Is Ubud Worth Visiting?

Yes, Ubud is worth visiting. 

The town brings together culture, creativity, and nature. It offers fun, relaxation, adventure, unique culinary experiences, ecotourism, and spiritual wellness in one place. It is unlike anywhere else in Bali. 

We have compiled this guide from local knowledge and on-the-ground experience to help you know Ubud better before your visit.

12 Reasons Why It Is Worth Visiting Ubud

1] Slow, Soulful, Artistic Vibe

Ubud feels unique from Bali’s remaining towns for the following reasons:

• Ubud has a relaxed pace. It makes you slow down, recharge, be mindful, and enjoy nature.
• Nightlife is quiet. But evenings are still social. People gather in cafés, watch live music, or join cultural shows before heading home early.
• Spiritual and personal growth are part of daily life. You will see people joining healing sessions, aura cleansing, temple rituals, and traditional dance performances all around town.
• Ubud is the cultural and creative heart of Bali. Art is part of everyday life here in homes, temples, and even cafés. It connects locals and visitors alike. The streets are filled with galleries and studios showing the work of Balinese and international artists.
• Ubud attracts artists, writers, and digital nomads. They add to the town’s energy.

2] Serene Natural Setting

Ubud is surrounded by a jungle, rice terraces, rivers, mountains, and green hills.

Sunrises are calm. Mist covers the valleys. Soft, golden light touches the palm trees and hills. You can hear the forest and smell the earth in the cool morning air.

Sunsets are a vibrant spectacle. The sky turns orange and pink through the coconut palms, and the rice fields glow gold. It feels quiet and still. The experience is complemented by the sounds of cicadas and cool evening air.

Benefits of being in Ubud’s nature:

• The natural setting quiets the mind and eases stress.

• The setting fits perfectly with yoga, meditation, and spa sessions, making it easier to relax and focus.

• You can walk through rice paddies, visit hidden waterfalls, or take scenic drives through villages and forests. All spots are nearby.

3] Diverse Dining Options

Dining in Ubud is varied and creative. It caters to every taste and budget. 

What to expect:

• Authentic Balinese food at local warungs
• International cuisines
• Plant-based cafés with vegetarian or vegan menus
• Creative fusions – a mix of local flavours with global cooking styles

Key features of Ubud’s dining scene:

• Many fine dining restaurants use handcrafted plateware, Balinese décor, and elegant presentation.
  
• Many cafés and restaurants are open-air. They overlook rice fields, rivers, or forested valleys.
  
• Several venues grow their produce or source ingredients from local farmers using eco-friendly practices.
  
• The café culture is thriving. Speciality coffee roasters and brunch spots are common.

• Many restaurants have rice paddy, garden, valley or jungle views which give an authentic Bali vibe while dining.

4] Wide Range of Accommodations

Ubud has stays suitable for both families and couples. They provide a serene, spiritual, and cultural experience, contrasting with Bali’s coastal resorts.

What to expect:

• Luxury villas
• Resorts and hotels
• Wellness retreats
• Boutique hotels
• Eco-lodges, and 
• Budget guesthouses 

Key features of Ubud’s accommodation scene:

• High-end resorts have private villas with pools, sun decks, and beautiful views. Their architecture reflects Balinese design, like thatched roofs and carved woodwork.

• Rooms include freestanding tubs, semi-outdoor showers, and premium toiletries.

• Many hotels and resorts feature signature restaurants with striking settings.

• Spas are central to most properties. They feature Balinese treatments, meditation spaces, yoga pavilions, and vitality pools.

• Many properties use solar power, rainwater harvesting, and organic gardens to reduce their footprint.

• Some hotels are centrally located. Others are in quieter places, like rice paddies or the jungle.

5] Family-Friendly Activities

Each activity offers families a way to connect with Bali’s nature, culture, and creativity.

1. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest to see long-tailed macaques having fun.
2. Learn how rice is grown by walking through the Tegalalang Rice Terraces.
3. Get up close and personal with animals at Bali Bird Park or Bali Zoo.
4. Spend a day at the Tibumana Waterfall or the Tegenungan Waterfall.
5. Cycle through quiet village roads and rice fields.
6. Paint wooden masks or learn batik art at a local craft studio.
7. Visit the Pondok Pekak Library and Learning Centre for children’s workshops.
8. Enjoy an easy nature trek through Campuhan Ridge.
9. Take a family yoga session at one of Ubud’s studios.
10. Visit the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) for a glimpse of Bali’s ancient history.
11. Take a short day trip to the Bali Safari and Marine Park.
12. Visit local markets and let kids choose simple souvenirs or snacks.
13. Explore the Neka Art Museum or Agung Rai Museum of Art.
14. Try river rafting on the Ayung River.
15. Join a village tour to see traditional farming and animal care.

6] Romantic Activities

Ubud is known as the romantic centre of Bali, with plenty of activities to experience with a loved one. Each one offers a different kind of closeness with Ubud and with your soulmate.

1. Stay in a private pool villa retreat.
2. Take a night stroll through Ubud Night Market.
3. Experience candlelit fine dining.
4. Hire a personal chef to cook in your villa.
5. Sample wine and cheese in a cosy wine bar.
6. Try a couple’s cooking class with local ingredients and a chef.
7. Relax together with a Balinese-style couples massage.
8. Walk hand in hand across rice terraces.
9. Have a picnic lunch in the middle of a rice paddy.
10. Swim beneath hidden waterfalls like Leke Leke.
11. Watch the sunset with cocktails at a sunset bar.
12. Explore the countryside in a classic Volkswagen.
13. Share a thrill – rafting through rivers, zip-lining over trees, or swinging through the jungle.
14. Take a private helicopter ride over Ubud.
15. Ride in a hot air balloon and float through the sky.
16. Find local art in galleries and boutiques.
17. See a traditional dance performance.
18. See rituals that have been going on for hundreds of years at sacred temples.
19. Go to a local bar to hear live music.
20. Share a flower petal bath together at one of Ubud’s tranquil spas.
21. Chill out together at a jungle day club.

