Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Bali – Complete Guide

Ulun Danu Beratan (or Bratan) is a Hindu temple nestled within the mountainous area of Bedugul in Central Northern Bali. 

Surrounded by a stunning backdrop of mountains and seemingly floating in a lake (though this depends on the level of water), Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is without a doubt one of Bali’s most stunning. 

Pura Ulun Danu sits inside lake Bratan. The lake is a crucial part of supplying Bali’s water network system. And in fact, the temple is used for making offerings to the Hindu God of water. 

If you’re looking for Bali’s best temples and don’t know where to start, then definitely add Ulun Danu Beratan on your Bali holiday list.

Here I will list all the things you need to know for your visit to Ulun Danu Bratan:

• From Ubud or Canggu to Ulun Danu
• How to get to the temple
• Best time to visit Ulun Danu
• Entrance fee
• Things to do at the temple and how much time you will need
• Places of interest near or on the way to Ulun Danu
• Other information on Ulun Danu Temple

From Ubud or Canggu to Ulun Danu Beratan

Pura Ulun Danu is nestled within Central Northern Bali’s impressive mountainous highlands of Bedugul. 

From Ubud or Canggu it will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes. However, since North Bali offers loads of things to do you should combine a few other attractions in a full day itinerary. 

I have made a list of other attractions (at the end of this article) you can do on your trip. This will help you get the most out of your day. 

How to Get to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Our main mode of transport is usually a scooter. It’s cheap and we can go about at our own pace. Scooter rental costs around 50k IDR (3.20 EUR) per day. You will find a few sharp curves along the way but apart from that, travelling through the cool mountain air is a great experience. If coming by scooter, bring an extra layer just in case it gets chilly. 

If you’re not comfortable riding a scooter but still want to go about at your own pace, then opt for a hire car with a driver. This is basically a taxi but at a reasonable price. Expect to pay around 500k IDR (32 EUR) for 8 hours.

Best Time to Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Although Pura Ulun Danu is quite a long ride from any popular area, it still gets a fair share of daily visitors. And in fact is one of Bali’s most popular temples. The best option is to get a head start and get here early and beat the crowds. The temple opens at 8:00 am and if you come at this time, you will definitely get a more interesting experience than coming during the day. 

The main draw to Ulun Danu is the temple that floats in the lake. However, this mainly depends on the time of year. We came here the first week of October which is the end of the dry season. And the water level had significantly gone down. Thus, the temple only had parts surrounded by water. 

Entrance fee

Pura Ulun Danu entrance fee is 50k IDR (3.20 EUR) and there is a parking fee of 2k IDR for your scooter. For a car the fee is 5k IDR. If you aren’t given an entrance ticket, ask for it. The fee goes for the upkeep of the attraction. And if you’re not given the ticket your money will be going directly into the cashier’s pocket.

Things To Do and How Much Time you will Need

How much time you spend at Ulun Danu comes down to what interests you. There are quite a few things to do and you could easily spend 2 or more hours. Besides wandering around the temple and marveling at the temple, you may opt to go for a speed boat ride on the lake. Or either rent a swan themed paddle boat and go out onto the Bratan. 

However, the most popular thing to do is to rent a row boat out to the lake. From here you can get great photo opportunities.

Places of Interest Near or On The Way to Ulun Danu

Northern Bali is littered with interesting things to do and see. Waterfalls are definitely one of the main draws to this part of the island. And minutes from the temple is also a rising Instagram favourite. 

Since you may be visiting Ulun Danu from Ubud, Canggu or somewhere else further South, I will list other places you can consider on your way here.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

On your way from Ubud or Canggu, take a deviation and head towards the Jatiluwih Rice terraces. These rice fields will without a doubt take your breath. Think Tegallalang but on a much larger scale. The rice fields go on and on. 

Jatiluwih aren’t directly on your route and the deviation will add 40 minutes to your trip. But I guarantee, these rice fields will blow you away.

Nungnung Waterfall

Another option is to add Nungnung waterfall to your trip. Now the total journey time Ubud/Canggu – Jatiluwih – Nungnung – Ulun Danu Temple will be of 3 hours. Though this route is still doable it does has a considerable amount of traveling time. Deciding on whether or not to add this waterfall to your day trip will depend on how much you’re willing to travel.

Handara Bali Gate

Handara Gate Bali is one of the latest addition to the Instagram world which is all so popular in Bali. The tall picturesque gate is approximately 5 minutes away from Pura Ulun Danu.

Gitgit Waterfalls

Gitgit is a small area further up in the mountains, around 25 minutes north of Ulun Danu. This may be a small area but definitely has a high concentration of waterfalls. If you skipped Nungnung but still want to visit a waterfall or even 2, head over to Gitgit.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple – Our Own Experience

Ulun Danu Beratan is hands down one of Bali’s most stunning and photogenic temples. 

Since the temple was quite a ride from our accommodation in Pemuteran, we made a list of things to do along the way. 

Our plan was, Gitgit Twin Waterfall, Ulun Danu and later on Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. And then cruise down to Denpasar to collect our passports with the extended visa. 

The best way to fit all this in one day was to get an early start. So at first light, we were already on the road scooting around the fresh morning breeze. Eventually, the higher up we got, the breeze got quite chilly. By 8:00 am we were at Ulun Danu and had already been to GitGit Waterfall. 

We paid the 2k IDR parking fee, 50k IDR entrance fee and headed in to this impressive lake temple. 

Once you enter the temple a pretty garden of flowers, bushes and trees surround you. Wander further and to the stunning temple set inside the lake surrounded by mountains.

The temple with a multi tiered straw roof is the main draw here. However, we spent quite some time just wandering around the garden. Where we ate our packed breakfast looking onto the lake and the beautiful surrounding. 

As time went by, the handful of visitors got more and more. I’m not sure how much attention Ulun Danu Beratan gets throughout the day but is definitely a popular attraction in Bali. And my best advice is to get here early.

Bali Itinerary

Check these Bali destination guides, pick your favorites and add to your Bali itinerary.

• Uluwatu & Bukit Peninsula located on the most southern tip of Bali
• The popular town of Ubud
• Pemuteran, off the beaten path seaside destination north west of Bali
• Amed and East Bali
• Nusa Penida, Bali’s sister island.

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