17 Things to Do in Ubud, Where to Eat, Where to Stay in Bali’s Cultural Heart

Although we thought we would be alone in the morning, we got there at 7 am and it was already packed. Schools and locals go there at sunrise to exercise before going to work. But it was totally worth it.

Sunrise & rainy conditions, so you can see the difference

4. Holy Spring Water of Pura Tirta Empul

This temple is an important site for holy. Both locals and tourists can get into the two purification pools where you clean yourself at each station.

It was built 960 AD, they said a Balinese arrogant king named Maya Denawa did not believe in god, and objected the people to worship god. Later the punishment for the king came.

There was a warrior that came to attack him and put him away from the throne. But the king used poison on the water they were drinking to kill them. They found that the water from the temple brought them back. So this water source until now is believed to be the source of life and prosperity.

Everyone needs to wear a sarong, you can bring your own or pay a small fee for them. To go to the last part women or men with long hair need to tie their hair up.

Click here to check my bag 🙂

5. Waterfalls

There are so many waterfalls in Bali that you may need a few week to see them all. But if you only have a few days in Ubud I would recommend you to visit some of the ones that are close to the city so you don’t need to spend most of your day in the car. It may be worth it to combine them with some temples or even the rice terraces early in the morning like we did. They will cost between 10-30k cash only.

Best way would be to hire a private driver as he knows all the routes and even hidden places that are less touristic. Another option would be to hire a bike and go by yourself following google maps.

If you are looking for more information about waterfall, read here our full guide about BALI WATERFALLS

– Tibumana Waterfall

Probably one of the most famous locations for weddings and organized trips. Make sure to come earlier to avoid crowds.

We started our day at 6 am in the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. We were the first ones to enter and we finished by the time everyone started coming.

At 8 am we arrived to Tibumana, we even saw a wedding! Remember to bring your bikini as you can go swimming, although it will be full of photographers taking pictures all the time. If you just want to relax and enjoy the fall may be better to come later so it won’t be just people taking photos. It is also one of the easiest falls to get to.

– Kanto Lampo Waterfall

We were a little disappointed about Kanto Lampo, as we went on the rainy season we didn’t know you couldn’t actually get into the waterfall, see it from the front or go swimming as we have seen in many photos.

Make sure to visit during dry season or you will find just a small slippery corner after paying the entrance fee.

– Tukad Cepung Waterfall

If you still have some time, make sure to visit Tukad Cepung, it is a waterfall inside a cave. It is very popular too but worth it as it is different from the others.

6. Pura Ganung Kawai

You will find very ancient temples and houses built in rocks. The whole area is surrounded by beautiful rice paddies. A highly recommended thing to do in Ubud!

7. Coffee plantation

On one of our trips our driver took as to a local coffee and spices plantation. There are many you can find all over Ubud, just make sure they are local and they don’t keep Luwats in cages for the coffee as it is horrible!

They explained how they grow different kind of coffees, how to plant all the spices like ginger, clave, turmeric. As well as the coffee process from the tree to your mug. After the tour you could try all of the coffees and teas. I loved that they were all served with soya cream as they try to be more sustainable and cruelty free. We were surprised to try avocado and coconut coffee! Tea was delicious too.

When we were walking around we found our new little friend Mr. Luwat, they are balinese cats that traditionally their poop is collected to make a stronger coffee. The problem now a days is they are being kept in cages all day to feed them and just collect the poop.

The plantation we visited didn’t keep them and as they were in the north there are still some wild ones like our new friend that just walks around and they pick the poop when they see it.

We wouldn’t recommend buying or trying it as we don’t believe in keeping them captive as they belong in the jungle.

8. Goa Gajah, Elephant Cave

Beautiful temple carved in the rock that looks like an elephants. Tickets are 15k and they will give you a free sarong to wear it. Remember to bring your own or a long skirt if you don’t want to pay for it.

9. Ubud Water Palace, Saraswati Temple

Right in the center of Ubud town is a temple surrounded with water and beautiful lotus water flowers. It is next to Starbucks and free to enter

Read here our full guide for waterfalls in Bali

10. Visit a swing

We couldn’t leave Bali and not visiting one Swing. We went to Bali Swing only 15 min by car from the center. There are more than 30 swing to choose from, nests, rocks, waterfalls. It was incredible! It gets very busy, make sure to come before 11 am if you want it for yourself!

Ticket includes lunch, which we were surprised to find vegan options! It was a buffet full of tempeh, rice, sprouts, veggies, tofu. Delicious!

They also have a photographer that can follow you to every swing and take the perfect shots.

11. Shopping at Ubud Market

There are two markets, the traditional market where vegetables are sold starts from 3 AM until 8 AM. At 9 AM, the market changes to the Art Market. Where they sell everything from handbags, kitchenware, decorations, rings etc.

You can find anything you want! From cute crop tops to coconut bowls. Make sure to bring enough cash

12. Get a flower bath

As you may know, Bali is famous for their flower baths. We couldn’t resist ourselves and went to Udaya for a spa treatment and the flower bath

It was the most beautiful bath and for a reasonable price.

