Wandering off the beaten paths to experience the real Balinese lifestyle is essential to learn more about Bali’s culture.
A traditional market is the best place to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the trade scene in Bali. There are quite a few on the island, but the OG market is right in the middle of typical for Asia controlled chaos of traffic, stalls, and food – Denpasar.
Here is a quick guide on what to expect from your visit to Badung market, what to buy there, and how to get there the fastest way possible.
Badung Market – Largest Traditional Market In Bali
Pasar Badung or Badung Market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Bali known for selling fresh produce and street food.
It has existed as a small village market since the Dutch colonial era.
Officially it was inaugurated in 1984 by the Governor of Bali, Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra. Today it has grown into the largest (almost 15,000 sq m) local go-to place for shopping.
It is a community centre for all surrounding neighbourhoods and one of the most authentic sites you can visit on the island to explore Indonesian street food culture and meet locals.
Where Is Badung Market?
Badung Market is located in Bali’s capital, Denpasar, along the bank of the Badung River, tight on the main Gajah Mada Street.
In 2016 the old market suffered a fire and was rebuilt. Now, the Badung Market occupies a 4-story modernised building (a prime example of modern Indonesian architecture) and adjacent streets.
Now every floor is connected with escalators and elevators and has murals depicting Balinese people and market ambiance.
The first floor is for fresh products, fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, and groceries.
Upper levels offer souvenirs, fabrics (including batik), utensils, clothes and daily items that every local needs.
Address: Jalan Sulawesi, Dauh Puri Kangin, Denpasar, Bali, 80221.
How To Get To Badung Traditional Market
You can easily get to the Badung Market if you rent a motorbike, use one of the online taxi apps, or hire a private driver.
It takes only 30 minutes from the airport or Kuta, and about 45 minutes from Canggu to get to Badung market.
The Market has plenty of parking and is open 24/7 so you can come anytime you want, but to get street food better, come during the week as on weekends and during holidays there are queues in front of the most popular stalls and the parking is hectic.
What To Do At Denpasar Badung Market
Travelling through Indonesia and Bali, visit local markets to not only shop but observe people and their simple lives. Once you arrive at Badung Market, there are a few things you can do:
Buy fresh vegetables, spices, and fruits at affordable prices directly from farmers. To get the freshest goods come early in the morning.
Shop for traditional herbal medicine and flowers.
Come at night to taste street food staples. Crowd favourites to try: fresh orange juice, sempol (breaded chicken skewers), surabi (Balinese-Javanese rice pancakes with coconut), Keu pukis (Indonesian cake with coconut milk cooked in a half-circle mould), cilok (Sundanese ball-shaped tapioca dumpling), bulung (seaweed with spices and peanuts), and many more! The food market is usually around the parking area.
Visit the Kumbasari Art Market across the street to check out and buy some Balinese handicrafts, woven art, and paintings. Both markets are great to shop for souvenirs.
Do some thrift shopping at the back of the market! See if you can find a real treasure.
Tips For Visiting Badung Market
Prepare small money: bills of 2000, 5000, and 10,000 IDR will be most handy. A whole bag of snacks will be no more than 50,000 IDR (5 AUD).
Come with a local friend or use Google Translate to help you navigate around. Vendors do not speak English well as it is a non-touristy location. Remember terima kasih is “thank you” in Indonesian.
Master the art of haggling. A few stallholders may get too excited when they see a foreigner and try to sell you goods at a higher price.
Come at dawn to get fresh veggies and fruit.
Come at dusk to get some snacks and sit down near the light-up river bank.
Come with an open mind. Asian markets are unlike Western malls, they may be not pristine and clean, the passages can be narrow, and you can feel overwhelmed at times. It is a part of real experience and how different things can be outside our home countries.
Does Bali Have Wet Markets?
Bali has multiple wet markets set up in the neighbourhoods – these traditional markets or pasar, in Indonesian, are a great place to enjoy local food and fresh produce.
The top wet markets in Bali are the Badung Market (Denpasar), Pasar Sindhu Night Market (Sanur), Pasar Besar Tabanan (Tabanan), Ubud Traditional Art Market (Ubud), Pasar Ikan Jimbaran (fish market in Jimbaran), Nusa Dua Night Market, Pasar Seni Guwang (Sukawati), and many others.
Final Thoughts
Denpasar Bandung Market offers us a glimpse into the real everyday life of Denpasar city. It is a place to learn, to explore, and to eat.
If you want to find fresh local fruits and spices and shop for souvenirs to bring home – Badung market is a great non-touristy option.
