if you visit with a guide on this sightseeing tour that we mentioned in the first section. 

To walk around the rice fields there’s a small entrance fee of less than $4 USD, but there are tons of other fun, photo-worthy activities to enjoy for an additional fee. For example, you can ride on the bungee swing, and even rent a long, billowing dress to wear that makes your photos really pop! There’s also a zipline and a Skybike that go over the rice paddies for epic views. Just be sure to bring some cash in rupiah (the local currency) so you can take part in all the fun!

Basically, the Ceking Rice Terrace is like an adventure park and an amazing Instagram opportunity all in one! 

Probably my favorite experience here, though, was doing a coffee and tea tasting at the Luwak Coffee shop that overlooks the rice paddies. Better still, we got to drink our coffee on a glass terrace with a serious view.

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces open at 8 am every day, and we recommend showing up first thing to avoid the crowds. As one of Bali’s most photogenic locations, this place is super popular! 

7. Bathe in holy water at Pura Tirta Empul 

Pura Tirta Empul is one of the most famous temples in Bali. This is where people come to get blessed with holy water from the spring that fills the temple pools. In fact, the name “Tirta Empul” means “holy spring.” Visiting Tirta Empul allows you to participate in this purification ritual and experience the spiritual side of Balinese culture.

It’s roughly $4 USD to enter the temple, which includes a sarong rental. If you’re visiting by yourself, a local guide will probably approach you and offer to take you on a tour of the temple, which we found really helpful on our first visit. 

You can do an offering in front of a shrine before heading to the changing rooms, where you can rent a special sarong to go in the water for less than $1 USD. Wearing only swimwear is most definitely not allowed, so please respect the cultural practices. There are also lockers for rent for $1 USD.

There are three pools that we worked our way through, representing the past, present, and future. There are multiple spouts in each pool to cleanse yourself, so if you want to do it properly, you can stop at each one. However, the pool does get really busy, so people tend to skip a few. 

But whatever you do, make sure you DO skip the 11th and 12th spouts after the first pool, as our guide informed us that they are only to be used during death ceremonies! 

Tirta Empul is a 30-minute drive from the center of Ubud, so you can drive yourself if you’re renting a scooter, or you can visit on the sightseeing tour that we talked about earlier. 

Alternatively, you can book this skip-the-line tour that includes private transport from Ubud, temple admission, locker rental, and a guide to show you what to do during the purification ritual. This costs between $18-$40 USD each, so if you’re traveling with a larger group this could prove to be a very cost-effective way of visiting the temple.

8. Pura Gunung Kawi 

If there’s one thing that we love, it’s finding hidden gems on our travels. 

Ubud is so popular that you might be wondering if there are any lesser-known spots left to discover in this town, but we can assure you that there are! So if you want to experience a water purification ritual somewhere less touristy than Tirtra Empul, then we recommend heading to Pura Gunung Kawi, which most people miss. 

The temple is a 30-minute drive from central Ubud, and there are over 300 steps to get inside the main complex. But don’t worry, the beautiful views of the rice fields make this journey worth it, and hey, it’s good cardio, right?

In the main temple, there are 10 different shrines carved into the cliff face, which are believed to have been dedicated by a Balinese king to his favorite queens around 1,000 years ago. There’s also a spring that you can bathe in for the water purification ritual, and there will usually be a priest or local religious guide around who can guide you through the ritual.

Entry to this temple costs around $4 USD and the ticket booth is at the top of the stairs. There are also sarongs for rent if you don’t have your own, so we suggest bringing plenty of small bills in rupiah. 

9. Day trip to Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is a small and stunning island off the east coast of Bali, and it’s here that you’ll find those famous T-Rex cliffs, or the Kelingking Cliff, to use its proper name. But believe it or not, there’s even more to Nusa Penida than this dinosaur-shaped rock formation. 

You can take a day trip to Nusa Penida by yourself if you catch a slow ferry, but speaking from experience, ferries in Bali can often be cramped, uncomfortable, and frequently delayed. So instead, we booked this speedboat tour and it proved to be a great decision! 

After zipping over to the island, we saw the famous cliffs overlooking Kelingking Beach, as well as Broken Beach, which is home to a beautiful natural bridge. Our guides also took us snorkeling, and we visited a beautiful restaurant for lunch with epic coastal views. We go into more detail on the day in our review of this Nusa Penida tour!

