So, you’ve got forty-eight hours in Ubud and you want to pack it full with as many activities as you can. We get it. Not everyone has the time or money for slow, leisurely travel. Most of us are just out here trying to get by and also see some cool stuff at the same time! We feel ya. Which is why we created this 48-hour must-see list of Ubud maximizing worth your holiday visit because your time is important and so are you. And because Ubud is a must-see location with some must-see activities, we know where to come in. We also know that planning an itinerary is not exactly how one should spend their precious holiday time.

Sit back and enjoy the ride because we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you!

[Day 01 | 8:00-10:00 am] Goa Gajah

Hit the ground running with an early start and go check out Goa Gajah (also known as Ubud’s Elephant Cave). Goa Gajah is a Buddhist spiritual centre built for meditation and dates back to the 11th century. The cave boasts a collection of sacred statues and structures and is only six kilometres outside Ubud’s centre. Start your day right, in a sacred cave amongst meditation and serenity before you head off into adventure for the rest of your day.

[Day 01 | 11:00 am-1:00 pm] Ubud Market

Make sure you stop and check out the popular Ubud market where both locals and tourist congregate in a sea of humanity to purchase, trade and socialize on a daily basis. Here you’ll be able to grab all those beautiful Bali trinkets you’ve been seeking. (We know you want your friends to envy all of your cool travel finds.)  It’s a one stop shop for everything under the sun, from exotic street food to quality clothes to jewelry and art. And it’s worth the stop just to people-watch and watch the locals interact.

[Day 01 | 3:00 - 5:30 pm] Don Antonio Blanco Museum

Don Antonio Blanco is said to be the most famous artist that ever called Bali home. Of Spanish heritage but raised in the Philippines and educated in New York, the artist was given land by the King of Ubud. There, Don Antonio built a studio and continued to create art for the duration of his life. His focus was on the human body, more specifically the female form. His dream was to have his studio turned into a museum and sure enough, you can visit it yourself.

Make sure you make some time for this interesting piece of Ubud history during your forty-eight hour stint! If art and culture is your thing, this should definitely be on your list!

[Day 01 | 6:30 pm - Till you’ve eaten your fill] Sunset Munchies at Sweet Orange Warung

By now, if you’ve spent any time in Bali at all, you’ve without a doubt been to a warung. These casual eating spots are peppered throughout and Sweet Orange Warung should be at the top of your list! Just a brief 10-minute walk off the main road, Sweet Orange offers the perfect location of peace & tranquility all while being nestled amongst the beautiful rice fields of Ubud. Come taste the wonderful treats created by chef/owner Putu as she’s mastered using traditional Balinese cuisine with western culinary techniques. And on the most evenings, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best sunsets in all Southeast Asia. This is a great time to wind down, balance your soul and replenish your energy reserves for tomorrow!

[Day 02 | 8:00 am - 10:00 am] Trek the Kajeng Rice Paddies

One cannot go to Ubud and not see the rice paddies. It simply isn’t done. So what better way to start your second day then by taking a peaceful stroll through the legendary rice paddies. And the Kajeng rice paddies are close enough for you to easily fit it into your schedule. Here you’ll be able to take all the Balinese photos you want as you check out the locals going about their lives. Stop to see temples and also local animals on a leisurely walk. Sounds like the perfect way to start a day.

[Day 02 | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm] Green School/Green Camp

Green School is a must see while you are in Ubud and it truly is one of a kind. It is part campground, part education facility and its goal is to educate children about sustainability and the future preservation of the environment. That’s right - you get to take your kids on vacation AND teach them something. Chances are a visit here will inspire you to come back to do one of their multi-day camps but you will certainly leave the venue feeling inspired and even educated! The grounds and buildings on the camp are beautiful and worth the visit alone. Make sure not to miss it!

[Day 02 | 3:00 - 5:00 pm] Coffee Kopi Luwak Tour

Coffee Kopi Luwak will without a doubt be an interesting experience to try and also learn about because - well, it’s coffee made from poop. Yes, you read that right. It’s essentially a delicacy, as it is made from coffee beans that the local Asian palm civet (or Toddy Cat) eats and then, well, for lack of a better word - poops out. The Asian palm civet scours the jungle for these coffee beans and once they’re digested, they make for an extremely delicious cup of coffee. Don’t ask us how this came to be found out in the first place. You’ll need to take the tour to find out! We don’t ask questions when there are delicious coffee involved.

[Day 02 | 6:00 pm - into the night] Traditional Performances (Kecak Dance)

Kecak Fire & Trance Dance is a traditional Balinese performance that you need to make sure you don’t miss! This is an iconic part of Balinese culture and is the perfect way to end off your epic forty-eight hour Ubud adventure. It’s a beautiful performance, mixed with dance, music and fire. We don’t want to tell you too much because you really do need to see it for yourself. It’s recommended to pre-order your tickets as during peak season performances will frequently sellout.

And there you have it! A jam-packed forty-eight hour guide to get you the most out of your time in one of Bali’s most talked about spots. Even at its most basic purpose, it’ll be sure to tire the kids out so you don’t have to!