Best 20-Day Trips from Ubud by Region For 2026 

Ubud sits right in the heart of Bali, which means you're never more than two hours from jungle waterfalls, sacred temples, or black sand beaches. 

Whether you're chasing sunrise views from a volcano, wandering through emerald rice terraces, or snorkeling off a neighboring island, these 20-day trips from Ubud cover the full spectrum of what Bali does best. Most are doable in a half or full day, and we've included driving times, combo ideas, and practical tips to help you plan.

Is it possible to explore Bali from Ubud?

The short answer is yes! With careful planning and time management, it’s entirely possible for you to explore Bali from north to south in one day/ It’ll be a tight squeeze, but it’s not impossible.

Ubud sits right in the heart of Bali, the perfect midway point for your direction of travel. Shortcuts can take you into the city, and the convenient toll road can have you bypass travel time and save a few precious minutes!

Here is our recommended day trip itinerary for Ubud divided into regions for easier planning.

Around Ubud

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

The most famous rice terraces near Ubud, and for good reason. The stepped green slopes are ridiculously photogenic, especially in the morning when the light is soft and the tour buses haven't arrived yet. You can walk through the terraces on designated paths, grab a coffee at one of the cliff-edge cafes, or just take in the view from above.

It's only 20 minutes north of central Ubud, so this is an easy add-on to almost any itinerary. 

Drive time: 20 minutes
Best for: First-timers, Instagram shots, quick morning trips

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Technically this one's already in Ubud, but it deserves a mention. The trail runs along a narrow ridge between two river valleys, with tall grass on either side and views that stretch for miles. It's an easy 2-kilometer walk perfect for sunrise or late afternoon when the heat backs off.

Drive time: 10 minutes from central Ubud
Best for: Morning walks, budget-friendly outings, staying close to home

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

This 9th-century cave sanctuary is carved with demons and mythological figures, and the entrance alone is worth the trip. A giant open-mouthed face swallowing visitors whole. Inside, there are small meditation chambers dating back centuries.

The site also includes ancient bathing pools and a small temple complex. It's quick to explore so it's easy to tack onto a bigger itinerary.

Drive time: 10 minutes
Best for: History enthusiasts, temple collectors, quick cultural stops

Ubud Culture Loop

If you're short on time, you can cover a lot of ground without leaving Ubud. Start with the Monkey Forest (cheeky macaques and ancient temple ruins), wander through Ubud Market for souvenirs, grab a quick snack along the infamous Goutama street then hit the Ubud Palace for traditional dance performances in the evening.

Throw in lunch at CLEAR Cafe and you've got a solid half-day itinerary without the drive time.

Drive time: All within Ubud
Best for: Cloudy days, tight schedules, first-day exploration

Tegenungan Waterfall

It is the most accessible waterfall near Ubud, which also makes it the busiest. Tegenungan is wide and powerful, dropping into a large pool where you can swim carefully; the current can be strong. 

Don’t feel like hiking all the way down? Just stop by OMMA Day Club for the views with the light bites.

Drive time: 25 minutes
Best for: Easy access, families, quick waterfall stop

Whitewater Rafting – Ayung River

If you'd rather be on the water than looking at it, the Ayung River offers epic rapids through jungle scenery. The rafting tours usually last 2–3 hours and include a light meal. It's a fun, active way to spend a morning, and you'll see waterfalls and rice terraces from a completely different angle.

Drive time: 15–30 minutes depending on starting point
Best for: Adventure seekers, families, group outings

East Bali

Tukad Cepung Waterfall

This waterfall is semi hidden inside a cave, with light beams filtering through the opening above and hitting the spray. When the sun aligns just right (usually mid-morning), the whole scene glows. It's mystical, almost otherworldly.

The path down involves wading through a shallow river, so bring water shoes and a dry bag for your phone.

Drive time: 40 minutes
Best for: Photographers, unique landscapes, combining with Tibumana

Besakih Mother Temple

Bali's largest and holiest temple complex, built on the slopes of Mount Agung. Besakih is massive with over 80 individual temples spread across terraces that climb up the mountainside. The views are stunning, the architecture is intricate, and the whole place feels ancient in a way that's hard to describe.

Drive time: 1.5 hours
Best for: Temple enthusiasts, volcano views, cultural deep dives

Penglipuran Traditional Village

One of Indonesia's most popular heritage villages, Penglipuran is a living Balinese community where traditional architecture and customs are still practiced. The houses all follow the same layout, with bamboo gates and immaculate courtyards.

You can walk through freely, visit a family compound, and learn about traditional village life. It's peaceful, educational, and a nice contrast to temple-hopping.

Drive time: 1.5 hours
Best for: Families, culture seekers, combining with Besakih

Sidemen Valley

Sidemen is what Ubud felt like 20 years ago: quiet, rural, unspoiled. The valley stretches out beneath Mount Agung, with rice fields, traditional villages, and barely any tourists. You can trek through the terraces, visit local weavers, or just drive through slowly with the windows down.

This is the kind of place where you stop at a warung for lunch and end up staying twice as long because the view is so good you don't want to leave.

Drive time: 1 hour
Best for: Slow travel, cultural immersion, off-the-beaten-path vibes

Taman Ujung Water Palace

This former royal palace from the early 1900s sits in East Bali with dramatic views of Mount Agung. The complex blends Balinese, Chinese, and Dutch architectural styles, with floating pavilions connected by bridges over large ornamental ponds.

