Indonesia
About
Ubud is the cultural heartland of Bali, nestled among terraced rice paddies and jungle ravines in the island's central highlands. At roughly 700 metres above sea level, the town enjoys a cooler climate than Bali's coastal resorts and has long attracted artists, healers, and travellers seeking a deeper connection with Balinese traditions.
The town rose to international fame after Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir Eat Pray Love, yet it has retained a genuine artistic identity that predates the book by centuries. Ubud has been a centre of Balinese painting, woodcarving, batik, and silverwork since the early twentieth century, when Dutch artist Walter Spies and later Australian artist Donald Friend settled here and helped establish its reputation as a creative hub. Today the streets are lined with galleries, craft workshops, and small family compounds where artisans continue techniques passed down through generations.
The surrounding countryside is defined by the iconic Tegallalang rice terraces, whose stepped green fields tumble down river valleys carved by the Campuhan River. Further afield, the sacred volcano Mount Batur looms to the north, offering one of Bali's most rewarding pre-dawn treks. The ancient Hindu temples of Tirta Empul, Goa Gajah, and Pura Luhur Batukaru dot the landscape, each playing an active role in the Balinese calendar of ceremonies.
Ubud's wellness scene has expanded enormously, drawing visitors for yoga retreats, Ayurvedic treatments, and traditional Balinese healing practices. The town is also a respected culinary destination, with farm-to-table restaurants, cooking classes, and vibrant warung stalls showcasing the layered flavours of Balinese cuisine.
For accommodation, Ubud offers a remarkable range: ultra-luxury tented camps perched above river gorges, serene rice-field villas, family-run homestays, and contemporary boutique hotels. Most properties are smaller and more intimate than the mega-resorts found along Kuta or Seminyak's coastlines, reflecting the town's emphasis on tranquillity and connection with nature.
The best time to visit is during the dry season from April to October, when blue skies and low humidity make outdoor activities and trekking most enjoyable. Even during the wet season from November to March, Ubud remains lush and beautiful, with rain typically falling in afternoon bursts rather than all day.
When to Go
Ubud follows Bali's pattern but is cooler and greener up in the hills. The dry season from April to October is ideal — sunny, comfortable and perfect for rice terraces, hiking and yoga.
Attractions
Ubud is the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali — a town of temples, rice terraces, yoga shalas, art and cafés set in the jungle interior. Three to five days is ideal to slow down and explore. For stays, see our best villas in Ubud guide.
Bali's most photographed landscape — sculpted emerald paddies tumbling down a river valley in tiered steps. Walk the narrow paths between the fields, swing over the valley on a jungle swing, and arrive at sunrise to beat the heat and the crowds.
Entry ~25,000 IDR (~$1.60); jungle swings ~200,000 IDR (~$12).
A jungle temple reserve in the middle of town, home to around 1,200 long-tailed macaques and three ancient Hindu temples under banyan trees. Lush, atmospheric and famously mischievous — secure your sunglasses, phones and snacks.
Entry 80,000 IDR (~$5); 9 AM–6 PM.
Ubud is Southeast Asia's wellness capital — drop-in yoga and sound-healing classes, meditation retreats, raw-food cafés and world-class spas. The Yoga Barn and Alchemy are institutions. Come for a class or a full reset.
Tour the water temples — Pura Tirta Empul for the holy-spring purification ritual (melukat), plus the Goa Gajah elephant cave, the Pura Taman Saraswati lotus temple and the royal palace in the centre. Wear a sarong and go respectfully.
A gentle paved walk along the grassy ridge between two river valleys at golden hour — Ubud at its most serene. Pair it with the Puri Lukisan and Arma museums of traditional and modern Balinese art.
Join a market-to-table Balinese cooking class, or tour a coffee plantation to taste the famed (and controversial) civet kopi luwak and the excellent single-origin Balinese beans. The cook-your-own satay and base genep curry paste classes are a highlight.
Transport
Ubud centre is walkable but the attractions are spread into the surrounding villages — most people use scooters, Gojek or drivers to reach the terraces, temples and waterfalls.
Fly into Bali (DPS), 45 minutes south. From Ubud, explore the wider island — the beach clubs of Canggu and Seminyak, the Uluwatu cliffs, or day-trip to Nusa Penida.
Accommodation
Ubud specialises in jungle villas, homestays and wellness retreats — choose the centre for convenience or the surrounding villages for rice-field views.
Walking distance to the Monkey Forest, the palace, the market and the cafés — hostels, guesthouses and boutique hotels.
Jungle villas and resort pools overlooking the rice terraces — the romantic, panoramic Ubud of the postcards, a short ride from town.
The quieter, leafier villages just south of town — home to the big yoga centres, organic cafés and serene spa retreats.
Food & Drink
Ubud is Bali's foodie capital — both for authentic warung classics and a world-class healthy, vegan and raw-food scene.
Babi guling suckling pig at Ibu Oka, bebek betutu slow-roasted duck, nasi campur and the local sate from family warungs for a few dollars.
Ubud's healthy scene is legendary — smoothie bowls, raw desserts, kombucha and speciality coffee. Don't miss bubuh injin black-rice pudding and a Balinese coffee tasting.
Plan Your Trip
Most passport holders get a VOA (~$35) plus the Bali tourist tax (150,000 IDR). The currency is the rupiah (IDR). Carry cash for warungs and temples. A sarong is required at temples — bring your own.
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Where to Stay
An ultra-luxury riverside retreat set within a private nature reserve along the Ayung River. Mandapa combines Balinese spiritual traditions with Ritz-Carlton Reserve's signature sense of place, offering tented villas and suites surrounded by tropical jungle and working rice terraces.
