The ultimate Ubud travel itinerary 

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Is Ubud worth visiting and does it hold up to the hype? Ubud is seen as the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali though to be fair, I just think it got a lot of good marketing thanks to Eat, Pray, Love & Co. Still, what the city in the center of East Bali lacks in beaches it makes up in picturesque jungles, rice paddies, and charm. 

But hype or not I have been in Ubud quite a few times and always enjoy my time. So if you are heading to Bali for the first time, I will share all my information for an awesome Ubud travel itinerary with you. My favorite places to stay, where to eat, and what to do in Ubud as well as some practical tips for your trip. 

My Ubud travel itinerary

Where to stay in Ubud?

There are plenty of great places to stay in Ubud and it depends a bit on what you are in the mood for when settling on an area to look for a hotel. And obviously on your budget. There are plenty of inexpensive cute places, villas in the jungle, and luxurious hotels in Ubud. 

Some of the best hotels like Capella Ubud, Alila, Hoshinoya, or the Ridge Bali are out of town. You will sleep surrounded by jungle and rice paddies, which is all part of their appeal. That said, it will take a bit of time for you to get to the city center so it depends if you want to be close to the action or stay more remote. The Ridge Bali is in Sayan not far from the center and a beautiful 5 villa property, offering the ultimate privacy and luxury.

Personally, I love staying in Penestanan, a residential area a short ride from the city center. It is easy to get to town to and there are plenty of great restaurants in the area. On top, it has a distinct local feel which I love. 

I have recently stayed at Tiny Tall House, Pondok Ubik, and this Airbnb which is one of my absolute favorites and was just rennovated and reopened. You are also basically next door to Alchemy, one of Ubud’s most beloved restaurants for raw and vegan food, Elements for great happy hour, and Warung Mendez for the best Gado Gado in town. Especially if you are planning a little workaction or are here to relish in Ubud solo travel, this is the area I recommend.

If you want to be even closer to the action, you should stay on Jalan Bisma in town. The street is not as busy as Jalan Monkey Forest or Jalan Hanoman but you are not far from all the sights, shops, and restaurants. 

For those on a budget, I recommend Puri Bayu, one of my favorite little guesthouses in Ubud. There is a gluten-free cafe across the street, decent and cheap sushi or pizza next door, and you get yummy French Toast included in your room rate. 

Want a bit more luxury? Then book yourself a room at Bisma Eight, one of the best boutique hotels in Bali. They also have a lovely pool, overlooking the jungle, and a great restaurant on-site. And from here you can basically walk to the Monkey Forest. 

What to do in Ubud?

Activities are at the center of any Ubud travel itinerary. There are a few things to do in the city itself though you may need to catch a ride or book a tour for other highlights. 

Here are some of my favorite things to do in Ubud:

Get a massage

Wellness is big in Ubud. There are some amazing spas where you can get pampered and a flower bath is an absolute must. I also recommend you book yourself a massage at Auriga, the incredible spa at Capella Ubud. They offer the so-called Auriga Unscripted treatment. You book time with a therapist but not a set treatment – perfect for people like me who love an intuitive massage or if you don’t really know what your body needs until you get there. 

The setting is also one of a kind as you are getting treated in a Bill Bensley-designed tent in the jungle. 

Read more:

The best spas in Bali

Do yoga

Have you even been to Ubud if you didn’t take a yoga class? The question is not whether you should take a yoga class in Ubud but rather where. You will probably get many different answers – why not try them all? 

You can check out the best yoga studios in Ubud here. If I had to choose one, I’d go for the newly opened Alchemy Yoga & Meditation Center – the setting is stunning!

See a healer

Eat, Pray, Love was very much inspired by Ubud life and if you are searching for inner peace or want to find yourself, there is nothing better than going to see a healer in Ubud. Take the experience with an open mind and maybe a grain of salt if you are skeptical and just enjoy it.

Sightseeing in Ubud

There are a few temples around Ubud like Tirta Empul that are worth visiting. At the Ubud Palace which is in the center of town, you can see a local dance performance if that is your thing. And of course, the Sacred Monkey Forest is the place to visit in Ubud. The monkeys are cheeky and fun but definitely not as rambunctious as the ones at Uluwatu. And obviously, if you don’t want a monkey to sit on your head, simply forego the peanuts and they won’t. 

Nature in Ubud 

Probably one of the first things most travelers will add to their Ubud travel guide is a trip to the Tegallalang Rice Terrace. Unless you plan to take an Instagram-worthy shot at a viewpoint or in a swing, it is still a pretty inexpensive activity in Ubud and while commercialized, worth the trip out of town.

Outside of Ubud, there are also plenty of waterfalls to explore, perfect on a hot day when you want to cool off. Alternatively, head to the Folk Pool & Garden in town or Jungle Fish – you will pay an entry fee in the form of a minimum consumption but can use their pool. 

