If you’re planning a trip to Bali, I can only encourage you to spend some time in Ubud. The town isn’t very big, but it has so much to offer culturally. I spent almost 4 weeks there completing my yoga teacher training at House of Om. I arrived a few days early and took advantage of every day off to explore Ubud. I’ve put together a list that should help you plan your stay in Ubud as best as possible.
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Visit a temple
If you are visiting Indonesia, exploring the local culture is a must. Visiting a temple is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in centuries of history. However, remember to respect local customs: your shoulders and knees must be covered to enter. Sarongs are usually available to borrow or rent at the entrance. Another key rule to keep in mind: women are asked not to enter temple grounds while menstruating.
Experience a Traditional Purification Ceremony
We all come to Bali for different reasons. Some are searching for answers, while others already have them but need time away from the noise to process. Talking with fellow travellers, I realized that behind everyone’s personal story lies a universal thread: big life changes, a need for space, or navigating a major transition. And sometimes, you need a tangible, physical experience to anchor that inner transformation. You can take part in a traditional purification ritual in the sacred temple waters or natural holy springs. I won’t recommend a specific spot here, everyone seeks something unique from this deeply personal ritual, so I’ll leave it to you to find the location that resonates most with your journey.
If you are looking to admire traditional Balinese architecture, you have come to the right place. You can visit the grounds of the royal family palace. The space isn’t very large, making it a quick visit, but it offers a lovely cultural addition to your itinerary.
I was there in November and had the chance to experience the Galungan and Kuningan festival, the most important religious celebration in Bali. In the days leading up to it, tall, curved bamboo poles adorned with elaborate decorations, known as *penjor*, started appearing everywhere. It was truly breathtaking. Depending on the time of year you visit, you might experience other major cultural celebrations:
- March/April – Nyepi (Balinese New Year / Day of Silence): The day before Nyepi features vibrant festivities, complete with parades of massive, hand-crafted *Ogoh-Ogoh* statues that are later burned. The following day, total silence falls over the entire island, a dedicated day of quiet reflection and introspection. No noise, no lights, and even the international airport comes to a complete halt.
- Variable Dates – Odalan (Temple Anniversaries): Celebrated at individual temples across the island based on the traditional Balinese calendar. I highly encourage you to do a little research before your trip to see which local celebrations might coincide with your stay.
Get a Palm Reading
Anyone who has watched *Eat Pray Love* has that iconic scene etched in their mind: Julia Roberts getting her palm read in Ubud. Whether you choose to believe in it or not, you can experience a traditional palm reading and receive spiritual guidance for your life. I’ll leave the research to you so you can find a genuine practitioner rather than a tourist trap.
Visit Ubud’s Museums
Museums might not be the first thing that comes to mind when visiting Ubud, but the town is actually home to some beautiful collections! Take The Blanco Renaissance Museum, for example, which also features a majestic entrance. It’s the perfect way to spend a quieter day immersed in local culture.
Attend a Full Moon Party
If you are fortunate enough to be in Ubud during a festival, ask your hotel or accommodation hosts to recommend the best local spot to experience it. Since I was staying right near Alchemy, that’s where I happened to witness one of the celebrations. However, there are incredible opportunities all across town; be sure to immerse yourself fully in the experience!
Wellness, Massages, and Holistic Experiences
Book a Traditional Massage
Bali gently invites us to slow down, take care of ourselves, tune in, and reconnect with who we are. One of the best ways to embrace this mindset is by treating yourself to a spa treatment. While there is certainly no shortage of options, here are three spots I personally tested and loved:
- Inca: Sleek and modern, offering a wide range of services in a beautifully designed setting.
- Nomad’s Haus Spa: A more intimate experience set within a charmly traditional space.
- Putri: With several locations across town and an extensive menu of treatments, the branch I visited (Putri 1) was impressively spacious!
Pro tip: You can easily reach out to most studios via Instagram or WhatsApp to book your session.
Take a Yoga Class
When you are in Bali, taking a yoga class is practically mandatory. I encourage you to do a little research to find a practice that suits your style, and don’t hesitate to try a class you wouldn’t typically find back home. You certainly have the famous institutions like Alchemy and The Yoga Barn, but don’t be afraid to explore smaller, independent studios as well.
Treat Yourself to a Half-Day Spa Experience
You might be thinking, ‘Astrid, didn’t you already recommend a massage?’ Yes, I know! But I’m taking things up a notch here because you deserve it. You can treat yourself to a half-day spa package at Putri Spa (I believe they used to offer a full-day option as well, though I couldn’t find it on their website anymore, feel free to ask them directly). Ask for the Royal Package, and thank me later!
Now obviously, this isn’t a decision you make on a whim at the last minute. But I’d love to add a bit of nuance here: you can choose to complete a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) without any intention of ever teaching, simply to deepen your own personal practice. That was actually the case for more than half of my cohort at House of Om during my training.
Attend a Wellness or Health Workshop
It was one of the very first things I did when I arrived: booking a workshop at Alchemy. I attended a session focused on the lymphatic system, which was particularly insightful for me as someone living with lipedema, but something I would honestly recommend to anyone. It was incredibly interesting, and we learned several practical techniques to recreate at home. That was followed by a breath work and emotional release session to help process trauma; it was intensely powerful, but wonderfully supported and guided.
Experience a Sound Bath at Pyramids of Chi
If you are looking for a unique experience, Pyramids of Chi offers a variety of options. You can book a restorative sound bath, breathwork sessions, or guided meditation, there is truly something for everyone. Plus, the site itself is breathtaking, featuring impressive, large-scale pyramids.
