2 ladies dance at an music event in a temple in ubud 3 day itinerary

My Perfect 3 Day Ubud Itinerary For Mid Range Travellers (2026)

ByJames Fahey

How I’d Spend 3 Days In Ubud On A Mid Range Budget

Ubud, Bali is where three days actually feels right, and thirteen felt like at least three too many.

I stayed there for nearly two weeks and left with mixed feelings about the place. Too many tourists chasing the same infinity pool shot, too many cafes charging Bali prices that aren’t really Bali prices anymore. But strip it back to three days and you get the Monkey Forest, the temples, Ubud Palace and Tegalalang’s rice terraces, without the fatigue that set in for me around day six.

I’ll be honest, the Monkey Forest almost ruined my backpack. One of the macaques jumped straight onto it and started working the zip open, going for my camera and water bottle like it had done this a hundred times before. It probably had.

That’s the thing about Ubud nobody tells you before you land. The best bits are compact enough to do properly in three days, and the rest is padding.

So this is for solo travellers and couples on a mid-range budget who want the four things worth building a trip around, where to actually stay so you’re close to them, and what to skip so you’re not wasting a morning on something you’ll forget by dinner.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my Privacy Policy.

My Favourite Hotels In Ubud

🏨 Alamdini Resort Ubud – Check Prices Here

🏨 Adil Villa & Resort – Check Prices Here

🏨 Puri Saraswati Dijiwa Ubud – Check Prices Here

Ubud Travel Itinerary Map

Day 1 – Exploring Ubud Town

Morning – Visit Ubud Palace

The first stop you will want to make is the peaceful Ubud Palace.

This palace is small but was home to the royal family of Ubud during the reign of Tjokorda Putu Kandel between 1800 and 1823.

ubud palace, james and guada stand in the most common photo location Save

When disaster struck Ubud in 1917, it was destroyed by an earthquake, but it was quickly fixed, and it would be open to foreigners 11 years later.

When we arrived through the gates, it was impressive to see the architecture inside. I arrived around 11.00 am, so it was not particularly early. Even then, around 30 people were already wandering through the grounds. I did not have to queue for long.

I bought my ticket and went straight inside. People were selling tickets for the evening dance outside rather than inside, which I thought made the experience more pleasant. The weathered Kala, or Bhoma, heads were my favourite features in the palace.

Those bulging eyes gave me nightmares.

It was very busy around midday, so better to go earlier in the morning.

ubud palace door details Save

You will likely see a line of people waiting to take pictures with the orange wall and door, where visitors can pass between the palace’s different sections.

You can attend a traditional dance inside here, where there will be guys selling tickets at the gate for later that night.

If I only had time for one royal site in Ubud, this is it, but I wouldn’t cross town twice for it.

🇮🇩 Discover The Best Things To Do In Ubud With My List 🇮🇩

Afternoon – Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

2 kilometres south of Ubud Palace, you will find the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

sacred monkey forest ubud, two monkeys sit together Save

Be prepared for plenty of fun. I arrived around 3.00 pm, and the sanctuary was already busy. When it began to drizzle, the woman at the ticket entrance told me the rain would keep the monkeys in the trees.

That certainly was not the case.

There are countless monkeys roaming around the forest.

They will steal your items if you get too close. One jumped onto my backpack when it was on my back and took the bottle from the side and I never touched it again.

Stay vigilant and don’t leave anything of value down because if you do, you will probably have to negotiate with one of these little guys later to get it back.

You will hear screams of monkeys fighting and playing altogether, so that’s pretty normal. I paid 80,000 IDR ($4.48/€3.92/£3.36) to enter but since 2024 the price has increased to 130,000 IDR ($7.28/€6.37/£5.46).

I visited all three temples within the complex. The main temple, Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, is believed to date back to around 1350. I also explored Pura Beji, home to a sacred spring used for purification rituals, and Pura Prajapati, a temple associated with cremation ceremonies.

Another point, if it is raining heavily, as it was for us, the staff told us there were no monkeys visible today because they do not like rain.

angry monkey at the sacred monkey forest ubud 3 day ubud itinerary Save

When the weather is bad, they hide in the trees.

