How to Spend 3 Days in Ubud: Itinerary for First-Timers

Right in the heart of Bali lies the town of Ubud, renowned for its rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and dense jungles.

I spent two weeks in Ubud when travelling around Bali and instantly fell in love with the cuisine, culture, and attractions.

Whether that was trying out local dishes like nasi goreng, going for a scenic stroll along the Campuhan Ridge, or going on a Bali swing while overlooking the lush Tegallalang rice terraces.

From my experience, 3 days in Ubud is the ideal amount of time to see everything. You’ll have plenty of time available to fully experience the culture and attractions and even explore more of Bali on a few day trips.

This 3-day itinerary will cover everything, from the best things to do in Ubud, local food and hotel recommendations and other essential information you’ll need for the perfect trip.

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Day 1 – Waterfalls & Central Ubud

On day 1 of your Ubud itinerary, you’ll visit one of the best waterfalls near Ubud and explore some of the famous attractions in central Ubud.

Tegenungan Waterfall

To begin your 3 days in Ubud, head to the Tegenungan Waterfalls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls near Ubud.

Tegenungan Waterfall is a picture-perfect, 15m high cascading waterfall. Visitors can swim at its base, take pictures from various vantage points and experience the lush tropical surroundings.

To access the waterfalls, you’ll need to purchase an entry ticket, which costs 20,000 IDR.

From the ticket office, it is a challenging walk down to the bottom with around 200 steep stairs. For a much easier route down, you can take the elevator at Omma Dayclub. You’ll need to be a paying customer, but this can be as little as purchasing a drink.

This includes free access to the day club’s relaxing infinity pool, which has a stunning panorama of the waterfalls! From the elevator, it is just a short descent to the waterfalls.

If you arrive through Grab or a taxi, the ticket officer will ask you to pay before you can park, so be sure to bring cash. You can bypass this issue through a guided tour.

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

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

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

The monkey sanctuary is home to around 1200 long-tailed macaque monkeys, who freely roam around you as you walk around the forest. It should take 2-3 hours to explore all the grounds and tickets cost 80,000 IDR to enter.

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

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

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.

If you follow the rules here, 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 have a selfie with one!

Note: For those using Grab or Gojek, you can be picked up and dropped off at the main lobby. This is where you can purchase your tickets and they accept cash and cards.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

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

People often assume there might be actual elephants here but unfortunately, 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. The perfect photo opportunity for your Instagram!

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

On the grounds, you’ll find various bathing pools, shrines inside the forest area and intricate stone carvings. I recommend allocating at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore 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 to enter.

Campuhan Ridge Walk at Sunset

When back in Ubud, make sure to head for a sunset stroll along the Campuhan Ridge. There is simply no better time to explore and enjoy the countryside of Ubud.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is suited to anyone who loves a leisurely walk. The trail is a 2km gradual path and only 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 starting point 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. I recommend heading 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.

Day 2 – Temples & Rice Terraces

For day 2 of your Ubud itinerary, you’ll visit some of the most famous religious temples in and around Ubud and take a trip to the iconic Ceking Rice Terraces.

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!

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 not to add Ceking Tegalalang Rice Terraces to your Ubud itinerary. It is one of Bali’s most iconic attractions!

Expect photo opportunities at every turn with beautiful views, whether that is with a coffee at Tis Cafe or from a panaromic vantage point found on your stroll.

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 that is 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 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.

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.

Tebasari Resto’s menu is excellent, with a wide range of Western and traditional Indonesian foods, including Nasi Goreng, which I highly recommend trying on your trip to Bali.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tickets cost 100,000 IDR 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 Cupit BBQ. The ribs here are delicious! For a great vegan option with light dishes, Alchemy Bali is your go-to!

Day 3 – Mount Batur & Evening Spa

On day 3 of your Ubud itinerary, you’ll climb Mount Batur for a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise experience and then cap off the day at a luxury spa in Ubud.

Sunrise Mount Batur Hike

Hiking up Mount Batur is an incredibly magical and rewarding experience anyone should include in their 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 all transport and was led by a local guide. Honestly, the help was very much appreciated at 2 am in the morning!

Hiking up Mount Batur is no easy feat for beginner hikers. The hike itself isn’t that steep, but the tiredness does kick in during the 1 hour and 30 minutes ascent to the top.

The good news is that you will start the ascent at the perfect time and have plenty of resting points during your hike. Your tour guides will also help with the hike both ways if you start to struggle.

Note: There are bikers on 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 ascent.

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, any feeling of 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.

