Ubud is one of the most popular destinations on the Island of Bali, and for good reason! Yoga retreats, stunning waterfalls, traditional markets, picturesque ricefields, jungle fish day bar, extreme sports and foodie culture- Ubud really does have something for everyone. That being said, it gets incredibly busy, so you may have to book activities a day or two in advance, and you will probably get stuck in grid-lock traffic at least once in the city centre. Don’t let the busyness deter you; Ubud is still a staple destination on any Bali backpacking itinerary.
How to get to Ubud
Ubud is located in the centre of Bali, surrounded by lush jungles and the famous rice fields, which I’m sure you’ve seen a million photos of. It’s easily accessible from most parts of Bali, including the surrounding islands such as the Nusa Islands and the Gili Islands. You can book all transport online at 12GOAsia.
How to get to Ubud from Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta
This is probably the most popular departure point for getting to Ubud. The journey takes 1 hour to 4 hours, depending on whether you are travelling in peak traffic times. If you want to avoid the heinous traffic, aim to leave between 10 am and 2 pm. Depending on where you stay in either Canggu, Seminyak or Kuta, your hostel may run a shared transfer to Ubud. If they don’t, you can easily book a Grab car for around 125k Indonesian Rupiah ($8.30 USD), which will be even cheaper if you ask around your hostel for others to share with you.
Alternatively, you can also get a Grab scooter with your luggage (I did this to save money, which was certainly an experience). Depending on the size of the scooter, they either put your backpack in between the driver’s legs at the front, or you have to wear it on your back. The scooter ride costs 65k Indonesian Rupiah ($4.30 USD) but also may cost you your sanity having to hold on for dear life with your luggage weighing you down. Read my complete guide on getting around Indonesia here for more information on using Grab in Indonesia.
How to Get to Ubud from Amed
Another popular route to Ubud is from the small, chilled-out town of Amed in the east of Bali. This is an excellent route if you’re coming from the Gili Islands or Lombok to avoid the bigger and busier ports of Sanur or Padangbai.
From Amed, it’s around a 2-4 hour drive to Ubud, depending on whether you’ve got caught in traffic coming into Ubud city centre. At a minimum, it would be around 500k ($35 USD) for a car, which is a little more expensive as there is no Grab in Amed, so you would have to use a driver. Always cheaper if you can ask around the hostel and find others to share the cost with you.
To make the most of your time, I’d recommend breaking up the journey and stopping at a few sights in the East of Bali on the way. Pura Lempuyang (the famous Gates of Heaven), Bukit Cinta sunrise viewpoint and the Tirta Gangaa Water Palace are all only slight detours on the roads between Amed and Ubud. Alternatively, you could do a few sights around the traditional village of Sidemen, such as a ricefields walk, a traditional weaving demonstration, Tukad Ceping waterfall and visit the traditional (and picturesque!) town of Iseh.
How to get to Ubud from Sidemen
If you’re considering going to Sidemen, do it! One of my favourite hidden gems of Indonesia. Sidemen is only around an hour from Ubud via either car or scooter (if you don’t get caught in peak traffic in Ubud). Unfortunately, there is no Grab in Sidemen, so you have to pay a slightly higher rate for a Grab car, which will be around 272k Indonesian Rupiah ($17.50 USD). You can easily get a grab drive from Ubud to Sidemenr, which costs about 250k Indonesian Rupiah ($16.70 USD) for a car.
How to get to Ubud from Nusa Penida, Gili Islands or Lombok
If you’re coming from the Nusa islands, Gili Islands or Lombok and not coming via Amed, you’ll be disembarking at either Padangbai or Sanur Ports. Without peak traffic, it takes around one hour to get to Ubud from Sanur and around an hour and 20 minutes from Padangbai. These ports are chaotic, and it can be overwhelming as drivers will follow you and get up in your face trying to secure you as a customer. The drivers’ prices will be around 3-4 times the price of what the Grab app suggests the journey is worth.
Unfortunately, getting a Grab from either port is nearly impossible due to conflicts between taxi companies and Grab drivers. You have to walk at least a few blocks away from the busy port areas to get a grab. If you do walk a few blocks, you can get a Grab car for 250k Indonesian Rupiah minimum ($16.70 USD).
How to get to Ubud from Uluwatu
Uluwatu is around a 2-hour drive to Ubud but can be longer depending on if you hit traffic near Denpasar airport or upon entering Ubud city centre. Expect to pay around 250k Indonesian Rupiah minimum ($16.70 USD) for a grab car.
