How to Spend The Perfect 3 Days in Ubud: Ultimate Itinerary

Looking to spend the perfect 3 days in Ubud? Right in the heart of Bali, Ubud is renowned for its rice terraces, cascading waterfalls and dense jungles.

I recently spent two weeks in Ubud during my travels around Bali, instantly falling in love with the cuisine, culture and attractions.

From my experience, 3 days is the perfect amount of time to explore Ubud, allowing you to fully experience everything it has to offer.

This 3-day Ubud itinerary includes the best things to do, picks for the top places to eat, hotel recommendations and all the practical information you need to have the perfect trip.

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How to get around Ubud

Scooters: Scooters are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to travel around Ubud.

You can rent a scooter in Ubud via a rental company like Bikago or go through a local rental shop. Avoid this option if you’re not a confident driver as the traffic in Ubud is incredibly busy.

Ridesharing: This is by far one of the easiest ways to get around Ubud. Ridesharing is very common within Bali and cheap! In recent years, it has become more available in Ubud, having previously been a prime area for Taxi unions.

For ridesharing in Bali, I recommend using Grab or Gojek. I managed to use Grab in Ubud pretty much anywhere. If you find an area that forbids it, just walk a few minutes away in the other direction and then try to book a ride.

Note: If you’re travelling from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to Ubud, there is also a Grab lounge at the airport where you can book your ride to Ubud and wait for your driver.

Private Drivers: If you want to hire a driver with extensive knowledge of the local attractions then hiring a private driver is the best option. Hiring a private driver will bypass any local taxi union restrictions and help you explore Ubud without having to worry about the logistics of transport.

Day tours: They are brilliant for those travelling solo or who want to experience Ubud with others. I highly recommend this day tour, which covers the key highlights of Ubud.

Where to stay in Ubud

There are plenty of places to stay in Ubud to suit all budgets whether you’re travelling with your family, or partner or going on a solo adventure. Here are the best options;

Budget options:

Ubud Rice Field House – One of the best hostels in Ubud for its price and floating breakfasts are included in your stay. It is also located within walking distance of many attractions in Ubud.
Wayan Guest House – This guest house is well-placed and brilliant accommodation for a budget stay. A highly rated breakfast is also included in your stay.

Mid-range options:

Taman Amartha Hotel – Stay in a hotel located in a jungle-like setting, with two outdoor pools and a delicious breakfast on offer. There are multiple options to enhance your stay, including rooms with your own terrace that includes a scenic view.
Sri Ratih Cottages – Enjoy a stay amidst Ubud’s beautiful greenery. Free breakfast is included with massages on demand whenever you want at its very own day spa. It includes a free welcoming massage!

Luxury options:

Bisma Eight – Stay in one of 38 spacious suites in this perfectly located hotel, with Ubud’s centre right at your doorstep. The hotel offers everything you need, with onsite restaurants, a gym and an outdoor infinity pool with breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle environment.
Viceroy Bali – This 5-star hotel is an absolute treat! From private villas with your own infinity pools to stunning panoramic views straight from your room, this is one of Ubud’s best finds for good reason.

Ubud Itinerary – Day 1

Tegenungan Waterfall

To start off your 3-day Ubud itinerary in style, head to the Tegenungan Waterfalls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Ubud.

Enjoy a picture-perfect, 15m high cascading waterfall with opportunities to swim at its base, take pictures and experience the surrounding tropical climate.

From April to October in Bali’s dry season, the falls aren’t as powerful but more accessible to swim in. In the rainy season, the waterfalls are stronger but too muddy to swim in and the steps heading down to the waterfall are slippery.

To enter the waterfalls, you’ll need to purchase an entry ticket at the ticket office which costs 20,000 IDR. You can bypass this with a guided tour. However, if you arrive through Grab or a taxi, the ticket officer will ask you to pay before you can park.

Note: Grab drivers refuse to pick you up from here, so you must meet them outside the area. I recommend meeting your driver by this spot.

You must also have cash to enter. If you don’t, the ticket officer will let you use the shops next to the ticket office to get cashback.

From the ticket office and then through the village, it is quite a challenging walk down to the bottom with 200 fairly steep stairs! Alternatively, you can get down a much easier route via the elevator at Omma Dayclub if you’re a paying customer.

With entry, you can also use the day club’s relaxing infinity pool which includes a stunning panorama of the waterfalls! From the elevator, it is just a short climb down to the waterfalls.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Now it is time to head back towards central Ubud, to perhaps its most famous attraction, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

If you are using Grab, you can be picked up and dropped off by the main lobby. This is where you can purchase your tickets and they accept cash and cards. Tickets cost 80,000 IDR.

