Bali Markets

Bali has many market places spread over the island and some are outdoor free for alls while others are located inside multi-storey buildings. As a general rule, Bali markets are a bit of a mixed bag with most markets containing an eccentric range of goods that don’t really relate to each other. There are some exceptions, though, such as the Denpasar Bird Market.

The Kuta Art Market is within a one minute stroll from the beach and sells a great range of Bali batik and traditional beach and hot weather clothing (not western style bikinis and board shorts). Poppies Lane is the most famous concentration of stalls in all of Bali and everything from shoes to lipsticks can be bought here day and night.

Credit cards are not accepted in markets in Bali, on the whole, and bargaining and haggling is essential. The general Southeast Aian rule applies – start with a price about one third of the stated price, and work towards the centre of that. No vendor will ever sell for below cost, so whilever haggling continues the shopper knows they have room to move.

In Denpasar, the Badung Market sells fresh produce including meat and fresh fruits and is an enclosed market place spread over three floors. Opposite Badung Market is Kumbasari Market, which sells mainly gold and silver goods including jewelry and also textiles and handicrafts. Denpasar’s Bird Market sells a wide range of exotic tropical birds.

Markets in Ubud are a little more upscale, and the fake CD and DVD industry doesn’t thrive up in the hills of Ubud as healthily as it does down at Kuta. The Pasar Seni Sukawait Market takes over a two-storey building and vendors line the stairwells and every other available centimetre of space. This market sells textiles and weaving ware such as baskets.

The Ubud Art Market is another crowded Ubud market, this one selling little art, surprisingly, but plenty of chocolates,oils, fragrances and incense, and locally made goods like umbrellas and sarongs.