30 Coolest Things to Do Around Ubud, Bali

One of the most special sights in Ubud is the rice paddy fields that surround the town. We don't love the Bali swing as it feels incredibly touristy. So if you're like us and are looking for a more authentic way to explore the paddy fields other than the jungle swing, we'd highly recommend a bicycle tour instead. Here you'll get to see the more remote rice paddies and local villages, and really experience the local way of life.

For the Balinese, the Melukat ceremony is a way to purify the mind, body and soul while seeking blessings from the gods and ancestral spirits. You don't have to be religious or spiritual to find meaning in this ritual. You can just enjoy the peace of being in nature. Pura Tirta Empul Temple is the most famous place for Melukat, but if you are looking for something a bit more off-grid and authentic, check out this one instead.

You can wear your flip flops for this relaxing stroll! The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a mellow, mostly paved hiking trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding rice paddies and forests. It's easy to get to and even easier to navigate, all on your own. Best time to come is in the evening to enjoy the gorgeous sunset skies.

Although it can be a little hectic and it's most certainly not a hidden gem, the Saraswati Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess, is a must see spot in Ubud. The gorgeous lotus pond gives the place a peaceful vibe even with many tourists milling around.

We love Serayu Pot for its cozy and bright aesthetic as well as the story. This pottery studio and shop was started by a local artist who wanted to find a way to make enough money to send his kids to school. You may not have the time to make your own piece, but you can browse the shop to pick up a beautiful hand made terracotta pot or Balinese style painting. All for a good cause!

Whether you choose to go to Ubud monkey forest or not will depend on your tolerance for cheeky monkeys. If you can stand a bit of chaos, it can still be an interesting experience to wonder through this thick, jungle like natural reserve and watch the thousands of long tailed macaques play. Empty your pockets and bags of food before you come - otherwise they’ll be all over you!

Seniman Coffee is an Ubud based, vertically integrated specialty coffee brand that elevates Indonesian beans to new heights. In addition to making tasty coffee, they also invest a lot in training and up-skilling local baristas and roasters. If you are planning an off-grid adventure and need good coffee to come with you, we highly recommend to pick up a box of their single use coffee drips!

Although a little kitschy and at times touristy, the Ubud Art Market is still a fun spot to wonder the stalls, hunting for souvenirs and gifts to take home. Here, you'll find a wide range of traditional Balinese textiles, wood carvings, and the occasional dream catcher and unicorn figurine.

Locavore is basically the Noma of Indonesia, but at a fraction of Noma's prices. It's one of our favourite restaurants in Bali because it really showcases the creativity of Balinese chefs and highlights local ingredients in a really surprising way. Imagine butter but without dairy and entirely made out of fishbones?! Come here for a really special experience.

Step right up and be swallowed up by the demonic, gaping mouth of the Goa Gajah Temple. The menacing entrance to the temple also known as Elephant Cave, leads to a small carved from stone chamber. Imagine what it would have been like to be a Hindu priest in the 14th century meditating here day in and day out!

The flavours in Bali will leave you wondering what makes food here so bold and fragrant. The Bali Farm Cooking School offers hands-on lessons that will teach you how to make local dishes using fresh, organic ingredients grown on the school's farm. Perhaps the best part of the experience is visiting the local market where you get to see the colorful local vibes and pick up ingredients for the meal.

Ubud is traditional the artistic hub of Bali, with local artisan villages all based around here. These days it's hard to find an authentic artisan in Ubud as they've all decamped to nearby villages that are cheaper.

One of the remaining artist studios, nestled by green jungle vibes, teaches the traditional art of Batik. This elegant fabric painting by wax and dye is an ancient Indonesian tradition. Making a piece of your own at Five Art Studio will give you a glimpse of how intricate and time consuming this practice can be.

Want to take home something a little more special than just a souvenir you picked up at a local market? How about making your own piece of silver jewellery! Ubud is famous for its silversmiths and spending a few hours in a cozy studio, while you make a ring or a pendant is a great way to learn more about this craft.

