Spot it on the map

Things to do in Ubud, sorted by the day you want

The ride in brief

The top things to do in Ubud are the Monkey Forest, the Tegallalang rice terraces, Tirta Empul, a waterfall pool and rafting on the Ayung River.

Worth knowing here

  • The Monkey Forest opens 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, last entry 5:00 PM1
  • Tegallalang is about a 20 minute drive north of Ubud2
  • Nyepi closes the airport and transport hubs in March or April5

12 places to find

Ubud's lanes, terraces, springs and waterfalls, plotted for a day on the ground

Choose an area, then press a pin or a place name for the story and a Google Maps link.

Map of central Ubud with the palace, Museum Puri Lukisan, the Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge Walk and Pura Gunung Lebah

  1. Puri Saren Agung, the royal family's home, stands where Jalan Raya Ubud meets Jalan Monkey Forest; parts of it are open and dances are often staged in its courtyard in the evening.

    Google Maps

  2. One of Ubud's art museums, opened in 1956 and listed with ARMA, Museum Rudana and the Neka among the places to see.

    Google Maps

  3. A sanctuary in the village of Padangtegal, open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with the last entrance at 5:00 PM; no food or drink may go in.

    Google Maps

  4. Indonesia Travel suggests Campuhan for an afternoon walk when the weather is cooler.

    Google Maps

  5. The temple at the meeting of two rivers, where legend says the priest Rsi Markandya meditated in the eighth century.

    Google Maps

Map tiles and data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Ubud is a walkable town ringed by terraces, holy springs, waterfalls and a river you can raft. This guide groups the best of it by energy level, with opening hours, fees and drive times from official sources.

Editorial team, atvubud.quest · Updated November 2, 2026 · About 6 min to read

Skim this first

  • Within UbudMonkey Forest hours run 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM, last entrance at 5:00 PM.1
  • Beyond UbudThe Tegallalang terraces are about a 20 minute drive north of Ubud.2
  • WaterTegenungan has a natural pool under the fall for a swim or a paddle.3,4
  • AdventureThe combined ATV and rafting day lists 3 to 8 hours by option.
  • Mind the datesNyepi falls in March or April, and the airport and transport hubs close for it.5,6

A walkable town with wilder things around it

The name Ubud comes from the Balinese word ubad, medicine, for the medicinal plants and herbs of the area, and the town lies in the central part of Bali.7,8 It is compact enough to cover on foot, and bicycles and motorbikes can be hired, but the tourism ministry reminds visitors that the ground is hilly.9

The main street is Jalan Raya Ubud, running east to west, with Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman heading south from it.10 That small grid holds the palace, the museums, the market and the forest, which is why a first morning in Ubud can be done without any transport at all.

Everything else is a short drive away. Tegallalang, Tirta Empul and Goa Gajah lie to the north and east, a cluster of waterfalls sits east and south, and the Ayung River runs north-west of town. The map below places them, and the sections after it explain what each is like.

Spots side by side

What each place asks of you

PlaceWhat awaits youPractical detailDistance from Ubud
Ubud Palace courtyardSee the courtyardDances are often staged in the eveningWithin Ubud
The Monkey Forest sanctuaryWalk the sanctuaryDaily, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PMWithin Ubud
TegallalangWalk the terracesHalf an hour up to 1.5 hours20 minutes by road
Tirta Empul spring templeVisit the bathing pool30 spouts; sarong rentable30 minutes by road
Goa Gajah cave templeVisit the cave templeMornings suit it best15 minutes by road
TegenunganSwim in the poolA natural pool under the fallIn Gianyar
The Ayung RiverRaft the white water10 km, 1.5 to 2 hours20 minutes by road

Hours, durations and drive times as the Monkey Forest, Indonesia Travel and the ministry's temple guide give them.16,1,12,2,32,33,14,29,4,34,30,31

The central lanes: palace, museum and forest

Puri Saren Agung, the Ubud Palace, is the royal family's residence, standing where Jalan Raya Ubud meets Jalan Monkey Forest. Part of it is still lived in, some parts are open to visitors and traditional dances are often staged in the courtyard in the evening.17,18,19,16 The Puri Lukisan museum, a short walk away, opened in 1956 and sits among the town's other museums, including ARMA, Museum Rudana and the Neka.20,21

The Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud lies in the village of Padangtegal and welcomes visitors daily between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, with the last entrance at 5:00 PM.22,1,23 Food and drink may not be taken into the forest, and the sanctuary advises that a direct stare can read to a monkey as aggression.24,25 If one jumps on you, stay calm, do not run and walk slowly.26

For a quieter hour, Indonesia Travel suggests walking Campuhan in the afternoon when the weather is cooler.15 A legend says the priest Rsi Markandya meditated at the meeting of the two rivers there in the eighth century and founded the Gunung Lebah temple, so the walk has a story as well as a view.27 Ubud Market sells handicrafts made in Bali, if you need a souvenir on the way back.28

How far from town

Minutes by road from Ubud

  • Goa Gajah cave temple15
  • The Ayung River20
  • Tegallalang20
  • Tirta Empul spring temple30

Drive times from Ubud as Indonesia Travel and the ministry's temple guide give them; traffic changes them.29,30,2,31

Terraces, a holy spring and a cave temple

Indonesia Travel suggests the Tegallalang rice fields when the sun is still young, followed by the Monkey Forest.11 The terraces are about a 20 minute drive north of Ubud, or a two-hour walk, and exploring the whole area takes about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.2,12 Bring water and wear sunscreen, and carry some cash because local children look after the swing sign at the entrance.36,37

Tirta Empul is a temple with a bathing pool fed by 30 spouts, built in 962 AD.38,32 The melukat cleansing ritual is open to visitors, with no special fee beyond the ticket, and a sarong and shawl can be rented at the gate for around Rp10,000 to Rp15,000.35,33 Locals believe the water has the power to heal and cleanse body and soul, so approach it as a place of worship first.39

Goa Gajah, a cave temple about 15 minutes' drive from central Ubud, is listed by the ministry with the morning as its best time.29,14 At temples, cover your shoulders and knees; a sash and sarong are normally handed out at the gate.13

Pick by mood

What kind of Ubud day do you want?

Choose the line that sounds like your day and read what it points to.

  • If I have just a morning

    Terraces early, then the forest

    Indonesia Travel suggests the Tegallalang rice fields early, then the Monkey Forest.11

  • If I need to cool down

    A waterfall pool

    Tegenungan has a natural pool for swimming.4

  • If I want a ceremony

    Tirta Empul spring temple

    The melukat ritual has no special fee beyond the ticket.35

  • If I crave a rush

    The ride-and-raft day

    It pairs an ATV ride with Ayung rafting and lists 3 to 8 hours.

  • If I am coming in the rainy months

    Expect brown, busy falls

    After rain the waterfalls may look brown, one listing says.

  • If I am traveling in March or April

    Check the Nyepi date

    The airport and all transport hubs close for it.5,6

Kinds of day on offer

Culture, terraces and falls, or the river

Culture

On foot in town

Forest, palace, museums

  • StartUbud Palace courtyard
  • ForestOpen 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
  • MuseumsPuri Lukisan, ARMA
  • EveningDances at the palace
Open this day

Countryside

Terraces and falls

A long day by car

  • StopsTerraces, water temple, falls
  • Length6 to 10 hours with stops
  • PickupIncluded
  • Rated4.96 from 6,668
Open this day

Adventure

Mud and river

Quads, then rafting

  • RideClose to 1.5 hours
  • RaftingClose to 2.5 hours
  • Whole outing3 to 8 hours in all
  • Rated4.85 from 6,509
Open this day

Waterfalls for a hot afternoon

Tegenungan waterfall is in Gianyar, with a natural pool beneath it where you can swim or just cool your feet.3,4 Kanto Lampo sits in Beng village in the same regency, and Indonesia Travel calls it a remedy for a sunny day.41

Waterfall days involve walking. A private tour listing for waterfalls, the Tirta Empul water temple and the Tegalalang terraces warns of uneven paths, stairs and slippery areas near the water, and says that reaching Tukad Cepung means walking down steps and through shallow water. It also says that after rain the waterfalls may look brown and some stops may be adjusted.

Start early, wear shoes that grip when wet and take a change of clothes. The same listing says Kanto Lampo can be busy, and that starting earlier is recommended to avoid crowds. It lists 6 to 10 hours, with pickup included, which suits a day with several stops far from town.