One of the world's most celebrated jungle retreats, perched above the Ayung River Valley. The iconic lotus pond rooftop leads to villas and suites that blend into the rainforest canopy, offering an immersive experience defined by exceptional service and natural beauty.
A dramatic tent camp in the Keliki Valley where guests sleep in handcrafted tented cabins raised above the jungle floor. Designed by Bill Bensley, each tent features antique furnishings, a private deck, and butler service, combining theatrical luxury with deep immersion in the Ubud forest.
A hillside retreat within walking distance of central Ubud, offering spacious rooms and villas with rice field or valley views. COMO Uma Ubud is known for its COMO Shambhala wellness programmes, active lifestyle activities, and refined Indonesian cuisine served at its open-air restaurant.
A clifftop hideaway overlooking the Valley of the Kings, Viceroy Bali delivers genuine luxury through private pool villas, a celebrated restaurant, and an award-winning spa. The property's dramatic position above the Petanu River Gorge makes it one of Ubud's most visually striking hotels.
Perched on a dramatic jungle ridge above the Ayung River Valley, Alila Ubud immerses guests in the natural landscape through private valley-view cottages and suites. The resort's long-standing sustainability credentials and locally inspired spa treatments reflect Ubud's ethos of mindful travel.
A serene hillside retreat set within a private valley near Kedewatan, Komaneka at Tanggayuda offers villa accommodation with individual plunge pools and sweeping jungle views. The property is known for its curated Balinese art collection and deeply personalised service.
Positioned on the edge of the Campuhan Ridge in central Ubud, Komaneka at Bisma offers valley-facing suites and villas where jungle canopy and traditional villages unfold below. A rooftop pool and gallery-quality Balinese artwork define the hotel's refined aesthetic.
One of Ubud's original luxury retreats, Ibah sits at the confluence of the Campuhan and Wos rivers, surrounded by ancient temple grounds and tropical gardens. Spacious open-air villas with private terraces and a spring-fed pool create an unhurried atmosphere close to the town centre.
A modern hillside hotel with striking infinity pools and sweeping jungle valley views, Bisma Eight is one of Ubud's best mid-to-luxury options for those who want contemporary design alongside the town's natural setting. Its rooftop pool and Copper restaurant are popular with both guests and visitors.
A charming budget property on Monkey Forest Road, Tegal Sari offers clean rooms and bungalows in a quiet garden setting close to the Sacred Monkey Forest. The friendly family-run atmosphere, affordable rates, and central location make it a favourite among independent travellers exploring Ubud on a budget.
An affordable sister property of Kupu Kupu Barong perched above the Ayung River, Jungle Retreat offers comfortable rooms and cottages with jungle or river views at more accessible price points. Despite the budget-friendly rates, guests enjoy the same dramatic natural setting and can share select amenities with the parent resort.
Experiences
An early-morning guided trek to the rim of the active Mount Batur volcano, arriving at the 1,717-metre summit in time for sunrise over Lake Batur and the Bali Sea. Guides lead groups through volcanic terrain and lava fields, with breakfast cooked using natural steam vents at the top.
A guided walk through the UNESCO-recognised Tegallalang rice terraces north of central Ubud, where stepped emerald paddies cascade down the Pakerisan River Valley. The traditional subak irrigation system, a form of cooperative water management, has shaped this landscape for over a thousand years.
A hands-on cooking experience that begins with a morning market visit and a walk through a traditional Balinese village before learning to prepare classic dishes using freshly sourced ingredients. Participants cook and eat a full Balinese meal under the guidance of a local chef.
A nature reserve and Hindu temple complex in the heart of Ubud home to over 700 long-tailed macaques. The forested sanctuary encompasses three ancient temples dating to the 14th century and provides an atmospheric setting where monkeys roam freely among moss-covered statues and giant banyan trees.
A combined adventure day that pairs an ATV quad ride through rice fields and village tracks with a white-water rafting descent along the Ayung River. The rafting stretch passes through jungle gorges, past waterfalls, and under hanging vines, offering rapids suitable for most fitness levels.
A visit to the revered Tirta Empul water temple, one of Bali's most sacred sites, where spring-fed purification pools have been used for ceremonial bathing since the 10th century. Visitors may participate in the melukat purification ritual under the guidance of a Balinese Hindu priest.
A private jeep adventure departing before dawn to reach a high vantage point on Mount Batur's slopes in time for sunrise. Unlike the standard trekking route, the 4x4 tour visits volcanic hot springs and the caldera rim with a smaller, more personalised group experience.
An early-morning yoga and meditation session in an open-air platform surrounded by Ubud's jungle, combining breathwork, asana practice, and guided meditation with the sounds of the forest at dawn. Sessions are led by experienced Balinese and international teachers in a peaceful non-commercial setting.
A thrilling quad bike ride along mountain tracks and through rural Kintamani villages as the sun rises over the Mount Batur caldera. The adventure combines scenic volcanic landscapes with an exhilarating off-road experience, suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
A guided horse ride through the Balinese countryside, passing rice paddies, coconut groves, and traditional villages on the slopes above Ubud. The experience caters to all levels, from beginners mounting for the first time to experienced riders looking for a longer cross-country route.
A hands-on silversmithing workshop near the Sacred Monkey Forest where participants learn traditional Balinese jewellery-making techniques. Under the guidance of a local artisan, visitors create a silver ring or bracelet using tools and methods passed down through Ubud's crafts community.
An intimate culinary encounter in the home of a Ubud local family, learning to prepare traditional Balinese dishes from scratch including spice pastes, satay, and rice offerings. The experience provides genuine insight into Balinese food culture and daily domestic life beyond the tourist trail.
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