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Shopping in Bali's cultural capital-Ubud

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One of the things that surprised me most about Bali, was the incredible selection of stunning handicrafts and designs. And I am not talking about your run-of-the-mill market trinkets (although there are plenty of those as well). I am referring to high-end, unique and thoughtful pieces for your wardrobe, jewelry, gifts, home décor and more.

It seems that Ubud has a long history of supporting craft and creativity, which is why the town has many galleries and shops. I’ve put together a short list of stores that particularly peaked my interest when I was in Ubud. Keep in mind that temptation will set in, so prepare enough luggage space – something I didn’t do and now regret!

There is at least a hundred shops in and around the streets of central Ubud. This is just a small selection, so prepare enough time and energy if you want to do some serious shopping here. You can find anything from budget bargains to some pretty high-end stuff, so prepare your budget accordingly as well!


Handmade Fabric at Manik Bali

This is the one store that I simply couldn’t resist. As you walk in, you can see a lady demonstrating how they make their own fabric. There are many samples of clothing, from dresses to shirts, skirts and blouses that you can pick up off the rack. However, the real treat at Manik is that you can order one of their designs using the fabric of your liking. Of course, I did just that! Prices start at about $20 for the simplest pieces and go up from there. But for hand-made and hand-picked fabric, what a treat! Make sure to come at least 3 days before you are planning to leave Ubud, as special orders take a couple of days to complete.

Website: https://manikbali.business.site/


Yoga Gear at We-Ar

There is no shortage of yoga clothes on sale in Ubud. You can find different styles, materials and of course prices. Of course, the Yoga Barn is one of the most popular places to get yoga gear. However, We-Ar is the one that really caught my attention. The store uses beautiful and comfortable materials, and the styles are quite higher-end compared to your yoga basics. They also have street wear, creams and accessories.

Website: https://we-ar.com/


Natural Goodies at Blue Stone Botanicals

Vegans and natural materials abound in Ubud. Pretty much everything is organic and healthy. So one of these shops had to make it on the list. Blue Stone Botanicals is a higher-end option, perfect for gifts or personal items. They sell things like skin care products, fragrances and essential oils. The perfect relaxing aromatherapy!

Website: https://id.bluestonebotanicals.com/


Sacred Jewelry at Shivaloka

I am probably not the biggest fan of sacred jewelry, but when in Rome, right? Well, if you are looking for some spiritual cleansing in style, the Shivaloka is the perfect place. They sell activated, healing jewelry that is meant to have different profiles and spiritual powers. Worth a try, I guess?

Website: https://omshivaloka.com/


Handcrafted Lace at Uluwatu

As you can see, I am a bit of a sucker for handcrafted clothing. Uluwatu has some truly unique and beautiful pieces created by weaving traditional Balinese lace. You can find various pieces of clothing and home décor, which makes it a perfect place to pick up something for yourself and gifts or family.

Website: http://uluwatu.co.id/index.php?act=online_shopping


Personalized T-Shirts at Nirmala

Looking for something a little less lux, but still personalized? Nirmala is a really great store to have a memorable t-shirt from Bali, either for yourself or friends and family. You pick the color, size and style of the t-shirt. They have the whole rainbow of colors, by the way! Then, you choose the design that you like and they have the t-shirt ready for you on the same day.

Website: https://nirmala-t-shirt-clothing-store.business.site/


Hammocks at Ticket to the Moon

I actually found out about these hammocks back in Vietnam, where a hostel I stayed at has these mounted beside the pool. This is honestly one of the best hammocks I’ve chilled in. They are made from durable materials, are super comfy, portable and dry really fast. You can also easily wash it in the machine. And if you move around a lot like me, it packs up into a tiny square. Plus the designs are pretty stylish.

Website: https://www.ticketothemoon.com/


Local Coffee and More at Seniman Coffee

No trip to Ubud is complete without a visit to Seniman Coffee. They have fantastic local brews and even cupping workshops, which you can book on their site. The food is great too. But, for the purposes of this article, Seniman is also a great place to buy some delicious Balinese (or Indonesian) coffee beans. You will likely be able to try the brew before you buy, which is a nice bonus.

Website: https://www.senimancoffee.com/


Souvenirs at the Setia Darma House of Masks

There are plenty of places to buy souvenirs and trinkets in Bali, including the central market or the endless galleries and souvenir shops along the main streets. However, I really do recommend picking something up at Setia Darma House of Masks. The museum houses a stunning collection of masks and local architecture. It’s an absolute pleasure to walk around there and there are tons of instagrammable spots. And it’s free! So by purchasing the souvenir, you can support the site’s maintenance.

Trip Advisor Link


Support Local Initiatives at the Green School

You may have heard about the Green School and the Green Village in Bali. You can tour either one and learn about fascinating bamboo construction and the unique approach the school takes to education. I really enjoyed the tour of the Green School, and at the end of the tour you get the chance to support local student initiatives. Some of the proceeds from anything you buy either goes towards scholarships for local kids, programs, initiatives or projects. For example, I got a metal straw, and one got donated to local restaurant to replace plastic straws. Yay!

Website: https://www.greenschool.org/



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Anna Vichnevetskaia
A traveler, a foodie, a writer. Sharing insights with fellow world adventurers - soak up what the world has to offer!
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