The monkey sanctuary is home to around 1200 long-tailed macaque monkeys, all free-roaming as you walk around the forest in their natural habitat. It should take a few hours to explore all the grounds.

Word of warning: Don’t take out any food or water in front of the monkeys. They will get very aggressive!

I saw on many occasions the monkeys grabbing food, pulling water bottles from people’s pockets and even snatching mosquito repellent and then proceeding to eat it.

Just make sure to keep any belongings that could be mistaken for food or drink in your bag.

While the monkeys are the talking point, the grounds themselves are beautiful, with various species of plants and over three temples hidden among the trees.

Monkeys climbing and exploring the stone walls of a temple in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali. The ancient structure features detailed stonework with traditional Balinese designs.

A wooden walkway through a dense jungle greenery at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali. Large vines and branches can be seen in the scene, while a stream runs beneath the bridge.

If you follow the rules, with no altercations, the monkey sanctuary can be an incredible experience.

You can watch the monkeys in their natural habitat, oversee their feeding times and even take part in having a selfie with one!

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

After your trip to the Monkey Sanctuary, take a short trip east to Goa Gajah, known as the Elephant Cave.

People often assume there might be actual elephants here but there are not. The name is believed to come from the nearby Petanu River which was once called the Elephant River.

The highlight of the Elephant Cave is right outside the entrance, with an iconic face carved on rock, resembling a screaming face. It is the perfect photo opportunity!

The stone entrance of Goa Gajah is carved with a large, fierce face featuring bulging eyes and an open mouth that serves as the doorway.

Goa Gajah was believed to be a sanctuary where monks and priests carried out their rituals.

On the grounds, you can find various bathing pools, shrines inside the forest area and intricate stone carvings. I recommend spending 30 minutes to 1 hour exploring the temple.

Wearing a sarong around the temple is also required but you will receive this with your admission ticket. Tickets cost 50,000 IDR.

Campuhan Ridge Walk at Sunset

A narrow, stone-paved pathway winding through green vegetation on the Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud, Bali, on a warm night during sunset.

Just before the sun settles down, head for a sunset stroll along the Campuhan Ridge. There is simply no better way to explore and enjoy the countryside of Ubud.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is suited to anyone who loves a leisurely walk! It is a 2km trail and takes 1 hour for a round trip.

You can start from two main starting points;

South entrance (Next to Pura Gunung Lebah Temple) – This is the main entrance people use from central Ubud.
North entrance – If you are heading from the south entrance, this is where the hike stops. You can head back to central Ubud from here.

If you’re stuck for time in the evening, the morning is also a brilliant time to do the hike. Aim to get here before sunrise, so you can get that warm glow across Ubud’s stretch of greenery.

Dinner at Arcadia Restaurant

Just a short walk from the starting point of the Campuhan Ridge Walk is the restaurant, Arcadia. This is one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in Bali!

Arcadia is right by the jungle part of Ubud, with pretty views straight from your dinner table in a casual fine dining environment. Not to mention the delicious food.

We chose a 5-course tasting menu and each dish came with sides, so you weren’t left feeling hungry at the end. If you don’t fancy any set menus, there are plenty of standalone dishes to try.

A plated dish featuring thinly sliced beef carpaccio, topped with microgreens, mushrooms, and small dollops of creamy garlic sauce. The dish is served on a rustic dark plate, with a cocktail glass containing a vibrant orange drink visible in the background.

A plated dish featuring a slice of seared duck placed atop a creamy sauce and noodles garnished with microgreens. To the side, there is a small ceramic pitcher, containing a sauce. The dish is served on a textured, irregularly shaped plate.

Ubud Itinerary – Day 2

Pura Tirta Empul

To start your morning, head to Pura Tirta Empul, an absolute must-visit if you only have 3 days in Ubud.

The temple spans over 1000 years and has always been a sacred site for purification for Balinese Hindus to come and cleanse themselves in its natural holy waters.

According to Balinese mythology, the healing springs were created by the god Indra during a battle with King Mayadenawa, who had poisoned a local river. To counteract the poison, Indra created the springs to restore his soldiers to full strength.

Entering the springs is a very enriching experience. You will need to queue up to enter and wait to make your way slowly around each spout.

Note: The last two sprouts are reserved only for bathing rituals during funerals!

