🌿 Ubud Center · Private Tour & Driver · Est. 2015
What to Do in Ubud, Bali — 30+ Best Activities & Attractions
The complete guide to what to do in Ubud, Bali — temples, waterfalls, rice terraces, dance performances, adventure activities, and private day tours.
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🗺️ 30+ Destinations
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From IDR 550K/day
Written by Ubud Center Team · Local tour & driver service based in Ubud, Bali · Last updated: July 2026
🌿 What to Do in Ubud, Bali
What to do in Ubud, Bali — this is the question every traveller asks before visiting the cultural heart of the island. Ubud is Bali’s most diverse destination: ancient temples, UNESCO rice terraces, hidden waterfalls, traditional dance performances, volcano sunrise treks, and world-class private day tours — all within an hour’s drive from the center of town.
Ubud Center has been operating private tours and driver services from Ubud since 2015. This guide covers everything we recommend to our guests — the best temples, waterfalls, rice terraces, activities, and day trips from Ubud. All destinations in this guide can be visited by private car with a local driver.
🛕 Temples & Sacred Sites
Bali’s most sacred purification temple — holy spring pools where Balinese Hindus perform ritual bathing. One of the most spiritual experiences in Ubud.
📍 Tampaksiring · 🎫 IDR 75K/pax · ⏱️ 1–1.5 hrs
9th-century cave temple — one of Bali’s most iconic archaeological sites. The carved cave entrance and bathing pools are a must-see near Ubud.
📍 Bedulu · 🎫 IDR 50K/pax · ⏱️ 1 hr
⛩️ Pura Besakih — Mother Temple
The largest and holiest temple in Bali on the slopes of Mount Agung. A full-day excursion from Ubud — best combined with Kintamani volcano view.
📍 Karangasem · 🎫 IDR 150K/pax · ⏱️ 2 hrs
Puri Saren Agung — the royal palace in the heart of Ubud. Free to enter during the day. Every evening, traditional Balinese dance performances are held in the courtyard.
📍 Ubud center · 🎫 Free (day) / IDR 100K (dance) · ⏱️ 30 min
The Water Palace — a beautiful lotus pond temple 3 minutes walk from Ubud Palace. One of the most photographed temples in Ubud. Dance performances held nightly.
📍 Ubud center · 🎫 Free · ⏱️ 20 min
11th-century royal shrine carved into cliff walls above the Pakerisan River — one of Bali’s oldest and most dramatic temple complexes. Surrounded by rice terraces.
📍 Tampaksiring · 🎫 IDR 50K/pax · ⏱️ 1 hr
💧 Waterfalls Near Ubud
Ubud is surrounded by hidden waterfalls — most within 30–45 minutes by car. All can be combined into a single Waterfall Tour.
Bali’s most famous waterfall — wide, powerful, and swimmable. Only 12km from Ubud center. Best visited early morning before the crowds arrive.
📍 12km from Ubud · 🎫 IDR 30K/pax · 🏊 Swimmable
A cascading curtain waterfall — Bali’s most photogenic. Walk across the rocks and stand right behind the water. Instagram-famous but rarely crowded.
📍 15km from Ubud · 🎫 IDR 25K/pax · 📷 Best for photos
Hidden inside a canyon cave — rays of sunlight pierce through a gap in the rock at mid-morning. One of the most magical waterfall experiences in Bali.
📍 20km from Ubud · 🎫 IDR 30K/pax · ✨ Best 9–11 AM
Hidden paradise — a twin waterfall tucked into dense jungle. Natural rock pools for swimming. Rarely crowded even in peak season.
📍 18km from Ubud · 🎫 IDR 25K/pax · 🏊 Swimmable
Off the beaten path — a tall, dramatic waterfall with a natural pool at the base. One of the most beautiful and least-visited waterfalls near Ubud.
📍 10km from Ubud · 🎫 IDR 40K/pax · 🏊 Swimmable
A hidden gem in tropical forest — natural pool with unspoiled scenery. Very few tourists know about this spot, making it perfect for a peaceful swim.
