Pura Ulun Danu Temple: Is It Still Worth Visiting in 2025?

Last Updated on November 12, 2025

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, located on the shores of Lake Beratan, is one of the most visited temples in Bali.

What draws visitors here is the breathtaking view of the twin meru shrines (as they’re called in Balinese) appearing to float on the calm waters of the lake.

But this water temple is more than just a beautiful sight — it plays a key role in Bali’s ancient irrigation system, the Subak, with Lake Bratan being one of the island’s largest water sources.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan has become an incredibly touristy spot, filled with “attractions” that have little to do with its original religious purpose.

In this post, I’ll share my honest take on whether Pura Ulun Danu Temple is still worth visiting, and the best ways to plan your trip to avoid the crowds and appreciate the temple’s spiritual and natural beauty.

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Is Pura Ulun Danu Temple Worth Visiting?

Even though Pura Ulun Danu Bratan has become a very touristy spot in recent years, its enchanting twin shrines floating on the lake — along with the misty mountain scenery — still make it worth visiting.

The temple sits right on the shores of Lake Beratan, in the mountainous region of Bedugul, Central Bali. The landscape here is completely different from southern Bali: lush green hills wrap around the lake as if protecting it and the temple itself.

This area is often cloudy and misty, but the fog rolling over the hills only adds to the temple’s charm. It’s also one of Bali’s rainiest regions, so definitely bring a raincoat or umbrella.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of the most important places of worship for Balinese Hindus and plays a key role in the Subak irrigation system.

Since the lake is Bali’s main water source, ceremonies are often held here to pray for a sufficient water supply to nourish the island’s fields.

Unfortunately, the temple’s spiritual significance is somewhat hidden behind the many “tourist traps” within the complex. You’ll find overpriced cafés and restaurants, attractions meant to entertain kids, and those cheesy animal-photo setups (with owls, rabbits, and lizards) that really take away from the atmosphere.

Despite that, I do believe the temple (especially its Meru shrines) is still worth visiting, and if you want to experience it in a different and less touristy way, you can plan on renting a traditional boat with driver and get to see it from the lake.

Exploring Pura Ulun Danu By Traditional Boat

Exploring the temple by jukung, the traditional Indonesian wooden boat, is truly the best of both worlds. You’ll get to experience the beauty of the temple’s most enchanting sections — but without the crowds and touristy atmosphere.

A jukung is a narrow wooden outrigger canoe traditionally used for fishing. It lets you glide across the lake, taking in the scenery at a slower pace. Each boat usually accommodates 4–6 people and includes a driver, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

You can rent a jukung directly at the temple, but I wouldn’t really recommend it — you’ll have to pay both the temple entrance fee and the boat rental, which adds up.

Instead, check out Beratan Sunrise, located just a few minutes from the temple entrance.

They allow you to book your ride in advance, with prices starting around IDR 150,000 ($9.50) per person — and the more people join, the cheaper it gets per head. They also offer sunrise tours, which do mean an early start (especially if you’re not staying in Bedugul), but the experience is absolutely worth it.

Exploring Pura Ulun Danu On Foot

1. How to Get There

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is located at around 1.5 hour from Ubud (47 km) in the Bedugul region, central Bali. To get there, you have a few options:

Rent a scooter

If you’re leaving from Ubud, a scooter ride isn’t too long. However, as you get closer to Central Bali, the roads may be less smooth with more hills and curves. Make sure you’re comfortable driving a scooter and willing to ride for at least 1.5 hours.

Renting a scooter is also the most affordable and flexinle option, with prices ranging from IDR 70,000 to IDR 250,000 depending on the size and model.

Grab/Gojek

If you’re planning to stay overnight in the Bedugul area, you can plan to book a Grab car and enjoy the rural landscape of central Bali from the back of a car.

This is often how I move around when I’m staying somewhere for a night or two. Keep in mind that once you arrive, you’ll likely need to rent a scooter locally to get around the area.

Hire a Private Driver

In Bali, it’s very common to hire a private driver for the day. You share your itinerary and they will take you everywhere you’d like to go for the day, then drop you off back at your starting point (or another one). It’s the best way to plan a day trip

⭐️ After a couple of not-so-great experiences, I discovered this service to hire a driver for the day — and it’s the only one I’d book now.

Join a tour

I usually don’t love tours, but if you don’t have much time to explore Central Bali, joining one can be a great way to see more in a single day without worrying about logistics.

Depending on the guide, visiting a temple with a local can actually make the experience even richer — they can share cultural insights, historical facts, and stories you might otherwise miss.

2. Best Tours of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

Bali’s Iconic Sights | Waterfall, UNESCO, Water Temple: One of the most beautiful tours in Central Bali, including the stunning Sekumpul Waterfall, located about 1.5 hours from central Bali, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and, of course, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan.

Bali: Water Temple, Waterfalls, and UNESCO Rice Terrace: One of the most complete tours of Central (and beyond) Bali. It includes my favorite waterfall, Leke Leke, and the breathtaking Banyumala in North Bali. You’ll also get to see Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and Tanah Lot — and wrap up with a visit to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.

North Bali: Dolphin, Ulun Danu Temple, & Banyumala Waterfall: A different kind of tour of North and Central Bali, including a beautiful 3-hour snorkeling experience in Lovina, the stunning Banyumala Waterfalls, and of course, a stop at Pura Ulun Danu Temple to wrap up the day.

3. Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is early in the morning, right around opening time at 8 am. The soft light of the rising sun reflects beautifully on the lake behind the shrines — it’s truly a sight to behold.

