Itineraries for Your Trip to Ubud
3 Days in Ubud For First Timers
The success of Eat, Pray, Love (Elizabeth Gilbert’s account of travel and self-discovery), catapulted Ubud, Bali’s cultural and spiritual capital, to fame. So, before I arrived, I was expecting a city dominated by yoga studios, brunch spots, and long lines for Instagram-worthy attractions.
But while Ubud’s popularity (and the crowds that come with it) is undeniable, I soon learned this place has two sides: Look past the giant swings and you’ll find a multi-layered, 2,000-year-old culture best experienced through Balinese dance performances, visits to Hindu temples, trips to villages, and meals made up of exquisite street food. Here’s how to spend 72 hours in Ubud if you’re visiting for the first time.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a kecak dance performance, an exhilarating dose of traditional Balinese culture.
Ubud’s tropical climate means it’s always warm and humid; you’ll want light layers and a handheld fan to stay comfortable.
Spend your first day getting acquainted with Ubud’s cultural and natural highlights on a private tour that lets you explore at your own pace. Feel the purifying properties of the water at Tirta Gangga Water Garden (Taman Tirtagangga); admire the UNESCO-listed Tegalalang Rice Terrace (Sawah Terasering Tegalalang); and watch macaques frolic at the Ubud Monkey Forest (Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary).
Balinese cuisine is bursting with spice and flavor. Now you’ve worked up an appetite, learn more about local specialties during an afternoon cooking class. You can try your hand at making classics like opor ayam (chicken in coconut sauce); sambal matah (spicy Balinese sauce); and black rice pudding.
This morning, wake well before the sun to ascend Mt. Batur (Gunung Batur), which rises 5,633 feet (1,717 meters) above sea level. Climb to the summit in time to watch the sun rise majestically over the highlands of Kintamani and enjoy a well-deserved breakfast of eggs cooked using volcanic steam.
While it might be better known for yoga, Ubud is also famous for its silver jewelry-making; the techniques used are derived from ancient Balinese crafts. Try your hand at creating your own memento during a silversmith workshop in a traditional village that’s way off the beaten path.
On your last morning, prepare to get wet and wild on the Ayung River, famous for Class II–III rapids that are ideal for white-water rafting. Paddle past waterfalls, jungle, and rice terraces while navigating twists and turns with the help of your instructor. If you’ve got the energy, continue the adventure with an off-road ATV ride.
End your 72 hours in Ubud with an absolute bang and travel to the oceanfront Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), which boasts a dramatic location that makes a perfect backdrop for a kecak fire dance performance. Watch dancers recreate stories from the Ramayana before tucking into a seafood dinner by candlelight.
