What is there to do in Ubud?
Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali: a small town in the middle of rice fields, temples and forest, about 1 to 1.5 hours from the airport. It made its name through the arts, not the beaches. As early as 1900 it became a Dutch protectorate at its own request, which let it focus on its religious and cultural life. In the 1930s the royal family invited European artists such as Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet, who introduced Balinese painting to the world. More recently, the bestseller Eat, Pray, Love did the rest.
What you'll do here:
- Walk through the rice fields, straight from the town centre. Try the Sweet Orange Walk trail, just past the water temple on the right. Postcard views guaranteed.
- See a dance performance in the evening: legong, barong or kecak. There is one almost every day, at the royal palace, in temples (the water temple, for example) or at the ARMA museum.
- Try yoga or meditation, or take a Balinese cooking class.
- Learn a craft, such as making silver jewellery or canang sari (the little offering baskets). Wander the centre to find places offering all sorts of activities, or go to the ARMA museum, which has plenty of options (though often a little pricier).
- Go on a day trip: the Tegalalang rice terraces and the Tegenungan waterfall, the most classic options, are under an hour by road. It is also very easy to head out from Ubud to the Tirta Empul temple, or to tour the local craft villages.
How many days? Three is the minimum for the essentials (temples, rice fields, the sacred forest); four or five let you slow down.
Tip: hire a driver for the day for your excursions: everything is close, but much easier by car. As a guide, expect IDR 600,000 to 800,000 (about US$34-45).
Prices, hours and rules checked in October 2026. Confirm before you travel.