We considered leaving because you know, what’s the point if we cannot see any monkeys, but we decided we had to go inside and stick to our plan, and it did not disappoint.

We saw so many monkeys and had a great day out. Make sure you scan the QR code at the ticket counter and download a map of the sanctuary. I’d go again, but I’d go early and I’d leave my backpack at the hotel.

The monkeys made the visit memorable for the wrong reasons.

✈️ Discover My Southeast Asia Packing List 🌏

Evening – Campuhan Ridge Walk & Pura Gunung Lebah

A little less than 3 kilometres from the monkey haven is Campuhan Ridge Walk & Pura Gunung Lebah.

Campuhan Ridge Walk is pictured on my 3days in ubud itinerary Save

Before you go on the beautiful nature walk, you will go to the temple.

Though the gates were closed when we arrived, we could still walk around the temple and look in to see the neat garden and exquisite detail of the stone design. Once you spend a little time there, make your way into a steep valley where green vegetation is everywhere you look.

What I loved about this was the fact that you experience rice terraces to either side with a big drop.

You can see locals’ homes on the cliffs overlooking the rice fields.

the trail to reach camphuan ridge alk in ubud Save

We spent about 25 minutes walking along the route, and when it ended, we came to a more populated area with guesthouses and restaurants.

If I am honest we could have kept going but time constraints we decided to turn back. We needed to get back to eat some food and make it to the night dance at the temple.

A particularly nice place for a smoothie of coffee is Karsa Kafe. I had a strawberry milkshake which cost 38,000 IDR ($2.13/€1.86/£1.60) and it was tasty and so satisying after a long walk in the heat.

You can read about the best cafes in Ubud for more nice places to explore.

The elevated viewpoint offers sweeping views across the rice fields, but my drone revealed the true scale of the landscape. From above, I could see the paddies, local farmers’ homes and soft golden light spreading across the fields as the sun slowly set.

The sounds of the jungle and surrounding fields were everywhere. Cicadas buzzed, birds sang and frogs called from the undergrowth, reminding me that I was deep in Bali’s countryside.

I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but next time at sunrise, not midday.

🇮🇩 Find The Best Accommodation Options In Ubud 🇮🇩

Nighttime – Witness A Traditional Dance At Pura Dalem Ubud

I didn’t know what Legong and Barong meant before I sat down at Pura Dalem Ubud.

Balinese traditional dance is a must for an ubud travel itinerary Save

As mentioned before, you can attend a number of temples around Ubud, such as Ubud Palace, but for something new, I suggest you go to Pura Dalem Ubud.

A beautiful temple in its own right, here you will be mesmerised by the dance, music and atmosphere that the performers create for you. We bought tickets at the entrance to the palace when coming back from Campuhan Ridge Walk, and we returned at 07.00 PM in plenty of time to get the best seats.

The dance was called a Legong and Barong.

Balinese traditional dance is a must for an ubud travel itinerary Save

Make sure you come early to get the best seats, 45 minutes before if you can.

You could hear a penny drop.

The women began dancing as men sat on the floor along both sides of the stage. I enjoyed the calm, unhurried atmosphere. The highlight came at the end, when two performers emerged from the Barong, an elaborate costume they had operated together. I had never seen anything like it before.

The dancers come out and perform for 10 minutes or so each, and they switch. The whole performance lasted an hour, but my god, it was powerful. Worth staying in Ubud a full evening for.

I wouldn’t build a day around it, but I’d build an evening around it.

  • Cost: Free to visit the temple itself during the day. Dance performance is ticketed separately at 100,000 IDR ($5.60/€4.90/£4.20), sold at the entrance, no advance booking needed
  • Opening hours: 09.00 AM – 05.00 PM for general temple visits.
  • Suggested duration: 20 to 30 minutes for a daytime temple visit, around 1 hour 15 minutes if staying for the evening dance performance
  • Address: Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571

🇮🇩 Find Out The Best Way From Bali Airport To Ubud 🇮🇩

Dinner

One place I recommend you try is Jiwa’s Warung.

