After a few early starts and adventure-filled mornings in Bali, this batik painting workshop in Ubud ended up being exactly the change of pace I needed.
I booked it as a surprise for my mum and dad, who were visiting Bali with me and had never been to Asia before. I wanted to choose something that felt traditional and creative, but also practical and immersive.
This traditional batik workshop gave us the chance to learn a generations-old Indonesian art form step by step. We sketched a design, traced it in hot wax, and painted it with beautiful natural dyes.
It was calm, focused and very enjoyable, even if using the canting tool was definitely harder than it looks.
So if you’re looking for a creative and cultural activity in Bali, here’s my honest review of this batik painting workshop in Ubud and what you can expect.
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Key Takeaways: Batik Painting in Ubud
- A relaxing and creative way to spend a few hours in Bali, especially if you want something more cultural and hands-on than the usual sightseeing.
- You learn the traditional batik process step by step, from sketching your design and applying hot wax to painting it with natural dyes.
- The workshop is beginner-friendly, but using the canting tool takes patience and was definitely the trickiest part for me.
- The staff were warm, attentive and really helpful throughout, whether that was guiding the waxing stage or mixing colours to get the shades we wanted.
- It’s a lovely half-day activity in Ubud, and I really liked that we could take our finished batik paintings home the same day.
🌟 My top pick >> This batik painting workshop in Ubud is such a lovely choice if you want a calmer, more creative activity in Bali. I loved learning a traditional technique and leaving with a colourful painting I’d made myself.
🏨 Accommodation // Where To Stay In Ubud // 9.3+ ratings
Budget-friendly: Nyoman Sandi Guest House | Mid-range: The Wakanda Resort | Luxury: Padma Resort Ubud
Why I Think This Batik Painting Workshop in Ubud Is Worth It
I booked this batik painting workshop in Ubud because I wanted to do something a little more traditional with my parents while they were visiting Bali.
We’d already done a few early starts and busy sightseeing days: the best of Ubud day trip, Mount Batur by jeep, and walks around the rice fields, so a creative afternoon class felt like the perfect change of pace.
What I liked most about this batik workshop was that it felt cultural without being passive. It was also really affordable considering what we did.
By that I mean we weren’t just watching someone demonstrate a traditional art form; we were actually learning the process ourselves.
It felt much more hands-on and memorable than I expected.
I also thought it was a really lovely activity to do as a family. The atmosphere was calm, the setting felt authentic, and the staff were incredibly attentive throughout.
They helped with the waxing stage, mixed custom colours when we wanted different shades, and made the whole experience feel relaxed and easy to follow.
That said, there are a couple of things worth knowing before you book.
The waxing stage is harder than it looks, and small mistakes can show up later once you start painting, especially if the wax lines are not fully closed.
But honestly, that’s part of the experience, and I think it makes the final piece feel even more personal.
⭐ BOOK: If you’re looking for a creative, slower-paced and genuinely immersive activity in Bali, I think this batik painting workshop in Ubud is absolutely worth doing.
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My Experience and What You Can Expect
We did this batik painting workshop in Ubud at 1 pm, which was ideal after a few early starts. I’d booked it as a surprise for my parents, wanting something easygoing we could all take part in together.
The studio is around 30 minutes north of central Ubud, set within a family compound with a small gallery and several workshop spaces.
After a warm welcome and a quick explanation, the first thing we did was choose our designs. This was harder than I expected, simply because there were so many lovely batik painting designs to pick from.
I eventually chose a sea turtle with bubbles and hibiscus flowers.
Once I’d lightly sketched the design onto the fabric, it was attached to a wooden frame, and I was able to have a quick practice with the canting, the traditional tool used to apply hot beeswax.
This was definitely the trickiest part of the class. You have to keep the wax flowing neatly, avoid drips and make sure all the lines join properly so the dye does not bleed later.
After that came the painting, which was my favourite stage. The dyes are natural, there were plenty of colours to choose from, and the staff were brilliant at helping mix different shades.
