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Ubud and Nusa Dua are two major tourist destinations in Bali, located at a distance of about 45 km from each other. As the distance is short and can be covered within 2 hours, most of the tourists who visit Bali prefer to explore both. So, if you are also planning to visit Bali on your holidays but are not able to decide on things you must do on this paradisal land, then here is your article. Let’s check out the top things to do in Ubud and Nusa Dua when in Bali, Indonesia.
Top Things to Do in Ubud & Nusa Dua
Ubud: Top Things to do List
1. Explore the Ubud Monkey Forest
Of the top Ubud, Bali, things to do, the Ubud Monkey Forest ranks high on the charts. Also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest, it is located at a distance of about 4 km from the center of Ubud and is easily accessible via road. As the region is also home to several ancient temples, it is considered a place of great cultural, historical and spiritual significance. The sanctuary also houses a fenced region where you can spot indigenous species of deer.
Recommended For: Wildlife enthusiasts, animal lovers
Location: Padangtegal
Average Price: $3
Timings: 08:30 am to 05:30 pm
Pro-Tip: Do not bring food into the forest as it may get snatched away by the monkeys.
2. Taking A Walk Through Batuan Village
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Ubud, the Batuan village is generally known for its artwork and Batuan Painting. That’s why you can find a number of art studios and galleries here. The village is also noted for the Fat Buddha Statue and several historical temples. All of these are of great architectural significance. The village is located on the outskirts of Ubud at a distance of about 10 km from the town.
Recommended For: Art lovers, history buffs
Location: Batuan
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
Pro-Tip: As the village is home to several religious sites, be sure to wear modest clothes.
3. Capture Tegalalang Rice Terrace
The beguiling sights of Tegalalang rice terraces cannot be missed. The place is surrounded by lush green vegetation, beautiful crops, and wonderful trails. All of this makes these rice terraces the best Ubud tourist attractions. Characterized by a peaceful environment, these architecturally designed rice farms are perfect to feel the essence of calmness. You can also ride the rice terrace swing and capture striking photos.
Recommended For: Nature lovers, photographers
Location: Tegalalang
Average Price: $1.5
Timings: 07:00 am to 06:00 pm
Pro-Tip: Visit the location between 07:00 am and 08:00 am to relish the best of its beauty.
4. Catching A Glimpse Of Cultural And Historical Landmarks
Bali is all about beaches, temples and green landscapes and so is the charming Ubud. It houses numerous ancient sites, ranging from temples to caves and palaces to other buildings. Such major landmarks in and around the town include Goa Gajah, Ubud Royal Palace, Taman Saraswati Temple, Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple, Tirta Empul Temple, and Yeh Pulu. These are the best places to see in Ubud and surely some of the must things to do in Ubud and Nusa Dua.
Recommended For: History lovers, culture explorers, photographers
Location: Bedulu, Jalan Tirta, Jalan Kajeng, Ubud
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
Pro-Tip: Hire a local guide if you want to explore the hidden temples too.
5. Contemplate The Awesomeness Of Tegenungan Waterfall
Not many tourists who visit Bali come to this stunning location of Tegenungan and that’s why you shouldn’t move on without exploring its beauty. You would definitely love to take a refreshing bath in its relaxing waters. You can also bring your family and kids along and spend a wonderful time picnicking and taking photographs. It is an important part of Ubud sightseeing.
Recommended For: Nature lovers, photographers
Location: Tegenungan, Gianyar
Average Price: 1.5 USD for adults and under 1 USD for children
Timings: 08:00 am to 06:00 pm
Pro-Tip: Go to the upper side of the waterfall to enjoy panoramic views of nearby villages.
6. Visit Ubud Art Market
Be it for souvenirs, gifts, apparels, paintings, statues or jewelry, the Ubud Art Market caters to the needs of every kind of shopper. Even though the market gets crowded with the day, you can still enjoy its liveliness as there is a lot to bargain for. Here, getting good deals is directly proportional to your bargaining skills.
Recommended For: Shopaholics, art lovers, street photographers
Location: Monkey Forest Road, Ubud
Average Price: No entrance fee
Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
Pro-Tip: Be more vigilant of the kids during the daytime as the market gets overcrowded by then.
7. Watching Customary Dance And Plays
Ubud is an important cultural center. This is the one reason you will come across a lot of dancing, singing and plays in the temples and other religious sites of the town. Be it listening to Gamelan orchestra or watching wonderful Kecak Fire dance and barong and kris dance, every performance is set to mesmerize and awaken the artist within you.