Save

The restaurant was only a ten minute walk from Pura Dalem Ubud and served incredible food at affordable prices.

I returned several times, and the simple Nasi Goreng pictured above was all I needed. Also, the Mie Goreng for 68,000 IDR ($3.81/€3.33/£2.86) and Soto Ayam for 65,000 IDR ($3.64/€3.19/£2.73) are worth trying too.

It was tasty, filling and served with a spicy sambal sauce. Go easy on the sambal, as even a small amount can leave you sweating. Luckily, it is close to Pura Dalem Ubud, so you can tuck into some tasty Indonesian food after the dance. The Sunshine Star juice (pineapple, papaya, banana, lime), cost 35,000 IDR ($1.96/€1.71/£1.47) and was perfect healthy drink to wash it down with.

I went back more than once, and that’s the only review that matters. Simple food done properly beats fancy food done average.

Day 2 – Exploring East and Northern Ubud

Morning – Explore Nearby Rice Terraces

With all respect to the Ubud town centre, this is where it starts to go up a level.

The surroundings around Ubud are simply phenomenal. You can find lush greenery, expansive rice fields, and so many cool temples to get lost in.

That is exactly what we did, renting bicycles for the day for only 20,000 IDR ($1.12/€0.98/£0.84) each. However, I would not recommend it. The route was around 9 kilometres, but Bali’s heat, steep hills, heavy traffic and winding roads made the journey far more exhausting than expected.

It took me an hour and a half and that included an ice cream break for 15 minutes.

Get a Grab scooter or driver if you didn’t rent your own scooter.

Tegalalang Rice Fields

We pedalled north as hard as we could to see the Tegalalang Rice Fields.

tegalaland rice terraces are pictured from the drone Save

An hour and a half later, full of sweat and tears, we arrived at some of the rice fields, and the noise of the scooters and traffic ceased.

All of a sudden, we found ourselves surrounded by nature. Fields continued with rice for eternity. The ancient Subak irrigation system was in plain sight and at work.

Palm trees dotted the skyline. The hot sun was beating down on everything below. It was Bali at its purest. Thankfully, there is a narrow path that people walk or bike through the rice fields close to a place called Gembok Cinta. This nice wooden seat and viewing area is a good place for a break and picture.

This was honestly one of my favourite times staying in Ubud.

another drone shot on tegalaland rice fields Save

It was free to roam around the fields on our own, where we could see farmers harvesting the rice throughout the morning.

You can get arranged tours here if you prefer.

Additionally, it’s nice to know there are places to hide from the sun and get access to toilets in this part of Bali, randomly dotted through the terraces. For example, right here was the perfect place for a rest before we made our way to Ceking Rice Terrace.

Farmers worked among the rice paddies, cutting the crops and tending the fields.

Afterwards, I stopped at Green Terrace Warung and ordered a yellow chicken curry for 80,000 IDR ($4.48/€3.92/£3.36). This was great because it overlooked the Ceking Rice fields. People were ziplining above our heads across the field. The food was decent, too. This is the one that actually looks like the postcards.

I’d put it above Ceking if you only have time for one.

Ceking Rice Terrace

From a tourist’s perception, Ceking Rice Fields are quintessentially Bali.

Ceking Rice Terrace is a popular place to visit near ubud Save

Though it is VERY touristy, the landscape still admittedly holds its own magic.

You just need to walk along the road, which looks down onto the layered terrace. Usually, you will see it dotted with a farmer or two working together. If I am honest, I feel like it was for show.

The whole place is covered with tourists taking selfies of themselves or the farmers on the land.

While you can pay a small fee (around 20,000 IDR ($1.12/€0.98/£0.84)) for a picture with a local farmer, a picture in one of those famous Instagram swings will set you back 200,000 IDR ($11.20/€9.80/£8.40) per shoot.

Ceking Rice Terrace is a popular place to visit near ubud. add it to your ubud itinerary Save

The best way to explore this terrace is to walk around and get up high for the best views.

