There’s more to Ubud than yoga and wellness. It may not be a coastal town, but this is the center of Balinese culture. Here you’ll find an enticing array of Hindu temples, a long-standing art scene, and an endless selection of culinary haunts.
There’s so much going on in Ubud that it can be hard to narrow it down to just a few days, but however long you spend in this cultured town, here’s some inspiration for your Ubud itinerary.
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22 Fun Things to Do in Ubud
Explore the Jungle in Monkey Forest
Monkey Forest is one of Ubud’s most famous attractions. This forested sanctuary is well known for its monkey population, but it’s also dotted with a number of Balinese Hindu temples. Among the lush trees and winding pathways, 600 Balinese macaques make their home, venturing down to see visitors for snacks and (occasionally) mayhem.
The monkeys here can be a little bit overzealous in their search for a bite to eat sometimes, so it’s not a good idea to take bananas or anything with you — just enjoy the stroll around the sanctuary.
Admire Some Creativity at the Agung Rai Museum of Art
In the 1970s, the founder of this museum, Agung Rai himself, became well-known for opening up the Balinese art world to outside buyers. The art collector himself also built up a sizeable private art collection in the process, which eventually went on to form the backbone of this museum.
The impressive selection of art here includes works that date back to the 19th century, and help to showcase various stages of Balinese creativity to a contemporary audience.
Marvel at Pura Gunung Lebah
Though the architecture of the Balinese Hindu temple Pura Gunung Lebah is impressive in itself, it’s the setting — namely, at the confluence of two rivers — that makes it particularly charming. Built in the 8th century by an Indian priest, the temple is surrounded by wild jungle and is scattered with beautifully carved stone statuary.
Recently the temple has undergone some refurbishments and the result is a calm and attractive setting where you can simply sit and admire the scenery. At its center is the multi-tiered meru pagoda, complete with thatching and carvings.
Sate Your Sweet Tooth at Room4Dessert
While Room4Dessert seems like a sleek club, it’s actually a restaurant. Specifically, this is a sought-after dining experience where you can dive into a 15-course tasting menu that has been carefully paired with crafted cocktails. And, as you might be able to tell from the name, it’s mainly about dessert.
This is one of those places in Ubud that foodies just have to try. Everything here is high quality and painstakingly executed. If you do want to visit, however, make sure you book as far ahead as you can — the celebrity chef behind the venture, Will Goldfarb, draws crowds and reservations for weeks in advance.
Visit Royalty at Ubud Palace
Once the town center in Ubud, close to the market today, Ubud Palace is still the home of Ubud’s royal family. Though it’s not as grand or palatial as you may be expecting, it’s still an important and nevertheless atmospheric building to visit. And it’s open to the public.
Many of the structures here were constructed following the Bali Earthquake of 1917, but the buildings are still traditionally built and make for an interesting place to wander; stone carvings scattered around the complex have been created by famous local artists. There are even dance shows that take place at regular schedules throughout the week.
Go to Watercress for Breakfast
Start the day the right way (or go at any time, really) and head to this Australian-style breakfast joint for a delicious morning meal to remember. Making the most of the easygoing Balinese ambiance, here you can sit back and relax as you peruse the extensive menu looking for that perfect breakfast plate.
All the dishes here are packed full of flavor and are freshly cooked, ranging from pancakes and waffles to eggs benedict or fruit plates. The coffee here also packs a punch — as does the selection of juices and smoothies on offer. Come evening smoothies are swapped for cocktails (there’s also live music on Friday nights).
Explore Taman Saraswati Temple
Also known as Pura Taman Saraswati, this water temple is dedicated to Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and the arts. One of the first things you’ll notice is the large lotus pond and water garden at the entrance, with the path to the temple’s candi bentar (split gates) actually running through the lush lotuses themselves.
The edges of the water are planted with fragrant frangipani trees, while the volcanic tuff stonework just before the entrance to the temple is carved with Hindu iconography.
See a Film at Paradiso
This funky little movie theatre offers up a place to go to catch all manner of films, from old classics and cult favorites to modern releases. The venue itself is fairly intimate, with around 150 seats, and definitely suits the alternative atmosphere of Ubud.
