Must Visit Landmarks in Ubud and the Stories Behind Them

Tiger! Welcome to my hometown. Look, I have lived here in Ubud for more than twenty years, and people always ask me for the short list. I tell them: if you want the soul of this island compressed into one list, just follow my route for the must visit landmarks in Ubud. This is not a generic, Google My Business listing. So grab your sarong and your curious eyes, and come walk the streets I actually know.

1. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Jalan Wanara Wana, Ubud)

You literally cannot talk about the historic sites Ubud without starting here. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located on Jalan Wanara Wana, right in the heart of central Ubud. This place is way more than just a place to take a photo with macaques (though you will absolutely want to).

What makes it genuinely special is that it is a working temple complex that has been a Hindu-Buddhist spiritual center since the 14th century. Inside, there are three main temples: the Dalem Agung Padangtegal Temple, the Beji Holy Spring Temple, and the Prajapati Temple. The oldest temple dates to around 1350 AD. The towering banyan roots entwined over the mossy stone staircases feel like walking into a living myth. Over 1,200 Balinese long-tailed macaques live here, split into several territorial troops.

The sanctuary sits in a protected ravine, which is why it stays cooler than the rest of town. I always go early. The path is paved and shaded by old nutmeg trees, but the monkeys are already relaxed by 8:30 AM. This makes it much easier to keep your hat, sunglasses, and camera. The staff will tell you not to hold food openly, and I echo that advice. They will snatch, quite honestly.

What to See: The ancient main temple (Dalem Agung Padangtegal) at the deepest point of the forest, the dragon fountain near the Beji Temple, and the "cemetery" area where the Prajapati Temple sits surrounded by gnarled trees.

Best Time: 8:30 to 10:00 AM, early in the week. Monday or Wednesday. The tour groups usually arrive after 11:00 AM, and the afternoon humidity makes the pathways feel heavy.

The Vibe: Lush, spiritual, and watchful. A minor drawback: the unregulated vendors outside the gate selling bananas and snacks for the monkeys cause a circus. Go through the official entrance and ignore them.

Inside Tip: Enter from the main south gate on Jalan Wanara Wana, not the side stalls near the souvenir tables. Also, if you see a monkey holding its tail high and staring at you, that is a warning. Back away calmly and secure your belongings.

History Connection: This sanctuary is central to the village of Padangtegal's social structure. The community uses the forest as a place for education, conservation, and spiritual practice. It is a living example of "Tri Hita Karana," the Balinese Hindu philosophy of harmony among humans, nature, and the divine. You can feel that philosophy here as you walk.

Honest Critique: The boardwalk near the central section can be a bit slippery after any rain. Also, the parking area fills up fast from 9:30 AM onward, especially on weekends.

2. Ubud Royal Palace (Puri Saren Agung), Jalan Raya Ubud

Right down the road, on Jalan Raya Ubud, you find the Ubud Royal Palace, officially called Puri Saren Agung. This is not a museum behind ropes; this is the ceremonial seat of the Ubud royal family, and the older family members still live here. That fact alone elevates it beyond a standard tourist stop.

The palace compound was built in the style of an 19th-century Balinese 'puri' (aristocratic residence). You see ornately carved stone gates, a grand bale (pavilion), and wooden thrones. The facade facing the main road is prime Ubud architecture: coral stone carvings with mythological figures, tiered meru shrine roofs visible over the compound walls, and frangipani trees.

It sits directly across from the Ubud Art Market. I usually go just after 9:00 AM. The palace itself is free to walk around and admire from the main courtyard. At night, the open pavilion becomes the stage for traditional Balinese dance performances held for tourists. The ticket for a dance show is usually around 100,000 IDR. The Legong and Kecak performances alternate nightly. The music from the gamelan orchestra reverberates off the stone walls, and the firelight from Kecak dances transforms the courtyard into something timeless.

It surrounds an ancient banyan tree and a working temple. When you cross the threshold, you are walking into a family home and temple complex that has existed for generations. If the royal flag is raised, there is an ongoing ceremony inside the inner courtyard, so be respectful and stay on the outer courtyard side. One rainy afternoon, I watched a ritual procession band in gold-and-black attire emerge from the inner gates and make their way to the Pura Taman Saraswati temple. It was regular, steady, and deeply beautiful.

