17 Absolutely Delightful Things to do in Ubud Bali

I don’t care how cliché it may sound, but Ubud Bali is still the perfect place for any traveler to eat, pray, love their way into a blissful state of being. It’s not as overrun with tourism and party goers like Kuta or Seminyak. It’s surrounded by lush greenery, delicious local and international cuisines, and there are plenty of adventures and exploration in store for everybody.

I’ve been to Ubud twice, and I gotta say – there’s a reason why everybody and their mama says there’s something magical about Ubud, there just is. So here is a list of 17 absolutely delightful things to do in Ubud for every type of traveler.

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Table of Contents

– Spiritual Bliss in Ubud –

One of the things I love most about Ubud is that there are flowers everywhere. I don’t mean just on trees and bushes. Ubud is a very spiritual area and the locals set out offerings and prayers for their ancestors and other deities daily. There is a temple in every household, and a larger one in each pocket of neighborhood. Now a days, you can find yoga and meditation retreats in many other areas of Bali. However, I think the real deal started here in Ubud, and its magic remains palpable.

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#1. Take a yoga class

There are so many yoga studios of varying size and practices here in Ubud. There are classes for beginners and more advanced yogis as well. Many studios also offer weekly or monthly passes, as well as the first trial class for free. Check out Culture Trip’s article on the best 9 yoga studios in Ubud.

#2. Dive even deeper into the spiritual work

Ever wanted to try sound healing? or participate in a cacao ceremony? You can find it all in Ubud. I’ve personally practiced yoga on and off for more than 10 years, and am greatly interested in anything spiritual and metaphysical. Since you’re traveling to the epicenter of spiritual discovery, why not take a chance and a step towards better self-understanding and self-love. Pyramids of Chi hold a variety of workshops in Ubud.

#3. Float and lose all your senses in Ubud

I had heard about float tanks in Los Angeles, but the Ubud Float Garden is its first in Bali. It’s basically a sensory deprivation experience. Sounds a little mysterious? The basic idea is that this experience can help you unplug from the noise of everyday busy life and truly relax and tune in to yourself. The tanks are filled with Balinese holy water and purified epsom salts. This gives you an experience of floating weightlessly without any distraction from sound or light. It can be a healing experience physiologically, psychologically, or spiritually. Packages start at 333k IRD/23USD per float. (I know back in LA, one float costs around 100USD)

Check out these tours I picked out for Ubud!

– Foodie Paradise in Ubud –

There is no shortage of mouth-watering food in Ubud. Not only can you find amazingly delicious local cuisine at unbeatable prices, you can also find a ton of vegan options, international fusion dishes, and upscale fine dining options. Check out my Hungry Ubud Food Guide where I offer 30+ recommendations for every type of food lover.

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#4. Take a Balinese cooking class

Taking a cooking class is truly one of the best ways experience the local life and flavors. They’re generally run by local Balinese families and are intimate and warm. Learn to prepare a few dishes with some new friends, or you can book a private class. I always find that the locals in Ubud are just the warmest people. They invite you into their homes and make you feel welcomed and at ease. Don’t miss out on this amazing experience.

Check out these highly rated and affordable Bali tours (Starting from $30):

#5. Eat your way around Ubud

I wrote a post recently that covers a list of 30+ amazing restaurants for every type of food and dining experience. Yes be aware of Bali belly, I have eaten my fair share of questionable street foods, but it was actually ice cubes that became my ultimate demise. Ubud is actually really good about their food health and safety practices, I would be more careful when traveling on the smaller islands in Indonesia.

#6. Try a cup of Luwak aka ‘poop coffee’

Luwak coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. around 600USD for 1kg! I would say that the experience itself is what makes tasting Luwak coffee so fun. Someone generally walks you through the whole process of how Luwak coffee is made, a kind of show and tell, and you are offered a variety of teas and coffee tasting for FREE. You can of course choose to add on a cup of Luwak coffee for around 50k Rupiah/3.5USD. I tried two different places, and really liked Bali Pulina. Their location was near the Tegalalang rice terrace with a great view, atmosphere, and friendly staff.

Find the Perfect Cooking Class in Ubud

– Pamper yourself in Ubud –

The ‘love’ part of eat, pray, love should of course include yourself. You can find an variety of budget friendly and luxury spas in Ubud. Get a manicure, take a flower bath, and enjoy a blissful day of treating yourself.

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#7. Book a spa day

You can find quite a few styles of massages in Ubud. Flower or herbal baths and facial treatments are popular picks as well. If you’re on a tighter budget, I’d recommend just visiting one of the smaller shops near Ubud center and get a body scrub plus massage. Your skin will thank and love you. My friend Mo, who’s lived in Bali for many years wrote a great article reviewing some of the top spas in Ubud.

#8. Wine tasting

At Bridges Bali, you can find a variety of wine tasting classes to get your knowledge and buzz on. Their website currently has a Divine Friday happy hour special! Of course there are also tapas and sometimes live music to accompany the tasting. What a perfect ending to your spa pamper day. Tasting prices start from 95k Rupiah/6.69USD.

– Scenic Nature in Ubud –

Ubud is surrounded by lush greenery and rice terraces. The two highly visited spots below are popular for good reasons. Another way to explore the countryside of Ubud and get a glance of what it might’ve looked like 10 years ago is by renting a motorbike and heading out of the central area for a day of exploring.

