Sukawati Art Market (Traditional Market)

A Popular Market in Gianyar with a Shopping Paradise for Balinese Art and Souvenirs

Have You Ever Visited Sukawati Art Market?

Sukawati Art Market located in Gianyar, Bali, is one of the most famous traditional markets on the Island of the Gods. It has become a favorite destination for tourists to buy Balinese art, handicrafts, and souvenirs. With an authentic atmosphere and an abundant selection of products, Sukawati Art Market is included in the list of Gianyar Interesting Places to Visit that you must visit during your Bali Tour trip.

When shopping in this market, you will feel the exciting atmosphere as the market is filled with colorful handicrafts from various shops selling their goods. The market has enchanting Balinese architecture, creating an unforgettable experience for every visitor. If you’re lucky, you’ll find local artists making wood carvings or painting on the spot. Sometimes, the market also offers performance art depicting epic stories from Hindu mythology. Visiting Sukawati Art Market is an integral part of the Bali tour experience that is rich in local culture and art, giving you the opportunity to take home memories and authentic artworks from Bali.

History of Sukawati Art Market

Sukawati Art Market was established in the 1980s and has become the center of art trading in Bali. Its strategic location in Gianyar, an area known as the center of Balinese art and culture, makes this market a gathering place for local artists to showcase their works. Initially, the market only consisted of a few small stalls, but with the development of the tourism industry in Bali, the art market became famous and large. Today, Sukawati Art Market continues to grow as a shopping destination that offers an authentic Balinese cultural experience. While you are shopping in this area, you will still get a sense of comfort and enjoy the uniqueness of shopping in one of the best art markets in your exciting Bali Tour.

Location and Accessibility of this Authentic Market

Sukawati Art Market is located on Sukawati Highway, Gianyar Regency, Bali. The market is easily accessible from various tourist areas such as Ubud, Sanur, or Kuta. If you drive from Denpasar, the trip will take about 30 minutes. From the Ubud area, you only need to travel about 15 km or about 30 minutes. If you depart from the Ngurah Rai Airport area, the trip will take about 50 minutes with a distance of 29 km. Meanwhile, if you drive from the Kuta or Seminyak area, you will also need about 50 minutes. Many travel agents offer a visit to this market as part of their Bali tour. You can also use private vehicles or public transportation to reach this location.

Sukawati Art Market’s Role in Preserving Balinese Traditions

Sukawati Art Market is not only a place to shop for arts and crafts, but also plays an important role in preserving Balinese traditions and culture. As a renowned art market, it reflects Balinese creativity and cultural values through various products, such as wood carvings, paintings, and other handicrafts that contain deep philosophies. The market serves as a link between Balinese tradition and the younger generation, providing a space for local artists to introduce their work, as well as engaging the next generation in the preservation of traditional arts. Thus, Sukawati Art Market is not only interesting to visit, but also vital in maintaining the sustainability of Balinese culture.

Tourist Attractions of Sukawati Market

Sukawati Art Market has many attractions that make it unique and worth visiting:

• Affordable Prices: Compared to art galleries, the goods here are cheaper yet still of high quality. You can get Balinese art and handicrafts at pocket-friendly prices.
• Authenticity of Local Products: Most of the items in this market are made by local artisans, supporting Bali’s cottage industry. The products sold are of a quality and authenticity that reflects Bali’s rich culture.
• A Paradise for Souvenir Hunters/Art Lovers: This market offers a variety of items with a unique artistic touch. You can find a variety of paintings, traditional sculptures, home décor items, clothing or textiles, and jewelry.
• Exciting Shopping Experience: Your Bali tour will be complete if you shop at this market. You will get amazing memories with the best shopping experience filled with bargaining moments.
• Cultural Experience: You can see first-hand how arts and crafts are an integral part of Balinese life. This market provides an opportunity to experience Balinese culture first-hand, from painting to handicrafts.
• Traditional Atmosphere: With a simple market design, visitors can experience an authentic Balinese atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of modern tourism.
• Interaction with Local Merchants: Vendors in the market are friendly and open to sharing stories about their wares, providing a more personalized and heartfelt experience.
• Strategic Location: Located on a popular tourist route, it is easily accessible from Ubud, Kuta, or Denpasar. This makes Sukawati Art Market a very suitable destination in your Bali tour.