Two people engaging in a purification ritual at a traditional Balinese water temple, standing in a clear pool under ornate stone spouts with water flowing over them.

If you plan to visit just for the purification, I recommend getting here early morning before 10 am, as it can get extremely busy during the day.

You will also need to wear a sarong to enter and your shoulders need to be covered to enter the temple. Sarongs are provided with the admission fee. Tickets cost 50,000 IDR.

Ceking Tegalalang Rice Terraces

It would be almost criminal to not add Ceking Tegalalang Rice Terraces to your Ubud itinerary. They are one of Bali’s most iconic attractions!

Expect photo opportunities at every turn with beautiful views; whether with a coffee at Tis Cafe or from a pretty area found on your stroll.

Standing on a walking path through lush, terraced rice fields at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Bali. Surrounded by vibrant greenery, tall palm trees, and layered rice paddies.

You can spend hours exploring the vast length of the rice terraces! I recommend visiting before the midday crowds. I got here before 12pm and was able to manoeuvre around comfortably.

One thing clear during your visit is how commercialised the rice terraces are for tourists. And it’s easy to become a sucker for it!

For extra admission costs, you can have photos taken from photogenic spots. Go on a scenic Bali swing. Hire a flowy dress to go on the swing, and even pay for a professional photographer to take your photos.

My partner and I paid 450,000 IDR to hire the dress and each have a turn on the main swing by the entrance. Mind you, there are much cheaper options around the rice terraces. For just the terraces, the entrance fee is 25,000 IDR.

A person swinging high above the Tegallalang Rice Terrace in Bali, surrounded by layered rice paddies and dense tropical vegetation.

A woman in a flowing green dress swings high above the lush, rice terraces of Tegallalang in Bali.

Lunch at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge

Next, it’s time to head for a spot of lunch. Although many recommend staying within the rice terraces and dining at one of the cafes and restaurants, you won’t want to miss this nearby gem.

Just a 10-minute walk from Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the beautiful restaurant Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge.

The entire setting is very tranquil, featuring an open-plan bamboo building and cosy little huts next to a koi pond.

An open-air restaurant with bamboo architecture, overlooking a tropical scene in Bali. The foreground has hanging wicker seats and bamboo columns, while the background has a pond surrounded by palm trees and greenery.

Tebasari Resto’s menu is excellent, with a wide range of Western and traditional Indonesian foods including Nasi Goreng which is a solid choice.

Then for dessert, there are countless options. I couldn’t resist trying the carrot cake afterwards and it was delicious!

Saraswati Temple & Ubud Palace

Now it’s time to head straight back to central Ubud for Saraswati Temple and Ubud Palace. Both of these are just a stone’s throw from each other.

Visitors are prohibited from entering the Saraswati temple but you can still explore the grounds and see its famous lotus ponds, aligned with beautiful water fountains.

It is one of the best temples in Ubud. We stopped at Cafe Lotus for a drink and came across it by mere accident. Afterwards, we headed there and took a few pictures around the grounds.

You must wear a sarong to enter the temple. This is included in the 50,000 IDR entrance fee.

A tropical garden with a lotus pond in the foreground and Saraswati Temple in Ubud, Bali, in the background. Visitors are seen exploring the temple grounds, surrounded by ornate Balinese architecture and greenery.

Next up is Ubud Palace which used to be the official residence of the royal family of Ubud.

The palace is completely free to enter! Ubud Palace is more open-plan than Sarawati and easier to manoeuvre around.

On your visit, you’ll get to see some fine Balinese architecture and impressive stone carvings.

An intricately designed entrance of Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) in Bali, Indonesia. featuring detailed stone carvings, a golden decorative door, and statues surrounded by greenery and tropical plants.

Ubud Art Market

Located right next to Ubud Palace, is Ubud’s Art Market, your go-to place to pick up a souvenir on your travels. The market is lined with various stalls, selling anything from intricate handicrafts to neatly designed clothing.

As you stroll around, you’ll experience the typical market life as a tourist. Many market dealers will call out and try to bargain a deal.

Be sure to avoid the scams and haggle around the prices to get a bargain. They’ll typically start at a massively overpriced figure so don’t accept the first proposal!

If you don’t both agree on a price, walk away from the deal and stand your ground. Most of the market sellers will chase and quote you less to avoid you purchasing from someone else.

Watch a Kecak Dance

The Kecak Dance is a significant part of Balinese traditions and is shown everywhere in Bali.

Although Uluwatu Temple is the most popular location to watch the Kecak Dance, Ubud has many performance showings throughout the week.