Recommended For: Culture explorers, photographers
Location: Ubud Royal Palace, Agung Rai Museum
Average Price: USD 7.2
Timings: 04:00 pm to 09:00 pm
8. Check Out Wondrous Museums
The best place to know about a place is a museum and lucky for us, Ubud has one. The Ubud museums take you into the bygone era and help you understand the history of Ubud and its surroundings. The major museums in the town include Neka Art Museum, Agung Rai Museum, Museum Puri Lukisan, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum. These are top Ubud tourist places and must not be ignored.
Recommended For: History lovers
Location: Kedewatan, Gianyar, Sayan
Average Price: 7.2 USD
Timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
Pro-Tip: If you hire a cab, you can cover all the major museums of Ubud in a single day.
Nusa Dua: Best Things to do List
9. Go Shopping At Bali Collection
If Ubud Art Market isn’t enough to satisfy the shopper in you, then the open-air Bali Collection Shopping Complex would definitely provide you with what you are looking for. It is a big shopping mall with restaurants, clothing stores, jewelry shops and more. Even if you do not like shopping, you can still come here and dine with your family. The place has great ambiance.
Recommended For: Shopaholics, souvenir lovers, photographers
Location: Nusa Dua
Average Price: No Entrance Fee
Timings: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Pro-Tip: You can buy a Barong mask, which is claimed to be made from magical wood.
10. Unwind At The Beaches
Moving ahead in the list of top things to do in Ubud and Nusa Dua, let’s go to the beauteous beaches of Nusa Dua. The Nusa Dua beach is the most famous and the most visited of them all. The beaches here are the perfect destinations for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and other fun activities. Major beaches in the region include Nusa Dua Beach, Samuh Beach, Geger Beach, Sawangan Beach, and Pandawa Beach.
Recommended For: Beach lovers, sunbathers, nature photographers
Location: Nusa Dua, Kutuh Village, Benoa, Kebumen
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: 05:00 am to 11:00 pm
Pro-Tip: If you want less-crowded beaches, then you can go to Sanur, which is 20 km from Nusa Dua.
11. Enjoy Water Blow
This is a beautiful place for all the water lovers who wouldn’t mind getting drenched in the seawater that splashes around. Here, the water blows and erupts into the sky after hitting the rocks. The spot is located near Nusa Dua Beach. You can come here and take Insta-worthy pics with your family, friends and partners.
Recommended For: Photographers, nature lovers
Location: Nusa Dua Beach
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Anytime
Pro-Tip: Do not get close to the blowhole or you might get sucked in by the rushing waves.
12. Visit the Puja Mandala
One of the most secular places in Bali, Puja Mandala is a must-visit place in Nusa Dua. Spread over an area of about 2 hectares, the religious complex houses a Hindu temple, a Catholic church, a Buddhist temple, a Protestant church, and a mosque. Well, that’s enough to showcase the humble and diversified beauty of Bali.
Recommended For: History lovers, faith believers
Location: Nusa Dua
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: 08:00 am to 04:00 pm
Pro-Tip: The site is located in a remote area. Hence, it is better to take a guide or driver with you.
13. Walk the Sea
Those who fancy walking on the ocean floor in the shallow waters of the sea and exploring colorful marine life, here is your adventure. Sea walking is one of the top things to do in Nusa Dua. It is an incredible experience to watch marine animals go past you in their own harmony. You can either contact your hotel or dedicated service providers to get it arranged.
Recommended For: Adventurers, divers, sea explorers
Location: Nusa Dua
Average Price: 72 USD
Timings: 07:00 am to 05:00 pm
Pro-Tip: The helmet you are provided is very heavy, so make sure you go slowly into the water.
14. Click Selfie On a Camel Safari
When you think of Bali, camel is surely one thing that would not strike your mind, even in the wildest of dreams. But this lovely tourist destination has everything for you. You can enjoy an appealing camel ride on the sparkling sands of Nusa Dua Beach. Selfies with camels on seashore sure sound like a fun idea!
Recommended For: Everyone
Location: Nusa Dua Beach
Average Price: USD 15 per person
Timings: 08:00 am to 04:00 pm
15. Snorkel Your Way Beneath
Another adventure that would lure you to come to Bali again and again! There are multiple spots in and around Nusa Dua where you can snorkel your way down the seawater and explore coral reefs. This is a perfect way to enjoy the underwater life of Bali without the crowd. Make sure you are wearing fins and vest and have the right snorkel mask.
Recommended For: Adventurers, divers, sea explorers
Location: Tulamben
Average Price: 65 USD
Timings: 07:30 am to 05:00 pm
Pro-Tip: Do not touch corals as they could be toxic.
You can also explore beyond the boundaries of Nusa Dua by taking a ferry to the marvelous Serangan Island. A visit to Serngan is one of the off-beat things to do in Bali. As it is not crowded, you can spend a relaxing time for hours witnessing the magic of nature all around.
There are many more things to do in Ubud and Nusa Dua, travel to Bali to discover more.
