Green rice terraces, a forest of macaques, a royal palace beside a busy market, holy spring temples and cliff-side shrines - Ubud is Bali's cultural heart, set in the cool hills inland from the beaches. Plan it with a map and a free trip planner on WhatsApp.
Tap a number to see the place. Distances are rough driving times from the city centre.
Chosen for first-time and returning visitors. Add the ones you like to your trip - we turn them into a plan.
#01Rice terracesTegalalangGreen rice paddies stacked down a river valley, shaped by the traditional Balinese water-sharing system. Paths wind between the steps, and cafes along the ridge look out over the palms.
#02Forest & templesPadangtegalA shady forest in the middle of town, home to many long-tailed macaques and a few old Hindu temples with moss-covered statues and stone bridges. It is both a nature reserve and a place of worship.
#03Palace & marketCentral UbudThe royal palace, Puri Saren, with carved gateways and courtyards, sits at the main crossroads, with Ubud's craft market just across the road. In the evening, traditional dance performances are often staged in the palace grounds.
#04Holy springTampaksiringA Hindu water temple built around a sacred spring, with clear pools and a row of spouts where Balinese come to purify themselves. Its roots are traditionally traced back to around the 10th century.
#05Ancient caveBeduluAn old hermitage cave whose entrance is carved with a fierce, wide-mouthed face and swirling foliage. Nearby are bathing pools with water spouts and a green, shady path down a small ravine.
#06Easy walkCampuhanA gentle paved path along a grassy ridge between two river valleys, with open views of palms and hills. It starts near the old Campuhan bridge area and is a favourite for an easy morning stroll.
#07WaterfallKemenuhA wide waterfall dropping into a green pool in a jungle gorge, reached by a stairway and a short path. It is one of the easier waterfalls to visit from Ubud, with viewing spots at the top and bottom.
#08Lotus pond templeCentral UbudA small temple dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the arts, set behind a pond full of lotus flowers. Its carved gateway and floating shrines make it one of Ubud's prettiest photo spots.
#09Rock-cut shrinesTampaksiringTall shrine-like reliefs carved into the rock face of a river valley, thought to date from around the 11th century. A long stairway through rice fields leads down to the carvings, the water and a small temple.
#10Art & paintingCentral Ubud & SangginganUbud has been an artists' village for a long time, and its museums show Balinese painting from classic wayang-style scenes to modern work, including pieces by foreign artists who lived here. Puri Lukisan and the Neka Art Museum are two well-known stops.
Starting points we adjust to your dates, budget and hotel choice. Prices depend on the hotel and season, so we quote them for you.
👥 First visit, couples, friends
🏨 4-star hotel or villa in Ubud
👥 Culture lovers, families, returning visitors
🏨 Hotel in central Ubud
👥 Couples, honeymooners, slow travellers
🏨 Boutique hotel or villa
Pick the places, your dates and the kind of hotel you like. We reply on WhatsApp with a suggested plan and today's prices - no obligation.
Ubud is inland, so most visitors fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) near Denpasar and drive up, usually about 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic. There is no train in Bali, so a private car, hotel transfer or taxi is the usual way. Ride-hailing pickups can be limited in some local areas, so we can arrange a transfer for you.
The dry season, roughly April to October, is the easiest time for terraces, walks and waterfalls. The rainy season, roughly November to March, is greener but wetter, with slippery paths and stronger waterfalls. July-August and the year-end holidays are the busiest, so book hotels early. Ubud is cooler than the coast, but still warm and humid.
At temples wear a sarong and sash (often lent or rented at the entrance), cover shoulders if asked, and never climb on shrines. Small offerings are placed on the ground and doorsteps every day - step around them. During ceremonies, stay behind the worshippers and ask before photographing. Nyepi, Bali's day of silence, usually falls in March; the whole island goes quiet, so we check the dates when planning.
The centre of Ubud, with the palace, market, Saraswati temple and Monkey Forest, can be done on foot, but pavements are narrow and the sun is strong. The rice terraces, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, Goa Gajah and the waterfall are spread out, so a car with driver is the easiest way to combine them. Scooters are common to rent, but traffic is busy, so we suggest a driver unless you are an experienced rider.
Opening hours, tickets, access and rules change (for example visitor quotas, volcano or sea conditions and closures) - we check them for your dates. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each picture; map: OpenStreetMap. Last checked 10 October 2026.