📍 15km from Ubud · 🎫 IDR 25K/pax · 🏊 Swimmable
💧 Visit 4 Waterfalls in One Day
Private waterfall tour — Suwat, Kanto Lampo, Taman Sari & Tibumana. From IDR 550K/car.
🌾 Nature & Scenery in Ubud
UNESCO-listed rice terraces — Bali’s most iconic landscape. Layers of green cascade through a valley of swaying palms. Best early morning for photos and cooler temperatures.
📍 7km from Ubud · 🎫 IDR 25K/pax · 🌅 Best at 7–9 AM
A scenic 2km walk through Ubud’s hills — rice paddies, jungle valley, and an ancient temple. Free to walk, starts from central Ubud. Best at sunrise or late afternoon.
📍 Central Ubud · 🎫 Free · ⏱️ 1–2 hrs walk
1,200+ long-tailed macaques in a 14th-century jungle temple complex at the edge of Ubud. One of the most visited attractions in Ubud — walking distance from town center.
📍 Central Ubud · 🎫 IDR 130K/pax · ⏱️ 1–1.5 hrs
🏍️ Activities & Adventure in Ubud
⭐ Most Popular
Swing above the jungle canopy, rice terrace, and river valley — Bali’s most iconic photo experience. Multiple swing heights available. Located in Tegalalang, 7km from Ubud.
🎫 IDR 500K/pax · 📍 Tegalalang
Ayung River white water rafting — Grade 2-3 rapids through jungle gorge. 2 hours on the river. Includes life jacket, helmet, buffet lunch, shower, and insurance.
🎫 IDR 350K/pax · ⏱️ 2 hrs on river
Quad bike through Ubud’s jungle rice fields and traditional villages. Solo or tandem ATV available. Can be combined with white water rafting for a full adventure day.
🎫 IDR 550K/pax · ⏱️ 1.5 hrs ride
Sunrise trek to the top of an active volcano — 1,717m, 2 hours up, breakfast at the summit with volcanic steamed eggs. Departs 02:00 AM from Ubud. 38km, 1 hour drive.
🎫 IDR 450K (sharing) / IDR 750K (private)
4WD jeep adventure on Mount Batur’s ancient lava fields — sunrise viewpoint without the hike. Includes breakfast, driver guide, and hotel pickup from Ubud.
🎫 IDR 400K/pax · 🚙 4WD private
Walk through a garden with hundreds of exotic butterflies — perfect for families and photography. 15 minutes from Ubud. Usually combined with Most Popular Ubud Tour.
📍 Kemenuh · 🎫 IDR 100K/pax · ⏱️ 45 min
🎭 Dance Performances
Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali — traditional Balinese dance performances are held every evening at 7:30 PM across multiple venues. The most popular are Legong, Barong, Kecak Fire Dance, and Ramayana Ballet. All tickets IDR 100K–150K per person.
The most popular dance venue — nightly performances in the royal palace courtyard. Legong, Barong, Kecak, Ramayana Ballet. 7:30 PM every night.
🎫 IDR 100K · 📍 Central Ubud · 🕗 7:30 PM
Beautiful lotus pond setting — Kecak Dance on Tuesday & Thursday, Ramayana on Wednesday. 3 minutes walk from Ubud Palace. 7:30 PM nightly (no dance on Friday).
🎫 IDR 100K · 📍 Central Ubud · 🕗 7:30 PM
🔥 Pura Dalem Temple
Kecak & Fire Dance on Monday and Friday — the most dramatic dance performance in Ubud. 6 minutes walk from Ubud center. 7:30 PM.
🎫 IDR 100K · 📍 Central Ubud · 🕗 7:30 PM
🎭 Full Dance Schedule & All Venues
Complete daily schedule for all 6 dance venues in Ubud — Legong, Barong, Kecak, Ramayana and more.
🚗 Private Day Tours from Ubud
The best way to see what to do in Ubud is with a private driver — flexible itinerary, hotel pickup, no deposit required. All tours from IDR 550K per car.
