What Are the Best Places to Visit in Ubud for a Peaceful Bali Getaway?

Introduction

Ubud. Just saying the name kind of makes you picture those endless green rice terraces, rivers snaking lazily through valleys, and tiny villages perched on hills. Honestly? It really is the heart of Bali culturally, spiritually, and artistically. For decades, it’s been pulling in travelers, painters, yoga junkies, and anyone curious enough to wander off the usual tourist trail. And yeah, it’s not hard to see why.

Picture this: you roll out of bed early, leaves rustling in the morning breeze, mist crawling slowly over the rice paddies, and somewhere in the forest, monkeys are having their chaotic little lives around temples older than most cities you’ve visited. That’s Ubud. It’s not flashy, not crowded, but it sneaks into your senses. Slowly, quietly, and then suddenly you’re hooked.

Whether you’re traveling with a partner, a family, or just yourself (sometimes the best company is, well, you), Ubud has something for you. And if planning gives you a headache, a family package makes it easy; you just show up, enjoy, and let someone else sweat the details. Transport, guided stops, the whole shebang. Stress-free. In this blog, I’m taking you through the best places to see in Ubud, sharing a few insider details and throwing in a rough roadmap to make your trip immersive and kind of effortless.

Main Attractions: Places to See in Ubud

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Alright, so Monkey Forest is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, but also not. You walk in thinking, “Okay, monkeys, trees, cool,” and then suddenly there are dozens of long-tailed troublemakers jumping around like they own the place. Half the time they’re chasing each other, and the other half they’re giving you that look, the one that says, “Relax, I’m not stealing your lunch yet.”

But it isn’t just chaos. The temples inside Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, Pura Beji, and Pura Prajapati give the place this quiet, spiritual weight. You wander between them and the whole forest feels older than everything around it, like it’s breathing on its own. It’s loud, peaceful, funny, and slightly stressful all at once, which is kind of the charm.

• Why go: You rarely get wildlife, culture, and a calm walk all at once.
• Tips: Don’t flaunt snacks. Seriously. And mornings are best—not just for photos but because the crowds haven’t fully shown up yet.

Half the fun is just watching monkeys steal leaves or hop on statues. Totally chaotic, but somehow, it works.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Ah, the rice terraces. If you’ve ever scrolled through Bali photos and thought, “Yep, that’s probably what paradise looks like,” chances are you were staring at Tegallalang. The whole area really does look like a giant green staircase someone carved out on a lazy afternoon. When you walk those narrow little paths, you might see farmers doing what they always do, just quietly working away while the rice paddies stretch way farther than your brain expects at first glance. And that old subak irrigation system? Still ticking along like it’s in no hurry.

But here’s the funny thing: Tegallalang isn’t one of those places you just see and move on. It gets under your skin a bit. There’s this smell of wet soil early in the morning, the kind that sticks in your nose for a second. The breeze kind of hums through the terrace layers, and somewhere far off, you’ll hear that metallic tapping from the irrigation channels. It’s weirdly soothing. A few tiny cafés cling to the edges, and if you sit down for “just a quick coffee,” there’s a good chance you’ll look at the time and realize you’ve somehow been staring at nothing but green for way too long.

And if the mist rolls in sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t, but the whole place suddenly feels like it belongs in some alternate world. Dreamy, a little spooky, but still very real because the mud still sticks to your shoes, no matter how pretty it looks.

Insider tip: Just go early. Seriously. The light’s nicer, the whole terrace feels half-asleep in a good way, and you won’t have people bumping elbows trying to get the same picture as you.

Ubud Palace & Traditional Art Market

Walking into Ubud Palace feels like you accidentally stepped into an older Bali that hasn’t bothered to dress up for tourists. The carved doors and wide courtyards make you slow down without meaning to. When the dance starts, the music and tiny hand movements pull you in before you realize it. Then you walk out, cross the road, and the whole vibe flips.
The art market hits you with colour, noise, incense, and people calling out.

