3 Days in Ubud: The Best Ubud Itinerary to Follow

Ubud is one of our favorite places to stay in Bali, Indonesia. Whether you’re visiting Bali in 4 days or up to 2 weeks, a stop in Ubud is a must! 

How long should you stay in Ubud? We recommend visiting Ubud for 3 days. We’ve been to Bali three times and are always based in this area. 

It’s the perfect place in Bali for arts and crafts, traditional culture, good eats, and tons of opportunities to see rice terraces and nature. If you need more reasons to visit Ubud, you’ll love how this area is so green and has trees everywhere.

Ubud is one of the more relaxing and quieter areas in Bali, especially with an emphasis on meditation and yoga retreats. If you prefer the party scene, then Ubud is not the right area for you. You’re better off visiting this area as a day trip. 

Since 3 days will go by quickly, we’ve prepared this Ubud 3 days itinerary for you to maximize your time.

In this post, we’re sharing the best things to do in Ubud in 3 days and including helpful information such as how to travel around Ubud, where to eat, and where to stay. Feel free to edit the itinerary based on your interest and time. 

Before you read this awesome 3 days in Ubud itinerary, check out our handy post on Bali travel tips.

*Disclaimer: Visiting Bali, Indonesia? We have affiliate links in this post. If you click on the links and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no cost to you. Appreciate the support.

Where is Ubud?

Ubud is north of the Ngurah Rai International Airport and 36-38 kilometers away. From Ngurah Rai International Airport to central Ubud, it’ll take between 1-1 hour and 15 minutes one-way by car. 

How to Get Around Ubud

If you plan to stay in the central Ubud area where the shopping and restaurants are located, you can easily walk around during your 3 days in Ubud. As a heads up, some of the sidewalks are not in the best conditions so you may need to use the side of the roads to walk. 

For trips outside of the central area, you’ll need to have a mode of transportation. Consider the following choices:

Ride a bicycle – This will be a good option if you plan to stay closer to the main Ubud area. You can also ride along the side roads to explore Ubud. Your accommodations may have bicycles to rent or you can find a rental shop along the main walking street.

Ride a motorbike – If you know how to ride a motorbike, this option will be great to explore the areas outside of central Ubud. Remember to wear a helmet and drive slowly. The cost of a motorbike is 60,000 IDR to 300,000 IDR ($4.00 – $20.10 USD) per day. Ask your accommodation if they have motorbike rentals available. Or, book a motorbike here.

Hire a driver – Driving and navigating the roads can be stressful, especially as the roads can be narrow and windy. Consider hiring a driver to bring you around Ubud and other locations. The cost of a driver is 500,000 IDR to 650,000 IDR ($34-$44) per day. Book a driver here.

We recommend the driver that we used and used him twice during our Bali visits. He is a safe driver and super friendly. His rates are based on the daily itinerary so you’ll need to prepare an itinerary ahead of time. Send us a message if you’re interested in his contact information.

Take a taxi – Even though Ubud is in a prime location, there aren’t too many taxis around. You can ask your accommodations to arrange a taxi that uses the meter, such as Bluebird Taxi. Otherwise, hiring a driver for the day is better.

Use ride-hailing apps – Grab and Go-Jek are two popular ride-hailing apps that you can use, similar to Uber in the U.S. Unfortunately, using these ride-hailing apps may cause headaches as some areas restrict pick-up and drop-offs. Use the apps with caution. 

Where to Stay in Ubud

There are a variety of accommodations to stay at such as guesthouses, hotels, and luxury hotels and resorts in Ubud. It depends on your budget and what you are comfortable with. 

Check out Ubud accommodation options here. 

The guesthouses are recommended if you need an affordable option as you can have a private room with an enclosed bathroom for $20 per night for 2 person occupancy. A recommendation is Tu Sandat Homestay. It’s located off a residential street and offers a healthy breakfast for free. Reserve a room at Tu Sandat Homestay here. 

If you prefer a hotel, consider staying at  Element by Westin. We stayed here two times and loved our time. The hotel is not along the main walking street of central Ubud as it’s along a side road. It’s a 20-30 minute walk to the central area, yet you can also take their complimentary shuttle that drops off to and from the Monkey Forest. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant and room service. Room cost is $100-$130 per night for 2 person occupancy. Book a room at Element by Westin here.

