Three of central Ubud's landmarks in one easy stop - the lotus pond of Puri Saraswati, the royal courtyards of Puri Saren Agung, and the art market across the road.
A short walk from the palace, Pura Taman Saraswati is Ubud's water temple - you reach the carved gates along a walkway between ponds full of lotus flowers. It honours Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and the arts, and much of the stonework was designed by the well-known Ubud artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad. The pond forecourt is free to walk in and takes about 15 minutes to see.
The Ubud royal palace has stood at the town's main crossroads for generations and is still home to the local royal family. Wander the courtyards past intricately carved stone gates, gold-trimmed pavilions, and shady banyan-filled gardens. Most evenings the courtyard turns into an open-air stage for the Legong dance - tickets are sold separately if you'd like to come back for it.
Directly opposite the palace, the Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni) is packed with stalls of handwoven textiles, woodcarving, baskets, paintings, and souvenirs. It's the classic spot to pick up a keepsake - bargaining is expected and part of the fun, so take your time and enjoy the browse.