Our 12 Favourite Day Trips From Ubud [+ itineraries]

Ubud is a fantastic place to stay in Bali, packed with historic palaces, lively art markets, and countless beautiful hotels. But one of the biggest draws of Ubud is its fantastic location right in the heart of central Bali, making it the perfect base for taking day trips all across the island.

Whether you’re looking for a cultural escape, an adventurous day out, or a chance to explore more of Bali’s incredible natural scenery, these are our tried-and-tested favourite day trips from Ubud for discovering some of the island’s best sights and experiences.

How to take a day trip from Ubud

There are three main ways to take a day trip from Ubud:

• Rent a Scooter. The first option is renting a scooter and driving yourself. This is what we do as we enjoy the freedom it gives us. Scooters are cheap and easy to hire in Ubud. But you'll need an international license and some experience.

• Private Driver. Another popular option is to hire a private driver to take you around for the day. You can give your driver a pre-planned itinerary or let them help organise. Find reliable private drivers on Trusted Bali Drivers.

• Taxis. The final option is to book taxis using an online taxi app like Grab or Gojek. However, taxis are better for A-to-B journeys, not for full days of moving around. Taxis can be difficult to book in more remote areas.

Throughout this list of Ubud day trips, we've included information on how to get to and around each place we mention.

1. Explore the terraces and temples of North Ubud

Ubud is famous for its lush rice terraces and historic temples, though many of its most iconic sights are actually about 30 minutes north of the town centre. Exploring this scenic area is one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Ubud.

Tegallalang is the most famous rice terrace area around Ubud, known for its rolling emerald-green paddies and picturesque jungle setting. But it's also become quite developed in recent years, with many photo spots, swings, and pool clubs drawing in crowds. It's still worth seeing, it's just best to set your expectations.

The area is also home to the famous Pura Tirta Empul water temple, where you can take part in a traditional purification ceremony (arrive early!), peaceful Gunung Kawi and its ancient royal tombs, and the quieter Mancingan Rice Terraces.

This is the day trip we always recommend to friends visiting Ubud for the first time. It’s our favourite way to experience the area’s natural beauty and historic landmarks, without needing to travel too far from the town centre.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

• Take part in a water purification ceremony at Pura Tirta Empul (arrive by 8am for smaller crowds)

• Visit the ancient royal tombs of Gunung Kawi archeological site

• Grab a coffee from Sruma and stroll through the hidden Mancingan Rice Terraces

• Snap a photo of the famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces

• Spend the afternoon relaxing at Cretya or Cretya Sunset

How to explore North Ubud on a day trip:

All of the sights mentioned above are located roughly a 30-minute drive from central Ubud. We'd recommend driving yourself by scooter or booking a private driver for the day.

Taxis/grab are available in North Ubud, but service can be spotty, and it can take a while to pick up in these more remote areas.

2. Climb Mount Batur and enjoy volcano views in Kintamani

Kintamani is one of our favourite places in Bali and is easy to visit on a day trip from Ubud. It's known for being home to Mount Batur, Bali’s second-largest volcano, a gorgeous spot to watch the sunrise over the island.

There are two main ways to summit Mount Batur for sunrise, on an early morning hike or a 4WD jeep tour. We’ve done it both ways and loved each experience. The hike felt more rewarding, but the jeep tour was a more relaxed and accessible way to enjoy similar sunrise views.

Due to the very early (2am) start, many people head straight back to Ubud after climbing Mount Batur. But if you’re not too tired, we'd highly recommend sticking around to enjoy a couple of the other great attractions in Kintamani.

There’s so much more to see and do in this peaceful mountainous region. We love hopping between the pretty cafes along the crater edge and relaxing in the area's natural hot springs heated deep below the surface.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

Here’s our recommended itinerary for a full day trip:

• Summit Mount Batur for sunrise (hiking or jeep tour)

• Enjoy a relaxing soak in Toya Bungkah or Cinze Hot Springs

• Stop by Pura Segara Ulun, Kinatamani's Floating Temple

• Have lunch with a volcano view at one of Kintamani’s stunning cafes

• Learn about Bali’s volcanic landscapes at the Batur Geopark Museum

How to get from Ubud to Kintamani:

Kintamani is just a 1-hour drive north of Ubud. It's best to book a private driver for the day and give them the above itinerary (or come up with your own).

If you do the sunrise hike, you need to go with a local guide. A driver can arrange this, or you can book it here if you're driving yourself. Summiting the volcano at sunrise does involve leaving Ubud around 2-2:30am.

3. Discover the cultural gems of East Bali

East Bali is one of the quietest parts of the island, home to several beautiful water palaces, incredible views of Mount Agung, and many hidden cultural gems. It's a great day trip to escape Ubud's tourist crowds and see a slice of real Bali.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace is one of the most recognisable sights in East Bali, known for its stepping stones that stretch across picturesque ponds filled with koi fish. We also love strolling the peaceful gardens of Taman Ujung Water Palace and learning about the Balinese language at the Lontar Museum.

