Penestanan Ubud Bali
Penestanan
Holidays
Ubud's most artistic and bohemian neighbourhood — a quiet village of painters, sculptors and craftsmen just 10 minutes from the town centre, with excellent cafes, beautiful rice paddy walks and the most creative and authentic atmosphere in the Ubud area
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Flight Time
16h to Bali + 1.5h transfer
Best Time
April to October
Country
Ubud, Bali
Suppliers
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Penestanan Holiday Guide
Penestanan is the most artistic and authentic neighbourhood in the Ubud area — the Young Artists movement, the rice paddy walks, the excellent cafes and the creative atmosphere make it the finest destination for discerning visitors who want to experience the real Ubud. 10 minutes from the town centre.
April to October is ideal.
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Average Temperatures
Jan
25°C
Feb
25°C
Mar
25°C
Apr
26°C
May
26°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
24°C
Aug
24°C
Sep
25°C
Oct
26°C
Nov
26°C
Dec
25°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Penestanan
The artistic community, the rice paddy walks, the excellent cafes and the most authentic and creative atmosphere in the Ubud area that make Penestanan the finest neighbourhood for discerning visitors.
The Young Artists Movement
Penestanan is the birthplace of the Young Artists movement in Balinese art — in the 1960s, the Dutch painter Arie Smit settled in Penestanan and encouraged local children to paint in a bold, colourful, naive style that became known as the Young Artists style. The movement produced some of the most distinctive and celebrated Balinese paintings of the 20th century. Several of the original Young Artists still live and work in Penestanan and their studios are open to visitors.
Art Studios & Galleries
Penestanan has the highest concentration of working artists of any neighbourhood in Ubud — the village is home to dozens of painters, sculptors, wood carvers and craftsmen, many of whom have studios open to visitors. The art in Penestanan is more authentic and less commercial than in the galleries of Ubud Town. The best studios to visit include those of the original Young Artists and their descendants, who continue to paint in the distinctive Penestanan style.
Cafes & Restaurants
Penestanan has an excellent and authentic cafe and restaurant scene — a mix of simple warungs, creative cafes and excellent restaurants that cater to the artistic and expat community. The best include the Biah Biah (excellent Balinese food in a beautiful garden setting), the Warung Sopa (vegetarian and vegan food), the Bridges Restaurant (fine dining with extraordinary views of the Campuhan gorge) and the Karsa Kafe (beautiful terrace overlooking the river). The restaurants are less crowded and more authentic than those in Ubud Town.
Rice Paddy Walks
Penestanan has beautiful rice paddy walks — a network of narrow paths through the rice paddies surrounding the village, with extraordinary views of the terraces, the jungle and the Ubud highlands. The walks are the most peaceful and authentic in the Ubud area and are largely free of tourists. The best walks start from the village centre and wind through the paddies to the Campuhan Ridge Walk (30 minutes) or to the village of Sayan (45 minutes). The walks are best in the early morning.
Traditional Balinese Compounds
Penestanan has some of the finest traditional Balinese family compounds in the Ubud area — the village has maintained its traditional character and architecture despite its proximity to the tourist centre of Ubud. The compounds are the most authentic examples of traditional Balinese domestic architecture in the area, with their characteristic split gates, shrines and family temples. The village is the best place to experience traditional Balinese community life.
Accommodation
Penestanan has excellent accommodation — a mix of simple guesthouses, boutique hotels and private villas that offer a more authentic and peaceful alternative to the hotels of Ubud Town. The finest accommodation includes several beautiful private villas with rice paddy views and private pools. Staying in Penestanan gives a more genuine experience of Balinese village life than staying in the commercial centre of Ubud.
Gamelan & Dance
Penestanan has a strong tradition of gamelan music and traditional Balinese dance — the village has its own gamelan orchestra and dance troupe, and rehearsals and performances can often be heard and seen in the evenings. The gamelan rehearsals are open to visitors and are one of the most authentic cultural experiences in the Ubud area. The village temple ceremonies are also open to respectful visitors and are the most genuine expression of Balinese Hindu culture.
Practical Tips
Penestanan is 10 minutes from Ubud Town by taxi or a 20-minute walk via the Campuhan Ridge Walk. The village is best explored on foot — the lanes are too narrow for cars. The art studios are generally open in the morning (9am–1pm). The cafes and restaurants are open throughout the day. April to October is the best time to visit. The rice paddy walks are best in the early morning before the heat of the day.
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