Considered as the key landmark of Ubud, the Royal Palace is a must-visit on Bali itinerary. While you may prefer to lounge in one of the luxurious Ubud villas, it is well worth your time to make yourself leave the beach and venture towards the city. Located less than half an hour from the beach and popular holiday resorts such as Alila, Ubud Royal Palace is sought after by those seeking authentic Balinese art and culture.

Built during the 18th century, from 1800 to 1823 when Lord Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel was reigning, the palace enjoys a central location in Ubud. With various local and international restaurants as well as Ubud Art Market in the vicinity, many tourists consider a visit to the palace as a stopover on their day spent exploring Ubud. While the entire palace, of course, is not open for public viewing, the front section welcomes visitors during the day. One can take a walk through the palace frontals, viewing the architecture, taking pictures and even posing with a few of the decors available. Some pavilions of the palace are home to ornate musical instruments, emphasizing the importance of music and dance in the Balinese culture – trait that is evident even in the present day and time. While a guide is not necessary, one might have a chance encounter with a local guide in the Wantilan pavilions. If you do require to know the history and stories behind the palace, it is highly recommended that you enrol the services of a guide.

Although no King of Ubud has resided in the royal palace since the 1940s, some of the descendants of the royal lineage live here to date. While the entrance and exploration of the public access areas of the palace are conducted free of charge, tourists are required to pay a fee to witness the traditional dance performances that are put forward at the palace on most evenings.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.

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