While in East Bali, many people visit Pura Lempuyang to get the iconic photo at the Gates of Heaven. But we wouldn't recommend it if you only have a day - you can end up waiting 3-4 hours for a photo. We prefer Lahangan Sweet, a series of hilltop viewpoints that offer similar photos without the lines.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

Here is our suggested day trip itinerary for seeing the best of East Bali:

• Explore the beautiful Taman Ujung Water Palace

• Learn about the Balinese language at Museum Pustaka Lontar

• Enjoy a local lunch at Bali Asli Restaurant

• See the famous Tirta Gangga Water Palace

• Watch the sunset from Lahangan Sweet

In total, this itinerary can take up to 12 hours on a round-trip from Ubud, so be prepared for a long day out.

How to get from Ubud to East Bali:

Most of the main sights of East Bali are reachable in under 2 hours from Ubud. It's a rural region where everything is quite spread out, so we'd suggest booking a private driver to transport you around for the day.

4. Trek through Sidemen's rice terraces

For a quieter alternative to Ubud's famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces, head east to Sidemen, a scenic agricultural region sitting in the shadows of Mount Agung, Bali’s largest volcano.

Sidemen is known for its beautiful rice terraces and quiet walking trails, but without the crowds, pool clubs, and swings of Tegallalang. It’s one of the best places to experience a more traditional side of rural Bali, where farmers still work the fields each day, while still welcoming and accessible to visitors.

While there are public walking routes, we preferred exploring with a local guide. We booked a walking tour with Komang Adi from Sidemen Trekking. He took us along a quiet, hidden route through the rice fields while teaching us all about local life, plants, and farming techniques.

In Sidemen Village, you can also join a local silver jewellery class and enjoy the many peaceful cafes overlooking the terraces. Gembleng Waterfall and its natural infinity pools are also just a short drive away.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

• Take a dip in the natural infinity pools at Gembleng Waterfall

• Go trekking in Sidemen's rice terraces

• Enjoy lunch with a view in Sidemen Village

• Craft your own ring at a Sidemen silver-making class

• Enjoy a sunset drink with rice terrace views at Koli Koli

How to get from Ubud to Sidemen:

Sidemen is around a 1hr30 drive from central Ubud. It's a rural area, so we’d suggest either hiring a private driver for the day or driving yourself by scooter. Even Sidemen Village itself isn’t particularly walkable.

5. Enjoy a thrilling day of ATVs and white water rafting

For the most adventurous day trip from Ubud, explore central Bali's natural landscapes on a thrilling day of ATV riding and white water rafting. This is one of the first day trips we ever took from Ubud with friends, and it's still one of our all-time favourites.

On the ATV tour, we raced through dense jungles and muddy river beds, discovering secret caves, valleys, and waterfalls along the way. It was fun, messy, and definitely got our hearts racing.

After a quick lunch break, we headed to the Ayung River, which winds through the valleys of central Bali. The rafting route combined class II and III rapids with calmer stretches. We splashed down small drops and drifted past jungles, waterfalls, and huge cliffs.

This is a fun day out for all ages and abilities. Younger kids can ride tandem on the ATVs, while the guide makes sure the rafting is exciting without feeling too intense.

How to book this day trip:

Many companies offer ATVs and rafting as an organised day trip from Ubud. We booked this organised tour, and it made the whole day incredibly easy and stress-free.

The starting point for most activities is roughly a 30-45 minute drive north of Ubud Town Centre. We drove ourselves to the start, but most companies also offer transport to and from your accommodation in Ubud - make sure to confirm this when you book.

6. Explore the lakes and temples of Bedugul

Another of our favourite day trips from Ubud is Bedugul in Bali’s central highlands. The quiet, mountainous region has some of the island's most stunning natural landscapes and is home to three of Bali’s four major lakes.

Bedugul’s most famous attraction is Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, also known as the floating temple, as its pagodas appear to magically float on the surface of Lake Beratan at high tide. It's one of Bali's most iconic landmarks.

The temple complex itself has become a bit too developed and touristy for us now. We recommend enjoying it from the lake instead. We hired a Jukung (traditional rowing boat) to explore the lake and temple, which was a much more peaceful and unique experience.

Other than the iconic temple, there’s plenty to do in Bedugul on a day trip, from strawberry picking at local farms and exploring the beautiful Botanic Gardens to enjoying picturesque restaurants overlooking the lakes.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

• Take a boat ride on Lake Beratan to see the famous floating temple

• Snap a photo at iconic Handara Gate

• Have a picnic lunch in a giant greenhouse at Rumah Gemuk

• Go strawberry picking at a local farm in Bedugul Village

• Meet friendly goats, donkeys, and llamas at Bali Farm House

• OR explore Bali Botanic Garden, the largest in Indonesia

How to get from Ubud to Bedugul:

The drive from Ubud to Bedugul takes roughly 1hr30. It's best to either hire a private driver for the day or ride a scooter yourself. It's a relatively easy, straight road from Ubud to Bedugul.