I was super excited to see how the drone captured the fields from high above.

If you want to escape the noise and bulk of the tourists, then I suggest you walk north around Dukuh Terrace Swing until you come to Santana Terrace Bali and find a peaceful place to have a coconut.

For a little money of 30,000 IDR ($1.68/€1.47/£1.26) I got a couple of coconuts and sat in actual peace and quiet. It tasted like the best natural electrolytes ever.

I stayed here for as long as I could. When the sun sets, you want to be back out near the road where you paid the entrance fee to appreciate the light as much as you can. Here you will see the true beauty of Bali. Barely any people, natural light changing as it falls on the rice, and the sounds of the jungle all around. However, this one felt a little staged compared to Tegalalang.

I did have a smiling contest with the children of the lady I bought the coconuts off and sat outside her place looking down onto the rice.

If you’ve already done one rice terrace, you can give this one a miss.

Afternoon – Taman Sari Waterfall And Tibumana Waterfall

Taman Sari Waterfall

Bali has astonishing waterfalls. So I recommend you add Taman Sari Waterfall to your Ubud travel itinerary.

Taman Sari Waterfall Save

The waterfall has two levels. You can get up close to the water as it crashes down into the pool below on the higher level.

I believe you can bathe in the small, shallow pool, but in my opinion, the lower level is more comfortable. I arrived at 4.15 pm and was surprised by how quiet it was. I stayed in the lower pool because the upper level looked dangerous, and I would not recommend swimming there.

One slip could be fatal. The water felt painfully cold when I first stepped in, but I felt refreshed as soon as I climbed out.

Our driver parked beside the road, and from there we followed the steps down to the waterfall. The walk was straightforward, so it was not particularly difficult to reach.

A much larger pool where you can experience a natural shower as the waterfall pours over your head, and you can swim around in water that most people can reach with their feet.

When we visited, there were only a handful of people around. The crowds seemed to ignore this waterfall.

Taman Sari Waterfall Save

In the early morning, it will be even more private as the crowds start to wake up and arrive a little later.

I think it was worth an early start. I got lucky with the quiet, but I wouldn’t bet on that later in the day.

Tibumana Waterfall

A quick trip across to Tibumana Waterfall is next, and it will start to become clear why Bali is world famous for its natural landscape.

Tibumana Waterfall Save

Tibumana waterfall is outstanding and certainly one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ubud.

A short walk down a steep staircase, it feels like you are entering a dead end. Surrounded by lush vegetation and tall trees, it may seem like you are going nowhere.

You pass a smaller, unimpressive waterfall, walk over a wooden, creaky bridge and finally arrive at Tibumana Waterfall. It honestly feels like somebody decided to design the perfect waterfall and place it right here. You can swim in the water in front.

The natural pool is large, but when we visited, most people stayed close to the shore and took selfies or had their friends photograph them in what proved to be the perfect Bali backdrop.

This place is worth the creaky bridge and the walk. I reached the waterfall at around 5.30 pm and immediately regretted arriving so late, as we were asked to leave when it closed soon afterwards. Even at that hour, around 20 people were still coming and going.

The smaller waterfall we passed on the way barely compared in sound or size. The water here was cold but bearable, and most visitors only waded in briefly. We had been warned not to swim directly beneath the waterfall because it could be dangerous. Rocks rose to my left, while a narrow river and thick vegetation stretched to my right, enclosing the waterfall in a small valley.

The waterfall is the one I’d actually recommend over Taman Sari if you can only pick one.

Evening – Pura Tirta Empul Temple And Pura Mengening

Pura Tirta Empul Temple

This water temple is one of the most visited sites in Bali.

Located about 15 kilometres from Ubud, it is here that you can experience a water purification ritual to rid yourself of any negativity.

Pura Titra Temple Save

It is crazy to think this temple was built in 962, around a natural spring, when the Warmadewa dynasty ruled the region.

Now, bear in mind that you’ll likely feel like a tiny ant in a gigantic crowd when in the water.