You can also organize flower baths in your hotels like we did at Adiwana, they usually provide this service too, just ask!

Karsa Spa is one people’s favourite as it only costs around 10$ a flower bath, make sure to book it weeks in advance as it is usually packed.

Read our blog post for the BEST FLOWER BATHS IN BALI

13. Where to Eat

-The Seeds of Life

It is a raw vegan restaurant located in the main street. They only use organic and vegan ingredients and everything is raw. Our favorites were the soul bowl and the sushi bowl along with the huge green smoothies.

Read our full article about Best Vegan Cafes in Bali here

-Açai Queen

As we always say, one city, one açaí bowl! I knew that if I was in Ubud I had to try this place at least once. You can eat your açaí in a pineapple bowl in their little swing.

– Earth Cafe

It was my favourite in Bali, everything was delicious and very affordable. You can also go to watch movies at night. I had for lunch the protein bites that were really tasty and the burger. As I liked it so much I came back the next day for breakfast and had the porridge and the wrap pancakes with coconut ice cream and fruit, my favorite!

-Herb Library Bali

It is next to Adiwana Jembawan in the city center. We loved the laidback ambience of the open-air dining room, they had plenty of vegan options when we went. I had the vegan sushi bowl.

-Lumbung Restaurant

Located inside Desa Visesa Hotel, as we were staying there we decided to go for lunch, as they have a whole vegan menu. We were very surprised by their tasty flavors, especially the coconut soup that was served inside its coconut and the jackfruit curry. If you want to feel like a queen for a day and don’t spend too much money this is your place. If you come here make sure to go for a walk around the hotel and its rice fields.

Other cafes on our list were KAFE, Ayo vegan, Sage, the Alchemy, PriMa warung vegetarian.

14. Where to Stay

– Adiwana Arya

This was our first destination in Ubud and we were really impressed. It was our favorite in Ubud. it’s located 15 min by car from the city.

Each room is a private villa with a dreamy net bed and huge bathroom perfect for a flower bath.

There’s a main pool looking to the rice fields where you can have your floating breakfast or tea with pastries in the evening.

Breakfast is served looking to a little lake with a platform hall where you can learn balinese dance at 4pm.

They also had a full vegan menu and it was so good we came twice!

– Adiwana Jembawan

After two nights at Arya we came here. It is right in the middle of the city. The location was perfect, especially to go shopping at the market or go for a walk.

It is a modern building and each room looks to the infinity pool. Tip: Ask for your breakfast to be served by the pool and you will have it for yourself as everyone will be at the restaurant.

Jembawan has a restaurant called Herb Library Cafe, it is vegan-friendly inspired in the sea and boho style.

– Adiwana Arkara

The last Adiwana we stayed in was Arkara, very close to Arya. We were surprised for how big the rooms were! Each room is a private villa and some of them have a private pool. There’s also an infinity pool looking to the jungle.

Arkara is perfect for families and when you are looking for a luxury stay for a reasonable price.

– Adiwana Dara Ayu

During our second visit to the island we visited our forth Adiwana hotel located in North Ubud, about 35-40 minutes from the city. Which was perfect for honeymooners and to enjoy a little bit of privacy.

A down point for us compared to the other Adiwana hotel is that they didn’t offer complimentary transfer to the city and you would have to pay for transfer.

–Desa Visesa

On our two last days we stay in a private pool villa at Desa VisesaThe property is huge and has a private air balloon and rice fields.

15. Where to have a floating breakfast

Resorts and hotels usually provide this service and if you are in Bali, it is a must, at least once. We had different floating breakfast in Ubud, our favorite was at Adiwana Arya (Price was around 115k/person)

16. Join a Yoga Retreat

After exploring Ubud for a week Chris went back home and I stayed on a vegan yoga retreat (for 1 week) on my own for the first timeI loved everything from the food to the yoga classes and meeting lovely people from around the world

Read here our full blog about our VEGAN YOGA RETREAT

We started our day at 7am with 1.30h of Yoga, each day a different class. After yoga we all went together for breakfast. Probably one of my favourite things! Every day I had rice porridge with fresh dragon fruit and papaya, delicious. Followed by banana leaf bread with peanut butter. (I would just come back for the food).Every day there was a different activity scheduled. They took as to visit an eco school and meet the children, to temples, learn how to make coconut oil, balinese dancing, teach us the balinese culture and how to make the offering. We even had a cooking and juice class.

Lunch and dinner was also included, I loved the coconut tofu curry and all the buddha bowls. After having dinner together, played some guitar songs we all went to sleep. Such beautiful memories.

17. How to get around Ubud

Ubud is 1 hour drive from Densapar airport, it may take longer depending on traffic. Best way to get to is by taxi, it should cost you between 250-300k.

Once in Ubud, you can either rent a bike or hire a private driver. We didn’t feel comfortable renting a bike as we saw some accidents and it is quite dangerous. We hired our car called Honest Driver (Not sponsored or paid) we loved them and organised our trips with them. We paid 45$ for 10 hours.

Read about our favourite Vegan Cafes In Bali here