This is my fourth time on the Indonesian island of the gods, and there is still one place that magically attracts me: Ubud Bali. Here, near Tegallalang, you will find probably the most beautiful rice terraces of the entire island, the small town centre around Monkey Forest Road promises a real shopping frenzy, and the countless restaurants and cafés offer the most unusual dishes, often with fantastic views of the rice fields or the jungle.
You can also visit various retreats with different focuses such as yoga, spirituality and so on, which gives Ubud a magical touch in addition to its worldly pleasures. I love this place, believe me! In this article, I would like to introduce you to 10 places and activities, as well as provide you with numerous tips so that you too can have a wonderful time in Ubud Bali.
To experience all the magic and beauty Ubud has to offer, I highly recommend staying in one of the local villas. You can enjoy all the quaint comforts of home while being immersed in the local culture. Check out some Ubud (Bali) villas at all-balihotels.net to find a perfect place for your unforgettable stay in this enchanting Indonesian island.
Morning in the rice terraces of Tegallalang
Evening idyll in the rice fields
Ancient Sound Healing at the Pyramids of Chi
A really cool place, which I only discovered now during my fourth Bali trip, are the Pyramids of Chi. At the moment, two pyramids glowing in brilliant white stand in a beautiful, spacious garden. Not only Ancient Sound Healing is offered here, but also full moon and cocoa ceremonies. Totally exciting, isn't it?
There is also a nice café with very tasty and healthy food, and a great shop!
Through the pyramid shape, which is considered sacred and very powerful, the energies of the universe are bundled and transferred to the inside of the buildings. There you will find comfortable mats on which you can lie and relax while listening to the fascinating sounds of deep gongs, golden singing bowls, didgeridoos & co. By the way, only instruments that were traditionally used by the ancient peoples of this world before the beginning of our era are used for Sound Healing!
The various ceremonies take place in these pyramids.
These traditional instruments are used for Sound Healing
Campuhan Ridge Walk & Karsa Spa in Ubud Bali
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is definitely no longer an insider tip, but that doesn't make it any less spectacular. The narrow path, winding in picturesque curves over a ridge, is framed by a beautiful jungle backdrop. To the right and left of the trail, you can look steeply down at the river courses that line both sides of the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
It's best to come early after sunrise for a leisurely morning walk, because then there are not quite as many people on the road and you can enjoy the impressive nature of Ubud much better and more impressively!
My tip: Maybe you would like to combine your walk along the Campuhan Ridge Walk with a visit to a restaurant? There are countless really excellent spas around Ubud Bali, so it's often hard to choose. A great place for rest and relaxation is the Karsa Spa, located at the very end of the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Amidst lush green rice fields, you can relax with heavenly massages or in a bathtub full of fragrant petals.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk begins here
A group of musicians on the walk
To the left and right of the Campuhan Ridge Walk you can look down into gorges.
How about a flower bath at Karsa Spa?
Sunset at Karsa Café: so beautiful!
The evening sun in the rice fields of Ubud Bali
Tegallalang Rice Terraces & Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation
As I wrote in the introduction to this post, some of the most impressive rice terraces on the island are very close to Ubud Bali. If you leave the centre of town heading north on Jalan Raya Tegallalang, you will reach the bright green fields after about 20 minutes by scooter. Make sure you take enough time for a leisurely walk.
It is especially beautiful in the early morning, when the first sunrays of the day fall diagonally through the palm fronds onto the terraces!
My tip: If you follow the road a few kilometres further north, you will reach the Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation. The coffee is still roasted in the traditional way here, which you can see during a guided tour of the plantation. There is also one of the large swings, a bird's nest for the perfect Instagram photo, and a small natural infinity pool on the edge of the rice fields. A really beautiful place!
Tegallalang: For me, the most beautiful rice terraces on the island.
Be sure to come to Tegallalang early in the morning.
What a wonderful panorama, isn't it?
You really can't get enough of this green, can you?
Roasting coffee at the Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation
Ubud Bali: the sacred water temple Pura Tirta Empul
About 45 minutes drive outside of Ubud (still a bit behind the Tegallalang Rice Terraces and the Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation) lies one of the most sacred temples on the island: the Pura Tirta Empul Water Temple. The Balinese regularly come here to ritually wash themselves in the crystal-clear, cold spring water and also to purify their spirit.
After you have thought about which unnecessary thoughts or bad habits you want to let go of once and for all, you dip your head under the fountains shooting out of the dragon heads and ask the gods for your inner cleansing. Perhaps this can be a very special experience for you?
The cold and crystal clear water of Pura Tirta Empul Temple
Three such pools are ready for purification
What a magical moment!
What negative thoughts would you like to let go of?
Here the holy spring water bubbles out of the earth
The Saraswati Temple & the small Jalan Kajeng
With countless pink lotus blossoms in the large ponds at the foot of the shrines, the Saraswati Water Temple is truly magical to behold. It is centrally located on the main street of Ubud Bali, somewhat set back in a small backyard.
You can't do much actively here, but I would definitely recommend a short visit. A really beautiful temple!
My tip: Right next to the backyard with the Saraswati temple, the small Jalan Kajeng street leads you into the surrounding rice fields in the form of a pretty alley with traditional buildings, many guesthouses and homestays and small individual shops. I stayed here with a Balinese family for 10 days and wouldn't want to miss any of the experiences I had during this really special time.
