Located in the centre of Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud, the Neka Art Museum is a fascinating entrance to the island’s rich cultural heritage. Established by the dedicated art enthusiast Suteja Neka in 1982, this breathtaking museum offers a journey through the colourful tapestry of the Indonesian arts, including traditional masterpieces and striking contemporaries. Walking, you will encounter a remarkable variety of paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Marvel the efforts of celebrated artists from Indonesia like Affandi and Arie Smit, alongside international pieces inspired by the beautiful Bali island and its culture.
Places To Visit Near Neka Art Museum
Discover the richness and variety of Indonesian craftsmanship through products that feature everything from striking modern artwork to delectable batik patterns. Plan to visit the Neka Art Museum in Bali to begin your artistic exploration. While you’re there, explore these beautiful places nearby.
1. Saraswati Temple
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The Saraswati Temple is a religious structure in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – the centre of Balinese Hinduism committed to the Hindu goddess Saraswati. It is not only used for offerings and prayers but also as an important historical and architectural landmark. The temple of Saraswati – the goddess of knowledge, is indeed beautiful in its unique way and has a calm atmosphere. You will first glimpse the structure and architectural design as you pass through the main entrance. The temple areas are filled with water lilies, and a lotus pond surrounding the temple gives a serene touch to the temple. Some of the lotus flowers used in Hindu religious rituals bloom, which is a good sight.
The temple’s main shrine is towards the east and is also devoted to Saraswati; the beautiful statues and carvings of Saraswati make it among the temples most difficult to miss. It also has a library where books and many reference manuscripts are stored; hence, it was necessary as a learning centre. Tourists who come to the Saraswati Temple can also discover India’s traditional Hindu religion and various religious ceremonies for themselves.
Location: At a distance of 2.4km
Entry Fee: Free
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2. The Sacred Monkey Forest
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The Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is an enchanting nature preserve and ancient Balinese temple founded in the central part of Bali Island, precisely set in Ubud village. Spread over an area of about 27 acres of virgin forest, it has more than 700 free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fasciculars) and an important religious and archaeological site.
‘The forest’ is beautifully designed to have a calm milieu complete with streams, paths and foliage that is as pleasing to the monkeys as it is to the visitors. Instead of organising game drives, the tourists are taken to an area with macaque monkeys famous for their playful and curious nature, and these monkeys move about the forest on their own, thus allowing the tourists to interact with the wildlife. In addition to its vibrant wildlife, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary houses three ancient temples. All the significant temples have been described, such as the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, the Holy Spring Temple, and the Prajapati Temple. The numerous structures have large doors, intricate carvings mainly on stones and huge statues reclaimed with green moss, giving the whole forest’s mysterious outlook.
Location: 4 km from the Neka Art Gallery Ubud
Entry Fee: Free of cost
3. Bali Swing
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The Bali Swing is a must-visit and adventurous attraction in Ubud, which has become famous among travellers looking to capture beautiful shots. Located in the greenery of the Balinese mainland, the Bali Swing gives adrenaline-rushing hints to the visitors, along with the view of the top green jungle, the rice field and the Ayung River down below. It comprises several swing facilities determined by height, from 10 metres to the tallest, 78 metres high. Suspense rises once the visitors are on the gondolas spinning over the edge; they are left to martial arts experiences and the most stunning views of the natural environment surrounding the island of Bali.
Apart from the swings, the Bali Swing has other aesthetical attractions: nests, viewpoints, and platforms designed with great attention to the surrounding nature. These areas are great places to take those Instagram shots that most people love to tag #Bali. When done correctly, the Bali Swing is much more than a thrill ride; it’s an adventure that requires individuals to engage with the breathtaking beauty of Bali. For anyone who wants to develop an adrenaline rush, get an awesome picture, or at least be able to capture Bali from a bird’s perspective, the Bali Swing is such an experience worth giving a try.
Location: 12 km from Neka Art Museum Bali
Entry Fee: INR 1200-1500
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4. Agung Rai Museum Of Art
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The Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), situated in Ubud, Bali, is widely recognised as the cultural art museum in Indonesia, specialising in Indonesian art with an emphasis on Balinese art. It was founded in 1996 by Agung Rai, an art lover and active participant in preserving Indonesian culture through means of art and other platforms. This institution not only gives a complete feel for Balinese and Indonesian art but also encompasses the old spirit of Bali. The Artistic picture collection of ARMA is incredibly vast. It includes works of modern and classic Balinese art tropes on par with artists like I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Ida Bagus Made, and Anak Agung Gede Sobrat. It also displays collections of paintings of several Indonesian art giants, such as Raden Saleh and Affandi, as well as other artists from other parts of the world who were influenced by the culture and beauty of Bali.
