Ubud is one of those places where it is very easy to stay longer than planned. I’ve spent a lot of time there over several trips to Bali, and part of what I like most about it is that you can have a completely different day without actually moving base. One day can be temples and rice fields, another waterfalls and mountain roads, another a long drive north toward cooler lakes and forest.
That said, not every place in Bali makes sense as a day trip from Ubud.
Some routes are genuinely easy and rewarding. Others look close on the map but turn into hours in traffic, and a few are places I would much rather stay overnight than rush through just because they technically fit into one day. So this is not a list of every possible excursion from Ubud.
These are the day trips from Ubud I would actually consider, based on places I’ve visited myself, routes that make sense geographically, and the kind of day each trip gives you.
Some are easy half-day escapes. Others are full-day trips where the drive is part of the experience. And for a few, I’ll also tell you when I think an overnight stay is the better choice.
If you are still deciding how to divide your time between Ubud itself and these longer trips, my 3, 5 or 7 Day Ubud Itinerary will help you work out what realistically fits.
Best Day Trips From Ubud at a Glance
Not sure where to start? Choose the kind of day you want first, then pick the route that fits.
- Tampaksiring: Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul & Mengening
- Besakih Temple + Gates of Heaven
- Ulun Danu Bratan + Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan
- Munduk
- Lovina + North Bali stops
- Sidemen + Gembleng Waterfall
- Tegallalang + Gunung Kawi Sebatu
- Sidemen
- Sanur
- Uluwatu
- Canggu
- Lovina
- Mount Batur & Kintamani
- Ulun Danu Bratan + Lake Tamblingan
- Munduk
- Nusa Penida
1. Tampaksiring Temples — Best for a Culture-Focused Half Day
If you only have time for one easy cultural day trip from Ubud, Tampaksiring is one of the strongest choices. Several of Bali’s most interesting temples sit relatively close to one another here, which means you can see very different sides of Balinese religious life without spending most of the day in the car.
A good route is Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring → Tirta Empul → Pura Mengening.
Start with Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, where the experience begins before you even reach the temple. The path descends into the Pakerisan Valley through greenery and rice fields before opening onto the enormous rock-cut shrines. It feels much more immersive than simply arriving at a temple entrance, and the setting is a big part of what makes it memorable.
From there, continue to Tirta Empul.
Purification pools at Tirta Empul TempleI loved visiting Tirta Empul, especially watching the purification ritual in the pools. There were a lot of people taking part when I was there, though, and I decided not to join the purification myself that time. I was happier observing it properly rather than doing it simply because it was available.
If purification is something you genuinely want to experience, give it more time and consider visiting with a guide who can explain the ritual and the meaning behind what is happening.
🙏 Want to experience Tirta Empul with a guide?
If you want to understand the purification ritual rather than simply observe it, a guided experience can make the visit much more meaningful.
Finish at Pura Mengening, which feels much quieter than Tirta Empul despite also being centred around sacred water. After the busier atmosphere at Tirta Empul, it is a good place to slow the pace down before heading back to Ubud.
This route works especially well as a half-day trip from Ubud. If you want to add another stop, Goa Gajah is the most logical addition on the way back, but I would only include it if you actually want a fuller day rather than adding another temple just for the sake of it.
If temples are a major part of your Bali plans, my guide to the best temples in and around Ubud goes into much more detail on Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi, Mengening and the other temples worth visiting nearby.
💡 Tampaksiring Temple Route
- 🚗 How to do it: A private driver gives you the most flexibility, while a guided temple tour is better if you want more cultural and religious context. A scooter also works if you are already confident riding in Bali.
- ⏳ Trip type: Best as a half-day trip from Ubud. Allow longer if you want to take part in purification at Tirta Empul.
- 🛕 Best for: First-time visitors, temple lovers, sacred-water sites and travellers who want a strong cultural experience without a long drive.
- 💭 My take: One of the best day trips from Ubud because the route is compact, the temples feel genuinely different from one another, and you do not lose half the day to driving.
🛕 Want to make this route easier?
For Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul and Pura Mengening, a private driver gives you the most flexibility. If you want more context around the temples and purification rituals, choose a guided temple tour instead.
2. Tegallalang + Gunung Kawi Sebatu — Best for Rice Terraces and a Quieter Temple
If you want a day that feels varied without going very far from Ubud, this is one of the easiest combinations. Tegallalang Rice Terraces are close enough to Ubud that they hardly feel like a major excursion, but pairing them with Gunung Kawi Sebatu turns the route into something much more worthwhile than just stopping for a quick rice-field photo.