At the beginning of the road, you should definitely take a look at the asphalt, because many shops, yoga studios or simply people with a nice message have immortalised themselves here with messages, sayings, pictures or handprints. If you continue along the narrow lane, you will reach the lush green rice fields and can treat yourself to a snack in one of the warungs. Fantastic views included!
The beautiful Saraswati Temple with its many lotus blossoms
The small Jalan Kajeng with the messages in the asphalt
Evening glow in the rice fields of Ubud Bali
Spirituality & Yoga in Ubud Bali
The spiritual cradle of Bali is and remains the village of Ubud. To reunite body, soul and spirit, you can either visit one of the often beautifully designed yoga studios for one or more hours, or perhaps even take part in a real retreat.
In the latter case, you dedicate yourself intensively to a certain topic for about a week.
For example, I have already participated in retreats for energy healing and body hypnosis. You can also do an authentic Ayurveda Panchakarma cure for detoxification and inner cleansing of your body in Ubud. The Ayurveda centre is in a super picturesque location directly on the rice terraces of Tegallalang.
If this topic appeals to you, you can read my posts here:
➛ Ubud Yoga Retreat: Bringing Body, Mind & Soul into Harmony with Bodhypnosis
➛ Oneworld Ayurveda Bali: Authentic Panchakarma in Ubud
➛ Yoga Retreat Bali: Spirituality and Healing in Ubud
Sunrise with yoga at the Batur volcano during a retreat
A retreat in Ubud Bali can be truly magical!
The beautiful retreat centre in the middle of the jungle of Ubud
Memories of a wonderful week...
Hotel Ubud: Sleep & feel great in Bali
Of course, I also have a small hotel recommendation for Ubud Bali. Especially here, in the dense jungle surrounding Ubud, there are a few real hotel jewels lined up along the steep slopes. Nowhere else on the island is the density of small boutique hotels as high as here and they almost always entice you with breathtaking views over the numerous gorges that make the hinterland of Ubud so special and unique. I would now like to introduce you to two highly recommended hotels!
Pool with a magnificent view of the jungle at Kayon Jungle Resort
The Kayon Resort and the small waterfall
A really beautiful little boutique hotel with a very special feature is the Kayon Resort. The hotel's location alone is spectacular, as all facilities such as the fine Kepitu Restaurant, the stylishly and comfortably furnished rooms and villas, as well as the beautiful infinity pool, literally cling to a steep slope in the middle of Ubud's jungle.
The special thing? You can walk all the way down into the canyon, where the clear river and a small private waterfall await you, via numerous steps and beautifully laid-out paths (various stories of Balinese deities are carved into the stone on an approximately 10-metre-long rock face, mind-boggling). On the Canyon Jetty, right in front of the waterfall, you can enjoy your lunch to the sound of the water or the daily free afternoon tea. What a perfect and extraordinary location, isn't it?
Could breakfast take place in a cooler location?
Down by the waterfall, the sweet pancakes taste twice as good.
This stone wall is a real work of art
The whole hotel is decorated with great attention to detail
Here at Kayon Resort, I could easily spend the whole day at the pool, because it's really beautiful and pleasantly warm. And it always feels empty, so cool! For those who need a little more variety, there are a handful of free activities like the twice-a-day yoga sessions, a guided morning walk through the rice fields and the adjacent village, an hourly shuttle service to Ubud downtown or even various small workshops in the afternoon.
Or how about a relaxing massage in the beautiful Serayu Spa?
The small Kepitu Restaurant is located right next to the pool and spoils your palate with really delicious food. Whether it was breakfast, lunch or dinner, I was regularly flabbergasted by how good it tasted! Also, the friendliness of the staff here is truly legendary. I can't remember ever having such friendly and attentive staff in a hotel before. Kayon Resort is truly a place to feel at home!
The really beautiful pool at Kayon Resort
The resort in the soft light of the sunset
Spring rolls wrapped in rice paper: hmm, delicious!
Different powders & spices for the spa treatment
During the massage you can hear the sound of the river
The Kayon Jungle Resort and the fantastic pool
Although Kayon Jung le Resort is the sister hotel of Kayon Resort, the two hotels couldn't be more different in their make-up. Kayon Jungle Resort is definitely one of the larger hotels around Ubud, but it offers a huge infinity pool. This is really the flagship and highlight of the resort: the turquoise blue water pours over several levels into different pools, from the edge of which you have a fantastic view of a green valley full of rice fields!
What a fantastic pool!
The swimming pads are still free, what are you waiting for!
It's a great place to spend some time
Also here in Kayon Jungle, the Kepitu Restaurant spoils you with super tasty food including a great view. I found it especially sweet that for breakfast, a staff member comes with a big basket of pastries from which you can choose all kinds of goodies: chocolatey donuts, sinful croissants, little zucchini-banana cakes or a selection of different kinds of bread. By the way, the friendliness of the staff here is the same as in Kayon, simply exceptional!
So, what do you choose?
Waffles & pancakes: an unbeatable duo!
Here at Kepitu Restaurant, enjoyment is a priority
for example with a Balinese curry
The Yoga Shala here at Kayon Jungle Resort is really beautiful. Under a very special bamboo roof covered with palm leaves, you can take part in a free class every morning at 7am. While the morning sun rising just opposite tickles the tip of your nose, your gaze wanders over the expanse of the jungle, simply wonderful! The amazing Serayu Spa is right next door, and I highly recommend the hour-long Balinese massage!
The sun rises just opposite the Yoga Shala
The location of the Yoga Shala is really spectacular
Also a nice combo: Wanna Bar & fresh coconut
I could stay in the pool all day....