For those who want to splurge, head to one of the luxurious, boutique resorts that offer spas, infinity pools, and a floating breakfast in the pool. A recommended place is Kamandalu Resort. Cost of the room is $300-$400 per night for 2 person occupancy. Reserve your room at Kamandalu Resort here.

Where to Eat in Ubud

Food is an important factor whenever we travel and Ubud has some of the best restaurants to try! Choose from Indonesian, Western-style, to vegetarian and vegan restaurants. The restaurant costs vary depending on your budget. 

We suggest that you try Indonesian food to experience the deliciousness of nasi campur, gurami, BBQ pork ribs, tempeh, and more! Many of the places are affordable, so you can get a complete meal for $3-$5.

Since we tend to be out and about, our eating schedules aren’t consistent. Therefore, we recommend that you check out our post of the best places to eat in Ubud. You can find the perfect place to eat when you’re in the area. 

Map of Ubud 3 Days Itinerary

Click on the map above to see a larger view of where to go on your Ubud 3 days itinerary. Credit: Map data: Google

Ubud Itinerary: Day 1 – Central Ubud Attractions

On your first day in Ubud, it’s best to explore the central area and walk around. You’ll spend most of the time walking along the main road, Jalan Raya Ubud and taking the side streets to wander around 

1. Explore Ubud Palace.

Ubud Palace (also referred to as Puri Saren Agung) is located across from the Ubud Art Market and is one of the iconic landmarks in Ubud. It’s the former residence of the royal family. A small portion of the palace is open to the public so it can get crowded. We recommend that you start your day in Ubud here so you can enjoy the architecture and take a few photos. 

Every evening, the palace has a dance performance. You can purchase tickets from one of the official sellers in front of the palace. The cost of the ticket is around 100,000 IDR ($7). If you plan to see the show, it’s recommended to arrive early so you can get prime seating. 

Address: Jl. Raya Ubud No.8, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Admission: The temple itself is free to enter and wearing a sarong isn’t necessary.

Ubud Palace is a recommended place to visit during your 3 days in Ubud itinerary.

2. Go shopping at Ubud Art Market.

After visiting the Ubud Palace, cross the street, and buy unique handicrafts and souvenirs at the Ubud Art Market. It’s the perfect spot to browse and find souvenirs for friends and family. Check out the multi-level building and the perimeter of the building to buy jewelry, wood handicrafts, sarongs, rattan bags, and more. 

Bargaining is expected to get the best deals. You’ll get a better deal if you’re one of the first customers when the market opens. There are also fewer crowds in the morning. If you don’t plan to buy anything, don’t spend the time to bargain. Please be cognizant of the sellers’ time so they can put effort into other customers. 

Address: Jalan Raya Ubud No.35, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Opening Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm

If you’re itching for a rattan bag, Ubud Art Market is one of the best places to buy one!

3. Visit Pura Taman Saraswati.

Along Jalan Raya Ubud, you’ll find a water temple, Pura Taman Saraswati (officially called Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati or Ubud Water Palace). It’s located behind Cafe Lotus. The temple was built in 1952 and dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Saraswati. It’s a lovely temple area with water lily pads and lotus in the pond area. 

In the evenings, the temple area has dance performances. You can view the performances from the Cafe Lotus dining area. There is an extra cost to see the performances.

Address: Jl. Kajeng, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Admission: The temple is free to enter and you don’t need to wear a sarong. 

Pura Taman Saraswati is another beautiful attraction to visit in Ubud.

4. Walk through Signature Street. 

Did you know that Ubud has a “Signature Street”? Located on Kajeng Road, this road has signatures in concrete which looks similar to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, U.S. While Ubud’s version doesn’t have any celebrity signatures like in Hollywood, it’s still fun to see what types of signatures are present. We noticed how many restaurants had a personalized signature. 

Address: Jl. Kajeng, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

5. If you continue walking along Kajeng Road, you’ll reach Kajeng Rice Fields and Juwuk Manis Rice Fields.

This is a secret place to see impressive rice fields in central Ubud. While the fields are not terraced, it’s a calm and peaceful spot to take a stroll in the morning or afternoon. A flat, dirt path is in the middle of two rice fields – Kajeng Rice Fields and Juwuk Manis Rice Fields. We love how this place isn’t crowded with tourists as we saw a handful during our visit. You’ll need between 30 minutes to an hour to walk on the path. 

