Ubud Guide: Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces, Bali Swing and Things to Do

Ubud is the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali. Set among rice fields and river valleys in the green hills of central Bali, it is a town of temples, palaces, art galleries, dance performances, yoga studios and spas, surrounded by villages known for wood carving, silver and painting. For many visitors, Ubud is the part of Bali they remember most.

This guide covers the best things to do in Ubud, from the Monkey Forest and Tegallalang rice terraces to the Bali Swing and the holy springs of Tirta Empul, plus how to get there, where to stay and how many nights to spend.

At the southern end of Ubud's main street, the Ubud Monkey Forest is a forest temple complex home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques. Paths wind through giant banyan trees, mossy statues and three ancient temples, with a deep ravine and stream at its heart.

• Timings: usually open daily from about 9 am to 6 pm; mornings are cooler and the monkeys are most active.
• Tickets: a modest entry fee for adults, with lower prices for children; check current prices at the gate.
• Tips: do not carry food or plastic bags, keep sunglasses, hats and phones secure, avoid eye contact with the monkeys and never try to touch them.

About 20 minutes north of Ubud, the Tegallalang rice terraces step down a valley in shades of green, watered by the centuries-old subak irrigation system, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Walk down into the terraces (small donations are collected along the paths), stop at a café with a view, or try one of the swings and photo nests. Go early, before 9 am, for soft light and fewer people.

The famous Bali Swing attractions near Ubud have giant swings over jungle valleys and rice fields, along with photo nests and platforms. Staff strap you in with a safety harness, and packages often include several swings and a meal. Wear a flowing dress or bright outfit for the photos; some places rent them. The Bali Swing is included in our Bali Honeymoon Holiday.

Tegenungan, about 20 minutes south of Ubud, is the most accessible waterfall in Bali: a wide, powerful cascade with steps down to the pool and viewpoints above. For something quieter, try Tibumana or Kanto Lampo. Steps can be steep and slippery, so wear good sandals, and do not swim when the water is high after rain.

Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring is a holy spring temple where Balinese Hindus queue to bathe under a row of carved spouts in a purification ritual. Visitors can join respectfully, wearing a sarong, or simply watch. Nearby, Gunung Kawi has ancient shrines carved into a cliff, and Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) has a carved cave entrance and bathing pools. In town, visit Ubud Palace and the lotus-filled Saraswati Temple.

Ubud Art Market, opposite the palace, is great for sarongs, baskets, wood carvings and souvenirs; bargaining is expected. In the evenings, Ubud Palace and nearby temples host Legong, Barong and Kecak dance performances. Art lovers should see the Puri Lukisan, Neka and ARMA museums, and the Campuhan Ridge Walk is a lovely easy hike at sunrise.

Many tours stop at a coffee plantation near Ubud or on the road to Kintamani, where you can taste Balinese coffee, teas and cocoa. The villages of Celuk (silver), Mas (wood carving), Batuan (painting) and Batubulan (stone carving) are on the way, and are included on our Kintamani volcano and Ubud village tour.

• White-water rafting on the Ayung River.
• ATV rides through rice fields and jungle.
• Yoga and wellness: drop-in classes and retreats.
• Balinese cooking class with a market visit.
• Spa day: traditional massage, flower bath and scrubs.
• Bali Zoo and the Bali Safari and Marine Park nearby for families.

See our guide to Bali water sports and adventure activities.

Ubud is about 35 km from the airport. The transfer from Bali airport to Ubud takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, longer in evening traffic. Ubud has no beach, so most travellers combine two or three nights in Ubud with a beach area such as Seminyak, Kuta or Nusa Dua. Our packages include private transfers between areas.

Early morning: sunrise walk on the Campuhan Ridge or a visit to Tegallalang before the crowds. Late morning: the Monkey Forest and a stroll through the art market. Lunch: a café overlooking the rice fields. Afternoon: Tirta Empul or the Bali Swing, or a spa treatment if it is hot or raining. Evening: a Legong or Kecak dance at the palace or a temple, followed by dinner in town. Our Kintamani volcano and Ubud village tour covers the volcano viewpoint, coffee plantation and craft villages on another day.

Stay in central Ubud to walk to the market, palace and restaurants, or choose a resort or private pool villa in the valleys around Ubud for jungle views and peace. Two nights are enough to see the main sights; three nights allow a relaxed pace, a spa day or the Mount Batur sunrise trek. Our Ubud Culture & Seminyak Beach Holiday and Ubud Culture & Nusa Dua Beach Escape both start with two nights in Ubud. Compare areas in our guide to where to stay in Bali.