The Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia are where you’ll find Bali and its cultural heart: the city of Ubud. In recent years, Ubud has become a bucket-list destination for yoga practitioners and hopeful spiritualists, but stony temples and textile-hung studios aren’t the city’s only defining features. Downtown tangles of motorbikes and cars push their way through streets packed with traditional markets and restaurants that range from hip vegan cafes to rumah makans (eating houses) serving simple meals of rice, fish, and fried tempeh.

This central town in Bali is also a place of abundant natural beauty. Twenty minutes outside of the town's borders you’ll find the stepped rice terraces at Tegalalang Ceking spilling layers of emerald over the hills. Bamboo stands flourish along the rivers, and lush palm trees abound in the city and beyond, creating an atmosphere of living green that permeates everything in Ubud.

Getting to Ubud from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) can be tricky. The public bus isn’t direct and doesn’t have a set schedule, so it’s usually best to hire a taxi to make the 40-minute drive. Even when travelling within Ubud, taxis remain one of the better options for getting around. Some travellers may argue that the best way to see Ubud is by motorbike, but if you aren’t already experienced with driving in Indonesia, it’s probably best to stick to taxis. Several ride-hailing apps are available in the city as well.

Instead of typical hot and cold seasons, Ubud has hot and wet, and hot and dry. The dry season, which runs from April to September, is generally the best time to visit Ubud. April and May tend to be Bali’s hottest months, while July and August are its most popular. At this time of year, hot, clear days enable uninterrupted exploration of Ubud and its surrounding areas; the cooler mornings and evenings are perfect for outdoor yoga practice. In October, an annual festival celebrates poetry, words, and ideas, drawing in authors and artists from around the world. Ubud’s rainy season also begins in October, with higher temperatures and humidity continuing through the month of March. In January, Bali’s wettest month, rain is a near-daily occurrence. Indoor yoga, crafts, and cooking classes near villas in Ubud are a great way to enjoy the season without getting soaked.

Candi Gunung Kawi

Just northeast of Ubud is the ancient temple complex of Gunung Kawi. Below a fringe of palms and massive ferns, a series of shrines have been carved directly into the rock face. Getting to the temple means descending a path of hundreds of steps, so comfortable shoes are ideal. In addition, the temple has set rules on clothing that must be worn for entry to ensure that all visitors to this sacred place are properly covered. If you arrive unprepared, sashes and sarongs can be rented for a small fee before entry.

Campuhan Ridge Walk

High atop the Campuhan Ridge, a path of square paving stones swerves through Ubud's emerald forests. Palms, grasses, and tropical trees thick with foliage spill down the ridge and into gorgeous valleys on either side. The path runs for about 1.2 kilometers before reaching a small collection of restaurants and shops.

Lunch at a Warung

For a truly authentic Ubud meal, you’ll want to leave downtown and look for a warung. These small, family-run shops and restaurants are usually set up in a home or yard, making each one a unique experience. Common dishes include mie goreng (fried noodles), tempeh, traditional Indonesian pancakes, and pork ribs, often served at open-air tables with idyllic views of Ubud’s sprawling rice fields.