Looking for a cultural and artsy experience while in Ubud? You’re in the right area! Ubud is well known to be the historical and spiritual capital of Bali and has a few cool museums to learn more about the island art scene from the past and present.
Here are must-visit museums in Ubud to add to your Bali trip that we’ve been to and liked.
Best Museums In Ubud: From Art To Politics
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)
Not just a museum but a centre for visual and performing arts in Ubud is ARMA – Agung Rai Museum of Art was founded in 1996 by Anak Agung Gde Rai – a passionate Balinese local to preserve, show to the world traditional Balinese and Indonesian art as well as keep education local artists on generational skills.
The highlight of the visit to this museum is the traditional performance of Kecak dance and Legong Telek dance accompanied by gamelan practice sessions – two major Balinese dancing traditions.
The museum displays Batuan-style artworks, classical Kamasan paintings on tree bark, paintings from the most influential painters in Bali, traditional gamelan music instruments, woodcarvings, historical artifacts, and traditional Batik textiles.
Paintings by international artists who worked in Bali (Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet, Willem Gerard Hofker, and Willem Dooijewaard) and, of course, by influential Javanese, Indonesian and Balinese artists such as I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Ida Bagus Made, Anak Agung Gede Sobrat and I Gusti Made Deblog, Raden Saleh and Syarif Bustaman.
The territory and gardens of the museum are so magical that you can even book a romantic dinner here. Plus, ARMA is also an adjacent resort and gift shop.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: IDR 150.000 for adults (around 15 AUD)
The Blanco Renaissance Museum
Probably the quirkiest art museum on the island nested on a gorgeous hilltop – The Blanco Museum, is the actual residence, art studio and garden where the artist, Don Antonio Blanco, worked.
He immigrated to Bali before it became mainstream and was in love with the beauty of the island and Balinese women. After his death, his wish was for the house to become a museum.
The museum allows you to walk down the halls of his palace-like residence, admire his art and illustrated poetry, and take a sneak peek at his studio. It even has a 3d hologram of the artist! You can also sit down to watch a documentary about him, take pictures with colourful parrots in the garden or enjoy coffee and lunch in a restaurant nearby.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: IDR 100.000 for adults (around 10 AUD)
Neka Art Museum
An art museum built in 1975 and dedicated to traditional Balinese art is located in a stunning place – a fine example of Balinese architecture.
The founder of the museum – art collector Suteja Neka – is the son of the world-famous Indonesian wood carving artist Wayan Neka who created the first wood-carved statues representing Indonesia for World Fairs in New York and Osaka in the late 60s.
In the museum, you will see a wide collection of ancient and modern sculptures, paintings in different styles of Balinese art, the iconic Balinese dagger Kris filled with magic and spiritual power, as well as a few pavillions focusing on contemporary artworks and photos of Bali from early 30s and 40s.
The works of famous Indonesian artists like Affandi, Lempad, and Dutch-Indonesian artist Arie Smith are some of the must-see pieces here. The whole museum includes around 7 buildings, so allocate around 2-3 hours to slowly explore everything at Neka.
Where Is It? Jalan Raya Sanggingan Campuhan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: IDR 150.000 for adults (around 15 AUD)
Museum Puri Lukisan
The oldest museum in Bali and Ubud – Museum Puri Lukisan was founded by Dutch-born painter Rudolf Bonnet together with Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati – the prince of Ubud to preserve artworks. It is located in central Ubud and is very convenient for visiting.
The diverse collection of the museum has more than 150 paintings and 60 sculptures displayed in Balinese-style pavilions within the compound.
Museum Puri Lukisan also hosts a Museum of Marketing 3.0. It is a peculiar museum collecting a wide array of items and personalities that were related to the evolution of marketing till its modern state, but its opening hours are not very transparent and it is often closed to the public.
Where Is It? Jalan Raya Ubud, Gianyar 80571, Bali, Indonesia
Entrance fee: IDR 95.000 per adult (around 10 AUD)
Museum Rudana & Rudana Fine Art Gallery
Rudana Museum in Ubud was founded in 1995 by Nyoman Rudana – a Balinese art collector and art lover. It is a 3-story stunning Balinese-style building with an adjacent lotus pond, spacious gardens with statues, and pavilions where you can spend hours!
The impressive collection includes Batuan-style paintings, modern Indonesian art by artists like Gunarsa, Made Wianta, and Affandi, as well as some works of Don Antonio Blanco, cut-out puppets, historical photos, and sculptures. Some of the modern art is for sale.
Where Is It? Jl. Cok Rai Pudak No.44, Peliatan village, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: around 50,000 IDR (5 AUD)
Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets
The extensive collections of Setia Darma house include more than 7000 items: beautiful masks, puppets, and artifacts from Indonesia and other countries. As a home for traditional performances, the museum often hosts shows in their spacious amphitheatre.
Started by a private collector in the early 2000s, the place grew into an integrated complex dedicated to preservation and the study of performance practices to make them available to future generations.
The territory itself is one-of-a-kind – spacious gardens and Javanese traditional pavilions, surrounded by Balinese villages and rice fields.
Where Is It? Jalan Tegal Bingin, Banjar Tengkulak Tengah, Kemenuh, Sukawati, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80582, Indonesia
Entrance fee: no fee, but donations are welcome.
