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Ubud Itinerary 3 days
Located in the mountainous region of the island, Ubud is known as the cultural center of Bali.
The city is hardly “new” or undiscovered. All the infrastructure that caters to tourism is already well established here, there are many villas and hotels to choose from, lots of cultural activities to do and places to visit.
Ubud also makes a great base for day trips to the rice terraces in Tegellalang, hiking in Kintamani and archeology sites in Pejeng.
Activities and Suggested Itineraries (for 2-3 days)
1. SHAMELESS PLUG
Ubud Story Walks offers a wonderful introduction to Ubud’s historical landmarks in an accessible 2.5-hour walking tour.
2. Monkey Forest
Monkey Forest is magical in the early morning or late afternoon. Take a stroll at 9:00am or 5:30pm and get to experience the troupe when they are chilled out and amazing to watch. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness Balinese in ceremonial dress performing community prayers in the main temple within the forest.
3. Jalan Goutama
Do take a stroll down Jl. Goutama—despite the crazy motorbikes it still manages to feel like a pedestrian street. Dubbed Ubud’s ‘Eat Street’, it’s lined with a quirky range of warungs, cafes and restaurants. Some of our favorites are as follows:
- Ubud Coffee Roastery
- Pesona Lounge (Indian)
- Apsara (Indian tapas)
- Warung Siam (Thai)
- Bacari Wine Bar (after 5pm)
- The Night Rooster (evening cocktail lounge)
4. Saraswati Temple
This temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature, and art. Saraswati Temple is ornately carved and makes a stunning backdrop in photos. The stage between its two lotus ponds hosts traditional Balinese dances most nights.
5. Kajeng Rice Field Walk/Juwuk Manis
If you wish to continue exploring Ubud on foot, head up Jalan Kajeng, one of Ubud’s prettiest streets with its patchwork of arty cement pavers inscribed with the signatures of the famous (and not so).
You’ll find Threads of Life here, a non-profit that assists Indonesia’s myriad traditional weavers; its gallery is irresistible! Toko Elami is also worth a look.
This street eventually gives way to a path through rice fields, offering a pleasant stroll to the iconic Sari Organik for a late lunch, or continuing to Pomegranate Café for a different vibe.
6. Campuhan Ridge
If you want another scenic stroll, head back to Pura Gunung Temple and walk the Campuhan Ridge high about the Wos Rivers. After a kilometer or so the sprawling rice paddies of Bangkian Sidam where you can stop for a fresh coconut juice at Karsa Kafe.
7. Witness the bizarre but kind of cool Kecak Performance
Kecak is a traditional Balinese dance involving fire and the Hindu Ramayana story. Several different dance troupes before almost every day of the week. There’s no need to reserve, you can just buy the ticket at the door or from any ticket seller on the street in Ubud. It’s 100,000 IDR.
Half-Day Trips from Ubud
For larger trips outside of Ubud, it’s recommended to get a driver. This can easily be arranged through your hotel or villa. Most of them charge up to 800,000 IDR for the full day (6-8 hours). This allows you to take your time to explore.
1. Ancient Temples and Verdant Rice Fields
Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul (40 min Drive from Ubud)
No-one should leave Bali without a visit to Gunung Kawi in Tampaksiring, a 30-40 min drive northeast of Ubud.
This awe-inspiring 11th century temple complex, carved out of the rock face on either side of the sacred Pakerisan river, is reached by a 270 step climb down into the valley past the centuries old rice terraces. Best to go early in the morning before the crowds arrive—in fact, hit anything that is a tourist focus before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the tour buses.
Also, in Tampaksiring is Pura Tirta Empul, one of Bali’s most important temples with its purification springs—the source of the Pakerisan river. Balinese devotees travel from all over the island to bathe in the pools, dipping their heads in turn under a series of 13 sanskrit inscribed waterspouts, leaving offerings, and taking home holy water for their own ceremonies.
Trek the Tegallalang Rice Terraces (also known as Ceking Rice Fields)
Get your dose of terraced and vibrant green rice paddy fields here! It’s only a 15 min drive from the Gunung Kawi temple complex and is visually one of the most stunning locations around Ubud.