What Are the Activities You Can Do at this Sukawati Art Market?

Besides shopping, there are many interesting activities you can do at Sukawati Art Market to complete your Bali Tour:

• Learn to Bargain: Try your bargaining skills to get the best price. The bargaining process in this market gives you a thrill, and you will feel satisfied if you manage to get a cheaper price.
• Tasting Traditional Snacks: Around the market, many vendors sell Balinese snacks. Try things like banana rai, market snacks, or refreshing young coconut ice.
• Taking Pictures with Art Products: Capture your moment among the rows of colorful art items. This market is highly instagrammable, perfect for sharing your visual Bali experience with friends.
• Hunt for Unique Items: Find jewelry, fabrics, or paintings that you won’t find anywhere else. Each item sold in this market has its own story and uniqueness.
• Witness the Craft Making Process: Some vendors display their craft-making process live, giving you the opportunity to learn more about Bali’s incredible art techniques.

What are the Products Offered at This Sukawati Art Market?

Sukawati Art Market provides a variety of Balinese arts and crafts, such as:

• Traditional Paintings: A variety of painting styles, ranging from traditional to modern, can be found here.
• Clothes and Fabrics: Batik fabrics, sarongs, and Balinese clothing are available at affordable prices.
• Statues and Woodcarvings: Works by local artists depicting the beauty of Balinese carving.
• Accessories and Jewelry: Unique bracelets, necklaces and earrings made from natural materials.
• Traditional Souvenirs: Items such as woven bags, hand fans, and various other Balinese souvenirs.

Additional Information About Visiting Sukawati Market

• Facilities: This market provides adequate facilities to complete your Bali tour. Facilities include a large parking area, public toilets, seating, several food stalls, rest areas, various stalls and shops, security post, market office, and lodging around the market area.
• Opening Hours: The market is open every day, so you can visit anytime. However, the best time to visit is in the morning, especially if you want to shop for fresher goods and get better prices. The art market is open from 06:00 to 18:00 WITA.
• Ticket Prices: Entry to the Sukawati Market area is free; you only need to pay for a parking ticket at a reasonable price. Be sure to bring some extra cash, as you’re sure to have an exciting shopping experience at this market.

Shopping Tips at Sukawati Art Market

To get the best experience while shopping at Sukawati Art Market, here are some tips for Bali Tour that you can follow:

• Bargain: The prices of goods in this market are often flexible, so don’t hesitate to bargain while remaining polite.
• Come Early: The market is less crowded in the morning, so you can shop more comfortably.
• Inspect Items: Before buying, you need to inspect the item to prevent buying damaged goods. With this check, you will get quality goods.
• Prepare Cash: Most merchants only accept cash payments. However, some merchants may already accept electronic payments.
• Don’t Rush: When shopping in this market, don’t rush into a decision. You can still explore other merchants to get cheaper prices with the best quality goods.

Conclusion

Sukawati Art Market is an ideal place to buy Balinese art, handicrafts and souvenirs. In addition, the market also offers an immersive cultural experience, making it one of the recommended destinations according to Bali Touristic. Be sure to include a visit to Sukawati Art Market in your trip to experience the uniqueness of authentic Balinese art and culture.

Apart from being a shopping center, Sukawati Art Market is also a place that allows you to experience the daily life of the Balinese people. With an atmosphere full of color and life, the market provides an opportunity to interact with local artisans and watch them create art firsthand. It is an experience that is not only focused on shopping, but also about understanding and appreciating Bali’s cultural heritage.