Ubud

Ubud lies in Gianyar Regency in the middle of the island, among valleys, rivers and rice fields. Its name comes from the Balinese word ubad, medicine, and since the late 19th century it has been Bali's centre for the arts under the patronage of its lords. Today it is where you come for calm, nature and resorts surrounded by forest.

At the centre of town stands the royal palace, Puri Saren Agung, where Balinese dance is performed in the courtyard in the evening. A few minutes away are Taman Saraswati temple, with its lotus pond, and the Sacred Monkey Forest, home to about 750 macaques around an old temple. For art there are the Neka Museum, the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) and Puri Lukisan.

Ubud is known for spas, yoga, waterfalls in the surrounding valleys and its art markets. The Campuhan Ridge Walk follows a hilltop where two rivers meet, about 2 km of paved path through tall grass, best in the early morning. About 10 km to the north are the Tegallalang rice terraces, and the Ayung, Bali's longest river, runs through the valley west of town.

None of the hotels in our current collection is in Ubud, so we choose a private villa or a valley resort to suit you, or arrange a full day here from the south coast with your driver. Roads in Bali are slow, and we advise two or three nights in Ubud rather than a return trip in a single day.