I would start at Tegallalang early, before the heat and the bigger crowds arrive. It is one of those places where timing really changes the experience. The terraces are beautiful, but they can feel very commercial later in the day, especially around the most photographed sections.
From there, continue to Gunung Kawi Sebatu.
Despite the similar name, this is completely different from Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring. There are no enormous rock-cut shrines here. Instead, the temple is built around spring-fed pools, water features and gardens, and the whole place feels much calmer.
I like this combination because the two stops balance each other well. Tegallalang gives you the wide-open landscape and classic Bali rice terraces, while Sebatu is greener, quieter and much more intimate.
You could easily do both in half a day and still have plenty of time back in Ubud.
💡 Tegallalang + Gunung Kawi Sebatu
- 🚗 How to do it: A scooter or private driver both work well for this route. It is short enough that you do not need a full-day tour unless you want to add more stops.
- ⏳ Trip type: Easy half-day trip from Ubud.
- 🌾 Best for: Rice terraces, a quieter water temple and travellers who want scenery without a long drive.
- 💭 My take: A very easy route that gives you two completely different experiences without feeling rushed.
3. Mount Batur & Kintamani — Best for Volcano Views and a Completely Different Side of Bali
This is the point where a “day trip from Ubud” starts to feel like a proper change of scenery.
The drive north toward Kintamani takes you away from Ubud’s dense greenery and into a much more open volcanic landscape, with Mount Batur, Lake Batur and the surrounding caldera dominating the views.
If you want the classic experience, the obvious choice is a Mount Batur sunrise hike. That means a very early start from Ubud, but it is one of those trips where the timing is part of the experience rather than just an inconvenience.
You do not have to hike to make Kintamani worthwhile, though. If hiking is not your thing, you can still make a full morning of it with a jeep tour, a viewpoint overlooking the volcano, and a slower drive around the caldera.
One practical thing I would definitely mention: bring a jacket. It can be surprisingly cold before sunrise, especially while you are waiting around at the start of the hike. When we stopped for a small breakfast (coffee and banana pancake) before the climb, extra jackets were available to borrow or rent through the tour, so if you forget one, there is usually a backup, but I would still bring your own if you can.
I would also carry a little cash. Breakfast (the second one 😊 ) is usually included once you reach the top, but you can usually buy extra hot chocolate, coffee, or small souvenirs there as well. I ended up liking the idea of picking up something simple, like a bracelet, because it makes a nice little reminder of the experience afterwards.
💡 Mount Batur & Kintamani
- 🚗 How to do it: Book a guided sunrise hike if you want to climb Mount Batur. For a slower scenic day around Kintamani, a private driver gives you more flexibility.
- ⏳ Trip type: Full morning for sunrise, or an easy half- to full-day scenic trip from Ubud.
- 🌋 Best for: Volcano views, sunrise, cooler mountain air and travellers who want a landscape that feels completely different from Ubud.
- 💭 My take: Worth doing even if you skip the sunrise hike. The wider Kintamani landscape is interesting enough on its own.
🌋 Planning a Mount Batur sunrise?
You can either hike Mount Batur for sunrise or choose a jeep tour if you want the views without the climb. For either option, I would book a tour with pick-up from Ubud so the very early start and transport are already organised.
4. Sidemen — Best for Rice Fields, Mount Agung Views and a Slower Day
Sidemen is one of the day trips from Ubud I would choose when I want the day to feel completely different without making it complicated. The landscape is the main reason to go: rice terraces, small villages, quiet roads and views toward Mount Agung. It feels much less built-up than Ubud, and the pace is noticeably slower.
I would not try to turn Sidemen into a checklist of attractions. It works better when you leave some space in the day; stop for a walk, have lunch somewhere with a view, and add one or two places rather than racing between stops.
If you want to explore the area in more depth, my Sidemen Bali Travel Guide covers the best things to do, where to stay and how to plan your time there.
Gembleng Waterfall is an easy addition if you want something more active. It is not a huge waterfall complex, but the natural pools and valley views make it a good stop without taking over the whole day.
For me, Sidemen is less about one “must-see” sight and more about the overall atmosphere. If you like scenic drives, quieter villages and seeing a more rural side of Bali, it is a very easy place to enjoy.
