Ubud Holidays

Far from wild party scene of Kuta and Legian, Ubud holidays personify the artistic spirituality of the Balinese people. Comprised of many different villages, the cultural centre that is Ubud is a fascinating mix of upscale art galleries, fine museums, Hindu temples, and traditional artisan village life.

Museums and art galleries abound in Ubud. The Arma Museum houses a wonderful collection of Balinese paintings and is also a centre for music, theatre, and traditional dance performances. Museum Puri Lukisan is home to an outstanding collection of Indonesian paintings and woodcarvings. Perhaps the finest art collection in Ubud is at the Museum Rudana, with two spacious floors of modern Indonesian art. Seniwati Art Gallery was established to help Bali’s women artists.

The sacred Monkey Reserve is home to over 200 long-tailed macaque monkeys and has three holy temples on its grounds. Batuan Village is an authentically constructed Balinese village where artisans live and practice their crafts in much the same manner their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Nature lovers won’t want to miss exploring the enchanting botanical gardens of the Bali Bird and Reptile Park, home to many colourful species of indigenous birds.

The mountains around Ubud are the site of many of Bali’s spectacular Hindu temples. Gunung Kawi is a sprawling 10th century temple complex northeast of Ubud with seven-metre high memorials carved into the valley’s rock face. Pura Samuan Tiga is flanked by two rivers, and is believed to be the sacred venue for a meeting of gods, deities, and saints.