It’s chaotic in a friendly way, the kind of place where you bargain, laugh, and just go with it. Fabrics everywhere, carvings stacked in some chaotic way that somehow still works, incense drifting around for no reason except Bali. It’s messy but in that fun, alive sort of way. Vendors call out, some gently, some like you’ve known them for ten years. Haggling isn’t some serious thing here; it’s more like a back-and-forth game. Don’t go in too aggressively, but don’t nod at the first price either. They expect a little dance, so just roll with it.

• Pro tip:
  • Bargain respectfully, locals appreciate it.
  • Hire a local guide if you can; they’ll tell stories about pieces that a sign never could.

Even if you’re not shopping, the market is like walking through Ubud’s creative pulse. Every stall tells a story. Every item feels alive.

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Need a break from the town’s buzz? The Campuhan Ridge Walk is your escape. Easy trails, rolling green hills, and long views that just… stretch forever. Air smells fresh, sunlight hits the treetops just right, and flowers line the path almost like they’re waiting for you.

• Pro tip: Sunrise is gold. The light is soft, cinematic.
• Shoes and water don’t overlook them. Even a gentle walk feels better with them.

Walking here, it’s easy to see why artists and writers flock to Ubud. The rhythm of your steps, distant farm sounds, gentle breezes, time slows. You forgot the clock.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

Elephant Cave feels quiet. Serious, even the kind of place that makes you slow down, whether you planned to or not. It’s old (like, 11th-century old), full of carved stones, little shrines, and those calm bathing pools. The entrance is carved to look like an elephant, yes, you’ll notice that straight away but don’t stop there. Walk in and you’ll find tight, detailed carvings everywhere, scenes that hint at old myths and stories people used to tell out loud.

• Tip: Don’t rush it. Pair this with a quick temple hop or a stroll through a nearby village and you’ve got a neat half-day of culture.
• If you can, go early. Mornings are better with fewer people, softer light that actually makes the carvings pop, and a quieter, almost private feeling.
• Package tie-in: international packages often include this as part of a cultural tour.

Walking around, you can almost feel the devotion carved into the stone over centuries. It’s peaceful, grounding, and a nice counterpoint to the chaos elsewhere in Ubud.

Optional Additional Attractions

• Pura Taman Saraswati 

  

Pretty pond, lots of lotus. The carvings are delicate; you’ll find tiny faces and floral patterns if you lean in. Sometimes there’s a dance show on the little stage by the water. It’s peaceful, quick to see, and somehow pretty photogenic even when you’re not trying.

•  Blanco Renaissance Museum 

  

This one’s weird in the best way. Antonio Blanco’s work mixes modern drama with Balinese motifs. The house itself feels eccentric, charmingly cluttered. You’ll either love it or tilt your head and think, “Huh, interesting.” Either way, it sticks with you.

• Neka Art Museum 

  

Big collection. Proper overview of Balinese and wider Indonesian art, old and newer stuff side by side. Good if you like details, labels, timelines, that sort of thing. Walk slowly; there’s a lot to take in.

Perfect if you’ve got extra time and want a deeper, quieter dive into Ubud’s artistic side, no rush, just less noise and more looking.

Pro Tip 

• Timing: Start early morning, the air is cooler, the terraces are quiet, temples are intimate.
• Cultural etiquette: Sarong and sash at temples. Shoes off. Bow a little if rituals are happening.
• Transport tips: Scooter rental or hiring a driver works well. Some tour packages cover it.
• Budget tip: Cluster attractions in a day, it saves cash and time.

Conclusion

Ubud isn’t just a place you feel it. You walk a bit, stop somewhere random, and before you know it, you’re staring at something cool again. That’s really the charm of this place, half the fun is just drifting around with no real plan and letting the place do its thing. And yeah, if sorting out timings and routes starts to feel like a headache, a Bali tour package honestly makes life easier. You still get the quiet spots, the culture, the views, just without stressing over every tiny detail. What’s funny is, even if you’ve been before, Ubud somehow sneaks in a surprise or two. So grab your bag, keep a little curiosity handy, and just go. Grab your bag, a bit of curiosity, and just go.