Where to Stay in Ubud – The Best Places to Stay and Areas to Visit

Ubud is one of the heavy hitters in the Bali lineup. If the nightlife chaos and GTA-style roads of Canggu and Kuta have finally worn you down, Ubud is where you come to lower your shoulders and remember what breathing normally feels like.

If you’re hear to lap up your dose of Balinese culture, Ubud is where you’ll find it. Temples, ceremonies, festivals, traditional dance performances, and daily rituals weave their way into everyday life here. Yes, the crowds can turn some of it into a polished performance, and yes, it can feel staged at times, but Ubud still rewards travellers who slow down and notice the unscripted moments happening in between.

The great thing about Ubud is you can choose the degree to which you switch off. Stay in the town and fill your days with cafe hopping, workshops and boutique shopping. If you want to go MIA, you can base yourself amongst the rice paddies and lose your sense of time. Ubud is kind to both itineraries.

That’s what makes choosing where to stay in Ubud so difficult. To help you out, I’ll break down each neighbourhood to give you a sense of what to expect. Choose what side of Ubud you want to see and and let the rest of the trip fall into place naturally.

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FIRST TIME IN UBUD

FIRST TIME IN UBUD

Near the Monkey Forest

Staying near the Sacred Monkey Forest puts you right in the middle of Ubud’s main sights. Temples, museums, shops, and cafés are all close by, and the forest itself is one of the town’s most well-known landmarks. The area is busy, walkable, and convenient, making it a solid choice for first-time visitors who want easy access to Ubud’s highlights without relying on transport.

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ON A BUDGET

ON A BUDGET

Near Ubud Market

The area around Ubud Market is a good option for travellers watching their spending. Accommodation here tends to be more affordable, and you are close to museums, temples, and public green spaces that do not require paid entry. It is central, practical, and well connected, with plenty of food options at all price points. Staying here keeps costs down without cutting you off from what Ubud does best.

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NIGHTLIFE

NIGHTLIFE

South Ubud

South Ubud sits just outside the most congested part of town while keeping everything within reach. It works well as a base for exploring further afield and for travellers who want evenings that do not shut down early. Restaurants, bars, and activity operators are spread throughout the area, making it easy to balance daytime adventures with a social night scene.

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COOLEST PLACE TO STAY

COOLEST PLACE TO STAY

Penestanan

Penestanan lies northwest of central Ubud and feels noticeably quieter without being isolated. It attracts travellers who want space, views, and a more local atmosphere while staying close enough to town to dip in when needed. The Campuhan Ridge Walk is nearby, and the surrounding countryside is one of the more scenic parts of the area. This neighbourhood suits longer stays and travellers who prefer a slower daily routine.

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Ubud was one of my favourite places I visited when backpacking Indonesia. Sitting inland in southern Bali, it has a habit of pulling people in for longer than planned.

It is one of the island’s most popular bases, largely because it manages to feel busy and calm at the same time. The town centre is packed with cafés, markets, temples, and traffic, while the edges fade quickly into rice paddies, villages, and jungle-covered hills. You get access to culture, food, and amenities without being boxed in by concrete.

Ubud is easy to reach from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and getting around once you arrive is straightforward. My biggest Bali travel tip would be to use GoJek and Grab for transport – it’s way more efficient than negotiating taxis. Combined with a walkable centre, transport rarely becomes an issue.

Ubud works best when your base matches how you want to spend your days. Choose the right area and the town becomes easier, calmer, and far more enjoyable to settle into.

With so much history, culture, and scenery to enjoy, Ubud is one of the most beautiful places in Indonesia!

1. Near the Monkey Forest – Best Place to Stay in Ubud for Your First Time

Staying near the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the easiest way to get your bearings in Ubud without overcomplicating things. You are surrounded by temples, museums, cafés, and shops, all packed into a walkable stretch that lets you absorb the place effortlessly. For a first visit, it keeps everything simple and saves you from spending half your trip figuring out logistics.

