Ubud Art Market & Royal Palace

The Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) and the opposite Puri Saren Agung (Royal Palace) form the cultural epicenter of Ubud — where art, commerce, and Balinese tradition meet in close quarters. The market, located directly at the intersection of Jalan Raya Ubud / Jalan Monkey Forest, is a two-story labyrinth of stalls overflowing with sarongs, wood carvings, batik fabrics, silver jewelry, woven bags, and oil paintings.

The quality varies enormously: Much is industrial mass-produced from Java, but among the kitsch are genuine treasures — hand-carved masks from Mas (the carving village 5 km south), delicate silverwork from Celuk, handwoven ikat fabrics, and acrylic paintings by Balinese artists. The rule of thumb: The further you venture into the back alleys of the upper floor, the more authentic the goods become. Bargaining is a must — start at 30–40% of the quoted price. A hand-carved wooden Buddha costs 150,000–300,000 IDR (9–18€) after negotiation, a handwoven silk sarong 200,000–400,000 IDR (12–23€).

The Puri Saren Agung directly opposite is the palace of the royal family of Ubud, the Sukawati dynasty, which has resided here since the 18th century — and still does today. The palace is partially open to visitors during the day (free of charge): The front courtyard with its elaborate stone carvings, Paduraksa gates, and frangipani trees gives an impression of Balinese palace architecture. But the true magic unfolds in the evening from 7:30 PM, when traditional dance performances take place in the inner courtyard — Legong, Barong, or Kecak dance, performed by local dance groups in elaborate costumes, accompanied by a gamelan orchestra. The palace courtyard with its torch lights and temple gate as a backdrop is Bali's most atmospheric stage.

The Puri Lukisan Museum (200 meters west, 85,000 IDR/~5€) is Bali's oldest art museum and showcases the development of Balinese painting from traditional Wayang still lifes through the influence of Walter Spies to modern Balinese art. Anyone wanting to understand Ubud's art scene should start here.