Ubud Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Ubud tours, the emerald Tegalalang rice terraces and Bali swings, the cheeky Sacred Monkey Forest, jungle waterfalls and water temples, thrilling ATV quad-bike rides and white-water rafting, the sunrise hike up Mount Batur, and day trips to Nusa Penida and the clifftop temple of Uluwatu. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Ubud itinerary.
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Explore Ubud by interest
Whatever brings you to Ubud — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Ubud highlights
Rice terraces and Monkey Forest.
ExploreATV & rafting
Quad bikes and rapids.
ExploreWaterfalls & temples
Jungle falls and water temples.
ExploreMount Batur sunrise
Volcano hike at dawn.
ExploreNusa Penida
Kelingking Beach and mantas.
ExploreUluwatu & Kecak
Clifftop temple and dance.
ExploreBali swings
Soar over the jungle.
ExploreDay trips
All of Bali and Java.
ExploreTop attractions in Ubud
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Emerald paddies and swings.
Sacred Monkey Forest
Macaques and shrines.
Jungle Waterfalls
Tegenungan and more.
ATV & Rafting
Jungle quad bikes.
Mount Batur
Sunrise volcano hike.
Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach.
Uluwatu Temple
Clifftop and Kecak.
Tirta Empul
Sacred water temple.
Ubud in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Highlights
- 2Day 2: Mount Batur
- 3Day 3: Nusa Penida
- 4Culture, volcano & island
1.5 hrs awayMount Batur
Sunrise volcano hike.
Boat trip awayNusa Penida
Kelingking Beach.
1.5 hrs awayUluwatu Temple
Clifftop sunset and Kecak.
Near Ubud awayJungle Waterfalls
Tegenungan and more.
Near Ubud awayATV & Rafting
Jungle adventure.
Multi-day awayBromo & Ijen
Java’s volcanoes.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Ubud visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
April to October is Bali’s dry season, with sunny days ideal for the rice terraces, waterfalls and Mount Batur — the prime time to visit Ubud.
Dry season (Apr–Oct)
Sunny, warm and less humid, perfect for hiking, ATV rides and sightseeing; the best and busiest season.
Peak months (Jul–Aug)
The driest and most popular months, lively but busy with higher prices — book ahead.
Wet season (Nov–Mar)
Hotter and humid with afternoon downpours; the rice terraces are lush and green, and mornings are often clear for early tours.
Festive season
December–January is busy with holiday visitors; Nyepi (Balinese New Year, around March) is a unique day of silence when the island shuts down.
Go early for Batur
The Mount Batur sunrise hike starts before dawn year-round — clear mornings are common even in the wet season.
One day
Rice terraces, Monkey Forest and a waterfall.
Two days
Add the Mount Batur sunrise hike.
Three days
The sweet spot: highlights, Batur and Nusa Penida.
Four to five days
Add Uluwatu, more temples and the beaches.
A week or more
Use Ubud as a base to explore all of Bali.
Travelling with kids
Mix monkeys, swings and gentle rafting.
Private driver
Hiring a car with a driver for the day is the most popular and affordable way to see Ubud’s scattered sights at your own pace.
Tour transfers
Most tours, ATV rides and Mount Batur and Nusa Penida trips include hotel pickup.
Ride apps
Grab and Gojek work in Bali for cars and scooters, though some Ubud areas restrict app pickups.
Scooter hire
Scooters are cheap and flexible for confident riders, but Ubud’s traffic and narrow roads need care.
On foot
Central Ubud — the Monkey Forest, market and palace — is walkable, and the Campuhan Ridge Walk is lovely.
From the airport
Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) airport is about 1 to 1.5 hours from Ubud by car or pre-booked transfer.
Indonesian rupiah
Bali uses the rupiah; carry cash for markets, temples, drivers and small warungs, though cards work in hotels and bigger venues.
Dress for temples
A sarong and sash are required at temples like Tirta Empul and Uluwatu — these are usually provided or rentable on site.
Mind the monkeys
In the Monkey Forest, don’t carry food, loose items or sunglasses, as the macaques are quick to grab them.
Start early
Beat the heat and crowds at the rice terraces, waterfalls and swings by going early in the morning.
Layer for Batur
The Mount Batur summit is cold before dawn — bring a warm layer for the sunrise hike.
Respect rituals
At water temples, follow local etiquette during purification rituals and step around the daily offerings (canang sari).
Mount Batur sunrise
Popular sunrise hikes fill up — book ahead.
Nusa Penida trips
Day tours and fast boats sell out — reserve early.
ATV & rafting
Quad-bike and rafting combos are busy — pre-book.
Uluwatu & Kecak
Sunset Kecak dance tours have limited seats — book ahead.
Highlights tours
Private driver day tours fill up in peak season — reserve early.
Peak seasons
July–August and December–January are busy — plan ahead.
Highlights tours
Around €25–60 for a private Ubud highlights day tour.
Mount Batur sunrise
About €35–70 for a sunrise hike with breakfast and hot springs.
Nusa Penida
Roughly €50–90 for a Nusa Penida island day trip.
ATV & rafting
Around €30–70 for an ATV and rafting combo.
Uluwatu & Kecak
About €35–70 for an Uluwatu sunset and Kecak dance tour.
How to save
Hire a private driver and share the cost, and join group tours for Batur and Nusa Penida.
Ubud through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Hiking and sightseeing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal; sunny.
- Best for
- Driest, liveliest.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busy; book ahead.
- Best for
- Sun and fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Excellent value.
- Best for
- Lush green terraces.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid; afternoon rain.