





Bali: Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Operating Hours:Monday - Sunday: 07:00 - 19:00
The Vibe:A floating temple wrapped in mountain mist ☁️
Set on the misty shores of Lake Beratan at 1,200 metres above sea level, this 17th-century water temple appears to float on the lake's glassy surface. Dedicated to Dewi Danu, goddess of water, it remains central to Bali's agricultural rituals and subak irrigation ceremonies.
Cool highland air replaces coastal humidity as mist drifts across the lake, revealing and concealing the temple's tiered meru towers. Birdsong and the gentle lap of water replace the noise of southern Bali.
- • Featured on Indonesia's 50,000 Rupiah banknote
- • One of Bali's nine directional temples (Pura Kahyangan Jagat)
- • Frequently cited as the most photographed temple in Indonesia 📸
- • Visitors describe the grounds as a serene highland oasis
Persona Fit
- 💕 Couples: Misty lakeside strolls and reflective temple views create a naturally romantic setting.
- 📸 Photographers: Early-morning fog and the temple's lake reflection offer extraordinary compositions.
- 👨👩👧 Families: Flat paved paths, a children's play area, boat rides, and fish-feeding keep all ages engaged.
- 👵 Seniors: Wheelchair-friendly paths, cool highland climate, and shaded gardens make for a comfortable visit.
- 🧘 Culture seekers: Active ceremonies, flower offerings, and the temple's link to Bali's farming heritage.
Highlights
- Floating temple illusion — When the lake level rises, the 11-storey meru appears to hover on the water surface.
- Lakeside gardens — Manicured tropical gardens with traditional Balinese statues, flower beds, and shaded walkways.
- Duck-boat lake cruise — Paddle around Lake Beratan for a unique water-level view of the temple complex.
- Small on-site museum — Learn about the subak irrigation system and the lake's spiritual significance — Hidden Gem.
- Surrounding mountain panorama — On clear mornings, the volcanic highlands frame the temple in mist and greenery.
- Botanical-garden proximity — The Bali Botanic Garden is just 5–10 minutes away, ideal for a half-day pairing — Hidden Gem.
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Table of Contents
Things To Do Nearby
Bali Botanic Garden — A sprawling highland garden with orchid collections and a treetop walkway, just 5–10 minutes away.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces — UNESCO-listed subak landscape with panoramic highland views, about 30–40 minutes south.
Wanagiri Hidden Hills — Famous twin-lake viewpoints with swing platforms overlooking Lake Buyan and Tamblingan, about 20 minutes north.
Candikuning Market — A local highland market selling fresh strawberries, tropical flowers, and spices, directly outside the temple.
Bali Botanic Garden — A sprawling highland garden with orchid collections and a treetop walkway, just 5–10 minutes away.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces — UNESCO-listed subak landscape with panoramic highland views, about 30–40 minutes south.
Wanagiri Hidden Hills — Famous twin-lake viewpoints with swing platforms overlooking Lake Buyan and Tamblingan, about 20 minutes north.
Candikuning Market — A local highland market selling fresh strawberries, tropical flowers, and spices, directly outside the temple.
TJ's Guide - Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Know Before You Go
Insider Tips
Arrive at opening (07:00) for ethereal morning fog and minimal crowds — the temple looks most mystical in the mist.
Weather watch: Afternoons in Bedugul often bring rain and heavier cloud cover. Mornings are more reliably clear.
Combine efficiently: Pair with Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Tanah Lot (sunset) for a packed but rewarding full-day loop.
Cash is king: Bring IDR for parking, boat rides, snacks, and the nearby market. Cards accepted only at the main ticket booth.
Skip weekends: Weekday mornings offer the quietest experience and the best chance of unobstructed reflection photos.
Arrive at opening (07:00) for ethereal morning fog and minimal crowds — the temple looks most mystical in the mist.
Weather watch: Afternoons in Bedugul often bring rain and heavier cloud cover. Mornings are more reliably clear.