There’s also an on-site restaurant here where you can dine on vegan, vegetarian, and organic fare. It’s a leftfield space to relax away from some of the more popular tourist sights in town.
See Traditional Art at Museum Puri Lukisan
Museum Puri Lukisan holds the title of being the oldest museum in all of Bali. The attractive complex offers up an insight into modern Balinese art, a movement that crossed the boundaries of traditional religious art into genre paintings that encompassed scenes from everyday life and landscapes.
Translating to the “Palace of Paintings”, Puri Lukisan was founded in 1956 in the midst of this interesting transition for Bali’s art scene. The complex includes four buildings with art arranged according to the theme; there’s also a lush garden cafe onsite where your museum ticket gets you a free drink.
Go to Pura Dalem Ubud for its Kecak Show
To the southwest of Ubud Monkey Forest, you’ll find Pura Dalem Ubud, a Hindu temple that’s become famed for its dance performances. These dances take place in the evening on the backdrop of the temple’s intricately carved old architecture, with various dance troupes taking to the stage throughout the week.
The most well-known of these is the kecak fire dance, which is performed on Monday and Friday evenings. It makes for a truly dramatic setting.
Discover the History of Pura Pusering Jagat
Located around five kilometers outside of Ubud, this Balinese Hindu temple is well worth the trip. With its name translating to “Navel of the World”, this temple dates back to 1329 and amazingly has most of its original architecture still intact.
Though its history is interesting, it’s an attraction for young Balinese couples that sees it thronged with visitors; they come to pray at its lingam and yoni fertility stones. Also located here is a spectacularly decorated urn, with reliefs that depict the search for the elixir of life by various figures from Hindu mythology.
Check out the Blanco Renaissance Museum
The Blanco Renaissance Museum is a unique and fascinating museum dedicated to the life and works of the late Filipino artist, Don Antonio Blanco, who spent much of his life in Bali. The museum is housed in a beautiful building that was once Blanco’s home and studio, and it showcases his paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other works of art.
The collection includes over 300 pieces of art, including many of Blanco’s most famous works. Visitors can explore the museum’s galleries, which are filled with vibrant paintings, intricate sculptures, and other works of art that showcase Blanco’s unique style.
In addition to the artwork, the museum also offers visitors a glimpse into Blanco’s life and the culture of Bali. The museum’s gardens are filled with exotic plants and flowers, and there are several traditional Balinese buildings on the property that showcase the island’s traditional architecture.
Visit the Giant of Pejeng at Pura Kebo Edan
Dating back to the 12th century, Pura Kebo Edan translates to “Crazy Buffalo Temple”. While the temple itself may not be as special as others located in Bali, this Ubud sight mainly draws visitors for its statue of the Giant of Pejeng. Standing three meters tall, the statue is believed to be around 700 years old and is particularly eye-catching due to its four penises! The origin of the statue, and who exactly it represents, is shrouded in mystery.
Travel to Petulu for Prime Birdwatching
Petulu is a village situated to the north of Ubud that is a favorite roosting ground for herons (kokoan in Balinese). As dusk falls over the island, an estimated 20,000 herons return to their roosts at Petulu to settle down for the night.
The trees around the village and along the roadside become covered in these orange and white birds, making for an impressive spectacle that attracts tourists. There are even food stalls for the event. Strangely the herons only started doing this in 1965; nobody knows why, but the locals believe the birds bring good fortune to the village.
Sip on Specialty Coffee at F.R.E.A.K. Coffee
Bali has a long heritage of growing and consuming coffee, with a whole host of places where you can sample a cup of the good stuff. Ubud is no different, with almost every eatery offering up coffee in various forms.
But it’s at F.R.E.A.K. Coffee that you can enjoy some exceptional coffee that has been crafted from single-origin Bali beans. Not only are the beans special, but there is great attention to detail paid in the grinding and brewing process. The result? A memorable cup of coffee in unfussy but atmosphere surroundings.
