Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, a renowned ancient Hindu lake temple, is nestled beside the scenic Beratan Lake in Bedugul, northern Bali.

This 12-tiered pagoda was constructed in 1633 by King Mengwi of Bali. The lake it sits on is actually a caldera lake formed by an ancient volcano. Bratan Lake is also the second-largest lake in Bali, after Lake Batur in Kintamani.

This travel guide will provide you with all the information you need to know before visiting, including how to get there!

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan: A Representative Landmark of Bali

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of the most iconic landscapes in Bali, featured in airline brochures and travel magazines alike.

The unique pagoda of this temple even appears on the Indonesian 50,000 rupiah note.

Compared to other parts of Bali, it is located in a mountainous area with an unusually high altitude, resulting in cooler temperatures (about 5°C lower than sea level).

Unfortunately, it is also another attraction affected by over-tourism and over-development, so it can be somewhat crowded at times.

That being said, if you have the time, it's still a great place to visit!

If you're looking for a less tourist-dense location, consider visiting Pura Segara Temple on Lake Batur. It offers similar scenery but with significantly fewer visitors.

Photography Tips

If you plan to take photos, I recommend arriving here no later than 9 AM, as the mountains surrounding Lake Bratan in Bali are often obscured by clouds after that time.

As you can see in the images below, the water temple looks even more impressive when the mountains are visible in the background, although the misty effect also looks quite nice!

Note: Since Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a Hindu temple, drones are not allowed anywhere on the premises.

Towering Pagoda of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan in Bedugul, Bali
Floating Lake Temple and Mountains of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan in Bedugul, Bali

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices

Operating Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM

Entrance Fee (Adult): 75,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (approximately $5 USD)
Entrance Fee (Children aged 5-11): 50,000 Indonesian Rupiahs

These are the current entrance fees and opening hours for Pura Ulun Danu Bratan as of 2024. However, this is a very popular temple, so they tend to increase ticket prices every couple of years. It's a bit pricey now, but I still think it's worth visiting at least once.

You can now pay the entrance fee using cash or credit card, which is a nice improvement.

Although the official opening hours are from 7 AM to 7 PM, people often come here early to capture sunrise photos, and they are allowed to enter.

How to Get to Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is located in Bedugul, northern Bali, Indonesia.

The best way to get there is by renting a motorcycle or hiring a private car with a driver (both options can be booked online).

It takes approximately 1.5 hours to travel to Lake Bratan from Ubud, Canggu, or Sanur, and about 1 hour from Singaraja.