Ubud (Bali) Travel Guide - Free

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Ubud, Bali combines Balinese art, temple courtyards, rice-field walks, forest sanctuaries, wellness retreats and memorable dining in a cultural town.

Artistic and Spiritual Character

Ubud occupies a broad, gently undulating area in Bali’s upland interior, centred on the town streets around Jalan Raya Ubud and extending into villages, ravines and rice-growing landscapes. It is not a dense urban neighbourhood in the conventional sense: its identity is woven through several traditional villages and banjar, the local community units that organise religious and civic life. Temple compounds, offering shrines, ceremonial gateways and family courtyards sit alongside galleries, cafés, spas and small hotels, creating a town where everyday Balinese life remains visible amid a well-established visitor economy.
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Palaces, Museums and Living Traditions

The central town is anchored by Ubud Palace, the former royal residence, with Saraswati Temple and the market close by. Nearby museums such as Museum Puri Lukisan, the Blanco Renaissance Museum and the Agung Rai Museum of Art reflect the artistic networks that made Ubud internationally known during the twentieth century. Balinese dance and gamelan performances continue to provide an important link between tourism and local cultural practice, although schedules and venues vary. Religious processions, temple ceremonies and elaborate decorations may appear unexpectedly on the streets, and visitors should treat them as living traditions rather than staged spectacles.

Forest, Ravines and Village Lanes

Beyond the central crossroads, the atmosphere changes quickly. Monkey Forest Road leads towards the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, while the Campuhan Ridge Walk follows a narrow highland route above river valleys and cultivated slopes. Lanes around Penestanan, Nyuh Kuning and the northern rice fields offer quieter views, though development is uneven and footpaths can be narrow or slippery after rain. Ubud’s appeal lies in this contrast: a compact core of markets, temples and restaurants gives way to layered village landscapes where shrines, workshops, rice fields and guest accommodation share the same setting.

Best attractions in Ubud

Ubud’s attractions move between formal cultural institutions and landscapes that reward slow exploration. Ubud Palace and the adjacent Saraswati Temple introduce visitors to royal architecture, lotus ponds and evening performance traditions, while Ubud Market occupies a central place in the town’s daily commercial life. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary combines forest paths, streams, shrines and macaques within a conservation and religious setting. Art collections at Museum Puri Lukisan, the Agung Rai Museum of Art and the Blanco Renaissance Museum illuminate different chapters of Ubud’s artistic history. The Campuhan Ridge Walk offers a contrasting experience above river valleys, and the lanes around Penestanan and Nyuh Kuning lead towards rice fields, workshops and village temples. Goa Gajah, an important archaeological site near Bedulu outside central Ubud, is a worthwhile nearby excursion rather than a central-town attraction.

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Best landmarks in Ubud

Ubud Palace, or Puri Saren Agung, is the town’s principal architectural and historical landmark, representing the continuing presence of Ubud’s royal household and its patronage of the arts. Saraswati Temple, close to the palace, is recognised for its ornate entrance and lotus-filled pond, while nearby Pura Desa Ubud remains part of the town’s living religious framework. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary contains temple compounds, carved gateways, stone figures and forested ravines that express the close relationship between sacred space and landscape in Bali. Museum Puri Lukisan is significant not only as an art museum but also as an institution linked to the preservation and presentation of modern Balinese painting. Traditional compounds, shrines and ceremonial gates along the central roads are less monumental, yet they are essential markers of Ubud’s local identity.

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Explore Ubud on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Ubud, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Ubud

Ubud’s dining scene reflects both Balinese food traditions and the international communities drawn to its arts and wellness culture. Small warungs serve dishes such as nasi campur, lawar and babi guling, while restaurants around Jalan Raya Ubud, Monkey Forest Road, Hanoman and Bisma offer Indonesian regional cooking, vegetarian menus, cafés and contemporary international food. Local produce from the surrounding uplands appears alongside familiar global ingredients, and many establishments cater to visitors seeking plant-based, health-conscious or organic-style meals. The central market provides an opportunity to observe everyday food commerce, although it is primarily a local market rather than a dedicated dining hall. Outside the core, Penestanan and nearby village roads are associated with cafés and casual eateries, but the character of the food scene changes quickly between commercial strips and residential lanes.

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Best bars in Ubud

Ubud’s evenings are generally more suited to conversation, performance and relaxed dining than to large-scale clubbing. Bars and restaurants around Monkey Forest Road, Jalan Bisma, Jalan Hanoman and the central streets offer cocktails, beer, wine and occasional live music, while hotel lounges and smaller venues provide quieter settings. Balinese dance and gamelan performances at or near Ubud Palace and other cultural venues form a distinctive part of the night-time experience, with programmes varying by venue and season. Some establishments host acoustic music, jazz or cultural events, but the atmosphere is usually earlier and less intense than in Bali’s southern resort areas. Outside the main roads, Ubud becomes comparatively quiet, and visitors should remember that many lanes pass directly through residential compounds where late-night noise is unwelcome.

