What is Ubud best for?
Ubud is best for Balinese art and culture, rice terraces, yoga and wellness, with a walkable centre and easy access to central Bali’s countryside.
Enjoy rich culture, art & craft, wellness, and pure nature
Let's get the big one out of the way first: Ubud has no beach. It sits inland in the Gianyar regency, and the coast is about an hour away. We say it early because we've seen people book a week here expecting both.
What you get instead is a town you can actually walk. The Sacred Monkey Forest is right in the middle, Ubud Palace and the Art Market face each other, and the Campuhan Ridge Walk starts a few minutes from both. The art is what we keep coming back for, and the ARMA, Neka and Puri Lukisan collections are each worth a slow morning. Go early if you can. The central streets get congested for most of the day, and Ubud runs cooler and wetter than the coast, so pack something for the rain.
EXPLORE local INSIGHTS
DISCOVER YOUR DREAM DESTINATIONS IN UBUD
quick fact
Ubud sits inland in the Gianyar regency of Bali.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is in the centre.
Ubud Palace and the Art Market face each other.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk starts near the centre.
The Tegallalang rice terraces lie north of the town.
There is no beach; the coast is around an hour away.
Museums include ARMA, Neka and Puri Lukisan.
Traffic on the central streets is often congested.
Find the Right Part of Bali
Who should stay here
Travellers interested in art, culture and temples, yoga and wellness visitors, walkers, and anyone who prefers countryside to a beach base.
Who May Prefer Another Area
Travellers who want a beach, surf or late nightlife may prefer Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur or Uluwatu, all around an hour or more away.
Where to Eat
Monkey Forest Road for cafés and restaurants
Jalan Hanoman for casual dining
Ubud Art Market for local warungs
Penestanan for health food and cafés
Sayan for valley-view restaurants
Jalan Raya Ubud for bakeries and coffee
Where to Stay
Central Ubud: best for walkable sights.
Monkey Forest Road: best for shops and cafés.
Penestanan: best for a quieter base.
Sayan: best for valley views.
Nyuh Kuning: best for a village setting.
Tegallalang: best for rice terrace stays.
best Things to Do
Walk the Campuhan Ridge at sunrise
Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest
See a dance performance at Ubud Palace
Browse the Ubud Art Market stalls
See the Tegallalang rice terraces
Join a yoga class or cooking course
Visit Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul.
Best Time to Visit
April to October generally brings drier weather and easier walking. Ubud is cooler and wetter than the coast at any time of year, so pack for rain.
Recommended Length of Stay
3–5 days, or longer for wellness, art or highland day trips.
Getting There and Getting Around
Ubud is around one hour to ninety minutes by road from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and longer in heavy traffic. The centre is walkable, though the pavements are narrow and uneven, and drivers or scooters are needed for outlying sights.
Start your Ubud stay with the right base
Ubud runs from the walkable centre to quiet villages like Penestanan and Sayan, so start with hotel prices and match the base to your pace. Then check activity packages, because a dance performance, a cooking or yoga class and the temple circuits are easier arranged before you arrive. A car with a driver is worth it here, since Tegallalang, the water temples and the waterfalls are spread across the valley. The three links below go straight to each.
frequently asked questions
Is Ubud good for first-time visitors?
Yes. It covers Bali’s art, temples and rice terraces in one walkable base, and pairs well with a few beach days.
Does Ubud have a beach?
No. Ubud is inland, and the nearest coastline at Sanur or Keramas is roughly an hour away by road.
How many days do you need in Ubud?
Three to five days suits most visitors, covering the town itself plus day trips to temples and the highlands.
Is Ubud expensive?
It depends where you stay. Warungs and guesthouses are cheap, while valley resorts and spas sit at the top of Bali’s range.
Is Ubud quiet?
Not in the centre. Traffic and crowds are heavy on the main streets, though villages such as Penestanan stay calm.