Price your days

Compare four days out for your group

Enter how many are going and see each day's from-price added up.

Set 4 rides side by side

Compare four days out for your group

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  1. Terraces and forestFull day, pickup · each, from $13

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  2. Falls and water templePrivate, pickup · each, from $14

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  3. Forest with a guideTicket and tour · each, from $16

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  4. Ride and raftATV plus river · each, from $16

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Lowest GetYourGuide prices converted at the ECB rate; the exact total shows at checkout.

A day that mixes it all

Terraces to dance, in the order that works

  1. Early

    The Tegallalang terraces

    Go while the sun is young and allow 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.11,12

  2. Towards midday

    Tirta Empul or Goa Gajah

    Dress to cover shoulders and knees; the cave temple is best in the morning.13,14

  3. Midday

    The Monkey Forest

    Open daily until 6:00 PM, last entrance at 5:00 PM.1

  4. Afternoon

    A walk at Campuhan

    Indonesia Travel suggests it when the weather is cooler.15

  5. Evening

    A dance at the palace

    Traditional dances are often staged in the courtyard.16

The river and the quads, for an adventure day

The Ayung, at Kedewatan, is the widest and longest river in Bali, and it runs about 20 minutes' drive from Ubud.40,30 The white-water route is 10 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours, past rainforest, rice fields, carved stone walls and waterfalls.34,42

A single listing joins that river to a quad bike ride: about 1.5 hours on the ATV and about 2.5 hours on the water, with a meal after the rafting and a listed duration of 3 to 8 hours by option. It starts from $16, has 6,509 reviews and is rated 4.85.

On the days either side, a quieter list works well. The combined page of this guide goes through the hours, the hill and the safety of the ride-and-raft day, and the price page lays out what the booking costs. Nothing in Ubud needs a booking weeks ahead, but a day at the river is worth reserving in the dry season.

Video

Eighteen things to do in Ubud, Bali, with a local-style guide

aylinkko on YouTube · The clip stays idle until you press play.

When the sun is still young, explore the magical Tegalalang rice fields.
Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia)11

Dress, pack, plan

A checklist for a day around Ubud

Dress and manners4

  • Cover shoulders and knees at temples
  • Rent a sarong and shawl at the gate if you need one
  • Leave food and drink out of the Monkey Forest
  • Keep eye contact with monkeys short

Packed in your bag3

  • Cash for the swing sign at the terraces
  • Water, and sunscreen for the terraces
  • A dry change if you join the ritual or a waterfall

Fix the plan3

  • Check the Nyepi date before you book
  • Agree a taxi fare before you set off
  • Start the terraces and waterfalls early

Seasons, festivals and the day of silence

The tourism ministry sets Bali's dry season at April through October and the wet season at November through March, and it warns that a warming climate has made both less predictable.43,44 Temperatures on the south coast stay between 26.3 and 28.2 degrees Celsius as a monthly mean through the year, in the Japan Meteorological Agency's Denpasar normals.45

Nyepi, Bali's day of silence, lands in March or April and shifts each year.5 For a full 24 hours everybody on the island, tourists too, stays indoors with no bright lights or noise; Ngurah Rai airport and every transport hub shut, as do shops and markets.46,6,47 On the eve, villages parade papier-mache ogoh-ogoh figures and burn them.48

Other dates worth knowing: the Ubud Food Festival fills less than a week each April, the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival is held annually, and the Monkey Forest stages Balinese dance on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.49,50,51

FAQ

Asked often, answered plainly.

Which sights and activities should I put first in Ubud?
Terraces, temples, the forest, waterfalls and the river.

The Monkey Forest, the Tegallalang terraces, Tirta Empul and Goa Gajah are named by the ministry, with Tegenungan for a swim and the Ayung for rafting.11,38,29,4,34

How long should I spend at the Tegallalang rice terraces?
Plan on half an hour up to 1.5 hours.

Indonesia Travel puts it at 30 minutes to 1.5 hours and suggests going early.12,11

When is the Monkey Forest open?
From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, every day.

Last entry is at 5:00 PM.1,23

What should I wear to the temples in Ubud?
Cover shoulders and knees at the gate.

