On the 22^nd of March 2016, TripAdvisor presented the world with their Traveller’s Choice Award for the World’s Best places to visit. Our very own Ubud was mentioned 10^th on the list, right after New York!

We can’t let this moment go unnoticed without explaining why we agree on this wonderful placement!

Here arenour 10 of our most recommended to-do tips when you are in Ubud, Bali – with a bonus tip waiting at the bottom!

1.     Go on a down-hill Cycling Tour:

Enjoy a down-hill cycling tour by being picked up from your hotel room to be driven up the mountains of Kintamani. Enjoy breakfast while overlooking the volcano and the lake. Then cycle down via traditional local Balinese villages, a coffee farm (to taste some delicious Balinese coffees) and learn about Bali culture and arts. We recommend using Eco Bali, Bali on Bike or Greenbike Cycling Tours.

2.    Learn to cook Balinese style:

Ubud is famous for its many different local, Western and fusion restaurants. To complete this cuisine experience, try to learn to use some of the local spices by taking a Balinese cooking class. Usually it starts with a visit to the local market where you learn all about the different herbs, vegetables and fruits that are local to Asia/ Indonesia. There are several places to do this and one of the most famous ones are Paon Bali, Café Wayan and Lobong cooking class. There is also an organic cooking class called “Balinese Farm Cooking School” (http://balinesecooking.net/#_=_).

3.    Enjoy Tegallang Rice Terrace:

See the famous rice field terrace up close and personal. Perfect as a morning or afternoon activity as it’s only a 10 minute drive from the center of Ubud.

4.    Visit one of Ubud’s many museums:

Ubud is also dubbed the cultural heart of Bali. The many beautiful art museums that Ubud has definitely contribute to its name. The names of the museums that can’t be missed are Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) – full of world class art from artists around the world, don’t miss their restaurant and gorgeous garden-, Don Antonio Blanco Museum – by the famous Antonio Blanco- , Puri Lukisan, Neka Art museum and Threads of Life (weaving art).

 5.    Go on a Cultural Tour:

Hire a driver for the day and take trips around the island to Bali’s most cultural sites. Ubud is perfectly located right in the middle of the island, allowing you to see all of Bali’s beauty within a couple of hours drive. Don’t miss the Besaki Temple (Bali’s ‘mother’ temple), Tanah Lot (the temple in the Sea) and the famous Temple in the Lake.

6.    Watch a Traditional Dance performance:

Ubud is not only famous for its art, but also for the dance performances held there every night. Dances worth seeing are the Kecak Fire & Trance Dance, Lebong and Barong Waksirsa dance. There are shows almost every night starting around 7 pm and you can book them at your hotel or in tourist shops around town.

7.    Learn a new skill:

Ubud is a host for people looking to learn new skills. Why not do a workshops? Ubud offers anything from silver, wood carving, painting and traditional Balinese dance classes. The library the center (on the soccer field) of Ubud offers different classes for reasonable prices.

8.    Go for a walk in the Rice Fields:

If you have seen pictures of Ubud you have probably seen the photos of the Campuhan Ridge Walk (which is beautiful we have to say). But there are also other beautiful walks in and around Ubud that can’t be missed. One that we recommend is the Ubud Kajeng Rice Field walk. If you follow directions to (yummy) Sari Organik restaurant you are already there. And while you are out there, don’t forget to pause and drink a delicious coconut while you enjoy the view!

9.    A trip to Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah):

The Elephant Cave is a well preserved cave temple with a history going back as far as 1936 when a Javanese poet first wrote about it. One of Bali’s interesting temples right here in Ubud. Although it’s not that big, and not as impressive as i.e. Besaki Temple, but if you are in Ubud it is definitely worth seeing as it’s only a 5-10 minute drive out of Ubud’s center.

10.  Visit art Galleries:

There are a lot of different art galleries scattered around Ubud and it might be hard to know which ones are worth visiting. Here are some that we recommend visiting:  

Purpa Gallery – One of Ubud’s oldest and best art galleries.

Komaneka Art Gallery – beautiful sculptures, paintings and wood art.
Ewa Oceanic Sepik Art Gallery – original art from Papua New Guinea.
Semar Kuning Artist Cooperative – quality art work.

These are just 10 examples of all the things that are enjoyable and exciting to do when you are in Ubud.

Bonus Tip: Get the most out of your stay in Ubud by renting a beautiful villa with private pool, for more information: http://ubudrentalservice.com/

Are you curious to see the full top 10 of the TripAdvisor Choice Awards? Here it is:

1. London

2. Istanbul

3. Marrakech, Morocco

4. Paris

5. Siem Reap, Cambodia

6. Prague, Czech Republic

7. Rome

8. Hanoi, Vietnam

9. New York

10. Ubud, Indonesia