Bali never runs out of beautiful places that are rich in art and cultural values, ranging from tourist villages, temples, art galleries, to museums. Recently, one of the museums in Bali, the SAKA Museum, made it into the ranks of the 100 Best Places in the World 2024 or 2024 World’s Greatest Places by TIME Magazine.
Bali has many museums that tourists can visit. Museums are an ideal place to learn about Bali’s culture and history at large, making it an alternative to Bali tourism.
If you are tired of playing on the beach, then the museum can be an alternative tourist destination. Here are recommendations for Bali museums that are interesting to visit on a trip to Bali.
9 Best Bali Museum
1. Saka Museum, best Bali Museum by Time Magazine
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Inside the SAKA Museum, visitors can find various collections that reflect the richness of Balinese culture, including statues, 18th-century palace doors, gamelan, and ancient manuscripts written on lontar.
Located in the Ayana Estate complex, Jimbaran, the museum has a unique concept, inspired by Nyepi Day, a moment of purification for Balinese Hindus. The name “SAKA” itself takes inspiration from the Hindu calendar, paying homage to Bali’s past, present, and future.
One of the most prominent collections is the ogoh-ogoh, large sculptures depicting mythological spirits that are usually paraded during Nyepi celebrations. The ogoh-ogoh in this museum are made with advanced technology, allowing them to move like robots.
Address: Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Kec. South Kuta., Badung Regency, Bali
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
2. The Blanco Renaissance Museum
One of the most popular museums in Bali. The museum is dedicated to the works of artist Antonio Blanco, a Spanish painter who lived in Bali.
The museum established in 1998 contains paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, and costumes made by Antonio Blanco. You can also take a tour with the tour guide inside the museum.
The museum is built on top of Campuhan Hill, offering beautiful views of nature, including the Campuhan River, terraced rice fields, and trees surrounding the museum. The Blanco Renaissance Museum is located on Jalan Raya Campuhan, which is also a popular destination in Indonesia.
Address: Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Ubud District, Gianyar Regency, Bali
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
3. Cush Cush Gallery
One of the modern art galleries that is always crowded with various art exhibitions from renowned artists. Its location in the center of Denpasar is easy to reach. This museum usually stores various artworks and furniture made from local natural materials.
CushCush Gallery is a platform or creative space located in the Jalan Teuku Umar area of Denpasar, dedicated to multidisciplinary collaboration by bridging various creative fields such as architecture, communication design, interior design, product design, art including performing arts and crafts.
Address: Gg. Rajawali No.1B, Dauh Puri Klod, Kec. West Denpasar, Bali
Visit by appointment only
4. Neka Art Museum
Pande Wayan Suteja Neka found Neka Museum, currently known as Neka Art Museum,. Dr Daoed Joesoef, the Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture, officially opened the museum in 1982.
The Neka Art Museum houses thousands of ancient artworks, such as paintings, keris, sculptures and various photo collections on display. The location is spacious and is often used as an exhibition venue for various art events, such as the Ubud Writer and Readers Festival.
Visitors to the Neka Art Museum need to pay IDR 100,000 for adults, IDR 50,000 for students, IDR 50,000 for children aged 10-17 years old, and there is no charge or free entry for children under 10 years old.
Address: Jalan Raya Sanggingan Campuhan, Kedewatan, Ubud District, Gianyar Regency, Bali
Opening hours: Monday = Sunday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
5. Le Mayeur Museum
Tourists can visit Le Mayeur Museum in Denpasar, Bali, as it is one of the interesting tourist destinations. This place that is often referred to as a love museum, is the eternal work of a Belgian painter with a Balinese girl named Ni Nyoman Pollok.
Let’s take a look at the history of this museum. Once upon a time, a painter from Bruxelles, Belgium, rented a house in Banjar Kelandis. It was there that he met a palace legong dancer named Ni Nyoman Pollok, who was 15 years old.
Le Mayeur then made her a model for his paintings. The paintings were later exhibited in Singapore.
Ni Nyoman Pollok’s portraits on canvas brought Le Mayeur international recognition. He returned to Bali and bought a piece of land on the coast of Sanur Beach.
Le Mayeur decided to stay forever on the Island of the Gods. In fact, he married Ni Nyoman Pollok in a traditional Balinese ceremony.
The collection of Le Mayeur Museum consists of more than 88 paintings, plus household appliances, such as tables, chairs, cabinets, and beds.
Address: Hang Tuah Street, Sanur Kaja, South Denpasar, Denpasar City, Bali
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8.00 am – 3.30 pm
6. Bajra Sandhi Museum
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Bajra Sandhi Museum, also known as Bajra Sandhi Monument, is a monument to the struggle of the Balinese people that reflects the spirit and determination in fighting colonialism in Indonesia. Like other parts of Indonesia, Bali also has a history of being colonized by Dutch.
This monument was built to commemorate the struggle of the Balinese people and as a symbol of the spirit of struggle to defend the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
In 1987, they started building the Bajra Sandhi Museum, and President Megawati Soekarno Putri inaugurated it on June 14, 2003.
The name “Bajra Sandhi” was chosen because the shape of this monument resembles a bajra or clapper used in Hindu religious ceremonies by priests.
The monument incorporates Hindu elements, including Guci Amertha, Naga Basuki’s Tail, Badan Bedawang Akupa, Gunung Mandara Giri, and a pond surrounding it, which is compared to Ksirarnawa (sea of milk).
The museum has a strategic location in the center of Denpasar, making it easily accessible to tourists in various regions of Bali.
Address: Jl. Raya Puputan No.142, Panjer, South Denpasar, Denpasar City, Bali
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm, Saturday, 9.00 am – 4.30 pm, Sunday, 10.00 am – 4.30 pm
7. Puri Lukisan Museum Ubud
Puri Lukisan Museum is the oldest art museum in Bali, so many people are interested in visiting it. This is not surprising, considering that the museum has collections dating back to 1954.
Not infrequently, the museum also holds art exhibitions that are interesting to explore. Through these exhibitions, artists and art lovers can meet each other to discuss and voice ideas.
Outside, the museum has a large garden with a variety of trees. In the center is a lotus pond, which enhances the atmosphere.
There is also an old banyan tree near the museum building. Perfect for enjoying the view.
The entrance ticket for this museum is IDR 85,000 per person. This ticket price includes drinks and delicious cakes. There are many choices, including soft drinks, mango juice, orange juice, sweet tea, or coffee.
Address: Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali
Opening hours: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
8. The Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets
The Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets is suitable for tourists who want to learn more about Balinese culture and art.
Visitors can see 1,300 mask collections and 5,700 puppet collections. Some of the masks are new and specially ordered, while others have previously been used.
While visiting the Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets, take the time to see some of the iconic collections, including the barong landung and the Balinese shadow puppet “Ramayana”.
Address: Tegal Bingin Street, Banjar Tengkulak Tengah, Kemenuh, Sukawati, Gianyar Regency, Bali
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
9. Museum Pustaka Lontar
Museum Pustaka Lontar is expected to be a center of learning or study and knowledge for the community and tourists. In this museum, visitors can see various collections of manuscripts written on palm leaves.
The ancient manuscripts are well preserved and passed down to the next generation. The manuscripts in various lontars contain types of medicinal plants or usada, architecture, kanuragan science, kekawin, records of past events such as the eruption of Mount Agung, and so on.
The experience of traveling to the Lontar Library Museum will take you to the era of old Bali. If you are lucky, you can meet Jero Mangku who will tell you stories about the making of the palm leaf library!
Address: Desa Adat Dukuh Penaban, Karangasem, Kec. Karangasem, Karangasem Regency, Bali
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
