Ubud & Central Bali Holidays

Central Bali boasts those quintessential Indonesian landscapes of steeped rice terraces, serene lakes and lush river valleys by the bucket load. It's also home to the charming town of Ubud, which is often hailed as the spiritual heart of the island. While the yoga bunnies, organic foodies and spiritual healers now take centre stage in town, the performers and artisans that first drew travellers to the region still thrive in the surrounding villages. Situated just over an hour from the beaches of Southern Bali, we wholeheartedly recommend spending a few days here during Ubud and central Bali holidays; hole up in a charming boutique hotel or luxury spa resort on the outskirts of town and explore the beautiful countryside by foot or bicycle. As day trippers from the larger hotels in Southern Bali flock to the centre during the day, take the opportunity to escape by visiting artisans in nearby workshops where they carve wood, stone and silver, or perhaps chance upon a temple ceremony in one of the local villages.

Ubud & Central Bali holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

  • One Country Indonesia – Bali – Ubud – Jatiluwih – Belimbing – Jimbaran

    Family Fun in Bali - Rice Fields, Culture and Coastline

    Rally the family for a two-week adventure in Bali, weaving from Ubud's rice fields through Belimbing's countryside to Jimbaran Bay’s beachy finale

    14 days, from £3100 to £4000

  • One Country Indonesia – Bali – Java – Ubud – Belimbing – Kawah Ijen – Amed – Sidemen – Jimbaran

    Legendary Islands, Volcanoes and Private Villas - Active Indonesia with your Teens

    Explore Bali, trekking from beaches to forests and from rice paddies to markets, then make a detour to explore Java.

    20 days, from £3700 to £4950

  • One Country Indonesia – Lombok – Bali – Komodo

    The Ultimate Family Summer Holiday in Indonesia - Surf Sessions, Tropical Reefs & Sun-Soaked Shores

    Treat the family to a 15-day summer adventure in Indonesia, packed with surfing, snorkelling and island-hopping fun

    15 days, from £3900 to £5600

  • One Country Singapore – Indonesia – Sumatra – Bukit Lawang – Bali – Ubud – Pemuteran – Jimbaran

    Bali, Sumatra and Singapore - From City to Coast in Singapore and Indonesia

    Experience a delightful mix of city life, lush forests and beach landscapes on this two-week trip across Singapore and Indonesia

    16 days, from £4200 to £5450

  • One Country Indonesia - Magelang - Ubud - Sidemen - Labuan Bajo

    Java, Bali and Flores - The Best of Indonesian Nature

    Travel across three Indonesian islands – Java, Bali and Flores – on this romantic tour of Indonesia’s natural beauty

    14 days, from £4950 to £5900

  • One Country Indonesia – Bali – Flores & Komodo

    Bali and Komodo - A Grand Family Adventure

    Rally the family for two weeks of thrills in two of Indonesia’s most captivating regions, pairing bustling Bali with cool Komodo

    15 days, from £5100 to £6600

  • One Country Malaysia – Indonesia – Borneo

    Wildlife Wanderings - A Luxury Sabbatical in Malaysia and Indonesia

    Discover wonderful wildlife, lush jungle and pristine beaches on this month-long sabbatical across Malaysia and Indonesia

    30 days, from £11100 to £14400

  • One Country Indonesia – Java – Bali – Komodo – Sumba

    Romance and Rice Paddies - The Ultimate Indonesian Honeymoon

    Celebrate newlywed life with this ultimate Indonesian honeymoon, discovering the best of its nature, culture and scenery across four islands

    17 days, from £11750 to £15250

Ubud & Central Bali Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

After a late afternoon spa session, or a few lazy laps of the pool, venturing out for dinner you will find that Ubud is a completely different place. Many of the colourful boutiques that line Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanuman will still be open and blissfully shopper free, the soft tones of Jazz will float out from roadside cafes, and a handful of candlelit restaurants will be serving up some of the finest Balinese cuisine on the island.

Due to its central location, Ubud also makes a great base from which to explore many of Bali's sights, including the beautiful Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple, which seemingly floats on Lake Bratan, and the impending peaks of Mount Agung and Mount Bratan in the East. Though for those who really want to get away from it all, there are some wonderful hotels opening up in lesser known spots. Our favourite is the hilltop town of Munduk, which offers stunning views over Bali's north coast on a clear day, one of the most picturesque infinity pools at Munduk Moding Plantation, and some seriously impressive waterfalls to trek to.

Original Highlight

As the spiritual heart of Bali, the focus on relaxation and healing here is amazing – as are the many spas and spa resorts to choose from.