Hand-picked tours, honest local detail and everything you need to plan unforgettable days in Bali’s cultural heart.
Ubud sits in the green foothills of central Bali, about an hour’s drive inland from the beaches of the south. For a century it has been the island’s centre of painting, carving and dance: the royal palace still stands at the crossroads, offerings appear on every doorstep each morning, and there is a dance performance somewhere in town most nights.
Around the town lie the things people picture when they think of Bali — the steep rice terraces of Tegallalang, the holy springs of Tirta Empul, jungle waterfalls, the Ayung River gorge and, an hour to the north, the Mount Batur volcano. We help you pick the right experiences, book them in minutes and get more out of each one.
Curated, top-rated experiences booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting points — tap any tour for live availability.
Full-day tour from US$21 The classic Ubud day with every headline stop: the Sacred Monkey Forest, the Tegallalang rice terraces, the holy springs of Tirta Empul, Ubud Palace and the Art Market, finishing at Tegenungan Waterfall. With more than 6,000 reviews it is one of the most-booked days out in Bali.
Private day tour from US$14 A private car and driver-guide for the day, following the route most visitors want: the Monkey Forest, the Tegallalang terraces, the water temple at Tirta Empul, a coffee plantation and the jungle pool at Tibumana Waterfall. Rated 5.0 from 6,000+ reviews.
Ticket & guided walk from US$17 Entry to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with a guided walk past its temples and troops of long-tailed macaques — plus an explanation of Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese idea of harmony that shapes how the forest is cared for.
Show ticket from US$6 A ticket to one of Ubud’s evening Kecak performances: dozens of men chanting “cak-cak-cak” in a circle while dancers act out the Ramayana, followed by a fire dance. Short, hypnotic and easy to fit in after dinner.
Cooking class from US$20 A hands-on Balinese cooking workshop in Ubud with transfers, local chefs and an optional walk through a morning market before you cook. Rated 4.9 by more than 1,400 guests.
Rafting from US$26 The classic Ayung River run: class II rapids through a steep green gorge close to Ubud, with guides in every raft and a Balinese lunch at the end. Gentle enough for first-timers.
Sunrise hike from US$27 Bali’s most-booked experience: a pre-dawn pickup, a guided climb in the dark and sunrise from the summit of Mount Batur, with a light breakfast at the top before you walk down. More than 11,000 reviews.
Day tour from US$26 A full day chasing Ubud’s waterfalls: Tukad Cepung, Tibumana and Kanto Lampo, plus a water temple and a rice terrace, with time to swim and a short hike to a hidden fall. Rated 4.9 by more than 1,200 travellers.
Temple & ritual from US$15 Visit the holy spring temple of Tirta Empul with a guide and take part in a traditional purification ritual in its pools, learning the history of the temple and the legend of its sacred spring.
Real-time prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide. Free cancellation on most experiences.
Terraces, temples, waterfalls and a volcano. Here is where to start — and how to reach each one.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano Temples, banyans and long-tailed macaques
A walled jungle ravine at the southern end of Ubud’s Monkey Forest Road, with three Hindu temples, giant banyan trees, a mossy stream gorge and several hundred long-tailed macaques living in loose troops.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano Bali’s most photographed rice valley
Steep green terraces carved into a valley about 10 km north of central Ubud, watered by the centuries-old subak irrigation system and framed by coconut palms — beautiful at 8 a.m., busy by 10.
Rice terraces, jungle & volcano A free ridge-top stroll between two rivers
A paved path along a grassy ridge between two river valleys, starting beside Pura Gunung Lebah on the western edge of town and continuing into the rice fields and cafés of Bangkiang Sidem village.
Palace, dance & markets The royal heart of town
Puri Saren Agung, the palace of Ubud’s royal family, stands at the main crossroads with its carved gates and courtyards; across the road the Art Market sells sarongs, baskets, carvings and paintings.
Palace, dance & markets Bali’s performing arts, every evening
Ubud is the centre of Balinese dance. Every evening troupes perform Legong, Barong and the chanted Kecak in palace courtyards, temple stages and village halls around town, accompanied by gamelan orchestras.
Temples & ancient sites A lotus-pond temple in the middle of town
A water temple dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts, reached by a walkway between ponds of pink lotus right off Ubud’s main road — and an evening dance venue.
Day by day: what to see, when to go and what to book in advance.
From the airport, Seminyak or Canggu — cars, shuttles, scooters and the apps.
Dry season, rainy season, Nyepi and the festivals — month by month.
Central Ubud, Penestanan, the Sayan valley, Tegallalang or Peliatan — and hotels to check.
Rice terraces at sunrise, holy springs, jungle waterfalls and gamelan after dark. Compare tours, tickets and day trips and book in a couple of taps.
Yes — for most visitors it is the highlight of Bali. It is where the island’s culture is most visible: temples, dance, crafts and ceremonies, surrounded by rice terraces and jungle. Beach time is an hour away. You can compare the best tours here.
Three full days covers the town, the rice terraces and water temples, and one big excursion such as the Mount Batur sunrise or rafting. Many people stay four or five days to slow down. Our 3-day itinerary maps it out.
By car — there is no train. The drive from Ngurah Rai Airport usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and can be longer in heavy traffic. A pre-booked private transfer, a hotel car or a ride-hailing app are the usual options. See getting to Ubud.
For the Mount Batur sunrise, popular cooking classes and private drivers in high season (July–August and around Christmas), booking a few days ahead is wise. Most GetYourGuide bookings offer free cancellation, so there is little risk in reserving early.
Central Ubud if you want to walk to restaurants and dance shows; Penestanan or the Sayan valley for views and quiet; Tegallalang for terraces; Peliatan for a local feel close to town. Our where-to-stay guide compares them.
