Ubud Itinerary: One Day, Two Days and Three Days in Ubud

An Ubud itinerary should be an essential part of any visit to Bali. Make the most of your time in Ubud with these 1, 2 and 3 day Ubud itineraries

Tegallantang Rice Terrace, Bali © kevinpoh

While Bali’s coastal beach towns might attract visitors in bigger numbers, it’s Ubud that offers a more rewarding experience. From temples to museums, art galleries, picturesque rice paddies and more, Ubud is full of interesting attractions that show off Bali’s unique character.

Although Ubud is a fairly small town, there’s a lot to do in the area. In fact, it’s surprisingly easy to fill an entire week with activities in and around Ubud.

Below, we’ve put together three itineraries for visitors to Ubud. The first is a one-day highlight itinerary that covers the main attractions in Ubud for visitors that don’t have the time to spend multiple days in and around the town.

We’ve also included two-day and three-day itineraries that offer a more detailed, complete look at Ubud’s fascinating historical sites and fun activities.

You’ll also find some information on the logistics of staying in Ubud for a week or longer, which lets you enjoy some of the town’s yoga and art courses.

One Day in Ubud

Pura Taman Saraswat © jlascar

Most of Ubud’s cultural and historical sites are located outside the town itself. To see everything, you’ll want to either rent a car and driver for a private tour (companies such as Hire Bali Driver offer this service) or book a one-day tour with a private guide.
A good option for the private guided tour is Bali All Inclusive, which follows the same itinerary as we’ve listed below.

Morning: Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple

• One of Bali’s most impressive temples, Gunung Kawi Sebatu is located a short 12km drive north of Ubud. Dedicated to Vishnu, the temple is built on top of a fresh spring, with pools that are now home to carp and water lilies.
• It takes about 20 minutes to reach Gunung Kawi Sebatu from Ubud. Although the temple usually isn’t too overcrowded, it’s best to arrive early (Gunung Kawi Sebatu opens at 8am) for the best experience.
• One point to note is that Gunung Kawi Sebatu and Gunung Kawi, which is located nearby, are different temple complexes. Gunung Kawi, which is an 11th century temple surrounded by rice terraces, is also worth visiting and is usually a morning stop on day tours from Ubud.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

• Located north of Ubud, the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are one of Ubud’s most famous attractions and a great place to stop for photos and to enjoy the area’s unique scenery.
• The rice terraces are located a short drive from Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, making it best to visit them in the morning on the way back into town. If you’re exploring the area with a car and driver, it’s easy to stop at the rice terraces on your way back into Ubud.Warung_Citta_Ovest-Ubud
• There’s a small entrance fee to access the terraces (15,000 IDR, as of 2017) and a parking fee for your car. You can find a good selection of cafés and restaurants around the terraces, making this a convenient place to stop for morning tea or lunch if you’re getting hungry.

Lunch: Where to Eat In Ubud

There are several restaurants around the centre of Ubud that are great for lunch, assuming you didn’t stop to eat at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces:

• Fair Warung Bale. Owned and operated by the Fair Future Foundation, this restaurant close to the centre of Ubud offers tasty Indonesian food, with the proceeds spent on free medical care for people in the area.
• Run’s Warung. Another good option near the centre of town, Run’s Warung serves an extensive selection of cheap and tasty local dishes, including a great vegetarian friendly menu.
• Warung Citta Ovest. If you feel like a break from Indonesian food, Warung Citta Ovest is a friendly local pasta and pizza restaurant that’s conveniently located right in the heart of Ubud.

Afternoon: Pura Taman Saraswati Temple

• Located right in the heart of Ubud, Saraswati Temple is a beautiful water surrounded by lotus ponds. Dedicated to the Goddess of Knowledge Saraswati, the temple features a selection of traditional carvings, sculptures and statues.
• As one of Ubud’s easiest temples to access, Pura Taman Saraswati is a great place to stop for photos and exploration while walking around Ubud’s town centre.

Balinese Spas and Massage

Ubud is one of Bali’s spa capitals, with a large variety of spas offering massages, facials and other treatments. If you’re feeling tired after a morning of sightseeing, visiting one of Ubud’s many spas is a great way to refresh and relax before dinner.

• Ubud Traditional Spa. Located four kilometres north-west of Ubud, Ubud Traditional Spa offers four different massage treatments in a traditional Balinese complex. The spa is open until 8pm daily, with the last treatment starting at 7pm. Bookings recommended.
• Taksu Spa. Taksu, which means “spirit” in Balinese, is a luxurious spa complex located right in the centre of Ubud offering massages, flower baths and other treatment. A good choice if you prefer not to travel back out of Ubud’s town centre.
• Golden Hands Therapeutic Massage. This affordable spa is a great place to enjoy a traditional Balinese massage in the centre of Ubud. Prices here are far lower than what you’ll pay at any of the town’s luxurious spas and massage centres.

