Located in the elevated parts of Bali is Ubud, where the ambiance is more pleasant than the busier areas such as Kuta or Seminyak. Ubud is famous for being the cultural capital of the island where you can see various art galleries, museums, and quiet temples. Some of its main draws are the majestic Royal Palace at the town center and the delectable food landscape featuring local cuisines and dishes. If you’re wondering where to stay, Ubud has a wide selection of options. From homestays to family-friendly hotels, you’ll surely find one based on your travel style. While the province enjoys a tropical climate, the best time to visit Ubud, Bali, weather-wise, is from June to September. If you want to explore more of the town, and take advantage of the sunny days, embark on some of the best day trips from Ubud, Bali.
1. Lovina
Lovina Beach is the main beach resort in the northern part of Bali. It might be a quiet part of the island, but the visit is definitely worth it. The beach resort would be the best place to be by yourself and escape the big crowds at Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu or Denpasar. Lovina is known for its elegant-looking black volcanic sand that stretches for a few kilometers. It takes more than 2 hours to reach Lovina from Ubud while covering a distance of 73.1 km (45.4 mi) via Jl. Mekarsari - Baturiti Bedugul route.
2. Mount Batur
Not everyone knows it, but Bali is a volcanic island that has sharp peaks covered with black lava and caldera formed due to the lava escaping from under the ground. One would surely wish to see the island of Bali from a great vantage point, so maybe you would be interested to hike and climb Mount Batur. It takes about one hour and 10 minutes from Ubud if you travel 40 km (24.8 mi) via Jl. Tampaksiring. You will see amazing sights along the way to the crater, like rice terraces, waterfalls, and sandy beaches.
3. Blue Lagoon (from USD 44.0)
Blue Lagoon is an excellent destination for a day tour near Ubud. It is located within a short distance from the town and nestled amidst lush greenery and towering cliffs. The crystal-clear turquoise waters of the lagoon beckon visitors to indulge in its natural beauty. Spend your day swimming and snorkeling in the refreshing waters, marveling at the vibrant marine life and coral reefs beneath the surface.
Adventurous souls can take part in cliff jumping, adding an exhilarating twist to their visit. Afterward, unwind and bask in the sun on the pristine white sandy beach.
Bali Blue Lagoon Private Snorkel Trip with Lunch and Transfers
Duration: 6 hours
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4. Sekumpul Waterfall
Known to be the best waterfall in Bali, Sekumpul Waterfall is probably the best cascading waterfall that has seven tall and amazing waterfalls in a single area. You will surely fall in love with the beauty of nature and the greenness of the flora that surrounds the waterfall. The road to the waterfalls might be very windy and steep. Take the Jl. Mekarsari - Baturiti Bedugul route from Ubud to reach the waterfall in two hours.
5. Penestanan
Ubud is growing so fast and the number of visitors is fast increasing as well. If you want to go back in time when Ubud was just a quaint and simple town, then you might want to visit Penastanan. It is a peaceful local village where people work hard and just do their business. As Penestanan is only a 15-minute drive from the town center, it is quite a must-have for any one-day itinerary in Ubud.
The vast rice fields in this village offer a very nice scenery to look at, especially when you wake up in the morning. There are also a lot of amazing restaurants and coffee shops around the village.
6. Sambangan Village
The Sambangan Village, also known as The Secret Village, is a stunning natural area that is abundant in wildlife and picturesque views. It takes you about 2 hours via Jl. Raya Bedugul - Singaraja to reach from Ubud. The village is surrounded by lush forests, a lot of waterfalls, muddy rice fields, cocoa and clove trees, marigold fields, and amazing views of the mountains and the hills along the way. To get to the waterfalls, you need to trek for 30 minutes. The trek might be tiring, but it would be really worth it when you reach the waterfalls.
