There are so many things to do in Ubud, our favorite place in Bali. We spent over a month in our own villa in Ubud and this was truly amazing. There is so much to see and do in Ubud that it is hard to choose. That is why we have written a special mini guide Ubud below, with an overview of the best activities in Ubud in Bali, where you can quickly see if it appeals to you. Enjoy!
Content of this blog:
1. Cooking course in Ubud
Our favorite activity in Ubud was taking this cooking class. Almost everyone loves Indonesian food, with its delicious spices and flavorful dishes. How fun is it to learn how to make it yourself?
You will begin your cooking course in Ubud at the local market. Here you will learn which ingredients are used for which dishes and be told about the special fruits and vegetables you will be cooking with today.
After you’ve done the shopping, it’s time to start cooking. Although … first you still need to make an offering. You fold a small square in which you can put all kinds of beautiful flowers. Once you have finished the offering, it is time to really start cooking.
The chef explains how to cut certain vegetables, tofu and tempeh. Then this will be roasted over the barbecue, stir-fried in the large pan or just cooked nice and slow. Each dish is prepared differently, but you will see that many of the same sauces and ingredients form the basis for the dishes.
Of course, after a few hours of chopping and cooking, it’s time to taste what you’ve made. An elaborate table full of goodies is waiting. You don’t get it fresher than this. The flavors are fantastic and everything is equally delicious. What is also good to know is that there are lots of vegetarian options. Indonesians eat a lot of tofu and tempeh so you can enjoy this extensively. We did this cooking course in Ubud and can recommend it to everyone!
2. Hiking through the rice fields in Ubud
One of the best things to do in Ubud? Go hiking in Ubud through the many rice fields! Ubud is known for its green nature and rice fields that you can still see everywhere here. As soon as you walk on a street outside the center you can already see the rice fields. A beautiful sight! It is therefore one of the best activities in Ubud to walk through these green rice fields and relax in nature. There are no less than 8 walks in Ubud that you can do. We have written these out in detail in this blog: the most beautiful walks in Ubud in which we have gathered all the information.
3. Tegallalang rice fields
Still, a special mention for the Tegallalang rice fields in Ubud. Known worldwide as one of the most beautiful spots in Bali and perhaps all of Indonesia, this valley of rice terraces is the absolute best attraction in Ubud. No matter how many rice paddies you have seen in your life, when you visit the rice terraces of Tegallalang, you will be amazed at the insane beauty. These are truly next level. Do go to Tegallalang really early (before 8 am) to get ahead of the heat and the many tourists.
Here you also have the famous Bali Swings, the large swings overlooking the Tegallalang rice fields in Ubud.
4. Rafting in Ubud
Looking for an activity in Ubud with a good dose of adrenaline? Then go rafting on the Ayung River. Of course, you have to keep your attention on what is happening in the boat, but at the same time, you are sailing through the green valley of palm trees, bushes and plants. The scenery is so incredibly beautiful that you do get a little distracted at times. We booked this combination package where you first go rafting and then quad biking in Ubud.
5. Quad riding in Ubud
After you have dried up from rafting in Ubud, it’s time to go quad riding. Again, you will pass the most beautiful spots of Bali, in the middle of the beautiful nature of Ubud. You can choose go with 2 people on 1 quad, which we always find very nice, but you can also drive a quad yourself. You go together with a ‘guide’ who shows you the way.
6. A day of luxury and relaxing at a pool club in Ubud
Bali is known for its luxurious pool clubs where you can enjoy drinks, the sun and, of course, a pool with a beautiful view of the rice fields. There are several pool clubs in Ubud. For some there is a minimum amount of money to be spent, others you have to book a long time in advance, but there are also pool clubs in Ubud where you can easily walk in. One of the most relaxing things to do in Ubud.
Pool clubs in Ubud:
- Cretya
- Jungle Fish
- Folk Pool & Gardens
- Kelapa Muda
- Kabana Ubud
- Adidarma Pool Bar
- Wanna Jungle Pool and Bar
7. Temples in Ubud
As mentioned, Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali. This is partly why you will find a huge number of temples in the Ubud area. There are too many to name them all. Therefore, we list below the most famous – and the hidden gems – for the temples in Ubud. Visiting the temples is a must during your Ubud trip to completely immerse yourself in Balinese culture.
8. Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah is known for the “elephant cave. We didn’t really think it looked like an elephant, but the temple complex is worth visiting.
