Gianyar

The Gianyar Regency is located in the centre of the island of Bali, in an area with a lot of vegetation. In this regency you will find the cultural and spiritual capital of Bali, Ubud, and Tegallalang, an area well known for its rice terraces. In Gianyar there are a variety of tourist attractions such as temples, waterfalls and rice fields.

Map of Gianyar Regency, Bali

MAIN LOCATIONS OF GIANYAR

Ubud

Ubud is the cultural and spiritual capital of Bali. This location is one of the most authentic and also one of the best known among the travellers who visit Bali. Ubud is an indispensable stop on your trip to the Island of the Gods if you want to know in depth the culture and life of Bali.

Tegallalang

Tegallalang is a village located 15 kilometers north of Ubud and is well known for its terraced rice fields. Besides the famous rice terraces, in Tegallalang you can find a coffee plantation that can be visited and many swings.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST OF GIANYAR

Taman Saraswati Temple

The Taman Saraswati temple, also called the Lotus Garden, is without doubt the most beautiful temple in Ubud. Located in a garden full of lotus flowers, this temple is one of the most famous postcards of Ubud. This temple is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, culture and all the arts and is a must see in Ubud.

The Saraswati temple in downtown Ubud, Bali

Ubud Palace

The Ubud Palace, also called Puri Saren Agung, is located in the center of Ubud and is one of the main attractions of this location. This palace is the residence of the royal family, but the inner courtyard can be visited without paying an entrance fee. In addition, every night, Balinese dance performances are organized in this courtyard.

Ubud Art Market

The market of Ubud, Ubud Art Market, is one of the most touristic places of the cultural capital of Bali. This market consists of several streets filled with hundreds of stalls selling crafts, clothing, souvenirs and food. Early in the morning they also sell fresh fruit and vegetables from local producers and flowers for the daily offerings. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, walking through the Ubud Art Market is an activity you can’t miss on your stay in Ubud.

Monkey Forest

Monkey Forest is one of Bali’s best-known attractions. Monkey Forest is a tropical forest, a small jungle where you can see hundreds of long-tailed macaques, a temple and a river beside which you can walk.

Little macaque eating at Monkey Forest, Ubud

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Campuhan Ridge Walk, also known as the Palm Path, is a must-see in Ubud. Located on the outside of the village, this is a trail that runs between rice fields and landscapes full of vegetation. The length of the trail is just over 2 kilometers and is an easy walk suitable for any kind of public.

Road among vegetation in Campuhan, Ubud

Agung Rai Museum of Art

The Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), located in Ubud, is a cultural centre dedicated to the preservation of Bali’s artistic and cultural objects. In the interior of this museum are exposed paintings of Balinese artists as well as of western painters who lived on the island. The ARMA is a must visit in Bali for art lovers.

Goa Gajah Temple

The Goa Gajah Temple, also known as the Elephant Cave, is located on the periphery of Ubud and is a must see in Gianyar. In addition to the cave, Goa Gajah has a temple and sacred pools that are used for the purification of the Balinese. To access this temple you have to pay an entrance fee of 50,000 IDR (about €3) and bring a sarong to cover your legs.

Tegenungan Waterfall

The Tegenungan waterfall is one of the best known and most visited waterfalls by tourists, due to its proximity to Ubud. This waterfall has fairly easy access, but you will have to descend several steps. In Tegenungan, apart from being able to take pictures from the viewpoint above, you can swim at the bottom of the waterfall.

Aerial view of the Tegenungan waterfall, Bali

Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Kanto Lampo is different from most waterfalls on Bali, unique and is one of the most beautiful on the island. In Kanto Lampo the water does not fall directly, but goes down through the rocks to the natural pool underneath. This creates a very beautiful effect and makes this spot very photogenic.

⇒ Read our complete guide to Bali’s waterfalls

The Kanto Lampo waterfall in the middle of the vegetation, Bali

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

The rice terraces of Tegallalang are undoubtedly the best known rice fields in Bali and are the main attraction of travel magazines and millions of photos. Tegallalang’s rice terraces are located 15 kilometers north of Ubud and due to its proximity to this important village, it usually receives thousands of visitors every day. You can see the rice fields of Tegallalang from one of the viewpoints on the main road or even go down and walk among the terraces.

⇒ Read our complete guide to Bali’s rice fields

View of the rice terraces in Tegallalang, Bali

Bali Pulina

Bali Pulina is a coffee plantation located near the rice terraces of Tegallalang. This is a very quiet place, surrounded by vegetation and rice fields, where you can see coffee trees, the Luwak animal and taste different types of coffee. The entrance to Bali Pulina is free and there are guides who can assist you during the visit to explain the process of making coffee.

Mason Elephant Park

Mason Elephant Park is an elephant park designed to replicate the original habitat of elephants rescued in Sumatra. This park is located in the north of Gianyar Regency in a jungle area. In this park you can help bathe the elephants, feed them and observe their daily routine.

Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul is one of the most important temples in Bali and is built over a spring of sacred water that has healing properties for those who make offerings and bathe in its pools. Balinese people come to this temple several times a year to do their purification rituals. On days when there is no religious celebration, tourists are also allowed to enter the pools and do the purification ritual.

Many people purifying themselves during the Melasti in Tirta Empul, Bali

Gunung Kawi Temple

Gunung Kawi Temple, also known as the Temple of Kings, is located among rice fields in the village of Tampaksiring and near Tirta Empul Temple. This temple is very different from other temples in Bali and is known for its candi, which are large tombs carved into the rock and dedicated to the royal family.

⇒ Read our complete guide about the temples in Bali

Bali Safari and Marine Park

The Bali Safari is a zoo located near the coast of Gianyar where you can see more than 400 species of wild animals from Indonesia, India and Africa. This park gives you the opportunity to do a safari in adapted vehicles to observe the wildlife of the animals that live in the area.

DESTINATIONS OF GIANYAR