7. Kanto Lampo Waterfall
Drive about 11 km (6.8 mi) that takes less than 45 minutes to reach Kanto Lampo Waterfalls. It is one of the most underrated waterfalls in Bali and is the perfect day trip from Ubud. It is tucked away in a jungle that is perfect to drop by along with other popular attractions such as Tegalalang rice terraces and Tukad Cepung cave waterfall. The best time to visit Kanto Lampo Waterfall is between April and September. There will be a five to ten-minute hike to the waterfalls, so get ready for some hiking action on the way to the majestic waterfalls.
8. Tirta Gangga Royal Water Garden
The Tirta Gangga Royal Water Garden is one of the most serene destinations in East Bali and is 62.6 km (38.9 mi) away from Ubud. It takes about two hours to reach this site. Located at Mount Agung’s southeastern tip, it was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangasem. Now owned and maintained by the royal Karangasem family, the elegant water gardens have a total of 1.2 hectares (3 acres) of pools, ponds, and fountains that are surrounded by a lush green lawn, stepping stones, statues, and tropical gardens.
9. Goa Gajah
Located 13 minutes away from Ubud is Goa Gajah, one of the most important Hindu archaeological sites on the island. It is known to the locals as the Elephant Cave because of its proximity from the Elephant River. The mysterious cave, relics, and antique bathing pools in the middle of the rice paddies surely made everyone curious about the tourist spot. Enter the cave through the mouth of a demon and get to see the remnants of a lingam, the symbol of Shiva, a Hindu god, a statue of Shiva’s son, and Ganesha, a god with an elephant head.
10. Dreamland Beach Uluwatu
Another underrated beach in Bali is Dreamland Beach. Located at the southern Bukit Peninsula, the beach offers a long stretch of white sand separated by amazing limestone cliffs along the rocky coastline. The serenity and the quietness of this beach made it more popular over the years, especially that the beach offers great waves and warm sand which is perfect for surfing, swimming and sunbathing. It is 50 km (31 mi) away from Ubud and takes 1 hour 40 minutes to reach via Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai.
11. Tegallalang Rice Terrace (from USD 37.0)
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali and part of almost every Bali itinerary is Tegallalang Rice Terrace which is located 20 minutes from Ubud. It is known for its terraced setup which follows the traditional Balinese irrigation method known to the locals as subak. It is located in a valley and offers amazing views of the rice fields and greenery.
To experience trouble-free sightseeing around Ubud, this day tour package to the famed rice terraces will help you enjoy a convenient trip.
Tip from Content Creator
Want to try something really cool when in the rice fields? Then go for the swings! Trust me, these are not just any normal swings!
They are way bigger than normal to accommodate you as you fly over the rice fields, and I am not exaggerating. Either one or two employees from the park will push you over the fields, with all their might, and you will be thrown off into the air. Suddenly the ground disappears and all you see are the fields way down, while you balance yourself while swinging back and forth. Also, one of the park employees will film and take photos using your phone - and these guys are pros!
I’m not super comfortable with heights, but would definitely do it again in a heartbeat.
Ubud: Electric Bike Tour to Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Duration: 3 hour
12. Mengening Temple (from USD 80.0)
Mengening Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located amidst tranquil rice fields, providing a serene atmosphere for visitors to immerse themselves in Balinese spirituality. Explore the intricately carved stone structures and ornate pagodas that showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of Balinese architecture.
Visitors can take part in a traditional temple ceremony or witness a mesmerizing traditional dance performance. The temple’s tranquil setting offers a serene escape from the bustling streets of Ubud, allowing visitors to connect with Bali’s spiritual essence and experience the timeless beauty of its temples.
Spiritual and Stillness Trip
Duration: 8 hours
Have fun under the sun in Ubud, Bali
Ubud in Bali is not only known for its sunny weather and amazing beaches but also its cultural and other natural destinations near the city. Explore more of Ubud and Bali Island by going for these great day trips during your holidays in Bali.
Frequently asked questions about the day trips from Ubud, Bali
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