Dinner: Where to Eat In Ubud

After relaxing in the afternoon, it’s time to enjoy dinner. We’ve listed a variety of dining options below, ranging from high-end restaurants serving sustainable food to local warungs with tasty Indonesian and international dishes.

• Restaurant Locavore. If you’re in the mood for fine dining, Locavore is definitely worth visiting. Located close to the centre of Ubud, Locavore uses locally sourced, sustainable ingredients to prepare delicious, high-end European and international cuisine.
• Sweet Orange Warung. Located just north of Ubud’s town centre, Sweet Orange is a charming local warung with a great selection of Indonesian dishes and beautiful views over the local rice paddies.
• Hongalia. Another popular local option, Hongalia is located a short walk from the centre of Ubud. The menu is a mix of Indonesian and Chinese dishes, making this a great place to enjoy home cooked local food in a friendly, easygoing setting.

Check Hotel Availability And Pricing

Destination

Check-in date

Sun 13 Oct 2024

Check-out date

Mon 14 Oct 2024

Two Days in Ubud

Pita Maha Resort © ssedro
Feel like staying an extra night? With two days to spend in Ubud, you’ll be able to do everything in our one day itinerary, as well as enjoy some of Ubud’s famous yoga retreats, cooking classes and bicycle tours.
We’ve listed some of the best things to do on day two of your stay in Ubud below, ranging from beginner and expert-level yoga courses to Indonesian cooking and guided bike tours of Ubud’s beautiful natural surroundings.

Ubud Yoga

Ubud is Bali’s yoga capital, with a great selection of yoga studios offering classes for beginners and experienced yoga enthusiasts alike. Ubud’s peaceful and relaxing setting makes it an ideal place to relax, focus and work on your flexibility, personal strength and yoga skills.

• The Yoga Barn. Located a short distance from the centre of Ubud, this upmarket yoga studio offers a selection of classes for people of all abilities, from absolute beginners to experienced yoga enthusiasts.
• Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio. Another great yoga studio located right in the centre of Ubud, Radiantly Alive offers a diverse selection of yoga classes running from the early morning into the evening.
• Ubud Yoga Centre. Located just south of Ubud’s town centre, Ubud Yoga Centre is a modern yoga studio with a variety of classes, ranging from Vinyasa and Bikram Yoga to Pilates, Fly High Yoga and more.

Ubud Cooking Classes

There are a variety of cooking schools in Ubud offering everything from market tours to detailed Indonesian cooking classes. We’ve listed three of the best options below, all of which are perfect for familiarising yourself with the fundamentals of Indonesian cooking.

• Canting Bali Cooking Class. Located just north of Ubud, Canting Bali Cooking Class offers Indonesian cooking classes in a beautiful area with stunning views over local rice paddies. A free shuttle is available from most hotels in and around Ubud.
• Paon Bali Cooking Class. Paon Bali Cooking Class is a traditional Indonesian cooking school located east of Ubud’s town centre. With views over rice paddies and fun, friendly staff, Paon Bali is a fun place to learn how to cook Indonesian food.
  A free shuttle is available for guests, providing transport to and from the cooking class to most hotels and resorts in and around Ubud.
• Lobong Culinary Experience.
  Another traditional Balinese cooking school, Lobong Culinary Experience begins all of its cooking classes at a local market before covering some of the most popular local dishes in a friendly, relaxing setting just outside Ubud’s town centre. Like other cooking schools in Ubud, Lobong Culinary Experience offers free pickup and drop off for class participants.

Ubud Bike Tours

Touring Ubud by bicycle is one of the best ways to see the area’s stunning countryside up close, without the crowds of most group tours. We’ve listed three of Ubud’s best bike tours below, all of which offer a fun, rewarding look at some of Bali’s most impressive natural scenery.

• Bali Bike Adventures. This bike tour company offers free pickup and drop off from any hotel in the area, with exciting tours through local villages, rice paddies and to the Satria Coffee Plantation.
• Half-Day Electric Bike Tour of Ubud. If you prefer cruising comfortably to pedalling your way around Ubud, you’ll enjoy this guided electric bike tour, which visits several local villages and scenic spots. Note that this bike tour stops at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, which you may have already visited on day one.
• Bali Countryside Cycling Tour. This guided cycling tour covers some of Bali’s most impressive scenic spots, from picturesque local villages to views of Mount Batur, large bamboo forests and Pura Kehen Temple.

Three Days in Ubud

Rafting, Ayung Valley River, Ubud © travelourplanet
While three days still isn’t quite enough to see everything Ubud has to offer, spending an extra day here will give you a chance to visit local museums, markets and other attractions. You can also spend your last day in Ubud exploring areas like the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
We’ve listed a variety of things to do on day three of your Ubud trip below, ranging from some of the area’s most impressive galleries and museums to cultural performances and more.

