16 Best Activities in Ubud: Ubud has so many sites, spots, and hidden gems to explore. A little bit different from south Bali, Ubud is an art and cultural center, places for people to learn. It is also a perfect starting place for those who began a spiritual journey. Dominated with lush greenery and forestry, it offers a whole different landscape. From a rainforest, terraced rice fields, hidden pools, rivers, etc. Enjoy our recommended activities to do while you are visiting Ubud!
1. Ubud Palace
Did you know that Bali has a royal family? the royal family resides in Puri Saren Agung or the Ubud Palace. Though they do not rule anymore because Bali is a part of the Republic of Indonesia, the palace still serves as a cultural repository of traditional arts and dance. The most unique part of the palace complex is the well-preserved traditional architecture. It was built in the 1800s during the lordship of Tjokorda Putu Kandel. If you are planning to visit, try to check if they are holding traditional Balinese performances. They showcase Balinese percussive orchestras such as gamelan. The tickets to watch the performances are also very cheap.
2. Campuhan Ridge Walk
Maybe one of the most visited sites in Ubud, the campuhan ridge walk is a very popular nature trek among both locals and international visitors. Campuhan is a beautiful walk filled with lush greenery and fresh air. Though the trek is not a very long walk, it is still very rewarding. It does help you to escape the hustle and bustle of Ubud. It is usually very crowded from the middle of the day to sunset. Therefore the best time to visit is very early in the morning. You can freely enjoy the sunrise and breathe the fresh air. The best thing about it is that it is free of charge!
3. Blanco Renaissance Museum
I think that this museum is very cool! Combining both European and Balinese styles, this museum was built by Antonio Blanco. He was a Spanish painter who decided to visit Bali and fell in love with their culture and traditions. The exterior of the building has a thick Balinese architecture, while the interior design is more European classic completed with tall pillars. The museum also has a well-maintained garden with exotic flowers and lush greenery. There is something unique about this museum, it has some collections of beautiful birds which were Antonio’s pets. Though you can not capture the beauty of the art as it is forbidden, you can take pictures with the birds. The entrance fee is only Rp. 30,000. Definitely worth the visit.
4. Ubud Art Market
This one particular market is a wonderful walkabout in Ubud. There many colorful stalls selling ethical souvenirs, arts and crafts, textiles, and unlimited kinds of trinkets. They also sell many kinds of beautiful wind chimes, you can bring home as meaningful souvenirs. Not only that, they sell many kinds of painting for a very reasonable price. Though bargaining skill can come in Handy. The more you buy things here, the cheaper the things here get. Overall, this market is a must-visit for tourists!
5. Alas Harum
Alas, Harum is located in the greener side of Ubud. It a beautiful recreation area with a Luwak coffee tasting and a huge swing. They have a few unique spots for your beautiful Instagram pictures, the Dancing Bridge, Birds Nest, Pekak Brayut, Gorila, Glass Flooring, and Education Temple. All of them in one place! My favorite would be this unique Gorilla icon. Then you can continue to explore the tagalong ricefield while enjoying a small river stream. A perfect place to enjoy a family walk in the morning.
6. Serayu Potts & Terracotta
You may see a lot of handcrafts in Ubud, but are you willing to try to make them? There is one unique place in Ubud where you can handcraft these cute little pots. Serayu Pot & Terracota has entertaining activities for you and your kids to try. There are some coloring, painting, and clay pot classes here. There is a popular spot for people to take pictures here, however, the owner refuses to take any fees. The owner is a humble old man named Wayan Cemeng who usually sits outside and waves to visitors.
7. Paon Bali Cooking Class
Bali has many delicious traditional foods to try. From the famous Ayam betutu, Lawar, to sate lilit. However, you can learn and recreate these recipes by yourself. In Paon Bali Cooking Class, you can embark yourself on a culinary adventure unlocking the secrets of authentic Balinese Cooking and learn many different spices. You can also immerse the experience of traditional cooking in village-style Balinese kitchens. With very welcoming and friendly teachers, you will have an amazing lesson and experience here. The price is around Rp. 500,000 per adult.
