Located on the island of Bali, Ubud is famous for its iconic landscape and cultural sights.
Surrounded by breathtaking rice paddies, this town is one of Bali’s top tourist destinations and is admired among travellers. The highlights of Ubud can fill up your camera roll pretty quickly and are truly among the most impressive shots shared on social media all around the world.
Here are 10 Instagram-worthy sights in and around Ubud that will inspire you to book your plane ticket ASAP.
Balinese women performing the “Legong Dance” at the Royal Palace.
Every night from 7:30-9:00 p.m., a variation of traditional dances take place at this venue for only 80,000 rupiahs per person. You will soon find yourself in a trance watching this beautiful and skilful performance. Make sure to disable your flash and arrive half an hour early to score front row seats for a prime spot to capture a good shot.
A mother and her daughter walk down a side street just off of Monkey Forest Road
The mother is carrying a basket filled with fruits or other offerings called ‘sesajen’; celebrating one of the traditional Hindu rituals. Taken in the early evening during a haze over Ubud made this a prime opportunity to capture this photo. Totally Instagram-worthy!
Hanging Gardens
Who doesn’t recognize this iconic sight? Pinterest and Instagram have made the pools at Hanging Gardens famous all around the world. Travellers flock to this 5-star hotel to enjoy the luxurious accommodations, jungle and river surroundings, and the best prize of all, the pool area. Although the pools used to be open to the public with a daily charge, Hanging Gardens now limits this area for in-house guests only. You’ll have to fork over at least $375 US dollars per night to take your own iconic Instagram shot.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a short walk away from the shops and restaurants in Ubud. Visitors pass a beautiful temple before heading towards this easy nature trek. The best time to go is earlier in the morning when it is far less crowded and the sun is not as strong. As you walk along the cobbled path, take in the peace and serenity of Ubud’s rural landscape. Stop midway to snap a photo of these amazing coconut trees standing among the hillside and rice fields.
Want to feel like Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love?
Remember the scene where she and her love interest stroll through the market stalls? Visit the local shopping and art market across the street from Ubud Palace, which is lined with hand-crafted goods, as well as an array of souvenirs and clothing. Come prepared to haggle and fill up yet another suitcase of goods to bring back home. If you’re prepared to walk away, you will surely score a good deal.
Monkey Forest
Make sure that your camera is strapped tightly to you for this one! A visit to the Monkey Forest is absolutely essential if you’re visiting Ubud. For only 20,000 rupiahs, you get to enter a beautiful park that is home to the long-tailed macaques. They roam around the premises as tourists snap photos and buy bananas to feed them. They will literally jump all over you, so make sure your belongings are stored away and get your camera ready.
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are located less than ten kilometres from the Ubud centre. The site is best visited early in the morning before the number of tourists becomes a tad overbearing. Climb down the staircase to the right of the cafes until you reach a path that takes you through the terraces on a breathtaking trek. You will pass a few “donation points”, but even a small amount will be appreciated for the most part. FYI – You don’t need a guide to take you through. All you need is your camera and enough storage to snap as many photos as I did!
Lotus Cafe
Lotus Café is located centrally along Ubud’s main road, Jalan Raya, just west of Ubud Palace and right next to Starbucks. The set includes a large lotus pond, ancient magnolia trees, blooming orchid plants, and one of Ubud’s main temple complexes, Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati. Café Lotus is a full-service restaurant, although many just prefer to gaze at the magical setting with a latte and camera in hand. Remember to hashtag on Instagram and watch the comments roll in.
Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul Temple is a Hindu Balinese water temple complex and holy mountain spring located less than fifteen kilometres from Ubud’s centre. Here you will find purification baths, pools, and fish ponds, which all flow to the Tukad Pakerisan River. You can bring your own sarong, or rent one for a small donation at the site (you’ll need one to enter the temple and a separate one for the spring). Your photos will certainly make the Instagram cut.
Not for sale
To snap a photo of this totally Instagram-worthy display, head north on Jaya Sri Wedari right off of the main road. When you pass the bridge on your left, you will go through an s-bend and a little further down the road, you will see this signage on your right. From what I have been told, this was put up by the landowners due to a large number of requests from foreigners to purchase the land. Get your camera ready and Instagram it since buying it is out of the question!
If you are planning your next holiday to Ubud – make sure you stay in a luxury villa in Ubud. It will make a huge difference to your overall holiday experience.
Steven is a die-hard Bali island addict and committed surfie. When he's not writing or taking videos of the latest restaurants or cool places, he's at Echo Beach surfing or riding his scooter around Seminyak, Berawa or Canggu. Steve is part of the Bali Villa Escapes marketing team and has been living in and out of Bali for the last 15 years.