A large outdoor audience watching a traditional Balinese Kecak dance performance during sunset. In the centre are performers seated in a circular formation, chanting and gesturing, The setting is vibrant, with natural greenery and a clear, colourful sky in the background. — Kecak Dance captured at Uluwatu Temple

The performance retells the story from the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Prince Rama goes on a quest to rescue his wife Sita from the evil king Ravana. You will see male dancers form a circle on stage and chant “Cak Cak” as other dancers around them relive the story through choreographed movements.

It costs 100,000 IDR for tickets and performances begin around 7:00 – 7:30 pm.

If you’re looking for food just before or after the Kecak Dance, I highly recommend Bali Hampton – the ribs here are delicious. For a great vegan option with light dishes, Alchemy Bali is your go-to!

Ubud Itinerary – Day 3

Sunrise Mount Batur Hike

A stunning sunrise view at Mount Batur in Bali, Indonesia. The golden sun rises above a misty horizon next to a crowd of people gathered at the ridge to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Hiking up Mount Batur is an incredibly magical and rewarding experience anyone should include in their 3-day Ubud itinerary.

Mount Batur is located 40m away from Ubud and your day trip will begin at 2 am. This is to give yourself enough time to get there and then complete the hike before sunrise.

To get to Mount Batur from Ubud, you can travel by taxi or through Grab. I highly recommend experiencing it through a guided tour. We booked this as it included transport and a local guide to help us with the logistics of thinking of everything. Honestly, the help is very much appreciated at 2 am in the morning!

Hiking up Mount Batur is no easy feat for beginners. The hike itself isn’t that steep but with the tiredness kicking in, the 1 hour and 30 minutes ascend to the top does get challenging at times.

However, you will start the ascend in perfect time with enough leeway to rest at multiple points during your hike. Going down is also difficult as it is very slippery. Your tour guides will help with the hike both ways if you struggle.

Note: There are bikers throughout the hike that can take you 90% of the way up for a fee. You will then need to complete the last part of the ascend.

Be sure to wear a good pair of walking shoes to help you. The hike is also very sandy, so only wear things you are willing to get dirty.

At the summit, the feeling of any regret and tiredness is instantly washed away. You’ll get to see some of the most beautiful views in Bali, including panoramas of Mount Agung and Lake Batur.

A person sitting on a rocky ledge overlooking a sunrise view from Mount Batur in Bali, Indonesia. The scene includes a vibrant orange and yellow sunrise, distant mountain peaks, and a valley filled with morning mist.

You’ll want to relax as soon as you finish the hike. It is now time to make your way back to Ubud for a relaxing spa treat. One of the best ways to treat yourself after a long morning out.

If you are looking for Brunch just before your spa trip, Clover Cafe is an incredible option, with a huge menu. It is part of the Hava Club Hotel, so the interior is well-decorated and vibrant.

Experience a Spa in Ubud

Going to a spa is an essential part of the Bali experience. Many locals view it as a vital opportunity to wind down and heal.

There are so many amazing spas in Ubud. For your spa experience, I highly recommend choosing Putri Bali Spa.

An outdoor setting featuring a stone sculpture with a yin-yang design and the text "Putri Bali Spa" in gold letters. The sculpture is surrounded by lush greenery, potted plants, and vibrant marigold decorations.

The spa offers a variety of packages to choose from. We opted for the royal package that includes multiple treatments, a flower bath and a delicious 3-course lunch.

You can just opt to have a Balinese massage or visit there for lunch. For a delicious dinner, Uma Cucina is just right by it, one of the best Italian spots in Bali!

If you’re planning an alternative day trip to Lempuyang Temple and Tirta Gangga instead of the hike, you can have your spa experience when you get back in the evening.

Spa treatments are available until 9 pm. The evening is a perfect time to experience a flower bath in Bali.

An outdoor stone bathtub filled with colourful flower petals arranged in a symmetrical floral pattern, including vibrant red, purple, white, and orange hues. The bath is at nighttime in a tropical environment, surrounded by lush green plants and softly lit for a tranquil ambience. — Flower bath at Putri Bali Spa

Alternative Day 3: Lempuyang Temple & Tirta Gangga

I understand that waking up at 2 am to hike is not everybody’s idea of fun, so the best alternative to Mount Batur is visiting Lempuyang Temple and Tirta Gangga on a day trip.

This was one of my favourite day trips from Ubud. Lempuyang and Tirta Gangga are only a 22-minute drive from each other and require a day to explore fully, with many little stops off on the way.