Best Time to Watch a Show: 7:30 PM, arriving at about 7:00 PM. On high season nights (July-August, December), arrive at 6:45 PM to get a seat close to the front.

Vibe: Ceremonial and unflashy in daylight, dramatic and electric at night. Drawback: drinks and snacks sold during shows is overpriced; bring your own bottled water.

Inside Tip: For the full ceremonial palace feeling, come during Odalans (temple anniversary festivals) and Purnama (full moon). You might be offered the traditional treat of Jaje Bali (small rice cakes) if you smile, keep your voice down, and stay near the printed information board. During these times, there is no special ticket needed.

Story Tie: The Ubud royal family is historically known for supporting the arts, and their patronage helped turn this village away from a quiet trading post into the arts-defining global destination it is now. The courtyard performances are seen as a continuation of centuries of Balinese artistic tradition that is supported directly by this palace's royal seat.

Honest Critique: The outer courtyard is genuinely beautiful, but there is no shade. In the humid late-morning hours from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the stone walls radiate heat, so wear a hat or walk-through at another time.

3. Pura Taman Saraswati (Lotus Lane, Jalan Raya Ubud), Ubud

Two minutes south, you almost confuse it with the main stretch of Jalan Raya Ubud, is Pura Taman Saraswati, formally called Pura Taman Saraswati Temple. Everyone calls it the Lotus Temple because of the enormous lotus pond at the entrance, and honestly, this is Ubud's most iconic temple image.

Constructed in 1952 under the direction of the famous Balinese sculptor and architect I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the temple is dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, literature, and art. That dedication reinforces Ubud's identity as a cultural brain center. The approach through the lotus pond, with water lilies and koi under frangipani trees, feels like a living scroll painting. At the main inner gate, you will see Lempad's signature coral stone carvings, including the famous Bhoma face at the top of the gateway. There are multiple tiered shrines and a serene inner courtyard.

The west side of the temple faces the Café Lotus and its own lotus pond. In the early evening, gamelan music sometimes floats over the water. This place quietly reminds tourists and travelers every single day that they are entering a place of worship with strict respectful dress codes (sarong and sash required, freely available at the entrance). It sits across from the new Ubud Palace Garden restaurant area and the art market.

What to See: The stone bridge approach through the lotus pond, the Bhoma head carving over the 'candi bentar' split gate, the three golden 'padmasana' shrines dedicated to the Hindu Trimurti, and the statue of Saraswati herself.

Best Time: 7:00 to 8:30 AM. The crowd is thin, the water lilies are open, and the stone carvings are evenly lit by soft morning sun. Avoid midday, as the lotus pond loses its color in harsh sunlight.

The Vibe: Calm, shallow-water pathways that glow green, and statue-still koi. A real drawback: during major religious ceremonies like the annual Odalan, large sections of the inner temple are closed to non-Hindus. You can still photograph the lotus pond, but you will lose the intimate feel of wandering the full inner courtyard.

Inside Tip: Walk down Jalan Kajeng, the narrow lane beside the temple, to find one of the oldest examples of Ubud calligraphy-style engravings, found on the wall of a family temple there. Most tourists rush right past the lane.

History Connection: The construction of this temple marked a modernization of Balinese Hindu art through Lempad's designs, linking the traditional carving lineage of Ubud into the 20th century. The temple belongs to Ubud's intellectual and creative spirit because of its dedication to goddess Saraswati, a belief that reinforces Ubud's living identity as a center of literature and arts.

4. Campuhan Ridge Walk, Jalan Raya Campuhan

If you care about Ubud architecture, you love stone carving and temple gates. But if you care about the shape and body of this town, you walk the ridge. Campuhan Ridge is a narrow, elevated grassland ridge in West Ubud, at the meeting point of two rivers. Start at Jalan Raya Campuhan near the Warwick Ibah Villas area.

