Ubud suits time alone because so much of it is built around doing something: looking at paintings, learning a craft, watching a dance at night or walking a ridge in the morning. You can fill a day with places that expect solo visitors to wander, sit and watch.
Checked 2026-11-01 against official sites and Indonesia's tourism board.
Start with the paintings
ARMA Museum (Pengosekan). The Agung Rai Museum of Art opened on 9 June 1996. Its permanent collection ranges from classical Kamasan painting on tree bark to Batuan masters of the 1930s and 1940s, with works by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad and Walter Spies. ARMA describes itself as more than a museum, with a bookshop, library and reading room, workshops and performances (ARMA: museum). Museum hours are not listed on the page, so check with ARMA before you go (ARMA: location and contact).
Neka Art Museum (Peliatan). The museum shows its collection in several Balinese-style buildings and lists Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm, closed on national holidays. Admission to the permanent collection is Rp 20,000 for adults and free for children 12 and under (Neka Art Museum: general information). Both are quiet places where a solo visitor with a slow pace is the norm. For the habit in general, see how to visit a museum alone.
Evening dance at ARMA
ARMA's open stage lists three recurring performances: the Ramayana Ballet every Friday at 7 pm (Rp 150,000 per person), Barong Prakpak every Sunday at 7 pm (Rp 150,000), and Kecak Sang Hyang Jaran every Saturday at 7 pm with live music and a buffet dinner (Rp 350,000). Prices as listed, last checked 2026-11-01 (ARMA: performances). A seat at a dance performance asks nothing of you except to watch, which makes it an easy first evening alone.
The Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) was the royal residence and is now a museum and a hub for traditional Balinese arts. Indonesia's tourism board notes you can visit in the evening for traditional performances (Indonesia Travel: Ubud top 10).
Make something with your hands
Threads of Life (Jalan Kajeng 24). A textile store and gallery that also teaches natural-dye classes. The store on Jalan Kajeng and the gallery on Jalan Raya Lungsiakan are listed open daily 10 am to 6 pm (Threads of Life: contact). The Dye Studio lists half-day Natural Dye Batik and Indigo Tie Dye classes, plus multi-day studio classes (Threads of Life Dye Studio: half-day classes). Batik was recognised by UNESCO in 2009, and the studio describes the dot-by-dot work as meditative. A class means you sit beside strangers with the same task in front of you.
ARMA workshops. ARMA lists a Rindik workshop (a short lesson on the bamboo gamelan instrument, 2 hours), yoga and a sunrise "Golden Hour" journey with its founder, 3 to 4 hours and available on demand through reception (ARMA: cultural workshops).
Walk out of town
Campuhan Ridge Walk (Campuhan). Indonesia's tourism board calls it a good option for trekkers and joggers: about 2 km, 15 to 20 minutes to the peak, with views of green hills and sunset colours. There are no eateries on the way, so take food and drink (Indonesia Travel: Ubud top 10).
Tegallalang Rice Terrace. A set of paddies following the subak irrigation system, a short 20-minute drive north of Ubud. The board says you can go by taxi or your own rented vehicle, and allow 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to explore. Bring water and sunscreen (Indonesia Travel: Tegallalang).
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Padangtegal). A nature reserve and temple complex, open 9 am to 6 pm with last entrance at 5 pm. The sanctuary asks visitors not to bring food, drink or plastic, to keep a distance, to avoid direct eye contact with the monkeys, to dress respectfully and to stay out of sacred areas (Monkey Forest: home, Monkey Forest: guidelines).
Temples and the market
- Goa Gajah (Bedulu). The Elephant Cave has four complexes. Indonesia's tourism board says a sarong and sash are required and can be rented on site.
- Tirta Empul (Tampaksiring). A holy-spring temple. To join the bathing ritual, wear traditional attire or a yellow sash and use no soap or shampoo. If you prefer not to bathe, you can walk the gardens.
- Ubud Art Market (central Ubud). Souvenirs and handicrafts, with prices often negotiable and cafes nearby.
All three are described in the board's guide (Indonesia Travel: Ubud top 10). Browsing a market alone is a gentle way to practise small talk; price haggling is a ready-made conversation.
First solo outings
- Easy: Neka Art Museum in the morning, then a seat at the Friday or Sunday dance at ARMA.
- Medium: A half-day batik or indigo class at the Threads of Life Dye Studio.
- Bold: Campuhan Ridge Walk early, then the rice terraces at Tegallalang, with your return plan set before you leave.
For more on travelling alone, see first solo trip tips and the cities hub. Other Indonesian and nearby city guides: Yogyakarta, Jakarta and Singapore.
Entry and the tourist levy
Bali's government says international tourists pay a levy of IDR 150,000 through the Love Bali system, under Bali Provincial Regulation Number 2 of 2025 (Love Bali). Before you travel, read the official advisory for Indonesia (Smartraveller: Indonesia). Conditions change; check the official sources before you go.
Solo Era for iPhone
Make something in a group class
Solo Era has a people mission at level 2: "Tell a class instructor it is your first time." Book a natural-dye class at the Threads of Life Dye Studio on your own and say so at the start; it is a small, low-stakes way to begin a class among strangers. Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.
Details change; check the venue before you go.
FAQ
Are the Ubud dance performances every night?
ARMA lists three weekly performances at 7 pm: Ramayana Ballet on Fridays, Kecak on Saturdays and Barong Prakpak on Sundays.
What should I wear at Goa Gajah or Tirta Empul?
Indonesia's tourism board says a sarong and sash are required at Goa Gajah, available to rent on site. At Tirta Empul, bathing means wearing traditional attire or a yellow sash and using no soap or shampoo.
How long is the Campuhan Ridge Walk?
The tourism board gives about 2 km, with 15 to 20 minutes to the peak. There are no eateries along the way.
Can I bring food into the Monkey Forest?
No. The sanctuary's guidelines prohibit food and drinks inside because the monkeys may grab them.
Is there a tourist levy for Bali?
Bali's Love Bali site lists IDR 150,000 for international tourists. Check the site for current rules.
Sources (checked 2026-11-01)
- ARMA: museum
- ARMA: cultural workshops
- ARMA: performances
- ARMA: location
- Neka Art Museum: general information
- Threads of Life: contact
- Threads of Life Dye Studio: half-day classes
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Monkey Forest: guidelines and FAQ
- Indonesia Travel: Ubud top 10
- Indonesia Travel: Tegallalang Rice Terrace
- Love Bali (Bali Provincial Government)
- Smartraveller: Indonesia
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
