Ubud
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good Place to Shop,
Must-Do Experience,
Town / City
The delightful town of Ubud is well worth dragging yourself away from Bali’s gorgeous beaches. Known as the spa and culture capital of Bali, Ubud has for years drawn artists, writers, yogis and foodies to its guesthouses, shops, restaurants and lush, green surrounds.
Set above sea level in the foothills of Gianyar, Ubud is a few degrees cooler than the coast. It also receives more rainfall and humidity than the lower lying areas and this has created an incredibly verdant landscape with the ideal climate for growing rice.
You could spend days - months even! - wandering Ubud’s narrow streets, exploring its shops, enjoying local food or fine dining, wandering through rice paddies, cycling through the nearby villages, visiting temples and historical sights, watching nightly Balinese dance performances and indulging in traditional massages and spa treatments.
Latest Reviews
Review by Lynne F, May 2013
Doing what: Bali Kintamani Volcano, Ubud and Barong Dance Full-Day Tour
Great guide i loved the volcano view and Barong dancers but the highlight for me was Goa Gajah
Review by Jack S, February 2013
Doing what: Bali Kintamani Volcano, Ubud and Barong Dance Full-Day Tour
Excellent tour .
knowledgeable guide.
Worth the time and money
Review by Supafly, USA, February 2013
So it's a bit more crowded these days after the book and movie, but Ubud is still a great place and Bali's cultural center. It's not close to the beach - read, no waves - so I don't live there. But the restaurants are great, there is a lot to do and the people, including the tourists, are among the most interesting I've seen. Ubud is not my favorite town in Bali, but it still gets five stars from me. After all, it's Bali.
Practical Info
Ubud’s main street is Jalan Raya Ubud, which runs east-west through the center of town. Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman are two long roads that extend south downhill from Jalan Raya Ubud. The palace Puri Saren Agung is at the top of Monkey Forest Road and tickets are sold daily for the dance performances held in its courtyard. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is another popular sight here, which is located at the southern end of Monkey Forest Road.
A day trip to Ubud is possible but will only give you a small taste of this town’s unique charms.
Ubud is approximately 1.5 to 2hrs by car from Kuta. Taxis will take you from any of the main tourist towns and cost about US$25 from Kuta one way.