Museums, Studios and Art Galleries

• Agung Rai Museum of Art.
  Located just south of Ubud’s town centre, the Agung Rai Museum of Art is an impressive art museum founded by Agung Rai as a place to show and preserve Balinese art and culture.
• Five Art Studio. Five Art Studio is a local art gallery and studio offering classes in a range of different Balinese art styles, from batik and keliki painting to wood and stone carving, fruit carving and more.
• Don Antonio Blanco Museum. Founded by Spanish and American artist Don Antonio Blanco and finished shortly after his death, this art museum showcases Blanco’s work in several impressive buildings and beautiful gardens.
• Horizon Glassworks. Horizon Glassworks is a glass blowing studio located a short drive west of Ubud’s town centre. Glass blowing classes and demonstrations are both available here — just call ahead of time to make sure you visit when the studio is open.

Ubud Adventures

From monkey sanctuaries to river rafting, there are several great outdoor adventures that can fill in your third day in Ubud. We’ve listed three good options below, all of which are easy to access from Ubud’s town centre and ideal for seeing the area’s beautiful surroundings.

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary covers more than 12 hectares of forest and acts as the home of more than 700 monkeys. The centre is an active participant in conservation work and offers visitors a great chance to see some of Bali’s wildlife up close.
• Telaga Waja River Rafting. This tour operator offers 2.5 hour rafting trips on the Telaga Waja River, one of Bali’s major waterways. The trip is exciting but safe, with instructors on each boat and several small waterfalls for you to travel down along the way. Free pickup and drop off is available for most hotels and resorts in and around Ubud.
• Toekad Rafting. Another rafting tour company, Toekad Rafting offers rafting trips on the Ayung River. Safety gear is provided, along with a buffet lunch and free hotel pickup and drop off for most hotels and resorts in the Ubud area.

Accommodation in Ubud

Luxury Ubud Hotels

• Ayung Resort
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located just outside Ubud in lush jungle,Ayung Resort is one of the area’s top-rated luxury hotels. Rooms range from spacious suites to private villas, many of which include their own private swimming pool. Recommended for couples seeking quiet, peaceful accommodation.
• Komaneka at Rasa Sayang Ubud Hotel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Located near the main centre of Ubud, Komaneka at Rasa Sayang Ubud Hotel is a modern luxury hotel. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with a luxurious spa on site and a peaceful garden setting that makes this the ideal place to rest and relax

Mid-Range Ubud Hotels

• Taman Rahasia Tropical Sanctuary and Spa
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
  Taman Rahasia Tropical Sanctuary and Spa is a three star hotel near the centre of Ubud with a variety of comfortable rooms. The hotel’s excellent spa and convenient facilities make it one of the best options in Ubud at a reasonable price.
• Mahanadewi Villa
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
  Mahanadewi Villa is a quiet and convenient three star hotel located a short distance to the north of Ubud’s centre. Rooms are clean and spacious, with an outdoor pool and quiet surroundings.

Budget Ubud Hotels

• Pondok Kutuh Guest Houses
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
  Pondok Kutuh Guest Houses is a simple but comfortable three star hotel located a short walk away from Ubud’s centre. Rooms are large and spacious, offering great value for money and making this one of Ubud’s best options for budget travellers.
• Dewa Hostel
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Dewa Hostel is a top rated backpacker’s hostel located close to the centre of Ubud. No private rooms are available — instead, guests can choose from a variety of bunk beds in mixed dorms, all at very affordable prices. A great place to meet and socialise with fellow travellers.

Staying in Ubud for One Week or Longer

Ubud’s relaxed and peaceful atmosphere make it the perfect place to stay for a week, a month or even longer. With yoga courses, gyms, meditation retreats and more, there’s plenty to keep you occupied for a longer-than-usual stay in Ubud.
If you plan on staying in Ubud for longer than one week, there are a few things you can do to make your stay more enjoyable:

• Rent a scooter or bicycle. Although Ubud is small, having your own transportation makes it much easier to explore the area and visit restaurants, cafés, shops and yoga studios in and around the town.
• Prepare a budget. Ubud is a very affordable destination, but it’s still worth preparing a budget if you plan on staying long term. Doing so will help you maximise your level of enjoyment without spending more than you want to.
• Make sure you have travel insurance. Ubud is a safe destination and it’s uncommon for tourists to get injured or have items stolen, but it’s always best to make sure you’re covered before your trip.
• Ask yoga studios and gyms about weekly or monthly rates. Many yoga studios and other physical activity centres in Ubud will offer discounted pricing for long term guests, letting you save money while you learn.
• Book accommodation ahead of time. Many of Ubud’s guesthouses and hotels offer long stay rates that will help you save money during your stay, provided you book for a week or month before you arrive.
• Explore the rest of Bali. Ubud is a fantastic place, but it’s far from the only area in Bali that’s worth visiting. From beaches to national parks, make sure you spend some time exploring the rest of Bali and experiencing what the island has to offer.

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