7. Chase waterfalls and drink coffee in Munduk

Just north of Bedugul, Munduk is another scenic region in Bali's central highlands, known for its huge cascading waterfalls, cool climate, and misty mountain scenery. It's a world away from the busier parts of South Bali.

While we love staying overnight at Munduk's stunning eco-retreats, you can also visit on a day trip to discover the amazing waterfalls scattered through its jungle-covered hills.

For avid hikers, there's the adventurous Munduk Waterfall Trek, with four incredible waterfalls on one long jungle trail. Or you can visit a couple individually, like Golden Valley Waterfall (most accessible) or the impressive Banyumala Twin Waterfalls (best for swimming!).

Munduk is also one of Bali's top coffee-growing regions. If you love coffee as much as we do, the coffee tour and tasting at Kamu Nakal Country Club is a great addition to a day trip. We loved wandering through the plantation and trying different varieties of local coffee, including ethical Luwak Coffee.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

• Stop at the Twin Lakes Viewpoint for epic vistas

• Spend the morning discovering some of Munduk's top waterfalls

• Enjoy a leisurely lunch at The Botanist by Desa Eko

• Join a coffee tour and tasting at Kamu Nakal

How to get from Ubud to Munduk:

Driving from Ubud to Munduk takes around 1hr30 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. It's best to hire a driver for the day, especially if you want to do one of the waterfall treks. A driver can drop you off and pick you up at different points on the trail, saving you unnecessary walking time.

8. Visit the UNESCO-Listed Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Yes, more rice terraces. But Jatiluwih is too impressive not to include! The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are part of Bali's UNESCO-listed “subak” irrigation system, covering over 600 hectares (1,500 acres) in the central highlands. Cascading over hills and valleys, they're one of the island’s most striking landscapes.

A large area of the working rice terraces is open to the public, with several designated walking trails through the fields. We took a shorter 45-minute route, but some treks last up to 3-4 hours. You can also join a guided cycling or e-bike tour of the terraces, which we want to try on our next visit.

There are a handful of pretty cafes with stunning views over the hills. Other than this, there's not much else to do in the area, so you can really visit in half a day. But there are a few impressive waterfalls nearby, which are easy to incorporate into a slightly longer day trip from Ubud.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

• Take a walk through the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

• Stop for a coffee and lunch at Batu Karu Kopi

• Visit the impressive Leke Leke Waterfall

How to get from Ubud to Jatiluwih:

It takes around 1hr15 to travel from Ubud to Jatiluwih. It's best to hire a private driver for the day or drive yourself by scooter.

Leke Leke is around a 30-minute drive from Jatiluwih. Or skip the waterfall and substitute it for Sangeh Monkey Forest (a quieter alternative to Ubud Monkey Forest) instead, which sits around halfway between Ubud and Jatiluwih.

9. Spend the day at a beach club in Seminyak or Canggu

For a change of pace from Ubud's many spiritual and cultural attractions, head down to Seminyak or Canggu on Bali's southwest coast and spend a day relaxing by the ocean at a world-class beach club.

These popular coastal towns are home to many of Bali's top beach clubs, all offering something a little different. Some are more laid-back and perfect for a day relaxing in the sunshine, while others are much livelier and known for their happy hour deals and big all-day parties.

Our favourite beach clubs:

How to get from Ubud to Seminyak/Canggu:

It takes between an hour and 1hr30 to get from Ubud down to most beach clubs in Canggu and Seminyak. You can easily book a taxi or call a Grab/Gojek (online taxi) to take you and pick you up.

10. Enjoy a laid-back beach day in Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is one of Bali’s most luxurious resort areas, filled with stunning 5-star beachfront hotels. It has a more relaxed and mature atmosphere compared to the livelier, nightlife-heavy towns of Seminyak and Canggu, and is a great spot for a quieter day by the ocean.

With just one day, you can easily see the top things to do in Nusa Dua. We love enjoying the beautiful white-sand beaches and taking a swim in the ocean, but you can also stroll or cycle along the promenade or explore the two “islands” (peninsulas) with gardens and parkland.

Our favourite activity in Nusa Dua has to be the Devdan Show, a stunning cultural performance that takes you through the diverse islands of Indonesia, with dance, acrobatics, and special effects. The show runs three days a week, so organise your day trip accordingly - this is a must-see!

