Tanah Lot Temple (Pura Tanah Lot)

Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali’s most popular sights and a major pilgrimage destination for Balinese Hindus from around the island. Although non-Balinese are not allowed to enter ter, the site is often included in guided small-group or private tours to Ubud from other areas of Bali, or combined with visits to other holy sites like the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and Pura Taman Ayun temples as well as the nearby Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Many full-day tours to Ubud stop at the temple, oftentimes for sunset.

• A Tanah Lot sunset is a must for first-time visitors.

• Bring your camera for the perfect sunset photo opportunity.

• While visitors can walk out to the Hindu temple at low tide, non-Balinese are not allowed to enter the temple itself.

• Expect traffic to back up for several miles during the pre- and post-sunset rush.

Tanah Lot Temple is located about 10 miles (15 kilometers) from Seminyak. While it’s possible to get to the temple on your own by taxi from Ubud or the southern coast, it’s most commonly visited as part of a guided sightseeing or sunset tour.

The best time of day to visit Tanah Lot Temple is at sunset, when rose-colored skies meet the blue waters that surround this popular religious attraction. During low tide, visitors can walk to Tanah by following a winding path lined with bustling souvenir stands. Be advised that it’s more difficult to reach the temple during high tide, when travelers are prohibited from getting near parts of the structure closest to the water.

Tanah Lot is one of nine directional temples on the coast of Bali island that were built to protect the island from evil spirits. Besides Tanah Lot, other directional temples worth visiting include Pura Besakih (known as the “mother temple”) and the clifftop Uluwatu.

Yes, Tanah Lot Temple (Pura Tanah Lot) is worth visiting—it’s one of Bali’s most famous Hindu temples and boasts a dramatic seaside setting. However, be aware that it is a popular destination that can be busy, so avoid it if you don’t like crowds.

Yes, many Bali sightseeing tours combine Tanah Lot with other nearby attractions. Tours of north Bali typically visit the temple with the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces—part of the UNESCO-listed Cultural Landscape of Bali—and the volcanic Tamblingan twin lakes. Other temple-focused tours add it to itineraries featuring Ulun Danu Bratan and Taman Ayun temples.

Tanah Lot Temple is open from early morning until early evening. To beat the crowds, visit early—ideally as soon as it opens—when you’ll have the grounds to yourself and temperatures will be relatively cool. It’s beautiful at sunset, but that’s when crowds are at their largest.

Yes, there is a dress code for visiting Tanah Lot Temple, as it is a sacred Hindu site. Women need to wear sarongs that cover their legs and shawls that cover shoulders. Men must wear an udeng (traditional headwear), plus a shawl and sarong.

Yes, there are facilities at Tanah Lot Temple. By the entrance and parking lot you’ll find souvenir stalls selling Balinese handicrafts and clothing. There are also warungs (Indonesian restaurants) where you can sample traditional dishes. Toilets are available, but you’ll be expected to pay a fee—bring cash in small denominations.

The entrance fee for visiting Tanah Lot Temple is 75K rupiah for adults and 40K rupiah for children. There’s also a fee to park, which differs for cars and scooters. It’s best to take cash as local card machines can be unreliable and sometimes charge extra for foreign credit cards.