A trip to Bali isn’t complete without spending time in Ubud. The lively jungle village is known as the cultural heart of Bali, making it the best place to base yourself during your trip to the island. Around Ubud, you can hike volcanos, visit sacred temples, and explore rice terraces. But, what is there to do within Ubud’s city limits?
From art markets to hidden hikes, we’ll cover all the spots to hit in Ubud. This guide was written to be followed in chronological order, starting your morning at the Sacred Monkey Forest and finishing at the Campuhan Ridge Walk just before sunset. While you go from spot to spot on this list, wander the small streets and alleyways of Ubud to get to know the town better.
Let’s get into it.
The Ubud Hit List
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Meet long-tailed macaques at the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud. Over 1,200 monkeys live in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary located on Monkey Forest Road. This forest has been regarded as a sacred place for centuries with a temple on its grounds. Monkeys are seen as sacred animals in Balinese culture. They stick around because they’re fed by the sanctuary staff.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (or Monkey Forest Ubud) opens at 9 a.m. I recommend going when they open for the first feeding. Entry to the forest costs 100,000 rupiah per person or about 6 USD. You can buy your ticket when you arrive.
If you plan to visit the Monkey Forest at a different time of day, make sure to arrive by 4 p.m. because the sanctuary closes at 5. You only need about an hour or less to explore the grounds.
ThatPlannerFriend Tip: If you are planning to visit Uluwatu during your trip to Bali, you can skip the monkey forest in Ubud because there are many opportunities to see monkeys in the wild there.
Ubud Art Market
Get lost in the colorful stalls of the Ubud Art Market. The Ubud Art Market is filled with an endless supply of resort-style clothes, hand-stitched bags, stone Hindu carvings, and knick-knacks. There wasn’t as much art in the traditional sense as I expected, but it’s a great place for souvenir shopping.
The Ubud Art Market is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some stalls staying open a bit later. It’s located in the center of town. Make sure to bring cash with you as most vendors don’t accept credit cards.
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
Across the street from the Ubud Art Market is the Ubud Palace. While the royal family no longer calls the palace home, it’s a cultural landmark in the center of Ubud.
Cultural events and dance shows take place in the palace but its doors are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for visitors to enter for free. The palace shows off intricate Balinese architecture and is a great place to take photos.
Ubud Water Palace (Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati)
More of a temple than a palace, the Ubud Water Palace is a sacred temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess of learning. The Ubud Water Palace has a lush garden with a lotus pond and fountains.
The entrance fee to visit is 50,000 Indonesian rupiah or about 3 USD. It includes a sarong, shirt, and a special headband to wear during your visit. It feels silly playing dress up in the temple but it’s fun.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
On the outskirts of town, the Campuhan Ridge Walk is an escape from the bustling streets of Ubud. This urban hike takes you through the grasses of a ridge behind local residences.
To reach the Campuhan Ridge Walk, head down Jalan Raya Ubud away from the Water Palace and the Ubud Palace. Make a right on Jalan Raya Campuhan and then a left onto the ridge walk trail. You’ll pass a temple on the way up to the ridge.
From this entrance, it’s about a .7 mile walk (one way) to the end of the ridge walk, about 15-25 minutes depending on your pace. It’s a nice stroll before sunset when the sun isn’t as hot.
Restaurant Recommendations
From fine dining to casual warungs, Ubud is home to some of the best dining experiences in Bali.
Here are the places I recommend:
- Zest Ubud: Vegetarian and vegan spot near Campuhan Ridge Walk with live music
- Locavore NXT: 19-course hyper-local fine dining experience for 125 USD in the rice fields on the outskirts of Ubud
- Sami’s Warung: Casual lunch spot with delicious fresh juices
- Pasir: Simple and delicious Mediterranean spot
- DANG! Cookies: Cookie spot if you’re craving a sweet treat after dinner
Here are spots that are still on my list to go to:
- Hujan Locale: Elevated Indonesian street food reimagined as small plates
- Nusantara: A more laid-back approach to Indonesian cuisine by the same people of the fine-dining restaurant Locavore NXT
- Indus: Modern Asian cuisine with a mountain view
Where to stay
You’ll want to stay somewhere in town to make the most of your time in Ubud. When booking, check that your accommodation is within Kecamatan Ubud in the Gianyar Regency, not a neighboring town. Staying in the center of Ubud will allow you to walk to all the spots detailed in this guide.
Contrary to the advice above, I stayed on the outskirts of Ubud at the Wiswarani Villas near the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Although it’s technically not within the Ubud town limits, it was close enough to walk to points of interest during the day and dinner at night. I live in New York City, so I’m accustomed to walking everywhere. I liked the peacefulness of staying in my own villa away from the center of town while still being able to get my steps in.
For a more detailed guide on choosing the best accommodation across Bali, read my Where To Stay in Bali guide.
Getting around
Other than your own two feet, you can get around Ubud by ordering a taxi. Ride apps like Gojek or Grab are not permitted in Ubud, so I recommend finding a private driver. A private driver can help you arrange rides to and from dinner at night and also coordinate day trips around Bali.
I recommend hiring Kardika Nengah as your driver, he’s an Ubud native who knows Bali like the back of his hand and is passionate about sharing his culture with foreigners. Contact him via WhatsApp to schedule a tour: +62 811-397-749.
Alternatively, in the center of Ubud, many men will line up with signs with their WhatsApp numbers so you can hire them as a driver on the spot.
I’m happy to answer any questions to help you plan your trip to Bali. I’m always just a comment away.
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