Ubud is a small town in the center of the island, which is very different from the southern resort part of Bali. Ubud is so distinctive and special that people often fall in love with it at first sight (and even stay there). I love Ubud, and if it weren't for the ocean and surfing, I wouldn't hesitate to choose Ubud to live in Bali. ()

Ubud is also considered cultural capital Bali. Ubud is beautiful, green, calm and peaceful. And if Seminyak with its restaurants and clubs is Moscow, then Ubud is definitely Peter with all its city comfort. It's funny, but in Ubud it rains more often, and the weather is usually a little cooler than in the south. Well, Peter and Moscow for sure :)

But jokes aside. Ubud is not in vain so unusual and not like the resort of Bali. He has a special history. Hinduism, whose only stronghold in Indonesia now is only Bali, actually originated in Java. But in the 16th century, due to Islamization, the then ruling Hindu Majapahit dynasty of Java was forced to flee to Bali, where they settled - so Bali became the center of Hinduism in Indonesia. Later, there was no more Hinduism in Java, but it took root in Bali, and thanks to the resettlement of the Majapahit dynasty here, the island began to actively develop in a cultural direction. Creative people and intelligentsia from Java flocked to Ubud, persecuted by Javanese Islam. And at the beginning of the 20th century, the royal family also actively supported Western artists and artists who moved to Bali. It so happened that art and creativity have become an integral part of Ubud.

What is the "trick" of Ubud?

A couple of hours is not enough to feel Ubud, it is better to come here for a couple of days (well, at least one and a half or two!), although it will not be boring here for a week or two!

If you are just a tourist and make one of the “sightseeing day trips around the island”, then you will be brought to Ubud for a couple of hours: walk along the main street, go to the Ubud Palace, watch Balinese national dances, stare at the monkeys in Monkey Forest and buy souvenirs at the Art Market. True, you will get a strange feeling from Ubud - very superficial. That is why you should stay here at least for one night and explore the town on your own, without guides.

The secret of Ubud is in two things:

Art - Art - Creativity -crafts

Firstly, Ubud is a cluster of a large number of craft workshops and places representing various types of art. Ubud is like an endless source of inspiration for creative people who come here, it started a couple of centuries ago and has not disappeared anywhere over the years, but only strengthens.

Ubud has an incredible number of shops and shops selling beautiful handicrafts from all possible materials, and in the vicinity of Ubud there are entire villages specializing in wood carving, stone carving, painting on fabrics, painting and so on. The shops of local artisans are located right along the road and you will be surprised by the variety and quality of different handicrafts. And in Ubud, a large number of galleries and art museums are concentrated.

– Healing – Healthy lifestyle

In the Middle Ages, when Hinduism was still flourishing in Java, Ubud was the healing and healing center of the then Majapahit empire. It is even said that the word Ubud comes from the Balinese word for ‘medicine’.

So it's not at all strange that there are so many different alternative medicine centers in Ubud, people come here for retreats, ashrams, yoga seminars and so on. Only here you can meet people walking with a yoga mat right on the street. There are shops selling on every corner. natural cosmetics, and there is definitely no shortage of “organic” cafes with vegetarian or even vegan/raw food.

Ubud perfect place in order to “search for yourself”, do yoga, practice a healthy lifestyle. However, what is important about Ubud is that here it is not necessary to do it fanatically, here you can even avoid all this at all, and eat in an “organic” cafe not because it is healthy, but simply because it is delicious there!

Ubud is an escape from the crazy and noisy southern part of the island. I love coming here for a day or two, settling in some nice place with a view of the rice fields, sitting relaxed with a book or laptop in my favorite cafe with tasty and healthy food, taking walks to some new, yet unexplored places and relaxing from traffic jams and highways for 2-3 lanes in each direction.

Why you don’t need to go to Ubud, it’s for glamor and partying, there is neither the first nor the second. If this is critical for you, then you will be bored in Ubud. Well, the beach is very far from here. Lovers of the ocean, surfing and swimming will have a hard time here.

How to get around in Ubud

Here it is necessary to make a reservation that in fact Ubud is not quite a city in the usual sense for us: it is a dozen or so villages that are closely adjacent to each other.

How to get to Ubud - read at the end of the article, but for now a few words about the central part of Ubud.

The central part of Ubud is Jalan Raya Ubud (main street), Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman. The very center is the intersection of Jalan Raya and Monkey Forest streets, where the Art Market and Ubud Palace are located. These are the most touristic parts of the city, perhaps the words “calm and peaceful” are poorly applicable to them :) But don’t let this piece of Ubud deceive you, all the most interesting is outside, and we will leave this to tourists who came to Ubud for a couple of hours. The farther from the center, the greener, nicer and calmer Ubud is.

And, by the way, the plus of Ubud is that you can walk or ride a bike there. What a rarity in Bali!

Jalan Raya Ubud is the main street and is the easiest to navigate. Various other streets that are useful to us depart perpendicularly from this street - Jalan Hanuman, on which there are many different pleasant shops with clothes and accessories, several good cafes, which I will discuss below. It has various hotels. Jalan Monkey Forest is another famous street that will lead us to the Monkey Forest, it also has a couple of shops and cafes. These two streets are connected by the beautiful lane Jalan Dewi Sita with even more cafes and shops:) Two more good streets, perpendicular to the main one, are Gang Goutama with cheap warungs and guesthouses and Jalan Bisma street, where, in my opinion, the coolest, in my opinion, guesthouses and hotels, where, despite the central location, there are still rice fields.

The coolest part of Ubud, the Penestanan area, is not in the center. There are many interesting restaurants there, and living there is probably the best - this is the most picturesque area.

What to do in Ubud.

There are many things in Ubud that can be attributed to the concept of “attractions”. But the main thing to remember is that there is a lot of interesting things besides them.

I already mentioned the main tourist attractions above: these are the souvenir market (Ubud Art Market), the Ubud Palace and the Monkey Forest forest, where monkeys live. (A real rainforest, beautiful, be sure to go around it all).

Get to know the creations of Balinese artists

As we all know, Ubud is the center cultural life islands, which is why there are so many (for such a small town!) museums and galleries.

Of the most interesting museums and galleries in Ubud: Puri Lukisan, Neka museum, Antonio Blanco museum, ArtZoo gallery. In the first two museums, you can look at the work of Balinese artists: they have their own unusual style, and to get to know Bali better, you should definitely look there. Two last places- this is the work of foreigners who lived most of their lives in Bali and painted their pictures here.

Another museum that I have not yet been to, but about which I saw somewhere good feedback, is the Rumah Topeng Doll and Mask Museum.

Walk along shops and shops

Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud): If you're looking for souvenirs from Bali, you can find everything you want there. Do not forget to bargain: usually the price can be brought down by one and a half to two times if you bargain for a long time, hard and, most importantly, with humor. The Balinese value merry bargaining :)

But besides the Art Market, Ubud is just full of small private shops and shops with designer clothes, jewelry, various things for the home, natural cosmetics, etc. Most of them are located in the central part - on the streets of Hanoman, Dewi Sita, Monkey Forest, etc.

Wander through the rice fields and beautiful places

You can walk around Ubud! Choose a cool time (morning or afternoon) and go to one of the following places:

Trekking along the Campuan River. The path that starts near the Ibah hotel (there are small signs “trekking starts here” everywhere) and goes past the temple along the river will take you to a hilly area with very picturesque views of the green Ubud. The walk will take you a maximum of an hour and a half and, in my opinion, this is one of the most interesting things to do in Ubud.

Walk through rice fields to Sari Organic Cafe. When this cafe first appeared, everyone adored it. Just imagine that you had to walk for twenty minutes along the path along the rice fields and you suddenly opened a completely bamboo cafe, standing among the rice fields. From the terrace of the cafe, incredible views opened up and there was nothing around but this green area. Then, however, a couple of other cafes and shops were built on this trail, and many other interesting restaurants appeared in Ubud itself, and Sari Organic lost its popularity, but I still think that going to Sari Organic for breakfast is a great idea. I still go there regularly.

By the way, in Ubud you can rent a bike and do the above described routes on a two-wheeled friend.

Take care of yourself: go to yoga or a spa

Ubud without yoga is unimaginable. There are many yoga centers and yoga retreats where you can come not even for a day or two, but, for example, for almost a month! If you feel like it's time for you to stop for a second and reflect on what's going on in your life, then Ubud is the place for you :)

Read more about yoga in Ubud in a separate article.

In Ubud, as well as throughout Bali, there are from the cheapest ($5 per procedure) to the most expensive (from $50). The peculiarity of Ubud is that here the body itself seems to be asking for a spa treatment, and some salons are designed in such a way that you want to stay there forever. For example, in Taksu Spa or Botanica you will get a massage in a special room overlooking the rainforest (Massages there cost from $ 25-30, it is better to book in advance). As for the Ahimsa Five Elements Spa retreat, there are no words to describe how great it is! This is my favorite spa in Ubud.

Drive around Ubud and see Balinese temples and rice terraces

There are many interesting places in 15-20 minutes from Ubud: another tropical forest and elephant cave Goa Gajah, a very old and very beautiful Gunung Kawi temple, the cascading rice terraces of Tegallantang.

BaliBlogger has a separate article about these places, read.

Learn a local craft

In addition to a large number of different master classes in yoga, inner development, spiritual practices, etc., in Ubud you can still learn something local: batik painting (on fabric), cooking Balinese cuisine or making silver jewelry.

Enjoy delicious food at one of the "organic" cafes

Ubud is a stronghold of delicious cafes, and not only delicious, but also promoting a healthy lifestyle. Various vegetarians, vegans and raw foodists in Ubud, like nowhere else, expanse! But even if you are not a vegan, but simply miss vegetables, salads, natural fruit juices and unusual dishes, and at the same time are tired of the monotony local cuisine then Ubud is our everything. :)

Every time I go to Ubud, pictures of food that I can order in my favorite cafes start spinning in my head already at the entrance to it. (Unfortunately in Bukit, where I live and which I dearly love, things are very bad with restaurant food).

From favorite and simple good places in Ubud: KAFE, Alchemy, Elephant, Sage, Clear Cafe, Gaya Gelato, Atman cafe, Kebun bistro, Down to Earth, Senniman Coffee Studio, Sayuri. By the way, in Ubud there is one of the best restaurants in Bali - Mozaic. More restaurants and local cafes can be viewed on the foursquare map, the link to which is given below.

Where to live in Ubud?

There are a lot of accommodation options here: from homestay (homestay, private hotel) for $15 per room to cozy little hotels immersed in green gardens for $50-70.

The average of more or less decent private hotels (that is, without much glamor, but with hot water, air conditioning and clean rooms) you can find a room with breakfast for 250,000 - 350,000 rupees ($ 25-35). The longer you live, the more you can bargain for a discount. Well, in general, if this is a private hotel, then be sure to bargain.

If you are looking for cheap accommodation, then in the central part you can find it on the streets: Jalan Bisma, Jalan Goutama. In general, Jalan Bisma is my favorite street, there are hotels for different price ranges. It is convenient to live on this street, as it is close to everything. If you are looking for solitude and tranquility, plus you want to plunge more into the local culture and nature, look for hotels away from the center, on calmer and greener streets. For those who come to Bali for yoga, a healthy lifestyle or spiritual practices, we can advise unusual hotel Santa Mandala.

If you are coming for a long time, then you can book accommodation for a day or two, and then look for something else on the spot. But if you are coming for a day or two, I would advise you to book in advance and not waste time walking from door to door of different hotels.

Another interesting place about 15 minutes drive from the center of Ubud - - I told in a separate article.

How to get to Ubud

Ubud is located 40 kilometers from the tourist south of Bali. Taking into account the narrow paths and possible traffic jams, it will take about an hour and a half to get to Ubud.

You can get there on your own or by car/scooter. If you are coming from the south, then move towards Sanur, bypassing it, then follow the signs. Well, if you have a phone with a Google map, then just install and use the navigator built into the Google map.

By taxi, the road will cost about 200,000 rupees ($20) one way (per car).

There is practically no public transport in Bali, although in tourist shops in Kuta you can buy bus tickets (minibus) to Ubud and they are inexpensive (about $ 5). But few people use it.

Another one useful map the central part of Ubud - with cafes, restaurants, attractions, etc.

(click to open the entire map in a separate window)

And the road from different points to Ubud is no exception.

From Denpasar Airport

You can take a private taxi and pay about $25 (330,000 rupees) for a car, a public one (cars in much worse condition) will cost $18-20 or 230-260 thousand rupees. The state taxi stand is located at the exit of the airport, there is a prepayed sign hanging there.

If you are traveling from Denpasar Airport, this is the only option, since there are no buses or shuttles from there.

Taxi from Kuta and Sanur

These cars are also ubiquitous. Getting from Sanur will cost the same as from Denpasar, time - 50 minutes or 1 hour depending on traffic.
From Kuta, you will have to drive about an hour and a half and pay for the road (for the whole car) about $ 35 (450 thousand Indonesian rupees).

Clue:

Ubud - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow - 5

Kazan - 5

Samara − 4

Yekaterinburg - 3

Novosibirsk - 1

Vladivostok 2

When is the season. When is the best time to go

I certainly will not say anything new, saying that you can visit all year round, you just need to be prepared for some natural and climatic features of the region. As elsewhere on the island, Ubud has a humid tropical climate, the temperature does not “jump” much throughout the year, only the humidity and the likelihood of rains and winds change. However, Ubud is located in the middle of the island, on a hill of about 600 meters, which means that it is several degrees cooler here than on average. There are two weather seasons:

• From November to February / March - rainy.
• March / April to October - dry.

Rains can be short-term, and can be prolonged (usually at night). High humidity is tolerated in general and in Ubud in particular very easily.

Here are the main features:

• The sunniest months of the year are March, October, November.
• The hottest months are October, November and December.
• The rainiest months are December, January and March.
• The most windy are July, August and September.
• The coolest are summer: June, July, August.

An example of a good downpour in Ubud is in the photo below.

Prices, of course, depend on the weather. From mid-January, when they end new year holidays, holidays and vacations until the beginning of April, the price tag is reduced for everything from air travel to the price of hotel rooms, excursions and even food in the markets.

At the same time, the flow of tourists is decreasing, so if you do not like crowds of people and want to provide yourself with a more or less secluded vacation, then these months are just for you. At any time of the year you will find something to do in Ubud: there are a lot of excursions and active leisure options, in the rainy months you can arrange river rafting, in windy months you can surf, in dry months you can go to the spa, go to the islands and sunbathe. Boredom, I think, is not necessary.

Compare prices on tours to Ubud in different time years can be in the section trevelask.

Ubud in summer

Summer in Ubud is windy but not rainy. average temperature during the day it fluctuates from +26 to +33 °C, but the heat is not felt. In the evening, especially with wind, you may need a sweater or windbreaker. In summer, I advise everyone who does not like excessive heat and closeness to come here.

Summer (especially July and August) is one of the peak seasons on. Accordingly, at this time prices rise for both hotels and simply for services in the city. On the other hand, you have to pay for comfortable weather.

Ubud in autumn

Autumn is the hottest season in Ubud. September is dry and comfortable, sunny. Not surprisingly, this month is marked by an increase in the flow of tourists.

In October, the humidity rises noticeably, it gets cool in the evenings, but during the day you often find yourself thinking that you are in a steam room. November in Ubud is hot and humid. It rains at night. By the way, the duration of daylight hours is reduced by about an hour.

Since October, the number of visitors has been declining, this will continue for only a few months, until New Year holidays when crowds of vacationers again rush to.

Ubud in spring

Spring is a transitional season in Ubud. March is still rainy, but the air temperature is already rising, the day is getting longer.

April is a great time to visit in my opinion. During the day, the temperature can vary from +23 to +32 ° C, humidity around 70%. Sunburn under such conditions is magical. AND experienced travelers they know it! After a rainy February and March, they rush to Ubud, and locals after a break in raising prices, they again demand higher fees for housing, food, and excursions.

May opens the dry season on the island. The temperature fluctuates between + 25–32 ° C, the breeze blows from the sea and it is comfortable to relax both actively and on the beaches.

Ubud in winter

I will report that there are enough hotels, guesthouses and just villas for rent. People who come to Ubud for up to 5 days usually stay in the center, but the center is the streets of Jalan Raya Ubud and Jalan Raya Andong and the lanes adjacent to them.

I will explain why tourists choose this place. Here is the famous Ubud market, where you can buy whatever your heart desires, close to the Puri Lukisan Museum and the Saraswati Temple. And, of course, endless shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, raw food and vegan cafes. By the way, Jalan Raya is translated as an avenue, and Jalan is a street.

Hotels, guesthouses and hostels in this region are usually higher in price than the average for the town. The cost per room is also higher in places of increased tourist demand: royal palace Ubud, Neka Art Museum, Monkey Forest area. You can book a hotel on, and you can compare prices from different sites.

