How many days in Ubud?
Plan 2-5 days for Ubud. 2 days hits the must-sees; 5 lets you eat well, walk neighbourhoods you've never heard of, and take one day trip.
The minimum
2 days
2 days fits the top sights, one good food walk, and one neighbourhood deep-dive — no day trips.
The sweet spot
5 days
5 days adds one day trip, two more neighbourhoods, and three more sit-down meals you'll actually remember.
Slow travel
7 days
7 days is when you leave the to-do list at home and actually live in the city for a week.
The headline things to do in Ubud
From the Ubud guide — these are the items that anchor a 2-day visit. For the full breakdown, read the Ubud travel guide.
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — Padangtegal, southern central Ubud
A 12.5-hectare nature reserve with ~1,200 Balinese long-tailed macaques and three 14th-century Hindu temples in the heart of Ubud. Mossy stone bridges over a ravine, the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple, and rope-bridge sections through the canopy. Entry 80,000 IDR adult; opens 09:00. The monkeys are bold — DO NOT carry visible food, water bottles, sunglasses, hats, or anything dangling from a backpack. Phones get snatched daily. Do not look monkeys in the eye for long.
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces — Tegallalang, 9 km north
The most-photographed rice terraces in Bali — dramatic cascading paddies in a steep valley 9 km north of Ubud, using the UNESCO-listed Subak cooperative irrigation system. 75,000 IDR entry; arrive before 08:00 to beat the day-tour crowds and the heat. The "Bali Swing" photo operations in the area cost an additional 250,000-500,000 IDR each. Walking the path through the terraces takes 1-2 hours; bring water, no shade.
- The Yoga Barn — Pengosekan, southern Ubud
The world's most famous yoga retreat — 6 shalas, 15+ daily classes (Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Aerial, Sound Healing), 200,000 IDR per drop-in class. Multi-day retreats and teacher trainings dominate the bookings. The original Wellness Cafe in the same complex is the everyone-meets-everyone digital-nomad hub. Drop-in book at the front desk; popular classes (Vinyasa Flow at 09:00) fill 30 minutes ahead.
- Tegenungan Waterfall — Sukawati, 15 km southeast
Ubud's most accessible major waterfall — a 15 m cascade in a ravine 15 km southeast (Sukawati area). 20,000 IDR entry; reached by ~165 stairs down (cardio coming back up). Best in the morning before tour crowds. Photo "swing" platforms above the falls cost 50,000 IDR extra. Swimming in the pool below the falls is safe but the rocks are slippery.
- Ubud Royal Palace (Puri Saren Agung) — Central Ubud
The 16th-century palace of the Sukawati royal line — still occupied by descendants. Free entry to the courtyard daytime; the famous Balinese dance performances (Legong, Kecak, Barong) take place here every evening from 19:30, 100,000 IDR per ticket bought 30 min before at the gate. The most accessible Balinese cultural performance in the country. Right on Ubud's main intersection.
- Tirta Empul Water Temple — Tampaksiring, 30 km north
A sacred spring temple 30 minutes north of Ubud (near Tampaksiring) where Balinese Hindus undergo ritual purification by stepping under 12 spouts in succession in a stone pool. Visitors are welcome to participate — wear a sarong (rented at the entrance, included in the 75,000 IDR fee), and follow the traditional sequence. The spring itself is the temple's sacred centre. Allow 1-2 hours; respectful behaviour is essential.
- Campuhan Ridge Walk — West Ubud
A 2 km flat ridge walk on a paved path through grass-covered hills west of central Ubud — the best free experience in town. Trailhead at the Gunung Lebah temple just past the IBAH Hotel; walk takes 30-60 minutes one-way. Best at sunrise (06:00, before the heat) or 16:30-sunset. Gets crowded in afternoon; almost empty at dawn.
- Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati) — Jalan Kajeng, central Ubud
A small, photogenic water temple in the centre of Ubud dedicated to the Hindu goddess of arts, learning, and knowledge — the entrance approach over a lotus-pond pathway is the iconic image. Free entry. Café Lotus (built around the lotus pond) offers Balinese dance performances Tuesday/Friday evenings at 19:30, paid ticket 100,000 IDR.
Frequently asked
Is 2 days enough in Ubud?
2 days is the minimum for a satisfying visit — you'll see the headline sights but won't have flex time. If you can stretch to 5, you unlock a day trip and the food walks that make the trip memorable.
Is 7 days too long in Ubud?
7 days is for travellers who want to slow down — eat at neighbourhood spots tourists don't reach, take repeat day trips, and live in the city. If you're a tick-the-list traveller, 5 is enough.
What's the ideal trip length for first-time visitors to Ubud?
5 days is the sweet spot for a first visit — long enough to cover the must-sees, eat at three good spots, take one day trip, and not feel like you're racing a checklist. Less than 2 usually feels rushed; more than 7 is into slow-travel territory.
Should I add Ubud to a longer regional trip?
Yes — Ubud works well as a 2-5-day stop on a longer regional itinerary. Pair it with a nearby destination via the trip planner so the transit days don't compress your time on the ground.