How many days to spend in Ubud
From someone who has spent around 22 days in Ubud, give or take, I would recommend more days in Ubud rather than less. While it doesn’t have the attraction of beaches or beach clubs, Ubud has a lot to offer in terms of activities. Many people go on yoga or meditation retreats in Ubud’s surrounding areas and spend more time here. However, for the average backpacker, 5-7 days is the sweet spot to experience Ubud properly. In 5-7 days in Ubud, you can visit a few waterfalls and ricefields, do a cooking class, a sunrise at Mt Batur, visit Monkey Forest, take a jewellery-making class, try your hand at some extreme sports, relax at a jungle fish bar and traipse the traditional market.
How to get around Ubud
Given the popularity of Ubud, getting around is super easy, and there are plenty of options. One key factor to the ease of getting around is whether you opt to stay further afield, so you have rice field views or if you prefer to stay in town for convenience. I stayed in town, as I was travelling solo and am not a confident scooter driver.
Getting Around Ubud on Foot
If you’re staying in the centre of the city, there are so many sights that are walkable such as Monkey Forest, Saraswati Temple, Ubud Palace, Ubud Traditional Market and the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Also, you can easily walk to all the restaurants, cafes and bars. It feels pretty safe walking around the streets of Ubud, even at night as a female, because there are always so many people in the city centre. However, be wary of pickpockets in crowded areas (like the Central Market). Also, at night there are street dogs that can get a bit nippy if you venture too close to their territory, so it might be better to jump in a Grab.
Getting Around Ubud by Grab Car or Scooter
Grab is everywhere in Ubud- both Cars and Scooters! I found it faster and easier to get a scooter most of the time, as cars tend to get stuck in pretty bad traffic, so getting everywhere takes a little longer. You can also easily rent a scooter in Ubud, which many backpackers do. However, many backpackers also have scooter accidents on the roads around Ubud due to the steepness and slipperiness after rainfall.
Getting Around Ubud by a private driver
If you’re visiting sites out of Ubud centre, you can easily get a Grab there, but you may get stuck out at a waterfall or at jungle fish bar on your return as all the cars stay around the city centre. For day trips out of the city, if you have a few people, you can often negotiate a pretty good price with a private driver. The drivers suggest itineraries and timings for each place, but you can ask them to go wherever you want and stay as long as you want.
Where to stay in Ubud
Despite all the photos of Ubud featuring rice terraces and waterfalls, Ubud is a busy little metropolis with plenty of accommodation options. While some people opt to stay in hostels or guesthouses outside of the city to immerse themselves in the stunning views, I recommend staying in the city centre for backpackers, particularly if you are solo and don’t have access to a scooter. Ubud city has plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants and traditional markets and it is easy to get around on foot. You can book all accommodations here.
Arya Wellness Retreat– Best Flashpacker Hostel
One of the most popular hostels in Ubud, Arya Wellness Retreat is also one of the most instragrammable hostels I have ever stayed in! It’s a little pricey for a hostel, but book it if you want to treat yourself to a bit of luxury. The dorm beds at Arya are double beds with multiple pillows and privacy curtains. In terms of amenities, they have a fantastic pool, plenty of bean bags and loungers around the pool to relax on, and they provide a complimentary daily ala carte breakfast. Speaking of free, they also offer free beach and bathroom towels (so two towels for one person!), free daily manicure or pedicure, free daily massage, free sunrise yoga, free daily gym class and free nightly social activities. It was easy to meet people by participating in the free activities, which is great for solo travellers.
Wayan House Hostel– Best Amenities and Location
Wayan House is a small family-run hostel located smack-bang in the centre of Ubud, just down from the traditional market. They provide a tasty complimentary breakfast, with plenty of different food options and have free coffee and tea available all day. The beds are super comfortable with privacy curtains, and they have a pool in the garden area. It is a bit less social than the other hostels in Ubud as they don’t have a large common area or run any activities. However, the complimentary breakfast gets everyone together, and I still met people quite easily here.
Puji Hostel– best for solo travellers
Puji Hostel is a large-ish hostel tucked away just off one of the main roads in Ubud. The amenities are basic (banana pancake for breakfast and no privacy curtains on the beds), but the social vibe is on point. They have a great pool and a large common area where everyone hangs out, so it is super easy to make friends. Most nights, people head out for drinks, which is about as much of a “party vibe” as you’ll get in Ubud.
What to do in Ubud
There are honestly so many things to do in Ubud from waterfalls to ricefields to traditional markets and jungle bars like jungle fish. You could spend months doing activities in Ubud and still not run out of things to do and places to see! It would be impossible to include everything, but below are the things I’ve done and would recommend to anyone travelling to Ubud.