Suggested day trip itinerary:

Our perfect day trip to Nusa Dua would look something like this:

• See beautiful artwork from across Asia Pacific at Museum Pacifika

• Stroll around Peninsula Island and see the Nusa Dua waterblow

• Spend the afternoon relaxing on Nusa Dua Beach

• Enjoy shopping and dinner at The Bali Collection

• Watch the amazing Devdan Show at Nusa Dua Theatre

The Tanjung Benoa Peninsula, just north of Nusa Dua, is known for watersports, with everything from parasailing to jet skis and banana boats. Check here for booking information.

How to get from Ubud to Nusa Dua:

You can get from Ubud to Nusa Dua in as little as 1hr30 using the Mandara Toll Road. All attractions above are located within the central ITDC (tourist district) in Nusa Dua, so you don’t need a private driver for the day. Use Grab or Gojek to travel to Nusa Dua, then everything else is walkable.

11. See the iconic sights of Nusa Penida

Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, Nusa Penida is one of Bali’s most famous and most photographed tourist destinations. The island is known for its pristine white sand beaches and dramatic, rugged coastline.

Penida is one of the most popular Bali day trips. But what most people don’t realise is quite how big the island is. It’s the biggest of the Nusa Islands and is almost twice the size of the Bukit Peninsula. It took us multiple days to visit all of the main attractions.

On a day trip from Ubud to Nusa Penida, it’s best to choose either the east or the west side of the island to focus on. If you try to see the highlights of both, you’ll spend the entire day driving around on bumpy, uneven roads.

Suggested day trip itineraries:

Here's what you can do on each side of the island:

• East Penida – This is our favourite side as it’s a little quieter. It’s home to Goa Giri Putri (a huge underground temple) and several beautiful beaches such as Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach. You can also stop by the new Cactus Beach Club which we really enjoyed.
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• West Penida – The west side of the island is where most of the island's iconic sites are found, including Kelingking Beach (the one that looks like a T-rex) and Angels Billabong. You can find some hidden gems over here, but most day-trippers like to stick with the highlights.

Our favourite thing to do on Nusa Penida is a snorkelling trip. The Nusa Islands are home to some of the most incredible snorkelling spots we’ve seen, with huge schools of colourful fish and giant Manta Rays. But you will have to sacrifice some of the land attractions to make time for a boat trip.

How to get from Ubud to Nusa Penida:

To get from Ubud to Penida, you first need to drive to Sanur Harbour, which takes roughly an hour. While you can take a Grab/Gojek there, the harbour doesn’t allow online taxis to pick up, so you need to arrange a driver for the return, or negotiate with pushy local drivers.

Ferries run regularly throughout the day and can be booked online. For day trips, we recommend catching a 7:30-8am ferry to get there and a 5pm return.

To get around Penida, most people tend to organise a private driver there. But we prefer to hire a scooter from Doel Rental near the harbour and drive ourselves. Some organised day trips to Penida also include the option to add transfers on the mainland and ferry tickets.

12. Take a mini getaway to Nusa Lembongan

Next to Nusa Penida is the much smaller island of Nusa Lembongan. While it doesn’t have as many iconic sights as Penida, this island is our favourite spot for a peaceful getaway from mainland Bali.

Lembongan has a more relaxed, easygoing vibe than Penida, with several accessible white sand beaches and many oceanfront cafes. The island is small enough to see the highlights in a day. Or you can enjoy a chilled beach day – swimming, snorkelling, surfing, or taking a boat trip along the coast.

Nusa Lembongan is also connected to the tiny Nusa Ceningan via its iconic yellow bridge. You can cross the bridge on foot or by scooter to enjoy the Blue Lagoon, cliff jumping spots, and several luxurious clifftop beach clubs.

Suggested day trip itinerary:

To see the highlights of Lembongan, we’d suggest an itinerary like this:

• Take a boat ride through the island’s mangrove forest

• Go snorkelling at Mangrove Point

• Enjoy a laid-back brunch on Jungutbatu Beach

• See huge waves crash at Devil’s Tear coastal formation

• Visit the picturesque Dream Beach

• Cross the iconic Yellow Bridge and see the local seaweed farms

• Snap a photo of the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon

Alternatively, you can spend the day just hanging out on the beach, enjoying a drink on the floating pontoon bar, or relaxing at one of Lembongan’s beautiful beach clubs.

How to get from Ubud to Nusa Lembongan:

Similar to Penida, you need to catch a ferry from Sanur Harbour, which is an hour's drive from Ubud. You can pre-book ferry tickets here. On Lembongan, the ferries drop off/pick up at Jungutbatu Beach, the island’s longest and most popular beach.

Hiring drivers in Nusa Lembongan is less common than elsewhere in Bali, as many roads aren’t made for cars. The best way to get around Lembongan is to rent a scooter or a buggy and drive yourself. The island is small and easy to navigate.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, it may be better to book a full-day guided tour, which includes transfers from Ubud, ferry, and transport on Lembongan.