Things to Do in Ubud, Bali: Best Places and Activities

Ubud is one of Bali’s best areas for culture, rice fields, temples, art, wellness, and soft adventure.

This guide helps you choose the best things to do in Ubud, Bali, without turning your visit into a rushed checklist. It covers cultural stops, scenic walks, rice terraces, soft adventure, wellness, art, and food-based experiences.

Use this page as an activity shortlist. The central area is best for culture, markets, temples, Monkey Forest, and evening dance. Areas outside the center are better for rice terraces, rafting, cycling, village scenery, and slower nature time.

Best Things to Do in Ubud, Bali

Visit Ubud Palace and Ubud Art Market

Ubud Palace, also known as Puri Saren Agung, is one of the easiest cultural stops in the town center. You can see Balinese architecture, carved gates, courtyards, and traditional design without leaving the main town area. For more details on the palace setting, nearby stops, and visitor tips, read our Ubud Royal Palace visitor guide.

Ubud Art Market is nearby, so both places fit well into one short walk. The market is useful if you want to browse textiles, baskets, bags, wood carvings, and small souvenirs. If the market is one of your main stops, use our Ubud Art Market shopping guide before you go.

This combination suits travelers who want a simple first look at central Ubud before visiting temples, cafes, or Monkey Forest.

Useful tips:

• Visit in the morning for a calmer market experience.
• Keep the stop short if you also plan to visit the Saraswati Temple or the Monkey Forest.
• Bargaining is common in traditional markets, but keep it friendly and respectful.

See a Balinese Dance Performance

The town is one of the top places in Bali to experience traditional dance. In the evenings, you might see Legong, Barong, or Kecak performances, depending on where you go and the day’s schedule.

A dance performance is a strong cultural activity without adding another daytime attraction. It also fits naturally after the Ubud Palace, the Ubud Art Market, or the Saraswati Temple.

If you want to compare an evening cultural show, read our Ubud Palace dance performance guide.

Useful tips:

• Check the show schedule on the day because venues and performance types can change.
• Arrive early enough to find your seat.
• Avoid filling the same day with too many daytime stops before an evening show.

Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of Ubud’s most recognized attractions. It combines forest paths, temple areas, stone statues, large trees, and long-tailed macaques.

The main appeal is not only seeing monkeys. The setting also shows how the forest, temple space, and local life connect in Ubud.

This stop is useful if you want a central attraction that feels different from markets, palaces, and rice fields.

This stop is useful if you want a central attraction that feels different from markets, palaces, and rice fields. Before adding this stop, read our Monkey Forest Ubud visitor guide for entrance, route, and behavior tips

Useful tips:

• Keep sunglasses, hats, loose items, and food inside your bag.
• Do not feed, tease, touch, or stare closely at the monkeys.
• Stay on marked paths and follow staff instructions.

Walk the Campuhan Ridge or Nearby Rice Field Paths

Campuhan Ridge Walk is a popular light walking route near the center. It gives you open green views and a slower break from the busier streets.

Nearby rice field paths can also work well if you want an easy outdoor activity without going far from town. These walks suit travelers who want scenery, fresh air, and a simple nature stop.

This is better for a relaxed walk than for a serious hike.

Useful tips:

• Morning or late afternoon is usually more comfortable than midday.
• Bring water, sun protection, and comfortable footwear.
• Do not expect a deep jungle trail. This is more of a scenic walk.

See Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Tegallalang Rice Terrace is one of the most photographed rice terrace areas near town. Its stepped landscape is the main reason many first-time visitors add it to their activity list.

The area suits travelers who want a classic rice terrace view, a short walk, or a cafe stop overlooking the valley. Some businesses nearby also offer swing-style photo spots, but those are optional.

Tegallalang is a better fit if scenic views matter more to you than a quiet rural setting. If Tegallalang is high on your list, read our Tegallalang Rice Terrace visitor guide before choosing your timing and route.

Useful tips:

• Visit earlier in the morning for cooler weather and fewer people.
• Wear comfortable footwear if you plan to walk into the terraces.
• Keep expectations realistic. It is scenic, but it is also a popular tourist area.

Visit Saraswati Temple

Saraswati Temple is a convenient cultural stop in central Ubud. It is known for Balinese temple architecture and its lotus pond setting.

This is a short, easy visit if you are already near the Ubud Palace or the Ubud Art Market. It adds a calm temple stop without needing a long transfer.

Useful tips:

• Be sure to dress respectfully when you visit temple areas.
• Do not treat temple courtyards only as photo backdrops.
• Pair it with Ubud Palace and the art market for a simple central route.

Explore Goa Gajah or Temples Near Ubud

If you want to go beyond the center, add one temple or archaeological site near town. Goa Gajah, also called Elephant Cave, is one of the better-known options.

This type of stop gives more cultural depth than a quick palace or market visit. It works best when grouped with nearby sites in the same direction.

This is a good option if you like history, temple architecture, and taking your time to explore local culture.

For a deeper cultural stop near Ubud, use our Goa Gajah Temple visitor guide before adding it to your shortlist.

Useful tips:

• Choose one or two temple stops instead of rushing through many.
• Bring a sarong or use the required temple dress if provided at the entrance.
• Avoid visiting temples only for quick photos.

Try Ayung River Rafting Near Ubud

Ayung River rafting is one of the easiest soft adventure activities to add in the area. It is usually chosen by travelers who want scenery, movement, and outdoor time without looking for the most extreme rapids.

