Ubud Accommodation & Private Villas

Ubud is about 40km north of the Ngurah Rai International Airport at Denpasar. There are multiple modes of travel, which all take about an hour to reach Ubud. Private shuttle buses and minivans are readily available from the airport, found in abundance in the mornings. If you are a large group, you can rent the entire minivan, but do negotiate prices as locals tend to overcharge foreign visitors.

Alternatives are private taxis and online cab services such as Grab and Gojek, though these are more expensive. The best option, especially for mobility around Ubud, is to rent a car at the airport. There are plenty of services but it's most convenient to make an online booking before your arrival. If you are renting a car, be sure to check whether your assigned vehicle has automatic or manual transmission, as charges are different. Another popular option for solo travellers is to hire a bike or scooter, provided you are travelling light with less baggage.

Ubud's cuisine is Indonesian fare with some international influences, but, it is highly recommended to try the traditional local dishes. A must-have Indonesian meal is the Babi Guling, or Balinese roast pork, which is available in small roadside eateries and even the most sophisticated restaurants. Other great options include the satay skewers, stuffed betutu duck, bakso meatballs, nasi goreng noodles and the nasi lemak rice.

Ubud also has a wide range of Asian options, largely Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese. You can also find continental and South American options that will surely spoil you for choice. Ubud is a small town so it's fun to walk along the Ubud main street and explore the many options first-hand, ranging from small Australian-styled cafés to large Asian restaurants spread out in luxuriant gardens. Lumbung, Labak Sari, Monkey Legend and Sawah Terrace are some of the classier local restaurants.

Commonly referred to as 'Pasar Seni Ubud,' The Ubud Art Market opens its doors daily to locals and visitors. You can explore great silk scarves, handmade bags, lightweight shirts, kites, statues, hats, baskets, and much more. Most of the items displayed at the Ubud Market are sourced from the neighbouring Pengosekan, Payangan, Tegallalang, and Peliatan villages. The market is strategically located next to the royal palace, making it a centre point for Balinese souvenir and handicraft traders.

Take your family for a free, easy nature walk in Ubud. Children have a lot to enjoy through the Campuhan Ridge Walk with a stopover at the majestic palace that houses one of Bali's royal families. Breathe some cool fresh air as you navigate the gorgeous hillside vista. The trek kicks off from the ancient Gunung Lebah Temple and heads out into the lush green escarpments.

While the nightlife in Ubud is not as widely known as zesty Kuta in the south, it has a charm of its own. A must-see here is a traditional Balinese dance program held in the evenings at the Ubud Royal Palace. Elaborate costumes, graceful movements, colourful masks and traditional instruments contribute to a mixed bag of unforgettable performances. You can also look out for special masked performances of the Indian epic Ramayana and the legendary shadow puppets of Bali, though these are rarer to find.

You can then head off to one of the many bars and restaurants that offer live music. The Laughing Buddha Bar, Kafe Bunute, and No Mas are popular for their live music performances, catering to jazz, blues, world music, and fusion. With increasing western influence, cocktails, happy hours, salsa dances, and jamming sessions are getting more popular in recent times. Other interesting options include smoking shisha in a Bedouin tent at the XL Shisha lounge or playing bar games at the popular Melting Pot Saloon. Most of these spots are open after midnight, though the rest of Ubud falls asleep much earlier.

Goa Gajah is an impressive archaeological site that sits on the southern edge of Bedulu village, a true home to the island’s historical attractions. Just 6km to the south of central Ubud lies the iconic temple complex. Discover the main 11th-century cave and a relic-filled courtyard. Admire rock-wall carvings inside the cave and reflect in a quiet meditational centre.

In the heart of Bali, Ubud offers a lot of options that can be covered in a couple of days. A visit to some of the temples nearby is a must. This includes a climb to the Gateway of Heaven at Pura Lempuyang (Bali's most Instagrammed temple gates overlooking the active volcano Mt. Agung), a dip in sacred waters at Tirta Ganga or Tirta Empul, and a visit to the floating temple of Ulun Danu. You can also check out the Goa Gajah temples made of rock-cut architecture. Ubud is close to the hilly rainforests of Bali, offering mountain hikes with the bonus of a swim under waterfalls. Tegenungan, Tibumana, and Tukad Cepung are some of the more popular waterfalls hidden in dense, surreal forests.

A must-visit are the artists' villages where you can see artisans at work and buy beautiful wooden souvenirs at great prices. Other attractions include the mesmerising sacred Monkey forest that houses long-tailed monkeys in an ancient temple complex, the Setia Dharma house of masks, and UNESCO world-heritage listed rice terraces such as the Tegalalang fields. Or, you can just rent a private villa with a serene pool overlooking the rainforests and relax. Whatever your choice, Ubud is bound to beat your expectations.