Being driven around by our friendly guides also saved us the hassle of trying to rent a scooter and navigate the island ourselves. The tour offers pickup and dropoff from hotels in Ubud, so we didn’t need to worry about getting to the port on our own.

You need at least two people to book this tour and we highly suggest getting the option with snorkeling because it was some of the BEST snorkeling we’ve experienced in Bali. It costs $116 USD, which we think is totally worth it because we’d do this tour again in a heartbeat!

Book this day trip to Nusa Penida right here

10. Monkey Forest Ubud 

The Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest is one of the most iconic attractions in the whole of Bali, which is definitely saying something. Plus, it’s super easy to visit because it’s right in the middle of Ubud, so you could even walk there.

This sanctuary is home to over 1,200 long-tailed macaque monkeys, which are sacred in Balinese culture. These cute little guys are protected here and their behavior is studied. We’re happy to say that they’re not aggressive and didn’t try to steal anything from us – phew! Just stay at a respectful distance and keep in mind that the forest is their home.

Speaking of the forest, it’s absolutely beautiful. Monkeys aside, we loved walking around here. There are sacred temples and shrines to see, and the whole atmosphere embodies a unique, natural paradise.

There’s parking available if you’re arriving via scooter, and entry costs around $5 USD on weekdays, or $6.50 USD on weekends. It’s open from 9 am until 6 pm every day, but we recommend arriving just before 9 am to beat the crowds. After all, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the entire island. 

You can also visit the Monkey Forest as part of this sightseeing tour, which takes you to a bunch of the must-see places in Ubud in one fun-filled day. This tour includes visiting the Tegallalong Rice Terrace, Tirta Empul, and Monkey Forest, and prices start at $33 USD. It’s perfect if you’re on a time crunch and really want to visit Monkey Forest.

11. Water Temples tour

If you’re keen to learn more about religion in Bali, this private Water Temples tour will take you to three of the island’s most significant sites in just one day. This is the Island of the Gods, after all! 

One of the best things about this tour is that it has a stop at the iconic Ulun Danu Temple. Set on the edge of Lake Beratan, the temple appears to float when the water levels rise. 

There is also a visit to Luhur Batukaru Temple, on the foothill of Mount Batukaru, which feels a million miles removed from civilization. Meanwhile, the final temple of the day is Tanah Lot and while it’s not an off-the-beaten-path attraction like the others, it is incredibly cool to see in person because it’s built on a rock formation out at sea, so we could only walk out to it at low tide.

The exact price of this tour varies according to group size, but two people cost $62 USD without lunch, or $69 USD with lunch included (go ahead and guess which one we suggest … hint: we’re foodies). That price also covers all temple admission fees and hotel pickup and drop-off. This is a fantastic way to see some of the incredible water temples in Bali.

Book the Water Temples tour here!

12. Visit the best Ubud Waterfalls 

After traveling around the world and visiting amazing waterfalls in Darwin, Australia, we can honestly say we never get tired of seeing these majestic beauties up close. Ubud is home to some truly breathtaking waterfalls, but they’re not all easy to find. They’re scattered around and some of them are quite remote, so the best way to visit multiple waterfalls is by going on a tour.

We had a fantastic time on this waterfall tour, which took us to hidden spots that we would probably not have found on our own. We loved visiting the Tukad Cepung Waterfall, which is an ethereal waterfall concealed by a cave. Our guide also took us to the picture-perfect Tibumana Waterfall, as well as Tegenungan, which is busier but still worth visiting for a swim. 

The waterfall tour costs between $50-$80 USD per person, depending on group size. You can also add on other activities, like a Heaven’s Gate photoshoot, for an additional fee.

We’re really glad that we did this tour because it made it so easy to visit the area’s most scenic waterfalls, plus we got to travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is something scooters just can’t provide. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than getting lost on a scooter out in the hot Balinese countryside! 

Book the Hidden Waterfalls of Ubud tour here!

Related Read: For more unforgettable experiences like this one, check out our list of the 28 best things to do in Bali!

13. Campuhan Ridge Walk 

Who doesn’t love a freebie when traveling? The Campuhan Ridge Walk is just on the edge of town and takes you through the hillside for beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. This would be a lovely thing to do at sunset – or even sunrise if you’re brave! 