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#9. Take a stroll through the Campuhan Ridge Walk

I did this walk twice, and loved it both times. You can often find locals and expats taking a run here or walking their dogs. I would definitely recommend coming here early in the morning as the Campuhan Ridge Walk is located in a kind of dipping valley so the temperature is even a few degrees hotter than Ubud center. It’s definitely walking distance as well if you’re staying anywhere in central Ubud. Take a hike through beautiful lush palm trees and keep going up all the way to the top. There are a few restaurants along the way where you can grab a refreshing fruit smoothie and enjoy the views.

#10. Visit the famous Tegalalang Rice Terrace

The Tegalalang Rice Terrace is located about 20 minutes by car or motorbike outside of central Ubud. I didn’t see it the first time I came to visit Ubud, but decided to take a chance the second time around. I can definitely understand why it’s become such a popular Instagram spot with flocks of tourists coming to visit everyday. The dips and valleys of Tegalalang are impressive and make quite a magical scene. I would suggest coming here during sunrise or sunset to catch the perfect photo without the large crowds.

Find your perfect accommodation in Indonesia:

Booking.com

or book via Airbnb, there are plenty of local homes and luxury resorts in and around Ubud. Use my link to receive 40$ off your first Airbnb booking.

– Cultural Delights in Ubud –

These activities give great cultural insights and welcome travelers to experience the Balinese culture, spiritual practices and also the locals’ daily life.

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#11. Watch a Kecak fire dance at the Ubud Palace

There are generally people selling tickets near the Ubud Palace in the day time and near the evening. There are also other temples that hosts these dance performances. Here’s a schedule of all the different events and where you can catch them in Ubud. The Kecak fire dance originated from a sacred Balinese Hindu dance, in which it was believed the spirits enter the body of the young dancers and influence them into a state of trance, and the dances are meant to ward off disharmony and restore balance.

#12. Visit the Ubud Water Palace

The Ubud Water Palace used to be the home to a royal family in Ubud. The palace is considered a sacred place, and on its grounds you can find a serene lotus pond with fish swimming in them. The entrance is free, just make sure to dress appropriately or bring a sarong with you.

#13. Check out the Ubud Market

The Ubud Market is across from the Ubud Palace and a place where you can find local arts and crafts, souvenirs and more. In the early mornings, locals come to an area in the Ubud Market for their daily groceries and in the afternoon the stalls are taken down and it becomes a shopping area. I would recommend visiting both early morning 5-8am as well as in the afternoons to experience two vastly different scenes. If you plan on shopping in the Ubud Market, make sure to walk around and put your bargain face on to get a good deal.

– Adventure Seekers in Ubud –

After you’re all blissed out and relaxed, why not try something a little more adventurous? Don’t worry my adrenaline seekers! There are plenty of activities in and around Ubud for you as well.

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#14. Hang out at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

I’ve been to the Ubud Monkey Forest 3 times. The first visit was slightly nerve-wrecking but a great comedic experience. The monkeys climbed on top of my friend and I and stole one of her earrings and my water bottle. The second and third time, the monkeys were much more calm and I came prepared. I left out nothing small or loose that could be snatched by these smart creatures. I would say the monkeys tend to be more calm and gentle in the afternoons, I’m guessing they take naps too just like us. In the early mornings, it’s a different ball game. Be prepared to be entertained!

#15. Check out a waterfall nearby Ubud

There are plenty of waterfalls all around Bali. The Tegenungan Waterfall and Wisata air Terjun Kanto Lampo (wow what a name) are two near Ubud that you can reach by motorbike or hiring a driver. They are both approximately 25 minutes travel time from central Ubud. The Tegenungan Waterfall is the more popular one, where you can pay a small sum to get a famous “swing photo”. (There are actually swings now in nearly every touristy spot in Bali)

#16. Day trip to Uluwatu

I’m sad we didn’t spend more time in the Uluwatu area. It’s coastal but it’s not crowded like Kuta or Seminyak. There are plenty of beaches near by plus the famous Uluwatu temple. We rode on our scooter for about 2 hours to get there from Ubud. Just be careful with the traffic on the highways! Alternatively, you can also hire a driver or call a *GoJek. Make sure to check out Suluban Beach and Dreamland Beach after you visit the Uluwatu Temple.

*GoJek is the Indonesian version of Uber. It’s a pretty cheap and efficient way to get around Bali. However, in places like Ubud and other popular touristic locations, they are not welcomed by the local taxis. So it’s not always the easiest to call for a car or motorbike.

#17. Take a tour and climb Mount Batur

The most famous active volcano in Bali is Mt Agung, and next in line would be Mt Batur. Mt Batur is located just an hour away from Ubud, and there are many tours that take you on a hike to catch the sunrise on the mountain. Generally the tours start at around 3am, or even earlier to get you up to the top in time for a beautiful surreal above the cloud view. Make sure you have good trekking gear and wear layers as it will be both cold and hot at different times of the hike. I would definitely recommend going with a guide as they know what they’re doing and many of the tours also provide a simple breakfast.

Check out these 4 highly reviewed tours (starting from just 56$)

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17 Absolutely Delightful Things to do in Ubud Bali