8. Toekad Rafting
Another exciting adventure you can try in Ubud is to raft! While immersing yourself in the Ubud lush forest, you can try something new here. The raft will take you for 2 hours and a half ride around a strong stream of a river so expect to get a little wet. While riding, you can enjoy the nature of the lush forest around you. Afterward, you are going to have some time to take a shower. They provide some shower gel and shampoo. Then, you will get to eat some lunch from the buffet. Overall, a very nice experience to try.
9. Seniman Coffee Studio
After a hot sesh of Yoga or having a walk-in Campuhan, you might wanna get some coffee to continue the day. Visit one of the most popular coffee shops in Ubud named Seniman Coffee Studio. With a nice and homey ambiance and many choices of menus, this coffee shop easily becomes a safe spot for many of its visitors. They also serve some delicious fresh cakes. Other than that, they also have cold brews to please your taste buds. Lastly, they have perfect morning sandwiches to accompany your choices of coffee.
10. The Yoga Barn
Ubud is a heaven for people starting a spiritual journey. Therefore you mightt wanna attend some yoga classes to begin. Yoga Barn is one of the most famous Yoga retreat facilities in Bali, located in Ubud, it provides many classes, from Yoga, Meditation, Vinyasa, and Crystal Bowl Meditations. It also offers a serene ambiance to an open space surrounded by lush forest, claiming to support your total wellness. More than just a typical yoga studio, it has varieties of classes in Yoga and also a center dedicated to Holistic Healing including Detox Programs & Colonics, and Ayurvedic Rejuvenation.
11. Puri Lukisan Museum
Puri Lukisan Museum is another site that preserves the high quality of Balinese arts. It was also founded by Tjokorda Gede Agung which was the king of Ubud who wanted to ensure that the paintings don’t disappear. Not only sophisticated paintings, but they also showcase ancient sculptures and musical instruments. Outside of the museum, there is a well-maintained garden with beautiful flowers. With your ticket, you can get a large and delicious buffet lunch as well. Overall, it was a calm and tranquil sanctuary to visit while you are traveling to Ubud.
12. Folk Pool & Garden
If you wanted a chill day swimming and have a delicious plate of a meal, you should spend a day in Folk Pool & Gardens. There is a swim-up bar in the pool so you can drink while swimming. The beautiful pool is surrounded by day beds and some gazebos. If you wanted a more private area, you can rent a teepee for 4 people for Rp.300,000 only! If you are planning to visit at dinner time, there is a daily twilight cinema which starts every 6.30 PM every day. Other than that, the pool is surrounded by lush greenery and plantations, making it a perfect getaway from a busy life in Ubud.
13. Monkey Forest
The sacred monkey forest sanctuary is probably one of the most visited places in Ubud. Take a walk in lush forestry, enjoying few ancient temples and carved artworks, combined with a lot of monkeys going around. This chill sanctuary is a perfect place to bring your kids to pet and feed the monkeys, as well as getting some walks around. The entrance fee is only around $10 but you can spend the rest of the day there.
14. Tegalalang Ricefield
Tegalalang is another famous site in Ubud, preserving an ancient tradition of Terraced rice fields. Located 600 meters above sea level, the site is refreshing and different from the typical beach landscapes on the south side. A terraced rice field is one of the most complex irrigation systems known as subak. So it is cool to witness them here in Ubud. After enjoying a wonderful sight, takes some time to stroll down the street as there are many small restaurants with a view. They are also very affordable.
15. Umah Pizza
If you are looking for a delicious pizza with some touch of local taste, come here to this humble pizza warungs. All the prices of Pizza are very affordable. They also offer garlic bread, pasta, fettucini, and caesar salad to complete your meal. They also offer delivery services so it is all very convenient. The prices ranged from only Rp. 30,000 to Rp. 100,000. Also, they provide old beers!
16. Sarasvati Temple
This beautiful Hindu Temple is an ancient Hindu temple built to honor the Goddess Saraswati, which is the goddess of learning, literature, and art. The temple is surrounded by a nice lotus pond and some of the best stone carvings. You can also see the Bale Barong, Giant masks, statues of Goddess Sarasvati, and also the statue of the Devil Jero Gede.
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