Agung Rai Museum Bali

Enhance your feelings of being in the centre of Balinese art, culture, and heritage at the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) in Ubud, Bali, a quiet oasis where art, history, and spirituality are enhanced.  Agung Rai Museum Bali is more than a museum, but it is a living cultural center that honors traditional Balinese paintings, performing arts, and community heritage.

Whether you’re an art or culture lover or just looking to get away on quiet grounds with great lush greenery and history, this 2026 Agung Rai Museum Bali guide will assist you in planning a perfect visit to the site, encompassing the most appropriate time to visit, the entry fee, the places to visit, and the tips that you can use to make sure that your experience is memorable.

Founded in 1996 by Anak Agung Gede Rai, the Agung Rai Museum was created to preserve, develop, and promote Balinese art and culture. It's not just a gallery; it's an ecosystem of creativity, offering visitors a glimpse into Bali's artistic evolution.

Spanning across lush landscaped gardens, the museum complex includes two art galleries, a library, traditional Balinese architecture, a cultural training centre, and the serene ARMA Villas & Resort. From ancient Kamasan paintings to works by modern Indonesian artists and even international influences like Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet, ARMA showcases the soul of Bali through colour, movement, and emotion.

Fun Fact: The founder, Agung Rai, started his life as an art dealer but decided to spend the rest of his life trying to preserve Balinese art by starting ARMA, which has become one of the best cultural preservation sites in Ubud.

• Balinese Classical Paintings: Rare Kamasan and Batuan-style paintings, 19th century.
• Modern Indonesian Art: Affandi and Hendra Gunawan, and other masters of the 20th century.
• Walter Spies & Rudolf Bonnet Collections: Bali was influenced in the 1930s by Western artists who inspired the renaissance of the art movement.
• Cultural Performances: Gamelan live performance, interaction performances, and painting lessons for visitors.
• ARMA Garden & Rice Fields: Take a walk amidst beautiful scenery, lotus ponds, and rice paddies, which are around the museum.

ARMA provides a complete experience of the living culture of Bali, be it in the form of looking at the classic paintings or enrolling in a batik workshop.

• Location: Jalan Raya Pengosekan Ubud Gianyar, 80571, Bali, Indonesia.
• Hours 2026: Daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM).
• Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours

Nearby Tourist Attractions in Ubud

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (1.5 km): A temple forest complex that is mystical.
• Ubud Palace (2 km): Ancient capital of the Ubud royal family.
• Ubud Art Market (2 km): Textiles and handmade souvenirs.
• Campuhan Ridge Walk (3 km): Rice terrace hiking path.
• Tegenungan Waterfall (7 km): A good place to take pictures and have a swim.

Pro Tip: Visit the ARMA museum, Ubud Palace, and Monkey Forest in one day in Ubud to have a complete experience of the Ubud culture.

Explore the ARMA Art Galleries

The two main galleries showcase both traditional and contemporary Indonesian art.

• Permanent Exhibition: Classical Balinese and Javanese works.
• Temporary Exhibitions: Rotating showcases from new-generation artists and international collaborations.

Attend a Balinese Cultural Performance

The museum features Balinese dance/gamelan performances on Wed, Fri, and Sat evenings at its open-air pavilions, which is a fascinating display in the Ubud starry skies.

Join an Art or Batik Workshop

Attend batik painting lessons, wood carving lessons, or traditional dance lessons. The classes are not very technical and are highly cultural, which makes them suitable for tourists who would like a hands-on cultural experience during their tours.

Dine at ARMA Garden Café

You can relax in the ARMA Garden Cafe and watch over the tropical gardens and koi ponds, ideal for coffee or a Balinese lunch after your museum tour.

Stay at ARMA Villas

Immerse yourself completely by spending the night in the on-site resort of Balinese-style villas, artistic interiors, and spiritual serenity, only a short distance away, the museum.

• Best Visiting Hours: Morning (9 AM-11 AM) when the galleries are less busy; evenings when it has cultural shows.
• Best Months: April-October (dry season) to have scenic outdoor experiences.
• Special Event: Go to Ubud Art Festival (June-July) to see special exhibitions and live art classes in ARMA.

• From Denpasar Airport: ~28 km (~45-60 min drive)
• From Seminyak/Canggu: ~1 hour 15 min (35-40 km)
• From Ubud Centre: Just 5–10 minutes on foot or by scooter

Getting Around:

• Taxis/GoJek: Simple to order and cheap.
• Scooter Rental: Good to have a look around the temples and rice fields.

• Go Early: Have a relaxing adventure without people.
• Dress Modestly: Observe local culture when visiting cultural shows.
• Photography: Not prohibited in most places, but flash is forbidden in the galleries.
• Stay Hydrated: Ubud may be humid; bring water.
• Shop Local. Visit the gift shop where you will find handmade art and batik prints.

• ARMA Garden Cafe: Catering to diverse dishes of Balinese and other international cuisine in a green environment.
• ARMA Thai Cuisine and Bar: Excellent for having dinners with garden views.
• ARMA Shop: Purchase reproductions of art, books, fabric, and crafts—the best souvenirs that give back to the artists in the city.

Morning:

• Begin your day with a guided tour of the Agung Rai Museum.
• Take part in a batik or painting studio.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at ARMA Garden Cafe.
• Local shopping: visit Ubud Palace and Art Market.

Evening:

• Catch a performance at the open-air stage of ARMA of a Balinese dance.
• Close the day with an evening in silence in central Ubud in a restaurant.

• It is one of Bali’s best cultural institutions that manages both traditional and modern art.
• Offers a full experience—art, nature, spirituality, and performance.
• House of the Balinese masterworks and international artists.
• Ideal location for art lovers, culture explorers, and photography lovers.
• Well situated close to the best attractions of Ubud.

1. Admire the classic and modern art collections.
2. Participate in a Balinese batik workshop.
3. Attend evening dance performance
4. Stroll in the rice fields and lotus ponds of the museum.
5. ARMA Garden Cafe: Have coffee and enjoy the vibe.

The Agung Rai Museum of Art is not only a museum; it is the history of Balinese creativity and philosophy. All paintings, performances, and carvings are a narrative of the everlasting spirit of the island. This is a must-visit in Ubud for travellers who want to experience the true Balinese culture.

To book your next vacation in Bali, visit Pickyourtrail, where you can create customisable Bali tour packages. Choose from Ubud cultural tours and art and heritage day tours to Bali honeymoon packages, which will also take you to the Agung Rai Museum, Monkey Forest, and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Book your packages today and experience the art and soul of Ubud eternally!