Known as Bali’s floating temple, Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is one of Bali’s most popular and scenic Hindu temples. Set on the tranquil shores of beautiful Lake Beratan, Bali’s second-largest lake. Located on a highland plateau 1200 meters above sea level, the air here is often much cooler than at Bali’s other main temples, and the cool morning air often shrouds the temple in an eerie mist. Dating from the 17th century, Ulun Danu Beratan temple is one of the island’s nine directional temples. To help you plan your visit and get the most out of your time here, we put together this Temple Visiting Guide for Bali’s Pura Ulun Danu Beratan.
Note that although this temple’s official name is Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, it is also often referred to as Ulun Danu Temple, Bratan Temple, the Water Temple, or Pura Ulun Danu Bratan.
Disclosure: This page (Bali’s Pura Ulun Danu Beratan – A Temple Visiting Guide) may contain product affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. More details can be found on our disclosure and policies page.
You might also be interested in these pages (coming soon):
Best Things to See and Do in Bali
Best Things to See and Do in the Gili Islands
The Perfect Three-Week Bali Itinerary
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Bali
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan: Temple Location & Map
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is located in Bali’s Tabanan regency, along the western shore of Lake Beratan, northwest of Ubud (link to Google Maps). There is a large car park right next to the temple.
How to get to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Drive times can be highly variable depending on the traffic conditions.
Distance from Ubud: 45 km // Average Drive Time: 1h20 – 1h40
Distance from Kuta: 60 km // Average Drive Time: 2h – 2h20
Distance from Canggu: 50 km // Average Drive Time: 1h30 – 1h50
Distance from Sanur: 60 km // Average Drive Time: 2h – 2h20
Distance from Sidemen: 75 km // Average Drive Time 2h20 – 2h40 minutes
In our opinion, the three best transport options to reach the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan are: renting a scooter (moped), joining a group tour that hits several nearby attractions within a day or a half-day, or hiring a car and driver (which really isn’t as expensive as it sounds).
You can also use Bali ride-hailing apps such as Gojek or Grab, and make use of local taxis, but these options will typically cost more, especially if you plan on visiting several sites and attractions on the same day. Also, Gojek or Grab are not authorized to pick up people in certain locations where local taxi unions limit their services, including Canggu, Sanur, and Ubud. For more information on getting around the island and the different available options, check out our How to Best Get Around Bali guide.
Regardless of your chosen transportation method, you are likely to enjoy the ride there. The road leading to the waterfall is very scenic. You will pass small villages and beautiful rice fields.
We highly recommend Airalo (eSIM card) for your connectivity needs when travelling abroad. Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide.
Getting to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan by Scooter: Once you get to Bali, you’ll quickly realize that scooter rental operators are everywhere. Although most street-side vendors will regularly be the cheapest option, they come short in several other aspects compared with more reliable and established vendors. For instance, most won’t offer roadside assistance or insurance that covers theft, nor do they regularly sanitize the helmets or have their scooters undergo regular maintenance. For this reason, we highly recommend using Bikago for your scooter rentals. Renting from them might be slightly more expensive (but still can be rented for as low as 12-15 US$/€ per day) but you get great peace of mind as among many other perks, all scooters undergo extensive quality checks.
What you get with your Bikago rental:
-Helmets
-Full tank of petrol and unlimited mileage
-Free Delivery and Collection at your Hotel
-24/7 Roadside Assistance and First Aid Medical Kit
-Charging Mobile Phone Holder
By Car and Driver hire: Hiring a car and driver to explore Bali can be a practical and cost-efficient way to experience a full day of sightseeing. Although this option is more expensive than renting a scooter (typically 40-60 US$/€ per day), you don’t have to worry about navigating the Bali roads and traffic, Also, most cars are modern and air-conditioned, which is welcome in Bali’s humid heat, and the local drivers always know the best routes to take and can optimize your ideal itinerary. Here are some of the best options to choose from:
By Group Tour: Group tours can be a great option to lower costs and reduce the hassle of having to plan an efficient itinerary. Their main downside is they might not exactly be tailored to your specific interests and preferences. But if you are mostly interested in hitting the main sights and attractions, there is this great tour option that can pick you up in multiple towns and visit places including Pura Ulun Danu Beratan:
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan – Temple Ticket Price and Operating Hours
Temple Entrance Fee
The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple entrance fee for foreigners is 75,000 IDR per person (2025), which roughly amounts to 4.50 US$/€ (which is about 50% more expensive than most other temples we visited). This fee helps maintain the temple and its surrounding grounds.
Modest additional costs are required for parking: 5,000 IDR for scooters and 10,000 IDR for cars.
Having the exact change or small bills to pay for all costs is preferable as many temple sites don’t accept credit cards and they may not have enough change for large bills. There is an ATM located in the center of the car park.
Temple Opening Hours
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm.
Temple Facilities
Toilets (2,000 IDR) are available on-site.
There are also several cafes and snack bars that serve food and cold refreshments.
Temple Dress Code
Unlike most other Balinese temples, wearing a sarong is not required. However, you should still dress modestly and cover your shoulders.
About Pura Ulun Danu Beratan and its History
The area surrounding the temple is believed to have been a site of worship and religious rituals since the megalithic period, and today a sarcophagus and a stone slate dating from 500 BC can still be found within the temple complex.