In addition to numerous hotels and hostels, you can rent a room in a local house (options and prices). It will be cheaper, besides, you will immerse yourself in the culture of the island much faster, get closer to everyday life and learn more about homemade Balinese cuisine.
In my opinion, great option– find expats who are long-lived in Ubud, renting a big house from locals and renting out rooms. So you will immediately provide yourself with housing, communication and an assistant who will tell you where, what and how in the city. Most often, Russians, Australians and Italians stay in Ubud for a long time. This option is suitable for anyone who plans to stay in Ubud for more than a week.

Districts of Ubud

Many Russians and foreigners who come for a long time stay in Penestanan.

In this area, you can rent a villa overlooking the rice field or a house with a private pool. By the way, the Antonio Blanco Museum is nearby.
List of streets where you will always find accommodation, food and shops:

• Suweta,
• hanoman,
• Monkey forest street,
• Srivedari,
• Sugriwa,
• Dewi Sit.

Monkey forest is home to the popular Monkey Forest: with creepers, huge trees, abandoned temples and, of course, monkeys. At any time of the day (except at night) there are a lot of curious tourists.

Another area of ​​Ubud - Pengosekan is very quiet and peaceful, locals live here.

Walking along Jn Raya Ubud, do not pass by the alley in Tirta Tawar. A very interesting and original street, almost without visitors, besides with its own small temple, where only locals usually go.

Near Botanical Garden Ubud.

In terms of price / quality ratio, I would recommend the Penestanane areas, especially if you plan to stay in Ubud for more than a week or two. If you are willing to pay a little more, but always be in the center, then Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Raya Andong and their surroundings are at your service.

Ubud is known as the center of arts and crafts, it is cultural city, and even tipsy vacationers are rare. Unlike cultural centers, such as Kuta and, they steal little here, and even more so they pester tourists. And to single out at least one area as a criminal one is problematic for me.

What are the prices for holidays

The cost of living in Ubud is a very loose concept. Everyone will find offers to suit their taste and wallet. If you want - settle in luxurious villas, if you want - in modest hostel rooms, eat in an elite restaurant or in a cafe for locals, rent a car with a personal driver or travel by auto-stop or on a scooter.

I propose to consider the main points of expenditure and determine the average cost of a holiday in Ubud. In my opinion, for a comfortable stay in Ubud you need:

• housing;
• transport;
• entertainment;
• unexpected expenses;

Housing

The point is important and weighty. You rent a room in a guesthouse for 200 (2.5-3 million rupees) per month, if for a short period, then for 10 per day (130-135 thousand rupees). Further price options grow exponentially, up to 1000 per villa (per day).

As elsewhere, the cost of housing depends on the location, amenities, presence of a pool, length of stay. By the way, I noticed that the price is increased for air conditioning and constant hot water. You can rent a house in Ubud for a month (with several rooms, amenities and a normal location) for 300-600 per month (4.5-8.5 million rupees).

Transport

Feeling free to move, I think it's wonderful. Moreover, renting a scooter in Ubud will cost $4-6 or 50-80 thousand rupees to $20 or 260 thousand rupees per day. Common price for a month - $ 50-60 or 650-800 thousand rupees.
If you are interested in a car, then the average price per day is $ 20 or 300 thousand rupees. For a month it is cheaper - $ 250-350 or 3,300 - 4,600 thousand rupees.

Food

Eating in Ubud can be bohemian and expensive, or cheap and colorful. For the first option, you will have to choose one of the restaurants in the city, for the second - look into the nearest warung. Read more about Ubud restaurants and prices below. Lunch for one person in warung will cost 4-50 (50-70 thousand rupees).

The cost depends on the location, the level of service in the institution, the vastness of the menu, the order of alcoholic beverages.

If you come for a long time, you can buy groceries and cook for yourself. Shopping can be done in the market or in supermarkets. In general, I think if you alternate self-catering and going to a cafe (50/50), then you can spend about 400-450 (5.5-6.5 million rupees) per month.

Entertainment

If we are talking about excursions, leisure and entertainment in Ubud, then I will tell you about them further. In Ubud, you can’t go diving or other sea activities, since the city does not go to the sea, for this you need to go to other regions of the island.
Of course, in Ubud, the main emphasis is on the cultural component: temples, water palaces, and also on rice plantations. Shows of national dances are often held in Ubud, usually viewing costs from 3 to 7 (40-95 thousand rupees).

Here is the average price of outbound tours from Ubud (with an English-speaking guide):

How to save money in Ubud

From the city center can be reached by taxi or scooter. Expensive will take about half an hour.

Botanical Garden

Located in the center of Ubud and is in great demand among tourists and locals.

About 5 hectares of beautiful flower beds have been laid out for you: palm trees, ferns, bamboo, an orchid garden, tropical trees and much more.

You can enter for a symbolic $ 1 or (10 thousand rupees). Opening hours from 8.00 to 18.00.

How to get there

Address: Jl. Tirta Tawar, Kutuh Kaja, Ubud, Bali,

The Botanical Garden is located in the center of Ubud, not far from the Royal Palace.

Satri Coffee Plantation

This is a plantation where you can see how cocoa beans, coffee, fruits, spices are grown. Here you can arrange a mini-tasting, and, of course, buy something for yourself.

Entry to the plantation is free.

How to get there

Address: Satria Agrowisata, JL. Raya Tampaksiring, Kintamani Basangambu, Kecamatan Gianyar, .

The plantation is located in the north of Ubud, it takes about 30 minutes by taxi from the center.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

The abundance of small temples is the same typical characteristic of Ubud, as well as other Balinese towns. All of them, albeit similar to each other, are distinguished by their energy and silence (which cannot be said about the streets of the city), it is nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle here and take some memorable photos. So which temples are worth visiting in Ubud?
Of the many places, I would primarily recommend the following.

Gunung Lebah Temple

This is a functioning temple where locals go to pray, where ceremonies are held and religious holidays are celebrated. Supposedly it was built in the 13th century AD and its builder was a Hindu saint from Java, Rishi Markandya. Gunung Lebah Temple is located on the banks of the Ubud River and is perfectly visible from the bridge.

It is quiet and peaceful here, the territory is well-groomed. To pass, you must have appropriate clothing that covers your knees and shoulders (for both men and women). Donations are collected in the temple, the amount is at the discretion of those who came.

The temple is open 24/7 and admission is free.

How to get there

Address: Jl. Raya Campuhan.

Pura Dalem Agung

One of the most non-standard, but interesting temples of Ubud is Pura Dalem Agung Padangdegal, it is dedicated to the world of the dead. As the name suggests, this temple is located at Mount Agung. The wooden and stone building looks very impressive, there are many statues on the territory, reminiscent of the world of the dead and creating a solemnly oppressive atmosphere.

It is believed that the territory of this temple is full of dark forces and spirits, and therefore a long presence here is not recommended.
Unfortunately, tourists cannot go inside the temple, but you can wander around the territory as much as you like, having previously paid a little more than $ 1 (14,000 rupees) for entry.
The temple is open every day from 9.00 to 17.00.

How to get to Pura Dalem Agung

Address: Jl. Nyuh Kuning, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, .

The temple is located near the Monkey Forest and can be reached on foot or by taxi. From outlying areas of Ubud, it will cost $5 (65,000 rupees).

Puri Saren Palace

Locals consider it the most beautiful in Ubud. It is also the official residence of the royal family. How spectacular it is - judge for yourself.

Services and special ceremonies are held in the temple during the holidays. People who adhere to the views of Hinduism come here.

The territory can be walked around in 15 minutes, the temple is always full of people, many take pictures by the lotus pond. In the evening, there are shows of national Balinese dances.

The temple is open from 8.00 to 19.00.

How to get to Puri Saren Palace

Address: Jl. Raya Ubud, Puri Saren Palace

Museums. Which are worth a visit

Ubud is not called the cultural capital for nothing. There are many interesting museums and remarkable art galleries.

And here are just some of the places that I would call must see.

Palace of Art or Puri Lukisan Museum

Everything here speaks of local culture: carved furniture, sculptures, paintings. The museum is located next to the Royal Palace (within walking distance) and is open every day from 09.00 to 18.00. The museum has a good restaurant, open from 10.00 to 21.00.

The ticket price for adults is $7 (85,000 rupees). Children are admitted free of charge.

Don Antonio Blanco Museum

Across the road, 3-5 minutes walk, Don Antonio Blanco Museum. At the age of 40, the Spanish artist stayed on, married a local dancer and did a lot for the development of the region. He also started building this museum, but died before it opened.

The museum was completed by Mario Blanco, his son. The works of father and son are exhibited inside today, but if some paintings sink into your soul (mainly images of naked Balinese dancers and dancers), then copies can be purchased here. Near the museum there is a garden with rare specimens of birds.

Opening hours: from 9.00 to 17.00 every day.

Location: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Kedewatan.

The ticket price for foreigners is $6.5 (80,000 rupees), for locals a little over $2 (30,000 rupees),

Neka Art Museum

Showcases a huge collection of works from the late 19th century to the present day. Special attention is paid to modern works, master classes are often organized here and guest exhibits are exhibited.

Neka Art Museum is located in a well-groomed square overlooking the river, there are shops and cafes nearby.
The museum is open every day from 9.00 to 17.00, on Sundays from 12.00 to 17.00. The museum is closed on public holidays.

An adult ticket costs $ 6.5 (75 thousand rupees), children under 12 years old are admitted free.
Address: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Kedewatan Village.
The museum is also available for viewing.

parks

The Elephant Safari Park

If you miss the parks and want to visit among the greenery, new plants and flowers, admire the well-groomed territory and also have fun, go to the Elephant Safari Park. This trip can be done by the whole family.

It is here that you can walk freely and also look at the life of giants. The inhabitants of the park are trained and will show a show (I think this loses to the performance of elephants in Thailand, but those who have not seen something similar will be interested). The performance lasts about 30 minutes, after which you can ride an elephant.

The territory is large, well-groomed, there is a small lake where elephants bathe, ponds with fish, gazebos with a chill-out atmosphere. Elephants are everywhere in the park, the animals are well cared for and I thought they looked happy. Walking around the territory, you can meet enclosures with baby elephants. They are allowed to be fed (bamboo leaves will be given by the caretaker in the park).

Opening hours and ticket prices

The Elephant Park is open from 8.00 to 18.00.

Ticket prices vary depending on the package you choose:

You can buy a ticket at any street point of sale.

How to get to The Elephant Safari Park

If you are driving on your own, then you need to drive about 40 minutes north of Ubud on the Jl. Raya Andong, Jl. Raya Tegallalang and Jl. Raya Pujung Kelod (straight road). Already halfway across pointers. Don't miss the turn onto Jl. Raya Bonjaka, and in just 2 km you will be there.

Address: Jl. Elephant Park Taro, Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali.

What to see in 1 day

If you can allocate only one day for Ubud, you need to spend it richly and actively, because there are a lot of sights! Of all the variety, you can select the most interesting ones and put them in one route for those who are not lazy. And immediately you need to decide on the transport: you will either have to rent a scooter or order a taxi. Public transport not developed in the city.

So, you are in Ubud:

You can either finish your city tour at one of the restaurants and then return to your permanent residence, or stay overnight in Ubud.

What to see in the surroundings

There are many around Ubud. interesting places worthy of attention.

Holy springs of Tirta Empul

Pura Tirta Empul ("Temple of the Holy Water") is a temple built in 923 AD, highly revered throughout the island. Water springs also spring here, and the Balinese believe in their magical power. From here they even take water for cremation.

Water for the Balinese is sacred, and temples on the water are at a premium. Water washes away both physical and spiritual dirt, which means it is used for ritual ablutions. On the territory there are three special pools for these purposes.

If you are not averse to being cleansed in every sense of the word, join the procedure, which always involves hundreds of people. To do this, you first need to visit the temple, it is advisable to make a donation. Women are allowed only in sarongs - this is a traditional belted clothing, very common in Southeast Asia. It is worn by men, women and children.

To perform the ritual, you need, while reading a prayer, to pass under the fountains and plunge headlong into the water. At the very end, you need to drink exactly 11 sips of this water. It is done!

How to get to the springs of Tirta Empul

The easiest way to get to the springs is to take a taxi or a scooter. Leaving the city, you need to move north for about 15 km towards the town of Kintamani. The road boasts beautiful views: either rice fields, or a forest, or Balinese villages.

Address: Jalan Tirta, Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, .

Gunung Kawi

After the bath, you can continue the trip and go to the great caves and the monastery complex of Gunung Kawi. From them to the springs are within easy reach (located after 1 kilometer in the village of Tempaksiring). The attraction of the cave is considered almost from the 11th century. It is said that King Anak Vungsu and his many wives are buried here.

The monastery was built in 1080, it is surrounded by rice plantations, but to get inside, you need to pay $ 1 (15 thousand rupees). In the monastery there are not only cells of monks, but also 10 niches in the rock, each of them has an ancient burial place. This place is definitely worth a visit: it is more than colorful and atmospheric and will always remain in your memory.

Follow the dress code: either buy a sarong, or just make sure that both shoulders and knees are covered.

How to get to the sources of Gunung Kawi

Address: Banjar Penaka, Tampak Siring, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, .

Located a kilometer from the previous attraction!

Goa Goa (Goa Gajah)

It is also called the Elephant Cave. Not only a cave, but a full-fledged park with a lake, a small temple, a river.

All the salt is at the entrance to the cave, which is decorated with an elephant's head. However, versions differ: some say that this is the head of a local sorceress. Inside the cave are statues of Buddha and many Balinese Gods.

How to get to Goa Goja (Goa Gajah)

Cave address: Jl. Raya Goa Gajah.

It's at the very exit of Ubud, so it's best to take a taxi. At the price of the trip will cost $ 30 (400 thousand rupees) round trip.

Food. What to try

Opening hours: 7.30–23.00.

Store Delta Dewata

The site is located next to the store, there is a sandbox, a slide, several rocking chairs. But in principle, the child will not spend more than half an hour there.

Address: Jalan Raya Andong No.14, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, .

Opening hours: 8.00–22.00

Tamanak site

A separate playground with its own territory, a fence, benches and gazebos for parents.

For children: swings, carousel horses, slides, a house, climbing frames. Of the minuses, one can name the fact that the site is asphalted, and from the sun and concrete it becomes very stuffy by 11 in the morning.

Address: Sayan, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia

Opening hours: 7.00–18.00.

Classes

You can walk through the rice fields, or you can rent a bicycle with a child seat and ride through the quiet areas of the city.

Take your child to Yellow CoCo, a creative studio where classes are held for children of different age categories. Singing, drumming, modeling, drawing, reading. An hour of class costs about $ 5 (60 thousand rupees).

Pools

In Ubud, as you know, there is no sea. But there are pools that I advise you to visit with a child as a replacement. And here are some of them.

Swimming pool at Swasti Eco Cottages

It is located near the Monkey Forest, where you can not only swim for a child, but also participate in various activities. There are culinary master classes, lessons on modeling and crafts from bamboo, drawing and more.

Access to the territory is free, but you need to make an order in the cafe at the hotel. You can take a drink, you can have a dish, as you like. Cocktails start at $3 (40,000 rupees), juices start at $2 (25,000 rupees).

The pool itself is about 2 meters long, the depth is small, for children - what you need. Water with bleach, clean, while the baby is playing, parents can sunbathe on the sun loungers. Or take pictures on the territory where there are bridges, flower beds, a place where yoga is practiced.

Address: Jl. Nyuh Bojog, Banjar Nyuh Kuning, Desa Mas, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

The pool can be accessed from 9.00 to 19.00.

Pool at Bali Wood Hotel

The entrance fee to this pretty place is just over $2 (30,000 rupees) for both a child and an adult. At the entrance they give something like a pass card. The territory is huge and beautiful, at least arrange a full-fledged photo session. Flowers, gazebos, umbrellas, statues, deck chairs, ponds and even a slide for children. The hotel has a cafe.

The pool is designed as the letter "P", and in the middle there is a decorative bridge. The pool is multi-level in depth, you can swim for both children and adults.

The hotel is open around the clock, but it is better to come in the morning.

Swimming pool at d'Omah Bali

Suitable for teenage children, as its constant depth is about 1 m 30 cm. The pool is about 20 meters long, there are sun loungers, sofas, hammocks around it. The territory is green, well-groomed, there is a pond with fish. This is the only pool (which I met in Ubud) without bleach, but with some other chemical.

Entrance to the territory is paid: children $ 2 (25 thousand rupees), adults - $ 4 (50 thousand rupees). You can order a subscription for a week and a month.

Address: Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod, Sayan, Ubud, Sayan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia

Opening hours: from early morning until 22.00 for non-guests of the hotel.

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Have something to add?

27.07.2019 Maria Glazunova

Every time we come to Bali, we spend several months in Ubud, most often we don’t even have a question about where to settle for a shorter period on the island, the most desirable and dear place in Bali for us is a small town ( or a large village) - Ubud.

We first came here in May 2012, we planned to stay for one month, but in the end we stayed for as much as 5)) Since then we have been constantly coming back here, we managed to live in the most different areas, and everyone fell in love in their own way, in a few years everything here has become so familiar and familiar that it is hard to imagine how one can not come back here again and again! Well, in the summer of 2017, our son Artyom was born here in Bali in Ubud, so now this is a doubly special place for us.

In this article we will talk about Ubud, I will tell and show our favorite places, without which our contact with the island of Bali as a whole would probably not have happened, including describing all the popular, as well as not quite famous, but no less cool attractions Ubud and surroundings.

I understand that the majority of readers who have looked at our blog are still tourists, and only a few expats and winterers who choose their “place in the sun” for one or several months, so this article is primarily intended for those who wants to spend only a few days in Ubud, or 1-2 weeks maximum.

I will talk about what to see in Ubud and its environs, in which area, depending on the purpose, it is best to choose accommodation, I will give some examples of stunning hotels and villas with endless pools located above rice terraces or on the edge of picturesque valleys and ravines, staying in which, you can stay in a peaceful atmosphere 24 hours a day.

I will also share with you recommendations - for example, which restaurant to go to and what to try there, which spa to go to for relaxation and which yoga studio - for spiritual and physical practices, there will be information about museums and art galleries, and also Virtually guide you along the nature paths among the rice fields.

We will leave with you outside of Ubud - in the immediate vicinity, I will tell you about 5 stunning waterfalls near Ubud, which, with a strong desire, you can visit even in 1 day, and also about a lot of other tempting places, I will also advise routes to the northern and eastern points, where it is best to go also from Ubud.

I am sure that after this article you will no longer want to come to Bali and spend all your time on the coast just because of the incredible ocean, and at least plan to go to the center of the island for at least a day to see the sights of Ubud, and at most, settle here for a few days to taste the delights of these places even more and live surrounded by rice fields or plunge into the bustling life of the town.

So let's get started!

Ubud - noisy center and infrastructure

In fact, the so-called cultural capital of the island of Ubud is a large village, the main tourist life which is centered around the three central streets of Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman and their environs.

They are always heavy traffic and full of tourists, especially during the day,

The main attractions of Ubud are on Jalan Raya Ubud! As an identifying element of the street - a huge snow-white statue dedicated to the hero of the ancient Indian epic Arjuna, it is located at its very end at the T-shaped intersection.

The street is straight, only slightly curved on the other side, some sections there are directly shrouded in magic!

Tourists are attracted pedestrian bridge across the ravine, next to the popular gourmet restaurant The Bridge and the Antonio Balnco Museum (more on that later), and down in the ravine is the stunning temple of Pura Gunung Lebah!

A little further from the bridge - a ladder, a couple of dozen steps up - and you are in the most popular expat area of ​​​​Penestanan, I will also talk about it below.

I will continue to guide you around the city! So, if you stand facing the statue of Arjuna, then on the left, popular streets depart to the north - Tirta Tawar, Sriwedari, Suweta, Kajeng, and a few other small ones, there are a lot of inexpensive hotels with guesthouses, as well as restaurants. Jalan Raya Andong street, leading north from the T-junction, if you drive a little away from the statue, turns into a "street of craftsmen", this is where you can buy the most unusual souvenirs for home decor,

By the way, it also leads to the mountain with.

Well, to the south from the main street Raya Ubud depart 3 other popular tourist streets- Bisma (Jalan Bisma), by the way, it is on it that you can see pleasant landscapes without getting off the bike or getting out of the car - a string of hotels and houses suddenly breaks off and before your eyes - a field sown with rice, and if you come early in the morning you can catch the dawn!

The famous streets of Hanuman (Jalan Hanoman) and Monkey Forest (Jalan Monkey Forest) are the most popular among tourists,

they are great for walking, there are many guesthouses, souvenir shops,

designer shops,

local warungs and trendy cafes.

You can also take a walk along Jenbawan street - it starts with a post office (don't forget to send a postcard to your home) and the popular Bali Buda cafe and along Jalan Gootama - I would call it "restaurant", there are a lot of cafes and restaurants on it, right eyes run wide, you definitely want to sit everywhere.

In general, I write about cafes separately, because some of them attract with their atmosphere, and some with an unusual menu, somewhere it’s nice to meet a noisy company during lunch, and somewhere you should definitely look for breakfast or dinner. My recommendations on delicious places in Ubud and Bali in general are collected in the article below, it is periodically supplemented with new establishments:

In Ubud, in addition to rice fields, spa treatments help to relax! There are many cool spas here, one of the most impressive (and expensive) is Mango Tree Spa, where massage rooms are located right in the "birdhouses" in the trees, and they offer panoramic views of the Sayan Valley and the Ayun River!

There are a lot of massage and spa salons in Ubud, we were only a few, cheap ones are located on every corner, and from a little more expensive, but affordable, I can advise you to visit Taksu Spa and Karsa Spa.

In Ubud, you can also visit the central market, it is located on main street, here you can buy fruits and vegetables, dresses / sarongs, and various souvenirs, the largest selection is here!

Keep in mind that if souvenirs on the "street of masters" are unusual, with a twist, then here are the most standard ones, there are many of them, the most diverse ones are valuable, mostly tourist ones, if you know how to bargain, then you are here!

Well, if you don’t get pleasure from bargaining and pandemonium, then all souvenirs can be bought at any large supermarket.

In Ubud, these are Bintang, Delta Dewata, Coco Mart and Pepito,

everything is there - both local and imported products, manufactured goods, various cosmetics, all essentials, including children's goods, toys, clothes, souvenirs, dishes and much more, we also marked the stores on the map for your convenience.

In addition, it is full of small shops, some around the clock.

There are a lot of exchangers and banks in Ubud, we always withdraw from an ATM at CIMB or Mandiri bank. In the premises of the bank, because it is simply impossible to withdraw money in other places in Bali - the risk of skimming is too high, namely in these banks because they do not have a commission for withdrawing cash. Bank CIMB is located on the main street Raya Ubud, next to the Bali Buddha, if you look at the statue of Arjun, it is on the right hand. Mandiri is opposite the central market.

What attracts Ubud and what is unusual here?

Ubud is a little cooler and fresher than the coast, lots of greenery, business card this area - rice fields and terraces, local flavor, all kinds of cultural events, many stylish vegan and not only cafes and restaurants with delicious organic (and not only) food, and in general, a special atmosphere reigns here in everything.

If the south of Bali is associated with surfing and nightlife, then tourists go to Ubud for relaxation, but not the kind you can get in the east of the island, lying on the beach or snorkeling and diving in the ocean. People come here rather just for a beautiful natural and green picture for the eyes!

Indonesia is a Muslim country, but Bali has its own religion - Balinese Hinduism (with the exception of the north of the island), so there are completely different customs.

Everywhere you can see statues of various deities and right on the sidewalk - numerous offerings, they lie everywhere - at the entrance to the store, to the house, to the temple, the main thing is to look under your feet so as not to accidentally step on!

I wrote more about traditional Balinese morning rituals in a separate article:

And in the vicinity of Ubud, you can easily see cockfights, about all the subtleties of this action, as well as many photos, see here:

Where to stay in Ubud? Choose a stylish boutique hotel or an authentic Balinese house in the rice fields?

Or maybe a villa with an infinity pool "on the edge of the world"?

Or an eco-style bamboo hut?

The choice is yours! It all depends on your desires and financial capabilities. Accommodation options in Ubud are vast, here we offer some interesting options.

Luxurious, away from the center, with stunning views:

• Jannata Resort - a hotel on the artist's trail with a stunning infinity pool;
• Ubud Heaven - villas in Penestanan;
• Wapa di Ume Resort & Spa - a luxurious hotel in the middle of rice fields;
• Kamandalu Ubud - beautiful, stylish villas over a cliff;
• Hotel Tjampuhan Spa - a hotel with a spa complex (baths, swimming pool, including hot water);

Hotels in the center, but at the same time among the rice fields, are located on the streets of Bisma, at the beginning of the Sari Organic trail, and on some other small streets. It happens that even if the entrance is from a bustling road, the windows can still look out onto the rice fields.

Many tourists, having once arrived in Ubud, do not understand why so many expats prefer to live in Ubud, because there are solid tourists, traffic jams, dense building of guesthouses / hotels / cafes, and also the ubiquitous annoying taxi drivers. Yes, this is all true, only it concerns the central part of Ubud, where expats are very rare, for example, we come there only a few times a month.

And for life, everyone prefers the surrounding areas - Sayans, Penestanan, Tegallalang, Suveta and Tirta Tavar streets, it is there that all the beauty, peace.

Many houses with terraces overlooking the rice fields, the majestic volcano Agung, and there are also nice organic cafes, local fruit shops where prices are not overpriced, like in the central market, narrow paths among the fields, which are a real pleasure to walk along.

In these places there is no traffic, an abundance of tourists and taxi drivers, and we also call all these areas Ubud. Therefore, if you want to feel exactly this atmosphere, then choose a hotel / villa in these areas, and you can always get to the central part of Ubud by scooter or hotel transfer in 10-20 minutes.

Very cool and luxury hotels and villas in the bosom of nature in the Sayans with stunning views of the jungle, green valley, rice terraces and the mountain river Ayun!

In addition, they are all great ideas for a wedding ceremony or a romantic event.

Also not very far from Ubud is the hotel Hanging Gardens of Bali, which became famous thanks to the Eagle and Tails program.

There are also budget options close to nature, such as Suly Resort & Spa or Tini Villa

And if you want something authentic, then consider the option with Javanese wooden joglo houses, there are such, for example, in, we stayed there ourselves!

There are also similar houses on the Sari Organic trail, such as Lembah Sentosa.

Eat interesting hotels and in a more budget price category, for example:

Separately, I will single out a new youth hotel with a rooftop pool:

And of course, quite a lot interesting options there are villas and houses in (do not forget to get a bonus of $ 25).

Ubud attractions - temples, galleries and museums!

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is located on the main street of Raya Ubud, at the intersection with Jalan Suweta, on the days of ceremonies and holidays it is especially beautiful here!

It was in this palace that we first saw the Barong dance on one of the brightest and most significant holidays of Galungan Island, and in general, theatrical performances for tourists are regularly held here in the evenings.

There are other palaces in Ubud! For example, right in front of the royal palace - sukawati palace with a very beautiful entrance - the gates of Kori Agung (in the form of a triangle - a symbol of Mount Agung Volcano), you can look into the courtyard, there are huge photographs of members of the royal family in gilded frames.

Well, my favorite palace in Ubud is Goddess Saraswati Temple (Pura Saraswati) with a lotus pond. Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom, art and spiritual knowledge.

It is located between the famous Lotus cafe and the only Starbucks in the town, also on the main street.

It is especially pleasant to walk around its territory in the early morning, when there are almost no tourists and the sun, and the lotuses have already blossomed,

well, in the evening, dance performances take place here on a semicircular stage, right in the middle of the pond.

In general, there are a lot of temples in Ubud and its environs!

Antonio Blanco Museum

There are an incredible number of art galleries and workshops in Ubud, and probably the most popular museum not only in Ubud, but also in Bali, dedicated to artistic creation, is the Antonio Blanco Museum. The very architecture of the house-museum of the artist is impressive, one of the gates is already admired, they are decorated with the family coat of arms. Well, the house is a work of art!

Antonio Blanco was an amazing person, he was born in a Spanish titled family in the Philippines, where he spent his childhood, lived in the USA in his youth, studied at the New York Academy of Arts, traveled a lot, lived and painted in Bali.

His talent was recognized by the king of Ubud, he was very impressed with the work of Antonio, and as a gratitude for his work, he gave the artist land in Ubud, where he built unusual house and stayed in it to live. Antonio married a beautiful Balinese dancer, her portraits can be seen in many of the artist's works.

By the way, the Blanco Museum is not a typical gallery at all, here you can touch everything, look inside, some of the frames-doors of the paintings open, and the master’s masterpieces are also hidden behind them. In addition to paintings painted with paints, there are interesting creations from newspapers, sand, fabric, nails and other improvised materials.

The house-museum was opened in 2000, after the death of the artist, everything was organized by his son Mario, when visiting the museum you can sometimes meet him and, if you want to talk. The ticket price is 70 thousand rupees (the price also includes a welcome drink).

Of the pleasant bonuses - giant tropical birds are found in the yard, we have only seen such ones. also in museum complex there is a pleasant terrace and the studio-workshop itself with an easel behind which the artist worked.

Puri Lukisan Museum

This is the most famous and oldest museum art in Ubud, here is the heritage of Balinese art. In total, there are 4 buildings on the territory with a museum of history and art galleries- these are 6 different exhibitions with works belonging to different masters and revealing a variety of styles from traditional painting to modern art, as well as temporary exhibitions.

In addition to the museum itself, there is a very pleasant area here - shady paths among green lawns with tropical trees and flowers, a fish pond and a cafe with a terrace in the garden.

Periodically, small fairs and festivals are held here.

The ticket price is 85 thousand rupees, this museum is also located on the main street.

Art galleries

Something, but there are a lot of art galleries-workshops in Ubud and its environs! Still, it’s not for nothing that the town is called the cultural capital, every 3-4th native inhabitant of it is some kind of craftsman - a woodworker or painting painter 🙂 The most popular galleries are - the Neka Gallery and the home of the sculptor Gusti Lempada.

Neka Art Gallery (NEKA Art Gallery) is named after the famous Balinese artist Suteya Neka, now the museum houses about 400 works of modern Balinese and European painting.

In the courtyard near the house of the sculptor Gusti Lempad (Lempad House) you can see many birds in cages and traditional Balinese instruments, but in general it is a house-museum with wooden and stone sculptures, statues and busts, paintings and bas-reliefs. Anyone can enter the house to look at the room in which the sculptor worked, now the house is maintained by the children and grandchildren of Lempad.

But I prefer simple, not hyped local workshops,

You can go to any, look at the work, chat with the artist.

There are a lot of art galleries here, so if you have a desire to enjoy art, do not hesitate to look into such galleries, they are usually free, no one will force you to buy paintings.

All museums and galleries are usually open every day except for national holidays.

I know that not many tourists are interested in painting and are not ready to spend hours walking through galleries or museums, but if you are planning to visit Bali, and Ubud in particular, during the rainy season (from autumn to spring), then you must admit that this is a worthy an alternative to spending time in a hotel or cafe 🙂

Well, if the weather is good, then you can just walk around the town, many houses here are a real work of art!

Monkey forest in Ubud

All tourists certainly come here, no matter in which part of the island they stay - this is a whole forest inhabited by monkeys, one of the most popular attractions in Bali!

Some of them are quite calm and completely indifferent to tourists, live their own lives and do not pay any attention to the clicks of the camera shutters and constant selfies, but there are individuals more insolent and smarter, they will look into your backpack and pull off your cap with glasses, of course they will sit on your shoulders, and you will still say thank you if you stay with the phone and earrings, otherwise they are still thieves 🙂

In addition to the monkeys, the forest itself is very beautiful, there is a temple with statues, and a fountain, and a ladder in the gorge to stone monitor lizards, and a bridge, as well as giant banyan trees, with an endless number of lianas descending to the ground! During the day, you can wait out the sultry heat of the shade of branchy trees, but alas, it is at this time that most of the people are here ((

So, if you want to quietly walk through the forest of monkeys without crowds Chinese tourists, then look here during the first hour of work or an hour before closing (before 10:00 or after 16:00).

Ticket price: 50 thousand rupees.

See the detailed article and many photos here:

Nature paths among rice fields in Ubud

Sari Organic Trail

The Sari Organik nature trail is a popular hiking trail right in the middle of the rice fields, 3.5 km long. It starts from the main road Jalan Raya Ubud. Literally 50 meters from a noisy bustling road, and you are already among the green rice fields in a peaceful atmosphere. Here along the way you meet craft workshops, art galleries,

a couple of massage spas, as well as local warungs, pleasant cafes with stunning views of the fields, such as Pomegranate and Sari Organik (after which the trail is actually named).

There is a herbal sauna and a couple of yoga studios here, as well as houses for rent and several villas / guesthouses. The path leads to the road not far from an interesting space for meditation - the Pyramids of Chi (more on that below).

Walking along highway it’s not very convenient to return to Ubud - it’s 6 km, and there are no sidewalks there, and cars and bikes constantly drive, so it’s better to go back the same way, you get an excellent route for 7 km, and this is just 10 thousand steps (recommended minimum physical activity per day). During pregnancy, I often wound circles along this path))

The Sari Organic trail offers views of the ravine and its opposite side, where at dawn you can see the silhouettes of the Batu Karu mountain range.

Lukisan trail

There is an inconspicuous bridge from the Sari Organik trail to another trail that also leads to the center of Ubud, so for the sake of variety, you can go to it, it goes in parallel.

You can walk it separately, this trail also starts from the main road, there is a sign “Rice fields” on it, although it is narrow and completely inconspicuous, it is located between the oldest museum in Ubud - Puri Lukisan (with parking for many hotel transfers) and The Paon cafe .

There are a couple of cafes and several hotels / villas / guesthouses on the Lukisan trail.

Kajeng trail

Another interesting trail, also originating from the center of Ubud - from the street-bridge Kajeng (Kajeng),

which also starts from the main road Jalan Raya Ubud. The Kajeng Road is tiled like this

and leads straight to the rice fields.

The path starts right from the Starbucks coffee shop. If you cross the ravine halfway, then the Kajeng path connects with the other two described above - Lukisan and Sari Organik.

Artists' Trail - Champuhan Hill

The Artists' Trail or Health Trail (officially called Campuhan Ridge Walk) is an amazing path for walking at sunrise or sunset (at other times it's quite hot, there is almost no shade), as it goes right along the ridge of the hill above the ravine The place is indeed very picturesque.

The trail starts from the temple of Pura Gunung Lebah in the ravine under the bridge, opposite the Blanco Museum, the landmark is the hotel/restaurant, which Russians usually call "Ivan" (actually it's IBAH Villas). The length of the path along the ridge is about 1.5 km, then the road begins, going through the village, where there are a couple of art galleries, woodworking workshops and local shops / warungs with coconuts, a little further - a beautiful cafe and spa Karsa Spa, where it is nice to end the walk.

If you wish, you can go further, this circular route is fully described in Lonely Planet, so you can often meet Europeans and Americans there. The length of the route is about 7 km, some use it as cycle route. But for walking, it seems to me, an ideal piece from the beginning of the trail to Karsa Spa and back. I would not recommend walking it entirely on foot, since most of it passes along the highway, where traffic, although not very busy, is still not very pleasant, and why, there are more suitable places for walking.

The Champuhan trail is loved not only by tourists, but also by local residents, mostly students and couples in love walk here, you can also meet runners here.

Paths in Penestanan

Climb the stairs from Ubud and you are in Penestanan, my favorite area,

it so happened that we lived here most of the time and fell in love with it with all our hearts! I have an article on walking in Penestanan, there are both paths among the rice fields and among the Balinese houses.

I won’t give specific routes, it’s better to walk on your own and turn into the streets you want, or you can just not go anywhere and just sit in a cafe, admiring the scenery.

For examples of the views and atmosphere to expect from Penestanan, see this article:

Some of the trails offer views of the majestic Agung Volcano:

Attractions around Ubud, or what to see in a couple of days in the center of the island!

Royal Tombs of Gunung Kawi

Gunung Kawi is one of my favorite places near Ubud! Extraordinary beauty rocky bas-reliefs-tombs are located right in the ravine, where dozens of steps lead, forming a magical tunnel at the end. I can’t even believe that all this was created by a person, and without the use of modern technologies. And next to the tombs - stone monastic cells for meditation, a pleasant temple, and of course, rice terraces.

It even breathes somehow differently here, and the energy is simply amazing, and besides, there are not so many tourists and locals in Gunung Kawi who perform their sacred rites, as in the same holy springs of Tirta Empul, which is very close.

Also, this burial complex is called an ancient cave town - 9 giant tombs are carved right into the rock, there are also holy springs and a ravine with a river, in general, a place full of magic, I definitely recommend visiting!

Read more about this place here:

Sacred Springs of Tirta Empul

Tirta Empul is another energy place near Ubud, very revered among the locals, especially on holidays, when there is not crowded at all.

Each fountain with life-giving water has its own purpose, in order to fully receive cleansing, blessing and healing, you need to completely go through 2 pools, rinsing in each source.

Elephant Cave Goa Gajah

Elephant Cave is not about elephants at all 🙂 however, to look at the magical cave, and more specifically, to look into the mouth of a demon to see the oldest relics - a meter statue of the Hindu God Ganesha and 3 lingams of God Shiva, is quite worth it.

Moreover, the cave is not the only attraction in the Goa Gaja complex, there is also a landscape park pleasant for walking with huge trees that have put out their roots on the surface of the earth!

As well as a Balinese temple, 2 swimming pools with statues and golden carps, as well as paths in the jungle along the edge of a ravine, at the bottom of which a noisy stormy river runs.

Read more about Goa Gadja here:

Rice terraces of Tegalalang

Ubud itself and its environs are full of rice fields, but it is the stepped rice terraces that cause the greatest delight, and some of the most beautiful are located just next to Ubud. In the morning it is especially pleasant to walk there - soft sunny, not yet burning rays, in some places even a shadow, and there are no crowds of tourists, in general, beauty for both the eyes and the soul, a real pleasure!

We once lived for 2 months just not far from these terraces, and we loved to go there in the morning 🙂

In addition to the paths among the terraces planted with rice, there are trendy bamboo “photo booths” - viewpoints for selfies:

There are also springs among the terraces, cafes with stunning views, shops with fresh coconuts and other drinks.

I tell you more about this amazing place and show more big photo– in our separate article:

5 cool waterfalls

Yes, the most high waterfalls are located in the north of the island, but it’s too long to get to them, and here, almost in one area, as many as 5 waterfalls are concentrated, and they are all very different! And almost all of them are very close to the parking lot, walking from 5 to 25 minutes.

Tibumana Waterfall- a classic waterfall with a font in which you can swim. A pleasant place with a bamboo bridge and gazebos where you can have a picnic.

• Coordinates: -8.50257, 115.33066
• Price: 10,000 rupees (<$1)

Waterfall Dusun Kuning- a rather high waterfall, the path to it is the most difficult of all five, there is a waterfall in the jungle, and in some places you need to make your way to it through small thickets and go down high, steep (and sometimes slippery) sheer steps, but this only adds adrenaline, and it's worth it! I was here on the 7th month of pregnancy, and if I had known in advance that such a route, I would rather not have gone, and I also do not recommend traveling here with small children.

• Coordinates: -8.49043, 115.35735
• Price: 10,000 rupees (<$1)

Waterfall Goa Rang-Reng (Goa Rang-Reng)- a pleasant place with an observation bamboo platform. The feature of this waterfall is in small tubs at the top, where you can climb by holding on to a tight rope.

• Coordinates: -8.51581, 115.33174
• Price: 15,000 rupees (<$1.5)

Kanto Lampo Waterfall- a waterfall with amazing energy, and what cool shots you can take here! You can also walk along the canyon along the river and look into a small cave on the opposite bank from the waterfall.

• Coordinates: -8.53196, 115.33287
• Price: 10,000 rupees (<$1)

Tukad Cepung Waterfall- this is perhaps the most unusual waterfall in its location, it is located right in the canyon! If you are here, like us at noon, you will be able to take cool pictures, it is at this time that the rays of the sun penetrate the canyon, believe me, it is unimaginably beautiful!

• Coordinates: -8.4401, 115.38692
• Cost: 10,000 rupees (<$1)

I tell you more about all the waterfalls in Bali (including these ones) in a separate article, there are also a lot of photos:

Coffee plantations and expensive "poop" Luwak coffee

Poop coffee? Yes, of course, there is such a thing in Bali! Surely, you have heard about the most expensive coffee in the world, which is produced by civet animals (luwak). You can also see animals, participate in the process of roasting coffee and walk among the plantations near Ubud, there are several such tourist coffee farms.

In each of them you can try coffee and tea of ​​different varieties, including the famous Luwak coffee. And as a bonus, on some farms you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the jungle and look at flying foxes or other animals that live there. For more information about Luwak coffee and Bali coffee plantations, we have the following articles:

Hiler Ketut Liyer

Yes, yes, the same healer Ketut Liyer from the movie “Eat, Pray, Love” really lived in Bali, in the vicinity of Ubud, in the village of Mas. Alas, in 2016, as they say here, he left his body, now his son conducts the receptions, he is in the photo.

Read more about how to find this place in our article, at the time of writing which, Ketut was still alive, so we managed to get to know him personally and chat a little:

House from the movie "Eat Pray Love"

Yeah, and it's also in Ubud, we haven't been there in a long time, they say that now Liz Gilbert's house is even more derelict, so I don't know how things are now there.

If you watched the movie and want to plunge into its atmosphere, then go and check for yourself, at least the gazebo among the rice fields is most likely preserved 🙂

About how we found the house, you can see in our separate article:

Rafting in Bali

Why not one day go on an exciting adventure along the Ayun mountain river right on the rafts? Despite the fact that the river is mountainous and there are rapids, this adventure is not for extreme people, but rather entertainment for amateurs or beginners for half a day, but a boost of energy and a fun pastime is guaranteed!

Tours can be bought at any tourist point, or online. Rafting - from 3 to 9 km, we shared our experience and impressions in a separate article:

Elephant park in Bali

Dreaming of riding an elephant? Or just want to see and interact with these kindest giant creatures, and also watch a show where elephants draw, dance and even play football?

Or maybe you are thinking of making an original proposal to your beloved? In any case, the elephants are waiting for you in the Elephant Park, more in our separate article:

Elephant Safari Park is not the only place to see elephants in Bali, there is another!

Perhaps you will want to visit it even more, because in addition to elephants, there is a Pod chocolate factory in the park. The factory is quite small, where you can not only taste or buy Balinese chocolate, but also take part in a master class where you can make a chocolate delicacy with your own hands!

A single ticket is valid for the park, the price of which includes visiting both elephants and a chocolate factory (although this is not a cheap pleasure).

Big Tree Farms Chocolate Factory

In continuation of the chocolate theme, I’ll tell you where in Bali, namely just next to Ubud, you can visit another, unusual Big Tree Farms chocolate factory, which produces natural chocolate, cocoa butter, healthy snacks from cashews, honey, cocoa. beans. The building of the factory itself is already interesting, a completely atypical architectural idea - an unusual design is made entirely of bamboo, like production, but environmentally friendly :).

The factory produces not only organic natural chocolate, but also other delicious treats, you can also see the whole ins and outs of the factory and look at the manufacturing process of the product, and of course, you can also taste both chocolate bars and hot chocolate here!

Previously, excursions were held here, but then the factory was under reconstruction for some time, now it is open, there is a shop and a cafe on the territory, but we didn’t specify whether excursions are being held there again. You can take a look at our article to understand what to expect:

Interesting spaces in Ubud

PYRAMIDS of CHI - gong meditation in Ubud!

An unusual space for gong meditation - giant pyramids in rice fields, sounds tempting already, doesn't it? In general, if you are interested in the topic of meditation, then I recommend visiting the Pyramids of Chi!

Meditations are held here every day, sessions last an hour and a half, and a couple of times a month there are special events dedicated to the full moon and new moon, we just visited this - and in addition to the gong meditation, we also had a fire ceremony, more about our experience and impressions I talk in a separate article:

Ancient RD2

Bali Dacha

The name of this place speaks for itself - it's a dacha, but in Bali =) The Russian community also gathers here, various events are held. The main thing is, of course, a bathhouse, there are also spa treatments, tea ceremonies, and they also have bungalows where you can stay for a couple of days.

Bath complex Tjampuhan Spa

This is one of the most pleasant bath complexes in Ubud, there are various saunas, cafes and a pool, in addition, you can get a massage or visit any other spa treatment.

Price: from 100 thousand rupees.

Pottery and ceramics studio

Do you dream of drinking tea from cups and a teapot made by yourself? In Ubud, this is not a problem =) Here is the Sari Api ceramics studio, in which both a child and an adult can feel like a creator. Classes last an hour and a half, take place on Saturdays at 10:30. In addition to standard classes with clay, master classes are also held here, eminent masters of working with clay, pottery, firing, painting, etc. come here.

Price: from 200 thousand rupees per lesson.

Batik painting workshops

Batik (hand-painted fabric) is one of the features of Bali, almost all tourists want to bring home a scarf, pareo, or batik shirt. You can buy a finished product, or you can go to a master class and paint a scarf with your own sketch, all materials, paints, as well as training!

Lesson cost: 200 thousand rupees.

On the street Banjar Penestanan Kaja (Penestanan) there are 2 places at once where you can master the art of batik.

Jungle Fish

An infinity pool and a cafe in the middle of the jungle - all this is Jungle Fish, a rather party and noisy place, where sometimes there are a lot of people, which does not allow you to enjoy your vacation as it should. But if you rushed on a motorbike from the south of the island to Ubud, and were surprised to find that there is no ocean here, but you definitely want to take a dip and refresh yourself and generally take a breath after the trip, then why not 🙂

Price: from 100 thousand rupees per person.

Pools

If your hotel or house does not have a pool, then in Ubud this is solved quite simply, some hotels that have a pool invite everyone to use it, the price is from 30 to 100 thousand rupees for the whole day, subscriptions are also sold.

The price usually includes the use of the pool itself, shower / toilet, drinking water, towels, sometimes a b / a drink, table tennis or other entertainment at the hotel is included in the price. The pool at the Mansion Hotel is quite popular with residents of the Penestanan and Sayan areas, the cost is 100 thousand rupees, there is a pleasant cafe next to the pool, if you buy a subscription for 10 visits, then one will be free.

Also, not far from Ubud there is an excellent 50-meter pool, sometimes there is nobody at all, sometimes schoolchildren swim, but not on all lanes, the entrance fee is less than $ 1, so if you miss long swims and want to do it as cheaply as possible in Ubud, then that way!

Bumi Sehat Natural Birth Clinic

Bumi Sehat is a world famous natural birth clinic run by American midwife Robin Lim. Initially, it was a couple of rooms in a house where low-income local residents could give birth under normal conditions, but then the clinic gained popularity, they built a new building, and now many foreign women, especially Russians, come here to give birth.

Even if you are not going to give birth in Bali, but came here during pregnancy, you can just look into the clinic. Here you can join yoga classes for pregnant women (Tuesday and Thursday at 5 pm), get an acupuncture procedure (200 thousand rupees), or just chat with Robin, learn about lotus childbirth.

You can come any day, midwives are always on duty here, but on Thursdays there is a "Russian day" behind the scenes - Russian midwife Masha Konovalenko (if she is in Bali) checks pregnant women. Here you can take simple measurements, donate blood for hemoglobin, other tests and listen to the baby's heart (100-200 thousand rupees).

You can also come here if you are not pregnant, if you need a homeopathic consultation, or just want to improve your health with acupuncture or moxa fumigation (200 thousand rupees procedure).

I gave birth in Bumi Sehat just with Robin Lim 🙂

I did not write an article about the Bumi Sehat clinic and the birth itself, but on the blog we have an interview with osteopaths Michael and Yulia, who live in Bali. The whole family went to their receptions, Yulia looked at me before the birth and was present at the birth, looked at our baby immediately after birth and after, and Lyosha also attended several receptions.

About why it is important to visit osteopaths and pay attention to health in general, especially before childbirth, as well as undergo a postpartum examination, the guys tell in detail, and in general share the most valuable information, read about everything in our interview:

Coworking Outpost

Performances in English, there are both paid and free, the schedule and other information is on the website: https://www.outpost-asia.com/

Master classes

Also in Ubud, various master classes are often held, culinary, including raw food (for example, in the Alchemy cafe).

And you can also take carving or drawing lessons, or learn how to make silver jewelry, etc.

Yoga in Ubud

There are many yoga schools and yoga centers in Ubud, you can attend both individual classes and group classes, pay a one-time visit or purchase a subscription, yoga retreats with full immersion are also held here.

The most popular and noteworthy yoga schools are Radiantly Alive, YogaBarn, Ubud Yoga Centre, Intuitive Flow, Ubud Yoga House, Taksu Yoga.

We once bought 10 day passes to Radiantly alive, so we went to classes 2-3 times a day to try everything. I liked the center both in terms of equipment and strong teaching staff, and of course, I was pleased with the variety of yoga classes. Our favorite activities were pair acroyoga, energetic vinyasana, balance yoga with an emphasis on inverted postures, i.e. where the balance had to be kept precisely on the hands, roll&release with a deep study of the back muscles using tennis balls, yoga on the ropes.

We also went to salsa classes in this center 🙂 Classes are held from morning until evening, so there will be time and desire, do not miss the opportunity to go to a couple of lessons, for example, you can buy an unlimited visit for the whole day, choose your favorite classes, and in between them, walk around Ubud, relax in a cafe, etc.

Numerous festivals and holidays

Bali is a very colorful island in terms of cultural events, ceremonies, lush traditions and rituals! “Every day is a holiday” - this phrase is quite suitable for Bali, because about 270 different ceremonies take place here a year. Festive events dedicated to some holidays can be seen in any part of the island, but in Ubud they are often held on a special scale.

Not all of them are public holidays, but festive processions can easily be found in the midst of a normal weekday.

Even cremation here is a holiday!

And beautiful ceremonies take place during the main annual events - Galungan and Kuningan. In terms of importance, this is like our New Year, they are celebrated on the same scale - 10 days! The streets are extraordinarily beautiful during this period, decorated with bamboo penjors with lavish offerings.

There is also Nyepi (Day of Silence) - this is the most unusual and controversial holiday, which is preceded by a demonic parade.

In addition, in Ubud, as the cultural capital of the island, various festivals are also held, for example, in the spring you can visit the annual yoga festival or the food and coffee festival, in the summer there is a vegetarian festival, and in the fall - the writers festival, jazz festival and much, much more. other.

Nyepi dates for the coming years:

• 2018 - March 17;
• 2019 - March 7;
• 2020 - March 23;
• 2021 - March 14;
• 2022 - March 3;
• 2023 - March 22;
• 2024 - March 11;
• 2025 - March 29;
• 2026 - March 19;
• 2027 - March 8;
• 2028 - March 26;
• 2029 - March 15;
• 2030 - March 5;
• 2031 - March 24;

Niepi is celebrated for 2 days - first, a demonic parade and all other entertainment events take place, when everyone is making noise and having fun, followed by the "Day of Silence", exactly at midnight everything calms down, everyone should stay at home, everything is closed on this day (including and the airport), you can’t be on the street, which is strictly monitored by the “pechelang” - law enforcement officers from local volunteers.

Galungan and Kuningan are celebrated every 210 days:

• 2018 - May 30 - June 9;
• 2019 - December 26 - January 9 and July 22 - August 3;
• 2020 - February 19-29 and September 16-26;
• 2021 - April 14-24;

So now, if you want to see all this live, do not miss your chance, the information is in your hands!

Dance performances Legong, Barong, Kecak

Separately, I will highlight the evening cultural events - dance performances! Where should tourists go in the evening? After all, it gets dark in Bali already at half past seven, and this is the time for "bread and circuses."

With the first component, everything is more or less clear, for this case I have a separate article dedicated to cool cozy cafes and restaurants in Ubud! By the way, some cafes / restaurants lure tourists not only with food and pleasant interior, but also with theatrical performances and dances.

I just want to warn you right away that the level of performances in the cafe is lower, and the format there is slightly different (theatrical performance is shown in parts, often it is an abbreviated version, and the level of artists may be worse, but the costumes and makeup are similar), so at least once, we recommend go to the full show.

They are held in many Ubud temples, everywhere on different days, so being in Ubud on absolutely any day, you can get to some kind of performance. The action usually starts at 7-7:30 pm.

Ticket price:~80 thousand rupees (about $6).

The performances are different, the main ones are Legong, Kecak, Barong and the Frog Dance (more rare). Having been to one theater show, you may want to visit something else, so if you have a free evening in Ubud, do not deny yourself this pleasure.

We have been to all the performances, especially the feminine dance, and perhaps the most pleasing treat for the eyes is the Legong dance, I talk about it in more detail here:

Healers, spiritual and physical practices in Ubud

Medicine man Wayan Nuriasih from the movie "Eat Pray Love"

You can also come to the healer Wayan Nuriyasi from the film / book for a massage or other spiritualistic procedure. Her salon is located on Jenbawan street in the center of Ubud, next to the post office opposite the popular BaliBuda cafe.

Price: from 200 thousand rupees.

Healer Putu Puspa

Healer Putu Puspa lives and hosts in Ubud. If you have any health problems and want to try interacting with local healers, you can contact him.

With our friends, he helped to remove the pain in the knee, which the doctors could not cope with. This is not a treatment in the conventional sense, but rather a special massage technique, during which he manipulates not only on the physical, but also on the energy level. I don’t know how it works, but in the worst case it will be just a massage =)

Putu speaks bad English, as a real Balinese is in no hurry, before the massage he can offer you tea / coffee and drink it with you for about 20 minutes, so take time with a margin.

He does not have a fixed cost of admission, he takes donations. He accepts at home, keep in mind that the conditions there, to put it mildly, are not luxury =) Phone number: +6281338044592.

Elisey and Masha Radionov - guides to the world of self-knowledge and self-awareness

Very cool guys with golden hands who do their job with soul and great dedication. Elisha is a visceral therapist and meditation teacher. Masha is a Balinese traditional hatha yoga teacher and sound therapist. Here is some of what they offer:

Visceral massage. This is a massage of the internal organs, which perfectly stimulates the immune system, improves blood circulation and digestion, and restores the functions of organs. It is great for preparing for a detox, diet, fasting. Especially it is indispensable in the transition to a vegetable type of nutrition. The session also includes point diagnostics.

If there are any complaints about the internal organs, then such a massage can significantly improve well-being, but even if there are no complaints, we highly recommend it in terms of prevention!

• Price:

Massage with Tibetan bowls. Tibetan bowls are an ancient instrument that Tibetan monks have used for centuries for healing and meditation. Now this technique has spread all over the world and in Bali you can feel the miraculous effect of the sound of Tibetan bowls.

This is an amazing relaxation technique, thanks to which, due to sound waves of a certain frequency, a massage actually occurs at the cellular level. We recommend to those who want to get a transcendental experience, experience a state between sleep and reality, relax and fill up with energy.

• Price: 500.000 IDR (with promo code lifeintravels - 10% discount)

Meditation with Tibetan bowls- The guys spend it every Thursday.

• Price: donation

Training in massage with Tibetan bowls. If you come by yourself to conduct meditations and massage with Tibetan bowls, you can get training from Masha and Elisha (with a certificate).

They will also help with the selection of bowls for individual use.

• Price: 300-350$ per group

Standing on nails. Nailing is a unique yogic technique for working out the mechanisms for correcting very deep patterns of consciousness. This is powerful work with the mind, through the impact on the body. In the process of practice, you observe how deep programs that are associated with mind control rise and set up a mechanism for interacting with them.

It also expands the understanding of the capabilities of the human body and consciousness. If you stand on the nails for a sufficient amount of time, you will be able to feel your energy channels and feel how energy moves through them.

• Price: donation (by promo code lifeintravels)

You can contact Elisha and Masha in Viber/Whatsapp: +79261095426

Sasha Postovar and Bali Travel Retreat

Bali Travel Retreat 2.0 is a retreat trip to Bali that will help you get to know yourself better through practices and interaction with the island, reboot your mind, expand your limits and inspire you to new achievements.

What will happen? Daily yoga and meditation, one-day fasting, waterfalls, temples, places of power of the island, climbing a non-tourist mountain, a trip to the neighboring island of Nusa Penida for the underwater world and beautiful nature, getting to know the local expat community. 12 days in the company of Sasha and Katya Postovar - experienced guides who come to Bali for the 4th year in a row and managed to give birth to a daughter on the island.

Ubud attractions on the map

Finally

In this article, I tried to fully describe what this small town can be attractive for, what exactly you can do here, and what to see in Ubud and the surrounding area, which cafes to look at and which streets to walk along, and which ones are more convenient to go from here. .

So now, based on your interests, you can decide for yourself what to pay more or less attention to, and how to color your stay in this wonderful city! We are all very different, and someone will only need a couple of hours to Ubud, and someone will fall in love with it, like us, and will spend a significant part of the trip here, or even the entire vacation with pleasure 🙂

By the way, we have a wonderful Indonesian friend

Ubud is a small town in Central Bali. Having the status of a city, in essence, it consists of 14 villages, each of which has its own administration. Despite construction and a large influx of visitors, quiet village life goes on peacefully, surrounded by rice terraces, a short walk from the city center.

Short description

Ubud is known as the center of Bali's handicrafts, here you will find many handicraft workshops and artists' studios. The slow pace of life in Ubud is quite different from the hustle and bustle of southern Bali's resort towns. It is surrounded by what attracts many people to Bali - picturesque rice fields, small villages, traditional workshops, ancient temples and palaces. On the main streets you can see a lot of interesting things, but the real magic of the city is hidden in the quiet streets, courtyards, good-natured nature of its inhabitants. Ubud has retained its face and cultural identity and, despite the influx of holidaymakers, has not lost its bohemian aura.

Ubud is a popular place for trips to the volcano and Lake Batur, hiking through rice fields, numerous bike tours, rafting on the Ayung River (the river flows near the city). Do not miss the folk dances, they are shown every evening in the center and in the surrounding villages. The city has excellent cafes and restaurants, some of the best in Bali, most of which are part of the luxury hotels.

Unfortunately, Ubud is not a place of entertainment, there are no nightclubs and discos here. Much of what attracts tourists to this city is visited during the day.

Orientation

How to get there Taxi. Ubud is located 35 km from Denpasar and about an hour's drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. The easiest way to get to the city from the airport is by taxi. It is best to use the official airport taxi. It will take approximately 15 minutes to go through immigration, collect luggage and take a taxi. Prepare the hotel address and phone number in advance, taxi drivers may not know the exact location of small hotels. Minibuses. Bemo minibuses to Ubud depart from the Batubulan terminal in Denpasar, the journey takes about an hour. Most "bemo" minibuses depart early in the morning and there are no flights after 4:00 pm. In the opposite direction, "bemo" depart from a stop next to Ubud Central Market on Jalan Raya Ubud (near Jalan Monkey Forest). "bemo" minibuses leave for the surrounding villages and all the main cities of Bali throughout the day, but most often in the morning. Minibus "bemo" leaves only when passengers fill all the seats in the cabin. By bus. One of the easiest and most reliable ways to travel around Bali is to use the services of the travel company Perama Tour. Their route network covers the most popular cities on the island of Bali, and although the buses are far from executive class, tickets are not expensive. The Perama Tour bus terminal is located on Jalan Hanoman Road in Padangtegal Village, near the intersection with Jalan Monkey Forest Road. Many travel agencies also offer trips with either Perama buses or other similar companies, but the prices will sometimes be twice as high as dealing with Perama directly. The advantage of Peram is that they are one of the most reliable companies, depart and arrive on time, do not cancel flights even when there is only one passenger. How to find out the cost of the trip and the departure time of the Perama bus from a particular city. On the page that opens, at the bottom you will see Select Departure, Select Destination and Search Schedule. Select Departure (Select the city where you are leaving), Select Destanation (Select the city where you are going), then press the Search Schedule button (View the departure schedule). The page will open information about the departure time and the cost of the trip on the Perama Tour bus. Taxi. PT. Ubud Taxi is the only official taxi company licensed to carry passengers in Ubud. Site http://www.ubudtaxi.com/ Hotel car. Many hotels are located on the outskirts or outside the city, in which case they offer their customers free trips to and from the center of Ubud. You can go anywhere by hotel transport, but this service is paid and in this case it will cost more than agree with private drivers. By car or scooter. As elsewhere in Bali, the city has car, scooter and bicycle rentals. But driving on the island is not for the faint of heart, the roads are not very good, and few people follow the rules of the road on the island. If you opted for a bicycle, please note that the landscape of Ubud and the surrounding area is quite hilly. The main car, scooter and bike rental agencies are located on Jalan Hanoman and Jalan Monkey Forest; You can also ask the administrator of the hotel where you are staying. What to see in the city and the surrounding area Pura Desa Ubud(Pura Desa Ubud) - one of the main temples of Ubud, located on Jalan Raya Ubud, a short walk from the market and the Royal Palace. Pura Taman Saraswati(Pura Taman Saraswati). Two minutes walk from Pura Desa Ubud is another beautiful temple Pura Taman Saraswati. The temple is dedicated to Devi Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, patroness of literature and art. The temple is located on Jalan Raya Ubud, 5 minutes from Ubud Market and close to Pura Desa Ubud. But it is hidden from the side of the road by the buildings of Starbucks and Cafe Lotus. Gunung Kawi(Gunung Kawi). Gunug Kawi is an ancient rock temple located near the Pakerisan River. The complex consists of 10 stone candi (shrines) carved into the rock. The shrines are located in 7-meter protected niches, also carved into sheer cliffs. These monuments are believed to be dedicated to King Anak Wungs of the Udayana Dynasty and his beloved wives. To reach the temple complex, visitors must walk about 600 meters from the parking lot to the ticket office, then descend some 315 stone steps. Before crossing the bridge over the irrigation canal, you can see the first stone monument. Another group of stone monuments is carved on the left side of the main temple across the river. The complex is located in a valley surrounded by rice fields. Going down the steps to the river, you will pass stalls where craftsmen sell souvenirs and handicrafts. Open daily from 07:00 to 17:00. Gunung Kawi is located in the village of Tampaksiring, 16 km from Ubud and 2 km from Tirta Empul Temple. Ubud can be reached by bike, but keep in mind that a significant part of the path will have to climb up. Pura Tirta Empul(Pura Tirta Empul). "Pura Tirta Empul" in translation means "Temple of the Sacred Water", in fact, this is the name of the spring that originates on the territory of the temple. The spring feeds the baths and pools, and the excess water flows into the Pakerisan River. Built around 960 AD, this is one of the most revered temples in Bali. The legend says that an evil demon poisoned the water in the source from which the warriors of the light forces drank and died. But the god Indra created a source of living water nearby, which brought the dead back to life and granted them immortality. The Tirta Empul temple complex was completely reconstructed in 1969, that is, almost everything that you see is a modern copy of the famous temple. For over a thousand years, Balinese worshipers have made pilgrimages to the temple's holy springs, which are said to have been created by Indra (the king of the gods and lord of the heavenly realm in Hindu mythology) and therefore have magical healing powers. The thousand-year tradition remains almost unchanged to this day. People come here to swim in three rectangular pools, into which water flows from fountains. Each of these fountains has a name and ritual purpose: healing from poisoning, from the evil eye, spiritual cleansing, from various diseases, evil, bad thoughts, etc. Surrounded by a forest, the temple should definitely appeal to photo lovers. Take a towel in advance if you want to swim. They have a changing room with lockers. On the way, visitors are forced to pass through rows of market stalls with their pushy vendors. There are also a few "Warungs" (traditional Indonesian eateries). Most people visit Tirta Empul temple and Gunung Kawi at the same time, they are located 2 km apart. The impressive temple and pools of Tirta Empul are included in the itinerary of visiting almost every tourist group in Central Bali. Open for visiting from 08:00 to 17:00. Pura Tirta Empul is located at a distance of 1 km from the village of Tampaksiring, 14 km north of Ubud, on the road to the mountainous region of Kintamani. Pura Gunung Lebah(Pura Gunung Lebah). "Gnung Lebah" means "small hill" in Indonesian. Legend has it that in the 8th century, the priest and holy sage Rishi Markandiya came from the island of Java to build the Besakih temple. Attracted by the picturesque area at the confluence of two rivers, he prayed, meditated, and then built a temple. This is how Ubud was born. Pura Gunung Lebah is 1.5 km from the Main Market and Ubud Royal Palace. Address: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud. House of Lempad(Lempad House). This residence once served as the home of the famous painter Gusti Nyoman Lempada. Now the house belongs to the children of the artist, which presents some of the master's works (many of the paintings are also in the ARMA museum). Lempad's works include paintings, wood carvings, stone sculptures and reliefs (image on a plane in the form of modeling, carving or embossing). There are many tropical birds on the estate (some even call it a “mini bird park”). Lempad House is located on Jalan Raya Ubud, the main street of the city. Royal Palace Ubud- one of the most famous sights and the main landmark of the city. From the moment of construction in the early 19th century until the mid-1940s, the Palace was the residence of the local ruler. Now, for the most part, it consists of private estates of the heirs of the former ruler of Ubud, some of them are private properties closed to public access, some of the buildings have been turned into hotels and restaurants. So you can dine in one of the restaurants on the territory of the Royal Palace, or rent a comfortable room to stay. Entrance to the rest of the royal palace complex is free. The main palace is Puri Saren Agung. On its territory there are performances of Balinese dancers to traditional gamelan music, starting at 19:30, the duration of the performance is almost 2 hours. A visit to the palace is included in the visiting program of most local travel companies. The Royal Palace of Ubud is located in the city center opposite the market. Address: Jalan Raya Ubud, Ubud. Goa Gajah("Goa Gajah" in translation "Elephant Cave"). The Goa Gajah cave is believed to have been dug by Hindu wanderers or priests in the 11th century. The face of a demon is engraved around the entrance. For such a popular tourist attraction, the cave is actually quite small. Inside, a small niche with a statue of Ganesh, a Hindu deity resembling an elephant, has been preserved, as well as a small sanctuary with several stone images of lingam and yoni (male and female reproductive organs) in honor of the god Shiva. When visiting Goa Gajah, remember: Goa Gajah is open seven days a week from 08:00 to 16:30; the entrance fee is about US 60 cents; appropriate clothing is required; knees should be covered for both men and women. Sarongs are available on loan at the entrance; be prepared to plunge into almost complete darkness - there is no artificial lighting inside the cave. A few minutes is enough to explore the cave, then we recommend looking at the rice fields and gardens located south of the archaeological site. Climb the steps down into the valley where there is a small waterfall and the remains of a ruined Buddhist temple. Goa Gajah is located in the village of Bedulu, 6 km southeast of the center of Ubud. Address: Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Bedulu Village. Pura Kehen(Pura Kehen). Pura Kehen is often referred to as a miniature version of the Besakih temple (it also has 8 terraces). This is the main temple of the Kingdom of Bangli, built during the reign of Sri Bhatara Guru Adikunti Ketan in the 11th century. Perched on a high hill surrounded by tropical trees, this is one of the most impressive and beautiful temples in Bali. Men and women are required to wear a sarong and sash, which you can borrow from the kiosk across the street. Due to its location, Pura Kehen is not crowded with tourists like other popular temples in Bali. There are several souvenir shops nearby. The Kehen Temple is located in the village of Cempaga, a few kilometers north of the city of Bangli. Kehen Temple is easily accessible from Ubud and takes about 40 minutes. The temple is open to the public from 08:00 to 17:00 daily. Rock bas-reliefs Ex Pulu(Relief Yeh Pulu). This rock art complex is located 2 km from Goa Gajah, but is much less known. The bas-reliefs are carved on a limestone rock about 25 meters long and 2 meters high. The images tell of real scenes of rural life during the old Kingdom of Bali. The Yeh Pulu bas-reliefs are the largest in Bali, dating back to the 14th or 15th century, and are located in a very attractive location in the middle of the rice fields. For a long period of time, the bas-reliefs were buried under volcanic ash and vegetation, only discovered in 1925 by the Dutch artist Nieuwenkamp. Visitors will typically spend a few minutes at this monument and then head towards the surrounding rice fields. You can get to Yeh Pulu on foot through the rice fields from Goa Gajah in 40 minutes, but you need a guide as there is no clearly marked path through the farmland. The Yeh Pulu bas-reliefs are located in the village of Bedulu, 2 km from the famous Gowa Gajah cave. Monkey Forest Ubud(Ubud Monkey Forest) - a famous natural reserve and temple complex of the city. Several hundred crab-eating macaques live in a forest of approximately 10 hectares. Here is the temple of Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal ("Pura Dalem Agung Padangtega"), and several smaller temples. Located in the heart of Ubud, Ubud Monkey Forest is owned and operated by the villagers of Padangtegal. Beware of contact with monkeys. Crab-eating macaques approach inquisitive tourists in large groups and may then grab bags of food or other items. The villagers of Padangtegal feed the monkeys daily, but this does not stop the animals from attacking. Macaques are very aggressive and will try to steal anything that looks shiny or edible. Therefore, do not provoke wild animals, keep sunglasses, cameras, jewelry and shiny objects out of the reach or sight of animals. And do not smile - for macaques, teeth indicate a manifestation of aggression on the part of a person. Don't buy food or feed the monkeys, they get enough food from the villagers. How to get there. Ubud Monkey Forest is located 1 km from Ubud Royal Palace. Going down Jalan Monkey Forest from the Royal Palace, the road turns left. The entrance to the territory is at this turn. Pay a ticket (about $2) at the entrance, and go down the path. Address: Jalan Monkey Forest, Padangtegal, Ubud, website http://www.monkeyforestubud.com/ Tegenungan waterfall(Tegenungan Waterfall). The only waterfall that is not in the highlands of Bali. The waterfall is located in the village of Kemenuh, a 20-minute drive southeast of Ubud. You can watch the waterfall from above from the observation platform, but it is better to go down the steps to the river. You can swim if you want, but during the rainy season the current is fast so swimming is a bit dangerous. Petulu village(Petulu). Every evening around 18:00, thousands of white herons come to the village of Petulu, perching in the trees along the road. The villagers believe that birds bring good luck. Herons first appeared in the village of Petulu in 1965 for no apparent reason. Several traditional Warung-style cafes have been built in the paddy fields where you can drink and eat while enjoying the spectacle (sometimes hundreds of birds per tree). Petulu village is located about 2.5 km north of the center of Ubud. It is easy to get here by bike, but keep in mind that the birds only arrive in the evening, and then you will have to return in the dark. Also, do not walk under the trees where herons sit, otherwise you risk substituting your head under bird droppings. Rice terraces of Tegallalang. It is impossible to visit Bali and not visit the rice terraces. The land is divided into plots or terraces, water is accumulated in certain places, and it naturally flows from the top to the bottom, irrigating the culture valuable to the Balinese. Such a system of watering rice terraces was called "Subak" and began to be used from the 8th century. The most magnificent scenery of the rice terraces in the Ubud area is in the village of Tegallalang. The beautiful slopes of the Tegallalang rice terraces, descending into a vast valley, are the main reason for the arrival of many tourists here. Spectacular landscapes open right from the road and this is a popular stop for a memorable photo. Shops are lined up along the little roadside and are crowded with merchants of all kinds. Peasants go back and forth with their simple tools and offer tourists to take pictures with them for a memorable photo (for money, of course). You can go down and wander among the rice fields (for a small entrance fee). How to get there: Tegallalang village is located 9 km north of Ubud. The rice terraces will be on the right side of the road. Comb Campuhan(Campuhan Ridge) is a popular hiking trail around Ubud. The route is about 4-5 km long one way, it takes no more than 3 hours on foot there and back. Start early in the morning to avoid the hot sun. The trail starts near the Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas & Spa located on Jalan Raya Campuhan. This hotel is about a 15 minute walk down Jalan Raya Ubud (when walking from the city's main market located near Ubud Royal Palace). If you find the Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas & Spa, you will definitely find the beginning of the trail. The path descends, crosses a bridge over the river, then slowly climbs up until you reach the top of the crest of Campuhan Hill. After a while, the path lined with stones will be replaced by an ordinary dirt path. The crest of Campuhan Hill is a narrow strip of high ground between the hollow of the Campuhan River on the left and the Wos River on the right (further the rivers merge together). The hollow of the Campuhan River is covered with forest, small hotels and villas can be seen on the slopes of the hill. After some time you will reach the village, near which there are fields with rice terraces. Museums Agung Rai Art Museum(Agung Rai Museum of Art, abbreviated "ARMA"). ARMA is the only museum in Bali where the works of the famous German painter Walter Spies are exhibited (although there are no original works, only copies). The museum includes works by the 19th century Javanese artist Raden Saleh, Lempad, Affandi, Sadali, Hofker, Le Mayer. In total, there are 236 paintings by Indonesian and foreign artists. But ARMA is more than just a museum. As part of the Arma Bali resort, it hosts special temporary exhibitions, theatrical performances, music, painting and dance classes, cultural workshops, conferences, workshops and training programs. The museum is housed in several traditional buildings surrounded by a beautiful park. Considered the best museum in Ubud. The entrance to the museum is from Jalan Raya Pengosekan or Jalan Pengosekan street near the ARMA cafe, where there is a car park. Address: Jalan Pengosekan, Ubud, website http://www.armabali.com/museum/ Art Museum Neka(Neka Art Museum). The Neka Art Museum opened in 1982. The museum's approximately 300 paintings cover the period from the end of the 19th century to the present. The museum's paintings demonstrate the evolution of Balinese painting under the gradual influence of European artists. The museum is located in buildings in the middle of a well-groomed park overlooking the river, there is a bookstore and a cafe nearby. A separate gallery has recently opened a large collection of kris (ceremonial daggers) - an interesting addition to the wonderful art museum. Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 09:00 -17:00, Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00, closed on national holidays. Address: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Kedewatan Village, website http://www.museumneka.com/ Puri Lukisan Museum(Museum Puri Lukisan). This is the oldest painting museum in Bali, which specializes in traditional Balinese painting and woodcarving. Rudolf Bonnet, a Dutch painter, was one of the founders of this museum. The works date from the 1930s to the present. There are no guides in the museum, in order to understand how Balinese painting has developed over the past almost 200 years, you need to wander around and study the works of artists on your own. The museum is surrounded by a beautifully manicured park. There is a good cafe for visitors. Ubud Royal Palace is a short walk from the museum. Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 16:00, address: Jalan Raya Ubud, Ubud, website http://museumpurilukisan.com/ Don Antonio Blanco Museum(Don Antonio Blanco Museum). Antonio Blanco was born on September 15, 1911 in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Both of his parents were Spanish. After graduating from high school in Manila, Blanco studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts in New York. After his studies, he traveled extensively around the world before he finally settled permanently in Bali (in 1952), marrying a famous Balinese dancer. Shortly before his death, Blanco set about creating a museum. The artist died shortly before its discovery. His son, Mario (also an artist), made his father's dream come true. The Blanco Museum presents the work of the maestro and his son Mario. More than 300 paintings by Antonio are arranged in chronological order to show how the artist's work developed. Most of the works are portraits of Balinese dancers (nude). There is a restaurant and a souvenir shop where you can buy copies of the artist's works. When you enter the museum, you will see a beautiful garden with many exotic birds. The museum building is also very impressive. Address: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Kedewatan, Ubud, website http://blancomuseum.com/ Training in Traditional Bali Crafts Historically, the craft communities for making jewelry and other crafts in Bali are mainly located in the villages of Gianyar district, in particular Celuk, Mas and Ubud. Some of these workshops allow you to watch your creations being made, while others provide a piece of silver, tongs, and the opportunity to learn from local craftsmen how to create your own piece to take home with you. Here are some of the best craft centers in Bali where you can make your own silver jewelry by learning the process of granulation, soldering and final polishing. Or learn how to make ceramics, paint fabrics using the batik technique. Chez Monique Silver Smith Class. Classes for those wishing to learn how to make their own jewelry. Each participant receives 10 grams of silver to turn into a pendant, ring, bracelet, necklace or earrings. It is possible to purchase an additional gemstone or silver upon request. Classes usually last 4 hours. Employee Chez Monique will help you learn the basics of jewelry. Address: Jalan Sriwedari Taman 57, Ubud, website http://www.chezmoniquejewelry.com/ Wahana Silver's Art Studio(abbreviated as "WS Art Studio"). Wahana Silver Art Studio provides a wide variety of traditional Balinese craft classes, including mask making, batik fabric painting, painting, Balinese dancing, bamboo fiber weaving, silver jewelry making. Tuition includes free pickup from hotels in the Ubud area (round trip) and a cup of tea. Address: Jalan Raya Silungan, Lodtundah, Gianyar, Ubud (7 minutes south of Ubud centre), website http://www.craftworkshopbali.com/ Studio Perak. Founded by silversmith Ketut Darmawan, Perak Studio produces silverware set with semi-precious stones. And not only produces, but also teaches this skill to everyone. Classes are offered from Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00. Sometimes additional lessons are added from 14:00 to 17:00 during the peak tourist season. In three hours, under the guidance of instructors, get the basic skills of making silver jewelry, such as a ring or a pendant. Children from 8 years old can also take part in the training. Classes are held in English, so all participants must have a basic knowledge of English. Address: Jalan Hanoman, Ubud, website http://www.studioperak.com/ Widya Batik. To start, a little introduction. Batik is a word of Indonesian origin. Batik is commonly referred to as hand-painted fabric. To put it more specifically, batik is a technology for dyeing and painting fabrics using wax. A warm wax pattern is applied to a piece of fabric, usually cotton. Wax prevents the penetration of dyes and does not paint the fabric. The rest of the fabric, where there is no wax, is impregnated with dye. After dyeing, the wax is removed by soaking the fabric in hot water. Widya Batik School(Widya is the name of the owner of the school) offers to learn the basics of painting fabric in batik technique. They pick up all participants in their courses free of charge from hotels in the Ubud area by car and bring them to their studio in the village of Tegallantang. The class lasts from 10:00 to 15:00 (officially), but Vidya allows you to stay longer if you haven't finished your work. School teachers will tell you in detail about everything you need to draw a picture using the batik technique, share their knowledge and talent with those who are interested in learning. You can take a piece of cotton fabric with your own design to take home with you. In the school store you can buy silk scarves, T-shirts and other items with a batik pattern. All items here are of high quality. If you get hungry, you can also order local specialties (beer if you like) at nearby Warung. Widya Batik is located on Jalan Snwedari 61, in the village of Tegallantang, site http://www.widyabatik.baliklik.com/ Similar batik courses are offered by Deking Batik Class, website http://batikbali.myartsonline.com/ Sari Api Ceramic Studio. Sari Api Pottery Studio was founded in 1996 by Susan Kohlik, a graduate of the Ceramic Art School in Vevey, in Western Switzerland. The studio offers classes for children and beginners, as well as training for experienced craftsmen. The full course consists of 8 lessons (2 hours each). One-time training lasts 3 hours. Children's classes are designed for children aged 4-14. When planning your studies at the Ceramics Studio, take into account the fact that the items need time to dry and then fire in the kiln. It takes at least two weeks to complete the process. For this reason, schedule classes early in your Bali holiday to take your work home. Otherwise, the studio will send your work by mail for an additional fee. The ceramics studio is located on Jalan Suweta street in Bentuyung village, 3 km north of the Ubud Royal Palace, website http://sariapi.com/ dance performances During the tourist season, Balinese dancers perform every day in Ubud. Tickets can be purchased on the spot. Try to arrive early to get a good seat (so that no one interferes with taking memorable photos during the performance). According to the rules, you can not come after the start of the performance, but they are usually not respected. Read the promotional booklet before the performance to get some idea of ​​the plot of this or that dance. The dances are performed by various groups of people from Ubud villages. Kecak Fire & Trance Dance. The most famous Balinese dance, the Kecak, is traditionally performed by a group of 50-100 men wearing loincloths, their upper body exposed. The dancers line up in several circles, burn coconut shells in the center, characteristically sing “ke-chak, ke-chak, ke-chak”, throw up their hands, shake their palms, sway from time to time while singing. The show goes on for approximately 1 hour, with barefoot dancers walking on smoldering coconut shells at the end. Kechak depicts the battle between Rama and the evil demon Ravana, described in the Ramayana. Kecak is called the “dance of monotonously singing monkeys”, the dancers monotonously shout all together like monkeys. At the end of the performance, tourists can approach the stage to take a memorable photo with the dancers. The Barong Dance is another well-known Balinese dance performed by two men, which tells of the struggle between good and evil. Barong - a mythological creature in Bali, "lord of the forest" and protector of the Balinese villages. He is depicted in the form of a four-legged wild animal (half dog, half lion), with a long mane, formidable fangs and bulging eyes. Possessing great strength, Barong embodies the forces of good, who are always fighting against evil spirits in the person of Rangda, an evil witch who rules over the spirits of darkness. The fight between Barong and Rangda takes the form of a duel. Each of them tries to defeat his opponent with the power of magic with the help of his supporters and the initiative alternately passes from one to another. Either Barong's supporters will stab Rangda with daggers and weaken the evil witch, then Rangda will put them all into a state of trance and force them to pierce themselves with their own weapons. Fortunately, Barong has powerful magic, the daggers are enchanted and did not cause any harm to people. This piece is the highlight of the dance; the music gets louder and louder, people scurrying back and forth, waving their daggers in a frenzy, sometimes going into a fit in a desperate attempt to stab themselves. Eventually, Rangda, defeated, retreats. Good again triumphed over evil. The Barong and Rangda masks are considered religious items, before they are removed from the performance area, the priest must bless and sprinkle them with holy water taken from the springs at Mount Agung. legong keraton(Legong Keraton). There are many types of legong dance, the most popular being legong keraton. To understand the essence of the dance, you need to know a little about its background. The king captures the young girl Rangkesari. Her brother comes to free her sister from captivity, Rangkesari begs the king to let her go in peace. The king refuses, accepts the challenge and dies. Sometimes the role of a young girl is played by girls of eight or nine years old, rarely early adolescence. These dancers are highly revered in Balinese society and, as a rule, become the wives of noble persons or wealthy businessmen. The dance is performed to the music of gamelan. Legong and barong dances can be seen at the Royal Palace of Ubud or near the temple at Monkey Forest (the city's famous nature reserve and temple complex). The schedule and venue of dancers performances in Ubud can be viewed at this link Yoga and spa salons Yoga Barn. Yoga Barn has 5 yoga studios. In addition to studying yoga, those who wish are offered a whole range of wellness procedures, a cafe operates here, and 9 rooms are rented for accommodation. Yoga Barn is located in the midst of paddy fields within walking distance of Jalan Monkey Forest. Opening hours: daily from 07:00 to 19:30, address: Jalan Raya Pengosekan, website http://www.theyogabarn.com/ Other yoga studios: Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio, address: Jalan Jembawan 3, Pedang Tegal Kaja, Ubud, website http://www.radiantlyalive.com/ The Yoga Barn, address: Jalan Pengoseken, Ubud, site http://www.theyogabarn.com/ Spa salons Below is a list of the most popular spas in Ubud. Tamarind Spa at Murni's Houses, address: Jalan Raya, Ubud, site http://www.murnis.com/ Karsa Spa, address: Bangkiang Sidem, Campuhan Ridge, Ubud, site http://www.karsaspa.com/ Jaens Spa Ubud, address: Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud, website http://www.jaensspaubud.com/ Putri Bali Spa, address: Jalan Raya Sangingan, Ubud, site http://putribalispa.com/ SANg Spa 2, address: Jalan Jembawan 13 B, Padang Tegal, Ubud, website http://www.sangspaubud.com/ Taksu Spa & Restaurant, address: Jalan Goutama Selatan, Ubud, site http://www.taksuspa.com/ Bali Botanica Day Spa, address: Jalan Sanggingan, Ubud, site http://www.balibotanica.com/ Balinese Cuisine Courses In Ubud, many companies offer Balinese cuisine courses to tourists. All of them follow the standard scheme: first, visiting the local market, buying herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, and so on, which you will use to prepare Balinese cuisine. Upon arrival, the instructor chef will provide all participants with an illustrated educational booklet with menus, recipes, instructions, photos, tips and blank sheets for personal notes. You will be taught how to cook the most popular dishes and desserts, how to properly present them. At the end of the lunch of homemade Balinese dishes. Teaching in English, can ask any questions regarding cooking methods and ingredients. The most popular Ubud companies specializing in Balinese cuisine courses are: Lobong Cooking Class, address: Br. Kedewatan, Ubud, site http://lobongcooking.com/ Paon Bali Cooking Class, address: Laplapan Village, Ubud, site http://www.paon-bali.com/ Payuk Bali Cooking Class, address: Laplapan Village, Ubud, website http://www.payukbali.com/ Raw Food Classes with Raw Food Bali, address: Jalan Suweta, Ubud, site http://rawfoodbali.com/ The Workshop - Mozaic Cooking School (part of the Mozaic Restaurant), address: Jalan Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, site http://www.mozaic-bali.com/workshop/cooking-classes Casa Luna Cooking School, address: Honeymoon Guesthouses, Jalan Bisma, Ubud, website http://www.casalunabali.com/cooking-school/ Bumi Bali Cooking School (part of the Bumi Bali restaurant, they also have a spa and yoga classes), address: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud, website http://www.bumifood.com/cooking_school.html Excursions of local tour operators Bicycle tours There are many bike rentals in Ubud. Biking is a popular way to explore the city and surrounding villages. Many travel companies offer cycling tours around Ubud and trips to the Kintamani mountain region to the volcano and Lake Batur. From the slopes of Mount Batur, the participants of the tour begin the descent by bicycles in the direction of Ubud. During the trip, the guide will tell interesting facts about the life, culture and traditions of Bali, answer your questions. Highlights include driving through rice fields, coffee plantations, villages, visiting a traditional Balinese home, stopping at spectacular photo spots. Companies in Ubud offering bike tours: Greenbike Cycling Tour. They have combined tour options: bike + jet skis (ATV), bike + rafting on the river in the Ubud area, bike + paintball game, website www.greenbiketour.com Baligobike. In addition to cycling tours, Baligobike tours also include climbing Mount Batur, hiking in rice fields, rafting on the Ayung River, www.baligobike.com Celebrity Cycling Tour Bali. In addition to cycling tours, the company also offers walking tours through the rice fields, www.celebritybiketour.com Bali Bike Bike Tours. In addition to cycling tours, the company also organizes cooking classes, rafting on the Ayung River, hiking in rice fields, climbing Mount Batur, website http://www.balibike.com/ Bali Emerald Touring. In addition to cycling tours, the company organizes hiking in rice fields, rafting on the Ayung River, climbing Mount Batur, car trips along the route planned by the participants of the excursion, website http://www.emeraldcycling.com/ Bali Eco Cycling. In addition to cycling tours, the company also organizes climbing Mount Batur, hiking in the forest and rice fields, trips to the East coast of Bali (for swimming and snorkeling). The most famous excursion called "Island Tour" lasting from 3 to 5 days, it includes visiting ancient Balinese temples, hiking, watching dolphins in the ocean, swimming with mask and snorkel, cycling, dance show at the Royal Palace of Ubud, the site http://baliecocycling.com/ Jegeg Bali Cycling Tours. In addition to cycling tours, it also organizes climbing Mount Batur and hiking in rice fields. Address: Banjar Sala, Pejeng Kawan, Ubud, website http://www.jegegbalicycling.com/ Adventure tours Canyoning by Adventure & Spirit. The Adventure & Spirit company offers its participants descents into canyons throughout the island of Bali. During the tour, you visit caves, ford rivers, go rock climbing, jump into the water and swim, under the supervision of a professional guide, descend from the sheer walls of gorges and ravines. Adventure & Spirit also offers training courses for those wishing to become canyoning professionals. Tour operator address: Jalan Raya Mas 62A, Mas (near Ubud), website http://www.adventureandspirit.com/ Rafting on the Ayung River. Rafting on the Telaga Waja River is offered by Telaga Waja River Rafting. The Telaga Vadzha River has rapids of III level of difficulty. Departure at 10:00 am. Rafting takes about 2 hours, the route is 13 km long. At the end of the lunch at the restaurant, after which you will be taken to the hotel. The best rafting is during the rainy season, during the dry season from June to September the water level in the river drops significantly. Tour operator address: Jalan Monkey Forest 99x, Ubud, website http://www.telagawajabalirafting.com/ Tours from Bali Taro Adventure Tour. Taro Village is located near the Ayung River, surrounded by rice fields, coffee plantations, fruits, spices and so on. Bali Taro Adventure Tour offers 1.5 hectare paintball and ATV rides in the countryside around Taro, rafting on the Ayung River, cycling from the slopes of Mount Batur to Taro village. Combined tour options include: Biking + elephant riding. Biking + rafting. Hiking + elephant riding. Quad bike rides (ATV) + elephant riding. ATV trips + rafting on the Ayung River. Quad bike rides (ATV) + paintball game. Paintball + rafting on the Ayung River. Paintball + elephant riding. Address tour operator: Banjar Paku Seba, Desa Taro, Tegalalang, Ubud, website http://balitaroadventuretours.com/ Hiking Hiking tours serve as an alternative to bicycle tours offered by almost all tour operators nowadays. Bali Bird Walks. The Bali Bird Walks program is aimed at nature lovers and ornithologists. It includes hiking through the countryside around Ubud through rice fields and forest. Hike participants can see about 30 species of birds, including endemic species (found only in Indonesia and nowhere else in the world), as well as butterflies and lizards. Tours are available on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (or any day of the week by prior arrangement). The starting point is the Bali Bird Walks office or Murni's Warung cafe. Start at 09:00, return around 12:30, tour operator website http://www.balibirdwalk.com/ Bali Off Course Guided Walking Tours. The walking route, lasting about 3 hours, passes through villages and rice fields. The hikers can visit one or two temples and visit traditional craft workshops. The guide will talk about rural life in Bali and how the Subak irrigation system works. Morning tour starts at 07:30, duration 3 hours. The afternoon tour starts at 14:30 and lasts 2.5 hours. Tour operator address: Dusun / Banjar Laplapan, Ubud, website http://www.balioffcourse.com/ Island trips with a private driver One of the most popular ways to explore Bali is to use the services of private drivers. If you need a car to get to (from) the airport, visit ancient temples, climb mountains, visit the beach, see spectacular rice terraces, places to shop, in a word, everything that interests you, give preference to the services of private drivers. They will be happy to show you the most interesting sights of Bali. You can plan your travel itinerary according to your own preferences and interests. Excursions of tour operators throughout the island of Bali Excursions from Bali Traditional Tours Kintamani Tour. First visit the traditional market, then drive north to the mountainous area of ​​Kintamani, where the volcano and Lake Batur are located. During the trip, visiting coffee and fruit plantations, Tirta Empul temple in Tampaksiring, the final stop is the Gunung Kawi temple. Tanah Lot and Rice Terrace Tour. The tour includes a visit to the Taman Ayun Royal Temple, the traditional market and Tanah Lot Temple, one of the most famous in Bali. The route passes through small villages, jungles and impressive terraced Jatiluwih rice paddies. Ubud and Environs. The tour includes a visit to the Monkey Forest in Ubud, home to several hundred monkeys, and some of the following villages to choose from: Celuk (silver center), Mas (woodcarving), Tohpati (traditional weaving). In these villages, you can not only shop, but also watch the process of making traditional Balinese handicrafts. The tour also includes a trip to the Tegenungan waterfall, the Goa Gajah temple, cafes and shops in Ubud (optional), at the end a visit to a Balinese house and an acquaintance with the life of the Balinese. Bedugul Tour. First visit the traditional market. Then drive to Taman Ayun Temple, visiting the spice and fruit farm. The route passes through small villages and the world-famous Jatiluwih rice terraces. The last stop is the Pura Ulun Danu temple on the shore of Lake Bratan. East Bali Tour. A trip to the eastern regions of the island of Bali. During the trip, visit the traditional market, the Goa Lawah cave temple, the ancient sea salt factory in Kusamba and the historic village of Tenganan, where representatives of the Balinese Bali-Aga people live. Then the route passes through the interior of the island, along the Salak fruit plantations and rice fields, visiting the famous Kerta Gos Palace in the small town of Klung Kung. South Bali and Ulu Watu Tour. The tour includes a visit to the traditional market, Taman Ayun Temple and Tanah Lot Temple. Continuation of the trip along the coast, beautiful rice fields and terraces. The final stop is Ulu Watu temple on top of Bukit Badung rock. river rafting. Rafting on rubber rafts on the Ayung River near Ubud in the morning or afternoon. During the rafting you will see beautiful natural landscapes. Bali Safari and Marine Park. A popular park in Bali, which has a zoo, a large recreation and entertainment area, a water park, cafes and restaurants, cottages and bungalows for living. Daily Transport. You are provided with a car with a driver for 8 hours. You can plan your own itinerary based on your personal preferences and interests. Excursions from Bali Trekking & Tour Guide Hiking in Bali Batur Caldera Sunrise Trekking. Hiking along the caldera of Batur volcano, watching the sunrise, sightseeing Lake Batur. Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking. Climbing the volcano Batur lasting 2 hours, watching the sunrise at the top. Mount Abang Sunrise Trekking. Abang is the second highest mountain in Bali (2152 m), climbing takes about 2.5 hours. Combined tours Mt. Batur Sunrise Trekking & Natural Hot Spring. Early morning climbing to the top of Mount Batur and swimming in natural hot springs - all in one day. During the trip you will see Lake Batur. One Day Cycling + Rafting. Combination of cycling down Mount Batur (26 km, duration about 2.5 hours) and rafting on the Vaja Telaga River (distance 16 km, duration about 2.5 hours) in one day. Nusa Penida 2 Days 1 Night Cruise Tours. Cruise to Nusa Penida for 2 days. This small island is just a short sail from Bali. During the trip, snorkelling, fishing, sightseeing of the natural attractions of the island and a visit to the temple. Bali Driver Service. Car rental with professional drivers. You choose where you would like to go and what to see, and the rest will be done by the driver, who is also a guide who speaks English. Bali Car Rental. Renting a car for independent trips around the island. The company also organizes trips to the Eastern regions of Bali, to the lakes of Bedugul and Beratan, the mountainous region of Kintamani, visits to the ancient temples of the island, a kechak dance show, dolphin watching in the area of ​​Lovina beach. Address: Jalan Raya Gentong, Tegalalang, Ubud, site http://www.balitrekkingtour.com/ shopping Ikat Batik is a popular textile shop in Ubud that sells textiles with hand-painted patterns in the style of Ikat Batik. Worth a look even if you don't intend to buy anything. Here they sell pillowcases, curtains, carpets, plate mats, tablecloths, bedspreads and much more. There are very few shops of this level throughout Bali. Address: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud. Threads of Life. This is a store for textiles made in Bali and other Indonesian islands. All products are handcrafted using traditional production methods. Each product is accompanied by a brief description of the history of its creation, technique and the name of the author of the product. Prices are not cheap, but you get a quality product. Threads of Life not only sells handmade textiles, but also baskets, souvenirs, books, DVDs about Indonesian weaving and traditional crafts. The store is small, 15 minutes is enough to see it. Threads of Life offers training courses in various textile making and dyeing techniques. Courses last from one to eight days. Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00, address: Jalan Kajeng 24, Ubud, website http://www.threadsoflife.com/mainstoreubud.asp Burat Wangi. Ubud is full of shops selling soaps, oils, etc., which are in high demand among tourists. One manufacturer of such soaps is Burat Wangi, which has a tiny retail store with 20-30 soaps for sale. The store is located on the territory of the enterprise, along the way you can see how the workers in the neighboring workshop press bars of soap for sale (not machines - everything is done by hand). Coconut oil is used in the production of soap, pleasant exotic aromas come from it. Each bar of soap is marked with the date of manufacture and expiration date. The shop and small production is located along Jalan Peliatan Ubud, Ubud. Use a taxi to get there. Ubud Market(Pasar Seni). The market is divided into two main sections: one sells food and basic necessities, the second - goods of Balinese handicrafts. Most of the goods in the Ubud market are produced in the neighboring villages. Sculptures, sarongs, masks, silverware, silk scarves, shirts, baskets, hats, textiles and many other local handicrafts are sold here. The lanes adjacent to the market are filled with eateries. Ubud Market is located on the main street of the city (Jalan Raya Ubud) in front of the Royal Palace of Ubud, open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, some of the stalls are open until late at night. Handicraft centers of Bali on the road between Sanur and Ubud. The road from Sanur in the south to Ubud in the center of the island passes through a number of small towns and villages that specialize in the production of certain handicrafts. These villages are Batubulan and Singkerta (stone carving), Seluk (silver jewelry), Batuan (painting) and Mas (wood carving). This entire area is sometimes referred to as "Bali's artisan villages". This is the best place to see and purchase a wide range of Balinese handicrafts in a short period of time. As a rule, each workshop has a showroom where traditional Balinese handicrafts are for sale. Almost all organized tours of Central Bali stop at one or more exhibition halls (drivers and tour guides usually receive their commission from the place where they brought the tourists). Popular cafes and restaurants Bridges. This is one of the best restaurants in Ubud serving French and Balinese cuisine. The restaurant is surrounded by forest near the bridge over the Campuhan River, go during the daytime to enjoy the view. The location next to the bridge gave the restaurant its name ("Bridges" means bridges in English). Bridges has a shop and bar with a wide selection of wines. Anyone can order a bottle of wine to take home online on their website. On Fridays, Bridges hosts a wine tasting called Divine Friday. A good restaurant for a romantic candlelight dinner with live music in the evenings. Periodically hosts exhibitions of painting, batik, masks and photographs. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 11:00 - 23:30. Address: Campuhan Bridge, Jalan Campuhan, Ubud (800 m from the Royal Palace of Ubud, near the Antonio Blanco Museum), website http://www.bridgesbali.com/ Fair Warung Bale. It serves Balinese, Indonesian and Thai cuisine. Fair Warung Bale finances medical care for the poor in the local community. By giving preference to Fair Warung Bale, you will help the poor Balinese. On request, they organize culinary master classes (no more than 12 people per group). Address: Jalan Sriwedari 6, Ubud. Melting Wok Warung. The cafe is owned by a French lady and her chef husband. They specialize in local cuisine. The decor is simple and no frills. The daily specials of the day are written in chalk on 2 blackboards, usually 4 types of main dishes are offered: curry rice, curry noodles, fried rice with chicken, beef or fish. There are not many dishes on the menu, but what they offer here is cooked very well. Melting Wok Warung has only 8 tables. Given its great popularity, it is advisable to book in advance if you plan to visit after 17:00. Address: Jalan Gootama 13, Ubud. Restaurant Locavore. This restaurant serves European cuisine. Most food is grown on their own farm. The open kitchen allows you to see the entire cooking process. The interior of the restaurant is rather nondescript, but the food here is very tasty and beautifully presented. Address: Jalan Dewi Sita, Ubud. Taco Casa. This restaurant serves a wide variety of Mexican dishes including burritos, crispy tacos, cheese enchiladas, fajitas, mozzarella and bean nachos, pico de halo sauces and guacamole. The kitchen is located in the main hall of the restaurant, so that visitors can watch the process of cooking. The restaurant provides free Wi-Fi internet access and home delivery if you are staying in Ubud. Opening hours: daily 11:00 - 22:00. Address: Jalan Pengosekan, Ubud (near Monkey Forest), website http://tacocasabali.com/ Warung Schnitzel. This cafe is famous for the best schnitzels in the city. In addition to schnitzels, there are many seafood dishes on the menu. On the ground floor there is a bar and a "red cave" (a secluded seating area), on the second floor there is a kitchen with a large dining room and a balcony superstructure overlooking the street. The third floor has a spacious layout for large groups of visitors. Free WI-FI internet is available to clients. Open from 8 am to 24:00, address: Jalan Sriwedari 2, Ubud (next to Jalan Raya Ubud), website http://warungschnitzelubud.weebly.com/ Swept Away. Swept Away Restaurant is part of the upmarket Samaya Villas Bali and serves Balinese and Indonesian cuisine. The wooden flooring of the restaurant was built a stone's throw from the Ayung River flowing in the jungle. The cozy setting by the river is perfect for a romantic candlelit dinner. The only downside is the restaurant is expensive. Located about 3 km from the center of Ubud in the fashionable resort of Samaya Villas Bali. Address: Banjar Baung, Desa Sayan, Ubud, website http://ubud.thesamayabali.com/dining/?dining=6 Dolce Arancia. Small Italian restaurant on a quiet street in the center of Ubud. The menu is 100% Italian. Gorgeous interior design, open kitchen, excellent service, extensive list of Italian and other wines. Address: Jalan Gootama 17, Ubud, website http://www.dolcearancia.com/ Putu's Wild Ginger. This is a small cafe in the style of a traditional Indonesian "Warung". Local dishes on the menu are the same as in hundreds of other restaurants in Bali, but at Putu's Wild Ginger they are cooked with soul. Putu is the head chef of the establishment, he is also its owner. He prepares Balinese and Indonesian "homemade" dishes. One of Putu's specialties and most popular dishes is smoked duck, which must be ordered 24 hours in advance.A cafe with a pleasant interior, surrounded by trees, located a 15-minute walk from the city center.To avoid looking, it is advisable to take a taxi. opening hours: daily 09:00 - 22:00, address: Jalan Jero Gadung, Br Kutuh Kelod, Ubud, website http://putuswildginger.com/Wild_Ginger/Welcome.html Mamma Mia. Popular Italian restaurant in Ubud. Tony, an Italian by birth, managed to recreate the cozy atmosphere of a family Italian trattoria. Pizza is cooked in a traditional Italian wood-fired oven, noodles are cooked by hand. Address: Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud. Cafe Pomegranate. This cafe is owned by a Japanese owner and the menu mainly features traditional Japanese dishes. Located on a small hill near the city center, surrounded by vast rice fields. One of the highlights of this cafe is the dinner overlooking the sunset and the rice fields. How to get there. The only option is by scooter or on foot. Near the main intersection next to Ubud's main market (near Ubud Royal Palace), turn onto Jalan Campuhan. After walking about 500m from the junction, you will notice the Balinese temple Pura Dalem on your right hand side. Immediately after that, on the same right side you will see a path with the sign “Abangan”, it stretches up in the direction of the Abangan Bungalows. Follow this path, you will soon see several advertising signs, one of which is the "Cafe Pomegenate" sign. Keep going further, a rice field will start, and soon you will see a white tent shelter. This is Cafe Pomegranate. In time, it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk from Jalan Campuhan street. Take a flashlight if you return in the evening. Check out their website (click the button called "Map"), there is a map on how to get there. Address: Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, Ubud, website http://cafepomegranate.org/ (note that the website menu items are at the bottom, not at the top). Warung Bodag Maliah(Sari Organic). Warung Bodag Maliah Cafe is located in a beautifully elevated position overlooking the rice terraces, on the territory of the Sari Organik organic farm. The farm is engaged in the cultivation of rice and vegetables without the use of chemicals and mineral fertilizers. Accordingly, the cafe prepares Balinese and Indonesian dishes exclusively from fresh, organic products that are good for health. Warung Bodag Maliah is located in the middle of the same rice fields as Cafe Pomegranate. You need to get there in the same way - from Jalan Campuhan street along the path past the Abangan Bungalow houses, walk another 800 m. Opening hours: 08:00 - 20:00, website http://www.sari-organik.com Gelato Secrets. The Italian word "Gelato" means ice cream. Italian owners Maria and Carlo Lentini prepare delicious ice cream. You will hardly find such delicious ice cream anywhere else in Ubud. Address: Jalan Lungsiakan, Ubud, website http://www.gelatosecrets.com/ Il Giardino. The Italian cafe Il Giardino is located on the estate of the Dutch artist Hans Snel. It is hard to find a place in the city with a more romantic outdoor setting next to fountains, ponds and tropical flowers. Flickering candles, Italian Chianti wine and the soft sounds of jazz serve as a romantic backdrop for dinner. Wood-fired pizzas, creamy risotto and homemade pasta dishes will almost make you feel like you're dining at a family-run diner in Tuscany. Take a moment to stroll through the gallery and see the work of Hans Snell. Il Giardino is located on the territory of the Han Snel Bungalows hotel, address: Han Snel Bungalows, Jalan Kajeng, Ubud, website http://ilgiardinobali.com/ Seniman Coffee Studio. The best espresso, cappuccino or latte is prepared in only one cafe in Ubud, and this is Seniman Coffee Studio. Unusual cafe prepares only high-quality natural coffee grown in Indonesia. The café's advertising slogan is "Life is too Short for Bad Coffee". The owners of Seniman Coffee Studio, David Sullivan and Rodney Glick, have created an establishment that not only produces high-quality coffee, but also demonstrates a high culture of making the drink. The beans used in Seniman Coffee Studio are grown without the use of chemicals in coffee plantations throughout Indonesia. They are brought here fresh, carefully roasted on site, and diners can choose between strong, medium and light roasts. You won't see an ordinary coffee pot or espresso machine at Seniman, each of the coffee orders is prepared by hand, by pouring coffee through a special siphon. The staff of the cafe has been carefully trained under the guidance of qualified coffee masters. In addition to coffee, the menu includes local dishes, soft drinks, sweet delicacies, and Wi-Fi Internet access is available to visitors. Here you can buy ground beans or whole beans to take home. Don't miss kopi luwak, one of the most expensive coffees in the world. It is made from beans that have been previously eaten by the Asian Palm Civet, then passed through its digestive tract and only then used in coffee. Seniman also hosts "tasting workshops" twice a week. They include general information about coffee, how to roast the beans and prepare the drink properly, and then taste it. Opening hours: until 19:00. Address: Jalan Sriwedari, Ubud (1 minute from Jalan Raya Ubud, the main street of the city), website http://senimancoffee.com/ Minami. Minami Restaurant serves Japanese cuisine. The restaurant has a stylish interior, overlooks a beautiful park, prepares good cocktails and delicious Japanese cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff. Minami Restaurant is located 1.5 km from the city centre, opposite the Neka Art Museum. Opening hours: 10:00 – 23:00. Address: Jalan Raya Sanggingan, Ubud, website http://www.minami-bali.com/entrance/entreetest.html Cafe Wayan & Bakery. The menu includes Indonesian, Balinese, Thai, European cuisine and seafood. Cafe Wayan doesn't look big on the outside, but like most of the restaurants along Jalan Monkey Forest, it goes deeper inside. The cafe, surrounded by trees of small ponds, has about three dozen tables set under the arch of arbors. Some tables are low with cushions instead of chairs (traditional in Bali). The buffet of Balinese cuisine on Sunday afternoon (Sunday brunch) is especially popular. Address: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud. clear cafe. This beautifully decorated stylish restaurant specializes in healthy dishes. The menu is strictly non-alcoholic, instead of alcoholic drinks they offer juices and fruit cocktails, the raw materials for which are grown by environmentally friendly methods (without chemicals). The menu mainly includes local dishes and seafood. All visitors must leave their shoes at the entrance to the restaurant premises. Address: Jalan Hanoman 8, Ubud, website http://www.clear-cafe-ubud.com/ Murni's Warung. Opened in 1974, Murni's Warung was a small shack on the banks of the Campuhan River. Now it is a popular three-story Ubud restaurant serving local Balinese dishes. A small local craft and jewelry store is located on the top floor. Opening hours: 09:00 - 22:00: 00. Murni "s Warung is located near the Campuhan Bridge, site http://www.murnis.com/ Accommodation Hotels sightseeing Neka Art Museum(Neka Art Museum), recommended options on booking.com at this link Royal Palace Ubud(Ubud Palace), recommended options on booking.com at this link Monkey Forest Ubud(Ubud Monkey Forest), recommended options on booking.com by

In the center of the island of Bali, away from the ocean and noisy parties of surfers, lies the city of Ubud - a place surrounded by incredible landscapes of tropical forests, tiered rice fields and ancient temples, and also a real Mecca for yoga lovers.

We stayed in Ubud for 4 days and here, indeed, a completely different Bali is calmer, unlike coastal, more Asian (Ubud has much fewer European bars and cafes, unlike, for example, Kuta).

In this article we will talk about the main attractions of Ubud and the surrounding area, about the local cuisine, the most beautiful rice fields and, of course, about the main owners of Bali - about the monkeys.

How to get to Ubud

From the areas along the ocean in the south and southwest of Bali, Ubud is located about 1-1.5 hours drive. You can get to it in several ways:

• Use the local Blue Bird taxi app to call your car and drive to the meter. We got about 250,000 - 300,000 rupees one way. Pretty cheap.
• Order a transfer at the hotel or villa where you are staying. It will be much more expensive: about 450,000 rupees.
• Get there by bike. We went to Ubud almost immediately after arriving on the island. The bike had already been rented immediately for a whole month (without it, there is nowhere here), but we decided not to ride it, because we were still not sure that we would overcome this distance without any problems. Eh, at the end of the month, having ridden a bike not only all over Bali, but also along the narrow, mountainous roads of Nusa Pennida, we would probably have gone to Ubud on it, because this road did not seem long and difficult.

Where to stay in Ubud. Jungle hotels

In Ubud, you definitely need to shoot something that is located in the thickets of tropical forests, fortunately, there are many similar hotels here. It’s very atmospheric, unusual and honestly I’ll tell you - sleeping with an open balcony that overlooks the jungle and hearing these thousands of sounds from the thicket at night, breathing in the cleanest humid air of a tropical night is great, it will be remembered for a lifetime. And no, it’s not dangerous, you won’t wake up hugging a tiger or a boa constrictor, because, of course, in hotels in the jungle, this moment was thought out and outside they are equipped with ultrasonic sensors that scare away animals, but are not audible to humans.

The choice of hotels in Ubud is large, but we, in my opinion, settled on the best of the inexpensive ones (here, by the way, housing is, in principle, much cheaper than in tourist areas by the ocean). Our hotel was called .

Our window view of the pool and jungle. Alam Sembuwuk Hotel

Pros of this hotel: nature (actually located on the edge of the rainforest, lush vegetation surrounds it on three sides), rooms and interior in general, pool and sunbathing area, free yoga classes in the morning are included in the price, good service.

Minus: it is located, as it were, in the suburbs of Ubud and the city (for example, to the Monkey Forest) is about 20 minutes by bike. But this did not bother us at all, because we wanted to live in the jungle - they are the main wealth of Ubud, and in the city itself it is too authentic: bunches of wires overhead, heavy traffic on narrow streets and noisy - real Asia as it is.

If you still want to live in Ubud itself, then I recommend the hotel - it was also initially considered. This place has a very cool rooftop pool, a restaurant terrace overlooking the green part of the city, and it is also located near the Monkey Forest (only 700 meters) and the central streets with a bunch of shops and cafes.

Similar (also with a rooftop pool), central, but quiet and overlooking the rice field - hotel.

We looked at all 3 of these hotels and in the end preferred the jungle, staying in Alam Sembuwuk.

What to see in Ubud and surroundings. The most-most sights

It is in the Ubud area that perhaps the most iconic and popular attractions of Bali are located. During these few days, we went through all the main ones in order.

Monkey forest in Ubud

The famous Monkey Forest or the sacred forest of monkeys is located here. This is a whole complex where, in addition to monkeys that run, jump and want to hang your phone, there are several more temples, a jungle with lush vegetation and a river running over stones.

Important: Before entering, take off everything that glitters, remove everything that does not lie well, check whether your backpack or bag is tightly closed. These are not joke warnings, any monkey can really snatch youriPhoneX and rush along the branches into the thicket.

One of the inhabitants of the Monkey Forest

And also, read the rules that hang in front of the entrance to the territory at the cash desk: do not feed the monkeys, do not stroke, do not show aggression. Baby monkeys are very cute, and you want to pet them, but don’t do it, because his mother is nearby - she is aggressive, like any “yagmat” and can rush to your non-local impudent, in her opinion, face.

There are several temples on the territory and numerous signs lead to them, it is very difficult to get confused.

• The main temple, the largest, is located in the southwestern part and is called Dalem Agung.
• Beji Temple is smaller, located in the northwestern part of the park. Traditional ceremonies are often held here.
• Temple Prajapati. Next to it is a cemetery where cremations sometimes take place.

A lot of locals in elegant traditional clothes, with mountains of utensils on their heads, walk around the park to the temples - a beautiful and unusual sight for our eyes.

Jungle path in the Monkey Forest

Everything in this park is permeated with the love of the Balinese for nature and their unity with it. For example, many of the trees are sacred - they are prayed to, the leaves are used during cremation, they are used to create sacred masks. Moreover, for these masks, the tree is not cut down, but only a small piece is cut off, and it does not die.

The Sacred Monkey Forest, despite the great popularity and influx of tourists, remains an atmospheric and inspiring place, the most Balinese in all of Bali.

Ticket price: 50,000 rupees (adults), 40,000 rupees (children)
Opening hours: from 8:30 to 18:00 (tickets are sold until 17:30)

Artists' Trail Campuhan Ridge Walk

This is a narrow walking road, three kilometers long. The trail goes along the top of the hill, the base of which is covered with dense tropical forests, so it offers picturesque views: the jungle and the thin ribbon of the river below, the villas and hotels opposite, the rice fields and flowering trees.

The road starts from Ubud from the Gunung Lebah temple and the walk is free, although you can take some money with you and buy a small painting by one of the local artists, whose shops you will meet on the way closer to the end of the trail (hence, actually , and its Russian-language name).

View of the Artists' Trail from the opposite hill

Important: the trail is not extreme, of course, but there are still ups and downs, so put on comfortable sports shoes and go for a walk not at noon, when it’s very hot, but early in the morning or closer to sunset, but make time to return back before dark.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces (Tegallalang)

Another popular Balinese attraction, located from Ubud in 20-25 minutes by bike. It is these terraces that are considered the largest and most beautiful, they are most often published in articles about Bali and guides around the island.

The place is really impressive, the photos turned out in the best local traditions, even despite the harsh daylight.

A large number of cafes and restaurants are “stuck” along the edge of the terraces, where you can hide from the heat and drink juice (I can’t say about what kind of food there, because I don’t eat in such tourist and streaming places and I don’t advise you - well it won’t be tasty there, and you need it too - wait 30-40 minutes?).

The rice terraces of Tegallalang. View from the cafe at the entrance. There were a lot of people, but in the photo it seems as if there is almost no one 🙂

It's funny: it is difficult to indicate the cost of visiting the terraces, because the local guys are arrogant, they take money not only for parking the bike and at the entrance, but also while walking along the terraces themselves: you can walk along one of the paths and stumble upon a "barrier" in the form a wooden stick and an aboriginal who, standing in socks on the ground (!?), will ask you to give money for the passage “how much it is not a pity”, while not letting you go further if you refuse to pay and say that you have already paid. We gave one or two of them 2,000 rupees each, and then we just jumped over their "barriers" - we fought, so to speak, their impudence and outright begging J So, the final cost of visiting the rice terraces will depend on your compassion and generosity.

Saraswati Temple - a work of art

They say that this is the most beautiful temple on the whole island, and not just in Ubud, and it is definitely worth seeing.

Saraswati temple

The Saraswati temple is dedicated to the local goddess of wisdom. Around him are dense thickets of the park with flowering trees and ponds with wild water lilies. Very photogenic, especially in the evenings when the lamps are lit.

Where to eat in Ubud. Restaurants with great views

In my opinion, nowhere in Bali there are so many spectacular restaurants and cafes. Here are just a few of them:

Indian- a place not only with a gorgeous view of the jungle, but also very good cuisine. Everything is tasty, not spicy (for Ubud this is a rarity) and beautifully served. Especially liked the chicken curry with rice and fish.

View from the terrace of the Indus restaurant

Warung Layana- unrealistic view of the waterfall, unrealistically spicy food. You know, when it's so spicy that it's bitter J And of course, the waiter, not understanding your tender non-local receptors, will sincerely say before ordering that "not spicy". But here you can order a delicious cocktail or something from the West, for example, a club sandwich.

View from the terrace of Warung Layana Restaurant

The restaurant at the Anahata villa hotel - a view of the jungle and a very authentic interior - a stone staircase and lanterns covered with moss. In such a place, only the Jungle Book can be filmed or something about the adventures of European colonialists in Southeast Asia.

And in the end: a place of 100% relaxation - Folk Ubud

We found this place by accident, based on someone's photos on Instagram.

Folk Ubud is a bar with a pool where you can drink cocktails not only sitting at tables or swimming at the bar, but also lying under cozy canopies. There is pleasant music here, dozens of garlands are beautifully lit in the evening. In general, a great place to take a break from a hot day full of impressions.

Bar Folk Ubud

A place under the canopy can be reserved in advance on the institution's website. For 350,000 rupees you will get towels, access to the pool and a minimum set of snacks, such as canapes and fruit skewers.

Conclusion

Even if you came specifically to the ocean, at least a couple of days should be given to Ubud and its attractions - temples, jungles, rice fields, gardens, yoga centers. Here, time seems to flow more slowly than on the coast, allowing you to enjoy everything that surrounds you, master new asanas and finally put things in order in your thoughts.