Bali, Indonesia is a premiere destination for sand, sun and relaxation. With world-class resorts, spas and delicious food, Bali welcomes millions of visitors every year. Even though the island is small, to see everything it has to offer could take you years. With rich history, beautiful Hindu traditions, Bali sparks a light in any one who comes to stay for a week or even a day. If you only have a limited time on the island, Ubud is the town that you need to be visiting. Here’s are some reasons why Ubud is everything.

1. Yoga

If you’re in to yoga (which seems like every person who goes to Bali is) Ubud is the epicentre of yoga. With places like Yoga Barn and Radiantly Alive, yoga classes are available at any given time and for any skill level. With open-aired yoga spaces looking out to the rice paddies and beautiful forests, it’s no wonder Ubud has become the ultimate yoga experience.

2. Shopping

Ubud has one of the most impressive and massive outdoor markets in Bali. Filled with thousands of gifts to choose from, barter with the locals to get cheap jewellery, clothing, leather goods, art, and much more. Word of warning: don’t take the first price! It’s always sky-high so talk with them and set up a reasonable price. There’s also plenty of local shops to browse for one-of-a-kind art, clothing and jewellery.

3. Eating

Ubud’s dining scene is fantastic. You can get hand-crafted coffees, French food, and freshly squeezed juices all within the same block. With hundreds of options to choose from, you will never eat at the same place more than once. And that’s not even the best thing. Majority of Ubud’s restaurants are organic and use locally produced fruit & veg in all of their cooking. Combine that with a decent priced meal and you may never leave. Ubud is one of the best places for anyone who is a picky eater. They literally cater to everyone!

4. Music

There are loads of open mic and live music venues in Ubud. You can be sure to see a live act every night of the week. Ubud has such a large Expat community, many who are passing through bring their guitars and other instruments in to jam with others. This usually ends up producing an incredible music show with many talented international artists. There are also plenty of music festivals around the area. Bali Spirit Festival brings thousands to the island to celebrate yoga, music and the dance. It’s an incredible turnout and so much fun!

5. Getting Healthy

Detox anyone? Ubud is known as the place to practice yoga, detox, go on a fruit juice diet, practice Reiki, get energy work done, and every other hippy-loving activity you can think of. This result; great energy and happy people! Cleansing your system any where else in the world would be extremely painful but Ubud has made it easy with vegan cafes, juicing stations on every corner and fresh and healthy food everywhere.