Ubud is famous for its charm and its reputation as the cultural heartland of Bali. It is also well known for its shopping, excellent restaurants, fantastic spas, spiritual practices and varied courses.
There is a lot on offer in Ubud so we have narrowed it down to a few of our favourite things (besides eating out at the best restaurants Bali has to offer and amazing shopping around every corner).
1. Traditional dancing
Traditional dancing shows are a popular activity in Ubud. Many banjars (village communities) host their own dancing and will punt their shows on the streets in Ubud, but undoubtedly the biggest and most spectacular is at the Ubud Palace in the centre of Ubud. Apart from the dancing, the Palace buildings gets lit up which creates an amazing atmosphere. Different dances are performed on different nights. There are ticket sales at the Palace for most of the day.
2. Stroll the Sari Organik
The Sari Organik is a beautiful walk just a few kilometers north of Ubud. You can organise a driver to drop you at the top (it's easier walking downhill). You will pass beautiful rice fields, interesting little stalls and the Sari Organik restaurant where you can stop for a delicious fresh juice. From there you can stroll into central Ubud. It's a good idea to do the walk in the late afternoon or early morning for the best light for photos, and then either have breakfast or dinner in central Ubud.
3. Climb Mount Batur
Balinese Hindus consider Mount Batur volcano to be sacred. Many visitors to Bali like to do the trek to the top of the volcano. You should begin the climb to the top in the early hours of the morning (like 3 or 4am early!) to be able to experience the spectacular sunrises. It takes about 2-3 hours to ascend and the same amount of time to descend, depending on which route you choose. A fair to good level of fitness is required and a guide is compulsory. For more information on hiking trails in Bali, click here.
*Side note: Please support the little kids who climb up with you to sell you cold drinks and beers at the top – then descend again and go to school!!
4. Commune with the gods at Besakih
Besakih (known as the Mother Temple) is the most important temple in Bali, and well worth the visit. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Agung and is surrounded by exquisite scenery. Besakih is made up of 23 separate temples with the most important being the Pura Penataran Agung. There are many ceremonies and festivals held at the temple throughout the year. It's worth combining this outing with the Mt Batur volcano trek (if you can stay awake after your early morning start!) because they're not far apart.
5. Purify at Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul temple is a Hindu temple built in 926 AD at a site where there was a large spring. It is famous for its holy water and it’s the place that most Balinese Hindus go for purification. Tirta Empul is a very active temple and is an interesting place to watch Hindu devotees purifying themselves by ritual bathing. It is especially recommended to visit during a full moon. You will need a sarong to enter as it is a holy place.
6. Be awed by the carvings at Pura Gunung Kawi
Combine a visit to Gunung Kawi with a visit to Tirta Empul as the two are close to each other. Gunung Kawi is a very impressive collection of large shrines that were cut into the rock face in about the 12th century. In addition, there are temples, small caves in the rocks and interesting paths that lead you through beautiful scenery. It's worth spending at least an hour or two here.
There are a lot of stairs to climb down to Gunung Kawi (and therefore back up!), but there are also a lot of vendors selling all sorts of merchandise and cool drinks, which gives you a great excuse to stop and catch your breath! You'll need a sarong to enter. If you forget you can hire one for a nominal fee.
7. Visit Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah is a significant Hindu archaeological site. The temple is said to have been be built as a meditation sanctuary for monks living in the region. It consists of a mysterious cave, relics, and ancient bathing pools set amidst green rice paddies and a garden. Goa Gajah is colloquially known as the Elephant Cave due to its proximity to the Elephant River (a gajah is an elephant).
8. Adrenalise with white water rafting
White water rafting is a fun way to see Bali's beautiful riverine scenery while enjoying a shot of adrenaline. There are three main rivers for rafting, each with different categories of rapids. The Agung River is a popular choice as it's more suitable for beginners but still has some challenging rapids.
9. Benefit from yoga
Ubud is the epicentre of yoga in Bali. There are plenty of excellent studios, including the world-famous Yoga Barn, that offer drop-in classes throughout the year. We also have an experienced yoga teacher that does in-house yoga at Villa Sagitta villa on our private yoga deck (check out the pics) with spectacular views of the river gorge below. Did you know that we offer Wellness Retreats? Click here to learn more.
And of course….
10. The Sacred Monkey Forest
The Money Forest in central Ubud is unique, beautiful and full of photo opportunities. The forest is not only home to over 700 grey long-tailed macaques that keep you very entertained, but also has several ancient temples. These temples play an important role in the community, and the monkeys, as well as the mythology, play an integral part in the Balinese art tradition. The Monkey Forest has guides that will show you around and teach you about cultural and historical significance of the temples, or you can just wander around by yourself. It's recommended that you don’t buy any bananas or carry a bag as these might be snatched by a monkey in search of food.
There is so much to see and do in Ubud and surrounds - we have just mentioned a few that are a "must-do". There are often ceremonies taking place at the temples, which is a great experience. Visitors are more than welcome as long as they adhere to the dress code (normally a sarong and a sash for everyone - including children). Read our blog on the 10 most important ceremonies in Bali.
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