I loved deciding how to paint my turtle and flowers, though I discovered one of my petals had not been sealed properly when the dye bled slightly into the background.
Even so, I was so happy with how it turned out.
My beautiful finished batik painting from Ubud had a turquoise background, pink flowers and a green-brown turtle, and it felt like such a lovely keepsake to take home – I think I’ll be hanging it on my wall.
By the end of the workshop, everyone had created something completely different, and all of the paintings were dried, rinsed and ready to take away that same day.
Overall, I thought it was a calm, creative and genuinely enjoyable way to spend a few hours in Bali.
👉 BOOK: If you’re looking for a creative and cultural activity in Bali, I really did enjoy this batik painting workshop in Ubud is such a lovely one to do.
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Two More Fun Activities in Ubud Worth Doing
If you’re looking for a few more interesting things to do in Ubud, these are two other experiences I’d recommend.
I’ve done both, and they make a nice contrast if you want one cultural activity and one more adventurous one.
Ubud Palace Cultural Dance
If you’d like to experience another side of Balinese culture, watching a traditional dance performance at Ubud Palace is well worth doing.
It’s very different from a batik workshop, as you’re sitting back and watching rather than creating, but it’s still a lovely way to connect with local tradition, music and costume.
👉 BOOK: If you want to add another cultural experience to your Ubud itinerary, the Ubud Palace dance performance is a lovely one to do in the evening. Read my full review here.
ATV Riding in Ubud
If you’re after something muddier, faster and far more adrenaline-fuelled, ATV riding in Ubud is the complete opposite vibe and such good fun.
👉 BOOK: If you want to swap paint and wax for mud and speed, read my full review of the best ATV ride in Ubud.
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Helpful Tips Before You Go
This batik painting workshop in Ubud is beginner-friendly, but there are a few things I’d keep in mind before you go so you can enjoy it fully and go in with the right expectations.
- Take your time choosing a design: There were lots of beautiful batik painting designs to pick from, so it helps to not rush this part.
- Expect the waxing stage to be the hardest: Using the canting looks simple, but it definitely takes patience and a steady hand.
- Don’t stress over small mistakes: If a wax line is not fully closed, the dye can bleed slightly later on, but that is all part of the handmade charm.
- Ask for help with colours if you want a specific look: The staff were great at mixing custom shades, which made the painting stage even more fun.
- Choose this on a slower day: It’s such a lovely activity when you want something calm, creative and a little more cultural in Bali.
In Summary: Batik Painting Workshop in Ubud
Looking back, this batik painting workshop in Ubud, alongside a silver making class, was one of the most enjoyable creative activities I did in Bali.
It was calm, hands-on and much more immersive than I expected, giving us the chance to learn a traditional technique rather than simply admire the finished art.
I loved that we each came away with something we’d made ourselves, and that it felt both cultural and personal at the same time.
The staff were incredibly helpful throughout, and the whole experience felt relaxed from start to finish. Yes, the waxing stage was a little fiddly, but that is part of what made it feel so satisfying in the end.
BOOK: If you’re looking for a genuinely memorable thing to do in Bali, I think this batik painting workshop in Ubud is absolutely worth it.
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FAQs: Batik Painting in Ubud
Is a batik painting workshop in Ubud worth it?
Yes, I think so, especially if you enjoy creative, hands-on activities and want something a little more cultural than the usual sightseeing. I loved that it felt immersive and that we got to take our finished paintings home the same day.
How long does a batik painting workshop in Ubud take?
Our batik painting workshop in Ubud lasted around three hours. That gave us enough time to choose a design, learn how to use the wax tool, paint the fabric and wait for the final piece to be finished.
Do you need experience for a batik workshop in Ubud?
No, not at all. This batik workshop in Ubud was very beginner-friendly, and the staff guided us through each stage. The waxing part was a little tricky, but help was always there when we needed it.
Can you take your batik painting home the same day?
Yes, which I really liked. Once the painting had been dried, the wax removed and the fabric rinsed, we were able to take our artwork home that same day.
