A Different Island: A One-Day Walking Guide to Ubud Town

Ubud is the soul of Bali Island. Unlike other islands, it doesn’t have bustling beaches but offers a rich artistic atmosphere and peaceful rural scenery.
Strolling through the streets and alleys of Ubud, it feels like every step carries centuries of Balinese culture. How to power-walk🚶🏻 through the key spots in the town in one day?

☁️ Morning:
✅ Campuhan Ridge Walk
Start early before it gets too hot and hike the Campuhan Ridge. This trail is recommended by Lonely Planet and is an easy 3-kilometer route along beautiful ridges and rice fields. At the finish🏁, you can find a café to rest and enjoy the rice field views.
✅ Pura Dalem Ubud
After the hike, take a ride here. Highly recommended, this lesser-known temple is almost empty, so you won’t have to compete with anyone for photos of the spectacular Gate of Good and Evil.
✅ Museum Puri Lukisan
The Ubud Art Museum not only features architecture with strong Balinese style but also houses a large collection of Indonesian artworks, allowing you to experience the local art vibe up close.
✅ Sweet Orange Walk Trail
The small path next to the museum leads to this hiking trail, also surrounded by rural scenery. When tired, find a cozy café to enjoy lunch.

🌞 Afternoon:
✅ Ubud Palace
The exit of the orange trail is close to the palace. This grand palace, built in the 16th century, boasts exquisite hand-carved details and gold leaf decorations. At night, you can also enjoy traditional dance performances.
✅ Ubud Market
Honestly, not much worth buying here, so don’t spend too much time. But don’t miss the coconut ice cream just a short walk from the market!
✅ Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The park is home to over 1,260 Balinese long-tailed monkeys, considered the sacred followers of the monkey god Hanuman and revered by locals. Compared to Uluwatu, the monkeys here are much more civilized.
The forest is filled with towering 40-meter cardamom trees and other dense plants. Walking along the forest trails offers a moment of cool relief from the hot weather.