One of the major benefits of choosing to have a holiday in Bali is that you have an almost endless list of places you can visit whilst there. In fact, there are so many of them, that many people insist on returning to Bali on multiple holidays so that they can experience as much of what Bali has to offer as possible.
The diversity of places to visit in Bali is incredible, and your head could be forgiven for spinning as you try to plan out your itinerary. One way to make your planning easier is to focus your attention on the area of Bali that you are staying in, and for the purposes of this article, we are going to look at places that are located in and around Ubud.
Ubud is located towards the southeast of Bali and is a popular location for those tourists who want to experience some of the culture and traditions of Bali such as crafts and cooking. It is also a fantastic base for anyone who wishes to see some of the beauty and splendour of this idyllic island. With this in mind, here are 7 wonderful locations in and around Ubud, that you must try to visit during your time in Bali
Kanto Lampo Waterfall: Bali is famous for its many waterfalls, and one located near Ubud which is a magnet for those who want stunning photographs of this type of natural feature, is Kanto Lampo Waterfall. The sight of the crystal clear water cascading down the rocks is one to behold, and it is also a great location to cool off should you wish to stand within the falls or jump in the natural pool at the bottom.
Campuhan Ridge Walk: For a bit of light exercise, and a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours, you should make your way to Campuhan, where you will find its famous ridge walk. It measures only 1 ¼ miles so it should be suitable for holidaymakers of all ages. The best time to visit is in the late evening when you can take in one of the many stunning sunsets Bali offers.
Pura Tirta Empul Temple: This is most likely going to provide you with an experience that you have probably never had before, and that is to be cleansed and purified inside a Hindu temple. The holy water flows naturally from an underground spring and into one of two pools via no fewer than 30 ornate showers which is where the cleansing takes place.
Goa Gajah Elephant Cave: Before you become concerned, this is not a cave where elephants are kept but instead a former sanctuary which that was built back in the 9th century, was used as a place to meditate. The face carvings in the rock around the entrance to the cave were created to ward off evil spirits and as one of the largest of these was an elephant, that is why the name was given to the cave.
Saraswati Temple Water Palace: This temple, which is built from white and red stone, is surrounded by water on all sides. It is a wonderous location for photographs, especially when you see the beautiful lotus water flowers which add to the splendour. In the evening you can also enjoy a display of local dancing.
Ubud Rice Fields: If relaxing walks is your thing, then why not take a walk through a local rice field? It will take you less than an hour and is great way to take time away from the busier tourist spots.
Ubud Market: No holiday is complete without at least one shopping trip, and when in Ubud, that should include a visit to its local market. In the very early morning you can shop for local meats, fruit, and vegetables. After 9am is when the market changes to selling local arts, crafts, and souvenirs.