Sidemen Valley: A Rural Day Trip from Ubud (2026 Guide)

Why go

Ubud's famous rice terraces are beautiful and busy. Sidemen's are just as green, spread over a much wider valley, and mostly worked rather than visited. There is no single sight to tick off here — the point is the landscape and the pace. You walk between paddies on narrow irrigation paths, watch farmers at work, and stop for coffee with a view of the volcano.

The village is also known for traditional weaving. Small workshops make endek and songket cloth on wooden looms, and you can usually watch the weavers and buy directly from them.

Getting there

Sidemen is about an hour east of Ubud. The usual route passes through Klungkung (Semarapura), whose old royal court pavilion, Kerta Gosa, makes a good short stop on the way. From there the road climbs north into the valley.

A private driver is recommended: the day works best with several stops, the valley roads are narrow, and there is little ride-hailing coverage. If you stay overnight, many guesthouses can arrange the transfer.

What to do

• Walk the rice fields. Ask your guesthouse or driver for a local guide for a 1–2 hour walk; the paths aren't signposted and cross private land.
• Take a cooking class at a village warung. They usually start with a visit to the market or garden and end with a long lunch.
• Visit a weaving workshop to see endek and songket being made by hand.
• Find a view of Mount Agung. Early mornings are clearest; by midday the summit is often in cloud.

Day trip or overnight?

A day trip from Ubud works, but Sidemen is at its best early and late in the day, when the light is soft and the volcano is visible. If you have the time, one night in a valley guesthouse turns a rushed outing into the most relaxing day of your trip.

Tips

• Carry cash. Warungs, workshops and local guides rarely take cards — see how much cash to carry.
• Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy for the paddy walks, and bring a hat.
• In the wet season (roughly November to March) mornings are still often clear; plan walks before the afternoon rain. More in best time to visit Ubud.

Combine with

Sidemen pairs with Pura Besakih, the mother temple on the slopes of Mount Agung, and with Penglipuran Village in neighbouring Bangli for a full east-Bali loop. If you prefer temples closer to Ubud, see Gunung Kawi.