Currently, Bali is one of the top tourist choices. It has many spots that offer a unique experience. One such town is Ubud, situated in the central foothills of Gianyar Regency. It has a rich history dating back to the 8th century.
However, Ubud gained its popularity as late as 1952 after the rise of Antonio Blanco, the famous Spanish-American artist. Ever since then, the town has become a well-recognized tourist destination.
Are you planning a trip to this town in Bali? Then, you need to know these 7 best things to do in Ubud.
What to do In Ubud? - A Complete Guide
Let’s see what you can do in Ubud alone or with loved ones!
Shop at the Ubud Market
The Ubud Market is quite popular in the town due to its collection of brilliant art pieces. You will find many items to keep as souvenirs for this Bali tour. Some of the best include coconut bowls, rattan hats, and wood carvings. These are unique pieces that you wouldn’t find elsewhere.
The best part is that sellers in Ubud Market are very friendly. They allow haggling and lower their prices for tourists. Hence, you will find the best deals.
Visit the Monkey Forest
The monkey forest in Ubud is probably its most well-known spot. It is located just above the market in a beautiful location. The scenery there feels like a sacred destination, making the monkey forest a MUST visit. Plus, it is also a conservation park and sanctuary for the Balinese macaque species.
Ubud monkey forest resides hundreds of (usually) friendly monkeys. You might have seen this spot in your friend’s pictures with monkeys. So, if you want to experience the place and get your photographs captured with some Balinese macaques, this is an excellent destination.
Walk at Kajeng Rice Fields
Do you want to feel the serenity of green rice fields? Then, add this spot to your list. It is also one of the most unique things to do in Ubud. Since many people avoid long walks, you can avoid crowds and get the most memorable experience.
The Kajeng rice fields have an excellent pathway for walking. You can experience the peace with some small local restaurants and art stores.
Explore the Saraswati Temple
If you want to learn the cultural values of Ubud, you can’t top Sarawswati temple with anything. This landmark represents its kingdom that honored the Hindu Goddess called Saraswati. She is considered the Goddess of learning, art, and literature. And you can feel it from the building’s art style and aura.
You can hire a tour guide to tell you everything about this temple. Many tourists visit this place to worshipping the goddess. However, it also has a statue of the devil, Jero Gede Mecaling. Besides that, you will find giant masks and multiple sculptures of Saraswati.
Exhibit the Elephant Cave
The Ubud elephant cave is another landmark with cultural and historical values. Even though severe earthquakes have damaged it, the place still holds a charm. You can feel it inside the cave, which is actually a temple.
The cave’s opening represents a demonic mouth. It is the oldest temple located in the entire Bali, originating from the 11th century. Additionally, you will find a smaller Buddhist temple nearby. Since this place has an entry fee, it usually doesn’t have a large crowd. So, you can enjoy the experience with your friends, family, loved ones, or even alone.
Capture Photos at Air Terjun Tegenungan
At a half-hour drive from Ubud, Air Terjun Tegenungan is one of the most beautiful waterfall sites. It is the most Instagrammable place in Ubud, making it a famous tourist attraction. That is why the place is usually crowded, even though it has an entry fee.
That said, the place has a large pool, allowing at least 15-20 people. You can enjoy the destination's aura if you don’t want to enter the water. It is a gorgeous viewpoint, especially for the photo op. And that's not all! You will also find small stores that are built solely for tourists nearby. Hence, this spot is a complete package.
Learn about the Elephant Sanctuary
Are you an animal lover? Then, you would find the elephant sanctuary, your favorite spot throughout the trip. Originating from 1997, this park resides many Sumatran elephants. Note that this species is currently endangered on its home island, Sumatra.
The Bali elephant sanctuary is also known as the Mason Elephant Park. You can get there in 30 minutes from Ubud. The place is another brilliant spot to learn about animal conservation. Plus, you can get your photographs captured with some beautiful elephants.
Best Restaurants In Ubud
Let’s say you have spent your day enjoying one or some of these spots.
Now, what are the things to do in Ubud at night? Here are some excellent restaurants that serve dinner in Ubud:
- The Grill At Luxe
- Hujan Locale
- Restaurant Locavore
- Embers Restaurant
Now, let’s see some local stores that serve traditional and contemporary dessert items in Ubud:
- Caramel Patisserie & Cafe
- Tukies Coconut Shop
- Yogurt Republic
- Daily Baguette
- Room4Dessert
- Frozen Yogi
Moreover, you can rest the night away with a traditional Balinese Massage. Many shops will offer this service at a very affordable price. It can be excellent after an exhausting day at the best Ubud spots.
Summary
There are many other things to do in Ubud. You can visit the Royal Palace, Pura Dalem Temple, Neka Art Museum, Traditional Art Market, Semar Kuning Artist Cooperative, and Tibumana Waterfall. These spots will add more memorable moments to your stay in Ubud. You can further enjoy the ethnic restaurants serving traditional foods, like Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, etc.
