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Consider Ubud – It’s the perfect escape from some of the busier tourist areas of Bali

If you’re looking to explore another part of the magical island of Bali; providing the perfect escape from the busy tourist areas of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu and the likes; then Ubud is absolutely perfect!

If you’re staying in one of our Bali villas in Seminyak then your villa manager will be able to organise a day tour for you and your crew to get to Ubud.

Commonly referred to and well known as the Islands cultural and historical epicentre, this rainforest, the mountainous and incredibly beautiful spot has something for couples, groups of friends travelling together and families alike. There are so many diverse activities to experience; the hardest choice will be deciding on which ones to do first!

Ubud is famous for Ancient Hindu Temples, food and writers festivals, some incredibly impressive art galleries, magnificent cuisine from something casual and traditional, to the most extravagant of dining experiences. Relax, meditate, try a yoga class, ride the rapids in a raft, or just breathe in the beautiful fresh rainforest air, as you take in the breathtaking natural beauty, of this mystical place in the centre of Bali. Ubud is the ideal escape from the crowds where you can completely chill out and witness one of natures miracles.

Following are some great tourist activities you can do while in Ubud even if you’re just visiting for the day.

Related article: What is so great about Ubud, Bali

Visit one of Bali’s most picturesque Hindu Temples – the Ubud Water Palace – Saraswati Temple

No matter your heritage or religion the Saraswati Temple excursion is one that you must put on your Bali bucket list! The temple is an integral part of the Hindu movement, which began centuries ago, on the island of the gods. The temple itself was built to respect and acknowledge the Goddess of learning, philosophy and the arts. A stand out feature of the palace styled temple is the vast water ponds layered with flowering water lilies, beautiful koi fish and abundant birdlife. The architecture and attention to detail are fascinating; displaying intricate timber carvings and ancient stone statues.

You can witness traditional Balinese dance performances in the early evenings, complemented by artists working during the day throughout the gardens on canvas stills. Guests can dress in traditional Hindu ceremonial attire and have pictures taken, for memories you can keep forever.

Address: Jalan Raya Kajeng, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali

visit ubud in bali - Ubud Water Palace

Hop on a swing and soar above the Ayung River gauge – Amazing panoramic views that will blow your mind!

Approximately 20 minutes from Ubud’s main town centre, is a secret little adventure; that only a few locals and ex-pats know about. This secretive hideaway will bring the holiday Zen into your day and an unforgettable experience at that.

The setting is simply divine; a tropical rainforest border a cavernous river gauge that leads down to the banks of the meandering Ayung River. It’s a feast for the eyes and senses, waterfalls, verdant rice terraces and the majestic backdrop of Mt Agung. Slung between two sturdy coconut palms, guests hop on a swing and sweep out across the gauge, there are appropriate safety measures in place to keep your mind at peace as you swing to and fro. Once the thrilling swing ride is over, trek down to the river and cool off under the waterfall.

The accommodation is built from ancient teak timbers and you will experience the ultimate peace and serenity. Open-air rooms allow you to breathe in the freshness, of rainforest air. And there are many interesting activities to join in with the locals from participating in a traditional ceremony to the local dance and even lending a hand in the rice paddies

Address: Jalan Dewi Saraswati, Bongkasa Pertiwi, Badung.

Pricing: starting from $260 USD per night

Ayung River Gauge

Explore the lush rice terraces at Tegallalang

Ubud is renowned for mystical ancient Hindu temples, breathtaking river gauge views, lush rice terraces, amazing art galleries, fabulous yoga studios and local markets trading in souvenirs, homewares, local manufactured clothing and jewellery, just to name a few.

However, Ubud has an abundance of simply beautiful rice fields and terraces that are a wonderful draw-card for tourists, to great take pleasure in admiring from many great locations.

Taking a walk through the lush rice fields is so relaxing and enjoyable, witnessing the locals hard at work producing some of the finest rice in the world. Witness both planting and harvesting processes, as you begin to slip into a state far from the realities and stresses of city life. The rice terraces cascade down a hillside to a deep gauge below, the engineering of such terraces is a marvel in itself.

Location: 30min drive north of Ubud

Pricing: There is no official entrance fee however small donations are standard of around $ 2.50 Aud

visit ubud in bali - Tegallalang

Take a walk on the Campuhan Ridge – sure to inspire romance and a sense of total freedom

Another must-do Ubud adventure, that won’t take up the whole day, with its very close proximity to the centre of Ubud. The Campuhan Ridge has accessed up a path leading off one of the main roads heading out of Ubud.

It’s a ridge with lush grass hills that drop steeply on both sides of the path into the valleys below, providing majestic views and you will feel like you can touch the sky or even the clouds.

It’s the perfect romantic walk for a couple, but also a great relaxing walk to be enjoyed with family and friends. The path winds past traditional Balinese huts and some more contemporary hillside villas. The ideal time to begin your walk is just as the sun is rising to witness its morning freshness and avoid the heat of the day as there is little shade along the pathway.

The path winds along the top of the ridge for around 3 kilometres and upon the return, walk pull over at Karsa Café to rehydrate, or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

Location: Jalan Campuhan, just before the Campuhan Bridge a pathway leads you past the Gunung Lebah Temple to the start of the ridges pathway

visit ubud in bali - Campuhan Ridge

 The Yoga Barn – Discover your inner Zen, stretch, breathe and meditate

Ubud is well known for its many yoga studios with a wide range of studios offering an extensive array of yoga practices and unique experiences. After a visit to the Yoga Barn you feel a sense of peace and rejuvenation that your mind, body and soul, is endlessly seeking.

In actual fact, Ubud is held in high esteem when it comes to global yoga destinations, with Ubud well cemented in the world’s top 10 yoga destinations.

Complimented by everything healthy and spiritual, you will find many health-inspired cafes, vast lush rice fields and a general atmosphere somewhere between spiritual, philosophical and arty.

The architecturally designed studio certainly captures the essence of what Ubud is all about. With a focus based on rejuvenation and spiritual healing; students can take specific classes based around different styles of yoga, meditation and general well being. For more information on the Yoga Barn click here.

Location: Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud, Bali

Phone: +62 361 971 236

Price: $333 USD per week

visit the yoga barn bali

visit the yoga barn bali

 The Monkey Forest – loads of family fun

Enjoy taking the family to the Monkey Forest and walk about the sacred forest here for a couple of hours. From the video below you can see it’s fairly popular and it can get crowded. Make sure you don’t have any loose items of jewellery or clothing as the monkeys just love grabbing them. Weekends are especially crowded so leave lots of time to get around the forest.

If you would like to spend a couple of days in Ubud and really immerse yourself in the culture why not rent one of our Ubud holiday villas. We can promise you it will enhance the already fabulous experience.

Let us help you find the perfect villa in Bali for your dream holiday.

Contact our reservation team today and we can make finding the right villa simple and easy.

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About the author

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.