Ubud shopping – a unique Bali experience
Mystical Ubud has long been a focal point of Balinese culture. Nowadays it’s a vibrant artisanal hub with countless workshops, specialty shops and a renowned art market. Ubud shopping is an undeniable attraction for Bali holidaymakers with a love of unique handcrafted jewellery, homewares and fashion.
Village and market shopping
Bargain hunters need not look further than the Ubud Art Market for their shopping needs. Others make the half hour trip to the art markets of Sukawati and Guwang. The latter is less crowded.
Meanwhile, villages around Ubud specialize in various crafts. About 15 minutes out of town, the galleries and workshops of Mas are known for woodcarving. Celuk is the place for silversmiths, while Batubalan’s specialties are stone carving and batik fabrics. Local operators, like Dewa Bali, offer tours to the region’s craft workshops. Alternatively, hire a driver and make your own way.
Ubud shopping for fashion and textiles
Fashion lovers will not be disappointed with Ubud shopping, whether they’re on the hunt for inexpensive clothes or bespoke and tailored designs. The town is also small enough to explore on foot, so wear your comfortable shoes.
Across the street from the Ubud art market, Manik Bali is a small shop selling cushions, bags and clothing cut from handwoven ikat fabrics. The shop also has a custom tailor service. Ikat Batik also has a range of beautiful handwoven and hand-dyed fabrics and soft furnishings.
Otherwise, Nanan carries stylish handmade leather goods and silver jewellery. We’ar has yoga-wear made from all organic fibres, while Frockk is an Australian brand of quality casual wear.
In addition, John Hardy is a high-end international fashion jeweller with a workshop complex outside Ubud. The truly awe-inspiring showroom and workshop are set on an idyllic 400-acre rural property. A visit and tour make for an experience that goes well beyond shopping.
Shop and learn
Many of Ubud’s local artisans provide casual classes to visitors. Choose from an amazing range of crafts from painting to woodcarving and batik making. Not to mention the classes for kids.
One such workshop is Studio Perak, which crafts chic jewellery from silver and semi-precious stones. They run daily jewellery making classes and welcome children over eight.
Ceramics enthusiasts will find nirvana at the exquisite Gaya Ceramic studio and arts centre. Serious ceramicists come from around the world for the centre’s classes and intensive workshops.
Finally, Threads of Life is a superlative fair trade gallery specializing in museum quality traditional textiles. All fibres are natural and hand dyed, and the business helps rural women earn a fair living while keeping their native traditions alive. The gallery also runs batik classes for visitors.
