Ubud Bali– Temples, Rice Terraces & Spiritual Traditions

Compared to Uluwatu, our stay in Ubud was a complete change. The loud traffic chaos, hundreds of people, and the many spiritual traditions were a shock at first compared to the wide beaches. To be honest, we felt quite lost in the heat and bustle of the city at the beginning. Despite all the hectic energy, the beautiful offerings made of flowers and natural materials immediately catch your eye. These are truly everywhere on the sidewalks, so you should definitely avoid stepping on them out of respect.

We spent a total of 4 days in Ubud. Looking back, that was too long for us, which is why we would rather recommend 2 to 3 days. Opinions on Ubud are very divided, because you either love the place or it simply is not for you. It all depends on your personal preferences and what you enjoy doing while traveling. Since Ubud is still a fixed part of every Bali trip, we are sharing our activities and honest reviews with you in this post so you can make the most of your stay.

What do to in Ubud?

You have so much to discover in Ubud. The options range from the lush green rice terraces and numerous temples to culinary highlights, beautiful markets and relaxing massages. The activities are very diverse, so you will definitely find something that suits your taste. Below is a list of everything we did during our stay in Ubud. We made sure to focus on a great mix of the absolute highlights and some more relaxed moments.

Favorite Ubud Activities

Temple Visits
You can discover many temples in Ubud. Especially famous are the Ubud Temple, Pura Taman Saraswati, the Elephant Cave Goa Gajah, and Gunung Kawi. Just keep in mind that you can only view some places like the Ubud Palace from the outside.
Tegallalang & Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
The rice terraces of Tegallalang and Jatiluwih are among the most famous in all of Bali. Entry costs about 1 to 2 euros per person. It is best to get there early as it fills up quickly and gets hot. We rather advise against the famous photos on the Bali Swing. It is a pure tourist attraction and did not really feel safe to us.
Markets in Ubud
At the Ubud Traditional Market in the center, you will find souvenirs, art, and clothing. Smaller markets like the Sayan Morning Market or the Ubud Art Market offer fruit, vegetables, and local products instead. To be honest, we did not quite understand the hype. The markets are nice to look at if you have some time to spare, but for us, they are not a real attraction.
Cooking Class
We booked a Balinese cooking class via AirBnB and can truly recommend it to you. It is a great experience where you see how the locals actually live away from the tourist paths. There are two options available, one with a market visit and one without.
Cretya Ubud
One of the most famous beach clubs in Ubud right near Tegallalang is Cretya Ubud. Entry costs about 8 euros per person, but in our opinion, it is hardly worth it. We found it much too crowded and touristy. If you have not reserved a day bed, there is almost no place to put your things or take a break. The few available spots are often blocked with towels for hours and the pools are simply packed.

Other Activities in Ubud

Mount Batur
Seeing the sunrise on Mount Batur is definitely a highlight for many travelers. You can find numerous tours on platforms like GetYourGuide for about 22 euros per person. However, we consciously decided against it. We did not feel like hiking up the volcano in a massive human chain. Plus, the adventure starts as early as two in the morning, which just did not feel like a vacation to us.
Monkey Forest
We also skipped the Monkey Forest with its hundreds roaming monkeys. In our opinion, the whole thing is way too commercialized. It feels more like an unnatural zoo than being out in the wild.
If you are looking for waterfalls, Tegenungan or Kanto Lampo are popular places to visit. Another great option for a scenic walk in nature is the Campuhan Ridge Walk.

Restaurants and Bars

In Ubud you will find a huge selection of restaurants and cafes on every corner for very little money. The offerings range from local cuisine to Western dishes, so you are guaranteed to find something you like. Here are the spots we visited during our time there:

Ibu Rai
This is an absolute recommendation from us. We especially suggest the octopus here. We would generally advise you against drinking wine in Bali.
Eat Me
A small snack bar selling shawarma. It is very tasty and perfect for a quick lunch.
Mild Bistro
A very nice and delicious restaurant where you can get Parmesan chicken with sides for about 4,50 euros or pasta for around 3,80 euros.
Laughing Buddha Bar
A cool bar with relaxed vibes and live music that changes daily.
Balifornia
We only went there for a coffee, but it is a beautiful and visually appealing restaurant.
Divya Bar
A bar on the second floor where you can sit outside with a view of Ubud. The cocktails were okay and it was quite crowded.

Where to stay in Ubud?

Before we headed to Ubud, we spent a night just outside of town in a treehouse right in the middle of the rice fields. Staying in the bamboo treehouse cost about 40 euros per person and it is perfect if you really want to switch off in nature. The earlier you book, the better the deal you will usually get. The service was great and the outdoor bathtub is a real highlight. However, definitely keep in mind that there is no air conditioning. Due to the open design, the occasional critter might find its way into the treehouse. You should also consider the timing of your trip, as the rice fields do not bloom in full green during every season.

In Ubud itself, we stayed at Andre’s place. The rooms cost about 15 euros per person per night and are located very centrally. A big plus is the pool where you can escape the afternoon heat quite well. The accommodation was simple and clean and definitely okay for the price. The hosts were helpful and supported us in organizing a scooter. In summary, it was a practical and affordable place to stay but nothing more. That is why we have picked out some alternative accommodations for every budget for you.

Budget friendly €

Mid-Range €€

Luxury €€€

Getting There & Getting Around

We ordered a taxi via the Grab app to get from Uluwatu to Ubud. The traffic in Ubud is so heavy that you stand almost no chance with a car. That is why we rented a scooter for about 10 euros per day. Sometimes we also booked a scooter ride via Grab for just 50 cents. If you want to know more about our trip and the exact route or are looking for further useful tips, just take a look at our post about our Bali roundtrip.