Located in the highlands of Bali, the town of Ubud is a popular tourist destination on the island. Indeed, it is its cultural and spiritual center. To make the most of your stay here, it’s important to know where to stay in Ubud.
To help you make the most of your stay on the island, this guide will show you the best places to stay in Ubud. Various factors are taken into account, such as geographical location, overall interest of the area, its liveliness and the range of accommodation on offer.
Key information
Before describing the areas to focus on when selecting accommodation in Ubud, here’s what you need to know about the town from a tourism point of view.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in the heart of Ubud. They’re conveniently located for visiting everything on foot:
- $ this bed and breakfast is great value for money.
- $$ this hotel features a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.
- $$$ this upscale establishment, one of the best in central Ubud.
Map of different areas to stay in Ubud
On the map below, you’ll find our recommendations for where to stay in Ubud. We’ve used the following color code: green for small budgets, blue for the standard range, and red for luxury hotels.
We also recommend that you use this map to locate the places we’ll be introducing in this guide.
Ubud accommodation essentials
Places to stay in Ubud
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Ubud.
Staying in central Ubud
The center is the best place to stay in Ubud. Its central location, in terms of attractions to see and do, means that it's the best place to visit the town and its surroundings. The other districts are easily accessible from here.
Among the sites of interest to be seen in this district, the most important are the following:
- Royal Palace, where dance performances take place in the evening
- Art market, where local handicrafts are sold
- Stroll the streets for a glimpse of the city's daily life
In this district, you'll find a fair number of shops, cafés and restaurants. The liveliest area is below Jl Raya, Ubud's main street. These streets are best explored on foot. As far as accommodation is concerned, there's a good choice, with very affordable rates. These are mainly hotels and bed & breakfasts.
Our recommended accommodations
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Bed and breakfast offering excellent value for money. Ideal geographical position for exploring the various areas of the city. Two swimming pools and a large terrace.
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Geographically well-placed hotel. Spacious rooms with balcony and garden view. Outdoor swimming pool.
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Luxury hotel complex in the central part of the city. Spacious rooms with balcony or terrace. Spa, two outdoor pools and private parking available.
Staying around Saraswati temple
Located in the northern part of Ubud, the area surrounding the Saraswati temple is also a very good choice for staying in this city. Although this area is less central, it's still very close to the Campuhan hiking trail, which is 2 kilometers long and offers magnificent views over the rice paddies. The start of the trail is less than 10 minutes' walk to the west of this area.
In addition to its proximity to the starting point of this hike, this area includes the following sites of interest:
- Saraswati Temple, a Hindu temple surrounded by magnificent gardens
- Pura Dalem temple, whose gardens can be viewed
- Puri Lukisan Museum, featuring Balinese painting
The area is quite lively, though a little less so than in the heart of the city. Stores, cafés and restaurants abound. If you're looking to stay in the area, a large number of accommodations, mainly bed & breakfasts, are available. Rates are very reasonable.
Our recommended accommodations
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Bed and breakfast located just north of the Saraswati temple. Charming setting. Very low rates. Excellent value for money. Swimming pool available.
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Well-situated bed and breakfast. Beautiful garden, swimming pool and restaurant.
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This luxury hotel offers spacious, comfortable rooms with balconies. Tropical garden, swimming pool and private parking.
Accommodation in southern Ubud: near the monkey forest
Another alternative staying area in Ubud: the southern part. This area has the particularity of being right next to the Monkey Forest. The Monkey Forest is one of the city's major attractions. You'll have the chance to get up close and personal with the monkeys.
Other sites of interest in the area include
- Agung Rai Museum, featuring local artworks
- Goa Gajah Cave, famous for its stone carvings of Hindu gods, 3 km to the east.
Although the south is less lively, there are a number of shops, restaurants and cafés. You'll also have no trouble finding excellent-value accommodation.
Our recommended accommodations
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Establishment close to the monkey forest. Excellent value for money. Bar, restaurant and 2 swimming pools, including one for children.
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Hotel located next to the Agung Rai Art Museum. Rooms, suites and villas available. 2 swimming pools, 2 restaurants and private parking available.
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Located near the Monkey Forest, this establishment offers spacious rooms with balcony. Spa, 2 swimming pools and restaurant.
Accommodation in Sayan, west of Ubud
Another alternative staying area in Ubud: the southern part. This area has the particularity of being right next to theMonkey Forest. The Monkey Forest is one of the city's major attractions. You'll have the chance to get up close and personal with the monkeys.
Other sites of interest in the area include
- Agung Rai Museum, featuring local artworks
- Goa Gajah Cave, famous for its stone carvings of Hindu gods, 3 km to the east.
Although the south is less lively, there are a number of shops, restaurants and cafés. You'll also have no trouble finding excellent-value accommodation.
Our recommended accommodations
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Hotel set in a tropical forest. Rooms decorated in Balinese style. Spa, swimming pool, restaurant and private parking available.
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Well-equipped bungalow with original architecture. Peaceful location. Outdoor pool. Excellent value for money.
Summary
Ubud is one of Bali’s top destinations. As the island’s cultural and artistic center, it boasts a number of assets that make it well worth a visit. Staying in Ubud offers the advantage of being able to visit it in just a few days, as well as being a stopover on a road trip.
Because of its geographical position in relation to the main sites of interest, the center is the best place to stay.
The districts around the Saraswati temple and in the south, near the monkey forest, are also interesting alternatives for staying overnight. Nature lovers can also stay in the Sayan area.
Ubud is a very popular tourist destination. We strongly advise you to book your accommodation as early as possible, to ensure you have the widest possible choice at the most attractive rates.