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Best nightclubs in Ubud

Ubud’s evenings are generally more suited to conversation, performance and relaxed dining than to large-scale clubbing. Bars and restaurants around Monkey Forest Road, Jalan Bisma, Jalan Hanoman and the central streets offer cocktails, beer, wine and occasional live music, while hotel lounges and smaller venues provide quieter settings. Balinese dance and gamelan performances at or near Ubud Palace and other cultural venues form a distinctive part of the night-time experience, with programmes varying by venue and season. Some establishments host acoustic music, jazz or cultural events, but the atmosphere is usually earlier and less intense than in Bali’s southern resort areas. Outside the main roads, Ubud becomes comparatively quiet, and visitors should remember that many lanes pass directly through residential compounds where late-night noise is unwelcome.

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Best shops in Ubud

Shopping in Ubud ranges from everyday commerce at Ubud Market to galleries, craft shops and small boutiques spread along Jalan Raya Ubud, Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Hanoman. The market is known for textiles, baskets, carvings, jewellery, woven goods and souvenirs, although quality and provenance vary and bargaining is customary in many stalls. Art galleries present paintings, sculpture and decorative work connected to Bali’s long artistic tradition, while independent shops sell clothing, homewares, natural products and contemporary designs aimed at the visitor economy. The retail scene becomes less concentrated beyond the centre, where village workshops and small businesses sit among homes and rice fields. Visitors should ask about materials and support local makers where possible, especially when purchasing objects that resemble religious or ceremonial items.

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Ubud essentials

Getting There
Ubud is inland rather than on Bali’s coast, and most visitors arrive by road from Ngurah Rai International Airport, southern Bali or other parts of Gianyar Regency. Private drivers, taxis and app-based transport are commonly used, although pick-up arrangements can be affected by narrow lanes and congestion. There is no railway or metro connection. Visitors travelling from Denpasar, Sanur, Kuta or Seminyak should allow flexibility for traffic, while those arriving from the north or east may approach through rural roads and neighbouring villages.
Getting Around
The central streets around Jalan Raya Ubud, Ubud Palace and Saraswati Temple are walkable, but distances expand quickly towards the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Campuhan, Penestanan and the outer villages. Motorbikes are widely used, though traffic, limited pavements, steep edges and sudden ceremonial closures require confidence and caution. Walking routes across rice fields can be uneven, muddy or poorly marked. For longer journeys, use a licensed local driver or established taxi service and confirm whether a narrow lane reaches the intended accommodation.
Safety
Take ordinary care with phones, wallets and bags in the market, on crowded roads and around busy visitor sites. Traffic can be unpredictable, particularly where motorbikes share narrow streets with pedestrians and delivery vehicles. Wear suitable footwear on ravine paths and rice-field walks, especially after rain. At the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, follow staff instructions and do not feed or tease the animals. After dark, use a torch on unlit rural lanes and take a booked vehicle if the route involves isolated paths or fast-moving traffic.
Emergency Situations
In Indonesia, the national emergency number is 112 where the service is available; police can be contacted on 110, fire services on 113 and ambulance or medical assistance on 118 or 119. Operators may not always provide extensive assistance in English, so ask hotel staff, a host or a local companion to help explain the location. Keep the accommodation address, passport details and travel insurance information accessible. For urgent medical treatment, confirm the nearest suitable clinic or hospital locally because facilities are distributed across Ubud and the wider Gianyar area.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly at temples and ceremonies, step around offerings rather than over them and ask before photographing worshippers, performers or private compounds. Never climb on temple structures or touch religious objects without permission. When entering a shop or gallery, browse respectfully and negotiate only where bargaining is customary, particularly in market settings. Keep voices low near residential compounds and avoid obstructing processions. Tipping is not a universal obligation, but a modest amount for attentive service is generally appreciated when a service charge is absent.
Local Tips
The central grid is easiest to understand by using Jalan Raya Ubud as the main east–west reference, with Monkey Forest Road leading south and Jalan Hanoman providing a parallel route. Leave the busiest streets for early morning or late afternoon, then explore the lanes towards Nyuh Kuning, Penestanan or the northern rice fields with a map and sufficient water. Check whether a temple ceremony affects access before setting out, and expect the visual character of a lane to change rapidly from shops and cafés to working village compounds.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHalo[ha-loh]
GoodbyeSelamat tinggal[se-la-mat ting-gal]
YesYa[yah]
NoTidak[tee-dak]
Please/You're welcomeSilakan[see-la-kan]
Thank youTerima kasih[te-ree-ma ka-see]
Excuse me/SorryMaaf[mah-af]
How are you?Apa kabar?[ah-pah ka-bar]
Fine. And you?Baik. Dan kamu?[bah-ik. dan ka-moo]
Do you speak English?Bisa berbicara bahasa Inggris?[bee-sa ber-bee-cha-ra ba-ha-sa ing-gris]
I don't understandSaya tidak mengerti[sa-ya tee-dak men-ger-tee]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseSaya ingin melihat menu, tolong[sa-ya in-gin me-li-hat me-nu, toh-long]
I don't eat meatSaya tidak makan daging[sa-ya tee-dak ma-kan da-ying]
Cheers!Selamat minum![se-la-mat mi-num]
I would like to pay, pleaseSaya ingin membayar, tolong[sa-ya in-gin mem-ba-yar, toh-long]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Tolong![toh-long]
Go away!Pergi![per-gee]
Call the Police!Panggil polisi![pang-gil po-lee-see]
Call a doctor!Panggil dokter![pang-gil dok-ter]
I'm lostSaya tersesat[sa-ya ter-se-sat]
I'm illSaya sakit[sa-ya sa-kit]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Saya ingin membeli...[sa-ya in-gin mem-be-lee]
I'm just lookingSaya hanya melihat[sa-ya han-ya me-li-hat]
How much is it?Berapa harganya?[be-ra-pa har-gan-ya]
That's too expensiveItu terlalu mahal[ee-too ter-la-lu ma-hal]
Can you lower the price?Bisa kurangi harganya?[bee-sa kur-an-gee har-gan-ya]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Jam berapa sekarang?[jam be-ra-pa se-ka-rang]
It's one o'clockJam satu[jam sa-too]
Half past (10)Setengah (sepuluh)[se-ten-gah (se-poo-loo)]
MorningPagi[pa-gi]
AfternoonSore[so-re]
EveningMalam[ma-lam]
YesterdayKemarin[ke-ma-rin]
TodayHari ini[ha-ree ee-nee]
TomorrowBesok[be-sok]
1Satu[sa-too]
2Dua[doo-ah]
3Tiga[tee-ga]
4Empat[em-pat]
5Lima[lee-ma]
6Enam[e-nam]
7Tujuh[too-joo]
8Delapan[de-la-pan]
9Sembilan[sem-bee-lan]
10Sepuluh[se-poo-loo]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Dimana ada/ada...[dee-ma-na a-da/a-da]
What's the address?Alamatnya apa?[a-lam-at-nya a-pah]
Can you show me (on the map)?Bisa tunjukkan ke saya (di peta)?[bee-sa toon-jook-kan ke sa-ya (dee pe-ta)]
When's the next (bus)?Kapan yang berikutnya (bis)?[ka-pan yang be-roo-too-nya (bees)]
A ticket (to ....)Tiket (ke ....)[tee-ket (ke)]