💡 Sidemen
- 🚗 How to do it: A private driver is the easiest option if you want to combine viewpoints, a walk, lunch and Gembleng Waterfall without worrying about navigation.
- ⏳ Trip type: Full-day trip from Ubud.
- 🌾 Best for: Rice fields, Mount Agung views, village scenery and travellers who want a slower day away from Ubud.
- 💭 My take: Sidemen is worth visiting for the atmosphere as much as the individual sights. I would keep the day simple and avoid overplanning it.
5. Munduk — Best for Waterfalls, Mountain Roads and Cooler Air
Munduk is one of my favourite contrasts to Ubud because the landscape changes so noticeably as you head north. The roads climb into cooler highlands, the vegetation gets denser, and the day starts to feel more like a mountain trip than a typical Bali sightseeing route. If you like waterfalls, forest and quieter roads, this is one of the most rewarding full-day trips you can make from Ubud.
I would build the day around two or three waterfalls rather than trying to see every single one. Places such as Banyumala, Banyu Wana Amertha, Munduk Waterfall and Melanting all offer slightly different experiences, and once you add the driving between them, a long list quickly becomes more exhausting than enjoyable. I’ve compared the main stops in more detail in my guide to the best waterfalls near Munduk, including which ones I would prioritise if you only have one day.
This is also an area where the journey matters. The lake viewpoints, mountain roads and small roadside stops are part of what makes Munduk feel so different from central Bali.
I spent quite a bit of time exploring waterfalls in this part of Bali, and for me the biggest mistake would be treating Munduk as just a box-ticking waterfall run. It is much better when the day has some breathing room.
💡 Munduk
- 🚗 How to do it: A private driver is the easiest option because the waterfalls are spread out and the mountain roads can make the day slower than it looks on the map.
- ⏳ Trip type: Full-day trip from Ubud.
- 💦 Best for: Waterfalls, forest, cooler mountain air and travellers who want a more nature-focused day.
- 💭 My take: One of the most worthwhile full-day trips from Ubud if you like waterfalls, but I would choose a few strong stops rather than trying to see everything.
💦 Planning a Munduk waterfall day?
Because the waterfalls are spread across the highlands, a private driver is usually the easiest way to build a route without wasting time backtracking.
6. Ulun Danu Bratan + Lake Tamblingan — Best for Lake Temples and a Scenic Highland Day
If you want a full-day trip from Ubud that feels more scenic than activity-packed, this is one of the nicest routes.
Start with Ulun Danu Bratan, the famous lake temple in Bedugul. It is one of Bali’s most recognisable temples, and even though it is much more polished and touristy than some of the smaller temples around Ubud, the setting on the lake still makes it worth seeing.
From there, continue toward Lake Tamblingan.
This part of the day feels completely different. The road gets quieter, the forest thicker, and the lake has a much more remote atmosphere. Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan is actually my favourite temple in this guide, partly because it feels so connected to the landscape around it.
You can combine the route with a viewpoint, a short forest stop or one waterfall, but I would not try to turn it into a huge checklist. The appeal here is the slower highland atmosphere.
If temples are a big part of your Bali plans, my guide to the best temples in and around Ubud covers both Ulun Danu Bratan and Tamblingan in more detail, along with the temple routes that make the most sense from Ubud.
💡 Ulun Danu Bratan + Lake Tamblingan
- 🚗 How to do it: A private driver is the easiest option for this route, especially if you want the freedom to stop at viewpoints or add one extra stop along the way.
- ⏳ Trip type: Full-day trip from Ubud.
- 🏞️ Best for: Lake temples, mountain scenery, cooler air and travellers who prefer a slower scenic day.
- 💭 My take: Ulun Danu Bratan is the iconic stop, but Tamblingan is the place that stayed with me more.
🏞️ Want an easy highland day from Ubud?
A private driver works especially well for Bedugul and Tamblingan because the route is scenic and flexible, and you can add viewpoints or one extra stop without being tied to a fixed schedule.
7. Lovina — Best for Dolphins and a Slower Side of North Bali
Lovina is one of the longer day trips from Ubud, but it is also one of the places I would personally recommend most if you want to see a completely different side of Bali. I visited Lovina twice. The first time, I came as a day trip mainly for the sunrise dolphin tour. The second time, I stayed for several days, and that is when I really fell in love with the area.
The coast here feels very different from the south. The beaches are darker, the atmosphere is quieter, and the whole area feels much less polished and much more relaxed than places like Seminyak or Sanur.
If you are visiting from Ubud for just one day, the dolphins are the obvious reason to make the trip. You will need a very early start, but seeing them at sunrise is a beautiful experience and gives you a good first taste of North Bali.
But if you have more time, I would absolutely recommend staying longer. Lovina is one of those places that became much more interesting to me once I stopped treating it as a single attraction and had time to enjoy the slower pace, the coast and the wider North Bali area.
💡 Lovina
- 🚗 How to do it: For a day trip from Ubud, a private driver or a tour with transport is the easiest option. If dolphins are the main goal, book the boat in advance and expect a very early start.
- ⏳ Trip type: Full-day trip from Ubud — but if your itinerary allows it, Lovina is also worth staying in for a few nights.
- 🐬 Best for: Sunrise dolphin tours, quieter beaches, North Bali and travellers who prefer a slower atmosphere.
- 💭 My take: I first visited Lovina as a dolphin day trip and liked it enough to come back and stay for several days. I loved it even more the second time, and if you have the time, I would absolutely stay rather than only pass through.
🐬 Planning a Lovina dolphin trip from Ubud?
If the dolphins are the main reason you are going, I would book a sunrise boat tour with transport from Ubud so the early-morning logistics are already handled.
8. Besakih Temple + Gates of Heaven — Best for a Full East Bali Temple Day
This is one of the longest day trips from Ubud in this guide, so I would only do it if East Bali is genuinely high on your list.
The route combines two very different temple experiences: Besakih Temple, Bali’s largest and most important temple complex, and the Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple, one of the island’s most recognisable viewpoints.
Besakih is the place I would give more time to. The scale is completely different from the smaller temples around Ubud, and the setting on the slopes of Mount Agung makes the whole complex feel much more dramatic.
Lempuyang is more about the setting and the famous gate view. It is also one of those places where the experience can depend heavily on crowds and waiting time, so I would go into it knowing that the photo stop is a big part of the visit.
Because the drive from Ubud is long, I would keep the route focused and avoid adding too many extra stops. Two major temples are enough for one day.
💡 Besakih Temple + Gates of Heaven
- 🚗 How to do it: A guided day tour is the easiest option from Ubud because the drive is long and both temples are major stops.
- ⏳ Trip type: Full-day trip from Ubud.
- 🛕 Best for: Major temples, Mount Agung scenery and travellers who want a classic East Bali day.
- 💭 My take: Worth doing if East Bali is a priority, but I would keep the itinerary simple rather than trying to squeeze in several extra stops.
🛕 Planning an East Bali temple day?
For Besakih and the Gates of Heaven, I would choose a guided day tour from Ubud so the long-distance transport and temple logistics are already taken care of.
9. Sanur — Best for an Easy Beach Day Without Going Too Far
Sanur is one of the easiest day trips from Ubud if you want a complete change of atmosphere without committing to a long drive. The appeal here is not one major sight. It is the slower coastal feel: the long beachfront promenade, calm water, cafés and restaurants along the shore, and the fact that you can spend the day walking, swimming, eating and doing very little else.
After spending a lot of time in and around Ubud, I found Sanur a nice reset because it feels open and breezy in a completely different way. It is also much calmer than places like Canggu or Seminyak, which makes it a better choice if you want an easy beach day rather than nightlife or a packed schedule.
I would come earlier, have breakfast or coffee near the beach, walk part of the promenade, swim if the tide is good, and stay for lunch before heading back to Ubud.
This is also one of the day trips where I would not overplan anything. Sanur works best precisely because you do not need a list of attractions.
💡 Sanur
- 🚗 How to do it: A private driver or taxi works well from Ubud. Once you arrive, Sanur is easy to explore on foot along the beachfront.
- ⏳ Trip type: Easy half- or full-day trip from Ubud.
- 🌊 Best for: A relaxed beach day, long seaside walks, swimming and travellers who want a change from temples and rice fields.
- 💭 My take: One of the easiest coastal escapes from Ubud. I would choose Sanur when I want a genuinely relaxed day rather than another full sightseeing itinerary.
10. Uluwatu — Best for Cliffs, Beaches and Sunset at the Temple
Uluwatu is a much longer day from Ubud than Sanur, but it also gives you a much more dramatic change of scenery.
