Ubud, known as the cultural heart of Bali, is home to art markets, unique temples, lush rice paddies, and gorgeous waterfalls.
Although most people visit on a day trip covering only the main tourist attractions like Ubud Art Market, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, or Tegenungan Waterfall, there’s so much more to see and do here.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to plan the perfect 3 days in Ubud itinerary, including how to get there, where to stay, and other helpful tips.
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Read more about Bali:
- Best places to stay in Ubud
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3 days in Ubud Itinerary Overview
If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Ubud, I personally recommend a minimum of 3 days which should be enough to visit all the main attractions and some lesser-known spots.
Below is a quick overview of this 3 day Ubud itinerary:
Day 1: Ubud Art Market, Ubud Palace, Pura Saraswati temple, Monkey Forest, and Campuhan Ridge Walk or Subak Juwuk Manis rice fields.
Day 2: Option 1 – Visit the waterfalls near Ubud: Tukad Cepung, Goa Rang Reng, Tibumana, and Taman Sari waterfalls. Option 2 – Visit the waterfalls in North Bali: Git Git, Jembong, Banyu Wana Amertha, Pucak Manik, and Banyumala Twin waterfalls.
Day 3: Mount Batur sunrise hike, Tegalalang rice terraces, and Sidemen Valley.
If you want to have everything organized for you, this guided tour of Ubud is a great option and includes visits to all the main tourist attractions, hotel transfers, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide.
CHECK PRICE FOR A GUIDED TOUR OF UBUD HERE
How to get to Ubud from the Airport?
Although you can get a taxi directly at the airport, I found it to be more expensive there. The cheapest option is to book a private transfer online. The drive from the airport to Ubud should take about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
CHECK PRICE FOR A BOOK A PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER HERE
How to get around Ubud?
Private Taxi
The best and most convenient way to get around Ubud is to hire a private taxi. It costs about IDR 500k per day, depending on the distance covered. Book through the link below to get a discount.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PRIVATE TAXI (DISCOUNTED RATE)
Scooter
Another option is to rent a scooter. Keep in mind that traffic can be very hectic in downtown Ubud and you might get pulled over by the police for routine checks. For this reason, be sure to bring your international driver’s license and always wear a helmet.
Grab and Go-Jek
Although much cheaper than regular taxis, it’s a real pain trying to book Grab or Go-Jek in Ubud. You’ll find signs almost everywhere about ride-sharing apps being banned. I’ve even heard stories about Go-Jek drivers getting harassed by the local taxi drivers!
I was only able to book a Go-Jek once and had to meet the driver further away from the actual meeting point so that the local taxi drivers wouldn’t be able to see us!
Where to stay in Ubud?
KajaNe Mua
KajaNe Mua is (see on booking.com or Agoda) a 5-star hotel located on Monkey Forest Road. The location is very convenient with easy access to a wide selection of restaurants and cafés.
Guests who opt for the one-bedroom villa can enjoy a private pool while other room types give you access to the public swimming pool. The hotel is very quiet at night despite being located on a busy street.
Alam Pangkung
If you’re spending only 3 days in Ubud, you’ll definitely want to be close to the main tourist attractions. Alam Pangkung (see on booking.com or Agoda) is located right in the middle of downtown Ubud but is still very quiet at night.
Rooms are spacious and come with a large double bed, air conditioning, and a private bathroom. Breakfast is also included.
Related post: Best places to stay in Ubud
Ubud Itinerary: Day 1
Ubud Art Market
One of the top attractions to see during your 3 days in Ubud is the Ubud Art Market. While the market opens at 2 a.m most people visit from 10 a.m until late in the afternoon.
Early in the morning, you’ll find locals selling fruits, vegetables and Canang Sari (offerings made of colorful flowers and coconut leaves).
Tip: If you want to get your hands on some Balinese cakes, I recommend going early at around 6 a.m.
From 9 a.m, it becomes a tourist market selling all sorts of souvenirs, clothes, handicrafts, rattan handbags, and pretty much anything you can think of.
Haggling is the way to go here! Start with 30-40% of the quoted price and work your way up until you can agree on a reasonable price. If you want to score cheaper deals, go early in the morning.
Ubud Palace
Ubud Palace, also called Puri Saren Agung, is the second most popular attraction after the Ubud Art Market. The palace is free to visit from 7 a.m to 5 p.m.
There isn’t much to see here apart from the intricate architecture, so Ubud Palace is merely a photo spot.
