If you’re searching for the ultimate Ubud travel guide, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. Welcome! It’s @wheresmollie here with a brand new 2026 guide.

I’ve been to Bali 8 times now, and to Ubud specifically 3 times in 2013, 2019 and now 2026. For me, even though it’s changed significantly over those years, Ubud is a destination in Bali where the experiences and interactions on offer still feel genuinely rooted in authentic Balinese culture. Yes, the Western cafés and yoga establishments have arrived in full force, but somehow Ubud has managed to hold beautifully to its spiritual roots in a way that few destinations at this level of popularity ever do.

Known as the spiritual home and hub of Bali, Ubud sits in the lush central highlands, around a 90-minute drive from the International airport (DPS). Surrounded by temples and immersed in rice fields and dense jungle, Ubud is a landscape that feels impossibly beautiful, and I (personally) feel very held energetically by the nature here. The energy feels contained, in contrast to the open, exposed feel on the coastline. Ubud is a world away from the energy of Canggu and Uluwatu on the south coast, where beach clubs and surf breaks dominate the culture.

Ubud is the kind of destination you’d choose in Bali if you’re looking for your Eat, Pray, Love chapter (yes, this is where it was filmed!). If waking up and diving into a tea ceremony, ancient sound healings, water purification rituals, and all the practices, food, and connections that will nourish your soul, Ubud is where you want to be.

In this Ubud travel guide, I’ll share everything I recommend doing during your time here, from rice field walks and massage recommendations to the best brunch spots, yoga studios, and sacred temples.

If you’d like all of my top tips and recommendations in your pocket (on your Google map) when you’re on the ground, I have created the ULTIMATE travel resource for you. Access my Bali Google Map to have lifetime access to my updates and recommendations at the touch of your fingertips.

P.s. For a longer adventure, Ubud pairs beautifully with one of the nearby tropical islands of Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands, or Lombok, all of which are within easy reach and make for a perfect contrast to Ubud’s jungle serenity.

Getting to Ubud

The closest international airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, with direct flights from major hubs across Asia, Australia, and beyond.

From the airport, Ubud is approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive depending on traffic. Pre-booking a private transfer is a nice way to arrive, especially if travelling to Bali is a long haul for you. Most accommodations will offer a pick-up service when you book, so I highly recommend doing that, that way your driver will be waiting at arrivals with a sign (and to help you with your luggage).

Alternatively, download Grab (Southeast Asia’s ride-share app), and when you arrive, you can order a car (this is Bali’s Uber equivalent). This is usually the cheapest option by far, but it just requires a little more thinking when you arrive, as you’ll need to connect to the internet and walk to the Grab pick-up spot. Not hard by any means, but a private transfer can feel luxurious when you arrive!

The best time to visit Ubud, Bali

Bali has two main seasons. The dry season (April–October) is ideal for sunny days, low humidity, and dreamy, comfortable conditions for trails and temple visits. The wet season (November–March) brings daily downpours, but the landscape turns even greener, and crowds thin out considerably. Shoulder months like April, May, and September offer the best of both worlds.

Getting around Ubud

These days, the best places (quieter spots) to stay are located just outside of the centre, and so to get into Ubud and around, you’ll probably want a scooter.

You can either:

• hire a scooter (that fits 2 people) for around 60,000 IDR a day (about £2.50).
• Download Grab and book a scooter every time you need a ride (around 15-20,000 IDR a trip, no matter where you go in Ubud)

Most people get around on the back of Grab bikes, as there is availability in abundance, and it’s very quick and cheap to get around. You’re hardly ever waiting more than 2 minutes for a bike to arrive. Bikes over cars here because of the traffic; bikes can weave through the traffic, and you’ll find travel time significantly reduced.

Where to stay in Ubud

First thing to think about is what kind of experience you’re after in Ubud. If you want to be based in a peaceful oasis and plan to spend a decent amount of time enjoying your accommodation (retreat from it all vibes) there are some incredible Airbnbs and villas just outside of the centre amongst the rice fieldds. Think treehouses, Aframes and river side villas.

If you’re planning on soaking up all of the offerings in Ubud and want to be as central as possible but still would like a calm peaceful area to stay in, I recommend choosing something in Penestanan or beneath the monkey forest in the Padangtegal area.

Central Ubud is pretty jam-packed and is an awesome place to stay if you only have a couple of days and would rather not rent a motorbike to get around. But be warned, if you locate yourself centrally, it’s busy. Make sure you aren’t noise sensitive if you choose this option!