7] Distinctive Shopping

Ubud’s shopping scene comprises traditional art markets, high-end boutiques, and artisan villages. Most items are made and sold directly by the artisans. When you shop in Ubud, it feels like you are on a treasure hunt for culture.

Salient features of Ubud’s shopping:

• Several shops have in-house workshops. You can watch woodcarvers, painters, or silversmiths at work.

• The town offers many ways to shop. You can bargain at the busy Ubud Art Market, buy fair-trade textiles at a boutique, or pick up modern resort wear at a stylish shop.

• Artisan villages are close to town. Each place shows a different side of Balinese craft – Celuk for silver jewellery, Mas for wood carvings, and Tegallalang for home décor. 

What to shop for:

• Traditional Balinese masks and modern sculptures
• Paintings inspired by Balinese life, nature, and mythology
• Handmade bowls, plates, and décor pieces with earthy tones
• Hand-dyed textiles like batik and ikat for clothing or home use
• High-quality sarongs at local markets
• Rattan bags, a stylish and popular souvenir
• Balinese silver jewellery with intricate filigree designs
• Organic skincare, soaps, and essential oils made from coconut oil, frangipani, and jasmine
• Spice mixes and herbal teas made with native herbs and roots

8] Holistic Wellness

Ubud is regarded as one of Asia’s leading wellness spots. The town has yoga studios, jungle spas, and wellness retreats.

Why Ubud’s wellness scene is unique:

• Wellness in Ubud combines traditional Balinese healing with modern practices. It brings together healing and cultural depth.
  • Traditional practices include:
    • Sacred water blessings
    • Sessions with traditional healers (Balian)
    • Meditation and sound baths
    • Traditional Balinese cuisine
    • Fresh juices and herbal tonics like Jamu
    • Chakra-aligning massages and energy work
    • Blessings in natural spaces
    • Visits to temples
    • Community wellness events
      
  • Modern approaches include:
    • Yoga (Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, and aerial styles)
    • Sound healing with gongs and crystal bowls
    • Breathwork sessions
    • Pilates and movement therapy
    • Cold plunges and contrast therapy
    • Wellness retreats with detox and fasting programmes
    • Spa treatments using natural and organic ingredients
    • Mindfulness and life-coaching workshops

• The peaceful surroundings – rice paddies, jungles, and volcanic hills — create the ideal setting for rest and renewal.
• Ubud offers wellness experiences across every preference and budget.

9] Unique Hindu Culture

Indonesia has a Muslim population. Yet, Bali follows Hinduism.

Tri Hita Karana constitutes the main principle in Balinese Hinduism. It is about living in harmony with gods, people, and nature. 

This belief affects how people:

• Live their daily lives,
• Build their homes, 
• Water their farms using the subak system, 
• Celebrate festivals, 
• Hold temple ceremonies, and 
• Live in their communities. 

Here, Hinduism combines Indian beliefs with local customs. 

Locals place small palm-leaf baskets called canang sari as daily offerings outside shops and homes. They put flowers, food, and incense in these baskets. They do this to show their gratitude to the gods for peace in their lives.

When visitors know these customs, they can better appreciate the rituals they see in Ubud.

10] Revitalising Spirituality

Ubud’s spiritual side is about Balinese Hinduism and a love of nature. Many travellers go to Ubud to learn more about themselves and grow as a person.

Why Ubud’s spirituality is unique:

Some spiritualists believe that Bali is the location where ‘ley lines’, or sacred paths that carry energy around the world, cross. This intersection forms a strong energy vortex. They think Ubud is a central place where this energy can be felt. Some people who visit Ubud and practise spirituality say they feel calm, inspired, and healed. But there is no scientific proof that this belief is true.

Ways to engage with Ubud’s spirituality:

• Go to a Melukat water purification ceremony at Tirta Empul.
• Take part in meditation, tai chi, or qigong sessions for self-connection.

11] Warm and Welcoming Hospitality

Ubud locals are kind and smile when they see guests. They spend time with the visitors, get to know them, and make them feel at home. Travellers notice this hospitality in small gestures, like a friendly chat, a helping hand, or an offer of tea. 

This warmth comes from strong cultural values that see guests as part of the community. It makes each guest’s time feel real and special.

Many hotels hire local Ubud staff and run training programmes that are in line with Balinese values. They invite guests to join ceremonies or cultural workshops or watch dance shows.

12] Great Value for Money

Ubud offers many options for accommodation, dining, and activities. Prices span from budget to luxury.

The town has five-star resorts, boutique villas, and homestays. Most are well-maintained. They provide reliable service. Food, spa treatments, and tours usually cost less than in Bali’s coastal areas. Higher-end places offer detailed service and good facilities for the rates they charge.

This range of prices and services makes Ubud suitable for all types of travellers.

Indulge in Ubud’s Most Exquisite Dining Experience

Apéritif Restaurant is one of Ubud’s leading destinations for fine dining. It has received international recognition for its multi-course tasting menus, top-notch wine list, attentive service, beautiful location, and 1920s colonial interiors.

The fine dining restaurant has been celebrated with multiple global awards since its opening. Apéritif Restaurant offers a dining experience defined by craft and care. Reserve your table.