The first—and one of the few—museums in Asia solely covering Asia Pacific art, this world-class cultural institution is arguably Bali's best art museum. Yet Museum Pasifika is woefully under-visited (and under-marketed); it doesn't help that it's located down in the south's Nusa Dua resort complex (it's well worth the effort to get here). A pioneering, loving tribute to the region's artistic and cultural heritage, and home to over 600 works from across Asia Pacific on permanent display, including approximately 400 fine art paintings, lofty impressions start with the well-executed exhibition layout, a series of 11 walk-through interconnected pavilions, spread over miles of landscaped gardens. Allow plenty of time to leisurely stroll through.

Most of the phenomenal content is mainly possible thanks to a devoted French-native curator and art collector. Each pavilion is dedicated to a certain topic or area related to Asia Pacific, with a diverse collection meticulously displayed with unexpectedly concise and intelligent explanations. The influential wave of European artists personally connected to Bali and Indonesia (and elsewhere in the region) in the early 20th century is well represented, covering renowned artists such as Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur, Emilio Ambron, Theo Meier, and Miguel Covarrubias. Keep an eye out for occasional exhibits from French impressionists Henri Matisse and Paul Gauguin—the latter with his aquarelle and bronze works. Rooms are also dedicated to several centuries of primitive carvings and other objets from Pacific Ocean cultures like Papua, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands, including striking tribal carved figurines. The museum's charming open-air café provides a good spot for post-gallery musings.