This area also puts you in a strong position for day trips to Ubud’s headline sights, including Goa Gajah. Cooking classes, cultural workshops, and guided tours are everywhere, and food options range from no-frills local spots to some of the most loved restaurants in town. It is busy, it is touristy, yet it never veers into the overwhelming. For a first stay, that balance makes life easier while you figure out how deep into Ubud you want to go.

• Best For: First-time visitors
• Vibe: Central and lively
• Proximity: Around 1.5 hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport
• Transport: Fairly walkable
• Budget: Mid-range
• Crowds: Busy during the day

Things to Do Near the Monkey Forest

1. Of course, you can’t visit this area of Ubud without heading to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It is a Hindu temple complex that not only boasts amazing ancient architecture, but it’s also home to the beautiful macaque monkey!
2. Take a traditional Balinese cooking class and learn from some of the greatest local Balinese cooks.
3. Head east to the Goa Gajah Temple. Known locally as the Elephant Cave, there are loads of gaudy and interesting carvings to see.
4. To get an understanding of local culture, head to the Agung Rai Museum of Art, where you’ll find both contemporary and ancient examples of Balinese art.

Garden View Ubud | Best Hotel

Garden View Ubud feels like staying in the middle of a tropical forest rather than in Ubud, with a peaceful setting and plenty of space to breathe. The suites are roomy, with outdoor areas to sit outside, comfortable beds, large bathrooms, and air conditioning that actually works.

Despite the quiet location, the centre of town is close. Cutting behind the Monkey Forest puts you in central Ubud in about five to ten minutes on foot. There is a big shared swimming pool, genuinely friendly staff, and enough calm built into the place to make it feel like a retreat rather than just somewhere to sleep.

Kuna Bali | Best Hostel

Kuna Bali is a low-key oasis tucked down a quiet street just behind the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Days here are easy to fill. Free yoga in the morning, free massages when you start to feel months of dorm life setting in, and organised day trips if you want to explore without planning everything yourself. What really sets the place apart is the staff. They are genuinely warm, remember names, and make the whole place feel more like a small community than a revolving door of travellers.

Danu Guest House | Best Guesthouse

This guesthouse was originally built as a home base for travelling musicians, dancers, and artists. Shared spaces are set up for working, studying, and socialising, while a tucked-away meditation spot by a waterfall gives you somewhere to disappear when you need quiet.

It sits in Pengosekan, one of the more creative pockets of Ubud, surrounded by a long-established community of Balinese artists. Music, dance, and painting lessons are easy to arrange, along with organised day trips around the area.

2. Near Ubud Market – Best Place to Stay in Ubud on a Budget

Staying near Ubud Market is where Ubud becomes way more affordable. Being right in the centre cuts transport costs almost entirely, because most of the things people actually come to Ubud for are reachable on foot. Over a few days, not paying for constant rides adds up fast.

This area is packed with low-cost and free attractions. Temples, museums, palace grounds, and public green spaces fill the map, and wandering between them costs nothing but time. Food is easy and varied, with plenty of local warungs, bakeries, and casual cafés that keep prices sensible compared to resort-heavy areas.

• Best For: Budget travellers who want to stay central
• Vibe: Busy, practical, no-frills
• Proximity: Around 1.5 hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport
• Transport: Very walkable, minimal need for rides
• Budget: Budget to lower mid-range
• Crowds: Heavy during the day, especially mornings and early afternoon

Things to See and Do Near Ubud Market

1. If you want to see some amazing ancient architecture, head to Ubud Water Palace, in honor of the goddess Saraswati the goddess of learning, literature, and art.
2. To really get an understanding of the local people and communities, cycle along the Ubud Rice Field and Village which will take you through the local farming areas.
3. Ubud Art Market is a great place to take some snaps if you’re into photography!
4. You simply cannot visit Ubud without visiting its palace. With an amazing history, Ubud Palace plays host to some gorgeous dance performances and artwork.