It's less crowded than nearby Tirta Gangga, which means you'll likely have the sprawling 10-hectare grounds mostly to yourself. The elevated viewpoints offer stunning panoramas across the water gardens to the ocean beyond.

Often paired with Tirta Gangga for a complete East Bali water palace experience.

Drive time: 1.5–2 hours
Best for: Photographers, history buffs, combining with Lempuyang or Besakih

North Bali

Mount Batur Sunrise Hike

The classic Bali adventure. You start hiking at 4 AM, reach the summit just before sunrise, and watch the sun come up over the volcanic landscape with Lake Batur glowing below. 

It's touristy, yes, but it's popular for a reason. The views are legitimately stunning, and there's something about watching sunrise from the top of an active volcano that stays with you.

Drive time: 1.5 hours to trailhead
Best for: Early risers, bucket list tickers, combining with hot springs afterward

Lempuyang Temple + Amed Snorkeling Combo

Lempuyang is famous for the "Gates of Heaven" shot; the split temple gates with Mount Agung framed perfectly in the background. The Instagram hype is real, and so is the line for photos. But the temple complex itself is stunning, with seven levels climbing up the mountainside.

If you're driving all the way to East Bali, add on snorkeling in Amed or Tulamben (home to the USAT Liberty shipwreck). The underwater visibility here is some of the best in Bali.

Drive time: 2 hours to Lempuyang; 2.5 hours to Amed
Best for: Instagrammers, divers, full-day itineraries

West Bali

Tanah Lot Temple

One of Bali's most photographed temples, perched on a rock formation surrounded by crashing waves. Sunset is prime time with the whole place glowing gold as the sun drops into the ocean. The catch is everyone knows this, so it gets absolutely mobbed.

Arrive by 4:30 PM to stake out a good spot, and bring a sarong for temple entry. The surrounding area is packed with souvenir stalls and restaurants.

Drive time: 1.5 hours
Best for: Sunset chasers, temple collectors, scenic drives

Taman Ayun Water Temple

Also known as Mengwi Temple, this 17th-century royal temple was constructed by the King of Mengwi. The name translates to "beautiful garden," and the complex lives up to it with multi-tiered shrines surrounded by lotus ponds and a large moat.

It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Balinese temple architecture. The towering meru shrines create a stunning skyline, especially in the late afternoon light. Unlike busier temples, Taman Ayun maintains a peaceful atmosphere perfect for wandering the outer courtyards.

It pairs naturally with Tanah Lot as they're in the same direction from Ubud.

Drive time: 1 hour
Best for: Architecture lovers, peaceful temple visits, combining with Tanah Lot

South Bali

Nusa Penida / Nusa Lembongan

The offshore islands are technically doable as a day trip, but it's ambitious. You'll need to leave Ubud by 6 AM, drive to Sanur (1.5 hours), take a fast boat (45 minutes), then spend about 4–5 hours island-hopping before reversing the journey.

Nusa Penida has dramatic cliff views (Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong), while Lembongan is more laid-back with better beaches. 

Drive time + boat: 2.5–3 hours each way
Best for: Adventurous types, snorkeling, iconic viewpoints

Canggu + FINNS Beach Club

Canggu has a completely different energy from Ubud: surfy, beachy, full of cafes and beach clubs. Spend the day at FINNS for the full Canggu experience (infinity pools, ocean views, DJ sets, sunset sips) or explore the black sand beaches and surf breaks.

Drive time: 1–1.5 hours
Best for: Beach lovers, pool days, surf watching

Sanur 

Sanur offers calm, family-friendly beaches with good snorkeling spots just offshore. Both make for relaxed, low-key beach days if you're craving to sink your toes in the sand and need some serious vitamin sea.

Drive time: 1 hour to Sanur; 1.5 hours to Padang Bai
Best for: Snorkelers, beach days, combining with Goa Lawah Temple

Tips for Planning Day Trips from Ubud

Start early. Anything more than two hours away means a 7 AM departure if you want to beat crowds and midday heat. Sunrise trips like Mount Batur require even earlier starts.

Hire a private driver. Public transport in Bali is limited, and ride-hailing apps only work in certain areas. A private driver for a full day costs 600,000–800,000 IDR (about $40–50 USD), and they'll handle parking, navigation, and waiting around while you explore. Most hotels and guesthouses can arrange this.

Pack smart. Bring cash (many places don't take cards), a sarong (required for temples), a dry bag (for waterfalls), sunscreen, and snacks. Phone signals can be spotty in rural areas, so download offline maps.

Beat the crowds. Major temples and Mount Batur are busiest between 8 AM and noon. Aim to arrive before 8 or after 1 PM when day-trippers have cleared out.

Ubud's central location makes it one of the best bases for exploring Bali's diverse landscapes. You can hike an active volcano at sunrise, float down jungle rivers by midday, and watch the sunset from a clifftop temple all in the same day (if you're ambitious enough!).

The beauty of these day trips is that they let you experience multiple sides of Bali without constantly packing up and changing hotels. Ancient temples, emerald rice terraces, hidden waterfalls, offshore islands; they're all within reach, and most are achievable in a half or full day with early starts and good planning.

Kickstart your daytrip from Ubud by making a quick stop at AME Bistro, where you can fill up on delicious breakfasts and a solid cup of coffee before crossing off your bucketlists, check our menu here and plan your perfect start. 

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