The shrines of Lake Beratan Temple stand so close to the water that they seem to float on it. That look has made the temple one of the iconic images of Bali. After Tanah Lot, it is perhaps the most photographed temple on the island. It sits on the western shore of Lake Bratan, in the highland area of Bedugul.
Lake Beratan Temple: the essentials
| Type | Sights |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 07:00-19:00 daily |
| Price | Rp 75,000 |
| Getting there | On the western shore of Lake Bratan, Bedugul |
| Address | Lake Bratan, Bedugul |
| Map | Open the map |
The temple was built in 1633 and is devoted to Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu, the goddess of the lake. It is a working place of worship in a truly stunning setting. Go for the view of the pavilions against the water, and stay for the quiet, cool feel of the lakeside gardens around it.
A temple for the goddess of the lake
The temple is dedicated to Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu, who is honoured as the goddess of the lake. In Bali, lakes matter because they feed the water that farmers depend on far below the mountains. A temple to the lake goddess is therefore a temple to the water that feeds the island.
That meaning gives the place weight beyond the pretty view. The shrines have tiered roofs and stand right at the water's edge. Mist and still water often soften the outlines, so the whole scene looks calm and a little unreal.
Walking the park around the water
A park has been built around the temple, and it shapes how you see it. From outside the grounds you cannot see the temple. Only a boat on the lake or a very far view from the lakeshore shows it from beyond the gate.
So the visit is a stroll through the gardens, with the temple coming into view as you reach the shore. The best-known pictures are taken from the lawns at the water's edge. Take your time here, because the angle changes as you walk along the bank.
Your ticket and where the money goes
Entry costs Rp 75,000. Make sure to insist on your entrance ticket. That way your fee goes toward the conservation of the temple, which is the point of paying at the gate.
The grounds are open from 07:00 to 19:00 daily. That long window gives you room to choose a quiet hour instead of arriving with the busiest crowds. Early starts suit photographers who want clear views of the shrines.
Bali Botanic Garden next door
Bali Botanic Garden is the natural next stop in the Bedugul area. Both places are about the cool highlands and green, open space. A day here can include the lake temple for its water and shrines, and the garden for its plants.
The two make an easy pairing because they belong to the same trip into the hills. You do not need to plan a separate outing for each.
What visitors ask
What are the opening hours of Lake Beratan Temple?
The temple grounds are open daily from 07:00 to 19:00. That gives visitors plenty of room to pick an early or late hour.
How much does it cost to enter Lake Beratan Temple?
Entry is Rp 75,000. Insist on your entrance ticket so that your fee goes toward the conservation of the temple.
Who is the temple dedicated to?
It is devoted to Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu, the goddess of the lake. The temple was built in 1633 on the western shore of Lake Bratan.
Can you see the temple without going into the park?
Not easily. A park has been built around the temple, so it cannot be seen from outside. You can see it from a boat on the lake or from a very far view on the lakeshore.
Near Lake Beratan Temple
- Bali Botanic Garden (1.35 km)
Tours
More things to do: things to do in Bali.