Ubud is one of the most popular destinations in Bali, and it is easy to see why. It has a lot of local offerings while also serving the expat community. A lot of tours also start in Ubud, and it’s a popular place to take day trips from. We spent some days locally and other days out exploring. We learned (unfortunately a little too late, as you can read here) that it’s best to have a home base rather than hop from place to place for this reason. Below I’ve put together a 5-day Ubud itinerary.

Traveling from Denpasar Airport to Ubud is straightforward, with various transportation options such as taxis and pre-booked transfers. The typical travel time can vary due to Bali’s traffic conditions, but it generally takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

You can either take it as a day-to-day itinerary or take little day trips from Ubud based on which area you want to visit. Some places in this Ubud itinerary are strictly in Ubud, while others are day trips that can be done from Ubud.

Navigating Bali Airport is relatively simple. Upon landing at Ngurah Rai International Airport, you can obtain a visa on arrival and proceed through immigration. For transportation to Ubud, options include taxis and pre-booked transfers, ensuring a smooth start to your trip.

Day 1:Top Local Ubud Sights 

Start your morning off at Tegallang Rice Fields! I recommend this spot first because it gets hot and packed throughout the day! The views are beautiful. While in Ubud Town, we hired a driver (if we liked a Grab driver, we asked if they could be hired for a day-—most of them can) for less than $50 a day.

Start on the left side of the rice fields and then walk across through the right to get the most views. The land is owned by different people who ask you to make an offering to get through. Make sure to bring some 10,000 bills.

On the opposite end of the fields is a Luwak coffee, which is worth the visit. What is Luwak coffee? It’s the most expensive coffee in the world and comes from… well… a luwak’s rear end! The luwak ingests the beans, and what comes out is an altered and undigested bean. Gross? Absolutely! The price is around IDR 60,000 ($4 USD)

This Luwak coffee gives you a complimentary tea and coffee tasting with 8 samples total. My top picks were the lemongrass tea and the coconut coffee, but they had a lot more too, like ginger tea, vanilla coffee, and raw cocoa. The Luwak was extra. The people aren’t pushy and are very friendly!

Also at the Luwak coffee shop is a swing overlooking the terraces! We swung forward and backward! One for the gram and one to see the terraces!

The Ubud Palace

After working up an appetite, we drove to the heart of Ubud and the Ubud Palace. We had lunch at Lotus Café. You get to enjoy lunch overlooking the Palace and Lotus Pond, which is gorgeous. Coconut water is found in almost every restaurant in Bali, but at Lotus Café they had an option to add rum!

Nearby spas also offer wellness experiences like a flower bath, which is a luxurious and relaxing treatment often combined with massages.

After lunch, walk around Ubud Palace and then head out of the center for some shopping. No place in Bali lacks tourist shops, but I think the center had one of the largest selections that went on for blocks! Chief got some seriously cheap swim trunks and some touristy shirts, and I got a fun purse!

Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest

The monkey forest is where people get to see Macques up close and is always a place of preservation and research. Typically the monkeys don’t bother them unless visitors carry food or wear glasses! The park doesn’t allow snack foods, but it did seem like they allowed bananas. I did not bring a banana, but on a trip to Gibraltar I saw how aggressive the monkeys got when someone had a banana hidden in her bag, so my advice is to take caution. There are certain sections where you pay to hold a monkey if you would like.

Within the Sacred Monkey Forest, you can also explore moss-covered temple ruins from the 14th century, adding a historical and scenic element to your visit.

The park is pretty large, and there are plenty of adult and baby monkeys running around!

Goa Gajah

Also known as the Elephant Cave. It’s a pretty quick visit, and the most exciting part is the entrance of the cave. There are also some pools and a short hiking area. Visitors can observe the traditional cleansing ritual, where devotees purify themselves in the holy springs, highlighting the cultural and spiritual significance of the site.

I would plan about an hour here. When we first arrived, a woman came to the car, informing us that we had to wear a sarong. Luckily our driver informed us that they were provided for free at the entrance. Don’t get caught in the trap! If you are wearing shorts, you will have to wear the full covering.

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Day 2: Take a Day Trip to Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a beautiful water temple north of Ubud. Since it’s a little bit of a drive, I recommend stopping by Canggu for a fun, healthy community and Love Anchor.

To avoid the crowds and fully enjoy the serene atmosphere, it is best to arrive early at Tanah Lot.

Love Anchor Canggu

Love Anchor is on the way to Tanah Lot and is a cute shopping village with a market area with vendors and some other shops.

Canggu is also a popular surfing village in case you want to hit the beach. Most of the restaurants surrounding Lover Anchor are healthy eateries. We indulged in burgers and brownies without the guilt! You can enjoy some of the most delicious healthy food in Canguu!

Finish the evening at Tanah Lot! Make sure to wear the right shoes because you can walk to the temple, which means getting your feet wet. There is a small section of the temple that you can enter and be blessed by holy water. We enjoyed a sunset before heading back.

If you stay a little later, they also perform the Kecak dance here!

Day 3: Take a Beach Trip to Jimbaran Cliffs

Jimbaran is about an hour from Ubud but is one of the most popular places because of the unparalleled sunset and romantic seafood dinners!

After spending quite a bit of time researching different spas, I decided Taman Air Spa was the one to visit because of its atmosphere, spa offerings, and price. You can read all about my Taman Air Spa Bali experience here.

Jimbaran is a popular beach, and it’s worth spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach. Right before the sunset, the restaurants start bringing their tables up front. We made sure to grab a seat up front so we had views of the water.