You've probably heard of yoga in a studio and most likely practiced it at home, but have you ever tried yoga outside with an amazing view? Pranasanti Yoga can lead yoga sessions anywhere around Ubud - from forests with waterfalls to your own private villa. Their instructors are super patient and great with beginners and even advanced students.

Wonder what's the deal with all the tiny flower trays scattered on the pavements through out Bali? You can take a workshop where you can learn all about the significance of the offering (Canang Sari) to Balinese culture as well as make one yourself. If you wish, you can even wear the traditional garb that Balinese women wear when they make the offerings!

The Balinese have a long and sacred tradition of consulting healers in a time of need or change, seeking spiritual wisdom from an elder. This tradition has come to wider attention with the film Eat Pray Love, which has also brought about a lot of hacks. After searching far and wide, we have found Jero, a genuine healer that continues the authentic practice, spiritually advising both locals and travellers.

Bali has ancient but modern day relevant farming techniques that take into account sustainability. By joining a workshop on a local farm you will see how traditional tractors and plows are used and get hands on in the harvest process. At the end, you will be able to prepare a dish with locally grown ingredients.

As you travel around Bali you will notice bamboo being used in everything from food to building materials. At Bamboo Creative, you can work with local craftsman that will teach you all about the importance of bamboo to the Balinese home and you can even craft your own piece of bamboo furniture!

Is it worth waking up in the middle of the night to see the sunrise atop Mount Batur? YES!! You will not regret the early wake up and the night time trek as you watch the sun illuminate Mount Agung and Mount Abang. But if you are really can't be bothered that early, there are other ways to experience Mount Batur, such as taking a jeep!

Learn more about the Mount Batur trek here.

Not all cups of coffee are created equally. If you really want to taste the best and learn more about this globally beloved crop, visit a sustainable coffee farm. Bali Beans is a family owned enterprise which only grows organic beans and works to elevate the local community as well as the status of Balinese beans as it sends them around the world.

Nusa Penida with its dramatic landscapes, small winding roads and farming community is known for being like Bali 20 years ago. The most popular way to see this island off the coast of Bali is to do a day trip that usually covers all the IG-famous spots via car, followed by a snorkelling boat trip to see Manta Rays and other amazing sea life.

Sekumpul is the biggest and most impressive waterfall in Bali. Standing at the base of it as two large and constant streams of water come barreling down, it's hard not to be in awe of how powerful nature is. There are several ways to trek down to the bottom of the waterfalls, but anyway you take, it will make for a mild lush jungle trek.

Have you ever heard of the Fin Komodo? No, it's not the lizard! It's a locally produced off-road vehicle, similar to an ATV or buggy. And it's perfect for exploring jungles, villages and finding hidden waterfalls in Munduk. You won't regret the 2 hour drive from Ubud for this fun adventure!

Sidemen is a sleepy small town that can be described as Ubud before Eat Pray Love. Sidemen is best for a quiet, back to nature stay or a day trip to walk through the rice paddies. If you have more time, there's also a super quaint silversmith shop that is worth a visit to make yourself a unique piece of jewelry.

Lake Tamblingan is a hidden gem in the heart of the Bali Barat National Park. Its deep blue waters are surrounded by dense forests and verdant hills. One of the highlights of the lake, is the Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple which is perched right on the bank. The best ways to experience it is by canoe.

This is one of the most challenging climbs in Bali, but also one of the most rewarding. At 3031 meters, Mt. Agung is the tallest peak in Bali, as well as the most active volcano and most sacred to the local people. Suitable if you do regular cardio, or are an intermediate hiker as this requires a 8-10 hours climb time.

This is a super cool way to understand local Balinese culture, and immerse in their traditional practices. Here you'll to try Mepatingan, a uniquely Balinese martial art which takes place in the rice paddy mud. Once you've had an exiting tumble in the mud with your friends and family, you can enjoy a mud sauna, a coffee scrub and a cup of java followed by a delicious local lunch!

If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, head to nearby Ayung River for white water rafting. The river is nestled in the jungle and you’ll be immersed in beautiful nature views. Ayung River is popular because it’s beginner-friendly - it’s a good way to get out in nature and have fun!