Category: Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s heart and soul, with so many things to do, you can easily spend more than one day here, but our itinerary will help you to maximise the time you have. Geographically it is also located in the center of southern Bali. Ubud can seem to offer too much sometimes, with rice fields to traverse, traditional dances to relish, art museums and galleries to explore, cooking courses and yoga classes to join and traditional markets and villages to discover.

In this 1 day itinerary in Ubud, you will check out the few main attractions in Ubud, then head out for a short excursion to the temple and rice fields and return in time for massage and spa, Kecak Dance performance and live music afterwards.

Ubud Itinerary Map

Morning – Market, Monkey Forest and Museum

Wake up early and check out the public market (pasar umum). This market is a beautiful chaos itself, offering many things in a bargain, from T-shirts and bangles to tea leaves and bananas. Start here before 8 am to catch the mass local produce before they disappear as the souvenir stalls take over.

From the market walk to the opposite to Ubud Palace, also known as Puri Saren Agung, to admire the architecture and the gamelan instruments on display. These instruments are used in the evening’s traditional dance performance. Then head on to the popular Sacred Monkey Forest of Ubud before it gets too hot. This is a lush jungle dotted with temples, transporting tourists away from the urban sprawl of Ubud. Then head south to the magnificent Aung Rai Museum of Art with expansive collections and beautiful gardens. From here head to Jalan Suweta for lunch of the famous roast pig (babi guling) of Ubud at Ibu Oka.

Lady selling flowers at the Market at Ubud, Bali. Photo by David Stanley

Afternoon – Excursion of Paddy Fields and Temple

Then it is time to discover the wonders that surround the Ubud city. Head west and ride (you may want to rent a motorbike or hire a car for the half day) down the beautiful road to Kendaran, with sloping coconut palms flanked by paddy fields and volcanic mountains. On the way, we stop by at Tirta Empul, one of the top 10 temples to visit in Bali, with a complex of pools, temples and gardens. The hot water springs are regarded as holy in Bali and have the magical power to heal, resulting in its invasion by locals and tourists alike. At the end of the road, turn north to Tegallalang, a village handicraft shops.

Rice fields terraces at Tegalalang. Photo by Pandu Adnyana

Evening – Kecak Dance

Return in time to Ubud to catch a traditional dance performance with live music. This is one of the must do in Ubud to sum up your experience. If there is still time, squeeze in some massage and spa at the many choices you can find in Ubud. End the day with a sumptuous dinner at one of the best restaurants in Bandung. After that, if you still have the energy, check out one of the many places that play live music at the center of Ubud.

Kecak Dance at Bali. Photo by Meru Muhammad

Where to stay in Ubud

Stay in Ubud for culture, nature, arts and markets. Ubud has plenty of places that tourists will enjoy staying at. There’s the Como Shambhala Estate *, which is a health retreat deep in the rainforest. There’s also the Hanging Gardens Ubud *, which has a spectacular view and private pool villas. The Purist Villas & Spa * is another popular place to stay in Ubud, as it’s a stylish boutique villa complete with meal and spa facilities. A popular boutique hotel is Uma by COMO *, which is located on the hillside in Ubud.

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Ubud is Bali’s heart and soul, with so many things to do, you can easily spend 3 days here. Geographically it is also located in the center of southern Bali. Ubud can seem to offer too much sometimes, with rice fields to traverse, traditional dances to relish, art museums and galleries to explore, cooking courses and yoga classes to join and traditional markets and villages to discover.

In this 3 days itinerary in Ubud, you will explore in depth the village of Ubud with a full day walking tour, and then a day around the tourist attractions of Ubud and lastly a short excursion out to caves and rice fields.

Ubud Itinerary Map

Day 1 – walking tour of Ubud village

Today would be a walking tour day in the village of Ubud. The best starting point is the public market (pasar umum). This market is a mesmesrizing place itself, offering many things in a bargain, from T-shirts and bangles to tea leaves and bananas. Start here before 8 am to catch the mass local produce before they disappear as the souvenir stalls take over.

Lady selling flowers at the Market at Ubud, Bali. Photo by David Stanley

From the market walk to the opposite to Ubud Palace, also known as Puri Saren Agung, to admire the architecture and the gamelan instruments on display. These instruments are used in the evening’s traditional dance performance.

Continuing down the main road you will see Pura Dalem Ubud temple, closed to the public but good to admire from the outside. Further on is Pura Taman Saraswati, a majestic temple with a pond full of lotus flowers. Close by here is the Museum Puri Lukisan if you are keen on a collection of works by local and foreign artists inspired by Bali.

Walk down Jalan Raya Ubud to Panestanan and spend some time here enjoying the peace, passing yoga and meditation centers. From here you can choose either to explore the nature by doing one of the best walks in Bali at Campuhan ridge or get a motor taxi (ojek) and head to Neka Art Musuem for its marvelous artworks and lush gardens. End the day with dinner, drinks and dance at Jazz Cafe Tebesya.

Legong and Barong Traditional Dances. Photo by Arian Zwegers

Day 2 – Around Ubud

Wake up early morning and head to the popular Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. This is a lush jungle dotted with temples, transporting tourists away from the urban sprawl of Ubud. Exit through the southern gate to Nyuhkuning, a charming village renowned for its wood carvings. This village is also a good place for cycling (bike available for rent here) due to its flat roads.

Then head south to the magnificent Aung Rai Museum of Art with expansive collections and beautiful gardens. From here head to Jalan Suweta for lunch of the famous roast pig (babi guling) of Ubud at Ibu Oka. After that walk off the meal at Botanic Garden (open 8 am to 6 pm daily). Turn up at the main street of Petulu between 4-5pm to watch the flocking of thousands of herons and egrets there. End the day with a sumptuous dinner at Bali Buddha.

Monkey Forest at Ubud

Day 3 – Day trip excursions from Ubud

Today we will discover the wonders that surround the Ubud city starting with Goa Gajah Cave. This mysterious and fascinating cave is known for its T-shaped that was created over a thousand years ago. It contains Hindu and Buddhist artefacts and bizarre carvings around the entrance.A travel tip is to come here early before 9 am to escape the crowds from tours.

Next head on to Gunung Kawi, where massive shrines are carved into cliffs surrounded by stunning landscapes. Not far down from here is the Kafe Kawi, a perfect place for lunch. Further on we head to Tirta Empul, one of the top 10 temples to visit in Bali, with a complex of pools, temples and gardens. The hot water springs are regarded as holy in Bali and have the magical power to heal, resulting in its invasion by locals and tourists alike.

Head west and ride down the beautiful road to Kendaran, with sloping coconut palms flanked by padi fields and volcanic mountains. At the end of the road, turn north to Tegallalang, a village handicraft shops. Return in time to Ubud to catch a traditional dance performance with live music. This is a must to sum up your experience in Ubud.

Rice fields terraces at Tegalalang. Photo by Pandu Adnyana

Where to stay in Ubud

Stay in Ubud for culture, nature, arts and markets. Ubud has plenty of places that tourists will enjoy staying at. There’s the Como Shambhala Estate *, which is a health retreat deep in the rainforest. There’s also the Hanging Gardens Ubud *, which has a spectacular view and private pool villas. The Purist Villas & Spa * is another popular place to stay in Ubud, as it’s a stylish boutique villa complete with meal and spa facilities. A popular boutique hotel is Uma by COMO *, which is located on the hillside in Ubud.

Related articles:
1 Day Ubud Itinerary
3 Days / 2 Nights in Bali Itinerary
Complete 5 days Itinerary for Bali
1 week Itinerary in Bali
10 Days in Bali Itinerary
Top 10 Things to Do in Ubud