Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a major Hindu Shaivite temple on the shore of Lake Beratan, in the mountains near Bedugul, in Tabanan regency. Its meru shrines stand on small outcrops in the lake, which is why the temple is known as the Bali temple on the lake. It is also one of the island’s easiest highland stops: it lies about 1,240 metres above sea level, where daytime temperatures are around 24°C and the evenings cooler.
What the temple is for
The temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the Balinese goddess of water, lakes and rivers. Lake Beratan is a main source of irrigation in central Bali, and its water serves the whole area downstream, where many smaller water temples belong to individual irrigation associations (subak). The lake covers about 375.6 hectares.
Two meru shrines project into the water. The 11-tier meru faces south and is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvati, while a 3-tier meru is the second shrine; both project into the lake. The complex also contains a Buddhist stupa and a Buddha statue, which an Indonesian reference reads as a sign of religious harmony. The temple appears on the back of the Rp 50,000 banknote, which explains why the view is so familiar.
On dates, sources differ. English-language Wikipedia says the temple was built in 1633. The Indonesian article says no founding year is recorded and infers from the Babad Mengwi chronicle that it was founded before 1634, when Pura Taman Ayun was built. Either way, it is a 17th-century temple. The complex is still used for ceremonies, including piodalan every 210 days and a large pakelem rite every five years.
Tickets, hours and the lake
A guide updated in August 2026 gives Rp 75,000 for an adult and Rp 50,000 for a child, and an April 2026 guide quotes Rp 75,000 for foreigners. The August guide adds a note that fees will rise to Rp 100,000 and Rp 75,000, which we could not confirm, so expect to pay at least the lower figure and ask at the window. Parking is Rp 5,000 to 10,000, and cash is the safest way to pay.
Opening hours are 7am to 7pm daily in the August 2026 guide. An older Indonesian reference lists a 5am opening on Saturdays, which we could not confirm. One guide suggests 2 to 4 hours, which allows for the gardens and the market as well as the shoreline.
You can see the temple from the water. A boat ride costs Rp 100,000 to 200,000 according to the August guide, and an April guide describes local fishermen offering a jukung (outrigger canoe) for around Rp 100,000 an hour, starting nearer Rp 150,000 before bargaining.
When to go and what to combine
Go at 7am or an hour before sunset. Midday brings harsh light, tour buses and a queue at every photo spot, and mountain mist can arrive suddenly. The dry season, April to October, gives clearer views, and weekdays are quieter than weekends.
From Munduk village the drive is about 30 minutes. The temple is 13 km from Banyumala Waterfall, and tours link it with Handara Gate and the Wanagiri viewpoint. Nearby are the Bali Botanic Garden, which covers 157.5 hectares, and the Bedugul market, which sells fruit, flowers and spices. For the rest of the area, see our guide to Munduk, things to do in Munduk and where to stay in Munduk. If you also plan to see the other great lake temple, Pura Ulun Danu Batur is a separate trip in Kintamani.