If you need a break or a snack, stop by Sweet Orange Warung. It’s in the middle of the walking path and you’ll see decorative heads made from coconut shells. 

Tip: Please stay on the walking path and do not walk into the rice fields. 

Address: Jl. Kajeng No.88, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Admission: Free to enter

Kajeng Rice Fields and Juwuk Manis Rice Fields is a hidden gem and a must do on your Ubud itinerary.

6. Say “Hello” to the Monkeys at Monkey Forest. 

Visiting Monkey Forest (Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary) is quite an adventure and a top thing to do in Ubud. You’ll see plenty of wild grey long-tailed macaques in their natural habitats. Children will love seeing the adorable monkeys in the forest area.

Tip: Be careful with any food, jewelry, sunglasses, hats, cell phones, and anything that can easily be snatched. Hide everything inside your purse or backpack. Otherwise, the monkeys will steal your objects and will get aggressive with food. When we were outside the forest area, we saw a monkey jump onto a man’s back since he had a mangosteen peel in his hand. 

Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Opening Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm (Last entry at 5:30pm)

Admission Cost: 80,000 IDR ($5.40) adults, 60,000 IDR ($4.00) children

7. Spend the later afternoon/evening wandering around.

Depending on your energy level, take the time to wander around the side streets in the late afternoon/evening. You’ll find boutique shops selling clothes, paintings, souvenir items, and more. Consider stopping by one of Ubud’s art museums to see creative Balinese artwork. 

Ubud Itinerary: Day 2 – North Ubud Attractions

On your second day in Ubud, we’re going to explore the northern part of Ubud. We’re headed to explore the rice fields, temples, and other fascinating places. 

1. Awe at the stunning landscapes of Tegalalang Rice Terraces.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of the best places to visit in Ubud. It’s a gorgeous area with luscious green rice sprouting everywhere. Whenever you see photos of Bali, they are often of this rice field area. It’s worth the visit for the views! 

You’ll need a minimum of an hour to walk through the various trails to explore the fields and take photos. Since the rice fields are spread out, you can get some nice photos without the crowds. 

Some people recommend visiting Tegalalang early in the morning so the sun shines through the rice fields and surrounding trees. However, any time of the day would be great to visit here.  

As a heads up, some of the farmers ask for a donation to walk through their fields. There is a small bucket near the entrance of the fields. It’s up to your discretion whether you want to give a small donation. You may also come across sections where you need to pay an admission to cross to the other side of the rice field. 

You can also stop by the local cafes or try one of the popular “Bali swings.” The price for the Bali swings starts at 150,000 IDR ($10.10) for two people. 

Tip: We recommend that you wear good walking shoes as the walking paths are muddy. We also suggest bug spray as the mosquitoes are vicious in the rice fields. 

While you can walk through Tegalalang Rice Terraces on your own, you may be interested in visiting this place via a tour:

• Private Ubud tour
• Bali tour to visit waterfalls, rice terraces, and Monkey Forest
• Ubud tour with waterfalls and Bali swings

Address: Jl. Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia

Opening Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm

Admission Cost: 20,000 IDR ($1.40)

Tegalalang Rice Terraces is an incredible place in Ubud to see rice fields. It’s so green here!

2. Stop by Tirta Empul Temple. 

Located 15 minutes away from Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul Temple (Pura Tirta Empul) is a unique opportunity to witness and participate in a ritual purification. Visitors get the chance to wash their heads and body with holy water from the natural springs.

This is one of the places on our Bali bucket list so we haven’t had a chance to visit yet. We heard from a friend that the ritual is quite the process so there will be someone to help guide you with what to do. You’ll need to wear a special sarong to participate in the ritual. 

Address: Jl. Tirta, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552, Indonesia

Opening Hours: 8:00am-6:00pm

Admission Cost: 50,000 IDR ($3.50) adults, 25,000 IDR ($1.25) children 

3. Check out Goa Gajah. 

We’re heading back to central Ubud to visit Goa Gajah (also known as Elephant Caves). This small temple area is a historical archeological site. It was used as a meditation site over 1,100 years ago. 

The unique attraction to visit is the cave. You can’t miss it as it’s of a spiritual creature with its mouth wide open. If you walk inside the cave, it’s a tight area for prayers and offerings. 

Afterward, walk around the temple grounds to see bathing pools (you cannot go inside them unlike Tirta Empul Temple), a Buddha temple, and a forest area with large ancient trees. You’ll need at least 30 minutes to explore Goa Gajah. 