Get your day pass for Jungle Fish here

For the ultimate Bali experience, book a tour to hike Mount Batur from Ubud. 

What to do in Ubud, Bali for 3 days?

If you only had 3 days in Ubud and it was your first time, I definitely recommend you visit the Sacred Monkey Forest, see the Tegallalang Rice Terrace, take a cooking class, and spend some time doing yoga and getting pampered at a spa in Ubud. 

For those who want to hike Mount Batur, keep in mind that you will need to get up at 2 am to make it up for sunrise and have a reasonable fitness level. 

Dining in Ubud

Dining out in Ubud is the most fun as is a Balinese cooking class. They are usually combined with a market visit before you cook surrounded by rice fields. When it comes to dining your options are almost endless. Babi Guling is the dish you should not miss, Ubud is famous for this roasted pig dish.

If you prefer a different dining experience book yourself a group dinner at Api Jiwa, the omakase restaurant at Capella Ubud. Honestly, it is probably one of the best local dining experiences in Ubud at the moment and well worth the trip to their beautiful property. They also offer gift vouchers for afternoon tea, cooking classes, and many other amazing activities, curated with the special Capella touch. 

Read more:

The best restaurants in Ubud

Capella now also offers cocktail-making classes at the Mortar and Pestle Bar. This bar is an absolute stunner thanks to its location right by the pool overlooking the valley. 

During your class, you will make an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic drink. As someone who really sucks at cocktail making this was a welcome learning experience. Especially because I got shown the secret to making a good Jasmine Gimlet, a favorite of mine from my last visit.

For our non-alcoholic cocktail, we made fresh Jamu. In case you don’t know – Jamu is the ultimate Balinese health elixir. You could call it Bali’s green juice though it is bright yellow thanks to a lot of turmeric. As were my hands afterward, but it was well worth it. Definitely a more fun and unique way than going to a regular cocktail bar if only for the stunning setting. How good your cocktails are will depend on you!

How to get to Ubud from Bali Airport?

Once you arrive at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International  Airport you will have to go through immigration unless you are already in Indonesia. If you are coming from abroad I recommend you get your Visa On Arrival not on arrival but rather beforehand. You can apply for it online here. This way you will save yourself a queue because getting your visa and immigration are two separate lines. 

If for whatever reason you need to get your visa at the airport, don’t worry, it may take a bit longer but is still easy enough. You can pay for it in various currencies and even by credit card. Know that technically you will need a return flight or onward ticket and might be asked for it. 

When you have cleared immigration and picked up your luggage, I recommend you get a SIM card from Telkomsel right at the airport. Alternatively and even easier is getting an eSIM for Indonesia before your arrival. 

Now you are all set! But how to get from Bali airport to Ubud? You can simply get a taxi. Bluebird, one of the reputable companies, has a counter at the airport. Alternatively, you can ask your accommodation in Ubud to book a transfer for you so you will have someone waiting with your name on a sign once you get out. 

Or you simply book a transfer online. This way you don’t have to worry about payment as you will have your ride booked and paid via credit card. Your driver will also wait outside with a sign and usually, you get their WhatsApp number to stay in touch in case you cannot find them. 

The drive from Denpasar airport to Ubud is not long however with Bali traffic it will take you about 1,5 hours, maybe even more depending on when you land. 

If you have little luggage and prefer to get a bike, you might as well pick up your rental at the airport and drive yourself to Ubud. That said, I would only recommend this option if you have experience on a motorbike and with Bali traffic. 

How to get around in Ubud?

Back in the day, it was tricky to get around in Ubud, but thankfully GoJek and Grab are easily available now. Just download these ride-sharing apps on your phone, add your credit card, and you are good to go! That said, you can also rent a motorbike. Make sure you have your license and insurance in order as well as a bit of driving experience – Ubud’s roads are steep for a lack of better descriptions and don’t make for a great training course. 

Alternatively, I would just stick to catching a motorbike taxi from GoJek or Grab, or for longer distances a Grab car. Both options are easily available and inexpensive. 

If you are staying out of town, check with your hotel because many offer a shuttle service to the city center a few times a day. 

Tips for your Ubud travel itinerary 

• How expensive is Ubud? You can find a complete overview of current Bali travel costs here. Compared to Canggu or Seminyak, Ubud is a lot more affordable though pricier compared to other non-beach destinations. There are plenty of inexpensive guesthouses especially a little further away from the city center and many local eateries. 
• Be very mindful when using ATMs in Ubud – two of my friends and I had our credit cards scammed at the same machine on Jalan Bisma. 
• Be careful when walking around in town as the sidewalks are precarious to say the least. They are currently being fixed but are not in great shape yet. 
• Ubud is one of the most popular places in Bali so book in advance if you are planning to travel over the holidays. 
• And be patient: traffic in Ubud is usually crazy, especially in the city center. Even outside of town, it can get quite busy and there are often road closures due to religious processions.