Must Go Places in Ubud
What to do in Ubud? Discover our list of Must Go Places in Ubud, so you don’t miss anything during your stay in this city in the heart of the Island of the Gods! There are many places to visit in this town, but our list of places to visit in Ubud to make sure that you don’t miss any must go places in Ubud.
Considered the cultural and spiritual center of Bali, Ubud has become an essential stopover during a stay on the island. The city of more than 34,000 inhabitants is renowned for its artistic life, but also the lush nature that surrounds it and its atmosphere conducive to relaxation.
Ubud is located in the highlands of Bali, between the rainforest, the Ayung River and the rice terraces, where majestic temples are hidden. And despite the influx of tourists throughout the year, the place does not lose its charm.
According to legend, this haven of peace was discovered by the Javanese priest Rsi Markendya in the 8th century. Ubud, from the Indonesian Ubat (medicine), was for a long time just a simple village where medicinal plants grew in abundance. Before attracting its first tourists, Ubud welcomed the Sukawati royal family (19th century) then Western artists who settled there (20th century), thus participating in the development of the arts in the city.
Read also: Tanah Lot Bali | Impressive Hindu Temples in the Indian Ocean
Visiting Ubud is on the program? Here is a small selection so you don’t miss anything during your visit to the heart of Bali!
1- Observe the monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest
2- His walk in the rice fields of Tegalalang
3- Visit Ubud Palace and Sarawasti Temple
4- Hike Campuhan Ridge Walk
5- Get lost in the central market of Ubud and Jalan Raya
6- Tegenungan Waterfall
7- Discover the temples of Ubud
8- Visit the Neka Museum
9- Relax at the Karsa Spa and at the springs of Empul Temple
10- Taste Balinese specialties in restaurants and at Café Luwak
It is a tourist town in Bali that offers many beautiful places to visit and many activities to do. Ubud is located in the center east, in the middle of the land and on the highlands. Ubud is famous for being a lively city that offers superb landscapes in the surroundings. There are many temples, a museum, restaurants, rice fields, spas, waterfalls, tropical forests etc. It is our ideal destination for nature lovers who wish to immerse themselves in Balinese culture. You can meet locals, attend ceremonies and traditional dances. We really enjoyed getting lost in Ubud!
Must Go Places in Ubud
1- Observe the monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest
The monkey forest is a must do when you go to Ubud and also one of the most visited places in Bali. We loved this attraction even though we were afraid of falling into a “tourist trap”! Here we can feed the monkeys and play with them.
The beautiful rainforest provides a great ride. There are also 3 magnificent temples that can be visited. We appreciated this place because there is spirituality, walks, nature and a nature reserve. Long-tailed monkeys are very playful, following humans for food.
Price: adult about EUR 5 (IDR 80 000) and children about EUR 3.80 (IDR 60 000)
Hours: open every day from 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
Visit duration: we spent 2 hours in the forest
Website: http://www.monkeyforestubud.com/
2- Walk in the rice fields from Tegalalang
One of our favorite places! You have to go to the small village of Tegalalang and then walk through the rice fields. We took lots of great pictures of the rice fields while strolling upstairs.
We also had the chance to chat with locals who explained to us how the harvest was going. Indonesia is one of the leading rice producers!
Pinterpandai, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3- Visit Ubud Palace and Sarawasti Temple
Here are two palaces that we advise you to visit if you are in Ubud. Ubud Palace or Puri Saren Agung, can be visited quite easily since it is located near the Ubud market. There are often a lot of tourists which can make it difficult to take photos, but the visit is free.
The palace offers traditional dance performances but we did not attend. Ubud Water Palace or Sarawasti Temple is also easy to visit because it is located in the center. There are beautiful water lilies and beautiful plants! Here too, the visit is free.
4- Hiking on Campuhan Ridge Walk
Being great hiking enthusiasts, we decided to test the Campuhan Ridge Walk. We had read many reviews and recommendations for what to do in Ubud and this hike seemed like a must.
We have not been disappointed ! We advise you to start the walk very early to avoid the flow of tourists. You will be able to observe beautiful panoramas on the surrounding rice fields. Photo credit: Flickr – The 3B’s
5- Get lost in the central market of Ubud and Jalan Raya
Located in the center of Ubud town, the central market is the ideal place to buy souvenirs or discover Balinese handicrafts. We liked to get lost in the market and feel the ambient local atmosphere.
If you want to buy on the market, do not be afraid to negotiate because the locals will not hesitate to give you high prices at first sight, business is business! Jalan Raya is the city’s main avenue. Here you will find many shops, cafes, restaurants and museums. This is the very lively corner of the city!
6- Tegenungan Waterfall
One of the places to Visit in Ubud is this waterfall is located in the village Tegenungan Kemenuh. You will have to walk a bit before reaching it but it is a fairly well-known tourist spot now. You will have a superb view of the surrounding green nature! Photo credit: Flicker – SJphotoworld
7- Discovering the temples of Ubud
Most Balinese are Hindus. There are superb temples to visit: Gunung Kawi, Pura Turta Empull. There are others but these are the two we visited.
The first is superb because of the vegetation which blends with the local architecture. The second is a high place of the Balinese religion. Many ceremonies are held there regularly.
8- Visit the Neka museum
The Neka museum is located a few kilometers from Ubud, on the heights. There are many paintings representing Balinese culture. It’s really an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and the daily life of the Balinese. Photo credit: Flickr – Tiffany Turkington
9- Relaxing at Karsa Spa and Empul Temple Springs
If you want to relax in an incredible setting, then the Karsa spa is for you! Even if the spa is quite expensive, the place is unique. That’s why we put it on our list of must-do places in Ubud. Located in the middle of the rice fields, this spa offers you superb services.
The springs of Empul Temple are magnificent. This source is the most beautiful that we did during our trip. Located more than 10 kilometers from the center of Ubud, it is a sacred place made up of different temples. We strongly advise you to visit this place!
10- Taste Balinese specialties in restaurants and at Café Luwak
There are many restaurants in Ubud to test the local gastronomy. We really enjoyed the different restaurants in town to eat in the evening and try different things.
The prices are so attractive that we were able to eat at the restaurant every day during our visit to Ubud. Luwak Coffee particularly marked us since we can taste the Luwak coffee, a product made from the excrement of the luwak which itself digests the small cherries of calé. Atypical experience guaranteed!
Sources: Villa Carissa Bali, PinterPandai
Photo credit: Ery_digital / Pixabay
