Itineraries for Your Trip to Ubud
2 Days in Ubud for First Timers
With its incense-charged air and spiritual vibe, Ubud was the perfect place for me to rest and rejuvenate after a hectic few months of backpacking around Southeast Asia. The lushness of the landscapes and the emphasis on meditation immediately soothed me—unlike the mischievous macaques that call Bali’s cultural capital home.
I expected Ubud to just be about yoga studios and bougie brunch spots, but I soon learned that there’s much more to this popular destination. Two days in Ubud allows you to look beneath the surface and see how deep and rich the area’s culture and history are. Here’s how to spend your first 48 hours.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a countryside bike tour to admire the UNESCO-listed rice terraces.
For fewer crowds, visit Ubud at the tail-end of the rainy season, in February and March; the landscapes will be at their greenest.
Rise way before the sun on your first morning, and ascend to the summit of Mt. Batur (Gunung Batur), which rises 5,633 feet (1,717 meters) above sea level. Reach the top in time to watch the sunrise over the highlands of Kintamani and enjoy a breakfast of eggs boiled using the thermal steam emitted from the volcano.
Featuring plenty of fresh herbs and spices, Bali’s cuisine is tangy and flavor packed. Master the art of making some of the area’s classic dishes by taking a cooking class at a local farm where you get to pick fresh ingredients make specialties such as sambal matah (a spicy raw condiment); opor ayam (chicken in coconut sauce); and deep-fried tempeh (soybean cake).
By now, you’re likely to be feeling achy after the long trek to the top of Mt. Batur, so take it easy this evening with a spa experience such as a foot massage. Choose your preferred pressure and then sit back with an herbal tea as a specialist delivers soothes and refreshes your tired soles.
By now, you’re likely to be feeling achy after the long trek to the top of Mt. Batur, so take it easy this evening with a spa experience such as a foot massage. Choose your preferred pressure and then sit back with an herbal tea as a specialist delivers soothes and refreshes your tired soles.
Spend this afternoon exploring Ubud’s lush countryside on two wheels during an electric bike tour. Visit the Tegalalang Rice Terrace (Sawah Terasering Tegalalang), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Bali’s most photographed natural attractions, before getting the ultimate social media shot on the Ubud Jungle Swing, a rope swing that sends you soaring over beautiful scenery.
Dedicate your final night to an evening tour that takes you to a night market to sample local classics such as black rice pudding and satay skewers. While there, you can also shop for traditional souvenirs—Ubud is renowned for its silver and its wood carvings. Afterwards, catch a Balinese dance performance at Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) to round out two action-packed days.
