Top Things To Do In Ubud: Temples, Rice Fields & More
TRAVEL
I've always loved driving out to Ubud, winding along jungle roads with rice paddies opening up on either side of you. Yes, temples and rice fields might sound like the most touristy, cliché entries on any list of top things to do in Ubud, and in a lot of ways they are, but after years living in Bali I still find myself drawn back: a temple I hadn't come across before, a quieter back road toward the rice fields, a new restaurant tucked down a side street.
This guide covers the version of Ubud that keeps bringing me back, organized around what's actually worth your time: the temples, the rice terraces, the monkeys, and the culture that make up a well-rounded visit.
P.S. If you’re also trying to figure out where to stay in Ubud, check out my guide to the best areas and hotels, it breaks down the different neighbourhoods and helps you find the right fit for your trip.
Temples To Visit In Ubud
Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul is Ubud's best-known temple, built around a natural spring that Balinese Hindus consider holy. What sets it apart from most temples is that visitors can take part directly, not just observe: the melukat purification ritual involves bathing under a row of stone spouts in the temple's central courtyard, each one believed to carry a different meaning. Entrance fees have varied by source but generally fall somewhere between IDR 50,000 and 75,000 for adults, and a sarong is provided or available to rent if you plan to bathe. The temple is roughly 30 to 40 minutes from central Ubud, and mornings before 9am are noticeably quieter than the mid-morning tour bus rush.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Goa Gajah, or the Elephant Cave, is a small but striking archaeological site dating back to around the 9th to 11th century, rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in 1923 after centuries buried under jungle growth. Its main feature is a hand-carved cave entrance framed by an enormous demon face, leading into a narrow meditation chamber. The complex also holds an old bathing pool and garden ruins that mix Hindu and Buddhist imagery. Entrance runs around IDR 50,000 and includes a sarong, and it's about 10 to 15 minutes from Ubud, easy to combine with Tirta Empul or the rice terraces on the same trip.
Ubud Palace
Ubud Palace, also known as Puri Saraswati or Puri Ubud depending on which courtyard you're standing in, sits right in the center of town and costs nothing to walk through during the day. It's still connected to Ubud's royal family, and traditional Balinese dance performances are held in the palace grounds most evenings, which is worth timing your visit around if you want to see one.
Rice Fields And Nature Walks
Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Tegallalang is the rice terrace most people picture when they think of Ubud: steep, stepped paddies carved into a valley using the centuries-old subak irrigation system. It's around 20 to 30 minutes north of central Ubud, and entrance is typically a small fee, generally cited between IDR 15,000 and 25,000 per person, paid at donation-style booths near different entry points rather than a single gate. Tour buses tend to arrive from around 11am onward, so an early visit, ideally before 9am, gets you the terraces without the crowds. Optional swings and photo platforms cost extra if you want them.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
For a free alternative that's just as scenic, the Campuhan Ridge Walk is a roughly 2 kilometer path along a ridge on the western edge of Ubud, starting near Pura Gunung Lebah and ending at the small village of Bangkiang Sidem. The trail is flat, paved for most of its length, and takes about 30 to 45 minutes one way at an easy pace, with open views over rice fields and river valleys on either side. It's open all day with no ticket required, and sunrise or late afternoon are the best times to go, both for the light and for avoiding the midday heat.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, often just called the Ubud Monkey Forest, is a nature reserve and active temple complex right at the southern end of Monkey Forest Road, home to several hundred long-tailed macaques living among three historic temples. Entrance fees are generally around IDR 80,000 on weekdays and IDR 100,000 on weekends for adults, and the site is open daily from 9am to 6pm, with last entry at 5pm. Go in the first couple of hours after opening if you'd rather avoid crowds, or early afternoon if you want to see the monkeys at their most active around feeding time. Leave loose or shiny items at your hotel: sunglasses, hats, and anything hanging from a bag are fair game for the macaques.
Art, Culture And Markets
Ubud's identity as Bali's arts hub shows up everywhere in town, not just in dedicated museums. The Ubud Art Market, right next to Ubud Palace, is the place for woven goods, sarongs, and woodcarvings, though prices start high and bargaining is expected. Beyond the market, Ubud is home to several art museums worth a stop if you want more than souvenirs, generally covering traditional and modern Balinese painting across different periods and styles. Given how much this can vary by season and current exhibitions, it's worth checking what's currently showing before you go.
Food And Wellness
Ubud's food scene leans toward the health-conscious end of Bali, with a dense cluster of cafés serving smoothie bowls, plant-based menus, and specialty coffee alongside more traditional warungs serving Balinese staples like nasi campur and babi guling. The town is also a center for yoga and wellness retreats, with studios offering everything from single drop-in classes to multi-day programs, plus cooking classes that typically start with a visit to a local market before moving into a hands-on kitchen session.
Practical Information
Ubud is walkable at its center, but most of the temples, rice terraces, and waterfalls sit outside town and require a scooter or a hired driver to reach comfortably. Given the narrow, often busy roads around Ubud, a driver is the easier choice for a first visit, especially if you're covering several stops in one day. The dry season, roughly April through October, is generally the more comfortable time to visit, with less rain to interrupt outdoor plans, though Ubud's inland, slightly elevated position means it stays a bit cooler than Bali's coastal towns year-round.
Suggested One-Day Itinerary
Start early at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary before the crowds build, then walk or scooter over to the Campuhan Ridge Walk for a mid-morning stroll. Head north to Tegallalang Rice Terrace by early afternoon, ideally arriving before the tour buses thin out again later in the day, then loop back through central Ubud for the art market and dinner. If temples are a priority over rice fields, swap the Tegallalang leg for Tirta Empul and Goa Gajah instead, since fitting both routes into a single day is a stretch given the driving involved.
FAQs
What are the must-see temples in Ubud? Tirta Empul, known for its purification ritual, and Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave, are the two most commonly visited. Ubud Palace, right in the town center, is worth a stop too and doesn't require a special trip.
Is the Ubud Monkey Forest worth visiting? Yes, especially if you're interested in wildlife or Balinese temple architecture, since the sanctuary combines both. Go early or during early afternoon feeding time for the most active monkeys and fewer crowds.
How much time do I need for Tegallalang Rice Terrace? Most visitors spend around 60 to 90 minutes there, enough time to walk a section of the terraces and take photos, longer if you plan to use the swings or explore the surrounding paths.
Is the Campuhan Ridge Walk free? Yes. There's no entrance fee, though small parking charges apply if you arrive by scooter or car.
How many days should I spend in Ubud? Two to three days covers the main temples, rice terraces, and the monkey forest at a reasonable pace. One day is workable if you're tight on time, but it means picking either the temple route or the rice terrace route rather than both.
Do I need a driver to see Ubud's attractions? Not for central Ubud itself, which is walkable, but yes for most temples and rice terraces outside town. Hiring a driver for the day is the most comfortable option given the narrow roads.
Final Thoughts
Ubud rewards travelers who slow down a little. The temples and rice terraces get the attention, and they deserve it, but the town's real character comes through in its art market stalls, its quieter walking trails, and the way a purification ritual or a monkey forest visit can sit on the same itinerary as a good cup of coffee. Pick two or three of the highlights above rather than trying to fit everything into one rushed day, and you'll get a much better sense of why so many travelers extend their stay here.