Sight guide · Ubud · Indonesia
Visiting Neka Art Museum
Founded by the collector Suteja Neka, the museum's pavilions cover the development of Balinese painting from classical Kamasan wayang works to the Ubud and Batuan styles, plus foreign artists who lived on the island such as Arie Smit and Rudolf Bonnet.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mx. Granger, CC0
Quick answer
Neka Art Museum is a museum in Sanggingan, Ubud. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Sanggingan
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- art, history and rainy day
- Best months
- December–February
About Neka Art Museum
Founded by the collector Suteja Neka, the museum's pavilions cover the development of Balinese painting from classical Kamasan wayang works to the Ubud and Batuan styles, plus foreign artists who lived on the island such as Arie Smit and Rudolf Bonnet. A separate pavilion holds a fine collection of kris daggers.
Tip: Start in the Balinese Painting Hall to understand the styles, then you will recognise them in the galleries in town.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Sanggingan, river confluence, the ridge walk and fine-dining restaurants on the road west.
Best time to visit Neka Art Museum
Neka Art Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- January: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 20 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- December: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 19 rainy days, busy crowds.
- February: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 18 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Ubud has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Neka Art Museum is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Tegallalang Rice Terraces.
- No. 11 of the 19 sights in our Ubud things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Ubud.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Ubud.
If you like Neka Art Museum
- ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art) — Pengosekan, 1.5 hours
- Museum Puri Lukisan — Central Ubud, 1 hour
- Blanco Renaissance Museum — Campuhan, 1 hour
Staying near Neka Art Museum
Stay in Campuhan and Sanggingan ($$$) to walk here: river confluence, the ridge walk and fine-dining restaurants on the road west. All areas to stay in Ubud.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Neka Art Museum?
Plan 1.5–2 hours.
+Is Neka Art Museum free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Neka Art Museum?
December–February, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Start in the Balinese Painting Hall to understand the styles, then you will recognise them in the galleries in town.
+Do I need to book Neka Art Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.