Ubud travel guide
Best Things to Do in Ubud
The number one thing to do in Ubud is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — 700 macaques roaming moss-covered temples in a jungle gorge. Go at opening (9am) before the crowds, keep sunglasses and water bottles hidden, then walk five minutes to the café strip on Monkey Forest Road.
What to do in Ubud
Ubud is best done early and late: temples and terraces in the cool morning, a long shaded lunch, then a spa or dance performance as the jungle chorus starts up.
The best things to do in Ubud
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Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary · Nature & temples
700 long-tailed macaques among moss-covered 14th-century temples
Area: Monkey Forest Rd · Time needed: 1.5–2 hours · Cost: Rp120,000
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Tegalalang Rice Terraces · Landscape
The postcard valley of stepped emerald paddies
Area: Tegalalang (20 min north) · Time needed: 1.5–2 hours · Cost: Rp25,000 donation
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Tirta Empul water temple · Temple
Join Balinese Hindus in the holy spring purification ritual
Area: Tampaksiring (30 min) · Time needed: 1.5 hours · Cost: Rp75,000
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Campuhan Ridge Walk · Walk
An easy ridgeline path over palm-filled gorges
Area: West Ubud · Time needed: 1 hour · Cost: Free
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Ubud Palace & Legong dance · Culture
Nightly gamelan and dance in a royal courtyard
Area: Central Ubud · Time needed: 1.5 hours (evening) · Cost: Rp100,000
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Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) · Temple
A 9th-century cave sanctuary with a demon-mouth entrance
Area: Bedulu (10 min) · Time needed: 1 hour · Cost: Rp50,000
Also in bali
best things to do in Ubud — FAQs
What is the number one thing to do in Ubud?
The number one thing to do in Ubud is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — 700 macaques roaming moss-covered temples in a jungle gorge. Go at opening (9am) before the crowds, keep sunglasses and water bottles hidden, then walk five minutes to the café strip on Monkey Forest Road.
How many days do you need in Ubud?
Two to three days is ideal for Ubud: one for the Monkey Forest, palace and town, one for Tegalalang rice terraces and Tirta Empul water temple, and a third for a cooking class, yoga or the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Many travellers split a Bali week between Ubud and the south coast.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.