The queues of people here were exceptionally long. It was for this very reason that we decided to wait and do the exact same ritual at Pura Mengening instead. But still, the temples are impressive. You can also take part in a prayer ritual and enjoy the nice stone design around the temple.

It was built in dedication to Vishnu, and it is undoubtedly impressive and similar to the many temples found in Bali. The large holy spring water is the main attraction, drawing tourists seeking an authentic Balinese experience.

While I question its authenticity, many visitors seemed genuinely impressed by the ritual.

Pura Titra Temple Save

So that is pretty cool.

At the end of the day I thought I wouldn’t queue for the ritual again. I loved the candi bentar or split gate. It looks like a pagoda cut down the middle. The greenish-black patches along the volcanic stone makes it look like something from so long ago which really it is.

The crowds took something away from what’s meant to be a spiritual moment.

  • Cost: 75,000 IDR ($4.20/€3.68/£3.15), a sarong is included
  • Opening hours: 08.00 AM – 06.00 PM
  • Suggested duration: 1 to 1.5 hours, longer if joining the purification ritual (Melukat) rather than just viewing the grounds
  • Address: Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80552

Pura Mengening

Here is a tip, make the short trip to Pura Mengening to experience the water purification ritual if you do not like large crowds.

Pura Mengening Save

The temple is more impressive in my opinion as you climb lower down a steep staircase passing natural springs which are designed eloquently with stone carvings and water flowing on either side of you, above and below you.

It honestly felt like this place was hidden away from the crowds, and it had a fraction of the people visiting. What I loved was the fact that you had a changing room and a locker to put your valuables in.

We even rented an orange bathing cloth to cover our bodies so it felt more authentic. If you want photos, you can ask the guy at the counter, who happily did this for a fee of 40,000 IDR ($2.24/€1.96/£1.68).

I went around 15.00 PM and there was more people than I expected. Maybe 50 or so. A woman (who happily told me she was from New York) about 15 metres away waved at me to get out of her shot. I get wanting the perfect photo, but waiting ten seconds would have cost her nothing

Do not be like this lady.

Pura Mengening Save

I suggest you fully immerse yourself and enjoy the experience.

If you are visiting with others, ask someone to take photos so you can stay present in the moment. We made our offerings while a friendly man working there from another group guided us through the ritual.

Afterwards, we placed our heads beneath the powerful stream, made a wish and stored our belongings safely in a locker, and the entire experience felt far more authentic than our visit to the previous temple.

It was a wonderful experience, and I would urge you to complete the water ritual here rather than at Pura Tirta Empul Temple for a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. This is the one I’d actually recommend doing the ritual at, not Tirta Empul.

Quieter, calmer, and more genuine in my view.

Nighttime – Live Music at Nomas

This place rocks.

no mas live music is pictured Save

We visited Nomas for the live alternative rock music, and it did not disappoint.

It hosted many Latin music nights, too, so check out their lineup for the time you are visiting. The bar is dark and sexy, and a great place to visit with your partner for some drinks and a good show.

The band would interact with the crowd and they seemed to know songs from everyone’s home country.

no mas bar is great for live music in ubud. ensure you add it to your ubud travel itinerary Save

We had a marvellous karaoke rendition of Gangnam Style from a Korean guy, so it can be a fun night out, especially if you enjoy singing in front of crowds.

I arrived at around 10.00 PM and it was busy but not crazy busy which I liked.

This is where I got a proper night out in Ubud, not a quiet drink.

Dinner

Rawlings Ubud is a family-run business with great local food.

rawlings Ubud has great food. Save

Their Sambal was spicy, smooth and tasty.

I usually stick with the fried rice, and let me tell you, it was the best one I had in Ubud. There was absolutely nothing flashy about the place, and that’s exactly why it worked.

rawlings Ubud has great food anf coffee Save

Day 3 – Southern Ubud

Morning – Explore Ubud Art Market

Right beside the Ubud Palace is the busy Art Market.

Ubud Art Market Save

This is going to be the perfect place to pick up a souvenir to bring back to your family or friends.

