Located at major tourist sites, including at Sunset Road, these emerging souvenir markets have successfully attracted busy tourists, who do not have the time and energy to travel to faraway markets and bargain for good quality items.
Dozens of these large souvenir supermarkets, locally known as pasar oleh-oleh, have started to seriously eclipse the once popular traditional markets, such as Pasar Seni Sukawati in Gianyar and Pasar Kumbasari traditional art market in Denpasar.
In the past, tourists, especially domestic tourists, would have never have skipped their essential visit to these traditional markets, which sell the made-in-Bali handicrafts, clothing, paintings, bed-covers, to interior decor at bargain prices. But if you have spare time, visiting Pasar Kumbasari, next to Pasar Badung traditional market on Jl. Gajah Mada in downtown Denpasar, may give you a memorable and challenging shopping experience. Lines of shops offer a vast range of Balinese wooden handicrafts, traditional textiles and clothing. Some also sell an assortment of spa products, natural soaps, colorful candles, essential oils to traditional herbal products. For those who like collecting wood and metal statues, try the market’s third floor (no elevators or lifts, sorry!) to find local artisans selling and producing these artistic pieces.
In the past, Pasar Kumbasari was popular as peken payuk, peken means market in the Balinese language, while payuk means household utensils. Denpasar mayoralty has declared Pasar Kumbasari as a heritage site. The market is very close to the historical Tukad Badung river, Bali Museum, Pura Jagatnatha temple, all of which are located within walking distance.