Arriving early also means you’ll get to experience the temple in a much quieter and more peaceful atmosphere. Tour groups usually start arriving around 9 am., and from that point on, the place quickly becomes crowded and chaotic.

I visited around that time myself, and while I didn’t catch the worst of the crowds, it definitely didn’t feel like a “spiritual” visit.

Finally, since the Bedugul region tends to be foggy and rainy, mornings often offer clearer skies before the mist settles over the lake and surrounding hills — the perfect time to enjoy the scenery.

⭐️ Pura Ulun Danu Bratan hosts its main Piodalan ceremony every 420 days, celebrating the temple’s anniversary, as well as a smaller ceremony called Anggara Kliwon Julungwangi, held every 210 days. If you can, make sure to check the dates in advance — witnessing one of these ceremonies is an unforgettable experience.

4. Dress Code To Visit The Temple

The dress code requirements at the temple are very light — it’s actually the only temple I visited in Bali where wearing a sarong isn’t required.

That said, considering the temple’s spiritual significance for locals (who still visit wearing their traditional temple attire), dressing modestly is still a good idea. Nothing too strict — just avoid bikinis or anything too revealing.

5. Entrance Fee & Opening Hours

The temple is open from 8 am to 6 pm. If you visit on your won, you can buy your ticket directly at the entrance. Just make sure to have cash in case cards are not accepted.

The ticket for foreign visitors is IDR 75,000 ($4) for adults and IDR 50,000 ($3) for children.

6. Things to See Around The Temple

If I had to stick to what I truly liked about the temple, I’d say a visit on your own won’t take much time (a guided visit may take longer since the guide will stop to explain things in detail).

The highlight is, of course, the Meru shrines, surrounded by what look like two colorful, flower-decorated gardens floating on the lake.

You’ll likely spend most of your time here — not because it’s big, but because it’s so beautiful that you’ll want to take a thousand photos of this view.

I also really enjoyed the extremely well-maintained gardens around the temple grounds. The colors and the scent of frangipani fill the air, and the vibrant green grass is almost striking.

Outside the main Hindu section of the temple, you’ll also find a Buddhist Stupa, symbolizing the harmony and mutual respect between Buddhists and Hindus.

Besides the gardens, the shrines, and the stupa, the rest of the area mainly features paid photo spots where you can rent traditional attire to pose in front of a Candi Bentar gate.

Besides that, animal-feeding areas (yes — you can feed bats, lizards, and bunnies), a few overpriced cafés and restaurants, and even a slide for kids right in the middle of the main garden.

Facts & History About Ulun Danu Temple

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan dates back to the 17th century and was built by the King of Mengwi to honor Dewi Danu, the Balinese goddess of lakes and rivers.

The temple plays a vital role in Bali’s Subak irrigation system. This is because Lake Beratan, where the temple sits, is one of the island’s main sources of irrigation water, feeding many of the rice terraces in Central Bali — including Jatiluwih ones.

The complex includes several shrines dedicated not only to Dewi Danu but also to Shiva and Vishnu. The main eleven-tiered Meru shrine you see floating on the water is the most photographed one — and for a good reason! When the water level rises, it really looks as if the temple is floating.

Other Things To Do Around The Temple

Beyond Pura Ulun Danu Temple, central Bali is such a beautiful region to explore. Here are a few places I personally loved around the Bedugul Region:

• Leke Leke Waterfall (35 minutes from Pura Ulun Danu: One of my favorite waterfalls in Bali. It seems to emerge from a tunnel between two rocky walls, forming a natural pool perfect for swimming.
• Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (45-60 minutes from Pura Ulun Danu): To me, the best rice terraces in Bali and the best way to witness the authentic lives of local farmers and communities.

• Bali Botanical Garden (only 6 minutes from Pura Ulun Danu): Indonesia’s largest botanical garden. Here, you can explore diverse plant species, wander through green open spaces of a tropical mountain forest.
• The Twin Lakes: Lake Bratan isn’t the only lake worth visiting in the area. On the other side of the surrounding mountains, you’ll find Buyan and Tamblingan, often called the Twin Lakes. Here, you can explore local villages and hike to the Mount Agung Twin Lakes viewpoint

Where to stay Around Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

My visit to Pura Ulun Danu was part of a larger trip through Central Bali, so I based myself at Village Above the Clouds, about 20 minutes from the temple.

It was genuinely one of the loveliest stays I’ve had in Bali. The property is made up of bungalows with a view over the surrounding fields, set within a beautifully maintained, colorful garden.

There’s also a yoga shala on-site where you can book classes, plus a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner — so you really have everything you need.

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And there it is! Hopefully, this blog post helped you make up your mind about visiting Pura Ulun Danu Temple in Bedugul — and, above all, gave you a few ideas on how to truly enjoy and make the most of your visit.

Central Bali was the highlight of my first trip to Bali: a perfect way to experience the authentic Balinese culture and lifestyle.

If you’re curious about exploring this area for more than just a day trip, check out my Central Bali itinerary, it’s short (just two days) super easy to plan from Ubud.

I hope you found this guide helpful! If you did, feel free to share it on Pinterest or with other travel lovers. And if you have any questions about Central Bali — or Bali in general — drop them in the comments. I’m always happy to help!

Other Bali Temples You May Want to Add To Your Itinerary

• Pura Besakih Guide: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Bali’s Mother Temple
• Pura Tirta Empul Purification Ritual: Your Guide to Bali’s Sacred Water Temple
• Temples to Visit in Ubud: 10 Must-See Spiritual Sites & Water Temples in Bali

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