Ubud, Bali, is the perfect blend of nature, wildlife, and culture, making it an absolute haven for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Whether you’re wandering through lush rice terraces, exploring sacred temples, or capturing the playful monkeys at the famous Ubud Monkey Forest, every corner offers a new opportunity for stunning shots.
In this post, I’ve compiled the best wildlife and photography spots in Ubud that will take your travel photos to a whole new level. Let’s dive into the most captivating locations you must visit!
Ubud Monkey Forest
Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
| Type | Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 2 Hours |
The Ubud Monkey Forest is a must-visit for wildlife lovers and photographers. This lush sanctuary is home to hundreds of playful long-tailed macaques. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to capture these cheeky creatures in action, surrounded by stunning ancient temple ruins and tropical vegetation.
It’s a great spot for wildlife photography, as the monkeys often interact with visitors. I’d recommend spending an hour or two here to explore the entire forest and capture the best moments.
Sacred Water Temple (Tirta Empul)
Address: G79C+3PM, Jalan Subak Uma, Lebah, Petulu, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
| Type | Cultural and Historical Site |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 1.5 Hours |
The Sacred Water Temple, Tirta Empul, is renowned for its holy spring water, where locals perform purification rituals. The temple’s serene atmosphere and beautiful stone carvings offer a perfect balance of culture and nature for photographers.
You can capture the sacred water rituals and the surrounding lush jungle. The site also provides a peaceful vibe, perfect for capturing the tranquility of Balinese spirituality. Plan to spend an hour or more soaking in the culture and shooting some beautiful images.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Address: Jl. Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
| Type | Landscape Photography |
| Time to Spend | 2 to 3 Hours |
Tegallalang Rice Terraces is one of Bali, Indonesia most iconic landscapes. The vibrant green fields, terraced steps, and farmers working the land provide perfect photo opportunities. Whether you’re capturing the lush greenery or the traditional farming techniques, it’s a landscape photographer’s paradise.
The sunrise or sunset makes for the best lighting, with soft golden hues creating breathtaking shots. Expect to spend a couple of hours here to explore, photograph, and maybe even take a short walk through the fields.
Bali Bird Park
Address: Jl. Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir Singapadu, Batubulan, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia
| Type | Wildlife Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1.5 to 2 Hours |
For bird lovers, the Bali Bird Park is an incredible place to visit. Home to over 1,000 exotic birds from all over Indonesia, it’s the perfect spot for capturing vibrant nights energy, colorful species in a naturalistic setting.
You can photograph parrots, flamingos, peacocks, and more. The park’s lush greenery and the birds’ striking colors make for fantastic photo opportunities. A visit here usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours, as you can explore different sections of the park and capture the birds up close.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Address: Kelusa, Payangan, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
| Type | Nature Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 1.5 Hours |
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a tranquil 2-kilometer trek offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The path is lined with lush greenery, making it perfect for nature and landscape photography.
The best time to photograph is early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft, and the valley is often misty. It’s an easy walk, and you can complete it in about an hour, but feel free to linger and capture the natural beauty at your own pace.
Alas Harum Bali
Address: Jl. Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
| Type | Adventure and Nature Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 1.5 Hours |
Alas Harum Bali combines natural beauty with adventure, making it a fun spot for both photography and activities. The lush jungle surroundings provide great backdrops for adventure shots, and the famous swings over the jungle offer a thrilling photo opportunity.
Whether you’re capturing the stunning views or the exciting swing moments, it’s a unique experience for photographers looking to add an element of thrill to their portfolio. Spend an hour or more capturing both nature and action shots here.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Address: Bedulu, Blahbatuh, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
| Type | Cultural and Historical Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 2 Hours |
Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant Cave, is an ancient archaeological site and temple complex with intricate carvings. This historical site is perfect for photographers interested in capturing a mix of cultural heritage and natural beauty.
