Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, set inland in the foothills of Gianyar regency, where people come for rice terraces, temples, the monkey forest and Balinese art rather than beaches. It's a green town of artists and yoga about an hour to ninety minutes from the airport, and within a short radius around it sit almost all of Bali's major non-beach sights.
This guide covers what to see in and around Ubud, how to get there, where to stay, how many days to allow, and how to build a route so you don't spend the whole time in a car.
Ubud
Bali's cultural hub, surrounded by rice terraces, temples, art museums, craft villages, tropical valleys and central-island day trips.
Read MoreHow to Get to Ubud
Ubud sits inland, roughly 60–90 minutes from Denpasar airport and the southe resorts. There's almost no public transport, so people arrive by car.
- From the airport / the south (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu) — 1–1.5 hours by taxi or transfer; from Canggu it's often quicker than from Kuta.
- Taxis and apps — Grab and Gojek work in Ubud, though some spots have local-driver restrictions; a car with a driver for the day is the easiest option.
- Scooter — popular for getting around the surroundings, but the town centre has narrow streets and heavy traffic.
How Many Days You Need and When to Go
The town itself takes about 1 day, but to see the surrounding terraces, temples and waterfalls without rushing, allow 2–3 days, or visit on one or two day trips from the south.
- In 1 day you can cover the centre: the palace, market, Monkey Forest and Campuhan ridge, plus one nearby stop — a terrace or a waterfall.
- In 2–3 days you add the temples (Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, Goa Gajah), Jatiluwih, and activities — rafting, yoga, swings.
The best time is the dry season, April to October: fewer showers on the trails and terraces. In the wet season Ubud is especially green, but downpours tend to come after noon — plan sightseeing for the mo ing.
What about beaches? Ubud has no sea or beaches — it's in the centre of the island, among rice fields and jungle. For a beach holiday head south (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua); Ubud is for nature and culture, often paired with the coast.
What to See in Central Ubud
The centre is compact, and the main sights link up on foot in a day.
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) — the royal family's residence on the main crossroads: free daytime courtyards of Balinese architecture and traditional dance in the courtyard by night.
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
The Ubud royal family's residence in the town centre: free daytime courtyards of Balinese architecture and nightly Legong and Barong dances.
Read MoreUbud Art Market (Pasar Seni) — a covered handicraft market directly opposite the palace: textiles, woven bags, carvings and paintings, where bargaining is expected.
Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud)
A covered handicraft market in central Ubud opposite the palace: scarves, bags, carvings and paintings, where bargaining is expected.
Read MoreSacred Monkey Forest — a sanctuary of hundreds of macaques and mossy temples at the south end of the centre; keep food and belongings away from their nimble hands.
Sacred Monkey Forest Ubud
A nature reserve in the heart of Ubud with three ancient temples and more than a thousand wild long-tailed macaques.
Read MoreCampuhan Ridge Walk — a free mo ing stroll along a green ridge on the weste edge of the centre, best at sunrise.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
A free walk along a green hilltop ridge on the edge of Ubud: a paved path from the Pura Gunung Lebah temple across the hills.
Read MoreRice Terraces: Tegalalang and Jatiluwih
Stepped rice terraces are Ubud's signature and some of Bali's most photogenic scenery. The two main ones are close to town and further out.
Tegalalang — the most famous terraces, 15–20 minutes north of Ubud, with paths between the tiers and swings over the valley.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Discover Tegallalang rice paddies near Ubud. Walking trails, photography view points, and jungle swings.
Read MoreJatiluwih — vast UNESCO-listed terraces in the hills to the west, quieter and more sweeping than Tegalalang; worth a dedicated trip.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Explore the vast rice paddies of Jatiluwih in Central Bali. Trekking trails and local farming experiences.
Read MoreFor how Tegalalang and Jatiluwih differ, when to go and how to frame the shot, see the dedicated Bali rice terraces guide.
Temples around Ubud
Northeast of Ubud, toward Tampaksiring, several important temples cluster together — easy to combine into one temple day.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) — an ancient 11th-century cave temple with a demon-mouth entrance and bathing pools with nymph statues, 15 minutes from the centre.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
An ancient 11th-century cave temple near Ubud: a demon-mouth carved into the rock, and bathing pools with nymph statues unearthed in 1954.
Read MoreTirta Empul — a sacred water temple where Balinese have performed the melukat purification ritual under spring spouts for over a thousand years.
Tirta Empul Temple
A sacred spring temple where Balinese perform the ancient Melukat purification ritual under holy-water spouts.
Read MoreGunung Kawi Sebatu — a quiet water temple with ponds and springs in Sebatu village, far less crowded than Tirta Empul.
Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple
A quiet holy-spring water temple in Sebatu village near Ubud — koi ponds, lotus pools and the melukat purification ritual without the crowds.
Read MoreWaterfalls, Jungle and Swings
Around Ubud, ravines with waterfalls and jungle above the Ayung River hold most of the active attractions.
Tegenungan Waterfall — a big waterfall half an hour south of Ubud, with photo decks and a swim at the base.
Tegenungan Waterfall
A powerful, easy-to-reach waterfall on the Petanu River 10 km from Ubud — a wide cascade, a swimming pool, and a short staircase down.
Read MoreBali Swing (jungle swings) — parks of giant swings and photo platforms over the Ayung River valley for the classic flowing-dress shot.
Bali Swing — Jungle Swings
Parks of giant swings and photo platforms over the Ayung River jungle valley near Ubud — the classic flowing-dress shot above the trees.
Read MoreActivities: Yoga, Spa and Rafting
Ubud is Bali's wellness capital, and many come specifically for the practice and the reset.
- Yoga — dozens of studios and retreat centres; the best known are around Penestanan and in the centre.
- Spa and massage — from budget salons to resort spas in the valleys; a Balinese massage is worth trying at least once.
- Ayung River rafting — a moderate white-water run through jungle with waterfalls along the banks, a great pick for an active day.
Ubud Tours with Balitourus
The easiest way to see Ubud and its surroundings in a day is to go with a team that handles the logistics: we take care of the car with a driver and the order of the stops, so one trip covers the terraces, the Monkey Forest, a waterfall and the temples instead of sitting in traffic.
Ubud Tour
Where to Stay in Ubud
Accommodation in Ubud ranges from guesthouses in the centre to pool villas in the rice fields. The centre is handy for walking (palace, market, cafés), while the Penestanan, Sayan and Nyuh Kuning valleys are for quiet and views but further from the sights. Specific hotels and villas are easiest to compare on booking sites for your budget and dates.