Experience an Ecstatic Dance Session
I wish an experience like this for everyone: dancing like nobody is watching. It is honestly one of the best opportunities you will get to feel light, uninhibited, and completely free. I took part in the ecstatic dance at Alchemy, and it was absolutely amazing. One very important rule to keep in mind: phones are strictly forbidden. And trust me, someone will remind you if you try to use one. That means you can let go and dance freely without worrying about ending up on social media a few hours later.
Nature, Hikes, and Day Trips Around Ubud
I’m someone who loves to walk, and let’s be honest: Ubud isn’t exactly the ideal city for pedestrians. Even though I walked from my yoga school to the town centre without any trouble, these aren’t the wide sidewalks I’m used to back home in Toronto. So, I went looking for places to stroll that were a bit more pleasant than walking along the side of a busy road. Good news: I have three great paths to share with you, all conveniently accessible right from the town centre:
- Sweet Orange Trail
- Sari Organic Walk
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
Depending on where you are from in the world, you might never have seen a rice field in person, that was certainly the case for me. It is truly incredible to discover them for the first time, taking in the vastness, beauty, and serene calm of these emerald landscapes. The Tegallalang Rice Terrace seems to be one of the most frequently recommended spots. Just like with other day trips in the area, your best bet is to hire a private driver to take you there.
To reach Ubud’s beautiful waterfalls, you will need to drive about 20 to 30 minutes outside the town. You have a few great options: hire a local driver to take you around, or book a day tour through an online booking platform. Make sure to do a bit of research ahead of time to select the waterfalls you would love to discover. Some of the most viral spots shared online can get completely overcrowded with tourists, which can make the experience feel much less authentic.
Climb Mount Batur
This next recommendation breaks my heart a little. It was right at the top of my Bali wishlist, but I came down with an ear infection a few days before. As you can imagine, with a throbbing headache and shooting ear pain, spending hours in a minibus was the last thing I wanted to do.
You have a couple of great options here: you can book a Jeep tour up Mount Batur or opt for a sunrise hike to the summit. Either way, tour operators can pick you up directly from your hotel. Just keep in mind that departures are extremely early, sometimes around 3:00 AM, so you can catch the sunrise at the top.
If you have the pleasure of visiting after reading this guide, do me a quick favour: send me a photo on Instagram! It would truly make my day.
Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
This was perhaps the shortest experience of my entire stay in Ubud: the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Like many travellers, I was torn between the feeling that I *had* to go, we were so close, after all, and the lingering fear of getting attacked by a monkey. My classmates eventually convinced me to go. I stayed for such a brief moment that my entry fee could essentially be considered a charitable donation. I walked around for about four and a half minutes before admitting defeat and running for the exits.
It is undoubtedly a unique experience: you are stepping directly into the monkeys’ domain. Make sure to remove anything that could easily be snatched—jewellery, phones, cameras, and sunglasses.
Arts, Crafts, Local Shopping, and Creative Workshops
Discover Local Balinese Brands
Something I absolutely loved about Ubud—and this might be true for other towns across Bali, but I can only speak to what I experienced, is the incredible number of local brands! By complete chance, I stumbled upon a boutique called “The Locals”. In fact, as I write this article, I’m wearing one of the T-shirts I bought there. It introduced me to Balinese labels offering exceptional quality and designs I genuinely loved. Safe to say, that opened Pandora’s box! From that moment on, I was on a mission to discover more local labels. I brought back several pieces that I still wear regularly here in Toronto. To make things easy for you, I’ve put together a list of the Bali brands I purchased and fell in love with. You might want to apologize to your bank account in advance!
Experience Ubud’s Food Scene
Get ready to give your tastebuds the ultimate treat! Ubud is home to an unbelievable selection of dining spots, from cozy neighbourhood warungs to sophisticated, high-end restaurants, there is truly something for every palate. To make your culinary adventures as seamless as possible, I’ve put together a curated list of my tried-and-tested restaurant recommendations across town.
Take a Silver Jewelry Workshop
You might not know this, but Bali is actually a major player in the global jewellery industry, an insider fact I hadn’t read anywhere before arriving on the island. Because of this rich craftsmanship, you’ll find numerous silversmithing workshops where you can craft your very own ring. A classmate and I decided to take a class after our YTT sessions. I’m really not a fan of bringing home souvenirs that just end up gathering dust on a shelf. Instead, I love the idea of creating something meaningful that will forever remind you of a special place and that you can actually wear every day. I’ve worn mine daily ever since, and every single time I put it on, I’m instantly transported back to Bali. We booked our ring-making workshop at this spot, and as a major bonus, they even give you access to their swimming pool!
Take a Balinese Cooking Class
The absolute best way to dive into a country’s culture? Book a cooking class. Not only will you learn how to prepare local specialties, but conversations also flow so much more naturally over shared food prep. One of my YTT classmates tried this organic farm cooking class and completely loved it!
Stroll Through Downtown Local Shops
Earlier, I mentioned some incredible local Bali clothing brands, but there are plenty of other shops to explore as well. You’ll find boutiques offering handcrafted jewellery, others showcasing natural beauty products, and everything in between. My absolute best piece of advice is to simply take your time wandering down Ubud’s vibrant streets. However, do be careful to verify where items actually originate, especially if they are marketed as ‘locally made.’ It’s surprisingly easy to get tricked into buying mass-produced goods that you could easily find anywhere else in the world. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before making a purchase!
I wish you a wonderful stay in Ubud! I absolutely loved discovering the town and spending a few weeks there. If you’re looking for accommodation, you can also read my review of the Outpost hotel where I stayed. Are you currently planning your trip? If you’re wondering how to pay and withdraw money in Indonesia while avoiding excessive bank fees, check out my honest review and complete guide to Wise. And to stay connected seamlessly the moment you land, take a look at my comparison guide on the best travel eSIMs.
Bon voyage,