There is a good chance that a ritual is taking place when you visit Goa Gajah and it is very special to witness. You will see the men and women standing in rows to drench themselves with holy water before entering the elephant cave to perform the rituals and offerings here. Everywhere you smell the typical Balinese fragrance of the sticks and the soothing typical music sounds quietly in your ears. Goa Gajah is a beautiful place.
9. Immerse yourself in the sacred waters of the Pura Tirta Empul
Would you also like to experience immersion in holy water? Then visit the Pura Tirta Empul temple. Along with hundreds of other tourists, you’ll stand in line to immerse yourself in the water that brings prosperity and happiness.
It is very special to witness. The fact that the Balinese here are so engaged with religion and that rituals like this are so important to them is wonderful to see. At the same time, it is a shame that in places like this you stand side by side with almost only tourists to experience it. Anyway, if you go to Bali you know it can get crowded. You can book a tour of the Pura Tirta Empul temple here, where a professional guide will explain to you the spiritual significance of the temple. This is very interesting to learn more about here.
10. Saraswati Temple Ubud Water Palace
The special thing about this temple in Ubud, is that it is named after the goddess Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, art and cultural fulfillment which of course fits Ubud perfectly. The water palace of the Saraswati temple is therefore one of the most important temples in Ubud to visit.
11. Create your own wooden artwork in Ubud
Fancy a creative activity in Ubud? Then make your own wooden artwork at a woodcraft workshop. This is one of our most fun DIY activities in Bali. You get to choose a design you would like to make, we chose a monkey and a turtle. Then, from a piece of wood, the teacher is going to cut off a sizable piece and teach you how to shape the details. We found this to be one of the most fun and special things to do in Ubud.
This is still a lot harder than you might think. You will be busy for a few hours with this activity in Ubud, so take your time. We found this really fun to do and you immediately have a special souvenir to take home. You can book the activity to make your own wooden artwork here.
12. Make your own jewelry in Ubud
Besides a wooden figurine, you can also make your own jewelry in Ubud. How special is it to walk around with your homemade ring, earrings or necklace? Together with the jewelry maker, you determine the type of jewelry and the design. Then you polish the design yourself and determine all the details. Every time you look at your jewelry you will cherish warm memories of it. We had our jewelry made with this jewelry maker in Ubud.
13. Waterfalls in Ubud
If you ask someone, “What is the main thing to do in Ubud?”, you will undoubtedly get the tip to visit one of the beautiful waterfalls. There are countless waterfalls around Ubud, some more beautiful than others.
Put on your swimwear, hop on the motorbike and visit the waterfalls in Ubud that seem most interesting to you. Most waterfalls do require you to walk down a bit first. We found it nice to put on sandals for this so you can go straight into the water and also climb back up with wet feet.
- Tegenungan waterfall
- Suwat waterfall
- Tibumana waterfall
- Kanto Lampo waterfall
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall
- Abangan waterfall
- Leke Leke waterfall
- Goa Rang Reng waterfall
14. Ubud Art Market
When you walk through the center of Ubud you immediately notice that there are a lot of stores with handmade goods. Ubud is really known for this. At the Art Market in Ubud, you will also find the most beautiful hand-painted paintings that beautifully represent daily Balinese life.
15. Mount Batur hike
The literal highlight of your stay in Ubud? Climbing Mount Batur! After hiking in the middle of the night, you’ll watch Bali’s beautiful sunrise from over 1,700 meters above sea level. Climbing Mount Batur is fairly easy when you have basic fitness and therefore perfect for most travelers. Read our extensive article on Mount Batur for all the practical tips.
16. Monkey Forest Ubud: Skip
Things not to do in Ubud? Don’t go to the Monkey Forest. The Monkey Forest in Ubud is an attraction best skipped. The sheer volume of visitors daily causes the monkeys to experience too much stress and have become even more brutal. They depend on being fed by humans and therefore increasingly attack tourists for food.
Besides the fact that this is not good for the monkeys’ natural behavior, it is also not good for humans. If you are scratched or bitten by a monkey you run the risk of getting rabies, which is deadly. You then have to go to a clinic in Ubud to get rabies vaccinations, all of which of course you would rather not do. So skip the Monkey Forest in Ubud, and who knows, you might encounter monkeys in nature!
Where to stay in Ubud?
We do not recommend staying in the busy center of Ubud. Right outside the center, you have nice guesthouses with pools and cozy accommodations everywhere. You can easily rent a motorbike to drive to the center of Ubud if you find this too far to walk, or take a Grab or Gojek cab for a few euros.
Please note that if you do not have a motorcycle license you are not insured, should you have an accident with your motorbike in Bali. Be aware of the risks and read more information about renting a scooter in Asia here.
