Museums in Bali

The Agung Rai Museum of Art in Ubud offers a whole gamut of Balinese creativity and art. Not only does it showcase a range of paintings, such as the classic Kamasan style paintings and those by Walter Spies and Adrien Le-Mayeur, but it also offers art workshops and traditional dance performances for visitors. This is one museum in Bali where you don't just see the history, but experience it too!

The Blanco Renaissance Museum is the palatial home-cum-studio of the famous artist Don Antonio Blanco. Located on a hilltop in Ubud that overlooks the Campuhan River, this museum in Bali displays various artworks of Blanco and his son Mario. The eccentric artist was of Spanish origin and was captivated by the naked female figure, both of which influenced his paintings.

The Dream Museum Zone in Legian works by illusion: rooms painted so that a photograph taken from the marked spot puts you inside the picture, including send-ups of Van Gogh and the Mona Lisa. Staff show you where to stand. Of the museums on this list it is the one that holds children longest, and the one with nothing to read.

A walk through Ubud is incomplete without spending a while at the Puri Lukisan Museum, home to several traditional, modern Balinese art masterpieces. The Bali museum's collection includes paintings from Sanur, Batuan, Keliki, and Young Artist art schools. It is the perfect spot for art-lovers seeking a glimpse of Indonesian art history with a cup of coffee.

On the beachfront of Sanur, Bali, sits the Museum Le Mayeur, the former mansion of Belgian Artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur and his wife, Ni Nyoman Pollock. Le Mayeur was captivated by Bali and the dancer Ni Pollock while traveling and decided to settle down here. This museum in Bali exhibits his artistic genius inspired by Balinese traditions and the local artifacts he collected during his time here.

The prime museum for Balinese Culture, Museum Negeri Propinsi in Bali, is the island's central museum located in its provincial capital, Denpasar. Housing over 10,000 artworks, the museum has a variety of pieces on display- from prehistoric stone sarcophagi to dance costumes and masks, making it a comprehensive collection of the island's heritage.

The Neka Art Museum was founded by Suteja Neka in 1982 and stands at Campuhan, on the ridge road north-west of central Ubud. Its collection is split across separate garden pavilions, one to each school, from classical wayang painting and the Ubud style to the European artists who settled on the island. That layout makes it the one museum here that reads as a survey of how Balinese painting developed rather than as a single collection.

Located about 4kms west of Semarapura, Nyoman Gunarasa museum in Bali houses both classical and contemporary artworks over a 3-storey building. Established by the well known Balinese artist Nyoman Gunarsa, the museum has 2 floors dedicated to the maestro's work while 1 floor exhibits the works of other local and international artists.

The Museum of Ancient Man, or Manusia Purbakla, is located in Gilimanuk, Jembrana and offers a fascinating glimpse into the archaeological mysteries of Bali. Dating back to 600 BC are various objects such as jewellery, crockery, bronze items, and sarcophagi. Human fossils are also on display here, making this museum in Bali worth visiting for the history buff.

If volcanoes fascinate you, the Batur Geopark Museum in Bali will not be missed. With models accompanied by interactive displays and rock samples, the geology of Mt.Batur and the workings of a volcano are brought to life. A UNESCO project, this museum is best enjoyed with your kids while exploring Bangli.

Located in downtown Singaraja, the Buleleng Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts and relics for the history buff. Mostly comprised of objects that belonged to the King of Buleleng, this museum in Bali displays about 23 traditional tools and 37 relics in addition to the various sarcophagi, paintings, and weapons.

One of the more recent fine art galleries in Bali, Museum Rudana exhibits a variety of sculptures and artwork by famous Indonesian and international painters. Founded by art collector Nyoman Rudana in 1995, the museum is spread across three levels surrounded by lush rice fields and displays emerging artists in a bid to boost the local art scene.

Located in Mengwi in West Bali, Manusa Yadnya or the 'Ritual of Human" museum documents just that- the rituals performed by the locals during the cycle of human life. Right from the ceremonies performed at birth to burial ceremonies, this museum in Bali exhibits the materials and tools needed for all of them. A visit here offers an engaging glimpse into the Balinese way of life.

Museum Semarajaya is located in Klungkung, Bali and exhibits a variety of artefacts such as the gold-woven songket cloth and photographs of the Kingdom of Klungkung. The museum also houses a grand collection of paintings and statues by Emilio Ambron and has on display the traditional salt-making process of Bali, which makes this museum a fascinating place to visit.

Gedong Arca Museum is an archaeological museum located in Bedulu. It features a variety of artefacts and ornaments- from sandstone sarcophagi to Chinese ceramics and stone carvings. The museum displays archaeological finds dating back to 300 BC, and guides are available to deepen your understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the exhibits.