A Day in Ubud
EXPLORING BALI'S CULTURAL HEART
Destination 7 minute read
Ubud is a town in central Bali, known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene. Here, we list the best things to see in Ubud — all within just a few minutes’ walk or drive of COMO Uma Ubud.
Neka Art Museum
The Neka Art Museum showcases traditional and contemporary Balinese art. Several pavilions form an exciting collection focusing on Bali’s artistic heritage and evolution, including paintings, sculptures and photography. Highlights include examples of Batuan, Kamasan and Ubud painting techniques, as well as the Arie Smit Pavilion, dedicated to the Dutch-born artist who significantly influenced modern Balinese art.
Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud)
This colourful open-air market is situated near the Ubud Royal Palace and is a great place to find handmade crafts and clothing. In addition to normal tourist souvenirs such as keychains, there’s some serious local artisanship on show, including wood carvings, paintings, sculptures, sarongs, batik fabrics and ikat weavings. The market tends to be least crowded in the early morning and late afternoon.
Royal Palace
Ubud’s Royal Palace, Puri Saren Agung, was founded during the late 19th century and served as the official residence of the ruling family of Ubud. It’s built in the traditional Balinese architectural style, with intricately carved wooden structures, pavilions and open courtyards with symbolic motifs and details. Parts of the palace are still occupied, but it is also an important cultural centre, hosting traditional Balinese dance performances and various religious ceremonies and festivals. The gardens are a quiet haven away from Ubud’s bustle.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah, known as the Elephant Cave, is an 11th-century site located near Bedulu village, around 6 kilometres southeast of Ubud. It was originally built as a meditation sanctuary and spiritual retreat for Hindu priests and ascetics, with carvings and relics depicting Hindu forces of good and evil. On entering the cave, the first thing you’ll see is a statue of Ganesha, the Hindu god of beginnings, while further inside there are Medieval inscriptions in Sanskrit and Old Javanese.
Blanco Renaissance Museum
The Blanco Renaissance Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the Spanish-born artist, Don Antonio Blanco. Blanco was an eccentric, who settled in Ubud in the 1950s and founded the museum himself to exhibit both his own artwork and the cultural fusion between Balinese and Western art traditions. The collection is eclectic, ranging between mediums and subjects, from surreal portraits to Balinese landscapes and mythology. A standout part of the museum is Blanco’s former studio, which has been fully preserved.
Pura Taman Saraswati
This peaceful water temple is located on Jalan Raya Ubud, the town’s main street. It’s dedicated to the Hindu goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, and is best known for its ponds filled with blooming lotus flowers — representative of purity and enlightenment. The temple is popular with students, artists and scholars who seek Saraswati’s blessing for creativity and intellect.
Agung Rai Museum of Art
The Agung Rai Museum of Art is located in Pengosekan village, south of Ubud’s town centre. It has an important collection of traditional and contemporary Indonesian art and artefacts, including work by Affandi, Raden Saleh and Walter Spies. Their temporary exhibitions are usually excellent, and celebrate various aspects of Indonesian art, culture and heritage.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The Tegallalang rice terraces are just a short car journey north of Ubud. They’re some of Bali’s most recognisable landscapes, sculpting the hillsides in a traditional irrigation system known as ‘subak’. The terraces offer excellent photography opportunities, especially at sunrise and sunset, along with walking paths that wind through the fields.
Whatever your preferences, for more information, or help booking tours or tickets in Ubud, please speak to the concierge at COMO Uma Ubud.
