Ubud
Cool, Cultured and Charismatic
If you're seeking culture, comfort, nature and inspiration, set your sights on Ubud, a picturesque and charming village set in the cool mountains of southern central Bali. Ubud represents everything that attracts people to Bali in the first place: it is set in a lush environment of scenic rice fields, plunging valleys, small and charming villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, palaces, rivers and unique accommodation options.
After a day's shopping you can enjoy some of Ubud's many relaxation options, anything from an exclusive day spa experience to a yoga or meditation retreat. For dining, Ubud is hard to beat, with some of Bali's most beautiful restaurants at its heart. Ubud is also a cool respite from the lower lying parts of Bali, its mountain location offering temperatures that make a long day's shopping much more pleasant.
Get Creative
Ubud is Bali's centre for arts and crafts, and there are hundreds of small outlets in the town and surrounding villages where you can purchase anything from handcrafted textiles and jewellery to large pieces of carved furniture.
A steady pilgrimage of artistic talent to Ubud since the 1920s has come to define the region as a place to which artists and performers from all over the world come to be entertained and inspired. Now it's your turn to discover Bali's history, culture, inspiration and aspirations, leaving with a head full of new ideas.
Insiders' Tips
- Shop for Local Arts and Crafts: Ubud is the place to go if you want to purchase unique homecrafts, woodwork and jewellery directly from the makers.
- Discover the Monkey Forest: The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary of Padangtegal is an important cultural sacred site in Bali and home to hundreds of Long-tailed Macaques.
- Game for a Gamelan: You will hear the unique gamelan ringing all over Bali, and you will find a number of craftsmen in the Ubud area making these gongs: just follow your ears.
More Information
For maps, days tours and accommodation options, visit the Ubud chapter in our online Bali brochure. Click here.
