Bali was never somewhere I really wanted to visit. You see, growing up in Australia it was seen as Australia’s version of Benidorm: full of drunk bogans. I remember vividly sitting in history class and our history teacher, Ms O’Connor, playing us this song.
But 54 countries down, my 55th unexpectedly became Indonesia as I found myself travelling to Bali to visit Ubud and Uluwatu.
Just one month prior, one of my BFF’s in Australia called me and asked if I could fly to Uluwatu in Bali a few weeks later to surprise our other BFF for her birthday. The little girl group I’d known for fifteen years were travelling to Bali to celebrate, and I just couldn’t say no to all the benefits of the trip, the main one surprising Rach and making her happy, but the second being quality girl time.
After all some times you just need your girl friends around you when shi*t hits the fan.
The girls had booked a villa in Uluwatu for four nights, but given I had never been to Bali before and was flying thousands of miles and 24-hours, I wanted to see a bit more of the island.
Everyone I spoke to said I’d love Ubud, so I booked my hotels and started planning out my two night solo stay in Ubud, before I then joined the girls in Uluwatu on the Thursday.
TLDR; I LOVED Ubud. But…
Wanna know the best way to spend two days in Ubud as a solo traveller? Let’s go!
I spent two nights in Ubud with a full day and a half day. I arrived late in the evening on the Tuesday, had the full day on Wednesday, then left for Uluwatu Thursday afternoon. Honestly part of me wishes I’d had one extra day, so at the end of this guide I’ll tell you what I would have done if I’d had that extra time!
But, don’t fear, you can still have an incredible solo trip if you’re only there for two nights like I was.
Where to Stay in Ubud
There are sooo many amazing hotels in Ubud (and Bali in general), and they’re all super cheap. I had such a hard time deciding which one to choose, that in the end I chose to stay one night each in two different hotels.
I booked a night at the Blue Karma Dijiwa Ubud, which is a small but beautiful boutique hotel out in the countryside about 20-mins north of Ubud, and a night at the Arma Museum & Resort which is right in the centre and much larger.
I actually really enjoyed experiencing two different places, so if you’re indecisive like me I’d 100% recommend doing this. If not, then I’d recommend staying in central Ubud to make it easier to get around – Bali traffic is truly insane!
Things to do in Ubud in Two Days
I feel as though I had a really good mix of activities, food, and relaxing time in Ubud, so I really hope this helps those of you looking for a similar solo trip to the one I enjoyed!
1. Tegallalang Rice Terrace
You really can’t visit Ubud without visiting a rice terrace.
The Tegallalang Rice Terrace (also known as the Ceking terrace) is the most famous, and is ridiculously beautiful. It’s a 20-minute drive from central Ubud in good traffic.
But be warned, it gets super busy, and you also need decent walking shoes if you’re going to climb over the terraces.
I went to Bali in August and the terraces were very wet and slippy. I was wearing Birkenstocks and wish I’d worn trainers.
There are loads of view points, restaurants, and swings all along Tegallalang, so just have a look at the one you’d like to visit and pre-book a few days in advance. I chose to go to Tis Cafe, and enjoyed a beautiful lunch before walking up to the terrace in the middle.
2. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud is one of the must-do activities in the local area. I had the BEST time there and really, really loved seeing the Macaques up close! The baby ones were so cute and cheeky, and I couldn’t stop snapping away on my camera.
There are lots of stories online of the monkeys attacking people and stealing phones and sunglasses, but thankfully I didn’t have any issues. I’d say just be prepared and don’t take any food with you, don’t touch them, and don’t look them in the eye, and you’ll be fine.
It’s well worth doing and was one of my favourite activities in Ubud!
3. Get a Massage at INKA Ubud
Like most people, I’m a huge fan of a relaxing massage to unwind. I especially love having them after a long-haul flight as it has lots of benefits for your circulation. I actually ended up having a massage every day in Bali because they’re so cheap vs London prices.
One of my favourites though, was at INKA in central Ubud. This spa you guys. It is DREAMY. It’s so so beautiful, really calm and peaceful, very contemporary, and I fell into such a deep sleep I was so relaxed.