How to get there: Scooter is the easiest and cheapest way to get from Ubud to Lempuyang and Tirta Gangga. *I don’t recommend this option for non-confident drivers.

Going via a day tour/private driver is the best option if you’re not a confident driver. I went on this day tour and explored each attraction in good time. You will visit Lempuyang when it’s least busy, so you get enough time to take the photo at the Gates of Heaven.

Lempuyang Temple

The Gates of Heaven in Bali, Indonesia. The intricate black-and-white stone gate stands against a backdrop of clouds and mount agung can be seen in the distance.

Lempuyang Temple is one of Bali’s most famous Instagrammable places. People often come here to take photos of themselves by the ‘Gates of Heaven’ capturing the famous water reflection with the backdrop of Mount Agung.

This reflection is created through a simple illusion trick by the workers, who place a mirror above the camera lens to make it seem like the gate is floating above the water.

The main downside to this experience is the lengthy queues. Each visitor receives a number that acts as their placement in the queue. It can take as long as 4 hours for your number to be called out and get pictures taken, with each visitor allocated around 3 to 5 minutes each.

To pass the time while you wait for your spot, you can visit the other 6 temples along Mount Lempuyang. There are also photo spots up the hill where you can have a scenic photoshoot set up by photographers overlooking amazing views.

Opposite the Gates of Heaven are also 3 staircases leading to the main shrine. You can walk up each staircase and take pictures but can’t enter the shrine.

A person standing at the base of the staircase leading to a shrine at Lempuyang Temple in Bali, Indonesia. The ornate staircase has intricately carved stone dragons on either side and is surrounded by greenery and floral accents, with the temple structure visible at the top.

You must wear a sarong to enter the grounds. This can be borrowed for free at the ticket office just before you walk up to the temple. The entrance fee is currently 150,000 IDR.

If you plan to use the bus transfer from the parking lot to the ticket office, this will cost another 45,000 IDR for a return ticket. I highly recommend it as the walk up here is incredibly steep!

Tirta Gangga

The famous water palace Tirta Gangga, translated as ‘The Water from the Ganges’ was built by the late King of Karangasem and used as a royal residence as a place to escape and relax.

Tirta Gangga features scenic fountains, lotus plants, and tranquil ponds filled with koi fish.

One of the most popular features is the stepping stones in the main pond. You can jump across from one end to the other but bear in mind, you may be waiting in a queue on the stepping stones to get past people.

A person standing on stepping stones in the middle of the main pond at Tirta Gangga Water Palace in Bali, Indonesia. The pond features orange koi fish, stone statues of deities, and greenery, with temple structures and visitors in the background under a bright, partly cloudy sky.

On the stepping stones, you can feed the fish little pellets which can be purchased at the ticket office just before you enter Tirta Gangga. Three bags of these cost 10,000 IDR.

Be sure to bring your swimming gear with you, as there is a giant swimming pool you can swim in at the back of the complex.

This costs 20,000 IDR to enter which isn’t included in the admission fee to the water palace. Tirta Gangga costs 50,000 IDR to enter.

3 Days in Ubud Map

This interactive map includes all the things included in the 3-day Ubud itinerary. You can use it to navigate around the area and find where everything is.

How to use: To save the map to Google Maps on your phone, click the star icon next to the title. You can then view this later from your ‘Saved Maps’.

To find the list of items on the map, click the box with an arrow on the left. Here you can navigate around for each day on the Ubud itinerary.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO BALI

Bali Flights – Looking for cheap flights to Bali? I’ve used Skyscanner countless times to find cheap flights to Bali. It will scan the whole internet for prices on flights from all airlines, so you can find the best deal on your flight!

Bali Travel Insurance – Do I need travel insurance for Bali? Absolutely! I always get travel insurance in case anything happens during my travels. I highly recommend SafetyWing to help you find the best travel insurance.

Bali Hotels – Need to find accommodation in Bali? I’ve been booking all my hotels through Booking.com for years. They have a large range of different accommodation options to suit all travel styles. Plus, their loyalty discounts are a huge bonus!

Bali Tours/Activities – For your tours or activities in Bali, I couldn’t recommend GetYourGuide enough! I’ve used it countless times in Bali, and it helps me plan activities to do there.

Bali Phone Plans – If you need phone data for your travels around Bali, I recommend getting an eSim using Airalo. It’s been my saviour! It offers affordable roaming with great coverage. You can download the sim straight from their app and top it up whenever you want.