The high roadside location is cool and breezy and is a well-known spot for tourists to stop and take photos. There are also numerous art kiosks and cafes near the ledge for a midday drink. There is also the option of getting a photo on the famous “Bali Swing”.
See the map below:
If it’s raining in Ubud…
1. Take a Balinese Cooking Class
The Casa Luna Cooking School is organized and run by Janet De Neefe and her local team. She’s the founder of the Ubud Writers & Reader’s festival and has called Bali ‘home’ for more that 30 years. Casa Luna is held at the Honeymoon Guesthouse on Jl. Bisma. They also offer vegetarian and vegan cooking classes but be sure to check their schedule ahead of time.
2. Drop in on a Yoga Class
Ubud offers a myriad of yoga classes with an eclectic mix of instructors. You can find everything from ayurvedic dieticians, sound healers to meditation masters. Check out the schedules at the following places:
- Yoga Barn
- Radiantly Alive Ubud
- Alchemy Yoga and Meditation Center
3. Visit the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) was established in 1996 by Agung Rai, a Balinese who dedicated his life to the development and preservation of Balinese art and culture.
This Ubud museum was built to be more than just a museum, but to become a center for visual and performing arts. The permanent exhibition featured in the museum includes paintings by Balinese, Indonesian and foreign artists.
4. Bliss out with a Massage
We like Jaens Spa but most hotels have competitively priced spa options too.
Ubud Restaurants
1. Casual Cafes
- Kafe: An Ubud institution, part of the Yoga barn empire, no frills healthy café
- Suka Espresso: Good brunch, all day hangout spot
- Ubud Café & Roastery: great donuts and locally roasted coffee
- Seniman Coffee: Quirky café with a roastery on site, very popular on the weekends Usada: Ayurvedic based vegan food (love the Nasi Campur)
- Simply Social: Decent western food but their smoothie bowls are popular
- Warung Pulau Kelapa: Ubud's best kept secret! A great selection of reasonably priced Indonesian cuisine with a beautiful view of their bamboo bridge. Guests are encouraged to walk through their organic garden and ricefields where most of the ingredients are sourced.
2. Restaurants with A View
- Cantina: South American nibbles with chef Jorge at the helm, stunning views of Pura Gunung Lebah and strong cocktails
- Hujan Locale: Will Meyrick's menu celebrates Indonesian dishes across the archipelago with cocktails inspired by local ingredients. The second floor has a lovely view in the Balinese courtyard below. The Sayan House: Peruvian/Japanese fusion, best to book in advance for sunset Rusters: Indonesian Brunch fare with western classics, lovely view of the rice fields outside of Ubud. (Not within walking distance)
- Indus: good for sunset drinks and nibbles a view of Campuhan
3. Bars & Music
- Why Not Bar: What they lack in size--they make up for great local acts.
- The Blue Door: A new kid on the Ubud bar scene--worth checking out if you're near the Monkey Forest (on the southern end of Jl Hanoman)
- Donna: Just up the road (north) of The Blue Door. The upstairs turns into a semi-open air club at night. The Night Rooster: Locavore’s new speak-easy on Jl. Goutama
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Ubud is great to visit year-round, but the dry season (April to October) offers the best weather for outdoor activities like hiking, temple visits, and exploring rice terraces. For a quieter experience, visit early mornings or late afternoons to avoid crowds.
A: Ubud is best explored on foot, especially around the central areas. For longer trips, you can rent a scooter or hire a driver for the day. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also widely available.
A: Yes, the Monkey Forest in Ubud is safe, but be mindful of your belongings—monkeys are known to be curious and may snatch loose items like sunglasses, hats, and bags. Avoid direct eye contact and don’t feed them.
A: When visiting temples, dress modestly. Men and women should wear sarongs and sashes, which are often available for rent or purchase at temple entrances. Covering shoulders and knees is respectful and generally required.
A: For popular activities like the Ubud Story Walks or cooking classes at Casa Luna, it’s recommended to book in advance to secure your spot. For other activities like the Kecak dance or temple visits, you can often purchase tickets at the door.
Selamat Jalan! Happy Travels
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