The south of Bali feels very different from the centre: limestone cliffs, brighter beaches, surf breaks and long ocean views instead of rice fields and jungle.
If I were doing Uluwatu as a day trip from Ubud, I would keep the route simple. Choose one or two beaches, give yourself time for lunch somewhere with a view, then finish at Uluwatu Temple in the late afternoon.
Kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple The temple itself is worth seeing for the setting alone, perched high above the ocean, but the obvious reason to stay into the evening is the Kecak dance at sunset.
This is one of those days where trying to add too many beaches usually makes it worse. Traffic in South Bali can be slow, especially later in the day, so I would rather have a relaxed route than spend half the afternoon moving between stops.
💡 Uluwatu
- 🚗 How to do it: A private driver is the easiest option from Ubud, especially if you want to combine beaches with Uluwatu Temple and the evening Kecak performance.
- ⏳ Trip type: Full-day trip from Ubud.
- 🌊 Best for: Clifftop scenery, beaches, sunset and travellers who want to see South Bali without changing accommodation.
- 💭 My take: Worth the longer drive if you plan to stay through sunset. I would not come all this way just for one beach.
🌅 Want to do Uluwatu without worrying about the drive back?
A full-day Uluwatu tour works well from Ubud if you want to combine beaches, the temple and the sunset Kecak performance without organising each part separately.
11. Nusa Penida — Best for Dramatic Coastal Scenery, but Better With More Time
Nusa Penida is absolutely possible as a day trip from Ubud, but this is the one on the list where I would be most careful with expectations.
The island is spectacular! Huge cliffs, bright blue water and viewpoints that look almost unreal; but a day trip usually means an early transfer to the harbour, a fast boat, then several hours driving between the main sights before doing the whole journey back again.
I’ve spent time on Nusa Penida rather than only doing it as a day trip, and that is still how I would choose to experience it. The island feels much better when you are not racing from one famous viewpoint to the next.
That said, if you only have one day and really want to see it, it can still be worth doing. I would just keep the route focused rather than trying to cover the whole island. The classic west-coast route usually includes Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Crystal Bay, and for a first visit that is probably the most practical way to use limited time.
If you are considering staying longer, my guide to the best things to do in Nusa Penida will help you plan more than just the standard one-day route.
💡 Nusa Penida
- 🚤 How to do it: For a day trip from Ubud, an organized tour with hotel transfer, fast boat and island transport is the easiest option.
- ⏳ Trip type: Very full day from Ubud.
- 🌊 Best for: Dramatic cliffs, iconic viewpoints and travellers who want to see Nusa Penida without changing accommodation.
- 💭 My take: Worth doing if one day is all you have, but I would stay overnight if possible. Nusa Penida is much better when you have time to slow down.
🚤 Doing Nusa Penida in one day?
If you are visiting from Ubud, I would book a day tour that includes the hotel transfer, fast boat and transport on Nusa Penida. It removes most of the logistics from what is already a long day.
12. Canggu — Best for Cafés, Beach Clubs and Seeing a Completely Different Bali
Canggu is not the day trip from Ubud I would prioritise for scenery or culture, but it does make sense if you are curious about the side of Bali that feels almost completely opposite to Ubud.
The rice fields are still there in places, but the overall experience is much more about cafés, shops, beach clubs, surfing and sunset by the ocean. It is busier, louder and much more developed, and that contrast is exactly why it can be interesting as a day out.
I have spent time in both Ubud and Canggu, and they barely feel like the same type of destination. Ubud is where I naturally slow down; Canggu is where the day tends to revolve more around eating, walking between cafés and shops, then ending up near the beach later in the afternoon.
If you are only visiting Canggu for the day, I would not make a complicated itinerary. Pick an area you actually want to explore, have lunch somewhere good, spend some time near the beach, and stay for sunset.
The biggest downside is traffic. A distance that looks completely reasonable on the map can take much longer than expected, especially later in the day.
For that reason, I would choose Canggu as a day trip only if you genuinely want to see what it feels like, but beach clubs and the influencer scene are not a major part of your Bali plans. If that is exactly what you are coming for, I would stay in Canggu for a few nights instead of trying to squeeze it into one day from Ubud.
💡 Canggu
- 🚗 How to do it: A private driver or taxi is easiest from Ubud. Avoid planning too many fixed stops because traffic can make the journey unpredictable.