The trail itself is about 2 kilometers long and stays on a paved concrete single-file path between two deep green valleys. On your left is the Sungai Campuhan valley, and on your right is the Sungai Cerik valley. They merge at the southern tip of the ridge. No building or temple lies here, just tall palaquin trees and clumps of wild sugarcane. It is the simplest of the must visit landmarks in Ubud, and possibly the most meditative. When the wind moves through the grass and you hear birds instead of scooters, you understand why artists from all over the world have drifted here since the 1930s.

What to See: The valley-to-valley horizon line, especially where the two river valleys meet; the Ibah Padi field view on the west; the view of the Gunung Lebah Temple at the far southern end of the ridge (the temple that many Balinese see as the spiritual root of Ubud).

Best Time: 6:30 to 7:45 AM. After 8:00 AM, sunlight gets harsh and the midsection of the path has no shade at all.

Vibe: Open, surprisingly cool after the first 5 minutes, quiet. A minor drawback: the path is narrow and uneven in a few eroded spots. Flip-flops are risky, especially after a morning rain. Proper sandals or running shoes are much better.

Inside Tip: Start from the Warwick Ibah end rather than the opposite end near Blanco Renaissance Museum. You get the best valley views more quickly, and you can duck into the Ibah hotel bar or the Sayuri Healing Food shack for a ginger-turmeric shot afterward. They know the road.

History Connection: Campuhan is literally in the town's name, and some say the town's name derives from the Balinese word for medicine, because healing herbs once grew here. It is considered by many in the Balinese Hindu community to be the origin point of Ubud's spiritual energy. Once you see the convergence of the two valleys from above, you will understand why people place such importance on this sightline.

5. Gunung Kawi (Tampaksiring, North of Ubud)

I know, I know, you might not associate this with central Ubud. But I still put Gunung Kawi on my list of must visit landmarks in Ubud because most people staying in Ubud as a base take a day trip north to Tampaksiring, about a 45-minute drive from central Ubud.

This is not a simple ruin. Built in the 11th century, Gunung Kawi is a royal funerary complex carved directly into a sheer rock cliff face. Ten 'candi' (shrine niches), each about 7 meters tall, are cut into the cliff wall along the Pakerisan River valley. You descend roughly 300 steps through terraced rice fields and past small 'cave-temples' (monks' cells) before you even see the cliff. Seeing them for the first time feels like stumbling into a hidden kingdom. Scholars believe the monuments were built in honor of King Anak Wungsu of the Udayana dynasty and his queens and concubines. The air, even in heat, carries a cool draft from the river below.

What to See: The ten cliff face candis, the small stone meditation chambers in the rock caves nearby, and the beautiful valley itself from the top and bottom of the steps.

Best Time: 7:30 to 9:30 AM or 4:00 to 5:30 PM. The cliff faces look best with angled sunlight, and the lower path is less scorching. Monday or Tuesday are calmest.

The Vibe: Quiet, ancient, a little eerie in the best way. Drawback: some parts of the steps are steep and narrow, and there is no handrail in certain areas. If you have knee or ankle issues, go slowly or skip the final drop.

Inside Tip: Carry a long sarong or sash; some of the smaller temples at the base require one. A little donation in the tray along the handrail is appreciated. The whole descent-ascent loop takes about 90 to 120 minutes.

History Connection: This site ties Ubud to the early Balinese Hindu kingdoms and to the mythologized Royal House of Warmadewa. It shows how the Pakerisan River valley around Ubud was a core cultural corridor for centuries before colonial merchants ever arrived.

6. Blanco Renaissance Museum (Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud)

Antonio Blanco was a Spanish-American painter who fell in love with a Balinese dancer and decided his entire life belonged here. His house-studio-museum sits on Jalan Raya Campuhan, right at the beginning of the ridge walk overlooking the Sungai Campuhan valley.

The Blanco Renaissance Museum is as much about the man as the art. The building itself is a flamboyant piece of Ubud architecture: ornate Balinese doors, European-style facade, sweeping staircases, and rooms full of Blanco's romantic and dramatic paintings of Balinese women. The gallery holds original works with bold colors, gold leaf, and expressive subjects; some pieces date back decades. There is also an egg tempera painting collection, and his own 'Love and Passion' series stands out for its raw, theatrical energy. Some rooms feel more private, and these tend to be the most atmospheric: polished hardwood, old photographs framed in gilt, and windows opening toward the river valley.