⭐ Most Booked
Most Popular Ubud Tour
Butterfly Park · Tegenungan · Luwak Coffee · Bali Swing · Tegalalang
Kintamani & Besakih Tour
Goa Gajah · Tirta Empul · Kintamani Volcano · Besakih Mother Temple
Ubud Waterfall Tour
Suwat · Kanto Lampo · Taman Sari · Tibumana — 4 waterfalls in one day
Lempuyang Temple Tour
Gate of Heaven · Tirta Gangga · Virgin Beach · Tukad Cepung — East Bali full day
Uluwatu Sunset Tour
GWK · Padang Padang Beach · Uluwatu Temple · Kecak Dance · Jimbaran Dinner
Tanah Lot & Beratan Tour
Taman Ayun · Ulun Danu Beratan · Handara Gate · Banyumala · Jatiluwih · Tanah Lot
🗺️ Browse All 9 Private Day Tours from Ubud
From IDR 550K per car · Hotel pickup · No deposit · 100% private
Frequently Asked Questions?
The best things to do in Ubud include: visiting Tirta Empul holy spring temple, watching sunrise from Mount Batur volcano, swimming at hidden waterfalls like Tegenungan and Tukad Cepung, seeing the iconic Bali Swing at Tegalalang, attending a traditional Balinese dance show at Ubud Royal Palace, and exploring the 9th-century Goa Gajah temple. All can be done by private car from Ubud.
The best places to visit in Ubud are: Tegalalang Rice Terrace (UNESCO heritage site), Tirta Empul Temple (sacred purification pools), Goa Gajah Elephant Cave (9th century), Ubud Royal Palace (free entry, daily dance shows), Sacred Monkey Forest (1,200+ macaques), Tegenungan Waterfall (Bali’s most famous waterfall), Campuhan Ridge Walk (free scenic walk), and Kintamani Volcano (panoramic views of Mount Batur).
Most visitors spend 3–5 days in Ubud. Three days covers the highlights — Most Popular Tour (Day 1), Kintamani & Besakih (Day 2), and a waterfall tour or Mount Batur sunrise trek (Day 3). Five days allows you to add East Bali (Lempuyang) and South Bali (Uluwatu). Seven days covers everything including Tanah Lot and West Bali.
Ubud is most famous for being the cultural and artistic heart of Bali. It is known for traditional Balinese dance performances, ancient Hindu temples, UNESCO rice terraces at Tegalalang, the Sacred Monkey Forest, and its central location for day trips to waterfalls, volcanoes, and East Bali temples. Ubud is also the setting of the Eat Pray Love book and film.
The best time to visit Ubud is during the dry season — May to September. Clear skies, low humidity, and excellent visibility for sunrise treks and waterfall visits. July and August are peak season. October to April is the rainy season — showers are usually in the afternoon, mornings are often clear. Waterfalls are more powerful in rainy season.
In one day in Ubud you can do the Most Popular Tour: Kemenuh Butterfly Park (09:30), Tegenungan Waterfall (10:30), Luwak Coffee Plantation (11:30), Bali Swing at Tegalalang (13:00), and Tegalalang Rice Terrace (15:00). Back at hotel by 16:30. In the evening, attend a dance performance at Ubud Royal Palace (19:30). This is Ubud Center’s most booked single-day itinerary since 2015.
The best way to get around Ubud and visit attractions outside the town center is by private car with a local driver. Most waterfalls, temples, and day trip destinations are 15–45 minutes by car. Ubud Center provides private driver and tour services from IDR 550K per day, including hotel pickup. For walking around central Ubud, the town center is compact and walkable — Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, and Saraswati Temple are all within 15 minutes on foot.
The best attractions near Ubud (within 1 hour by car): Tirta Empul Temple (20 min), Goa Gajah (10 min), Tegalalang Rice Terrace (15 min), Tegenungan Waterfall (20 min), Kintamani Volcano (1 hour), Kanto Lampo Waterfall (30 min), Tukad Cepung Waterfall (40 min), and Mount Batur (1 hour). Further away: Lempuyang Gate of Heaven (1.5 hrs), Uluwatu Temple (1.5 hrs), Tanah Lot (1 hr).
Ready to Explore Ubud? We’ll Plan It For You.
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and interests. We’ll suggest the best itinerary for your group.
No deposit · Hotel pickup included · 100% private · From IDR 550K/day