Now, I will be truthful, the merchants here will give you a headache. I experienced constant requests from every person in a stall to come and view their products.

But I get it, they want to make a living, but I wish they would realise it makes the experience much less enjoyable, in my opinion.

I can only guess that local merchants are sick and tired of all the tourists who bombard Ubud every year.

One woman kept returning to check whether I was okay, each time offering another discount. She placed items in my hand, praised their quality and gradually lowered the price.

The persistence left me feeling pressured and slightly guilty, even though I had expected this kind of sales tactic.

Ubud Art Market Save

I can compliment the artwork, which is colourful and creative.

You will see many beautiful paintings which display professional vistas of Bali. I wanted to bring one home but I opted not too because I got a cool wooden box outside one of the waterfalls and that was my Ubud souvenir.

I went around 02.30 PM and it was so busy at this time. Morning is far more quiet and comfortable.

They would make a great memory when back home. At the end of the day my thoughts were that it is worth ten minutes for the browsing, but not worth the hassle of the sales pitches.

I suggest you manage your expectations before you go in.

Afternoon – Goa Gajah & Goa Garba

Goa Gajah

Get ready for a dive into Balinese history.

One of the more impressive caves in Bali is Goa Gajah. If you have been searching for things to do in Ubud, then you will have likely stumbled across this place.

Goa Gajah Save

This cave is thought to date back to at least 1365 because it is cited in the Javanese poem Desawarnana.

In 1950, a large bathing area was excavated, making the site much more interesting. I arrived around 1.00 pm and expected it to be busier. Only a dozen or so people wandered around alongside me. Inside, the temple was much larger and darker than I had imagined.

Outside the temple, a large pool was surrounded by statues and weathered stones stacked on top of one another. In the garden, a moss-covered stone bridge and water fountain made the grounds feel like a temple deep in the jungle.

At its centre stood a statue within a T-shaped meditation chamber.The history is more interesting than the cave itself.

Read up before you go rather than after.

  • Cost: 50,000 IDR ($2.80/€2.45/£2.10) adult, 25,000 IDR ($1.40/€1.23/£1.05) child
  • Opening hours: 08.00 AM – 06.00 PM
  • Suggested duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
  • Address: Bedulu, Blahbatuh, Gianyar Regency, Bali

Goa Garba

A short trip away, only 3.5 kilometres, you will reach Goa Garba.

Goa Garba Save

In my opinion, it is the more impressive of the two temples, and if you can only visit one, I would recommend this one.

A steep staircase leads you up to an impressive gateway. When I reached the cave, I stopped and tried to imagine someone meditating there, sheltered from the busy street outside. I was lucky to have it almost to myself, as only two or three people came and went during my visit at around 12.00 pm.

I was nervous about slipping on the way up the stairs. One misplaced step could lead to a serious fall, so take your time and be careful.

The cave and temple are covered in a light green moss, making it look anciently brilliant, which it is.

Goa Garba cave Save

To the right of the staircase, you will find the cave carved out of the rock.

It is here that you will feel a natural desire to sit in the cave and meditate. It could be a wonderful experience if you get some time alone without other travellers exploring the site. In my view it is the better of the two caves, and it’s not close.

If you can only visit one, make it this one.

Evening – Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang

If you would love an adventure in the insanely impressive Bali countryside, then Hidden Canyon is a whirlwind experience.

Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang Save

Only a short drive south of Ubud, approximately 15 kilometres, you will find a place to capture great memories.

The whole experience lasted about two hours. My guide spoke very little English, but we still managed to understand each other. The price included lunch, a towel for the shower and the guide.

At one point, a coconut fell close to us. It made me realise how easily the trip could have ended in disaster, as a falling coconut can cause serious injury. Thankfully, it missed us. It was just the guide and me, which made the experience feel private. I preferred that to joining a larger group.

We slowly navigated our way through the river, stretching, climbing and swimming through the water, not sure if where we stood next was going to exist. This was one of the most exciting adventures in all of Ubud.

Our Guide, who was fantastic, took many pictures and videos of us with our GoPro. We had lunch included afterwards too. Be prepared because afterwards, your legs and feet will hurt.

Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang is pictured in my 3 day itinerary for ubud Save

You will get scratched and marked. Heck, a coconut fell from the tree and nearly knocked us into the river.

So it is a little risky. We arrived at about 4.15 PM to start our adventure and we sat down for our food at 06.00 PM. Still, I couldn’t recommend booking a tour here enough. It was the best adventure I had in Ubud, hands down.

Worth every scratch and every ache the next day.

Nighttime – Attend A Yoga Session

Bali is famous for its spirituality.

Attend a Yoga Session Save

Though I feel it’s a little bit inauthentic, it still brings people from all over the world to find peace within themselves.

We attended a regular Yoga session to loosen up our bodies after a busy few days exploring Ubud and its terrific natural surroundings. I visited the Yoga Barn.

It has an impressive facility where you can join public classes.

The tutor was very good, and overall, we felt it was a nice way to cap off three wonderful days exploring this popular town.

Attend a Yoga Session Save

You can actually stay in the Yogabarn if you are into Yoga, so check out their deals if that is of interest.

It felt a little polished for my taste, and even with a hurt back before the trip I found the facility and the teaching were genuinely excellent.

Dinner

The Laughing Buddha Bar is a popular venue with live music.

Save

You can eat well here, but for us, it was all about the music.

Indonesian bands are fantastic, and we had the joy of listening to Barama Music. The crowd were up on their feet, and the place was singing out loud. Highly recommended for a great night out in Ubud.

I spent my birthday here.

Loud, fun, and exactly what you want after a few days of temples and rice fields.

Other Things To Consider

Tegenungan Waterfall

Another crazy waterfall was found about 12 kilometres south of Bali, Tegenungan Waterfall.

Save

A steep descent is totally worth the trek to another gem in Bali.

The water crashes hard down into the swimming pool below. But be warned, you cannot swim directly under the waterfall for safety reasons. A lot of water is falling hard.

The waterfall was the busiest spot on this list, but the swimming pool at the bottom makes up for the crowds.

Cooking Class

Balinese food is tasty, and what better way to improve your cooking skills than with a cooking class and an expert?

rawlings Ubud has great food. Save

While I did not do a cooking class in Ubud, many people think its great.

Checkout this cooking class on an organic farm. Learn how to make dishes such as Sambal, Nasi Goreng or an Indonesian curry.

Where Is Ubud?

Ubud is located in Bali, an Indonesian island found between Java to the west and Lombok (check out this post on things to do in Kuta Lombok) to the east.

monkeys are pictured at the monkey forest in ubud 3 day itinerary Save

In about a two-hour drive from Denpasar airport, you will be in Ubud centre.

Ubud is located centrally in Bali, though a little more east than the centre of the island.

Where To Stay In Ubud?

Ubud is small, but I recommend you stay somewhere central, close to Ubud Palace or Sacred Monkey Forest.

3 day ubud itinerary shows lady dancing at the temple Save

To be honest, because of Ubud’s compact size, you can easily walk to most attractions wherever you stay in Ubud. You can even use Grab (a transportation app) or a taxi to take you around, too.

When we stayed in Ubud, we found Uma Loris Guesthouse a nice option. In a few minutes’ walk south, you could find the main street.

A few minutes’ walk north, you could find a more rural feel with vegetation growing all around. Another plus was that it didn’t break the bank. I would say it was more mid-range than budget. A good deal, I would argue.

Some other nice options (with great reviews) include:

How To Get To Ubud?

When we landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, we had already booked a taxi through Booking.com.

goa gajah is pictured with the cave entrance Save

It worked out very well.

Our driver even took us to get a SIM card and didn’t ask for more money. 70GB for 600,000 IDR ($33.60/€29.40/£25.20) seemed a little expensive.

Now, the data proved to be on the slower side, and he seemed to know the people in the shop, so maybe this was a common practice, but still, we had a working phone now. Traffic in Denpasar was honestly terrible. When we arrived, it took over 2 hours to get to Ubud, which is less than 40 kilometres away.

