Ubud, in the centre of Bali, is the island’s cultural heart: royal palace, temples, painting museums, dance performances and rice fields all around town. Here are the best things to do in Ubud, how long to stay and when to go, with Bali’s entry rules checked on GOV.UK and travel.state.gov on 26 October 2026.
Ubud district has about 74,800 inhabitants (2020 census), nearly 12,000 of them in the central village. The town is organised around its main street, Jalan Raya Ubud, from which Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman run south. Around it lie farms, rice fields, plantations and tourist accommodation. The local economy relies largely on tourism: shops, museums, yoga and places to stay.
Our travel deals for Ubud
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Ubud.
SightsPuri Saren Agung palace, the Monkey Forest, Pura Taman Saraswati, Goa Gajah, art museums, dance performances
Accessby road from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, in the south of the island
Entrypassport valid at least 6 months, visa on arrival or e-VOA (IDR 500,000, 30 days), All Indonesia arrival card and Bali tourist levy (GOV.UK, travel.state.gov)
Currency and timeIndonesian rupiah; UTC+8, 8 hours ahead of London in winter, 7 in summer
Ideal length3 to 4 days
Things to do in Ubud: the highlights
Puri Saren Agung palace
At the junction of Jalan Raya Ubud and Jalan Monkey Forest, Puri Saren Agung palace was the residence of Ubud’s last ruler, Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati (1910-1978), and still belongs to the royal family. Dance performances and ceremonies take place in its courtyard. It was also one of Ubud’s first hotels, in the 1930s.
The Monkey Forest
The Monkey Forest, south of the centre, is the most visited site in the area: 1.3 million visitors in 2017 according to figures quoted by Wikipedia. The monkeys roam freely. Do not feed them, put away glasses and belongings, and keep your distance: GOV.UK notes that rabies is present in Bali and that monkeys live around temples and tourist areas; seek immediate medical help if you are bitten or scratched.
Temples: Pura Taman Saraswati, Pura Desa and Goa Gajah
In town, Pura Desa Ubud is the main temple; Pura Taman Saraswati and Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, the temple of the dead, are also worth a visit. Just outside Ubud, near Bedulu, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave) lies at the bottom of a steep valley. Wear clothes covering shoulders and legs in temples.
The art museums
Ubud has several art museums: the Puri Lukisan Museum, the Neka Art Museum, the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) and the Blanco Renaissance Museum; the Rudana Museum is in nearby Peliatan. A good option for rainy afternoons, frequent from November to March.
Campuhan and the rice fields
According to an 8th-century legend, the Javanese priest Rsi Markandya meditated at Campuhan, at the confluence of two rivers, an auspicious place for Hindus. Today the area is explored on foot, like the rice fields surrounding the town.
Performances and festival
Balinese dances are performed regularly, at the palace and at the Bali Culture Center, which stages the Tek Tok dance. Every year, the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival attracts authors and readers from around the world: check the dates on the festival website.
Itinerary: Ubud in 3 or 4 days
Day
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
1
Puri Saren Agung palace and market
Monkey Forest
Dance performance
2
Campuhan walk
Art museums (Puri Lukisan, Neka or ARMA)
Dinner in town
3
Goa Gajah, near Bedulu
Pura Taman Saraswati
Performance or rest
4 (optional)
Rice fields nearby
Yoga or a workshop
Head to the coast
Indicative itinerary. Check opening hours and any ceremonies before you go.
If you…
Then…
come for culture
3 days in Ubud before or after the beach
travel from November to March
keep mornings for outdoor sights and museums for the afternoons
have children
the Monkey Forest with care: monkeys can bite or scratch
From April to October, during the dry season: in Denpasar, the nearest official station, less than 75 mm (3.0 in) of rain falls each month from May to October, and only 16 mm (0.6 in) in August. The rainy season runs from November to March, peaking in January (388 mm / 15.3 in). Temperatures vary little: 29.0 to 31.6 °C (84 to 89 °F) in the afternoon on the coast. No official normals are published for Ubud itself, which lies inland: the figures below are those of Denpasar and serve as a reference for the rhythm of the seasons.
Month
High °C (°F)
Low °C (°F)
Rain mm (in)
Verdict
January
30.9 (88)
25.1 (77)
388.0 (15.3)
❌ The wettest
February
30.9 (88)
25.0 (77)
299.0 (11.8)
⚠️ Very wet
March
31.0 (88)
25.0 (77)
214.0 (8.4)
⚠️ Rain easing
April
31.0 (88)
25.1 (77)
115.0 (4.5)
✅ End of the rains, green landscapes
May
30.5 (87)
24.9 (77)
73.0 (2.9)
✅ Dry season
June
29.8 (86)
24.6 (76)
51.0 (2.0)
✅ Dry
July
29.0 (84)
24.1 (75)
30.0 (1.2)
✅ Dry, high season
August
29.1 (84)
23.8 (75)
16.0 (0.6)
✅ The driest
September
30.0 (86)
23.8 (75)
41.0 (1.6)
✅ Excellent
October
31.0 (88)
24.6 (76)
68.0 (2.7)
✅ Still dry
November
31.6 (89)
25.3 (78)
149.0 (5.9)
⚠️ Showers return
December
30.8 (87)
25.3 (78)
299.0 (11.8)
⚠️ Very wet, holidays
1991-2020 normals for the Ngurah Rai International Airport station in Denpasar (WMO station 97230), on the south coast of Bali. No official normals are published for Ubud.
By plane: you arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. The routes served are listed on the airport’s website: check them before booking.
To Ubud: by road (driver, taxi or shuttle). Agree the fare in advance with your driver or book a transfer.
Locally: the centre is walkable; for sights in the surrounding area, hire a driver. GOV.UK reports frequent bag-snatching in Bali and advises concealing your bag and carrying only essentials.
Where to stay
The centre, around Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman, puts the palace, restaurants and the Monkey Forest within walking distance. Accommodation among the rice fields on the outskirts is quieter but requires transport.
Entry requirements for Bali, health and safety
US citizens
According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026), you need a passport with at least 6 months of validity and a return or onward flight booking. You can apply in advance for an electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA) when entering at Jakarta or Bali (Ngurah Rai) airports: it costs IDR 500,000, is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for 30 days. Overstaying is fined IDR 1 million per day and can lead to detention, deportation or a ban.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, updated 18 September 2026), you must have a visa. A 30-day, single-entry visa on arrival (VOA) is available for tourism; it costs IDR 500,000 (cash or card). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival with at least 2 blank pages, and you need proof of an onward or return journey. You can also apply online at least one week before travel. Complete the free All Indonesia arrival card within 72 hours of arrival, and avoid sites that ask for payment for it.
Health: GOV.UK states that tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia and that rabies is present, with many street dogs in Bali and elsewhere and monkeys around temples: seek immediate medical help after any bite or scratch. See a travel health clinic before you go.
Drugs: Indonesia has a zero-tolerance policy; possession, use or trafficking can lead to long prison sentences (GOV.UK).
Drinks: methanol poisoning and drink spiking have been reported in tourist areas (GOV.UK, travel.state.gov); be careful with spirits and never leave a drink unattended.
Natural hazards: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods occur; follow local authorities’ advice on exclusion zones (GOV.UK).
Emergencies: ambulance 118, police 110 (GOV.UK).
Bali tourist levy: The Bali provincial government charges a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (about £8, according to GOV.UK) to all foreign tourists arriving in Bali, payable online or on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should you spend in Ubud?
Three to four days for the palace, the Monkey Forest, the temples, the museums and a dance performance.
When is the best time to go to Ubud?
From April to October, in the dry season. In Denpasar, the official reference station, August is the driest month (16 mm / 0.6 in) and January the wettest (388 mm / 15.3 in), according to WMO 1991-2020 normals.
Do you need a visa for Bali?
Yes: US and UK citizens can get a 30-day visa on arrival or e-VOA (IDR 500,000). You also need to complete the All Indonesia arrival card and pay the Bali tourist levy.
Is the Ubud Monkey Forest dangerous?
Monkeys can bite or scratch, and rabies is present in Bali (GOV.UK). Do not feed them and, if you are bitten or scratched, seek medical help immediately.
Is Ubud by the sea?
No, Ubud is inland in Bali. For the beach, combine it with the south of the island.
World Meteorological Organization, 1991-2020 normals for Denpasar-Ngurah Rai (station 97230), from our Bali page; no official normals published for Ubud
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Ubud.Compare flights