Documents place the existence of a temple on the current site as far back as 1556, however, what we see today dates from the early 17th century. In 1633, the temple was rebuilt by the King of Mengwi (I Gusti Agung Putu) to honor the Balinese water goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Beratan as a main source of Bali’s UNESCO-recognized Subak irrigation system.
The architecture of Ulun Danu Beratan is an impressive blend of Hindu and Buddhist elements, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of both religions in Bali. The temple complex consists of several shrines and pagodas, each with its unique style and purpose. The most iconic structure is the 11-tiered Meru, Tower dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati.
Today, Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is one of Bali’s revered temples and is pictured on the 50,000 rupiah bill. It is also one of Bali’s nine directional temples, which mark the eight cardinal directions (along with a central point); Ulun Danu Beratan temple marks the north direction. Built at strategic locations, the directional temples are meant to protect the island and its people from evil spirits. These temples belong to every Balinese on the island (as opposed to the other temples, which are the property of the village or town in which they sit).
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan – What to Expect
The temple is best known for the two pagoda-like Meru Towers (with their multi-tiered roofs) that appear to float on the lake’s surface, earning it the nickname ‘the floating temple’.
There are also several other shrines, open spaces, gardens and temples found around the temple complex that are worth exploring.
The good: The location is incredibly scenic and photogenic, a prime spot to take some beautiful photos, particularly of the two Meru Towers.
The bad: Ulun Danu Beratan temple is one of Bali’s most popular and can get quite crowded. The temple complex is not that big, so there’s nowhere really to go to escape when the crowds roll in.
Also, some areas of the temple complex give off a distinct tourist trap vibe, with several Instagram-type photo and selfie spots. There’s also a small petting zoo at the end of the complex, which is perhaps great for kids but takes away from the cultural significance of the temple.
What else can you do? Rent a boat and relax on the lake! It’s the perfect activity to admire the scenery while escaping the crowds. The going rate was 200,000 IDR when we visited (about 12 US$/€) for 2 hours.
If you are lucky like we were, you might also get a glimpse of a Balinese ceremony taking place (we just caught the tail end of one during our visit).
Why You Should Visit Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
– An incredibly scenic location: The location by the lake is both scenic and unique.
– Mountain Breeze: Being higher up in elevation than most Balinese temples and by the lake, you are likely to find the air much cooler around Ulun Danu Beratan temple, which will no doubt be a welcome respite in the Bali heat.
– Cultural Significance: Pura Luhur Batukaru is one of Bali’s nine directional temples.
Why You Might Not Want To Visit
– Often busy and crowded: By mid-morning the temple complex is filled with visitors.
– Expensive: Although not that expensive in absolute terms for most foreigners, this temple is significantly more expensive than most other temples we visited.
How Long Do You Need at Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is not a very large complex, you can probably walk around the entire complex in less than 10 minutes. If it is not too busy when you visit, you might want to take your time to admire the scenery, in which case you could plan for about 30 minutes. Your stay and be significantly extended however if you decide to head out on the lake.
Best Time to Visit Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Best Time of the Year
Although we visited during the dry season, there’s no bad time of year to visit the temple. There’s a higher risk of rain during the wet season (November-April), but that shouldn’t discourage you as there are likely to be fewer other tourists around.
Best Time of Day
Although this is true of all temples – the “earlier the better” is particularly true about Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. Crowds will quickly start to form after 9 am. If you can’t make it early in the day, the best time is towards the late afternoon when the number of people visiting will start to diminish.
Other Nearby Temples
There are no other major temples in the immediate vicinity of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan.
To discover more of Bali’s temples, be sure to check out our guide on Bali’s Best Temples to Visit.
Other Sights and Attractions near Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
The closest attraction is the Bali Botanical Garden, a short 5-minute drive away.
Popular attractions along the main road between Ubud and Pura Ulun Danu Beratan include the Bayan Ancient Tree and Leke Leke Waterfall.
A dozen kilometres west of the main road is where you’ll find the stunning Jatiluwih Rice Terraces (the most beautiful in Bali!), and a bit further west the beautiful Pura Luhur Batukaru, a beautiful temple built on the slopes of Bali’s second tallest peak (and inactive Volcano), Mount Batukaru.
For a more complete list of attractions that you can visit from Ubud, check out our guide on the Best Day Trips from Ubud.
Where to Stay Near Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
In our opinion, the best place to stay is in Ubud, whose location makes it a great base from which to explore several nearby temples including Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. All of the following are some of the best mid-range hotel accommodations located within walking distance from the city center:
Komaneka at Rasa Sayang Ubud Hotel
Planning a Trip to Bali?
You might be interested in these pages: (coming soon)
Best Things to See and Do in Bali
Best Things to See and Do in the Gili Islands
The Perfect Three-Week Bali Itinerary
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Bali
We also highly recommend these guidebooks:
Bali: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide
Lonely Planet Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing is a travel insurance company that offers comprehensive coverage for travellers. Includes Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance. Primarily geared towards long-term travellers, digital nomads, and expats.
e-Sim cards
Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. With Airalo eSIMs, travellers can get connected the moment they land at their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges
eSIMS are a sustainable alternative to single-use SIM cards – they are 100% digital, require less energy to produce and be re-used rather than disposed of.
Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
—–
Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our guide on Bali’s Pura Ulun Danu Beratan and that it will prove useful for planning your trip.
—–
You might also be interested in these related pages:
