Top 10 Things to Do in Ubud, Bali
Ubud is a popular town in Bali, famous for its arts, rice terraces, spa, and yoga. It is metaphorically a cultural center of Bali. The people here are also friendly while the architectures are beautiful and there are many tourist attractions to keep you entertained.
Ubud is geared very much toward tourists. Therefore, it does not lack tourist attractions or things to do. out of 14 villages here, you can find many hidden treasures and fun-filled activities among the people with their quiet everyday village life.
Here is our take on the Top 10 Things to Do in Ubud for you:
Explore the rice fields of Tegalalang
Arguably the most popular thing to do in Ubud because of the beautiful landscapes lined with rice terraces, running through brilliantly blue streams with dramatic limestones and valleys as a backdrop. The best way to explore this area is on a motorbike to feel the cool refreshing wind while you hear every sound and see every sight in person.
In the northeast of Tegalalang, you will find the classic rice terraces that are revered all over Asia. Riding here will keep you well-entranced as the greeneries stretch as far as the eye can see. If you are not keen on motorbikes, you may find one of the rice fields trekking tours that will take you around. There are also many rice fields walks that you can explore on foot instead.
Take an Ubud cycling tour
Cycling is one of the top activities in Ubud, being a place of beautiful and amazing sceneries. Besides, many cycling tours include sampling the delicious Balinese food along the way and interacting with the locals. There are many cycling tours to choose from or if you want it to be a leisurely one, try out the electric bike tour. Some other famous bike tours are Greenbike Cycling Tour, Baligobike, Bali Bike Baik, and Bali on Bike.
Watch Kecak Dance
Kecak Dance is one of Bali’s most popular traditional dances, and one of the best places to watch it is in Ubud. This dance is about the legend of Legong and Barong, a dance from the south of Bali, with a story of a never-ending battle between good and evil. It is more commonly known as the fire dance set to impress. Watch this dance at its origin on the road to Sanur within Ubud, and you will enjoy its authenticity.
Take a swing at Aloha Ubud
Join in the trend and take beautiful pictures with the famous Ubud swing. There are also several types of swings to add to your picture collection. These shots are guaranteed to liven up your Instagram feeds or just plain fun to share with family and friends.
Aloha Ubud Swing is located near Ubud in the direction of the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Here you can ride any of their five swings at varying heights of 10 to 60 m, all with an amazing view of rice terraces.
Visit the art museums
The most important art museum in Ubud among the many here, Neka Art Museum, features many traditional paintings. This museum distinguishes itself from the creations of Suteja Neka, a private collector and dealer of Balinese arts. Opened in 1982, this museum has continued to hold great selections of works from many famous Balinese artists. The other art museum that is worth visiting is the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA Museum). Here it differed with many cultural activities. It is also home to many well-known international Balinese artists. There is also a kafe (cafe) with tea and coffee inside.
Visit the temples in and around Ubud
As Bali’s cultural center, Ubud has some interesting temples to visit. The two main temples within the city center are the Pura Taman Saraswati, well known for its lotus-filled pond, and Pura Dalem Ubud. About 10 minutes drive from the center is the Goa Gajah temple (elephant cave), whose main attraction is the carved entrance and the Lord Ganesha (the God with the elephant head) inside. The two other notable temples you must visit, just 30-minute drive away, are the Pura Tirta Empul and Pura Gunung Kawi temples.
Walk around the Ubud Market
This double-story market is located at Jalan Raya Ubud, just around the corner from Jalan Monkey Forest. It has many stalls selling items, from woodcarvings, batik, sarong, souvenirs, and so on. The local tip is to go upstairs to scout for your bargain, as the price is usually lower, but remember that you need to hone your haggling skills.
Take a walk in the Sacred Monkey Forest
Though not exactly what you would expect to do here, the sacred Monkey Forest is one of the places travelers come to, whether out of curiosity or for some good old laugh. Besides being entertained by the antics of the monkeys, the area is a lush forest with old carved stones that will make a wondrous walk. Just take care of your belongings, as the monkeys can be cheeky!
Take up a cooking class in Ubud
Balinese cuisine is well-known worldwide, and most travelers here enjoy the food very much. What could be better than eating them but learning how to make them? Your friends and families back home will love you for it. There are many cooking classes here; some famous ones are Lobong Cooking Class, Payuk Bali Cooking Class, and Paon Bali Cooking Class.
Have a Yoga session
If self-pampering is not enough, it is time to rejuvenate yourself with yoga. The classes here are well run by locals and ex-pats alike, and you will have quite a several choices to choose from. Two of the popular yoga studios are the Yoga Barn and Radiantly Alive. You will surely find one that suits your level, so don’t worry and enjoy your yoga.
Relax with spa and/or massage
Ubud is popular for offering good spas and massages at very reasonable prices. You will be spoilt for choice as you go out and walk around, you will bound to find some good ones. These pampering sessions are top-notch in true Balinese hospitality; they will leave you feeling like a princess and well-rejuvenated from all the constant traveling and heat.
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 Ubud boutique hotel is Uma by COMO *, located on the hillside in Ubud.