History of Ubud

Early Villages and Sacred Landscapes

Ubud developed within a landscape of river valleys, forest, rice terraces and long-established Balinese villages rather than as a single planned town. Its name is commonly associated with ubad, a Balinese word linked to medicine, reflecting traditions connected with the area’s plants and healing practices, although interpretations of the name vary. Local settlement grew around temples, irrigation communities and aristocratic estates, with religious life and agriculture shaping the roads and compounds that visitors still encounter beyond the commercial centre.

The Ubud Royal Court

The royal family of Ubud, part of the Balinese network of ruling houses, helped establish the settlement as an influential cultural centre. Puri Saren Agung, generally known as Ubud Palace, became a central court and remains one of the town’s defining landmarks. Court patronage supported temple arts, dance, music, painting and carving, while relationships between the palace and surrounding villages helped sustain artistic traditions. Dutch colonial intervention in Bali during the early twentieth century altered political authority, but palace-linked cultural life continued to influence Ubud’s identity.

Artists and International Attention

During the 1920s and 1930s, European artists including Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet became associated with Ubud and its neighbouring villages. Their presence, together with the work of Balinese artists and the support of local rulers, encouraged new forms of painting and brought international attention to the area. The resulting exchange was unequal and contested, but it helped establish Ubud’s modern reputation as an artistic centre. Museum Puri Lukisan later formalised part of this legacy by presenting the development of modern Balinese painting.

Tourism and Continuing Change

From the late twentieth century, Ubud’s galleries, performances, scenery and reputation for arts and wellbeing attracted increasing numbers of visitors. Accommodation, restaurants, studios and wellness businesses spread from the central streets into surrounding villages and rice-field areas, bringing employment and investment while also placing pressure on roads, land and water resources. Contemporary Ubud therefore combines hereditary compounds, ceremonial spaces and agricultural landscapes with a sophisticated visitor economy. Its cultural character remains closely tied to local temples, village organisations and artistic communities, even as the town continues to change.

Ubud in Photos

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Neighbourhoods near Ubud

The closest neighbourhoods to Ubud, if you have time for more than one stop.

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