Gates usually hand out sarongs and sashes, and at Tirta Empul a sarong and shawl can be rented.13,33

Can I swim at a waterfall near Ubud?
At Tegenungan, in the natural pool below.

You can swim there or just paddle.4

What can I do in Ubud in the rain?
Museums, the palace and the market.

Ubud has museums including Puri Lukisan, ARMA, Museum Rudana and the Neka, and a market of handicrafts.21,28

Is there an adventure day near Ubud?
Yes, a combined ATV and rafting outing.

It lists 3 to 8 hours by option and starts from $16.

What is Nyepi and does it affect a trip?
The day of silence, in March or April.

The airport and all transport hubs in Bali close, and all shops and markets are shut.5,6,47

Sources

  1. Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, Padangtegal, official site) · Visiting times and maps ↩
  2. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Tegallalang rice terraces: green beauty near Ubud ↩
  3. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Tegenungan Waterfall: natural beauty in Bali ↩
  4. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Tegenungan Waterfall: natural beauty in Bali ↩
  5. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Spending Nyepi in Bali? Start with these common questions ↩
  6. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Spending Nyepi in Bali? Start with these common questions ↩
  7. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  8. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  9. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  10. Wikipedia · Ubud ↩
  11. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  12. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Tegallalang rice terraces: green beauty near Ubud ↩
  13. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Eleven Bali temples worth visiting and the way to reach them ↩
  14. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Eleven Bali temples worth visiting and the way to reach them ↩
  15. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  16. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Istana Ubud: the royal family's residence in Bali ↩
  17. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Istana Ubud: the royal family's residence in Bali ↩
  18. Wikipedia · Ubud ↩
  19. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Istana Ubud: the royal family's residence in Bali ↩
  20. Wikipedia · Puri Lukisan Museum ↩
  21. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  22. Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, Padangtegal, official site) · Background, purpose and conservation ↩
  23. Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, Padangtegal, official site) · Visiting times and maps ↩
  24. Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, Padangtegal, official site) · Guidelines, prohibitions and answers (rules and FAQ) ↩
  25. Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, Padangtegal, official site) · Guidelines, prohibitions and answers (rules and FAQ) ↩
  26. Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, Padangtegal, official site) · Guidelines, prohibitions and answers (rules and FAQ) ↩
  27. Wikipedia · Ubud ↩
  28. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  29. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Eleven Bali temples worth visiting and the way to reach them ↩
  30. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Five reasons riders enjoy rafting the Ayung River near Ubud ↩
  31. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Eleven Bali temples worth visiting and the way to reach them ↩
  32. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Pura Tirta Empul and its charm ↩
  33. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Pura Tirta Empul and its charm ↩
  34. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Five reasons riders enjoy rafting the Ayung River near Ubud ↩
  35. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Pura Tirta Empul and its charm ↩
  36. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Tegallalang rice terraces: green beauty near Ubud ↩
  37. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Tegallalang rice terraces: green beauty near Ubud ↩
  38. Indonesia Ministry of Tourism (indonesia.travel) · Pura Tirta Empul and its charm ↩
  39. Bali Provincial Tourism Office (Dinas Pariwisata Provinsi Bali) · Tirta Empul ↩
  40. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Five reasons riders enjoy rafting the Ayung River near Ubud ↩
  41. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali ↩
  42. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Five reasons riders enjoy rafting the Ayung River near Ubud ↩
  43. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud's weather and the best season for quads ↩
  44. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud's weather and the best season for quads ↩
  45. Japan Meteorological Agency · Denpasar climate normals by month: mean temperature and rainfall ↩
  46. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Spending Nyepi in Bali? Start with these common questions ↩
  47. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Spending Nyepi in Bali? Start with these common questions ↩
  48. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Spending Nyepi in Bali? Start with these common questions ↩
  49. Wikipedia · Ubud ↩
  50. Wikipedia · Ubud ↩
  51. Sacred Monkey Forest reserve, Ubud (Mandala Suci Wenara Wana, Padangtegal, official site) · Visiting times and maps ↩
  52. Wikipedia · Ubud
  53. Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia) · Ubud serenity, Bali
  54. Bali Provincial Government (Love Bali, the official tourist levy system) · FAQ
  55. Bali Provincial Government (Love Bali, the official tourist levy system) · FAQ

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