Ubud Travel Guide

Located just a short drive from the city of Denpasar, Ubud is a great place to explore for those who want to get a real feel for this region of Indonesia.

One of the great things about Ubud is that it is situated 600m above sea level, making it significantly cooler than much of Bali. Many people visit Ubud intending to stay for just a day or too but end up extending their trip, seduced by the cool climate, natural beauty and interesting attractions.

Ubud is one of Bali’s main cultural centers and visitors are treated to nightly dance performances, which offer a rare insight into the legends and myths of this region. There are also a good number of museums to explore as well as art galleries and ancient temples.

Ubud is well known for its crafts, and there are a number of decent craft markets located around the city where visitors can shop for souvenirs and perhaps find a cheap meal at the same time.

This is a great place to use as a base to explore the surrounding towns and villages. There are plenty of pretty sites situated just a short bus ride or taxi journey away and those with time to spare will discover ancient temples, springs, traditional villages and dense jungles to trek through.

Ubud is mainly flat, and a great way to get around is by hiring a bike and simply cycling around the city and surrounding area. Naturally, there are a number of good places to stay in Ubud, with prices to suit every budget. The city attracts a large number of tourists, and restaurants also cater to a variety of tastes.

Getting There & Away

Ubud can be reached quickly and simply by taking a taxi from outside the large Ngurah Rai International Airport just outside Denpasar. The journey takes around 30 minutes. Buses also travel directly to Ubud from Bali (40 minutes) as well as surrounding towns and cities such as Pejeng and Sayan.

Things to Do

Ubud Attractions

Botanic Garden

This beautiful garden is a great place to relax and retreat from the hot sun under the shade of a tree.

Batubulan

This traditional barong dance performance is performed each night in the center of ubud.

Museum Puri Lukisan

Ubud’s museum of fine arts features three buildings displaying traditional balinese art.

Side trips from Ubud

Tirta Empul

Located 20kms northeast of ubud, this is one of bali’s holiest temples featuring bubbling hot springs in the central courtyard.