Balinese Cooking Class
One of the best activities I did in Ubud! There are many reputable cooking class companies in and around Ubud, and booking is easy. Even if you’re not into cooking, cooking classes are a fun and great way to learn more about the culture through food. A cooking class is a perfect rainy-day activity, given that most other things to do in Ubud are weather dependent. Most of the classes I researched had two sessions daily: morning and afternoon.
Morning cooking classes run from around 8 am-1 pm, including a traditional market tour to buy ingredients. Afternoon cooking classes usually run from around 2 pm-8 pm and will consist of a scenic stop or a stop at a coffee plantation to try Luwak Coffee. I went with Bali Maggang Cooking Class, which cost 250k Indonesian Rupiah ($16.60 USD), as it was the recommended company at my hostel and had great reviews. The location for the class was in the rice fields with stunning scenery; the class was fun, we made so many different dishes, and I ate my body weight in Balinese food.
Mt Batur Sunrise Hike
Do I enjoy hiking? No. Do I enjoy waking up at 2 am to hike up a literal mountain in pitch darkness while constantly slipping over? Still no. But honestly, it’s a must-do, and I’m so glad I did it.
Not going to lie; as someone who is not super fit or into hiking, it was rough getting to the top. But you can take it at your own pace; I let so long-legged hikers overtake me, and guess what? We all still ended up at the top of the mountain for sunrise. The guys who raced to the top ended up sitting up there for more than 45 minutes in the darkness, just waiting while drinking hot chocolates to keep warm because the moment you stop moving, you suddenly realise who freezing it is up there. So yeah, in my opinion, it’s better to take your time and go at a chill pace, but each to their own!
One thing that deters people from booking the Mt Batur sunrise hike is the possibility of not getting a sunrise. And hey, I get it. That would suck, and I met loads of people who it happened to. When I did it, the sunrise was not the best (it did not look like the Tik Toks I had watched beforehand). But it was still beautiful, clouds and all and worth the effort of the hike. Sometimes, it’s just the luck of the draw, but I would 100% check the weather beforehand and try to choose the clearest day to avoid disappointment.
Things you should know before booking the Mt Batur Sunrise Hike
- They pick you up in Ubud at around 3 am and drop you back at around 10 am (give or take).
- Expect to pay around 400k Indonesian Rupiah for a tour ($26.55 USD).
- Most tours include a free breakfast box to take to the top, including a cold hard-boiled egg, a banana and a slice of bread.
- Many tours will also include a pre-hike breakfast stop where they give you a banana pancake and a local coffee. It’s basic, but if you’re hungry/ need coffee, it does the job.
- You can bring snacks at your peril because the monkeys are super aggressive and will steal your food.
- There’s a local woman at the top of the mountain selling hot chocolate, coffee and beer. The prices are a bit more expensive than standard, but she does have to hike up the mountain daily carrying all the gear, so it makes sense.
- The walk up in the dark is pretty chilly, and the walk down is hot. Wear layers that you can take off.
- You don’t need to wear hiking shoes or bring hiking gear (unless you want to). Most people just wore sneakers or trainers (some even sandals).
- There is an option to hike to the halfway point of the mountain and get on the back of a scooter for the last half. It’s nearly the same price as the tour, though, so not worth it for most people. However, you have the option if you are struggling and don’t think you’ll make it to the top for sunrise.
Tenungan Waterfall
Tenungan Waterfall is arguably the most famous waterfall in Bali, and it’s also the busiest! Some people skip it and explore less busy waterfalls (there is no shortage of waterfalls near Ubud!). I would still say it is worth visiting, particularly combined with some nearby attractions. There is an entry fee of 20k Indonesian Rupiah ($1.40 USD). You can swim in Tenungan Waterfall, but beware; the current is a little strong in some parts if you’re not a strong swimmer.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Another very busy tourist attraction, but definitely worth a visit. While there are many rice terraces you can visit in Ubud, Tegalalang is the biggest and most developed. There are a number of swings that you can pay to use and have your photo taken on. However, they are also just nice to walk around, take in the stunning views and have a few little impromptu photo shoots along the way. There is an entry fee of 41k Indonesian Rupiah ($2.80 USD) and an additional charge for use of the swings overlooking the rice fields.
Monkey Forest
In the centre of Ubud lies the infamous Monkey Forest, which is a staple Ubud bucket-list item. Monkey Forest provides a somewhat ethical avenue for travellers to observe, interact with and learn about Macaque Monkeys. It costs 83k Indonesian Rupiah to enter ($5.60 USD) and is walkable from the city centre.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
A completely free activity, which is easily accessible on foot from Ubud city centre. Campuhan Ridge Walk is a scenic walk through the hills to the north of Ubud. The walk takes around 40 minutes maximum to walk to the end and back, but be warned; it is hot! There’s very little shade, so most people go first thing in the morning or for sunset; otherwise, you’re sweating buckets. There are a number of basic warungs at the end selling cold drinks, ice-cream and food, which most people stopped at to cool down.