The walk is only 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long each way, and it goes past a temple, rice fields, forests, and hillsides. It’s a true slice of Ubud’s scenic countryside! There was green everywhere we looked. 

To get to the trailhead, you can take a taxi or drive a scooter from the town center, which should take about 10 minutes, depending on where you’re staying. If you fancy a longer walk, you could even go on foot. The trailhead is easy to find and there are small signs saying “Going to the Hill” dotted around to point you in the right direction. 

14. See a Kecak Dance 

A Kecak dance is a popular Balinese dance performed in villages and temples. It’s based on an older exorcism tradition to ban evil spirits and typically involves fire and traditional costumes. 

By far the most famous Kecak dance in Bali is the one that takes place at Uluwatu Temple. Around 75 performers do the Kecak dance every day at sunset up on the steep cliff, and the dramatic scenery makes the performance even more impressive. 

We definitely think it’s worth venturing to Uluwatu to see this epic ritual, but it takes around 2 hours to drive from Ubud. That’s a long time to be sitting on a scooter in the heat, so we suggest taking this sunset tour, which offers pickup in Ubud. That way, you’ll be transported to the Uluwatu Temple in an air-conditioned vehicle and get a guided visit to the temple before the performance kicks off. 

We recommend selecting the all-inclusive option, because not only do you get to watch a world-renowned Kecak dance, but you also get a delicious seafood dinner in Jimbaran afterward. Jimbaran is seafood central in Bali, and who doesn’t love dinner on the beach? If you’ve got the time, we highly recommend fitting in this experience.

Book this Kecak Dance tour in Uluwatu!

15. Goa Gajah, Elephant Cave

Goa Gajah translates to “Elephant Cave”, but the name of this temple is shrouded in mystery. As far as anyone can tell, this place doesn’t have anything to do with elephants, aside from one statue in the parking lot. 

It is, however, a pretty cool temple to visit. There are menacing faces carved into the cliffside, huge banyan trees all around, and a big bathing temple. This place is pretty small, but we really enjoyed admiring the scenery and ancient carvings. 

Entrance only costs around $4 USD. This price includes a sarong, so don’t be hoodwinked into buying one from the hawkers outside! It only takes 15 minutes to drive here on a scooter from Ubud, so it’s definitely worth a visit. Just bear in mind that there are lots of steps in this temple, so wear comfortable shoes! 

16. Ubud Art Market

Ubud Art Market is one of our favorite markets in Bali, and it’s definitely the best place in Ubud to buy souvenirs and accessories. There is lots of beautiful silver jewelry, and plenty of flowy beach clothes, as well as art prints and handmade trinkets. And if you’ve been admiring all of the cute tropical-themed plates, bowls, and cutlery that Bali cafes tend to use, then you can pick some up here to take back home! 

Haggling is the norm in Bali, so don’t be afraid to try and negotiate a better price. A good idea that worked in our favor was to seem disinterested and then walk away, which led to us being offered a more reasonable rate. 

Hot tip: to find the best prices at the Ubud Art Market, head upstairs. The stalls on the second floor receive much less foot traffic, so they tend to offer cheaper prices! 

17. See The Gate of Heaven Temple

We’re coming in hot with another Instagram stronghold: Lempuyang Temple. 

This is believed to be one of the oldest temples in Bali, and it sits on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang, with beautiful views of Mount Ayung. There are 1,700 steps to get to the famous “Gate of Heaven”, but along the way, we got to check out a few other temples dotted around the mountain and spot monkeys scurrying about.

Lempuyang Temple is definitely worth seeing in person, but we’ll let you in on a little secret about the Gate of Heaven: most of the stunning photos you see are an illusion! It always looks as though there’s a lake below the gate, but this is actually achieved by the photographer holding up a mirror underneath the camera. Shh … you didn’t hear it from us!

But just because the “lake” isn’t real doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take that famous photo! We think it’s a good idea to visit Mount Lempuyang on this Instagram tour, as the temple is in a pretty remote area of Bali. 

When we joined this tour, we also got to visit the Tirta Gangga water palace to take photos on the stepping stones in the famous koi pond, visit the hidden Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and enjoy views of Tegallalang with epic photos as we soared over the rice fields on a swing. You can see all the photos from our experience in our full review of the Bali Instagram Tour or just check out the 1,700 positive reviews online!