Since the Royal family still resides within the complex, certain parts of the palace are restricted to the public.
Pura Saraswati Temple
Pura Saraswati temple is one of the main temples in Ubud. With its intricate architecture and beautiful lotus pond, it’s a must-visit for avid photographers. Entrance to the temple is free.
Ubud Monkey Forest
If you love animals and are brave enough to walk past hundreds of cheeky monkeys, make sure to visit the Monkey Forest. For a better and safer experience, you just need to follow a few guidelines:
- Don’t feed the monkeys
- Avoid looking them in the eyes
- Don’t show your teeth as they may feel threatened
- Stash away loose items such as sunglasses, jewelry, and food!
You’ll most probably see people trying to feed the monkeys to get a picture but it’s not recommended to bring food since the monkeys won’t leave you alone until they get something to eat!
Apart from seeing the monkeys, there are other things to do such as strolling around the forest, and visiting the temples and exhibition hall. The Monkey Forest is open daily from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
Rice field walk in Ubud
Finally, end the first day of your 3 day Ubud itinerary by taking a sunset stroll around the rice fields. The most popular one is Campuhan Ridge Walk which is found near Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas & Spa.
Keep in mind that it can get crowded at sunset time but most people don’t make it all the way to Karsa Kafé where you’ll find the most beautiful rice paddies.
If you prefer a more peaceful walk, then head to Subak Juwuk Manis (Magical Rice Fields in Ubud). If you’re coming from Ubud Art Market, make your way toward Saraswati Temple until you see a wooden sign pointing toward a small alley.
The third option is to visit the rice fields at Sari Organik. Just type “Sari Organik Walk” on Google Maps and they should be easy to find.
Related post: Best rice fields in Bali
Ubud Itinerary: Day 2
Start the second day of your itinerary by visiting some of the best waterfalls in Bali! Bali features hundreds of waterfalls so I highly recommend visiting at least a few of them.
You can either visit the waterfalls near Ubud or travel further up north to visit other waterfalls that are just as beautiful, if not more.
The best and most comfortable way to visit the waterfalls is to hire a private driver for the day. Alternatively, this private waterfall tour is also a great option and includes all relevant entrance fees.
Option 1: Visit the Waterfalls near Ubud
Tukad Cepung Waterfall: The waterfall is found inside a cave and if you go early in the morning, you can see the sun rays peeking through from above the waterfall.
Goa Rang Reng Waterfall: Although not as impressive as the other waterfalls in Bali, Goa Rang Reng is still a nice relaxing spot to visit.
Tibumana Waterfall: Only a short 15-minute hike is required to get to Tibumana Waterfall. If you visit during the rainy season or right after, the waterfall will be split into two!
Taman Sari Waterfall: Saving the best for last, Taman Sari Waterfall is found only a few minutes from Tibumana.
Other waterfalls to visit nearby include Tegenungan and Kanto Lampo. Note that these waterfalls are super popular so it’s best to visit early if you want to avoid crowds.
Related post: 15 Best waterfalls in Bali Indonesia
Option 2: Visit the waterfalls in North Bali
Git Git Waterfalls: If you prefer, you can spend the second day of your itinerary in the north. There are actually two Git Git waterfalls. The one I visited is located here and is normally less crowded.
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls: Banyumala Twin waterfalls are no doubt the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali. The main attraction is the twin waterfalls but if you explore a bit further from the main area, you’ll also find two hidden waterfalls.
Related post: Guide to visiting Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls: If you’re a waterfall lover, you’ll be happy to know that Banyu Wana Amertha consists of not one but four waterfalls! Here, you’ll find Bwa waterfall with water bursting out of a rock wall covered with lush vegetation. There’s also a second waterfall here but you can only see it during the wet season. Don’t forget to also visit the Twin Waterfalls and my personal favorite, Spray Waterfall.
Related post: Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls guide
Jembong Waterfall: Getting to Jembong Waterfall requires no hiking at all. There was no one there when I visited so great if you want some peace and quiet.
Wanagiri Pucak Manik Waterfalls: Another waterfall worth visiting is Wanagiri Pucak Manik. There are two waterfalls here and if you visit during the wet season, you’ll also find a third waterfall.
Get a massage
What better way to end the day than by getting a massage? A full body massage can be as cheap as IDR 100k. A total bargain if you ask me! You will find spas everywhere in Ubud, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Ubud Itinerary: Day 3
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
If you’re wondering what to do in Ubud in 3 days, I recommend hiking to Mount Batur for sunrise. You do need to wake up super early, at 1.30 a.m, and hike for about 3 hours but the view at the top with the clouds hovering peacefully over the mountains is well worth it.
This Mont Batur guided hike is one of the best and also includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Ubud. You’ll also enjoy breakfast at the summit and visit to a coffee plantation before heading back to your hotel.
CHECK PRICE FOR A MOUNT BATUR SUNRISE HIKE HERE
Yoga Class
Alternatively, if you don’t want to do the hike, you can instead take a yoga class. Prices range from IDR 75k to IDR 150k per session.
The most popular place to practice yoga is the Yoga Barn but it can be very crowded. Instead, I recommend Ubud Yoga House since the studio can accommodate only about 10 to 12 people at a time. The class can be a bit challenging but still accessible to beginners and costs IDR 150k per session.
You can also check out this guide for the best places to practice yoga in Ubud.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
The next stop on this itinerary is Tegalalang rice terraces, one of the most popular attractions in all of Bali. Located about 25 minutes north of Ubud, Tegalalang is famous for its cascading rice terraces and bali swings, making it one of the most popular Instagram spots in Bali.
The rice terraces are quite small and can get crowded fast, so I recommend visiting early in the morning, around 6 or 7 a.m.
Entrance costs 25k IDR but if you go early, you might be able to enter for free. Once you get in, you’ll find several donation points where you’ll be required to pay a small fee to get through.
Tip: The famous Bali swing costs between IDR 150k and 300k.
Related post: 37 most Instagrammable places in Bali
Hiking in Sidemen Valley Rice Fields
Finally, end your Ubud itinerary for 3 days in Sidemen Valley, home to beautiful rice paddies and lush mountain. The village is located in East Bali and has more of an authentic feel since it doesn’t attract that many tourists.
Although you can roam freely around the rice fields, I recommend hiring a local guide to be able to explore the more secluded spots.
I did a 2-hour hike with Sidemen Tour and Trekking and had a great experience with them. The hike is very easy and perfect for all fitness levels.
Other things to do in Ubud
If you’re spending more than 3 days in Ubud, you can also check out these attractions:
- Cooking class in Ubud
- Batik painting class
- Ayung River rafting experience
- Gunung Kawi Temple
- Tirta Empul Temple
- Museum Puri Lukisan
Additional Tips
- Get a local sim card: The first time I traveled to Ubud, I bought a simPati Tourist sim card from Telkomsel which was supposed to be valid for one month but it actually stopped working a few days later and there was no way to reactivate it. So, during my recent trip, I bought a sim card on Klook. Luckily, it had great coverage and worked well for the whole duration of my trip!
- Always bargain whether it’s for souvenir shopping or when booking a taxi or you might end up overpaying.
- Bring mosquito repellent if you plan to visit the waterfalls or rice fields.
- Laundry in Ubud costs about IDR 30k per kilo.
Best places to eat
Warung Citta Ovest
One of my favorite places to eat in Ubud is Warung Citta Ovest which serves the cheapest and most delicious Balinese-style pizza and pasta dishes. The restaurant is relatively small and can get busy during the evening, so go early to get a seat.
Acai Queen
Acai Queen serves the best smoothie bowls that are just as Insta-worthy as they are delicious!
Joglo Organik
Looking for a restaurant with an incredible rice field view? Joglo Organik is the perfect spot to go! I had a Gado Gado and watermelon juice, both of which were super tasty.
Seeds of Life
I went to the Seeds of Life for a late breakfast and got a huge smoothie bowl with a raw cereal bar. I ended up being so full that I didn’t even need to eat lunch! Although the smoothie was creamy and delicious, the cereal bar was a bit hard to chew on.
The restaurant serves raw vegan and gluten-free food and has a super chill atmosphere.
Best time to visit Ubud
The best time to visit Ubud is during the shoulder season, which is around March/April and October/November.
The rainy season is between December and February and although you can still visit during these months, keep in mind that it rains almost every day but on the brighter side, the waterfalls will look more spectacular!
There you go! This is how to spend 3 days in Ubud, Bali! If you have any questions, just ask in the comments below.
Read more about Bali:
- The best Bali Rice Fields
- What to do in Nusa Lembongan
- What to do in Nusa Ceningan in 1 day
- How to visit Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
- How to visit Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls
- Ultimate guide to visiting Dusun Kuning Waterfall
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