Free things to do · Ubud · Indonesia
5 free things to do in Ubud
Ubud without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Ubud without paying an entry fee: Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung), Pura Taman Saraswati, Campuhan Ridge Walk and Subak Sok Wayah rice-field walk are all free. Eat lunch at warungs, where a full plate costs a fraction of café prices on Monkey Forest Road.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 12
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- February–March and November
Free sights and experiences
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Palace · Central Ubud
1.Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
Buy a dance ticket from the sellers outside earlier in the day and arrive 20 minutes early for a seat with a clear view of the gate.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes; 1.5 hours with a show
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Architecture
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Religious site · Central Ubud
2.Pura Taman Saraswati
Lotus flowers are at their fullest in the morning; come before the cafés along Jalan Raya fill up.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Architecture
Nature · Campuhan
3.Campuhan Ridge Walk
Start at sunrise to avoid the heat; continue to Karsa Kafe in Bangkiang Sidem for breakfast before walking back.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
- Couples
Nature · Central Ubud
4.Subak Sok Wayah rice-field walk
The path is a raised concrete strip with ditches either side; wear proper shoes and carry a torch if you return after dusk.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Food
Market · Central Ubud
5.Ubud Art Market
Come before 8am to see locals buying offerings, and bargain politely for souvenirs, starting at around half the first price.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Central Ubud | Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung), Pura Taman Saraswati, Subak Sok Wayah rice-field walk and Ubud Art Market | 30 minutes; 1.5 hours with a show + 30 minutes + 1–2 hours + 1 hour |
| Campuhan | Campuhan Ridge Walk | 1.5–2 hours return |
Worth a small ticket
Nature · Padangtegal
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Leave sunglasses, hats, food and loose bags in your room; the macaques grab anything that looks edible or shiny and will open zips.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
Nature · Tegallalang
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Arrive before 8am for soft light and empty paths; by mid-morning the rim car parks fill with tour minivans.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Nature
Religious site · Tampaksiring
Tirta Empul
Go at opening or late afternoon; skip the spouts reserved for funeral rites, which staff will point out.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Photo spot
Experience · Central Ubud
Kecak and Legong performances
Kecak shows often end with a trance dancer kicking through burning coconut husks; sit to the side rather than in the front row.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- After dark
- History
- Kids
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Historic site · Bedulu
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Sarongs are lent at the entrance; walk the steps down to the stream, which most groups skip.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Nature
- Photo spot
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Historic site · Tampaksiring
Gunung Kawi
Combine with Tirta Empul on the same morning; the steps are steep and slippery after rain.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Outdoors
- Active
- Photo spot
Museum · Sanggingan
Neka Art Museum
Start in the Balinese Painting Hall to understand the styles, then you will recognise them in the galleries in town.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Pengosekan
ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art)
Check the noticeboard at the entrance for workshops; a hands-on offering-making class suits children too.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
- Kids
Museum · Central Ubud
Museum Puri Lukisan
It is a five-minute walk from the palace, so it fits neatly into a rainy afternoon in the centre.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Gallery · Campuhan
Blanco Renaissance Museum
Pair it with the Campuhan Ridge Walk, which starts a few hundred metres away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Views
Nature · Kemenuh
Tegenungan Waterfall
Go early on a weekday; swimming is unsafe after heavy rain, when the water turns brown and strong.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Experience · Pengosekan
The Yoga Barn
Arrive 15 minutes early for popular morning classes; mats are provided.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Eat lunch at warungs, where a full plate costs a fraction of café prices on Monkey Forest Road.
- Homestays inside family compounds include breakfast and cost far less than villas with similar standards.
- Share a day driver with other travellers; the price is per car, not per person.
- Check whether restaurant prices include tax and service, which can add about 15–21%.
- Use ATMs attached to banks rather than standalone machines, and count cash at money changers before leaving the counter.
- Visit from February to April or in November to find villa rates well below the July–August peak.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Ubud expensive to visit?
Ubud is affordable for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Ubud?
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung): Buy a dance ticket from the sellers outside earlier in the day and arrive 20 minutes early for a seat with a clear view of the gate.