Planning a trip
Hearing music in Indonesia
Performances start at 19:30 every night of the year and last 60 to 75 minutes. A gamelan orchestra of about 20 musicians accompanies dancers trained at court, and the seating is humble plastic chairs a few steps from the gongs. The troupe and programme change nightly, and the gate carries the posted schedule. Daytime visits to the palace are free during daylight hours.
Choose your night. The Legong nights, on Mondays and Fridays with the Bina Remaja troupe, are the most rigorous musically. Kecak nights lean towards theatre and carry less music. If the playing matters most, aim for Legong. April to October is the dry season and the best listening window, though performances run all year.
The palace is in central Ubud, where Jalan Raya Ubud meets Jalan Suweta, across from Ubud Market. From Denpasar airport allow 90 minutes by taxi, which the notes put at about USD 25. Most visitors default to the Kecak nights at Uluwatu, so this is the less obvious choice. It earns its place as Bali's sacred-music anchor, an accessible way to hear serious Balinese music.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What time are the performances at Ubud Royal Palace?
Performances start at 19:30 every evening, year-round, and last 60 to 75 minutes. A different troupe appears each night, and the schedule is posted at the palace gate.
Which night is best for gamelan at Ubud Palace?
Monday and Friday, when the Bina Remaja troupe performs Legong, are the most musically rigorous nights. The Kecak nights are more theatrical but lighter on the music. The dry season, April to October, is the listening window.
How do you get to Ubud Royal Palace from Denpasar airport?
A taxi takes about 90 minutes, at roughly USD 25. The palace is in central Ubud, where Jalan Raya Ubud meets Jalan Suweta, across from Ubud Market.