MUSEUMS
Agung Rai Museum of Art
This museum is at the heart of an integrated complex dedicated to art and culture, built by Balinese entrepreneur and art collector, Anak Agung Gde Rai. The Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) houses works from the most influential painters in 1930s Ubud, as well as from local contemporary artists and everything in between. More than preserving the delicate and impressive collection, this establishment also has its eyes on the future of Balinese art and culture, shown by its programs and effort to help more people learn about art and appreciate other forms of traditional performance. Among the nationally and internationally acclaimed artists you can find in this museum are Walter Spies, Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur, Raden Saleh, and Affandi.
Blanco Renaissance Museum
Don Antonio Blanco is one of the many influential artists who fell in love with the charming village of Ubud and chose to live and be inspired by its fascinating culture, people, and nature. Luckily for us, many of the maestro’s works are now showcased in his very own mansion, which in itself is an impressive architectural landmark that graciously blends classic European with traditional Balinese design, perched on a gorgeous hilltop in Ubud. Expect to see a lot of erotica, scenes from traditional Balinese life, and illustrated poetry from the renowned artist.
Neka Art Museum
Dedicated towards documenting and presenting the history and development of art in Bali, Neka Art Museum showcases monumental artworks spanning from the 19th century to the present. The collection of more than 300 works are organised into different pavilions and exhibition halls, thoughtfully curated to convey an elaborate picture of Bali’s art scene in different eras. From the legendary Affandi’s paintings to photographs from the lens of Robert Koke in the 1930s or even a collection of traditional daggers, art enthusiasts can expect a rounded and insightful experience in this museum.
Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets
Masks and puppets are two important cultural artifacts for many communities, including the Balinese. Therefore, this museum has a significant role in preserving and showcasing one of the culture’s specialties. Visitors can expect to see extensive collections of masks and puppets from across the globe. All 1,000-plus masks and over 4,000 puppets are neatly categorised into different rooms, and provided with elaborate captions that tell stories about a particular object and what it means for a certain culture.
Puri Lukisan Museum
This museum was founded by Ubud prince Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati and Dutch-born painter Rudolf Bonnet, who became the first director and curator respectively. Starting out as a local painters organisation, the museum foundation contributed a lot in keeping high-quality, sought-after Balinese artwork home. Since then, the collection keeps growing with remarkable new additions, now closing in on more than 150 fine paintings and dozens of sculptures from different eras, styles, and schools in Bali.
Semar Kuning
This gallery serves as a hub for talented local artists to showcase and sell their best artworks. Consequently, visitors can expect a wide array of collections, from traditional to modern, in various different styles for every taste. A helpful staff will help show you around, or if you’re lucky, one of the artists themselves. Prices come higher than those you’d find in traditional art markets (although still cheaper than many other fine arts galleries in Ubud!), but bargaining is always welcomed. Also, you’ll be contributing to the artist cooperative and appreciate the value of good art.
Threads of Life
Threads of Life is a rounded initiative that focuses on the compelling but overlooked art of traditional weaving. The establishment brings together the best and most authentic textiles from rural and traditional communities across the archipelago, along with the local wisdom and stories they contain. Visitors can sign up for a guided tour through the retail exhibits and learn from the knowledgeable staff with hands-on experience in obtaining and preserving pieces from this magnificent heritage. See something you like? Purchase and bring it home. Even better, you can also sign up for classes, including the popular Natural Dye Batik Class.
Komaneka Art Gallery
Being a contemporary art gallery, modern in its management and architecture as well as reverberating with dynamic and fresh collection, doesn’t make this gallery any less rooted in the fascinating Balinese culture. The gallery is actively curating and obtaining fresh contemporary artworks in various styles, including the prized traditional Balinese style, and mostly from young, local artists. Also on site is an art library that lends and sells reference books, artist biographies, catalogues, and more. Komaneka Gallery only showcases the highest quality, hand-picked artworks, so if you’re planning to purchase, be ready for the higher price tags.
MARKETS
Candi Kuning Market in Bali
The Candi Kuning Market, which locals refer to as Pasar Merta Sari Candi Kuning, or simply ‘Pasar Bedugul’, is one of two main markets in the Bedugul area. Candi Kuning Market mostly boasts local farm produce, such as flowers and a wide range of tropical fruits (mangosteen, bananas, tamarillos, tangerines and, most importantly, strawberries.
Guwang Art Market in Bali
The village of Guwang is home to the Guwang Art Market, referred to locally as ‘Pasar Seni Guwang’ which is a traditional art market that shares much similarity and is near to its more prominent counterpart, Pasar Seni Sukawati. Even the items sold at Guwang are similar to that of Sukawati’s.
Jimbaran Market in Bali
The Jimbaran market, also known as ‘Pasar Desa Adat Jimbaran’, is the main source of fresh groceries and daily necessities among the local residents of the Jimbaran village. This morning market is centrally located on the Jalan Uluwatu main road, before entering the sunset and seafood beachfront area of Jimbaran bay.
Kedonganan Fish Market in Bali
Kedonganan Fish Market, referred to locally as ‘Pasar Ikan Tradisional Kedonganan’ and often inaccurately as ‘Jimbaran Fish Market’ due to its close proximity to the famous seafood dining bay, is Bali’s main seaside marketplace where fishing boats land daily and haul off their fresh catches.
Kumbasari Art Market in Bali
The Kumbasari Art Market is one of Denpasar’s main icons, located right across the Badung River, opposite the Badung Traditional Market. The market is a primary source of arts and handicrafts, products chiefly coming from the island’s various art producing communities, the likes of Ubud and the central Bali highlands.
Kuta Art Market in Bali
Kuta Art Market is a small beachside bazaar-like compound where Bali souvenirs and handcraft items can be bought. The compact marketplace is easily located at the end of the Jalan Bakungsari one-way thoroughfare, adjacent to the Kuta Sidewalk and just before Jalan Kartika Plaza Street.
Merta Nadi Art Market in Bali
Merta Nadi Art Market is a great stopover for handicrafts and souvenirs on your leisurely stroll through Legian’s pedestrian-friendly street of Jalan Melasti. This roadside complex of art shops is one of Legian’s largest, home to over a dozen individual shops that each offer a variety of items and at different prices.
Pancasari Market in Bali
The Pancasari Market is one of Bali’s most traditional farmer’s markets, where you can experience a truly local open marketplace scene, with various kinds of fresh vegetables and fruits harvested from the nearby farms and plantations of the highland Pancasari community. The market is a common stopover on tours to Bali’s north, via the Bedugul-Singaraja main road.
Sindu Market in Bali
Sindu Market, often spelled ‘Sindhu’ and referred to locally as ‘Pasar Tradisional Desa Sanur’, is the main fresh market within the whole Sanur village area, located near the northern end of Sanur’s Jalan Danau Tamblingan road. Also referred to locally as ‘Pasar Sindu’ for short, the market is better known among regular visitors as a night.
Sukawati Art Market in Bali
Sukawati Art Market, referred to locally as ‘Pasar Seni Sukawati’, is Bali’s most distinguished and long-standing art market. It is where visitors can seek and purchase distinctively Balinese art items such as paintings and sculpted wooden figures, curios, handicrafts and traditional handmade products. The two-storey Sukawati Art Market was established in the 80s.
Taman Sari Market in Bali
The Taman Sari Market, locally referred to as Pasar Taman Sari, is one of very few local markets of its kind that can be found around the Seminyak area. A unique deviation from the predominantly upscale boutique shopping and world-class dining scenes that the resort area of Seminyak is better.
Ubud Art Market in Bali
The Ubud Art Market, locally referred to as ‘Pasar Seni Ubud’ is located opposite the the Puri Saren Royal Ubud Palace and is open daily. Here you can find beautiful silk scarves, lightweight shirts, handmade woven bags, baskets or hats; statues, kites and many other hand-crafted goods.