Combine efficiently: Pair with Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Tanah Lot (sunset) for a packed but rewarding full-day loop.
Cash is king: Bring IDR for parking, boat rides, snacks, and the nearby market. Cards accepted only at the main ticket booth.
Skip weekends: Weekday mornings offer the quietest experience and the best chance of unobstructed reflection photos.
Know Your Facts
- By car: 1.5–2 hours from Ubud via scenic mountain roads. Most private tours and day-trip drivers include this on central Bali itineraries.
- Main entrance: A single gated entry with a ticket office and parking area. The walk from parking to the temple is flat and short.
- Scooter: Possible but the mountain roads are steep and winding — experienced riders only.
- First-time tip: Enter through the main gate and walk straight to the lakeside for the temple view before circling back through the gardens.
Once You Reach
Internal Navigation
Main temple view: Walk straight from the entrance to the lake edge for the iconic multi-tiered meru photo opportunity.
Garden circuit: A looped path winds through tropical flower beds, traditional sculptures, and shaded seating areas.
Boat-rental jetty: Located on the eastern shore of the lake, offering duck boats and speedboats for a water-level perspective.
Museum: A small building near the garden circuit covers the subak irrigation system and the temple's spiritual history.
Children's area: A mini play area and fish-feeding spot are tucked near the garden loop — look for signs.
Food & Coffee Shops
Candikuning Market — A local highland market just outside the temple entrance selling fresh strawberries, herbal teas, and traditional snacks.
Lakeside warungs — Simple local eateries near the parking area offer hot coffee and nasi campur in the cool mountain air.
Candikuning Market — A local highland market just outside the temple entrance selling fresh strawberries, herbal teas, and traditional snacks.
Lakeside warungs — Simple local eateries near the parking area offer hot coffee and nasi campur in the cool mountain air.
Photography Tips
The classic 'floating temple' reflection shot works best at dawn when the lake surface is calm and fog frames the meru towers.
Use the lakeside jetty (near the boat rental) for a lower vantage point that emphasises the water reflection.
Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the full temple complex with the mountain backdrop.
Drone flights within the temple complex require prior approval and are generally restricted.
The classic 'floating temple' reflection shot works best at dawn when the lake surface is calm and fog frames the meru towers.
Use the lakeside jetty (near the boat rental) for a lower vantage point that emphasises the water reflection.
Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the full temple complex with the mountain backdrop.
Drone flights within the temple complex require prior approval and are generally restricted.
Explore Deeper
Ulun Danu Beratan is more than a photogenic temple. It sits at the spiritual heart of Bali's water supply system, linking ancient agricultural rituals to the island's modern rice-growing economy.
Built in 1633 by the King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Putu, the same ruler who constructed the renowned Pura Taman Ayun.
The complex comprises four distinct temple zones dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, lakes, and rivers.
Lake Beratan is Bali's second-largest volcanic crater lake and the primary water source for the central highland farming region.
The subak irrigation system honoured here was recognised by UNESCO in 2012 as a Cultural Landscape representing Bali's Tri Hita Karana philosophy.
Built in 1633 by the King of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Putu, the same ruler who constructed the renowned Pura Taman Ayun.
The complex comprises four distinct temple zones dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, lakes, and rivers.
Lake Beratan is Bali's second-largest volcanic crater lake and the primary water source for the central highland farming region.
The subak irrigation system honoured here was recognised by UNESCO in 2012 as a Cultural Landscape representing Bali's Tri Hita Karana philosophy.
Did You Know?
Banknote icon — The temple's 11-storey meru tower is depicted on the Indonesian 50,000 Rupiah note, making it one of the country's most recognised landmarks.
Floating illusion — When Lake Beratan's water level rises during the wet season, the temple appears to float, an effect that has captivated photographers for decades.
Highland coolness — At 1,200 metres elevation, Bedugul temperatures average 10–15°C cooler than the coast, making it Bali's natural retreat from tropical heat.






