Ubud offers free tours under the free price model - three regular tours are offered through the GuruWalk platform: a temple and market tour with a purification ceremony at Tirta Empul springs, a tour that showcases Balinese daily life with traditional dance, and a sunrise trek to Mount Batur. Joining is free, and at the end each participant leaves a tip for the guide based on satisfaction and budget.
Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali - a town surrounded by rice fields, temples and artists' workshops, where distances are short and the streets are full of details that are easy to miss without local eyes. A tour with a Balinese guide opens a door to a world of Hindu rituals, flower offerings on the sidewalks and traditions passed down from generation to generation.
Unlike European cities where free tours are concentrated in one historic center, in Ubud the tours combine urban walking with nature walks - water temples, rice terraces, and even an active volcano. It's worth booking in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Recommended free tours in Ubud
Three guided tours around Ubud - water temples and the art market, Balinese village life, and a sunrise trek to Mount Batur.
Holly Spring Water Temple Purification in Tirta Empul, Art Market, Luwak Coffee Plantation and Swing by Walking Tour
★ 4.5 · 47 reviews
A combination of a purification ceremony at the Tirta Empul spring temple, a visit to the art market, a Luwak coffee plantation, and a jungle swing - a wide cross-section of Balinese experiences in one tour.
Free Tour to see the Real Life of Balinese, Traditional Dance and Art Industry Visit
★ 4.9 · 31 reviews
A glimpse into the daily life of Balinese residents - villages, traditional dance and a visit to local art workshops. Suitable for those who want to understand the culture beyond the famous sites.
Mount Batur incredible Sunrise Trekking
A night climb to the summit of Mount Batur to meet the sunrise over Lake Batur and the clouds - a physical and powerful experience that is considered one of the defining experiences in Bali.
Why go on a walking tour in Ubud?
A town built for walking - and also for discovery
Ubud's center is surprisingly compact: Ubud Palace, the art market, and the main street are all within a few minutes' walk of each other, and in between are hidden family temples, galleries, and courtyards that are easy to pass by without noticing. A local guide can point out the split stone gates, the small offerings placed on the sidewalk each morning, and the symbols adorning each house - and suddenly an ordinary street becomes a living lesson in Balinese culture.
Living culture, not a museum
Balinese Hinduism is present everywhere: purification rituals at sacred springs, traditional dances performed in the evenings, and colorful temple processions that happen to be along the way. The local guides grew up surrounded by these traditions, so the stories they tell are not dry facts but memories from home - what a ceremony looks like in the village, what the role of offerings is, and why every family home has its own temple.
Nature within reach
Just around the corner are lush green walking trails, rice terraces and a monkey forest – all close enough to fit into one walking route. It’s this combination of town, jungle and fields that makes Ubud an exceptional walking destination in Southeast Asia.
Areas and starting points of the tours
Ubud Center - Palace, Market and Artists' Streets
The natural starting point for most visits: the area around Ubud Palace and the art market, from which it is easy to wander into the streets dotted with workshops, galleries, and temples. This is the area where you learn to read Bali's visual language.
Tirta Empul and the Water Temples
Northeast of Ubud lies the holy spring temple of Tirta Empul, where purification rituals are held in flowing waters. Tours to the area often include a Luwak coffee plantation and the area's famous jungle swings.
The villages around Ubud - daily life
The villages surrounding the town are the place to see traditional art being created - wood carving, painting and weaving - alongside working rice fields and Balinese dance. Here, you'll discover a Bali beyond the postcards.
Mount Batur - the sunrise above all
North of Ubud rises Mount Batur, Bali's famous sunrise trek destination. We set off in the wee hours of the night and reach the summit at first light, with Lake Batur spread out below.
Important tips before you go out
Ordering and languages
It is recommended to register in advance through GuruWalk - the number of places is limited and the guide receives updates on the participants. Most tours in Ubud are guided in English, but it is worth checking the page of each tour for the languages offered and the exact meeting point. It is advisable to arrive about fifteen minutes before the departure time.
What to wear and what to take
Comfortable shoes are a must - some of the trails include steps, dirt paths and uneven pavements. The climate is tropical: a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water in the dry season, and a light top layer in case of rain in the wet season. For the sunrise trek on Mount Batur, a warm layer is recommended - it's cool at the summit before sunrise. Modest clothing and a sarong are required at the entrance to the temples, and at most sites you can borrow one on site.
Guide tip - how it works
The tip is given in cash at the end of the tour, preferably in Indonesian rupiah. There is no fixed amount - it is customary to give according to satisfaction, the length of the tour, and personal budget, and it is worth stocking up on suitable bills in advance because change is not always available.
Mobility and safety
The center of Ubud is crowded and scooters pass close to the narrow sidewalks - basic alertness is enough. For long distances, local transportation apps or a private driver for the day are convenient. Nature walks are best scheduled for the morning hours, before the heat and the crowds.
Paid tours and attractions in Ubud
The tours on the site are free based on a tip; those who want to delve deeper can also combine a guided tour or a paid attraction - these are the leading options in the city:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the free tours in Ubud really free?
Registration and participation do not involve a fixed fee. At the end of the tour, it is customary to leave a tip for the guide in an amount that each participant chooses based on satisfaction and budget - this is how the guides make a living.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, it is recommended to register through GuruWalk. Registration is free, guarantees a spot, and allows you to receive meeting point information and updates from the guide.
In what languages are the tours held?
Most tours in Ubud are conducted in English. The exact languages are listed on each tour's page - it's worth checking before registering.
Are the tours suitable for children?
The city and countryside tours are mostly family-friendly and run at a leisurely pace. The sunrise trek to Mount Batur requires basic fitness and walking in the dark - less suitable for small children.
How much is it customary to tip a guide?
There is no official rate. It is customary to tip an amount that reflects satisfaction and the length of the tour, in cash and Indonesian rupiah. It is worth preparing appropriate bills in advance.
What is the difference between a free tour and a paid tour in Ubud?
A free tour operates on a free price model where you pay at the end according to your choice, usually in an open group. Paid tours usually include transportation, entrance fees to sites, and sometimes a meal - convenient for those who prefer a pre-organized day.