The easiest way to find the start of the walk is to get directions to “Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa”. Right before you turn into the entrance to the villas, there is a pathway to the left with signage to follow for the Campuhan Ridge Walk. If you’re doing the Ridge Walk, consider hitting some sites in Ubuc centre on the way back such as the traditional market, Grand Palace and Saraswati Temple.
Jewellery Making at Delodsema Village
One of the best activities I’ve done anywhere (not just in Indonesia)! Delodsema Village is famous for its silversmith, and you can book a half-day tour to visit the village and make your own jewellery. They run morning and afternoon tours daily, and you get a weighted amount of silver included in the price. You can make anything from earrings and necklaces to rings. If you choose something with a gemstone, you will have to pay extra for the stone. I made three rings included in the price. It’s a really fun activity; the silversmiths are so helpful and make sure your jewellery looks good and that you don’t lose a finger operating some of the machines. Expect to pay around 452k Indonesian Rupiah ($30 USD), which includes the hand-made jewellery you get to keep forever.
Ubud Palace
Many people skip this one if they’re short on time, but it’s worth exploring if you have time. Entry to the palace is free, and it is right in the middle of the city centre. I only spent around 20 minutes walking around and looking at the architecture, but you could definitely spend longer. There’s no dress code, but I would recommend combining this with a visit to the nearby Saraswati Temple and the Ubud traditional market, which requires covering shoulders, knees, and chests.
Saraswati Temple
Another free activity and easy to walk to as it’s right in the centre of town. It is a beautiful temple with lotus ponds; however, getting a photo without anyone in it can be tricky. As it is a temple, ensure you cover knees, shoulders and your chest out of respect.
Ubud Traditional Market
You cannot miss this market! It runs down a laneway in the centre of Ubud and is an ideal stop to visit on the same day you see Saraswati Temple and Ubud Palace, as they are all within walking distance from one another. Ubud Traditional Market, also sometimes called central market is great for clothes, sunglasses, homewares, sarongs, souvenirs and knock-off branded items. They have just about everything, so it’s great for shopping and haggling in encouraged!
Cultural Performance at the Palace
If you need a break from drinking at hostels, this is a great way to spend the evening in Ubud! The performances run every evening from 7:30 pm – 9 pm. They cost 100k Indonesian Rupiah ($6.50 USD). You can purchase tickets from ticket sellers on the main road outside the palace; just make sure they have an official lanyard on, as there may be scammers. If you want a good seat with an unobstructed view, try to get there at 7 pm (it’s worth it for a front-row seat). You can buy beers and snacks from a small stall inside the hall.
Get Blessed at Tirta Empul
If you feel like you need to be cleansed of the sins you committed in Canggu or Gili T, getting blessed may not be a bad option. You can get there anytime during the day; just be mindful that the temple is closed on religious holidays, so check before you leave! It doesn’t matter too much about what you wear as you will have to rent a traditional sarong dress at the entry to be blessed. Entry to Tirta Empul is 52k Indonesian Rupiah ($3.50 USD), and there is an additional charge to rent a sarong and a locker to store your things of 31k Indonesian Rupiah ($2 USD). After picking up your sarong, head to the gender-divided change rooms to pop on your swimming suit and then wear your sarong on top.
Once you enter the temple pool area, follow the queue of locals and dunk your head under the fountains in the same order they do. You’ll notice there are some fountains that everybody skips; they contain negative wishes, so bad luck will befall you if you wash under them. The water is absolutely freezing in the pools and under the fountains, and the rocks on the ground are super slippery. You don’t need to know to swim or swim to be blessed, as the water is only waist-deep. After you’ve blessed yourself with all the fountains, you can wander around the temple precinct to look at the architecture. Just make sure you remember to return your sarong and locker key before leaving.
Cretya Day Club
While you may not recognise the name, you will definitely recognise the location from Tik Tok. Cretya features a DJ, bar and restaurant selling high-quality foods and multiple seats, loungers and cabanas to enjoy. The reason it is so popular, though, is they have multiple infinity pools overlooking picturesque rice fields. It is one of the most instagrammable places in Indonesia and full of attractive people having little photoshoots.
