Ubud is called the cultural heart of Bali because of its high concentration of temples, markets with crafts from local artisans, and unapologetic Balinese vibe. So, it’s no surprise that out of all the villages in Bali, Ubud has the most things to do.
So, how will you spend your time in Ubud?
The best Ubud itinerary is a flexible one. In this itinerary, we’ll deep dive into two full days in Ubud. This itinerary was written to be customizable to add more days for excursions outside the city because the more days you spend in Ubud, the better off your soul will be.
How many days should I stay in Ubud?
You should spend two nights and two full days at the bare minimum in Ubud. The first day will be spent in the city center and on the second day you’ll explore the outskirts. I recommend at least three nights in Ubud but anywhere between four and five nights is ideal.
The extra nights in Ubud will give you the opportunity to plan day trips to other parts of Bali. Ubud is a great jumping off point to explore harder to reach areas of the island. Plus, at the end of a day trip it’s always nice to come home to a city with lots of dining options for comforting meal.
Day 1: The Heart of Ubud
Get to know Ubud by exploring its bustling center on your first day in the village. Everything covered in day one of this itinerary is featured in my Best of Ubud guide. For restaurant recommendations, where to stay, and tips on getting around read The Best of Ubud, Bali.
Let’s get into it.
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.
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 plan 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.
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.
Day 2: The Outskirts of Ubud
Hit the road to visit the famous rice terraces and go temple hopping for day two of your Ubud adventure.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
The lush green rice terraces you’ve seen on your Instagram feed from Bali are most likely the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Besides their natural beauty, these famous rice terraces are popular because of their proximity to Ubud. It can feel like a bit of a tourist trap with local businesses trying to convince you to zip line or swing above the rice terraces for a pretty penny, but the vista of the terraces is beautiful.
It costs 25,000 IDR (a little under 2 USD) to visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. After you pay the entrance fee, you can wander around the top of the terraces. To walk down and around the rice patties, you may have to tip the farmers who tend the fields. We just took photos from above and enjoyed our time.
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces is a good first stop on your adventure around the outskirts because it can get hot and muggy around midday. Many blogs recommend that you go to the rice terraces at sunrise to avoid the crowds, but I didn’t feel like this was necessary. We arrived at 10 a.m. and didn’t encounter crowds, but we did feel the rising heat as it approached midday. We visited at the beginning of June (right before high season) so it might be different during peak season.
ThatPlannerFriend Tip: If you’re planning a day trip to Northern Bali, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are way more impressive than Tegalalang. I felt like I needed to see Tegalalang for myself so I visited both.
Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu
For a peaceful introduction to Balinese temples, visit Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu. This hidden gem is a calm temple in the jungle, free of any tourist crowds. It features beautiful craftsmanship with stone cravings and intricately painted designs on the shrines.
It costs 50,000 IDR (about 3 USD) to visit which includes a sarong rental.
Pura Tirta Empul
People from all over the world come to Pura Tirta Empul to bathe in their holy water. Tirta Empul translates to holy spring. This temple is the site of a spring that’s seen as sacred in the Hindu religion. You can bathe in its waters for its healing properties.
It costs 75,000 IDR (a little under 5 USD) to enter the temple grounds. At the temple, locals sell fruits and other goods. I bought some delicious bananas here.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah or the Elephant Cave is a Hindu shrine only 15 minutes from Ubud. It’s an archeological site with intricate stone carvings that lead into an ancient cave.
To visit, you need to pay a fee of 50,000 IDR (about 3 USD).
More on the outskirts
If you and your driver are up for it, there are also waterfalls on the outskirts of Ubud like Tibumana Waterfall and Tegenungan Waterfall that you can visit after going to the temples. You’ll want to pack a bathing suit and bring small change in cash to pay waterfall entry fees.
You could also stop by a coffee house that serves luwak coffee and local tea blends. Most drivers in Bali are very knowledgeable about the area and places tourists like to visit. For example, our driver took us to a silversmith factory and jewelry shop.
How to reach the outskirts
You will need to hire a private driver for around 60 USD for the day to take you to all of these locations.
I recommend Kardika Nengah, an Ubud native who knows Bali like the back of his hand.
Kardika can take you around Ubud’s outskirts but also to day trips on other parts of the island. Contact Kardika via WhatsApp to schedule a tour: +62 811-397-749.
Day Trips from Ubud
Add an extra day or three to your Ubud itinerary to go on excursions around Bali. From hiking a volcano to visiting the UNESCO rice terraces that dwarf Tegalalang, there is always something new to do and see in Bali.
Day 3: Day Trip to Hike Mount Batur
Hike an active volcano on a day trip to Mount Batur. The hike up Mount Batur only takes about two hours but the team at Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking will help you plan a full-day adventure with a visit to a coffee plantation and hot springs.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to hike the volcano at sunrise, I hiked it at sunset. A full-day tour with a driver and private hiking guide will cost around 65 USD per person.
Day 4: Day Trip to Nothern Bali
Head north with a driver to explore bigger and better temples, rice terraces, and waterfalls than the ones around Ubud. In the northern part of Bali, you can visit places like the UNESCO Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.
Kardika Nengah can coordinate a full-day adventure for you. Text him via WhatsApp at +62 811-397-749 for a tour.
Day 5: Day Trip to Nusa Penida
For a beach day on an island, head off the coast of Bali to Nusa Penida. This island is full of beautiful vistas and beaches to swim in. You can take a ferry from Nusa Penida to Sanur Port. For a day trip to Nusa Penida, check out Bali Friend Tour to help you coordinate your trip. They’ll get you a driver to and from the port, your ferry ticket, and a driver on the island.
If you don’t want to take a ferry to another island, you could spend the day by the beach in the southwest part of Bali like Canggu or Seminyak.
Don’t forget to check out The Best of Ubud, Bali guide for more tips while staying in Ubud.
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