The main appeal is the river valley setting, tropical greenery, small waterfalls, and carved cliff areas in some sections. It gives active travelers a different side of the area beyond temples and markets.

If rafting interests you, check whether Ayung River rafting fits your Ubud plan before comparing operators.

Useful tips:

• Check current river access, stairs, start time, and activity conditions before going.
• Morning trips often feel more comfortable for outdoor activity.
• Compare comfort, route flow, and guide support, not only the activity name.

Join a Cycling or Village Tour

A guided cycling or village tour is a good way to see the quieter side of the area. Depending on the route, you may pass village roads, rice fields, temple areas, and local compounds.

This activity suits travelers who want light movement, countryside scenery, and a slower view of daily life outside the center.

Useful tips:

• Confirm the current route before joining because routes can change.
• Check whether the ride is mostly downhill, mixed terrain, or village-road based.
• Choose this only if you are comfortable cycling outdoors in warm weather.

If you want a guided cycling format, read the Sobek Ubud Cycling Tour details before deciding.

Try a Balinese Cooking Class

A Balinese cooking class is a hands-on cultural activity. Many classes include ingredient explanation, guided cooking, and sometimes a market visit.

This is useful when you want more than sightseeing. It gives you a slower way to understand local food, spices, and cooking methods.

Useful tips:

• Check whether the class includes a market visit or only cooking.
• Confirm vegetarian or dietary requests before joining.
• Morning classes are often better if you want the market component.

Enjoy Spa, Yoga, or Wellness Time

The area is one of Bali’s main places for spa, yoga, and wellness activities. You can find simple massage places, boutique spas, yoga studios, sound healing sessions, and retreat-style wellness spaces.

Adding a wellness stop can help balance out visits to temples, markets, rice fields, and outdoor adventures. This is especially helpful if your Bali trip is starting to feel too busy.

Useful tips:

• Reserve ahead for well-known spas or yoga studios.
• Leave enough time before and after the session.
• Avoid placing a spa appointment too close to a long transfer.

Visit Art Villages, Galleries, or Museums

The area has a long connection with Balinese art. If you enjoy painting, sculpture, wood carving, textiles, or traditional design, add an art stop to your list.

Museums and galleries are useful if you want context, not only shopping. Nearby art villages can also be useful if you want to see craft areas outside the town center.

This is a quieter cultural choice away from the busiest central spots.

Useful tips:

• Pick just one museum, gallery, or art village to visit, rather than trying to see them all.
• Make sure to check the opening hours before you go.
• Pair this with a market or temple stop for a culture-focused outing.

Add a Rice-Field Cafe or Lunch Stop

A rice-field cafe or lunch stop can be a useful break between activities. The area has many restaurants and cafes facing rice fields, gardens, or river valleys.

This should support your activity choice, not become another complicated detour. The best lunch stop is the one that fits your route and gives you time to slow down.

Useful tips:

• Do not choose a cafe only because it is popular online.
• Check whether it fits the activities you already plan to visit.
• A good lunch stop should make the day easier, not add another difficult stop.

How to Choose Activities by Interest

Use this section to narrow your choices. The goal is to help you select the right activities, not build a full itinerary.

If You Want Central Culture

Consider:

• Ubud Palace
• Ubud Art Market
• Saraswati Temple
• Balinese dance performance

This is the easiest match if you want culture, architecture, shopping, and traditional performance in central Ubud.

If You Want Rice Fields and Scenery

Consider:

• Tegallalang Rice Terrace
• Campuhan Ridge Walk
• Nearby rice field paths
• Rice-field cafe stop

This fits travelers who want scenery, photography, and a slower outdoor experience.

If You Want Soft Adventure

Consider:

• Ayung River rafting
• Guided cycling or village tour
• Rice field walking routes

Before joining an activity, check the route, start time, activity level, and current conditions.

If You Want Art and Local Culture

Consider:

• Galleries or museums
• Art villages
• Cooking class
• Ubud Art Market
• Balinese dance

This is better if you prefer experience-based travel over ticking off many attractions.

If You Want a Slower Ubud Experience

Consider:

• Spa or yoga
• Rice-field cafe
• Saraswati Temple
• Short central Ubud walk
• Gallery or museum

This works well if you want fewer stops and more time to enjoy each place.

Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Ubud Activities

Choosing Too Many Similar Stops

Several Ubud attractions involve temples, rice fields, culture, or scenic views. Choose variety instead of repeating the same type of stop all day.

Ignoring Peak Hours

Popular places such as Tegallalang, Monkey Forest, and Central Ubud can feel crowded. Early morning or late afternoon generally feels more comfortable for outdoor or photo-focused stops.

Choosing Activities Only Because They Are Popular

A famous attraction is not always the right fit for your travel style. Pick activities based on whether you want culture, scenery, soft adventure, wellness, art, or a food-based experience.

Not Checking Activity Difficulty

Rafting, cycling, ridge walks, and rice terrace paths are not the same type of activity. Check fitness level, stairs, walking surface, weather, and start time before deciding.

Building the Whole List Around Low-Cost Stops

Some low-cost activities in Ubud are worth doing, but they should not control the whole list. If budget is your main priority, use a dedicated free and low-cost Ubud guide.

FAQs About Things to Do in Ubud

Which Ubud activities need more time outside the center?

Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Goa Gajah, Ayung River rafting, cycling tours, art villages, and rice-field cafes usually need more time outside central Ubud. Keep central attractions for a shorter walk, then place outside-town activities separately.