Twelve places that between them make up a complete trip — with how to reach each, what to expect and when to go.
Ubud divides neatly into three: the landscapes around it — rice terraces, ridges, rivers, waterfalls and the volcano; the ancient temples and sacred sites; and the living culture of the palace, the market and the nightly dance performances. Each guide below covers practical tips, how to get there and the tours worth considering.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano Temples, banyans and long-tailed macaques
A walled jungle ravine at the southern end of Ubud’s Monkey Forest Road, with three Hindu temples, giant banyan trees, a mossy stream gorge and several hundred long-tailed macaques living in loose troops.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano Bali’s most photographed rice valley
Steep green terraces carved into a valley about 10 km north of central Ubud, watered by the centuries-old subak irrigation system and framed by coconut palms — beautiful at 8 a.m., busy by 10.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano A free ridge-top stroll between two rivers
A paved path along a grassy ridge between two river valleys, starting beside Pura Gunung Lebah on the western edge of town and continuing into the rice fields and cafés of Bangkiang Sidem village.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano Tegenungan, Tibumana, Kanto Lampo & Tukad Cepung
A ring of waterfalls within an hour of town: the big, popular Tegenungan, the jungle curtain of Tibumana, the stepped cascade of Kanto Lampo and the light shafts of Tukad Cepung’s canyon cave.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano Sunrise from an active volcano
A pre-dawn climb up the 1,717-metre active volcano in the Kintamani highlands north of Ubud, timed to reach the top for sunrise over the caldera lake and, on clear mornings, Mount Agung and Lombok.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano Gentle white water in a jungle gorge
Bali’s longest river runs through a deep, green gorge on Ubud’s western edge. Its class II–III rapids make it the island’s classic rafting trip — fun for beginners, with waterfalls and carvings along the walls.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano The UNESCO-listed terraces of central Bali
Vast, gently curving terraces on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, part of Bali’s UNESCO-listed subak landscape. Bigger and quieter than Tegallalang, and about 1.5–2 hours’ drive from Ubud.
Temples & ancient sites A lotus-pond temple in the middle of town
A water temple dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts, reached by a walkway between ponds of pink lotus right off Ubud’s main road — and an evening dance venue.
Temples & ancient sites Holy springs and rock-cut royal shrines
Two of Bali’s most remarkable sacred sites, a few minutes apart in Tampaksiring north-east of Ubud: the spring-fed purification pools of Tirta Empul and the giant shrines carved into a cliff at Gunung Kawi.
Temples & ancient sites A carved cave and ancient bathing pools
An ancient sanctuary in Bedulu, just east of Ubud: a small cave entered through a demon’s gaping mouth carved in rock, old bathing pools with water-spouting figures and a path down to a stream valley.
Palace, dance & markets The royal heart of town
Puri Saren Agung, the palace of Ubud’s royal family, stands at the main crossroads with its carved gates and courtyards; across the road the Art Market sells sarongs, baskets, carvings and paintings.
Palace, dance & markets Bali’s performing arts, every evening
Ubud is the centre of Balinese dance. Every evening troupes perform Legong, Barong and the chanted Kecak in palace courtyards, temple stages and village halls around town, accompanied by gamelan orchestras.
Rice terraces at sunrise, holy springs, jungle waterfalls and gamelan after dark. Compare tours, tickets and day trips and book in a couple of taps.
