Ubud is the cultural centre of Bali and an enchanting place. If there is one place in Bali where we recommend staying a bit longer, it is here. You can easily spend several days or even weeks here and still not have seen or done everything. The fascinating mix of nature, culture and history makes this a destination that is on a lot of people's bucket list.
Set amid rice paddies and terraces, the city is known for its culture, arts and crafts. Tradition is the common thread here, and there are plenty of interesting cultural events and festivals throughout the year.
Ubud palace
Ubud Palace and the temple, Puri Saren Agung, form a complex largely built after an earthquake in 1917. The palace is the official residence of Ubud's royal family. Local royals still live here, but visitors are allowed to wander around most of the complex and admire the traditional architecture. You can even stay overnight there, in one of the 5-star bungalows on the estate.
Every night, the palace comes alive with the sound of gamelan music played on various percussion instruments, accompanied by traditional dances. Located in the heart of the city, this place is the setting for many festivals, events and ceremonies.
The temple Pura Taman Saraswati
There are several beautiful Hindu temples in the centre of Ubud, and one of these is the handsome temple Pura Taman Saraswati, located next to a picturesque lotus pond. If you have time, be sure to seek out the other Hindu temples too.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a Hindu temple complex containing a monkey sanctuary in a special jungle setting. It is one of the main tourist attractions of Ubud and indeed Bali. The Hindu temples, often forgotten because of all the attention towards the monkeys, are actually at least as fascinating. You'll find 3 temples that are said to have been built around 1350.
Beware: the monkeys here are anything but softies! They steal and dare to bite. If you have food with you, they will try to steal it anyway. They can open (camera) bags and will even try to loot your pockets if they smell something tasty in them.
Far from being a warning to avoid the Monkey Forest, the Monkey Forest is a beautiful place and offers a unique opportunity to see our closest conspecifics up close. In principle, if you behave sensibly, you won't encounter any difficulties. Just remember to respect the monkeys; they remain wild animals and should be treated as such.
Tegalalang's rice terraces
The rice terraces of Tegalalang are one of Bali's most photographed locations. This extraordinary landscape is the result of centuries-old farming techniques, still used by locals to harvest rice and cultivate fields. It is a beautiful place with flowing strips of greenery turning the landscape into a complex mosaic of rolling curves.
We recommend exploring the rice terraces in the early morning. This has two advantages:
- You escape the worst of the crowds this way
- You avoid the afternoon heat while exploring the steep terraces.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk
You can do plenty of beautiful walks in and around Ubud. However, if you only stay here for a few days, then the Campuhan Ridge Walk is one of the best treks to do. It is a challenging nature walk of about 2 hours that leads you along a ridge through lush greenery and surprises you with some breathtaking views.
Coffee plantation
Not far from the rice terraces, you will learn more about coffee, spices and other plants grown in Bali at Bali Pulina. There is no entrance fee, including for the coffee tastings. There is a gift shop at the end of the tour where you can buy spices, coffee or souvenirs, but it is not compulsory, a rarity on this island.
Compared to the rice terraces, this place is still largely undiscovered, and a must if you want to learn more about Bali's agriculture and traditional coffee production.
Only if you want to try the famous luwak coffee (beans collected after passing through the digestive tract of a luwak, a type of marten), there is a surcharge. This coffee is the most expensive in the world!