10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Ubud
Ubud, Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia and internationally. Known for its natural beauty and local wisdom, Ubud offers a variety of interesting tourist attractions that are suitable to explore with family or friends. If you do tour in Ubud and surrounding, here are the ten most popular tourist attractions in Ubud that you must visit.
Interesting things to do near Ubud:
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the most famous tourist attraction in Ubud. Located in the village of Tegalalang, this place offers stunning terraced rice fields. You can enjoy the beauty of nature while walking along the path, take breathtaking photos, or even enjoy traditional food and drinks at the nearby warungs (small local eateries).
Ubud Palace
Ubud Palace is a palace located in the center of Ubud. It is the residence of the Ubud royal family and now serves as a popular tourist attraction. You can admire the beautiful traditional Balinese architecture, including buildings adorned with carvings and statues. Around the palace, there is also a traditional art market selling various Balinese souvenirs.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah is a historical site located in the village of Bedulu, about 6 km east of Ubud. It features an ancient tomb and a famous Hindu temple in Bali. Inside, there are reliefs depicting Ganesha and Lingga-Yoni, which are symbols of fertility. Outside, there are reliefs of animals such as deer, dogs, and mythological creatures.
Monkey Forest Ubud
Monkey Forest Ubud is a highly popular tourist attraction in Ubud. Located in the heart of Ubud, it is home to hundreds of long-tailed macaque monkeys. You can stroll around the park, take photos of the monkeys, or even feed them. However, always be cautious as the monkeys can become aggressive if provoked.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Campuhan Ridge Walk is a hiking trail that offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains in Ubud. It is perfect for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of Bali while exercising. This relatively easy hiking trail will take you through green rice fields, small rivers, and beautiful traditional villages.
Saraswati Temple
Saraswati Temple is a beautiful Hindu temple located in the center of Ubud. It is dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, arts, and music in Hinduism. The temple features a beautiful garden and a lotus pond that adds to its charm. Additionally, you can enjoy Balinese dance performances and gamelan music held at the temple on certain days.
Tirta Empul Water Temple
Pura Tirta Empul is a sacred temple located in the village of Tampaksiring, about 20 km east of Ubud. The temple is famous for its holy spring water pool used by Balinese Hindus for purification rituals. The pool is believed to have magical powers that can heal various illnesses. Besides, you can also admire the beautiful temple architecture and the surrounding natural landscape.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in Ubud. Located in the village of Tegenungan, about 10 km south of Ubud, it offers a serene and beautiful view. You can swim or play in the waterfall’s refreshing water, or simply enjoy the view from the nearby bridge.
Gunung Kawi Temple
Gunung Kawi is an ancient temple complex located in the Tampaksiring area, Gianyar Regency, Bali. It consists of ten rock-cut shrines placed on the river cliff and is recognized as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali. Among all the temple complexes in Bali, Gunung Kawi in Ubud is perhaps the most spectacular.
The temples are known for their large size and fascinating architecture, and their location offers breathtaking views of the river valley. The ten shrines are divided into five on the north side of the river and five on the south side. Each shrine has a different size, with the largest one reaching a height of 10 meters.
To reach the temple complex, visitors must descend into the river valley through steep stairs. After walking along a beautiful pathway, visitors will arrive at the temple area. In this area, there is an open field that is often used for ritual ceremonies or traditional Balinese art performances. Adjacent to the field, there is a pavilion (bale) used as a resting place.
The temple complex also features a sacred pool called Pakerisan. The pool is known as a holy place for Balinese Hindus and is often used for self-purification rituals. The pool is surrounded by stunning views of rice fields and green cliffs in the distance.
Taman Ayun
Taman Ayun is a palace garden located in the village of Mengwi, about 20 km southwest of Ubud. The garden was built in the 17th century and is considered one of the best examples of classical Balinese architecture. It consists of several ponds and beautiful buildings surrounded by a lush garden with trees.
Taman Ayun Bali offers stunning natural beauty with its beautiful ponds and buildings. It is surrounded by a large wall and has a grand entrance gate, giving it a luxurious and elegant impression. Inside the garden, there are many water features and buildings with classical Balinese architecture, making it a truly beautiful and serene place.
One of the main buildings in the garden is the Bale Bengong, a pavilion used for relaxation and enjoying the natural beauty. In the Bale Bengong, you can sit and admire the beautiful garden view while enjoying drinks or snacks provided by vendors around the garden.
In addition to the Bale Bengong, there is also Pura Taman Ayun, a stunning and grand Hindu temple. The temple is adorned with numerous statues and carvings depicting Hindu gods and goddesses, such as Dewi Saraswati, Dewi Lakshmi, and Dewa Brahma. The temple is also used as a place of worship by Balinese Hindus, so visitors are expected to respect the sacred place by dressing modestly and following the rules.
Those are the ten most popular tourist attractions in Ubud that you must visit. From the beauty of nature to the local wisdom, Ubud offers a wide range of attractions that can satisfy all types of travelers. Remember to plan your trip well and always respect the culture and local wisdom in Bali. May your vacation in Ubud be an unforgettable experience!