Witantra house | Best Hotel

This place is cheap as chips and works perfectly as a base for exploring Ubud without draining your budget. The rooms are simple but well looked after, with comfortable beds, a decent-sized bathroom, and a small patio that looks out over a calm courtyard, which is a solid spot for slow mornings.

What makes it stand out is how easy it feels to stay here. You can make your own coffee, everything is central, and the place stays clean and low-key. The staff are genuinely friendly and accommodating, which makes the whole stay feel relaxed rather than transactional, especially for a budget option.

Pillow Inn Ubud | Best Hostel

Enjoy a stay in this modern and contemporary hostel, which provides you with a privacy pod for your own personal space. You can start your day with a complimentary breakfast, take a dip on the rooftop pool or enjoy a free yoga class every Wednesday to find your zen before embarking on your adventures!

Rupa Homestay | Best Homestay

For the price, this place seriously overdelivers. The rooms are not huge, but they are clean, comfortable, and genuinely cosy, which is more than enough when you are spending most of your time out exploring Ubud. The setting is part of a small housing complex with a quiet temple right inside, which adds a super cool dynamic to your Ubud stay. Location-wise, it is spot on. You’re a few steps from the centre of Ubud and surrounded by some very solid restaurant options, making it easy to stay central without paying central prices.

3. South Ubud – Best Place to Stay In Ubud for Nightlife

South Ubud sits just outside the most congested part of Ubud and feels like a pressure release valve after the market area. You are close enough to dip into the centre when you want cafés, temples, or shopping, but far enough out that the streets feel calmer and less boxed in. Traffic still exists, but it is less frantic and far more manageable.

Food is a strong point here. Restaurants skew slightly more local and less trend-driven, with plenty of solid Indonesian spots alongside relaxed bars that stay open later than most of central Ubud. Evenings feel social without tipping into chaos.

This is Ubud’s buzziest area for nightlife, but don’t expect a full-on rager like in Canggu. You’ll find bars with live music and cool cocktail menus, but ultimately everything winds down fairly early in Ubud. True to its cool, calm and chilled nature, Ubud will make sure you have an early night one way or another.

• Best For: Travellers who want nightlife without staying in the centre
• Vibe: Lively but less chaotic than central Ubud
• Proximity: Around 1.5 hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport
• Transport: Walkable in parts, GoJek and Grab useful
• Budget: Budget to mid-range
• Crowds: Moderate, busier in the evenings

Things to Do in South Ubud

1. Grab a ticket to one of the best shows in Ubud – a Barong Dance show! Each dance tells stories of ancient kings and wars, and the costumes are out of this world! A mesmerizing performance for you to enjoy in the setting of a traditional stage.
2. Head to one of Ubud’s best yoga retreats at Samyama Mindfulness Mediation Center for some unwinding time.
3. For a stunning sight, head down to the Tegenungan Waterfall. You can access it by some steep steps, so make sure you’re careful but once you’re down there, you can sit on the banks or even immerse yourself in a small bathing pool!
4. There are some great restaurants and bars in South Ubud, such as Lovin Bar & Restaurant and No Mas Bar!

Shiva House Ubud | Best Hotel

Just a five-minute walk from Ubud Palace is this charming hostel, presented in traditional Balinese architecture. Each room has a private bathroom and you can enjoy your own balcony with a view over the gardens for a little extra charge!

The Garcia Ubud Hotel & Resort | Best Splurge Hotel

This is a luxury hotel in a nutshell. Wake up beside a shimmering pool and treat yourself to a complimentary continental breakfast! Not quite the price of a dorm. Not nearly the price of a resort. This hotel is a sweet spot between feeling like a treat and not blowing your budget.

Villa Lush | Best Villa

When you want to relax, disconnect and unwind from your usual daily stresses, Villa Lush is a beautiful place to spend a peaceful getaway. Sitting beside rolling rice paddies, and featuring a lush shared garden with a glistening swimming pool, you can enjoy the tropical heat, cool breezes, and stunning views. For an entire VILLA, this place is a steal.

