Ubud walking tour & city guide

The town

The Ubud Palace hosts traditional Balinese dance performances in the evening, and the Ubud Art Market opposite sells crafts and sarongs. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques among moss-covered temples. Keep your belongings close, as the monkeys are clever thieves.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is an easy path along a grassy ridge between two river valleys, beautiful at sunrise.

Rice terraces and temples

The Tegallalang Rice Terraces, north of town, are among the most photographed in Bali, carved into a steep valley and watered by the traditional subak irrigation system. Nearby temples include Tirta Empul, where Balinese bathe in holy spring water, and Goa Gajah, the 'Elephant Cave'.

A day in Ubud

Start at the Tegallalang rice terraces at sunrise, before the tour buses arrive, or walk the quieter Campuhan Ridge path right from town, a grassy ridge between two river valleys. Then visit the Ubud Palace and the art market across the street.

In the afternoon, walk through the Sacred Monkey Forest, an ancient temple complex shaded by giant banyan trees. In the evening, watch a Legong or Kecak dance performance in one of the temples, where the drama and music are unforgettable.

Good to know

Ubud is Bali's cultural center, full of art galleries, yoga studios and healthy cafés. The town is busy, so stay a little outside the center for peace.

Hold on to sunglasses and food in the Monkey Forest. Dress modestly in temples, where a sarong and sash are required, often provided at the entrance.