This tour covers a lot of photography hot spots, and prices start at $134 USD each for two people – but that’s for a private, all-inclusive tour where we took some of our all-time favorite photos! So we say it was well worth it.

18. Hike Mt. Batur

Mount Batur is an active volcano in north Bali, and it’s a real must-see! In fact, one of the best things to do on the island is to hike it in the early morning hours so you can watch an epic sunrise from the top.

As you can imagine, the sunrise at Mt. Batur is just amazing. Typically, there are all sorts of colors above you and then a blanket of clouds below, with Mount Agung peeking out in the distance. It’s an epic experience and totally worth the early start!

In total, the hike takes around 2-3 hours one way, so you need to leave Ubud at around 2:30 am to make it to the crater for sunrise. The drive from Ubud to Mt. Batur takes just over an hour and we don’t recommend doing it on a scooter in the dark, so it’s best to book a tour. 

This sunrise tour includes transfers from Ubud, as well as flashlights, trekking poles, and raincoats so you don’t need to worry about renting hiking equipment separately. Since you’ll be hiking in the dark, it’s safer to go with a guide, and there’s even a nice breakfast with fresh coffee after. Our advice is to choose the option with the hot springs visit so you can reward yourself with a relaxing soak after the hike, with beautiful views to boot. 

If hiking (or 2 am wake-up calls) is not your thing, you can also explore the lava formations at the bottom of Mt. Batur in the Kintamani province with this private Jeep tour! The stark landscape below the volcano feels almost otherworldly, and I personally loved exploring this area, because it was much quieter and less touristy than many other places in Bali. 

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that it’s almost impossible to drive a scooter around the black rock desert. However, cruising around in a Jeep is so much fun, and the guides take amazing photos for you. Make sure to choose the tour option that includes lunch and a soak in the Batur hot springs to really make a day of it!

Book the sunrise hike tour or opt for the Jeep tour instead!

19. Yoga

Yoga is popular throughout Bali, but Ubud is truly a mecca for yogis! So if you love yoga, or are interested in giving it a try, then you’re really spoilt for choice in terms of studios here.

The Yoga Barn is probably the best-known yoga studio in Ubud. In fact, it’s actually more like a yoga resort because they have seven different spaces to practice in and run up to 20 classes per day. 

For something simpler, Ubud Yoga House is a quiet spot with small class sizes. It’s located in the middle of a rice field, and they offer sunrise and sunset classes, so you get views for days as you practice! 

Meanwhile, Lumeria is a beautiful studio offering mostly Kundalini and Hatha yoga. The teachers are really helpful and patient, regardless of your experience level, and there’s also a detoxing sauna on-site. 

Typically, you can expect to pay around $10 USD for a yoga class in Ubud, and they normally last for 90 minutes. However, if you plan on doing a lot of yoga while you’re here, most studios have packages available to purchase.

20. Visit a coffee farm

Ubud is about an hour away from Kintamani, the highland region where the majority of Bali’s coffee is produced. So if, like me, you rely on caffeine to stay alive, don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the many coffee farms! 

We love this coffee tour because it teaches how Luwak coffee is farmed and processed by hand, and we even got to have a go at roasting the beans ourselves! Luwak coffee is made from partially digested coffee beans that are eaten and pooped out by civet cats. It may sound gross, but this is actually one of the most expensive and sought-after types of coffee in the world! 

On this tour, we did a coffee tasting with our guide as we soaked in the beautiful views around the farm. Once we had our caffeine fix (at least temporarily), we went to a small local bar in the middle of a rice field to learn about Bali’s coconut wine and watch a farmer prepare it right in front of us. 

We typically don’t see coconut wine in the bars or restaurants in Bali, so it’s pretty cool that we got to try it on this tour! It costs $37 USD and includes transportation from Ubud.

Book this coffee and coconut wine tour in advance!

21. Make your own jewelry

Delodsema is a traditional Balinese village in the north of Ubud, where around 60% of the economy relies on silver. So not only is this private jewelry-making class an opportunity to see a less touristy side of Ubud, but it’s also a fantastic way to support the local community. 

The instructors are excellent teachers, so it doesn’t matter if you haven’t got a clue what you’re doing – take it from me! They took us step-by-step through the whole process, from inspiration and design to cutting and finishing. By the end of the class, I walked away with a beautiful piece of jewelry that I made myself. I can’t think of a better souvenir to take home! 

