Welcome to Ubud, Bali. A city located in the highlands of Bali known for the beautiful surroundings and the mixture of culture, art and relaxation. Ubud is all about a laid-back atmosphere of living and enjoying the moment. Compared to other places in Bali, such as Canggu or Uluwatu which are all about the ocean and surfing, Ubud is about the nature. Located in between the bright green rice terraces, Ubud is the ideal location to experience a different side of Bali.
Of course, Ubud is a highlight for tourists. Be aware that some places can be quite busy. Still, there are some great things you can do to escape the crowds and to get an unique Ubud experience of your own. Get to know the best activities and experiences in and around Ubud:
Explore the rice fields around Ubud
The best way to escape the crowds, is to leave the center of Ubud and enjoy some time in the nature. As Ubud is located on the lower highlands of Bali, you have a very beautiful and attractive landscape around the “city”. Wide rice fields, idyllic walks and local farmers doing their everyday-work. The rice fields of Ubud are one of the best places to be.
You can easily reach them by foot from the center or simply rent a motorbike. If you dare to go a little off the beaten path, you will discover some great walks in the fields. There are also cafés located in the rice fields and offering you a delicious drink while enjoying the view. Doesn´t that sound like the absolute Bali dream?
The rice fields are the best place to be if you want to get some quiet time and see what the nature of Bali really can be like.
The best time to visit the rice fields: early in the morning shortly after sunrsise
Stroll over the Ubud market and get inspired
You cannot come to Ubud without visiting the big market. Ubud Market is probably the biggest and most popular market in Bali for souvenir, clothes and local crafts. While some travellers do hate this place, others love to stroll through the streets and see the different stands.
Regarding its popularity, you should take a morning or an afternoon to visit the Ubud Market. Around midday, the market is usually very busy (a time, when you should avoid the area).
For some great deals, it is recommended to go in the afternoon as sellers are more likely to bargain.
The best time to visit the market: in the morning or during the late afternoon
Practice Yoga and visit a Yoga Class
Ubud is the place to be for the yogis in Bali. The peaceful atmosphere and the closeness to nature make this the perfect place for practicing yoga. It does not matter, if you have experience in yoga or if this is your first time.
Ubud has many different yoga studios or ashrams, where you can book a class or even a retreat. Some are located directly in the rice fields and you will have the best view while doing yoga. If you are looking for a spiritual experience in Bali and would like to get some time with yourself, yoga in Ubud seems like the best thing to do!
Visit the temples in the area
But Ubud is more than a market and yoga. Ubud is as well the place to be if you love to visit temples and get to know more about the culture of a country. In the area around Ubud, you will find quite a lot of temples which you can visit on a day trip.
In the center of Ubud you will find a smaller temple, which is free to enter. The Saraswati Temple invites all visitors to stroll around or to have a break in the café. There is a beautiful garden with a lake covered under water lilies. This is the reason why temple is also known as the UBUD WATER PALACE.
Another temple you should check out when you are staying in Ubud, is the Holy Water Temple, also known as Tirta Empul. Make sure to not miss out on the holy purification. A spiritual and religious experience which travelles do not want to miss!
Best time to visit the temples: during the morning to avoid the crowds (most of the tours arrive at 10 am)
Walk the Campuhan Ridge Walk for sunset or sunrise
The sunset (or sunrise) atmosphere in Ubud can be magical. Especially if you are a little outside of the city center close to nature. The colors of the sky, the last sun rays in the rice fields and the air getting colder.
If you cannot get enough of these evenings outside, you should check out the Campuhan Ridge Walk for sunset. The Campuhan Ridge walk is located a little outside of Ubud but can easily be reached from the city center. The trail is hidden behind the hotels and the main street of Ubud and invites you to a quiet and peaceful walk.
The way leads you directly through the rice fields and the palm tree forests. You can overlook the green fields and enjoy the beautiful sight. The Camuhan Ridge Walk is 9 kilometers long and ideal for a sunrise or sunset walk.
If you are lucky and get to see the area on a clear day, you can even spot the Mount Agung on the horizon.
Have a break in the cute Cafés
Such as Canggu or Seminyak, Ubud is also home to a few fancy and beautiful cafés. You can enjoy the great selection of places to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And even if you prefer to have a local experience and love to eat in the local restaurants, you should check out the cafés at least once. They have a very delicious menu for any taste and diet.
Especially if you choose a café with a nice location, this can be a highlight in Ubud. Enjoy your drink with a view over the rice fields or on a roof terrace. You can as well bring a book – reading, relaxing and spending time in cafés, that´s what a great time in Ubud looks like!
Go on a little shopping tour in Ubud Center
Can this be missing in guide to Ubud? Probably not. Ubud is a little shopping paradise. You will find both local shops, the market and some boutiques. Before or after dinner, it can be fun to stroll around and visit the small shops.
Rent a motorbike to explore the area
Ubud is the ideal starting point for many explorations around Bali. In the area, you will find most of the beautiful waterfalls and temples. A great way to see more of Ubud and to get the “freedom feeling” for which Bali is famous, rent yourself a scooter.
You can get a scooter basically everywhere in Ubud. Check with your hotel or homestay and they will for sure have a contact for you or organize the scooter directly. Make sure to leave quite early in the morning and drive through the quiet streets outside the center. As most of them lead through a beautiful scenery of green fields and palm trees, this is an experience to remember.
Of course, you need to feel comfortable enough to drive around Bali. If you are not, you can hire a driver on motorbike. But it is also wortht to practice driving if you plan to travel through Bali and South East Asia.
Travelling and exploring by motorbike can even be the ultimate budget travelt tip for Bali, as it saves you quite some money on tours and transportation.
If you are travelling Bali on a budget makes sure to check out What you need to know about travelling Bali on a Budget.
Have a lunch / dinner in the rice fields
As you might have noticed, Ubud is all about food and those small moments. Like enjoying a wonderful meal in the rice fields. Not too far from the center you will find quite some restaurants which are located in the middle of the rice fields. Some of them can be reached by foot while you need to drive to others located more outside.
Go waterfall-chasing around Ubud
When being in Ubud, it is impossible not to visit a waterfall. Most of Bali´s gems are located around the area of Ubud and you can easily watch them on a little trip.
Some of the waterfalls can be very busy as they are well-known on Social Media. In order to be able to enjoy the place without having to wait in a line, you should always arrive as early as possible. You cannot only enjoy the waterfall on your own, but as well catch the beautiful morning light.
Some of the best wateralls to visit during your time in Ubud are the Leke Leke Waterfall, Tibumana Waterfall or the Tukad Cempung Waterfall.
Ubud can be both a daring adventure or a relaxed vacation. The area offers activities and things to do for any traveller. This allows you to create your own special Ubud experience.
You would love a little me-time and some easy days with lots of selfcare? Then make sure to book into the yoga class, have some nice dinner dates and stroll through the market and the streets.
You rather prefer a little adventure and would like to see something new every day? If this is you, you need to visit the waterfalls, the temples and the rice fields. Ubud can be the place to be for outdoor fans, if you just know where to go.
Make Ubud your own best time on Bali!
