Bali’s Best Market Streets Are Not To Be Missed This Festive Season

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It is truly irresistible to leave Bali without souvenirs.

In fact, shopping in Bali is irresistible, full stop. Who has the time, money, or space in their bag to buy trinkets for the folks back home when there is so much to shop for for oneself!

Bali’s arts and crafts markets are a real treasure trove. Across Indonesia, highly skilled artisans craft a wide range of products, including everything from textiles to woodwork, paintings to ceramics, and much more. Bali’s shopping streets and markets are the best places to see these crafts in the wild and find the perfect pieces to take home.

Shopaholics heading to Bali are really spoiled for choice. Not only are there incredible markets and shopping streets to explore, but expansive malls and boutique retail complexes too. For those looking for the most authentic crafts, souvenirs, and best locally made clothing, a trip to Bali’s shopping streets should top the itinerary checklist. 

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When it comes to shopping in Bali, especially at the markets, there are a few things that first-timers should prepare for.

The first is to have a browse around first. As exciting as it may be to see all these new and novel products, truth be told, many of the stalls stock similar or even the same items. In this sense, it is smart to take a leisurely wander around each shopping street or market to assess what it is that you want to buy. It’s also a good chance to gauge the price of each item before coming back to purchase.

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Gauging the price of each item you want to buy is important, especially since bargaining is the done thing at many markets. That being said, tourists should honour any stalls or items that are marked as being fixed price. Tourists are reminded to haggle responsibly and kindly. Unlike in some cultures around the world, bargaining in Bali is a more gentle give-and-take process, not a demanding race to the bottom. 

The next thing to be aware of is quality. While most stalls stock really high-quality items, most stalls do not have a returns or refund policy. Tourists should check the condition of each item prior to purchase. The final thing to be aware of when exploring Bali’s best market streets is that cash is king.

Although many formal establishments in Bali accept cards and contactless payments, many stallholders in markets still operate exclusively in cash, so it’s best to visit the ATM before arriving. 

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The top market streets in Bali are spread far and wide around the island. The most famous of all is Jalan Raya Ubud.

The main market street in Bali is home to a fantastic collection of local smallholders who sell everything from ornaments to clothing, woodcarvings to jewellery. The trick with Jalan Raya Ubud is to arrive early in the morning.

If you arrive in the very early morning, you’ll even have a chance to walk around the local fruit and vegetable market that lines the street each morning. By 7.30-8 am, the food stall vendors are packing up, and the arts and craft vendors are arriving to start their day.

It’s a great chance to see a more authentic side of Bali before the daily tourist crowds arrive. Most shopfronts on Jalan Raya Ubud and around the town open their doors at 9 am and are well worth exploring, too. 

Another must-visit shopping street in Bali is Jalan Raya Seminyak.

As the most popular shopping street in Bali’s coastal resorts, Seminyak market has more of a focus on fashion and homeware, compared to the more arts-focused markets in Ubud.

Honorable mentions must go to Jalan Legian, Jalan Pantai Kuta, and Jalan Monkey Forest in Ubud. 

It is now easier than ever for tourists to shop ‘til they drop in Bali as Lion Parcel is improving its services.

It is now possible to arrange parcel pick-up from your hotel in Bali, and Lion Parcel manages the whole shipping process. It’s affordable and saves precious space in your hold luggage on the flight home!