The teachers here come from a long line of silversmiths. It’s really interesting to hear about this long-standing tradition in Delodsema, and what life is like here in general. 

The class costs $70 USD, including hotel pickup and drop-off from Ubud. We think this is a really good value because you get to enjoy a memorable cultural experience AND go home with a totally unique piece of jewelry as a keepsake!

Buy tickets for the jewelry-making class here

22. Visit Ubud palace 

Did you know that Ubud has its own royal family? Indonesia has no official royalty, but historically there have always been different kingdoms within Bali. There’s still a King of Ubud to this day, and his palace is located in town, just a short walk from the Art Market, and you can explore it for free! 

There’s no strict dress code here and it will only take you about 15 minutes to walk around the entire building, so this is a quick thing to do. There are some very intricate carvings of demons and monkeys around the palace, which are great for photos, and there’s also a temple on the grounds. Tourists aren’t allowed inside the temple, but it’s worth posing for a picture outside the golden door. 

The palace is open from 7 am until 5 pm, and it’s we recommend going early in the morning to beat the crowds. Or, you can visit in the evening to catch the Legong Dance Show. It showcases different types of traditional Balinese dancing, and the performers wear colorful costumes and scary masks, so it’s a lot of fun to watch. 

The show lasts from 7:30-9 pm, and you can buy tickets directly at the palace around 30 minutes before the start time. They cost about $6.50 USD per person, and we thought it was totally worth it! Just keep in mind it’s outdoors and can get a little crowded, so we recommend going during the weekdays.

23. Stay at a hotel with a jungle/rice field view 

A lot of Ubud’s appeal stems from its lush landscapes, so why not book a room with a view while you’re in town? There’s something to cater to every budget here, so you’ve got plenty of options. 

Abipraya – $

We stayed at Abipraya, which was super quiet and nestled into a tropical garden, about 10 minutes’ walk from the main town. The location was ideal for us and we loved the big swimming pool overlooking the rice fields, as well as the open and airy feel that the rooms had.

Prices start at around $50 USD per night, which includes breakfast, so it was a really good budget option. Book Abipraya here!

Gynandha Ubud Cottage – $$

In Bali, staying at a mid-range place usually means you get a lot of bang for your buck, and Gynandha Ubud Cottage is a prime example of this. The rooms are big and beautifully decorated, the bathrooms will make you feel like you’re in a spa, and there’s a pretty, split-level waterfall pool for guests to use.

This property is just a few minutes’ walk from the town center, but is still super peaceful and offers beautiful rice field views for around $150-$200 USD per night. Reserve a room in advance with Booking.com.

TheWakanda Resort – A Prama Experience – $$$

If you’re looking for out-and-out luxury, TheWakanda Resort has sumptuous suites and standalone villas with rice field views that seem to stretch for miles, until they meet the jungle. We think that this would be perfect for a romantic stay in Ubud! There’s also an on-site spa and a yoga studio that hosts classes every other day, and the staff here are really willing to go the extra mile for you. 

Suites are typically around $300 USD, but we’ve seen closer to $200 USD outside of peak season. We’ve found the best deals booking in advance online.

Tejaprana Bisma – $$$$

The lush jungle views from Tejaprana Bisma’s expansive infinity pool are hard to beat. In fact, you can actually choose between rooms and villas with jungle views or rice terrace views, and some of the villas have their own pools, too! As well as the lovely Balinese decor and beautiful location, this hotel also serves amazing cocktails and the included breakfast is delicious with tons of options available.

Rooms can be around the $500 USD range, but there are often promos when booking online and I’ve seen 50% off that price before!

24. Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets

Traditional masks and puppets play a really important role in religious ceremonies in Indonesia, and we learned so much about them at Setia Darma! This is a free museum that’s about 20 minutes outside of Ubud, and we’re so glad we decided to make the drive here on our last visit!

The collection at the museum consists of thousands of ancient puppets from different regions in Indonesia and several from other countries across Asia and Africa. This is a super interesting insight into the country’s multi-faith society and the cultural traditions of the different regions of Indonesia. It was so cool to learn about this unique cultural art form, and the museum workers love teaching about the masks and puppets on display and are eager to spread the knowledge of this tradition.

A lot of visitors to Ubud miss this art museum, but we think it’s totally worth a visit, and it won’t cost you a thing! Setia Darma is open from 8 am to 4 pm every day, and it’s a beautiful place to wander around.

25. Ubud Water Palace 

The Ubud Water Palace is a small temple in town. It was built in the 1950s and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of art and learning, Dewi Sarasvati, so it’s only fitting that this place is filled with beautiful carvings and elaborately decorated doorways. 

As tourists, we couldn’t actually go through the doors into the main temple, but we were allowed to explore the complex and admire the lotus pond. Entrance to the Water Palace costs about $4 USD, and everyone needs to wear a sarong over their legs, and shoulders should be covered, too. You can see the clothes they gave me to wear in my photo above! It’s open from 8 am to 7 pm and occasionally has later closing hours on Fridays.

After you’ve explored the Water Palace, head to Cafe Lotus for a yummy meal and a fruity cocktail. The restaurant serves beautifully presented Western and Indonesian dishes, but best of all, it has fantastic views of the palace and the lotus pond. 

26. Get a Balinese massage

Massages are super affordable in Bali, and we get them almost daily when we’re here. You can get an hour-long Balinese massage for under $10 USD in Ubud, so take full advantage and treat yourself more than once! 

Make sure to try a local Balinese massage, which is a relaxing style of massage that always leaves us feeling totally blissed out. You can also get a 30-minute foot massage here for about $3.50 USD, and there are plenty of places that offer facials and head massages, too. 

There are massage places on almost every street in downtown Ubud, but if you want to treat yourself to a more upscale spa experience, Mandala Spa Ubud is a modern, minimalist spot, and they usually have some special offers available.  

27. Eat at Ubud’s best restaurants 

One of our favorite things about Bali is that the food here is so delicious! We love the local dishes, like nasi goreng (fried rice) and babi guling (roasted pig), but there’s also a huge variety of international food for a great price. 

For a delicious Balinese meal, Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant is super affordable and has an amazing view of the rice fields. Or for all-day international food, we love Pison, because they serve an awesome range of creative coffees AND cocktails – what more could you want?

We also went to Kebun Bistro, a French-Mediterranean restaurant with incredible tapas and plenty of excellent wine. We can confirm that this is the perfect date night spot! 

And if, like me, you can’t get enough fresh sushi, head to Ikigai Ubud. It doesn’t look like much, but I promise that the food here is so good! Or if you need to fuel up for your Ubudian adventures with artisan coffee and yummy brunch food, we love Suka Espresso, which also has a location in Uluwatu. 

28. Go on a bike tour

And finally, since Ubud is nestled in the picturesque countryside, take advantage of the beautiful surroundings on this e-bike tour! Our guide took us away from busy roads and we biked along peaceful paved tracks through rice fields and local villages.

Exploring the area by e-bike is perfect because it allowed us to be in the open air and still cover a lot of ground while escaping the motorbike traffic downtown. We stopped several times along the way to view rice paddies, temples, and village hotspots, and listen as our guide explained what life is really like in Bali for the locals.

Another highlight of the tour is a stop at the Tegallalang Rice Terrace to admire the views and take a ride on the famous swing. At the end of our adventure, we enjoyed a complimentary meal with our fellow riders at a local warung before being dropped off at the hotel. 

All in all, we think this tour is ideal for anyone who wants to get off the tourist track, but still visit the rice fields. It’s a great chance to discover what rural life is like in the Ubud province, and we love that the e-bike means you don’t have to work too hard! We recommend the morning tour, but there is an afternoon option available if you already have plans. It costs $47 USD.

Book this electric bike tour through Ubud here!

Thanks for reading!

Well, that was quite the list! We hope this blog has given you some new ideas for places to visit and things to do while you’re in Ubud. We’ve been to Bali many times, and always look forward to relaxing in Ubud during our travels.

We’ve toured around Bali on some pretty epic adventures, and we’d love to share some of our stories with you! If you’re interested, we’ve included some blogs below:

The Best Cooking Class in Ubud – What We Ate, What We Thought, and Did We Love it?

Gate of Heaven: Lempuyang Temple in Bali – Is It Really Worth Visiting?

The Best Bali Instagram Tour (Review) – Is it Really Worth it?