Quick answer: A rewarding Ubud temple drive links the holy spring temple of Tirta Empul, the carved royal tombs at Gunung Kawi, and the Tegalalang rice terraces, finishing in Ubud town for galleries and the palace. The roads are narrow and lush, so a calm, comfortable car suits this jungle route best.
If South Bali is the island’s playground, Ubud is its soul. Set among river gorges, jungle and emerald rice terraces, it is the centre of Balinese art, dance and spirituality — a place of water temples, carved cliffs and incense drifting from family shrines. The best way to take it in is a slow, thoughtful drive that strings together the highlights with time to absorb each one.
This route is built for travellers who want culture and calm in equal measure, with notes on timing and what to drive.
Begin north of Ubud at Tirta Empul, one of Bali’s most sacred temples, where for over a thousand years pilgrims have bathed in the spring-fed purification pools. Arrive early, before the tour groups, to see the ritual at its most serene. Watching the water rise from the earth into the bathing pools is a quietly moving start to the day.
Etiquette: a sarong is required (provided at the entrance), and there are respectful rules for entering the pools.
A short drive away, Gunung Kawi rewards the descent: a long staircase through the rice fields leads down into a river valley where ten-metre-high shrines are carved directly into the rock face, flanking a stream. It is one of Bali’s oldest and most atmospheric monuments, and far quieter than the headline sites.
Drive south toward Ubud and the famous Tegalalang rice terraces unfold across a steep valley — the classic image of cultivated Bali. Walk a section of the terraces, then settle into one of the valley-edge cafés for lunch with the green amphitheatre laid out below. The roadside here gets busy by noon, so a manoeuvrable car helps.
Finish in Ubud town itself. The Sacred Monkey Forest sanctuary, the Royal Palace (Puri Saren), the art market and the galleries of the Campuhan area can fill an afternoon at an easy pace. Time things to catch a Legong or Kecak dance performance at the palace in the evening for a memorable close.
Ubud’s appeal is its calm, and the roads reflect it: narrow, winding and often busy in the centre. A comfortable, easily handled car is ideal:
Because Ubud’s central streets are tight and parking is limited at the temples, many visitors find this drive far more relaxing with a car and an English-speaking driver — leaving you free to focus on the temples, not the traffic. We can deliver to your Ubud villa; for the area in detail, see luxury car rental in Ubud, or browse the complete luxury car rental in Bali fleet.
If you have extra time, Ubud’s surroundings reward a longer day:
Cluster these by direction so you’re not doubling back, and keep the pace gentle — Ubud rewards lingering.
For a wider tour of the island’s roads, pair this with our guide to the best scenic drives in Bali, or build it into a full Bali road trip itinerary.
What temples should I see on an Ubud drive?
Tirta Empul (holy spring), Gunung Kawi (carved royal tombs) and Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave) are the classics, paired with the Tegalalang rice terraces and Ubud town’s palace and Monkey Forest.
Is it easy to drive in Ubud?
The roads are narrow, winding and busy in the centre, with limited temple parking. Confident drivers manage well, but many prefer a driver for a calmer, more cultural day.
What should I wear to Ubud’s temples?
A sarong covering the legs is required at every temple; most provide them at the entrance, but bringing your own is convenient. Shoulders should also be covered.
What’s the best car for an Ubud temple drive?
A comfortable, quiet luxury sedan suits the lanes, while a compact SUV adds clearance for the rural temple roads. For couples, comfort and calm matter more than power here.
We’ll arrange the right car — and a driver who knows Ubud’s temples and timing — for an unhurried day in Bali’s cultural heart. WhatsApp +62 811-2859-0000 or email sales@balipremiumtrip.com. Based in Seminyak, replies in minutes, 24/7 — 4.9★ from 127 guests, a Juara Holding Group brand.