Museum Pendet (Art Museum)
An independent, family-owned museum with a collection of 29 paintings and 80 wooden carved sculptures created by local legend – Wayan Pendet.
It rarely sees many visitors so if you want to explore a collection in peace, this is a perfect stop on your museum crawl. It is also within walking distance of central Ubud and Ubud Monkey Forest, but there is no proper sign that this is a museum. Follow the map’s pin and don’t hesitate to enter.
Where Is It? Jl. Nyuh Bojog No.6, MAS, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: Free
Ubud Diary, Bali Fine Art Gallery
A modern art gallery found its home in a traditional Balinese house with a stunning garden. The collection focuses on the Art of Living and life in Ubud, as it was seen by artists before and today. You will see lots of ceremonies, nature, and daily life depicted in the works.
The gallery is technically a huge collection of one private collector – Made Ary, who has been passionate about art and antiques for the past 20 years.
The space always features some modern artists giving them a spot to shine.
Fair warning: there are a few other galleries down the same street, some of them are more commercially oriented and may have higher prices than markets.
Where Is It? Jl. A.A. Gede Rai No.550, Lodtunduh, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: free
Komaneka Art Gallery
Not far from Ubud monkey forest, there is a modern art gallery in a more western tradition – spacious, with lots of light, and frequent events. The exhibits are mostly paintings and sometimes sculptures.
The works by Indonesian and Balinese young and emerging artists represented by the gallery are available for purchase and range from realism to abstract art with Balinese motifs.
Where Is It? Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: free
Tony Raka Art Gallery
More of an art lounge than a classic art gallery, the TONYRAKA space displays a huge collection of unique art items from tribes in Borneo, Papua and the rest of the world including masks, statues, textiles, and antiques. You will find contemporary artworks, wood carvings, decorative items and so much more!
The gem of the collection is the artwork of one of the most influential painters of modern times in Bali – Nyoman Erawan (his works are also displayed at the Komaneka Art Gallery).
Absolutely worth the visit if you’re in Ubud. Plus, they have a cool cafe and workshops and events as well.
Please note, that photos are not allowed in the gallery part of the place, but are ok in the lounge and cafe area.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Mas No.86, MAS, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: free
Threads of Life Gallery Lungsiakan
This small gallery showcases and tells the stories of beautiful authentic textiles from the Indonesian archipelago – you can learn about different patterns related to every region, dyeing techniques, and so much more.
Threads of Life is not just a store selling woven items. They are trying to create awareness about the endangered textile traditions, employ communities who have been doing textiles for generations and help them earn more money to support their families.
Besides, you can join a workshop to learn some of the painting, dyeing or weaving techniques!
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Lungsiakan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Entrance fee: free
The Gedong Arca Museum Arkeologi – Archaeological Museum in Ubud
Bali doesn’t have many archaeological museums which makes this one museum even more special. The main focus of the modest collection is the sarcophagi displayed in Balinese-style pavilions alongside many archaeological finds and burial artefacts from the ancient Bedahulu kingdom (one of the Balinese kingdoms).
A guided tour is a must here – you will learn so many fascinating facts!
A fair warning – this museum is a bit off the beaten path, so we recommend hiring a driver coming here, taxi apps may not work well in that area.
Where Is It? F7JV+563, Bedulu, Blahbatuh, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Entrance fee: Free
The Sukarno Center
If beyond modern art and Balinese culture you’re interested in the politics of Indonesia, there is a museum dedicated to the first president of Indonesia who led Indonesia towards freedom from colonisation – Sukarno.
This museum displays photographs, letters, documents, and artifacts from the president’s life and work, as well as a glimpse into the modern history of Indonesia.
It is definitely a place tourists visit rarely but for history fans, it will be a cool stop.
Where Is It? Jl. Pejeng Kaja – Tampak Siring No.751, Sanding, Kec. Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552, Indonesia
Entrance fee: donation
FAQs
Is 3 Days In Ubud Enough?
Yes, in 3 days in Ubud you will be able to visit the top Ubud museums and Royal Palace, iconic Tegallalang rice terraces and Monkey Forest, shop for artsy souvenirs, have a fine dining experience at Aperitif, and enjoy a spa treatment. You will have time left to explore nearby waterfalls too.
However, if you’re planning to spend some time learning yoga or want to join a meditation retreat, you will need more time in Ubud.
Why Is Ubud So Famous?
Ubud is famous for the rich history of the royal family, rice terraces, Ubud monkey forest, Balinese art culture, an extensive collection of ancient and contemporary works of local and international artists, spirituality, and, of course, the natural beauty and tranquillity of green jungles.
There is no other place with such a combination of spirituality, amazing food, art, and history in Indonesia.
What Is Special In Ubud Bali?
Ubud has a charming, mystical and magical vibe. You are riding through jungles, walking through terraced rice fields and hilly walking paths, or strolling down the street past myriads of handcrafted items, traditional fabrics and amazing art.
Ubud just feels very different from the rest of Bali, and it has been historically one of the most important kingdoms on the island.
Final Thoughts On Ubud Museums
Bali’s art scene is vibrant in Ubud with many museums and art galleries open for art lovers travelling from all over the world.
Whether you are just curious to learn about traditional art and culture or willing to own an artwork, Bali and Ubud have a lot of gift shops and art galleries to offer for your culture vultures.
Read more:
The 21 Best Bali Museums: Where To Find Insight And Entertainment On The Island
