Things to Do in Ubud: Temples, Rice Terraces, Waterfalls and Local Culture

There is no single way to experience Ubud.

Some travelers come for temples and Balinese culture. Others want to spend their days surrounded by rice terraces, waterfalls, and tropical landscapes. You may be interested in traditional villages, local craftsmanship, evening performances, or simply walking around central Ubud without following a fixed itinerary.

That variety is one of the reasons Ubud is worth exploring slowly.

Instead of trying to visit every attraction in one day, choose a few experiences that genuinely interest you and leave enough time to enjoy the journey between them.

If you are planning your stay, here are some of the most interesting things to do in Ubud and the surrounding areas.

1. Visit Tirta Empul Temple

One of the most well-known sacred places near Ubud is Tirta Empul Temple in Tampaksiring.

The temple is closely associated with its sacred spring and purification pools, where Balinese Hindus take part in a traditional cleansing ritual known as melukat.

For visitors, Tirta Empul offers more than a beautiful temple complex. It is also an opportunity to see how religious traditions continue to be practiced as part of everyday Balinese life.

Take your time while walking through the temple grounds. Notice the traditional gateways, courtyards, stone details, shrines, and the activity around the purification pools.

Because Tirta Empul remains an active place of worship, visitors should follow local rules, dress respectfully, and be mindful of people who are there for religious purposes.

It can be combined with several other places around Tampaksiring for a relaxed cultural day outside central Ubud.

2. Explore Gunung Kawi

Not far from Tirta Empul is Gunung Kawi, one of the most distinctive historical sites around the Ubud area.

The experience begins before you even reach the main complex.

Visitors walk down through a green valley surrounded by tropical vegetation and rice fields before arriving at ancient shrine structures carved into the rock.

The combination of history, landscape, and architecture gives Gunung Kawi a very different atmosphere from many other temples.

There are quite a few steps involved, so comfortable footwear is recommended.

Rather than rushing down, visiting the site, and immediately climbing back up, allow some extra time to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Gunung Kawi works especially well for travelers interested in Bali's historical and cultural side while still wanting to spend time outdoors.

3. Visit Goa Gajah

Closer to Ubud, Goa Gajah, or the Elephant Cave, is another cultural site worth considering.

The site is known for its distinctive carved cave entrance, archaeological features, bathing pools, and green surroundings.

Goa Gajah is relatively compact, making it easy to include in a day that combines several cultural destinations.

As with other sacred places in Bali, the experience becomes more interesting when you look beyond the main photo spot.

Explore the surrounding area, notice the carvings and architecture, and take some time to understand the historical character of the site.

For travelers staying in Ubud, Goa Gajah can be a good introduction to the temples and historical places found throughout Gianyar.

4. Walk Through Tegallalang Rice Terrace

If green landscapes are high on your list, Tegallalang Rice Terrace is one of the most recognizable places to visit near Ubud.

The terraces follow the natural shape of the valley, creating layers of rice fields surrounded by tropical vegetation.

Many people come primarily for the view, but walking around the area gives you a better sense of the landscape than seeing it only from the roadside.

Visit earlier in the day if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.

Take comfortable shoes, allow enough time to walk, and remember that agricultural landscapes are not just tourist backdrops. They are also places where people live and work.

Tegallalang can easily be combined with temples, countryside stops, or villages in the same general direction.

5. Discover the Countryside Around Ubud

You do not always need a famous attraction to enjoy Ubud's natural surroundings.

Drive beyond the busy centre and you will quickly encounter smaller roads passing through rice fields, farms, temples, family homes, and tropical greenery.

These areas can sometimes become the most enjoyable part of a day trip.

Instead of scheduling one destination after another, leave some room to stop along the way.

You may find a quieter rice-field view, a small village temple, or simply a peaceful stretch of countryside that gives you a different impression of Ubud.

For travelers who prefer slower days, this kind of unstructured exploration can be more rewarding than trying to complete a long sightseeing checklist.

6. Visit Tegenungan Waterfall

For a change from temples and rice fields, head toward Tegenungan Waterfall in Gianyar.

It is one of the better-known waterfalls in the area and can be reached relatively easily from Ubud.

The waterfall sits within a green landscape and offers a more active outdoor experience than many cultural attractions.

There are steps involved in reaching the lower areas, so footwear and weather conditions are worth considering before visiting.

Tegenungan can become busy, but it is still a convenient option if you want to include a waterfall without traveling too far away from Ubud.

It can also be combined with nearby villages or other places in Gianyar.

7. See Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Kanto Lampo Waterfall offers a different landscape.

Rather than a single straight waterfall, the water flows across tiered rock formations, creating a broad cascade.

This makes it visually distinctive from many other waterfalls around Bali.

The experience involves getting close to the water, so visitors should expect slippery surfaces and prepare accordingly.

Kanto Lampo is particularly popular with travelers interested in nature and photography.

As always, conditions around waterfalls can change depending on weather and rainfall, so follow local guidance during your visit.

8. Slow Down at Tibumana Waterfall

Another option is Tibumana Waterfall, known for its green surroundings and calmer setting.

The walk toward the waterfall itself is part of the experience, taking you through a tropical environment before reaching the main falls.

Tibumana can work well for travelers who prefer a slower nature-focused day.