The surrounding jungle adds to the serene atmosphere, making it an excellent spot for tranquil photos. While the temple is small, its historical significance and stunning carvings provide great photo opportunities. I recommend spending about an hour here to fully appreciate the details.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Address: Jl. Tembuku, Tembuku, Kec. Tembuku, Kabupaten Bangli, Bali 80671, Indonesia
| Type | Waterfall Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 1.5 Hours |
Tukad Cepung Waterfall is one of Ubud’s hidden gems, tucked away in a canyon surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery. The sunlight streaming through the canyon creates magical beams of light that make for stunning photos, especially in the morning.
The waterfall itself is not overly large but incredibly beautiful and unique. Spending about an hour here will give you time to capture different angles and enjoy the tranquil, mystical atmosphere of the place.
Bali Safari and Marine Park
Address: Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra No.Km. 19,8, Serongga, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80551, Indonesia
| Type | Wildlife Photography |
| Time to Spend | 2 to 3 Hours |
The Bali Safari and Marine Park is one of Bali’s largest wildlife parks, housing a wide variety of animals, including lions, elephants, and tigers. It’s perfect for wildlife photography, as the animals are often in more natural, open environments.
The park’s lush surroundings and themed safari experiences give you the chance to capture unique wildlife shots. You’ll need at least 2-3 hours to explore and photograph the different sections of the park and to catch some memorable animal moments.
Saraswati Temple
Address: F7V6+JHX, Jl. Kajeng, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
| Type | Cultural and Architectural Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 2 Hours |
Saraswati Temple, located in the heart of Ubud, is a beautiful temple dedicated to the goddess of wisdom. The temple’s lotus pond and intricate stone carvings make it an excellent spot for photographers interested in capturing both cultural and natural beauty.
The serene ambiance and the temple’s rich history provide a perfect blend for both landscape and architectural photography. Plan to spend around an hour here to capture the temple’s beauty and the surrounding tranquil atmosphere.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Address: Kemenuh, Sukawati, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
| Type | Waterfall Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 1.5 Hours |
Tegenungan Waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls near Ubud. The waterfall is large and impressive, with water cascading down into a natural pool below. The surrounding lush jungle adds to the natural beauty of the spot, making it perfect for both wide-angle and close-up shots.
You can spend an hour or more capturing different perspectives of the waterfall, and if you’re up for it, a quick dip in the pool makes for a refreshing break after a photography session.
Bali Swing
Address: Ubud, Bali
| Type | Adventure and Landscape Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 2 Hours |
The Bali Swing is a famous attraction offering an adrenaline-packed experience with swings set high above the jungle. It’s one of the most Instagrammable spots in Bali, offering a great photo opportunity with sweeping views of the lush landscape.
Whether you’re swinging through the air or photographing others, the dramatic backdrop of jungle and rivers makes for stunning shots. A quick visit of around an hour will give you plenty of time to capture both action and landscape shots.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
| Type | Wildlife Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 2 Hours |
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is another spot where you can interact with playful monkeys, but with a more serene, protected environment. The monkeys here are more relaxed, and you’ll get to photograph them in the context of ancient temple ruins.
It’s a peaceful spot with plenty of opportunities to capture both wildlife moments and cultural elements. Spend 1-2 hours here to explore the lush grounds, observe the monkeys, and get some fantastic wildlife shots.
Ubud Palace
Address: Jl. Raya Ubud No.8, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
| Type | Cultural and Architectural Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 2 Hours |
The Ubud Palace is an architectural gem, with beautiful carvings and traditional Balinese structures. It’s an ideal location for capturing the elegance of Bali’s royal heritage. The intricate architecture and the peaceful atmosphere provide the perfect backdrop for cultural photography.
You can photograph the palace, its lush gardens, and the traditional Balinese dancers often performing here. A visit of about an hour will give you time to explore and photograph the palace and its surroundings.
Tegallalang Bamboo Forest
Address: Ubud, Bali
| Type | Nature and Landscape Photography |
| Time to Spend | 1 to 1.5 Hours |
The Tegallalang Bamboo Forest is one of Ubud’s hidden treasures, offering a surreal landscape with towering bamboo stalks that create a natural arch. This peaceful forest is perfect for nature and landscape photography, with soft sunlight filtering through the bamboo, creating ethereal beams.
The forest is not too big, so you can explore it in about an hour. It’s a great spot to capture unique shots of nature’s beauty and the calming atmosphere of the forest.