The short answer
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung): what visitors should know first
Yes, as a short stop. The public courtyards take under an hour and sit beside the art market, so pair them. Part of the palace is still a family home and is closed, so treat it as a place to look and learn rather than a full museum. Dance shows at night are the best reason to return.
History and context
The story behind Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
The present palace was built in traditional Balinese style during the reign of Tjokorda Putu Kandel, who ruled from 1800 to 1823, according to Wikipedia. The 1917 earthquake damaged the structures, and because it was the royal residence it was restored quickly and opened to foreign guests in 1928.
The palace complex includes the private temple Pura Marajan Agung to the north and a large fig tree from Bengal in the enclosure in front. Many stone carvings were made by the Balinese artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad.
Useful facts
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) facts at a glance
- Location
- Jalan Raya Ubud, central Ubud, Gianyar Regency
- Experience type
- Royal residence, courtyards and evening dance
- Known for
- Carved gateways and nightly dance performances
- Built
- Present palace under Tjokorda Putu Kandel, 1800 to 1823; restored after 1917
- Time or schedule
- Courtyards by day; dance shows usually in the evening
Why it matters
Why Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) is worth your time
Ubud Palace explains how the town became a centre of arts. The royal family of Ubud, who lived here, supported painters, carvers and dancers, and the town's reputation grew from that patronage. The same family later helped found the Puri Lukisan museum, so the palace is a good first stop before the galleries.
It is also a rare place in town where traditional Balinese architecture is on show in a working setting: gateways, pavilions, shrines and open halls arranged around courtyards, some still used for ceremonies. Seeing it first makes the rest of the temples and compounds you visit easier to read, because the layout and the carved guardians repeat across Bali.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Carved gateways
The ornamental angkul-angkul doors with guardian statues are among the finest stonework in central Ubud.
- 02
Pavilions and courtyards
Open halls and shrines show the layout of a Balinese noble compound.
- 03
Evening dance
The main pavilion usually hosts gamelan-accompanied dance shows after dark.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat the palace as a two-part visit. By day, walk the public courtyards at an easy pace, looking at the carved gates, guardian statues and open pavilions. Part of the compound is still lived in by the royal family and is not open, so follow signs and do not wander into closed areas. Wikipedia credits many of the stone carvings to the artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, so look closely at the stone and wood details rather than rushing for a photograph.
Return in the evening if you want a Balinese dance performance. The main pavilion usually hosts shows after dark, accompanied by gamelan, in front of an ornamental split gate. Buy a ticket on the day or ahead from the booth, arrive early for a good seat, and ask what the performance will be, since programmes change. Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees are the norm in and around temples.
The palace sits next to the Pasar Seni art market and a short walk from Pura Taman Saraswati, so it works well as the start of a morning on foot.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Check which courtyards are open before you walk in
- Buy dance tickets early for a good seat
- Cover shoulders and knees
- Pair with the art market and Pura Taman Saraswati
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Jalan Raya Ubud, central Ubud, opposite the art market
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes; allow an evening for a dance show
- Best time
- Morning for the courtyards; evening for a dance performance
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Mostly level courtyards with a few steps between pavilions; uneven paving in places. Little seating in the open areas and it gets warm and humid by late morning.
- Tickets and access
- Check on site which courtyards are open to visitors; part is a private residence. Dance performances are separately ticketed, so check current schedules and prices.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Mostly level courtyards with a few steps between pavilions; uneven paving in places. Little seating in the open areas and it gets warm and humid by late morning.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Ubud Palace open to visitors?
Public courtyards are open, but part of the complex remains the royal family's home and is closed. Check on site.
Are there dance shows at the palace?
The main pavilion usually hosts evening dance shows with gamelan. Check current programmes and prices on the day.
Who built Ubud Palace?
Wikipedia credits the present palace to Tjokorda Putu Kandel, who reigned 1800 to 1823; it was restored after a 1917 earthquake.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