What to See: The main painting gallery on the second floor, Blanco's personal bedroom and his signature round bed, the view of the Campuhan valley from his balcony, and the small side gallery that often features guest artists or special exhibitions.

Best Time: 9:00 to 11:00 AM or 3:00 to 5:00 PM, on weekdays when guided tours are easier to join. Avoid late mornings purely due to humidity around the stairwells. Entry fees are posted near the gate.

Vibe: Flamboyant, romantic, slightly theatrical but not kitsch. A drawback: the museum can feel slightly stuffy inside on humid days. Give yourself time to step into the garden for air.

Inside Tip: Ask the staff about Blanco's former private chapel and prayer closet; enthusiasts can sometimes see his original writing on the walls. Also, coming here is a nice way to combine art with a morning or afternoon ridge walk.

History Connection: Blanco arrived in Bali in 1952 and became part of the international circle of artists who shaped Ubud's identity as a global art colony. His museum is a personal archive of this transitional era, bridging Balinese traditional aesthetics with mid-20th-century Western influences.

7. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Bedulu Village, South of Ubud

Goa Gajah sits in Bedulu village, about 6 km south of central Ubud, in Gianyar regency. You will see a menacing face carved over the cave entrance, fangs and all. For a long time, people called this the Elephant Cave, but it probably has nothing to do with elephants. Many researchers now believe the face represents the Hindu deity Ganesha or a earth spirit protecting the grotto.

The site dates back to the 9th or 10th century. Historically, it was a hermitage combining Shaivite Hindu and Buddhist elements. You can see both a Shiva lingam inside the small, incense-filled cave and a nearby Buddhist statue and stupa carving, carved in stone. Outside the cave, you descend a broad stone staircase to reach bathing pools where stone water spouts once channeled spring water.

What to See: The demonic cave face, the small meditation cave interior, the two stone bathing pools and 'patirtaan' bathing structures, and the Buddhist remains behind the main pool (look for the stupa-shaped stones scattered among the trees).

Best Time: 8:00 to 9:30 AM. The cave interior has almost no airflow, so early morning cooler air makes the incense inside the cave far more bearable.

The Vibe: Compact, shadowy, ancient. A drawback: the cave is dark and very narrow. Tall or broad-shouldered visitors may need to stoop. It smells heavily of incense and flowers; those with sensitivities should be ready with a scarf or mask.

Inside Tip: Walk to the far side of the site, past the rice terrace beyond the bathing pool, where there is a small stream channeled through old carved stonework that most visitors never see. This shows the broader water management system that supported the complex.

Architectural Importance: Goa Gajah is one of the oldest known historic sites Ubud region. Its mix of Hindu and Buddhist iconography, and its elaborate stone carvings, make it an important precursor to the famous monuments Ubud area. It reveals that this valley once hosted significant pre-Majapahit religious activity, long before the royal courts moved into the uplands around modern Ubud.

8. Tegallalang Rice Terraces (Tegallalang Village, North of Ubud)

You have seen this place on a million Instagram feeds. Not all of those photos lie. Tegallalang Rice Terraces, located in Tegallalang village, about a 20-minute drive north of central Ubud, is genuinely stunning. The hillside carved into neat, curving terraces with coconut palms and volcanic stone walls has been cultivated using the traditional Balinese 'subak' irrigation system for centuries.

The terraces sit in a valley where the slope and the subak channels create a pattern that almost looks like a green amphitheater. When the rice is young and bright neon green, or golden before harvest, the view is genuinely moving. Coconut trees along the ridgeline sway in the wind. There are photo swings and tree-platforms that operators have added, which do help frame a good portrait, but the real experience is not the props. It's the slow realization that this landscape feeds real families and is governed by a cooperative water-sharing society recognized by UNESCO.

What to See: The main overlooks along the road, the lower terrace path if someone from a small family stall allows you to walk down into the terrace (usually a small donation), and the upper path that continues along the ridgeline showing a less crowded angle.

Best Time: 7:30 to 9:00 AM or around 4:00 to 5:30 PM. The afternoon light also brings out the greens and golds. Bring sunscreen and water; the exposed ridgeline has no cover.