Rather than trying to visit every waterfall around Ubud, choose one or two and give yourself enough time to enjoy the surroundings.

A day combining Tibumana with countryside areas or nearby villages can feel much more relaxed than moving quickly between multiple attractions.

9. Discover Mas Village

Ubud and the wider Gianyar region have a long association with arts and traditional craftsmanship.

Mas Village is particularly known for Balinese wood carving.

Visiting the village gives you an opportunity to see another side of Ubud beyond temples and landscapes.

Workshops and galleries display carved objects ranging from decorative pieces to more detailed traditional works.

If you have the opportunity, spend some time looking at the process rather than focusing only on finished products.

The tools, materials, techniques, and patience involved are part of what makes traditional craftsmanship interesting.

Mas is also convenient to combine with other areas south of central Ubud.

10. Visit Celuk Village

For a different form of craftsmanship, Celuk Village is associated with traditional silver and gold work.

The village has long been connected with jewelry and decorative metal craftsmanship.

Visitors can explore workshops and galleries and see the level of detail involved in creating handmade pieces.

Even if shopping is not your priority, Celuk can still be interesting from a cultural perspective.

It provides another example of how different villages around Gianyar developed their own artistic identities and specialties.

A visit to Celuk and Mas can be combined into one arts and village-focused day.

11. Spend Time Around Ubud Palace

You do not need to leave the town centre every day.

Ubud Palace is one of the main cultural landmarks in central Ubud and can easily be visited while exploring the area on foot.

The architecture, traditional gateways, courtyards, and central location make it an easy introduction to Ubud's cultural identity.

Its location also makes it convenient to combine with Ubud Market, local temples, shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Guests staying at Samadini are already positioned close to many restaurants, temples, shops, and local attractions in central Ubud, making days like this easier to explore without a fixed transportation plan.

12. Watch a Traditional Balinese Dance

An evening traditional performance can be a memorable addition to your stay.

Balinese dance combines movement, costume, facial expression, storytelling, and gamelan music.

You do not need to understand every detail of the story beforehand.

Part of the experience is simply observing how the dancers, musicians, costumes, and setting work together.

Several venues around Ubud host cultural performances, so ask locally about what is available during your stay.

Schedules may change, and different performances can offer different styles.

Because many performances take place in the evening, they can be paired naturally with a relaxed day around central Ubud.

13. Notice Everyday Cultural Life

Not every cultural experience needs a ticket.

While exploring Ubud, you may see offerings placed outside homes and businesses, families wearing traditional clothing, temple preparations, processions, or ceremonies taking place around the community.

These moments are part of real daily life.

If you encounter a religious ceremony, observe respectfully.

Do not block people for photographs, avoid entering restricted spaces, and follow local guidance when necessary.

Sometimes simply watching quietly from an appropriate distance can offer a more meaningful experience than another scheduled attraction.

14. Take a Day Without a Fixed Itinerary

One of the best things to do in Ubud may be to stop planning for a while.

Walk around town.

Find somewhere for breakfast.

Visit a temple you notice along the way.

Stop for coffee.

Browse a small shop.

Return to your room for a break and decide what to do next later.

Traveling slowly gives you more opportunity to notice the smaller parts of Ubud that can disappear when every hour is scheduled.

This is especially easy when your accommodation is centrally located and you can come and go throughout the day.

Explore Ubud with a Local Driver

Many places outside central Ubud are easier to reach by car.

But that does not mean you need to follow a rigid tour package.

Start with what interests you.

If you enjoy temples and history, you might explore Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, and a nearby village.

If nature is your priority, you could combine a rice terrace with a waterfall and countryside drive.

If you are interested in local craftsmanship, spend time around Mas and Celuk.

Possible combinations include:

Temples & Heritage
Tirta Empul → Gunung Kawi → surrounding countryside

Rice Terraces & Nature
Tegallalang → Ubud countryside → waterfall

Waterfalls
Tibumana → Kanto Lampo → nearby Gianyar landscapes

Arts & Local Villages
Mas Village → Celuk Village → central Ubud

Samadini's team can help guests plan their day and arrange a local driver when needed, so the experience does not have to follow a fixed package.

How Many Days Do You Need in Ubud?

There is enough variety around Ubud to fill several days without repeating the same type of experience.

A simple approach could be:

Day One
Explore central Ubud, Ubud Palace, nearby temples, restaurants, and an evening cultural performance.

Day Two
Visit rice terraces, countryside areas, and one or two temples.

Day Three
Explore waterfalls and local villages.

But this does not need to become a strict schedule.

If you enjoy somewhere, stay longer.

If you feel tired, return early.

Ubud is easier to enjoy when you allow your plans to remain flexible.

Make Samadini Your Base for Exploring Ubud

Samadini offers a simple and personal place to stay in central Ubud while keeping you well positioned to discover more of the surrounding area.

Start the day walking around town, explore temples or villages with a driver, spend an afternoon around rice terraces or waterfalls, and return to a comfortable place when you are ready to slow down.

There are many things to do in Ubud, but you do not need to experience all of them at once.

Choose what interests you.

Take your time.

And leave enough space to enjoy Ubud between the destinations.

Explore Ubud with Us

Would you like help deciding where to go during your stay?

Tell the Samadini team what you would like to experience, and we will be happy to share local suggestions or help arrange a driver for your day.