Is Ubud, Bali still worth visiting, or has one of Bali’s most famous destinations become too touristy? We spent time exploring Ubud on foot to see what it’s really like today — beyond the Instagram photos and tourist attractions.
In this Ubud Bali travel guide, we explore the busy streets of central Ubud, local shops, Balinese art and architecture, the Ubud Art Market, Ubud Palace and the beautiful Saraswati Temple (Ubud Water Palace). We walk past the famous Sacred Monkey Forest and take on the Campuhan Ridge Walk — a place Jan remembered very differently from her visit in 2019.
Ubud has long been known as Bali’s cultural and spiritual heart, famous for its temples, traditional arts, lush landscapes, yoga, wellness retreats and rice fields. But Ubud has also changed. Traffic is busy, some of the most famous attractions can feel crowded, and places that once offered incredible views aren’t necessarily the same experience today.
So is Ubud worth visiting in 2026? Is Ubud too touristy? And can you still find an authentic side of Ubud?
Rather than simply checking off a list of the “best things to do in Ubud,” we wanted to slow down, walk the streets and experience the town for ourselves. And despite the crowds, we found that some of our favourite moments came simply from exploring on foot — discovering the lush side streets, cafés, temples, shops, art and everyday details that still make Ubud feel quintessentially Bali.
We’ll also show you around our hotel room and share some of the realities we discovered along the way, including why it’s important to check recent photos, reviews and videos when planning a Bali trip. Destinations change — sometimes surprisingly quickly.
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If you’re planning a trip to Ubud, Bali, we hope this video helps you decide how long to stay, what to see, what might be worth skipping, and whether Ubud deserves a place on your Bali itinerary.
In this video: Ubud Bali • things to do in Ubud • Ubud travel guide • Ubud Art Market • Ubud Palace • Saraswati Temple / Ubud Water Palace • Campuhan Ridge Walk • Sacred Monkey Forest area • walking Ubud • Bali temples • Ubud streets • Bali culture • Ubud tourism • authentic Ubud • Ubud tourist traps • is Ubud worth visiting • is Ubud too touristy • Ubud hotel • Ubud costs
#bali #ubud #indonesia #balitravelvlog
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Monkey Forest Street
02:10 Streets of Ubud
05:00 Ubud Art Market
06:25 Ubud Royal Palace
07:30 Saraswati Temple (Ubud Water Palace)
09:55 Hidden Streets & Cafes in Ubud
13:30 Ubud Pedestrian Street
15:00 Campuhan Ridge Walk
17:10 Ubud Hotel Tour & Cost
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