As soon as you finish the experience, you’ll want to relax. For the next stop on the itinerary, make your way back to Ubud for a relaxing spa treat.

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

Experience a Spa in Ubud

Going to a spa is an absolute must-do activity in Bali. 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.

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. If you’re looking for a delicious dinner nearby, head to Uma Cucina, just a few minutes walk away. This is by far one the best Italian restaurants I’ve tried in Bali!

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

Spa treatments are available until 9 pm, with the evening a perfect time to experience a flower bath. If spas aren’t your thing, continue to explore Ubud and its main attractions.

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 a few stop-offs on the way.

How to get there: Scooter is the easiest and cheapest way to get from Ubud to Lempuyang and Tirta Gangga. You can rent a scooter from any local rental shop in Ubud for around 70,000 IDR daily. I don’t recommend this option for non-confident drivers.

Going via a day tour/private driver is the best option for non-confident drivers like me. 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 iconic photo at the Gates of Heaven.

Lempuyang Temple

Lempuyang Temple is one of Bali’s most notable Instagrammable spots. 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 a simple illusion trick created 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 with each visitor allocated around 3 to 5 minutes each to take photos.

To pass the time, you can visit 6 other temples along Mount Lempuyang. There are also photo spots up the hill where you can have a scenic photoshoot 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 you can’t enter the shrine.

You must wear a sarong to enter the grounds. This will be included in your entrance which 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 this option 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.

The most popular feature is the stepping stones in the main pond. You can jump from one end to the other which does come with a bit of traffic, passing from one stepping stone to the other.

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.

I recommend bringing your swimming gear on the trip, as there is a giant swimming pool at the back of the complex you can swim in.

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

3 Days in Ubud Map

This interactive map includes every location you need for your 3-day Ubud itinerary. You can use it to navigate to each location.

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.

Best time to visit Ubud

The best time to visit Ubud is during the dry season from April to October. In this season, you’ll get to experience Ubud in its most beautiful form and avoid missing out on certain attractions.

For example, in the rainy season, Tegenungan Waterfalls are too muddy to swim in and slippery to access. Hiking Mount Batur or visiting the rice terraces is also more enjoyable in drier conditions.

Budget-wise, Bali is generally cheap all year round. However, in the summer, you can expect much larger crowds, so I recommend visiting in late spring or early summer for the best of both worlds.

How to get around Ubud

For your itinerary, you’ll need to familarise yourself with the local transport. Getting around Ubud is fairly easy, with many transportation options available for those on a budget. Here are the best ways 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 was the method of transport I used all the time in Ubud. Ridesharing in Bali is very common and you can use the local apps Grab or Gojek to book a rideshare. I used Grab to travel from Bali airport to Ubud and sat in the Grab lounge at the airport while I waited for my driver to arrive.
• 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: These 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 eat in Ubud

Here are my top recommendations for best places to eat in Ubud during your 3 day itinerary:

Fine dining:

• Arcadia Restaurant Ubud – This gourmet restaurant brings fine dining straight to Ubud. You can enjoy an à la carte meal or a 5-course tasting experience next to the town’s dense jungle.
• Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge – If you’re visiting Ceking Rice Terraces, I couldn’t recommend this restaurant enough. The interior is a sight to behold. As well its beautiful aesthetic, the dishes are gourmet, with plenty of Western and Indonesian options.

Casual dining:

• Uma Cucina – One of the best Italian restaurants you’ll find in Bali and Ubud, serving hearty, delicious Italian dishes.
• Cafe Lotus – A beautiful spot to sit and enjoy Saraswati Temple from afar, with a drink and some delicious food. It had by far one of the best nasi goreng I’ve tried in Indonesia.
• Cupit BBQ – The ribs here are incredible and some of the best I’ve tried around the world. It also has live music with a laid-back, cozy vibe.

Vegan options:

• Alchemy Bali – This is your go-to option for one of the best vegan restaurants in Bali for healthy or plant-based meals. It has a large menu and serves light dishes in a cozy atmosphere.

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 – This is 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 has brilliant accommodation for a budget stay. The breakfast here is also incredible and 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 a good reason.

Final thoughts on 3 days in Ubud

From its lush rice terraces and natural waterfalls to the thrilling Monkey Forest, three days is the perfect amount of time to explore Ubud and everything it has to offer.

And even if your itinerary is longer, Ubud is perfectly located to explore the rest of Bali, with a rideshare ride away to popular towns like Canggu and more.

My two weeks in Ubud were a massive eye-opener that inspired me to further explore other areas in Indonesia and I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Let me know about your experience in Ubud, or if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO BALI

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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.