Surrounding the museum is a well-maintained garden that gives visitors and art lovers a background and environment ideal for masterpieces. The architecture of the buildings reflects traditional Balinese architecture, owing to which the cultural setting of the theme adds to the artistic feel of the place, which is greatly surrounded by nature.
Location: 3.5 kilometres from Neka Art Museum
Entry Fees: INR 283
5. Puri Lukisan Museum
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Puri Lukisan Museum is situated in Ubud of Bali and has tremendous potential for symbolic and artistic legacy in Bali. This museum was started in 1956 by Rudolf Bonnet, a Dutch artist, and Cokorda Gde Agung Sukawati, the prince of Ubud. It is the first art museum in Bali. The museum’s name is Puri Lukisan, which means Palace of Paintings in Balinese. It aims to introduce Balinese and other Indonesian traditional and contemporary artworks. Nonetheless, the artwork in the Bali Museum is a collection of classical Balinese paintings, modern paintings with impressions of existent art style, and an artistic collection from local Balinese artists. It is a complete guide to the progression of Balinese art painting as complex as the Kamasan-style paintings with their stories depicted on it to reach for the abstract forms in the 20th and 21st century Balinese works.
Located in an aesthetically pleasing natural setting with Koi and lotus ponds and traditional Balinese architecture, the Puri Lukisan Museum enables clients to experience Balinese art and culture while observing the art pieces collected in the museum. The museum also has programs that include cultural performances and rehearsals as well as art classes to ensure that clients gain an understanding of Balinese arts. The Puri Lukisan Museum has become an essential symbol of the culture and arts of the Balinese people and their traditions.
Location: 1.5km from Neka Art Museum
Entry Fee: Approx INR 330
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6. Ubud Traditional Art Market
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The Ubud Traditional Art Market, known locally as Pasar Seni Ubud, is a bustling market showcasing trade conventions of Balinese culture and craft-based in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Bali’s art market is very active, and tourists are keen to buy goods from Indonesian artists and artisans. It is located opposite the Ubud Royal Palace, so anyone who sees the palace will become interested in the place.
Pawned daily from dawn up to dusk, the Ubud Traditional Art Market encompasses various products for sale. Items available include handcrafted items like beautifully crafted silver ornaments, colourful married woman’s wrappers known as sarongs, local baskets woven from natural materials, wooden carvings, paintings and textiles. These products are usually crafted by locals which could be in the form of artefacts designed to represent the historical and cultural background of the island. It is composed of two diverse sections, and it is the focus of this paper. The west side is mainly an open-air Cricut area that acts as a traditional market that stocks fruits, vegetables, and spices early in the morning. The eastern division is about art and crafts, so tourists can look at and even buy some exquisite art pieces. This is again typical for people of Egypt, where it is possible to haggle with sellers and get better prices coupled with lively and effective communication.
Location: 1.5km from Neka Art Gallery Ubud
Entry Fee: Free
Further Read: Bali Bird Park
For tourists, the Neka Art Museum in Ubud is an educational and highly informative place where an excursion to Balinese art can be provided. The ideal way to demonstrate this is by visiting one of the unique art museums on the island exhibiting traditional and contemporary artefacts and other art forms. Plan a trip to Bali and visit the Neka Art Museum to explore and learn a lot about Balinese art and culture at the museum.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Neka Art Museum
Are guided tours available at Neka Art Gallery Ubud?
Yes, the Neka Art Museum offers guided tours to visitors through the museum and the artworks they display. To increase awareness of the artworks, these tours focus on explaining the contents of the works and the development of Balinese art to the visitors.
What can visitors expect to see at the Neka Art Museum?
Numerous types of artwork are on display at the centre, such as Balinese traditional paintings, modern artworks or sculptures, and photographs, among others. The museum's collection comprises art by Balinese artists and some international artists influenced by Bali's culture. The Neka Art Museum photos do not do justice to this place's cultural and aesthetic feel.
Is there any special exhibitions or events at the Neka Art Museum Ubud?
Yes, it is true that the Neka Art Museum provides and displays temporary exhibitions, cultural events, and education programs. Such events generally focus on a specific theme or artist and can provide much more information on Balinese art and cultural features.
Is there a charge for Neka Art Museum tickets?
Yes, a person has to pay an amount to gain entry into the museum. In terms of cost, it is advised to consult the museum’s website or call the museum for the current rates of Neka Art Museum tickets and other promotional offers.
Is the Neka Art Museum equally accessible to a disabled person or to a person in a wheelchair?
Yet, it is best to call the museum ahead of time and discuss the possibilities of specific accommodations since some of the exhibition areas could be partially wheelchair accessible.
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