4. Ubud Water Palace
The Ubud Water Palace, also known as Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, is a tiny palace in the heart of Ubud dedicated to Sarasvati, the Hindu deity of learning, literature and art. Built in 1952 for the Balinese Royal family, it looks much older than it is, and is set on a large lotus pond.
It won’t take you long to explore because you can’t actually go inside it, you can only see the outside and it’s fairly small. It only costs IDR 50,000 (£2.50 / $3.25USD) for entrance though, so it’s a very small amount of money and it was lovely walking over the lotus pond and seeing the temple up-close.
5. Shopping
Bali is known for the shopping, and Ubud has a ridiculous amount of cute, boutique shops all up and down the main central strip. Take advantage of the numerous organic and ethical clothing shops, or there are the markets and handicrafts if that’s more your thing.
6. Relax!
Don’t forget to relax – Bali is all about relaxation and peace and tranquility. Enjoy your resort, lay by the pool with a good book, and just make the most of Ubud’s beautiful weather and jungle.
Where to Eat in Ubud
Ubud has a lot of incredible food options, so I felt totally spoilt for choice!
Tis Cafe
I visited Tis Cafe because it came so highly recommended, and has the most incredible views over the Tegallalang Rice Terrace. I loved their Lychee Iced Tea, and I was v basic and had the avocado on toast, which was delicious.
There’s also an infinity swimming pool and a swing for photo opportunities if that’s your thing, and there’s a path that takes you over to the rice terrace itself (just be warned, it is not accessible in the slightest and also not good if you don’t like heights as you have to cross a river on a bridge made of scaffolding pipes).
Honey & Smoke
My gosh, I had the most incredible meal at Honey & Smoke. It’s right in central Ubud and owned by Australian celebrity chef, Will Meyrick, who’s renowned for Southeast Asian cuisine.
It’s just such a beautiful restaurant – great service, stunning interiors, and the cocktails and food were out-of-this-world good!! This place is unmissable IMO.
Botanist Restaurant
The Botanist restaurant is the restaurant inside Blue Karma Dijiwa Ubud. I dined there on my first night when their cultural show was on, and the food was incredible!
Make sure you get the Matcha Chicken Cashew, a sensational comfort dish of Chicken breast matcha with sauteed mushroom, capsicum & dried chili, that filled my rumbling belly, and the Dadar Gulung, which is Butterfly pea crepes rolls filled up with caramelized grated coconut and palm sugar. The meal was very cheap, and very delicious!!
Oakberry Acai Bowls
I know, I know. Oakberry is a global chain these days. But I love it so much you guys! They do the best Acai bowls and smoothies, and being nervous about getting Bali Belly, I figured Oakberry would be a safe way to get a healthy fruit fix.
Sweet Orange Warung
Now, this is one I haven’t actually tried and tested myself. It’s actually a restaurant my boss recommended to me, but I didn’t have time to try it out. He said it was their favourite restaurant of his and his wife’s entire Bali trip, and to be fair it looks amazing! So if you go to Ubud, make sure you go!
Bonus: Day trip to the waterfalls and temples
Now, this is what I would have done with one extra full day in Ubud – I would have done a day trip out with a guide to the waterfalls and temples!
The guides are ridiculously cheap – you can find one on Get Your Guide for just £15-£25 for a full day tour, and they’ll take you to various waterfalls and temples in the Ubud area, and will help you take photos too.
I didn’t do this on my full day in Ubud because I really wanted to take things slow and relaxed, but if I had an extra day I absolutely would have done this.
Bali’s Jungle Gem
I found it super interesting visiting Uluwatu after Ubud. Ubud is definitely more my vibe and I can 100% see why everyone told me I’d love it. I adore being in the countryside and surrounded by nature and trees (I love hugging a good tree, haha, I just feel so soothed when trees are around me), and it really helped me relax after a difficult few months health-wise.
I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough time in Bali, especially Ubud, and even though I’d have enjoyed an extra day, two days was actually a perfect taste of the area and I left feeling content and happy with what I’d seen and experienced. After all, I’d seen the most incredible waterfall in St Lucia earlier this year, and when you’ve seen one waterfall, you’ve seen them all – right?