A few places I’ve stayed over the years…

• Cito’s Guesthouse – Super central, 200,000 IDR (£11 a night). There are different grade rooms, the one below is £22 a night (private bathroom, breakfast and balcony included). Book our room here.
• Wiswarani Villas – Penestanan (great quieter area) near Zest. £60 per night. Full villa with kitchen and private pool. Secluded and spacious with AC.

• KayuKaya Villa – I stayed here for 2 nights in May 2026 and it was absolutely stunning. There’s one King bed downstairs, a stunning bathroom and bath, upstairs snug with a projector and double sofa to lounge on, outdoor pool and all the add ons. Breakfast is included and you can have masseuses come to your room. I hardly left for the 2 days I was there. The dream if you’re looking to retreat and enjoy a very lush, unique stay. Book here.

• Here are 20 travel tips you MUST know before you go to Bali!
• Here’s a complete guide to Seminyak, Bali.

How much should I budget for Ubud?

See my guide to budgeting for Bali here and have a look at how much meals and activities will cost you!

The best things to do in Ubud

Brunch at Zest Ubud / Dragon Temple Tea Ceremony

Zest is one of the OG cafes in Ubud and it’s still as amazing as I remember. Here they serve plant-based dishes with some of the most creative, nourishing brunch dishes in Bali… oh and with an elevated view over the jungle. See below.

Think colourful raw bowls, house-made elixirs, seriously good coffee and all the juices smoothies and teas you can think of. I can vouch for the ceremonial cacao here… and the Taro fishcakes! The relaxed, open-air space (with plenty of seating) has a wonderful community energy and is perfect if you’re in the mood for a slow morning with a gentle buzz around you. Bring your book, your journal or your laptop and enjoy a morning in one of the most nourishing spots in Ubud.

Tip: Zest hosts a daily tea ceremony at 9–10:30 AM in their ‘Dragon Temple’. Book your ticket here and arrive early to secure a spot.

Practice Yoga

Ubud is one of the world’s great yoga destinations, and among the best things to do in Ubud is rolling out your mat in one of its world-class studios.

The Yoga Barn is the iconic anchor of Ubud’s wellness scene… a jungle sanctuary with many studios and temples offering multiple daily classes from Vinyasa and Yin to Kundalini and Ecstatic Dance. You can also opt in for a workshop or deeper immersion here. The Yoga Barn also has a beautiful café and gardens to relax in between sessions – you could easily spend the whole day there.

Beyond the Barn, check out Radiantly Alive, Taksu Yoga and Alchemy to see what they have on during your stay!

Whether you’re a daily practitioner or a curious beginner, Ubud’s yoga scene will meet you exactly where you are.

Ancient Sound Healing at Pyramids of Chi

Pyramids of Chi is an unmissable stop on any Ubud travel guide if you’re looking to dive into unique spiritual offerings. Nestled in the jungle, this sacred healing space offers immersive sound-bath experiences with ancient instruments crystal bowls, gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, and more. They offer lots of different sessions but this one in particular runs multiple times a day and take place inside the main pyramid.

Fun fact: The pyramids are aligned with sacred geometry principles and designed intentionally to create a powerful energetic field that enhances the healing properties of sound.

Walk the Sweet Orange Rice Field Trail

This is, without question, one of the best things to do in Ubud if you love nature and would like a gentle bit of exercise. This walk offers a nice change of scenery during your time in Ubud.

The Sweet Orange trail is a pathway that branches off the main road (google sweet orange trail) and leads you almost immediately into an oasis of lush greenery. You’ll wind through working rice paddies, past local farming families and pass many options to stop and get a drink or some food along the way. It’s accessible, beautiful, and completely free.

I highly recommend getting some local food for lunch at Sweet Orange Warung and/or getting some beautifully fresh tea poured at Eightea. Reading my book and soaking in the view across the rice fields was one of my favourite moments during my time in Ubud.

Book a Stunning Airbnb

Okay so the Aframe i mentioned in the ‘where to stay in Ubud’ section is an experiene in itself so it’s getting it’s own place in the best things to do in Ubud. Ubud truly has some of the most breathtaking private villas in the world, from cliffside infinity pools to open-air jungle homes where birds of paradise wake you each morning.