Address: Jl. Raya Goa Gajah No.99, Kemenuh, Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia

Admission Cost: 50,000 IDR ($3.50 USD), includes sarong

Goa Gajah is a unique place to visit in Ubud.

4. In the evening, relax with a massage. 

It’s time to treat yourself to a massage! You deserve it after your two full days of visiting Ubud attractions. Pamper yourself with this 2-hour massage option. 

Ubud Itinerary: Day 3 – Free Day or Day trips from Ubud

On the third day in Ubud, we’re leaving the schedule up to you! You can either spend the time in Ubud or take a day trip from the Ubud area. Due to the central location, you can easily head somewhere within an hour to explore the hidden gems of Bali.

Below are some places to consider depending on how far you want to drive. We suggest that you pick one of these attractions, especially if you’re traveling to a specific area. 

1. Start the morning with a hike up Mount Batur.

Trekking Mount Batur to see the sunrise is a bucket list item when you’re in Bali. Although it’s an early pick-up at 2:00am, it’s worth the experience to hike up an inactive volcano at 4:30am and see the sun peeking from the clouds around 6:30am. Plus, you’re at a staggering 1,717 meters (5,633 feet) for the altitude. By the time you return to Ubud, you’ve already checked off your exercise for the day. 

Read our Mount Batur sunrise hiking guide for more information.

Early risers will love the opportunity to hike up Mount Batur to see the sunrise.

2. If Mount Batur is too strenuous, go to Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud.

You can never have enough walking during your Ubud exploration! Campuhan Ridge Walk is one of the most peaceful places in Ubud and it’s free to access. It’s a flat hiking path where you’re surrounded by grass, trees, and palm trees. Since there isn’t a lot of shade, either visit this place early in the morning or later in the afternoon for sunset. 

Tip: Bring a hat and water. Or, you can purchase drinks at one of the kiosks along the path.

Address: Kelusa, Payangan, Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Check out other hikes in Indonesia to explore here. 

3. Go canyoning at Hidden Canyon.

One of the best adventures that you can do is to walk through a canyon at Hidden Canyon (Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang). It’s the perfect spot to cool off from Bali’s humidity. Take the opportunity to walk through the waters that can be waist-deep high, climb up rocks, and visit three canyons. 

Read more about what to expect at Hidden Canyon here.

Hidden Canyon is a secret place to visit as a day trip from Ubud.

4. Explore East Bali.

Need to get away from the crowds? Spend the day in East Bali. Visit the numerous temples in this area. You’ll love seeing the 6 gates of Pura Lempuyang including the Instagram-worthy “Gateway to Heaven.” Besakih Temple is also another temple to visit as it’s the largest Balinese Hindu temple on the island. 

Click here for a complete list of the places to see in East Bali.

5. Spend the day in North Bali.

North Bali is also another hidden gem of an area with fewer crowds. If you love waterfalls, then this area has many beautiful waterfalls in Bali. Sekumpul Waterfall is highly recommended for its stunning cascades. Or, head to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls. 

You can also visit more traditional Balinese Hindu temples such as Pura Ulun Danu Beratan or even a Buddhist monastery, Brahma Vihara Arana, for a change in architecture.

If you love rice terraces, visit Sideman or Jatiluwih to see the greenery. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is worthy of a visit as it’s water system is considered a World Heritage site.

Read this post for a detailed list of the things to do in North Bali.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a popular temple to visit in North Bali.

6. If you prefer to stay in Ubud for the day, consider taking a class.

Learning about the Balinese culture provides a more meaningful experience for your travels. You can either take an arts and crafts class, learn how to make Indonesian food, or take a yoga class. Here are some options: 

• Take a cooking class and learn how to make Balinese food.
• Make silver jewelry
• Take a traditional painting class
• Master your wood carving skills
• Take a yoga class

Final Thoughts About Ubud

It’s time to say “good-bye” to Ubud and continue with the rest of your Bali travels. We hope you enjoy Ubud as much as we did. 

If you’re looking to escape the crowds, take a boat trip to Nusa Islands and check out the Nusa Penida (with the famous Kelingking Beach), Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan. 

If you have further questions or comments about what to do in Ubud, write a comment below. 

Featured photo credit: Rémi Alvo via Scopio Photos