- ⏳ Trip type: Half- or full-day trip, depending on how much time you want near the beach.
- ☕ Best for: Cafés, shopping, beach clubs, sunset and travellers who want to see a very different side of Bali from Ubud.
- 💭 My take: I would not choose Canggu over Munduk, Sidemen or Tampaksiring for a first day trip from Ubud, but it is worth visiting if you specifically want to experience Bali’s busier beach-town side.
Which Day Trip From Ubud Should You Choose?
If you only have time for one day trip from Ubud, choose based on the kind of day you actually want rather than trying to pick the “best” one overall.
💡 Which Day Trip From Ubud Should You Choose?
- 🛕 Best for culture: Tampaksiring temples
- 🌾 Best easy half-day: Tegallalang + Gunung Kawi Sebatu
- 🌋 Best for volcano views: Mount Batur & Kintamani
- 🌿 Best for a slower rural day: Sidemen
- 💦 Best for waterfalls: Munduk
- 🏞️ Best scenic highland day: Ulun Danu Bratan + Lake Tamblingan
- 🐬 Best for North Bali: Lovina
- 🛕 Best East Bali temple day: Besakih + Gates of Heaven
- 🌊 Best easy beach day: Sanur
- 🌅 Best for cliffs + sunset: Uluwatu
- 🚤 Best island day trip: Nusa Penida
- ☕ Best for cafés + beach-town energy: Canggu
- 💭 My pick: For a first trip, I would choose Tampaksiring if culture matters most, Munduk if you want nature, or Sidemen if you want the day to feel slower and more local.
These are the day trips from Ubud I would genuinely consider, depending on whether you want temples, waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches or a slower day somewhere completely different.
You definitely do not need to do all of them. I would choose two or three that actually fit the kind of trip you want, and leave enough time to enjoy Ubud itself too.
If you are still planning your time in town, start with my Ubud Travel Guide, then use my 3, 5 or 7 Day Ubud Itinerary to put everything together.
If you have not chosen your base yet, my Where to Stay in Ubud guide breaks down the best areas and hotels. And if you are planning beyond Ubud, head to my Bali Travel Guide for a wider look at the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips From Ubud
What is the best day trip from Ubud?
There is no single best option because the trips are so different. For culture, I would choose the Tampaksiring temples. For nature and waterfalls, Munduk is my pick. If you want a slower rural day, Sidemen is one of the nicest choices.
What are the easiest half-day trips from Ubud?
Tampaksiring and Tegallalang + Gunung Kawi Sebatu are the easiest half-day options. Both give you a strong change of scenery without committing to a full day of driving.
Can I visit North Bali on a day trip from Ubud?
Yes, but it makes for a long day. Munduk, Lake Tamblingan, Ulun Danu Bratan and Lovina are all possible from Ubud, but I would group them carefully rather than try to see too much at once.
Is Nusa Penida worth doing as a day trip from Ubud?
It is possible, and if one day is all you have, it can still be worth doing. But I would personally stay overnight if possible. A day trip involves the transfer to the harbour, the fast boat and then several hours of driving between viewpoints, so it is a very full day.
Do I need a private driver for day trips from Ubud?
Not always. Shorter routes such as Tegallalang or Tampaksiring can work well by scooter if you are already confident riding in Bali. For longer trips such as Munduk, Lovina, Uluwatu or East Bali, I find a private driver much easier because it removes the navigation, parking and long-distance driving from the day.
Can I do Mount Batur as a day trip from Ubud?
Yes. A Mount Batur sunrise hike is one of the most popular options from Ubud, although it requires a very early start. You can also skip the hike and visit Kintamani later in the day for volcano and lake views.
Is Uluwatu too far for a day trip from Ubud?
It is a longer drive, but it works well as a full-day trip if you combine one or two beaches with Uluwatu Temple and the sunset Kecak dance. I would not go all the way south for only one stop.
What is the best beach day trip from Ubud?
Sanur is the easiest choice if you want a relaxed beach day without spending too much time in traffic. Uluwatu is better if you want dramatic cliffs and beaches and do not mind making a full day of it.
How many day trips should I plan while staying in Ubud?
I would not spend every day leaving Ubud. The town and its immediate surroundings deserve time too. If you are staying around five to seven days, I would usually choose two or three day trips and leave the rest of the time for Ubud itself.
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