You can feast on a seafood meal and drinks for 2 for less than $50, but note that prices may vary depending on the restaurant.

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Day 4: Spend a Day Visiting Local Artisans

Create your own art at the Upside Down Museum! You will be taken through fun exhibits to create your own fun art like this!

Afterwards, head to Celuk. If you look ahead of time, there are places that let you create your own pieces. Having our driver was probably one of the best experiences for going through the silver village.

After using the gram, I found one small shop that I wanted to visit called Japa Silver. They had a lot of cute rings at great prices. Afterwards we went to a more well-known silver shop called Prapen. We were able to watch some of the silver being melded.

On the same road as Japa and Prapen are a lot of smaller shops. Some have tiny selections, while others have a much larger selection. These are known as family, and it was nice to be able to visit these and support smaller businesses (the selection is smaller, but the prices are cheaper). Buying multiple items from the same stall can also help you negotiate a better price and support local vendors.

We ended our silver shopping trip at UC Silver Village. These are more high-end, but they had a large selection of high-quality pieces. The outside of the shop is huge and also makes for fun pictures.

In the same area, there are a lot of art shops. There are a lot of standard shops selling similar artwork as well as unique pieces. Most people (even if they say they painted it) source it from a wholesaler. It’s worth simply hopping shop to shop to find your favorite pieces.

Now I mentioned most places get their art pieces from a wholesaler. Danaswari is one of the major art wholesalers in Ubud. They don’t have a website, and your tour guide isn’t just going to take you here. However, this place is worth the stop because it has the largest selection of art I have seen!

I put the exact coordinates below since they don’t have an address. If you use the street viewer, you can see the sign and the shop on both sides of the road!

8°35’27.6″S 115°16’47.6″E

-8.591011, 115.279888

Day 5: Secluded Beach Day at a Black Sand Beach

Keramas Beach is a beautiful black sand beach and is the closest beach to Bali. You won’t see tourists walking down the beach, and people won’t be trying to sell you things. The most popular thing to do here is to go to the Komune beach club.

Komune is right along the beach and has its own pool and lounge chairs. As long as you spend about $25 on food and drinks, you have access to the pool, showers, restrooms, and your own lounge chair to lie on. My husband and I ended our honeymoon doing this, and it was pure relaxation. For a more luxurious experience, consider staying in accommodations with a private pool, offering exclusive access and scenic views.

Make sure to bring your own towels, or you can rent them.

As the sun starts to set, take part in a fun evening cooking class and learn how to make Balinese food. The family we stayed with provided a class, but you can find some others here.

Getting Around

Navigating Ubud is a breeze, thanks to the variety of transportation options available. The town is compact enough to explore on foot, with many of the major attractions within walking distance. For longer journeys, consider hiring a private driver—a convenient and affordable option that allows you to explore at your pace. Ride-sharing apps are also available, though their reliability can vary.

If you’re feeling adventurous, renting a car or scooter is another option, but be prepared for the often chaotic Bali traffic, especially during peak seasons. Whichever mode of transport you choose, getting around Ubud is relatively straightforward and adds to the charm of your visit.

Evening Entertainment

As the sun sets, Ubud comes alive with a variety of evening entertainment options. Head to the Ubud Palace for a mesmerizing cultural performance, including the renowned Kecak Fire Dance. These traditional dances offer a captivating insight into Balinese culture and are a must-see.

For a more intimate evening, indulge in a romantic dinner at one of Ubud’s many fine dining restaurants. From international cuisine to local delicacies, the town’s culinary scene is sure to impress. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, unwind at a cozy café with a refreshing smoothie bowl or simply enjoy the serene ambiance of your hotel.

Local Culture

Ubud is a cultural gem, offering countless opportunities to immerse yourself in the local way of life. Take part in a Balinese cooking class to learn the secrets of the island’s flavorful cuisine, or visit one of the many Hindu temples to gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual traditions that shape daily life.

The Ubud Market is another cultural hotspot, where you can interact with local vendors and discover traditional handicrafts. Don’t miss the chance to visit the historic Goa Gajah elephant temple, a site that dates back to the 9th century, and the scenic Tegalalang Rice Terrace, which offers stunning views of the lush landscape.

With its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty, Ubud is the perfect destination for your next trip to Bali. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples, learning to cook Balinese dishes, or simply soaking in the serene atmosphere, Ubud promises an enriching and unforgettable experience.

Bonus Itinerary

If you have an extra day, head over to Mara River Safari Lodge which is a great place to visit.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Ubud Bali?

The best time to visit Ubud, Bali, is from April to October. During this period, the weather is generally sunny with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for exploring rice fields, temples, and outdoor activities.

Are there food options available at these destinations?

Yes, most destinations like Tegallalang Rice Fields and Tanah Lot have cafes or warungs nearby.

Ubud Bali Itinerary: Final Thoughts

Ubud is packed with so much to see and do, from stunning rice terraces and relaxing beach dinners to cultural sights and beautiful temples. Five days might not feel like enough, but it’s a great start to experience all the highlights this magical destination has to offer. Whether you’re swinging high above the rice fields, exploring hidden artisan villages, or simply sipping on coconut water by a lotus pond, every moment in Ubud is unforgettable.

If this itinerary has sparked your wanderlust, it’s time to start planning your Ubud getaway! Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, Ubud has something for everyone. Grab your calendar, book that dream stay, and get ready to create your own Bali adventure! Also, don’t forget to read our blog about Affordable Hotels in Bali.

Last Updated 1 day ago by Jessica Serna | Published: June 8, 2018