Plan my trip
Tegallalang rice terraces under coconut palms, Ubud

Ubud travel guide

Ubud: rice terraces, water temples and craft villages.

Ubud is Bali's cultural heart, in the green uplands of Gianyar. Come for the Tegallalang rice terraces, the Tirta Empul water temple, jungle waterfalls and craft villages such as Mas. Plan two to three days, and start early, because the most popular sights fill up by mid-morning.

Best time
Apr–Oct
How long
2 to 3 days
From Ubud
Main base
Best for
Culture, temples and rice terraces

Things to do in Ubud.

  1. Walk the Tegallalang rice terraces

    Go at around 06:30, when the light is soft and the terraces are quiet. The paths are steep and uneven, so wear shoes with grip.

  2. Join the water ritual at Tirta Empul

    This spring-fed Hindu temple near Tampaksiring is where Balinese come to purify themselves in its stone pools. Visitors can join, wearing a sarong and following the order of the spouts.

  3. Swim under Tibumana waterfall

    A short jungle walk leads to a single curtain of water and a pool you can swim in. It is usually calmer than the better-known falls near Ubud.

  4. Visit the craft villages of Mas and Batuan

    Mas is known for woodcarving and Batuan for its finely detailed painting style. Workshops are happy to let you watch the artists at work.

  5. Walk the Campuhan Ridge

    This easy paved path follows a grassy ridge above two rivers, right from the edge of town. It is at its best at sunrise or in the last hour of the day.

How to get there.

Ubud is about 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Denpasar Airport (DPS), and around 1 hour 15 minutes from Seminyak or Canggu. There is no train and few useful buses, so a private car with a driver is the simplest way to reach the sights around town.

  • Sacred Monkey Forest
  • Tegallalang Rice Terrace
  • Tibumana Waterfall
  • Tirta Empul Temple
  • Ubud Palace

Ubud questions, answered.

How many days do you need in Ubud?

Two to three days is enough for the terraces, a water temple, a waterfall and a slow afternoon in town. With only one day, a private car lets you combine the main sights in a single loop.

What is the best time to visit Ubud?

April to October is the dry season, with the most reliable mornings. November to March is greener and quieter, with heavy rain that usually arrives in the afternoon, so plan sightseeing early.

What should you wear to temples in Ubud?

Cover your legs with a sarong and your shoulders with a shirt. Many temples lend or rent sarongs at the entrance, and your driver can bring spares.

Private trips to Ubud.

All Ubud packages →

Road notes for this trip.

All stories →

More places to explore.

All destinations →
Uluwatu May–Sep Nusa Penida Apr–Nov Munduk & Bedugul All year