Vibe: Wide, sweeping, green, humbling. An honest draw back: the increasingly aggressive touts at the top, and the fact that some photogenic swings and platforms charge multiple fees. If you are not there specifically for the swing photos, you can actually enjoy quieter experiences a little further north along the road.

Inside Tip: Instead of stopping at the most popular platform near the main road, drive or scooter 3 or 4 km farther north into the quieter terraces near Kedewatan or Tegallalang's back roads. You will find smaller family stalls selling coconut drinks at a calmer pace. The light tends to be gentler there, too.

History and Water Connection: The 'subak' irrigation tradition behind Tegallalang is part of the reason rice terraces are found on this list. UNESCO inscribed the Balinese subak system as Intangible Cultural Heritage because it tied farming to temple festivals and community governance. The essence of the Tegallalang Rice Terraces goes beyond visual beauty; it shows how Balinese cooperatives shaped land into a living cultural artifact. This is how many of the famous monuments Ubud region, both built and grown, earned their deeper spiritual reputation.

When to Go / What to Know

If you want the best light and the least humid mornings, plan your early visits (Campuhan Ridge, Gunung Kawi, Tegallalang, Goa Gajah) for 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Temple visits like Monkey Forest and Saraswati work best before 10:00 AM. Palace and cultural-site visits can extend into late afternoon if you do not mind heat. Most families that run temples and small-fee sites close the inner compounds at sunset.

Carry at least one reusable sarong if you plan to visit multiple temples. Sometimes they charge a small extra fee for a rental, but having your own saves time, and you control the quality.

Hydration is not a joke here; the combination of Balinese humidity, dusty roads, and constant walking, especially in the dry months of June to September, will hit you faster than you think. Buy local AQUA bottles from family warungs, not tourist shops, as they are typically cheaper.

Try to be respectful during major ceremonial periods: cremation processions can temporarily block certain roads in Ubud, and large temple festivals can close off sections of inner temple courtyards and roads near the palace. This also offers unplanned glimpses into living Balinese traditions that many tourists barely see.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Ubud without feeling rushed?

Three to four full days are enough for central Ubud and the main nearby sites (Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, Pura Taman Saraswati, Campuhan Ridge, Blanco Museum, and Goa Gajah). Adding at least one half-day for Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Gunung Kawi, which respectively sit about 20 minutes north and 45 minutes north of central Ubud, brings a comfortable total of about 4 to 5 days.

What is the safest and most reliable way to get around Ubud as a solo traveler?

Walking is standard inside the central Ubud area (palace, market, Pura Taman Saraswati, and the eastern Monkey Forest side). For mid-range distances like Campuhan or Campuhan Ridge, most travelers use private drivers (500,000 to 700,000 IDR for a half day) or rented scooters if experienced in chaotic traffic. Ride-hailing motorbike taxis through apps like Grab are more common and safer for shorter rides.

Do the most popular attractions in Ubud require advance ticket booking, especially during peak season?

Most small temple and Monkey Forest tickets are sold on-site; online booking is available but not generally essential unless you are in peak season (July to August and mid-December to early January). Per-venue tickets (not a single tourist pass) range from 30,000 to 80,000 IDR as of recent checking. Palace dance shows are also paid by show ticket, not part of a single all-inclusive tourist card.

What are the best free or low-cost tourist places in Ubud that are genuinely worth the visit?

Campuhan Ridge walk is entirely free and widely considered one of the best open-air 'museums' in Ubud. Walking along Jalan Raya Ubud past the palace, market, and Saraswati Temple approach can be done without entry fees for outer areas. Some of the smaller cooperative rice terrace paths (Tegallalang back roads, terraces north of central Ubud) cost only a small optional donation (10,000 to 20,000 IDR) at a family donation box.

Is it possible to walk between the main sightseeing spots in Ubud, or is local transport necessary?

Most core sites in central Ubud (palace, market, Saraswati Temple, the eastern Monkey Forest gate, and Blanco Museum) are walkable within 2 kilometers of each other, usually a 20 to 25 minute walk across the center. However, rice terraces, Gunung Kawi, and some outlying temple complexes 10 km or further from the center are best reached by scooter, hired car, or local transport, not on foot.