You do have to book in advance, and there is a minimum spend depending on your lounger type. The cheapest option is the Dining Room which is 250k Indonesian Rupiah per person ($16.50 USD) for roughly one main meal and a cocktail. The food and drinks are exquisite (as they should be for the price). If you do have the budget and want to splash out, it would be well worth paying extra for a cabana and treating yourself to a day of swimming, partying, eating and drinking. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Cretya, Jungle Fish Bar in Ubud is stunning and has no minimum spend or entrance charge.
Jungle Fish Jungle Bar
If you want a more cost-effective alternative to Cretya, then I would highly recommend Jungle Fish bar in Ubud. There’s no minimum spend or entrance fee, but beds, loungers and hammocks are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Jungle Fish in Ubud have a stunning infinity pool overlooking the jungle, where we spotted monkeys, colourful birds and sugar gliders. There’s a DJ playing for most of the day, so the atmosphere is great (not quite as heavy of a party as day clubs in Canggu, but still fun). The food and cocktails are top-tier at Jungle Fish but similarly priced to their competitors Cretya Ubud.
Where to Eat in Ubud
There are plenty of great cafes, restaurants and eateries in Ubud. Honestly, it’s hard to have a bad meal in any of the restaurants in the centre of Ubud city centre. There are a few must-try restaurants and dishes which you should experience when in Ubud.
Sun Sun Warung
If you only take one recommendation from this guide, it should be to eat at Sun Sun Warung! I guarantee this will be of the best Indonesian food you eat throughout your travels. Their dishes are delicious, but I highly recommend trying their Nasi Campur over anything else. They have a mix of standard tables and low tables where you sit on a cushion on the floor. Pre-warning, they do get extremely busy at dinner time, so go early or be prepared to wait up to 20 minutes for a seat. It will be well worth it, though, I promise.
L’osteria
Some of the best Italian food I’ve eaten outside of Italy! If you’re craving creamy, cheesy, carby food or want a nice glass of wine, L’osteria will hit the spot. It is located on the main street corner near monkey forest and has seating upstairs and downstairs. At night, it has a great ambience! Given its popularity, you may have to wait for 20 minutes or so for a seat.
Oka
Another must-try restaurant in Ubud! Oka is famous (like Anthony Bourdain famous) for their Babi Guling, a traditional Balinese pork dish. So much so that Babi Guling is all they sell, and they are only open from 10 am- 3 pm daily. If you eat pork and want to try Babi Guling, it is not the easiest dish to find as generally only speciality restaurants have it on their menu, so make sure you get to Oka for lunch while you’re in Ubud.
Zest
Brunch with a view! Zest is a short work out of the city centre, right opposite where the Campuhan Ridge Walk starts. They make great coffee and vegan and vegetarian options. Just a warning that it is an uphill walk to get to the cafe, but the views are worth it.
Clear Cafe
One of the best cafes in Ubud, Clear Cafe has tasty brunch options and plenty of seating in its multilevel building. They are also a spa and wellness centre, so it gives off bougie yoga vibes while you’re brunching.
Seniman Cafe
If you’re a coffee snob, then this recommendation is for you! Seniman Cafe makes top-tier coffee and has coffee-tasting paddles (highly recommend). They also serve traditional breakfast and brunch options and fresh bakery goods.
Simply Social
A great all-rounder on the main street of Ubud, near the traditional market. They do stunning brunch foods, dinner options and killer cocktails. Simply Social has a good vibe and is a solid food or drink option anytime, day or night. If you can nab the seats outside or near the window, it’s a great people-watching spot.
Kafe
This cafe has great vibes and is such a cute place to chill (it looks like a treehouse). They serve good coffee and delicious food with both brunch and lunch options. Try and get a seat upstairs on the balcony if you can!
Anomaly Cafe
Looking for a quiet cafe to read, journal or do some travel planning? Head to Anomaly, just near Simply Social and Ubud Traditional Market. They serve great coffee and brunch food and have quirky vintage seating such as Singer sewing machine tables.
Nightlife in Ubud
Ubud has an incredibly chill vibe and is not really the kind of place people come to party. Many people get up early for sunrise hikes, full-day tours or yoga, so there’s not a heap of club options if you want a night out.
CP’s Lounge
The closest thing you’ll get to the clubs of Canggu in Ubud, CP’s Lounge, is tucked away down a somewhat dodgy-looking alley just off the main road. They have a drink list including classic cocktails including, 2-for-1 specials, a few pool tables, and plenty of booth tables to accommodate big groups. They also have a DJ and a dancefloor, but it can be a bit hit-and-miss depending on the night of the week or if you’re there in the low season.
Hideout Bar
A great little dive bar tucked away just near the monkey forest, Hideout Bar is perfect to enjoy a cheap beveragino while listening to live music. They have a different band performing every night until midnight, and they serve cheap and super strong drinks.
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