What to do in Ubud: a guide to experiencing Bali authentically

Unlike the south of Bali, oriented toward beaches and bustle, Ubud cultivates a distinct atmosphere. From the early hours of the morning, colorful offerings decorate the thresholds of houses, and the sounds of the gamelan accompany daily rituals. This intimate relationship between Balinese culture and daily life is what first strikes visitors, whatever their background.

The center of Ubud revolves around the Ubud Palace, a royal residence still inhabited, whose architecture testifies to the refinement typical of Balinese Hinduism. Opposite, the art market offers a fine selection of local crafts: wood carvings, textiles with traditional motifs, and handmade silver jewelry. Further along, on Jalan Raya Ubud, galleries and painting studios line up, inviting visitors to pause to understand how the arts occupy a central place in local identity. The Puri Lukisan Museum offers, for its part, an immersion into the history of Balinese painting through its permanent collections.

What sets Ubud apart from all the other towns on the island is this ability to keep millennia-old traditions alive without ever freezing them into a façade of folklore. Spirituality is felt at every street corner, and Hindu ceremonies shape the days in a natural and sincere way. It is precisely this authentic character that attracts families, couples and solo travelers seeking a little serenity away from daily life.

The choice of sites to discover may seem vast, as Ubud and its surroundings are brimming with remarkable places. Some deserve special attention, whether they are breathtaking natural landscapes or sites steeped in histories spanning several centuries.

A few kilometres north of Ubud's centre, the Tegallalang rice terraces offer one of Bali's most iconic panoramas. These agricultural terraces carved by generations of farmers spread in steps down to the river below. In the early morning, the golden light that brushes the green stalks creates a timeless atmosphere. Plan about an hour on site. For a rarer experience, the Jatiluwih terraced rice fields, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offer an even more striking agricultural expanse, about an hour's drive away.

The Tirta Empul temple is one of the most fascinating sites to discover during your stay. Founded in the 10th century, it houses purification basins fed by natural springs where pilgrims come daily to perform rituals. About fifteen minutes from there, Gunung Kawi impresses with its funerary shrines carved into the black volcanic rock. It is one of the island's best-preserved complexes, over a thousand years old. Plan about two hours to explore these two sites and stroll in their lush gardens.

The Monkey Forest, or forest of monkeys, is a natural and spiritual sanctuary located just a few steps from Ubud centre. You will encounter more than 1,200 crab-eating macaques at liberty, roaming around three Hindu temples hidden among the vegetation. The visit lasts about an hour and a half and offers moments of unexpected bonding. To finish the day in the cool, Tegenungan waterfall, accessible in about twenty minutes from Ubud, provides a green and soothing interlude.

The Monkey Forest, or forest of monkeys, is a natural and spiritual sanctuary located a few steps from Ubud centre. You will encounter more than 1,200 crab-eating macaques at liberty, roaming around three Hindu temples hidden among the vegetation. The visit lasts about an hour and a half and holds moments of unexpected bonding. To finish the day in the cool, Tegenungan waterfall, reachable in about twenty minutes from Ubud, offers a green and soothing interlude.

• Ubud Palace and the art market, for a morning in the heart of downtown Ubud;
• The Tegallalang or Jatiluwih rice terraces, for a moment of contemplation;
• Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi, for an immersion into Balinese spirituality;
• The Monkey Forest and Tegenungan Waterfall, for a day of nature and discovery.

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Beyond the sites to discover, Ubud stands out for the richness of the experiences it offers. The destination is suitable for families seeking cultural discoveries as well as couples looking to share a moment together, or for solo travelers eager to immerse themselves in a living culture.

By night, the Ubud Palace and other venues in town host dance performances that are among the most beautiful in Bali. The Kecak dance, performed by dozens of dancers and chorus singers to recount an episode from the Ramayana, is one of the most hypnotic. These traditional dance performances create an exceptional setting at dusk and linger in travelers' memories.

Learning Balinese cooking is one of the most vibrant ways to understand a culture. A cooking class usually starts with a visit to the local market to choose spices and fresh ingredients, followed by a session of preparing traditional dishes. It's tasty, convivial, and ideal for family or couples. To eat authentically in Ubud, warung, small neighborhood restaurants, abound with local specialties to savor. In addition, the many yoga centers and spas offer treatments inspired by Balinese traditions to take good care of yourself.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is easily accessible directly from the center of Ubud. This nearly four-kilometer trail runs along a ridge between two rivers and offers remarkable views of the lush hills. Early in the morning, before the heat sets in, the walk takes on a particularly serene dimension. It suits all travelers, from families with children to photography enthusiasts, and lasts about an hour for a round trip.

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Ubud's climate follows a clearly defined seasonal rhythm. The best time to visit Ubud stretches from May to October, during the dry season. Temperatures range from 26 to 30°C during the day, rainfall is rare, and the conditions are ideal for enjoying hikes, temples, and excursions to Mount Batur, the active volcano that offers from its summit a stunning panoramic view of Lake Batur and the island's center.

Our Travel Planners' advice: for families traveling during school holidays, July and August offer optimal weather and easier planning. For a stay as a couple or a solo traveler, May and September remain particularly pleasant months, with ideal conditions and a more tranquil atmosphere at the most visited sites.

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