Ubud and Sidemen are in Bali’s interior. Rice fields, rivers, and jungles surround both locations. Their setting is similar. But the pace, mood, and visitor experience make them different.
Ubud is a main tourist centre and one of Bali’s premier spots for culture and dining. Sidemen is quieter with fewer tourists. There, life is centred on farming and tradition.
Most travellers pick one. This guide shows the key differences so you can decide which place suits the trip you want.
Why Visit Ubud?
- Spirituality is Part of Daily Life: Ubud is one of the most obvious places for tourists to see Balinese spirituality.
The town has several historic Hindu temples. Offerings (canang sari) are placed daily across streets and shrines. Ceremonies often move into the streets. So, visitors regularly see processions and temple dress even on ordinary days.
- Art Is Core To Balinese Identity: Ubud has long been a centre for Balinese art.
The town is known for its painting classes, pottery, and craft workshops. Visitors find both traditional and modern works in markets, galleries, and museums. Family compounds also turn into art studios.
- Wellness Blends Tradition And Modernity: Yoga, meditation, and healthy food are part of Ubud’s lifestyle. For locals, wellness comes from traditional healing (balian) and herbal tonics (jamu). This tradition paved the way for modern yoga studios, retreats, and cafés.
- Nature Frames the Setting: Ubud is surrounded by rice terraces, valleys, and jungle. The stay is shaped by morning walks, the sounds of the river, and the views of the rice fields.
- Vibe is Balanced: Ubud has a lively centre with cafés and markets and a quiet countryside with villages. The balance shifts with season and location. Peak periods feel crowded in town, but within minutes, visitors can step into rice fields or quiet lanes.
- Community is Glocal: Artists, families, wellness travellers, and long-stay visitors form Ubud’s diverse international community. However, Balinese traditions remain central, with ceremonies and banjars.
Why Visit Sidemen?
- Spiritual Life Connects to Mount Agung: Sidemen is on the rich southern slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s most sacred volcano. Locals believe this mountain is a natural source of spiritual power and daily blessings. Temples and family shrines face the mountain to show reverence.
Villages here also have long-standing links with Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali. Offerings and rituals are part of everyday life. Larger processions occasionally take place during temple festivals.
- Weaving is Part of Cultural Heritage: Many families in Sidemen keep looms in their homes. They make songket and endek textiles for ceremonies. The same textiles are also sold directly to visitors in local workshops.
- Life Follows Simplicity: The sense of well-being in Sidemen is not built on yoga studios or retreats. It comes from the fresh air, farming cycles, and simple routines. Visitors to Sidemen find balance in slower days, fresh local food, and the natural quiet of village life.
- Nature Shapes Walks: Rice terraces, rivers, and bamboo bridges define Sidemen’s valley. Treks usually pass through working villages as well as fields. So, travellers see farmers at work alongside the landscape.
- Lifestyle is Tranquil: There is little traffic. General nightlife does not exist. Farmers work early in the morning and evening. So, the middle of the day and late nights are calm.
- Locals are involved in Tourism: Many locals in Sidemen run guesthouses, cafes, and weaving workshops, alongside their agricultural work.
Ubud vs Sidemen: A Comparison
| Parameter | Ubud | Sidemen |
| Best Suited For | Ubud is best suited for culture and art enthusiasts. It also suits those seeking wellness and diverse dining options. Short nature trips are an added attraction. | Travellers who prefer rural calm and farming life prefer Sidemen. |
| Commute Time from the Airport | About 1.5-2 hours by car from Ngurah Rai Airport. Travel time can increase with traffic, especially near temples or market areas. | About 2 hours by car from the airport. Roads are narrower and pass through villages. But traffic is lighter than in central Bali. |
| Dining Scene | Ubud has a wide range of dining options due to its high tourist numbers. Choices include: –Fine dining -Cafés -Scenic restaurants with rice field or jungle views -Family-run warungs Meals are usually lively and social in busy central settings. | Sidemen’s dining is closely tied to its rice field setting. Many restaurants and cafés are within resorts. They serve long lunches with valley or mountain views. Menus highlight fresh, local produce. The mood is quiet. The pace is slow. |
| Accommodation Scene | Ubud has a wide range of stays: -Luxury villas -Wellness retreats -Boutique hotels -Eco-lodges -Budget guesthouses Resorts often include restaurants, yoga studios, and spas. Villas come in modern, minimalist, and traditional Balinese designs. | Sidemen offers: -Eco-lodges -Boutique hotels -Family guesthouses Many face rice fields and Mount Agung. Stays are usually simpler, with fewer amenities and dining options than Ubud. Prices are usually lower. But some upscale lodges and villas provide high comfort. The focus is on family-run hospitality, natural settings, and a slower pace. |
| Places to Visit | Tegallalang Rice Terraces The Sacred Monkey Forest Tegenungan or Tibumana waterfalls Ubud Market (for snacks, crafts, and souvenirs) Tirta Empul Temple (for cleansing ritual) Sayan House (for sunset cocktails) Mount Batur (for sunrise morning trek) Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave Temple) Campuhan Ridge Walk Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) or Neka Art Museum Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati | Gembleng Waterfall Jagasatru Waterfall Tukad Cepung Waterfall Telaga Waja River Rice terraces and rice fields Bukit Cinta Viewpoint Lahangan Sweet Viewpoint Besakih Temple Tirta Gangga Water Palace Taman Ujung Water Palace Gates of Heaven (Lempuyang Temple) Note: Lahangan Sweet, Tirta Gangga, Taman Ujung, and Gates of Heaven are day trips from Sidemen, not inside the valley. |
Experience the Pinnacle of Fine Dining in Ubud
Apéritif Restaurant in Ubud is renowned for its full-service dining experience. The restaurant overlooks Ubud’s jungle valley.
You can start with a pre-dinner drink, then move to a multi-course degustation menu, and end with petit fours. The restaurant offers several tasting menus, including vegan and romantic options.
The setting is 1920s-inspired with vintage décor. Service is attentive. Book now.