Infrastructure is not the best in my experience, so there can be big delays on the road.

When To Visit Ubud?

The best time to visit Ubud is May, June or September, when the weather’s still dry and warm but the peak-season crowds haven’t landed yet.

July and August look tempting on paper, but that’s exactly when everyone else has the same idea. Even April and October are good options, too.

Save

We visited in late July and August, and the weather was perfect.

Warm but not too hot. About 30 degrees Celsius every day. However, the streets were filled with people going to the same places as us. It got a little frustrating after some time, but that’s the reality of travelling in the high season.

Keep this in mind when you are booking your flights.

Getting Around In Ubud

Walking is the best way to move around Ubud.

dance is happening in a temple on my 3 day ubud itinerary Save

Unless you are happy to walk the streets of Ubud then you can move around by scooter (rented or Grab) or Taxi.

Though there are signs scattered around the town saying Grab is banned, you will quickly see this is ignored by most people, including locals. Some people feel it is ruining the economy of taxi drivers themselves. You can decide for yourself here what is best to do.

If you need to budget, then use Grab. If you want to be a good citizen, pay the drivers directly.

The scooters work great in Ubud because the streets are narrow and hilly. So when there is an inevitable traffic jam, you can pass it easily. The Grab drivers always have a helmet for the passenger in my experience, so it’s safe too. If you travel further afield, then a taxi is a good way to move.

To travel deeper into Bali, I suggest you rent a driver for the day. We paid 1,000,000 IDR ($56.00/€49.00/£42.00) for a full day driving around Bali in a pre-determined tour.

We visited Leke Leke Waterfall, Bratan Temple, Banyumala Twin Waterfall and Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, which was a marvellous day out.

🥗 Check out the Best Restaurants In Lombok 🇮🇩

Is 3 Days In Ubud Worth It?

Yes, spending 3 days in Ubud is totally worth it.

Thirteen days felt like too many. If you’re a solo traveller or a couple on a mid range budget, three days is enough to see all the best bits.

You can surf, visit temples, learn to cook or become spiritually aware of yourself if you want. Heck, you can even take a Flower Bath too.

Ubud has a very different vibe from other famous parts of Bali, like Canggu or Uluwatu, but it’s wonderful for nature, level of activity and atmosphere.

I’ll stick by my word and say the real beauty and gold can be found on a short journey outside the heart of Ubud town centre like Taman Sari Waterfall, Leke Leke Waterfall or Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Bali is a big island with so much to explore.

If you only have 3 days in Bali total, spend all three days based in Ubud and take day trips if you want to see more of the island.

One thing I’d do differently is learn how to ride a motorbike before arriving, as it gives you much more freedom to explore independently to places like Goa Gajah or Goa Garba.

Any questions, just ask.

Thanks for reading,

James

FAQs

Is 3 Days In Ubud Enough?

Yes, three days in Ubud is enough to see the main sites and attractions. After 13 days there, you can easily visit the Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, and the rice fields. If you are tight on time and need to skip something, I would not miss the waterfalls and rice fields. Temples could be skipped if you had to.

Can I See Ubud In Just 2 Days?

Yes, you can see plenty in two days in Ubud, but I recommend at least one more. Book drivers well in advance, do not rush between sites, and you can visit places like the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Campuhan Ridge Walk, and Ubud Palace, plus watch a Legong and Barong dance show. Adding one extra day also makes a few nice day trips possible.

Is It Better To Stay In Seminyak Or Ubud?

Ubud has spirituality, rice fields, and nature, whereas Seminyak has beaches, shopping, and busier nightlife. I only experienced Ubud, and it offers great value for wellness, nature, and culture. I’d give Ubud two-thirds of the trip and Seminyak the rest.

James Fahey is an Irish travel writer, photographer and video editor. His blog started in late 2021 but took off in 2023 when James spent eight months visiting Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India and Turkey. James spent time living in Washington D.C and Nairobi working and volunteering where the travel bug started to kick in. James has a goal – to make travel easier for people who want to visit the same places he has been.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *