Activities

Ubud, Bali's cultural capital, has a lot to offer to both culture and adventure seeking visitors. Immerse yourself into the Balinese culture with arts, dance, music, handcrafts and some of the best restaurants on the island or opt for an awesome rafting experience on the Ayung river, a walk in the rice fields and a visit to the sacred monkey forest.

Cultural highlights of a daytrip to Ubud:

• Stroll around the center of Ubud and immerse yourself in the artful, creative and serene atmosphere. The center is a crossroads where the local bustling market, tourist office, Pura Desa Ubud temple and Ubud Palace are on each of the corners. Close to the local market you will find a small temple where people bring offers throughout the day.
• Visit some of Ubud's leading museums on Balinese art : Neka Art Museum, Museum Puri Lukisan and Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA).
• Immerse yourself in the artwork of local and western artists at the many excellent art galleries in town including the very nice Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women, Neka Gallery, Agung Rai Gallery, Rio Helmi Gallery, Adi's Studio, Symon Studio,...
• In the mood for shopping ? Jalan Raya Ubud, Monkey Forest Road, Jalan Hanoman and Jalan Dewi Sita should be your starting point to discover Ubud's many art shops, galleries, antique shops, craft shops and boutiques! Paintings are for sales everywhere in Ubud and prices range from cheap to collector-level depending on the artist. If you have more time or really into buying art and crafts, check out the surrounding villages and ... don't forget to bargain! Ubud is also the best place in Bali for book shopping (Ganesha bookshop, Periplus).
• Enjoy a magical evening of Balinese dance performances at the Ubud Palace, ARMA Open stage or Pura Taman Saraswati (Water Palace) while dining at Cafe Lotus.
• Experience a gastronomic evening of repose and pure enjoyment at Mozaic, generally considered the best restaurant of Bali, and end the day with one of Jazz Café's legendary cocktails.

Adventurous highlights of a daytrip to Ubud:

• A guided and awesome rafting experience on Bali's holy Ayung river with stunning gorges and rice paddies
• A trekking through Ubud's rice paddies and surrounding villages. Walks are best started at daybreak - before it gets too hot - or in the late afternoon.
• A visit of Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a cool swath of jungle housing three holy temples including Pura Dalem Agung (Temple of the Dead). Monkey Forest is inhabited by a large group of macaques who are nothing like the innocent-looking creatures on the brochures. We highly recommend not to take any bananas or other food into the sanctuary!