The 8 Best things to do in Ubud, Bali that you shouldn’t miss

The most rewarding things to do in Ubud Bali combine cultural discovery with time outdoors: explore the town’s palace and market, watch Balinese dance, walk through rice-growing landscapes or learn to cook local dishes. This Style Travel guide helps you choose experiences that match your interests, with practical notes on visiting central Ubud and travelling to nearby attractions.

Things to do in Ubud Bali for culture, nature and food

Ubud’s attractions are spread between the town centre and surrounding countryside. Start with the experiences you most want to enjoy, then consider their locations and physical demands. A short cultural visit, a hillside walk and a cooking class offer very different ways to spend your time.

Explore Ubud Palace and the art market

Ubud Palace, also known as Puri Saren Agung, is a useful starting point for discovering the town’s architecture and artistic traditions. Explore the areas open to visitors, then continue to the nearby art market to browse textiles, bags, carvings and other souvenirs. The combination suits travellers who want to explore central Ubud without arranging a separate countryside excursion. Keep Ubud Palace distinct from Pura Taman Saraswati, another nearby landmark sometimes called the Ubud Water Palace.

• Visiting note: Respect restricted areas at the palace. At the market, ask about materials and origin rather than assuming every item is locally handmade.

Watch a traditional Balinese dance performance

A dance performance introduces Balinese culture through music, elaborate costumes and controlled gestures. Ubud Palace is one venue for evening performances, making this a worthwhile choice if you want a cultural experience after daytime sightseeing. Programmes differ, so find out which dance is being performed and read a short introduction to its story or characters before attending. This gives you more to follow than the visual spectacle alone.

• Before booking: Confirm the venue, programme, start time, duration and current ticket price.
• Audience note: Consider seating arrangements and sound levels if travelling with young children or anyone sensitive to loud music.

Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary combines forest paths, long-tailed macaques and sacred spaces associated with the local community. Choose it if you are interested in observing animals and exploring a wooded setting within Ubud. The monkeys move freely, so this experience requires attention to the sanctuary’s rules rather than attempts to attract animals for photographs.

• Published admission: IDR 130,000 per adult, as displayed on the official internet when checked on October 2026. Confirm the applicable ticket before visiting.
• Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00, with last entrance at 17:00, according to the official visitor page.
• Important note: Keep your distance, do not touch monkeys or initiate feeding, secure small belongings and supervise children closely. Follow staff instructions and respect restricted sacred areas.

Discover the rice terraces around Tegallalang

Tegallalang, north of Ubud, offers views across stepped rice fields shaped by Bali’s traditional subak irrigation system. It is a good choice if you want to understand how cultivation contributes to the landscape. Decide whether you prefer a viewpoint or a walk down into the terraces: the latter involves more effort and uneven ground. When choosing between Bali rice terraces, consider the walking experience and farming landscape as well as the photographs.

• Costs to check: Confirm the entrance you intend to use and whether swings, photo platforms or other attractions require separate payment.
• Walking note: Wear footwear with grip and stay on permitted paths. Field colours and planting conditions vary, so do not expect every terrace to look like promotional photographs.

Take a walk along Campuhan Ridge

Campuhan Ridge offers an outdoor alternative to ticketed attractions and organised activities. The route follows a ridge through green surroundings, making it worth considering when you want to spend time walking rather than moving between sightseeing stops. Choose a distance that suits your energy and the weather; you do not need to complete a long route to enjoy a change of scenery.

• Suited to: Travellers who enjoy walking and landscape views.
• Practical note: Bring water and sun protection, check conditions after rain and allow for the return walk when deciding how far to continue.

Visit Tirta Empul with respect for its rituals

Tirta Empul is an active sacred water temple in Manukaya, near Tampaksiring, outside central Ubud. Its spring-fed pools are associated with Hindu purification rituals, and understanding that purpose makes a visit more meaningful. You can appreciate the temple without joining the ritual. If comparing temples in Bali Indonesia, choose Tirta Empul for its living religious traditions rather than treating the pools as a recreational swimming spot.

• Dress and behaviour: Follow current clothing requirements, access restrictions and instructions from temple staff.
• Participation and costs: Ask about the ritual before joining and confirm which charges cover admission, clothing, lockers or guidance. Do not assume everything is included in one ticket.

Choose a waterfall visit outside Ubud

Tegenungan, in the Gianyar area outside Ubud, is one option for adding a waterfall to your stay. Choose it if the landscape interests you and you are comfortable checking the walking access before committing to the visit. Comparing waterfalls in Bali by steps, terrain and available viewpoints is more useful than choosing only by height or photographs. A waterfall visit can still be worthwhile without entering the water.

• Before setting out: Confirm the entrance, current admission charge and whether your intended viewpoint requires a descent and climb back.
• Conditions matter: Follow local barriers and instructions. Rain can affect access and river conditions; never assume swimming is permitted or appropriate.

Learn to cook Balinese dishes

A cooking class gives you an active introduction to local food, with opportunities to identify ingredients, practise preparation techniques and eat what you have made. When deciding what to do in Ubud beyond sightseeing, this suits travellers who enjoy learning through participation. Compare the format carefully: some sessions include a market visit, while others focus on cooking, and the difference can substantially change the time required.

• Booking note: Check the menu, amount of hands-on cooking, group size and arrangements for allergies or dietary requirements.
• Price comparison: Ask for the total per person, including any tax and service charges, and confirm whether meals, market visits and transfers are included.

How to get to Ubud, Bali

From I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, arrange a road transfer to your accommodation in Ubud. A pre-booked pickup lets you agree on the meeting point and destination before arrival. Alternatively, use the airport’s taxi facilities or an authorised app-based car service, following the designated pickup instructions. The airport lists taxi services and pickup lounges for app users; check the current arrangements for your terminal.

From other parts of Bali, compare a direct taxi or app-based car journey with a private transfer. A direct ride suits a straightforward move between accommodation, while a driver arranged for a longer period may be useful if you want sightseeing stops along the way. Confirm those stops and waiting time when requesting a quote.

Ubud Bali travel tips

Plan around geography rather than the number of attractions you can fit into a day. Central visits, such as the palace and market, offer a different pace from excursions to Tegallalang or Tampaksiring. Popular destinations in Bali can involve separate journeys, so check locations before adding them to an Ubud outing. Leave room for meals and unplanned discoveries instead of filling every gap with another stop.

Wear footwear suited to your chosen walks, carry sun and rain protection, and check outdoor conditions before leaving. At sacred sites, follow local guidance even when other visitors do otherwise. For tickets and activities, compare the full price and inclusions, particularly where transport, equipment or optional experiences are charged separately.

Ubud offers more than a checklist of landmarks. Choose the experiences that interest you most and give them time: a performance, a conversation during a cooking class or a walk through the countryside can each become the focus of a rewarding day. Contact Style Travel through the Easy Asia Tour website to discuss a personalised Bali holiday shaped around your interests and preferred pace.