Hotels near Ubud Royal Palace (Puri Saren Agung)

Standing right at Ubud's main crossroads, Puri Saren Agung is the historic residence of the Ubud royal family and one of the town's most recognisable landmarks. Built in the early 20th century by the local lord Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel, the palace grounds feature intricately carved stone gates, ornamental kori agung doorways, and lush tropical gardens. The front portion of the palace is open to visitors free of charge during daytime hours, though the private quarters at the rear remain off-limits as the royal family still lives here.

The palace's main draw for most visitors is the nightly Balinese dance performance held in the open-air courtyard. Legong, Barong, and Kecak dances are staged on a rotating schedule starting at 19:30, with tickets at IDR 100,000 (€5.50). Watching dancers in elaborate gold costumes perform by torchlight against the backdrop of the palace's carved stone walls is one of the most atmospheric Ubud experiences you can have.

Pro Tip: Arrive at least 20 minutes before the 19:30 performance to get a front-row seat. The courtyard fills up fast and seats are unassigned. The Legong dance on Tuesday evenings is widely considered the most visually stunning of the weekly rotation.