What are the best day trips from Ubud?
Ubud is the perfect base for day trips: almost all of central Bali is less than an hour's drive away, and rice terraces, ancient temples, waterfalls and traditional villages all fit into a half-day or a full day. The trick is to group your stops by area, because it's the traffic and the narrow roads, not the distance, that eat up your time.
The classic loops:
- North: rice terraces and holy springs (full day): start at the Tegalalang rice terraces, ideally early, then head to Tampaksiring and its two neighbouring sites. The first is Tirta Empul, where worshippers purify themselves under the spouts. The second is Gunung Kawi, 11th-century royal shrines carved straight into the cliff at the bottom of a valley (a long staircase down, and back up). Push on to Kintamani (about an hour from Ubud) and have lunch facing Mount Batur and its lake.
- South-east: ancient temples and waterfalls (half-day): Goa Gajah, the "Elephant Cave", is 15 minutes from Ubud. Its entrance is carved as a demon's gaping mouth, with ancient bathing pools around it. Then add one or two waterfalls: Tegenungan, the best known, or Tibumana and Kanto Lampo, smaller and quieter. Tibumana's jungle setting alone is worth the trip. You can usually swim at all of them: Which Bali waterfalls should you visit, and can you swim?
- East: Penglipuran (full day, with the ideas below): a traditional village about 45 minutes away. A single sloping, paved street lined with typical Balinese houses behind identical gateways (angkul-angkul), no cars in the village centre, and a bamboo forest behind. It's known as one of the cleanest villages in the world, and people really live there. You pay a small entrance fee, then you're free to step into any house whose gate is open (respectfully: it's someone's home) and get a real feel for Balinese life. Most houses run informal little shops selling snacks, drinks and souvenirs. Nearby, Tukad Cepung is a waterfall hidden inside a cave, where morning light falls in beams.
Further off the beaten track:
- Gianyar night market (Pasar Senggol), about 20 minutes east. It comes alive every day from around 5pm, and it's where the Balinese go for dinner: babi guling (spit-roasted suckling pig), satay, klepon (sticky rice balls filled with palm sugar). Entry is free, a meal costs a few dollars, and there are few tourists: pointing works perfectly well. It's the ideal stop on the way back from Penglipuran, and you'll have no trouble finding a Grab back to Ubud.
- Gunung Kawi Sebatu, not to be confused with Gunung Kawi in Tampaksiring (yes, it's confusing). It's a water temple with carp-filled pools, north of Tegalalang, and far more peaceful than Tirta Empul.
- Sidemen, a bit further (1 hour 30), for classic Balinese rice terrace views without the crowds you sometimes get at Tegalalang. It makes a good day trip if you want the scenery and a look at the local weaving (Sidemen's speciality) without staying there: Why stay in Sidemen instead of Ubud?
On the practical side, hire a driver for the day: expect 600,000 to 800,000 rupiah (about US$34 to US$45) per car. A Grab will drop you off without any problem, but finding one for the return trip out in the countryside can take a while. Temple entry is around 50,000 rupiah (about US$2.80), sarong often included. Carry cash in small notes.
Verdict: on a first trip, the north loop (Tegalalang, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi) is the one to do. With a second day, Penglipuran followed by the Gianyar night market shows you Balinese life away from the busiest sights.
Tip: in peak season (July, August, Christmas and the Australian school holidays), leave around 7:30am: most sites open at 8am, and you'll be two hours ahead of the minibuses. In the quieter months, no need for an alarm: a 9:30am start is fine. Let your driver choose the order of stops to dodge the traffic, but keep control of the list: some add stops at coffee plantations (not very interesting) or shops where they earn a commission.
Information checked in October 2026; prices and opening hours may change, so check before you go.