Peliatan is often described as being “near Ubud.” It is more accurate to say Ubud grew out of it. Peliatan was the royal court of the area long before Ubud became a global word, and much of what makes Ubud interesting (the art, the dance, the temples) either started here or is at least practised more seriously here than in the tourist centre.
Here are ten things worth doing, all within a scooter ride of Villa Samaddhi.
1. Peliatan Royal Palace (Puri Agung Peliatan)
Smaller than Ubud Palace and much less busy. Wander the courtyards, look at the carvings, sit for a while. If a ceremony is happening, respectfully keep your distance and do not photograph inside sacred spaces.
2. Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)
Ubud’s most serious art museum. The collection spans classical Balinese painting to modern Indonesian work, and the grounds are as much of the visit as the galleries. Allow at least two hours; there is a café inside with a good iced kopi susu.
3. Museum Rudana
A short walk from ARMA, smaller and more focused on Balinese modernism. Worth a stop if you have half a day for art.
4. Traditional dance at Balerung Stage
Balerung is one of the most respected performance stages in the region. Legong, Barong, Kecak: schedules change, so check the current week’s programme. It is a real village stage, not a hotel show.
5. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
About ten minutes from Peliatan. An 11th-century cave temple set into a river valley, quieter early in the morning. Bring a sarong or borrow one at the entrance.
6. Ubud market
A short drive into the centre of Ubud. Go before ten if you want to see the local half of the market (vegetables, ceremony offerings, small kitchen goods) before the souvenir stalls take over.
7. Paddy walks from the villa
Some of the loveliest walks in the area start at the villa door and end in the fields. Ask the villa host for the current route, as the paths change with the growing cycle. Early morning is loveliest; take water and a hat.
8. Local warungs
Peliatan has some of the finest inexpensive food in the Ubud area. Nasi campur, sate lilit, lawar. We keep a current shortlist, because the good ones move around, close for family events, or run out by two in the afternoon. Ask at the villa.
9. A silversmith or painting workshop
The lanes east of the villa have a number of small silversmith workshops and studios that give lessons: a couple of hours, a piece to take home, and a real conversation with the artist. Bookable through the villa concierge.
10. Sunset from the villa deck
Not exactly “out.” But no list of things to do in Peliatan is complete without it. The light drops for about twenty minutes across the paddy, and the whole day organises itself around watching that happen with a drink in hand.
Peliatan is one of those places where the guests who walk out the door meet more people, have better meals, and go home with better stories than the guests who stay in. Ten minutes and a willingness to say hello is really all it takes.