Anywhere else in the world these would be a very very lux experience but here in Bali they come at a fraction of the cost. If you have a week in Bali, i’d spend 5 days in a more budget-friendly accomodation as you soak up the offerings, and then i’d recommend booking a little 2 day retreat in one of these stunning nature filled properties. See KayuKaya villa below. Book here.

Wander around the shops in town

Ubud’s main streets are lined with incredible boutiques, galleries, and artisan shops selling everything from hand-carved wood sculptures to cookies, crystals, silver jewellery, raw chocolate and organic beauty products. While most visitors explore during the day, I personally think the best time to shop is in the evening.

The centre of Ubud can feel a little overwhelming in the day and I get too hot and bothered walking around in the hot chaos lol. In the evenings the air is cooler, the crowds have thinned, and the streets feel a little more welcoming. Most shops stay open late too!

Explore Ubud’s Amazing Brunch Scene

The food in Bali is my favourite in the entire world. Hands down. Straight up. Without a shadow of a doubt. The options are genuinely world-class and this Ubud travel guide would not be complete without a proper shout-out to:

• Alchemy: Ubud’s legendary raw food café (yes they have one in Uluwatu and Canggu also). Recommendation: Build your own breakfast bowl, amazing raw desserts and all the brunch options!
• KAFE: Wholesome, healthy, and consistently delicious. Recommendation: Meat options and AMAZING ginger, lemongrass and pandan leaf tea!!!!
• Yellow Flower Café: Bright, plant-filled, and serving some of the most photogenic plates in town. Recommendation: the pancakes!
• Zest: Already mentioned above, but worth repeating – a must-visit. Recommendation: LOVED the ceremonial cacao and the taro fishcakes.

One of the best things to do in Ubud is simply café-hop across these spots over a few mornings, trying a different one each day. You genuinely can’t go wrong.

Book a Treatment

Ubud is home to some of the dreamiest wellness treatments, bodyworkers and spas in Southeast Asia. Two standout experiences from my recent trip to Ubud.

• The Faces: A boutique beauty and facial studio loved by both locals and visitors. Think non-surgical facials, buccal massage, myofacial release. Treatments are personalised, skilled, and incredibly affordable by Western standards.
• Inka Spa: A holistic wellness space offering traditional Balinese massage, advanced facials (Dermalogica), body scrubs, and energy healing. All the treatments with all the details.

Treatments typically range from $15–50 USD, making this one of the most indulgent yet accessible wellness experiences you’ll have anywhere in the world. Making the most of the high quality treatments and affordable prices is absolutely one of the best things to do in Ubud.

Hire Hari for the day and having him show you all the local spots

A few years ago we had Hari as our tour guide for the day – it was the best!!! He took us through all the rice fields, explaining and showing us everything that grows in the wild and the natural remedies this island provides its people. He is an absolute sunshine of a human, and you can book him and his car for a day of tailored adventures.

Drop him a WhatsApp on +62 813-3855-5633 or Instagram @hari_made_. Send him my love!

Exploring the Tegallalang Rice Fields

No Ubud travel guide is complete without the Tegalalang Rice Terraces and for good reason. Just a short drive north of town, these UNESCO-recognised terraces are among the most photographed landscapes in all of Indonesia. The dramatic stepped formations cascade down into a lush valley, and the early morning light here is nothing short of spectacular.

Go early to beat the crowds, wear comfortable shoes, and take your time walking the paths between the paddies. Several small cafés perch right on the terrace edge, grab a coffee and soak in one of the best views in Bali.

Check out the cheeky monkeys in Ubud’s Monkey Forest

No visit to Ubud is complete without a wander through the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Home to over 1,000 long-tailed Balinese macaques who roam freely through ancient jungle paths, mossy stone temples, and towering banyan trees.

The monkeys are the real stars of the show, and cheeky doesn’t quite cover it — they’ll steal your sunglasses, raid your bag, and climb on your shoulders without a second thought, so leave your valuables at home and come with a sense of humour. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable. One of the best things to do in Ubud, and an absolute must if you’re travelling with kids.

Visit the Goddess Temple

Pura Tirta Empul, known locally as the Goddess Temple, is one of Bali’s most sacred and visually stunning sites. This ancient Hindu water temple, built around natural spring pools, is a place of deep spiritual significance where Balinese Hindus come to purify themselves

Have you been to Ubud?

What were your favourite spots? I’d love to know!

Love as always + happy adventuring,

Mollie.