4. Penestanan – Coolest Place to Stay in Ubud

Penestanan sits just northwest of Ubud and feels like the town’s quieter side step. It is close enough to dip into the centre when needed, but far enough out that the noise, traffic, and foot traffic drop off quickly. Streets are narrower, greenery is thicker, and daily life moves at a noticeably slower pace.

This area attracts travellers who want Ubud as a backdrop rather than a constant event. You are surrounded by rice fields, small villages, and low-rise accommodation, with fewer shops and far less churn than central neighbourhoods. It feels residential and slightly artsy, with yoga studios, cafés, and independent stays rather than big hotels or nightlife strips.

One of the biggest draws is proximity to the Campuhan Ridge Walk, which starts just downhill and offers some of the easiest countryside access anywhere near Ubud. Morning walks, slower afternoons, and early nights are the default here.

• Best For: Longer stays, slow travel, remote work
• Vibe: Quiet, green, residential
• Proximity: Around 1.5 hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport
• Transport: Scooters or ride-hailing recommended
• Budget: Mid-range, good value for space
• Crowds: Low, especially early mornings and evenings

Things to Do in Penestanan

1. The Neka Art Museum offers some incredible artwork for you to peruse, mostly from local artists!
2. It wouldn’t be a visit to Penestanan without taking on the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Stroll through luscious hillsides where you’ll be spoilt for sweeping views and tranquil moments to take it all in.
3. For a different way to see your surroundings, head out to Love Swing Ubud, where you’ll be levitated in the air and rocked gently as you take in the amazing views.
4. The Museum Puri Lukisan boasts a huge collection of local artworks and sculptures in a delightful ancient building.
5. Yoga is one of the best things to do in Ubud. Head to Ubud Yoga House, where you’ll have first-class instructors teaching you the basics of this ancient art.
6. The Blanco Renaissance Museum features some of the best artwork from the famous Antonio Blanco. It also has some lovely gardens, a gift shop, and incredible hilltop views.

Taman Bintang Villa Ubud | Best Hotel

The place is calm, spacious, and tucked a few kilometres outside the centre of Ubud, close enough to walk in but far enough out to avoid the constant noise. Being surrounded by rice fields instead of traffic makes a noticeable difference, especially after a full day in town.

Breakfast is simple but consistently good, with something different each morning and no corners cut. It feels like the right distance from Ubud’s chaos, giving you quiet mornings and easy nights without feeling cut off or stranded.

Raditya Villa | Best Homestay

Here, you’ll be within walking distance of trendy bars and fancy restaurants but don’t worry. This homestay is a private oasis where you can relax and enjoy your own space and tranquillity. There is a gorgeous pool and each room has a lovely balance of traditional Balinese décor and contemporary convenience.

WW Backpackers | Best Hostel

Located on Campuhan Main Street is this easily accessed hostel, right in the hustle and bustle of Ubud’s exciting center. The hostel itself runs some fantastic activities including white water rafting, sunset trekking, and cycling tours, and you’ll even have the chance to hire a motorbike to aid your explorations!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Ubud

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Ubud.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Here’s what people usually ask me about the areas of Ubud and where to stay.

Vibrant culture, beautiful scenery, and fascinating history – Ubud has so much to offer to any type of traveller.

The best part of Ubud to stay in depends entirely on how you want your days to feel. Central areas keep everything walkable and busy, outer neighbourhoods swap out convenience for space and quiet, and each option presents a new side to Ubud.

For your first time, I 100% reccommend you stay near the Monkey Forest. It’s the perfect location to immerse yourself in the fascinating culture of the area without it feeling too overwhelming. If you want to go really off-grid, pick one of the outer neighbourhoods and check yourself into a homestay to soak up some epic rice paddy views.

No matter what side of Ubud you choose to see, I know you’ll have a blast. Chow amigos!