Ubud is one of those places where a holiday of a few days can easily turn into a stay of weeks, months, or even years.

The size of the town's expat community attest to this, and so do the many novels and films that have been set here, creative responses to the seductive nature of this most cultured of all Balinese towns.

We have been sorted to eight places you must visit in Ubud.

These places offers you natural beauty and sacred culture.

1. Ubud Palace

The places you must visit in Ubud number one is Ubud Palace. This modest palace and its temple, Puri Saren Agung, share a compound in the heart of Ubud.

Most of its structures were built after the 1917 earthquake and the local royal family still lives here.

You can wander around most of the compound and explore the many traditional, though not excessive ornate, buildings.

The main pavilion often hosts evening dance performance. Take time to appreciate the stone carvings, many by noted local artists.

Just north, Pura Mrajan Agung is the private temple for the royal family.

The compound accros the palacehas a magnificent banyan tree, and is also used as a residence for the family.

2. Agung Rai Museum of Art

Places you must visit in Ubud number two is Agung Rai Museum of Art.

If you only visit one museum in Ubud, make it this one. Founder Agung Rai built his fortune selling Balinese artwork to foreigners in the 1970s, and during his time as a dealer he also built one of  Indonesia's most impressive private collections of art.

This cultural compound opened in 1996 and displays his collection in two purpose built gallery buildings.

3. Ubud Monkey Forest

Places you must visit in Ubud number three is Monkey Forest. This cool and dense swath of jungle officially houses three holy temples.

Enter the monkey forest through one of three gates: the main one is at southern end of Monkey Forest Road. Useful brochures about the forest, macaques, and temples available at the ticket office.

Free shuttle to get here and back drive a loop around central Ubud every 15 minutes, stopping on Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Hanoman and on Jalan Monkey Forest - look for the lime-green buses.

4. Ubud Rice Field Walking Tour

Places you must visit in Ubud number four is Ubud rice field walking tour. Start at Pura Taman Saraswati, where you can pose for a photograph or two in front of the temple's carved entrance gate and gorgeous lotus filled pond.

Continue pass the Pura Catur Bhuana, one of hundreds of small neighbourhood temples in Ubud, and then head uphill as the road become a path.

You will soon see a lush green vista of field rice on your left and come to a small shrine, where you should veer right.

Continue north, passing a few villas, and turn left when you come to a path before a simple warung.

This path soon joins another footpath, where you should turn left, looping back towards the town centre.

5. Ubud Rafting and ATV

Places you must visit in Ubud number five is Ayung River.

The Ayung River is the most popular river in Bali for white-water rafting. You start north of Ubud and end near the Amandari hotel in the west.

Note depending on the rainfallthe run can range from sedate to thrilling.

6. Ubud Wheels Coffee

Places you must visit in Ubud number six is Ubud Wheels Coffee.

If you are a coffee lover, this is a great place to enjoy the best coffee blends in Ubud.

The prices offered are also very affordable, ranging from IDR 23,000 for a hot Americano to IDR 25,000 for an Iced Caramel Latte.

Ubud Wheels Coffee also offers delivery services for orders with a minimum value of IDR 100,000, or you can place an order via GoFood. GoFood link: click here.

7. Ubud Art Market

For number seven, we have Ubud Art Market as your next places you must visit in Ubud.
 
Rooted in Ubud's artistic heritage, the Ubud Art Market has long been a place where local artisans showcase their traditional crafts and unique creations.
 
It is a vibrant hub for discovering authentic Balinese craftsmanship, featuring items like batic textiles intricated carved wooden sculptures, and beautifully handmade jewelry.

8. Sayan Night Market

The last, we have Sayan Night Market as a place you must visit in Ubud.

The Sayan Night Market offers a lively and authentic Balinese atmosphere, especially as evening sets.

Visitors can explore a variety of street food stalls servig local delicacies like satay, nasi goreng, and fresh fruit juices.

The market is also a great place to find traditional snacks, handmade crafts, and fresh produce.