Stay the Night at Threewin Homestay
For one of the best ways to discover a slice of local life in Ubud, why not spend the night with a local family? This particular homestay, run by a father, daughter, and husband team, offers up a choice of five different rooms for guests to stay in scattered around their family property.
Some of them come with balconies that overlook the lush scenery of Ubud, but all of them are carefully clean and maintained. As well as enjoying a relaxing night here (complete with a delicious breakfast enjoyed on the balcony), you can also get chatting with your hosts about their life in Ubud; they’re full of local knowledge and advice about the area too.
Visit the Elephant Cave
The Elephant Cave, also known as Goa Gajah, is located on the outskirts of Ubud, Bali. The site is believed to date back to the 11th century and is thought to have been a place of worship for Hindus and Buddhists.
The Elephant Cave gets its name from the carved elephant head at the entrance to the cave. The cave itself is a small, dark space that is filled with carvings and statues. The walls of the cave are adorned with intricate carvings of mythological creatures and scenes from Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
Outside the cave, visitors can explore the surrounding temple complex, which includes several other buildings and structures. There is a bathing pool that is believed to have been used for purification rituals, as well as several shrines and other structures that are dedicated to various Hindu and Buddhist deities.
Get Your Fill of Indonesian Cuisine at Hujan Locale
Hujan Locale isn’t just a stylish place to eat — it’s also one of the best restaurants in Ubud. Here you can choose from a selection of Indonesian classics, as well as regional specialties that make up the country’s tapestry of different cultures and cuisines.
The atmosphere here is focused on contemporary Balinese cool, with flavors of the food itself sourced from across the Indonesian archipelago. Come for lunch or dinner and be wowed, making sure to pair your meal with one of their freshly made cocktails.
Go Shopping for Local Arts and Crafts
Ubud has long been known as the place in Bali to source all manner of artsy souvenirs, local crafts, and timeless textiles to take home as souvenirs and gifts. With that in mind, there are a multitude of places where you can browse for these sorts of things. Ubud Market (made famous by its appearance in the 2010 film Eat, Pray, Love) is one such venue, where you can pick up silk scarves, handmade baskets, and figurines, among other things.
Elsewhere there are Threads of Life Textiles, which stocks a selection of handmade silks and textiles from across Indonesia; the idea behind it is to support the production of Indonesian textile techniques that have been otherwise lost to modern processes. The shop at Neka Art Museum is also a favorite boutique for curios and traditional art of the best quality.
Explore the Tegallalang Rice Fields
The Tegallalang Rice Fields are located in the village of Tegallalang, about 20 minutes north of Ubud, and are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The rice fields are spread out over several terraces that cascade down the hillside, creating a stunning landscape of lush greenery and sparkling water. Visitors can explore the rice fields on foot or by bike, and there are several paths and trails that wind through the fields, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
One of the most popular activities at the Tegallalang Rice Fields is taking a traditional Bali swing. Visitors can swing out over the rice fields, enjoying a bird’s eye view of the stunning landscape below. There are also several cafes and restaurants located in the area, offering visitors the chance to relax and enjoy the scenery while enjoying a meal or drink.
Eat Snacks on a Beautiful Backdrop at Sweet Orange Warung
This laid-back eatery serves up a selection of affordable eats surrounded by lush green rice fields. It’s the kind of place where you can go and sit for a while, enjoy your meal, and simply soak up the serenity of the surrounding environment.
The remote location, just outside Petulu village, makes it even more idyllic, as there’s less of the constant traffic that you get in other venues elsewhere in Bali. It’s the sort of place you’ll stumble across — and never want to leave.
Stay in Luxury at Mandapa
If you really want to treat yourself while you’re staying in Ubud, why not book a night (or two) at the Mandapa? A branch of the Ritz-Carlton accommodation chain, this 5-star hotel offers up a paradise for its guests.
Among its lush grounds, there’s a choice of three restaurants, a carefully manicured garden to relax in (complete with rice terraces and outdoor swimming pools), and even a wellness center. Rooms here mix Balinese aesthetics with modern style; you can even opt to stay in your own villa with a private pool and river views.