Ubud
A LITTLE NOTE FROM US
If you're looking for the heart of Bali, Ubud is where you'd go. There are no beaches here, but there are amazing restaurants, artisans and beautiful rice paddy views. It's also closer to nature spots like Munduk and Mt Batur.
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Visiting Ubud
Know before you go
Best Time to Go
You can go anytime really! If you're in Ubud for the nature and outdoor activities, try to avoid rainy season from late December to March. If it does rain while you're in Ubud, go to a spa, make some jamu or just put on a poncho and go! 😎
Who is it for?
- Ubud is great for families, couples and people who love nature, crafts and want to sightsee. We generally recommend first-time visitors to Bali to stay in Ubud as there is most to do around here.
- Ubud isn't for people who are looking to surf, go to the beach or party - there are no clubs or beaches here!
What to do or see here
- In Ubud town, here are lots of shops, spas, and restaurants, as well as places of interest like Ubud Palace, Monkey Forest and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.
- Ubud is also the artisan hub of Bali so you'll find art galleries, traditional artisans and arty activities like Batik painting and jewellery making.
- You can also do volcano hikes and rafting nearby!
Top Tips
- Ubud is pretty crowded and the roads are often jam packed during the day time. Often it'll take us almost half an hour to get out of tiny Ubud town by car. So do factor that into your travel time.
- To experience what Ubud was like before mass tourism, head to nearby Sidemen. It has gorgeous rice terrace views, amazing artisans and very chill village vibes.
Why go
Ubud has the best restaurants in Bali, lots of wellness, arty and nature activities, and famous attractions. Think of it as the full package of food, culture, wellness, nature and outdoors! It's also a great base to explore Bali from as it's closer to places of interest like Mount Batur, Mount Agung and Tirta Empul Water Temple and Ayung River.
Top things to see & do
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Helpful Questions
What are some must-visit attractions in Ubud?
Ubud has plenty of attractions that travellers consider 'must-dos' Among them are the Ubud Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), and Ubud Palace.
What activities can you do in Ubud besides sightseeing?
Ubud is a hub for cultural activities, and visitors can indulge in various activities such as cooking classes, art and craft workshops, traditional dance performances, and even healing practices such as yoga and meditation.
It's quite hard to differentiate between the real arts activities and the ones that are just created for tourists though- so do watch out for that or ask us if you'd like ideas! A lot of the cultural activities have also moved further out of Ubud towards sleepier (and cheaper!) Sidemen.
Ubud also has several spa centers offering relaxing massages and treatments, so you should definitely check those out for a traditional Balinese massage!
Ubud also has some of the best restaurants in Bali, so you should definitely check those out - our faves are Locavore and Nusantara!
What are some good restaurants to try in Ubud?
Ubud has a thriving food scene, with plenty of restaurants serving delicious Indonesian and international cuisine. Some popular restaurants to try are Locavore, Hujan Locale, and Nusantara Restaurant. Locavore and Nusantara are doing really interesting things with Indonesian ingredients (think of Locavore like the Noma of Indonesia!) so they're definitely worth trying if you're a foodie and curious about different ingredients and cooking techniques.
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