Fascinating Ubud

You'll get to know a histiric palace called Puri Saren Agung in the heart of Ubud. Most of it dates back to the early 20th century, after the 1917 earthquake destroyed the previous royal family. To this day, royals still dwell within its elaborately sculpted walls. Many of the buildings in the compound aren’t as ornate, but the grounds still make for an interesting place to explore. Your guide can point out interesting stone carvings made by a local artist named Gusti Nyoman Lempad. Blanco, arguably the most famous and successful artist to ever live in Bali, built his magnificent studio on top of a mountain overlooking the Campuan River. This flamboyant building, a unique blend of Balinese architecture imbued with the spirit of his native Spain, houses an interesting collection of works drawn from different periods of his long career. Finally, you’ll head to one of the most popular attractions in Ubud, the Sacred Monkey Forest. This is an ecological reserve that serves as a sanctuary for the long-tailed macaque and has its own Hindu temple complex.

The “Palace of Paintings” is Bali’s oldest art museum and showcases a large collection of modern-traditional Balinese paintings and woodwork. The museum’s collection represents important Balinese artistic styles including works from the Wayang, Sanur, Batuan, Ubud, Young Artist, and Keliki schools. It’s located in central Ubud, in the Gianyar Regency about one hour North of Denpasar. The museum’s lush landscaped grounds and quiet galleries of beautiful local artwork offer a welcome retreat from the often crowded streets of Ubud.