Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
Bali, Indonesia
Saraswati Temple, Ubud, Bali
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Photo: Arabsalam, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Daily in daytime; dance shows in the evening
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Entrance
- Pond area free (unofficial)
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Dance shows
- Most evenings, ≈ IDR 80,000–100,000
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Inside
- The inner courtyard is for worshippers; visitors see the pond and gates
- Lotuses
- Open in the morning, close by early afternoon
- Location
- Central Ubud, behind the cafés on Jl. Raya Ubud; ≈ 200 m from the palace
Key facts
1951–1952when the temple was built
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English WikipediaSaraswatithe goddess of learning, literature and the arts
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English WikipediaLempadI Gusti Nyoman Lempad, sculptor and architect, designed it and carved many statues
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English Wikipedia3 gatesof red brick (kori agung) lead to the inner courtyard
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English Wikipedia3 mthe height of the rakshasa statue of Jero Gede Mecaling behind the gate
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English WikipediaPadmasanaa lotus throne on the temple's sacred north-east side
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English Wikipedia≈ 200 mto Ubud Palace
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OSRM routeSaraswati Temple entrance and hours
Walking in to the lotus pond is free according to unofficial sources; the inner courtyard is for worshippers. The temple is accessible through the day, and in the evening it becomes a stage for dance performances. There's no official timetable online, so check at the entrance.
What is Pura Taman Saraswati?
Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati is dedicated to Saraswati, Hindu goddess of learning, literature and the arts. It was built in 1951–1952 for the prince of Ubud and designed by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the celebrated Balinese sculptor and architect behind many of Ubud's palaces and temples.
Visitors call it the Ubud Water Palace because of the lotus pond filling the front courtyard. A straight walkway crosses the water to the temple, lined with frangipani trees and volcanic-tuff statues, many carved by Lempad himself.
What you'll see
The classic view is from the start of the walkway: pond, lotuses and, at the far end, three red-brick kori agung gates dripping with carving. The central gate, the largest, is framed by two tall frangipanis. Right behind it an unusual wall blocks the way — it's actually the back of a three-metre rakshasa statue, placed, in Balinese tradition, to confuse evil spirits.
The inner courtyard with its shrines is for worshippers. It holds a padmasana, a stone lotus throne topped with an empty golden seat for the supreme deity, its base carved with the cosmic turtle and naga serpents. Visitors see in through the gates.
Evening dance performances
Most evenings, Balinese dance is performed by the pond — legong, Ramayana scenes or barong, depending on the day. Unofficially, tickets are IDR 80,000–100,000 and shows start around 7:30 pm. The lit-up gates reflected in the water make it one of the loveliest stages in Ubud.
Tickets are sold at the entrance and by vendors nearby; the weekly line-up is posted at the ticket desk. Similar shows run at Ubud Palace, two minutes' walk away.
Things to see
- The lotus pond and the walkway across it.
- The carved red kori agung gates.
- Lempad's statues along the pond.
- The rakshasa statue blocking the way behind the gate.
- An evening dance in front of the lit temple.
How to get to Saraswati Temple
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From central Ubud — on foot: it's 200 m from Ubud Palace, behind the cafés on Jl. Raya Ubud, with another entrance on Jl. Kajeng.
- From Sanur — about 23 km; from Kuta or Seminyak — about 32 km, 1–1.5 hours by taxi, Grab or Gojek.
- From Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) — about 35 km.
- Central Ubud is congested with little parking — leave the car at your hotel and walk.
Is Saraswati Temple worth visiting?
Yes, if you're in Ubud: it's two minutes off the main street, free and lovely, especially with the lotuses open in the morning or during an evening dance.
YesGo's take: it's small, the inner courtyard is off-limits and the pond gets crowded at midday. Don't travel to Ubud just for this — but it belongs on any walk around the centre.
Bali temples compared
Temples on Bali rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Saraswati Templeyou are here | 45 | 30 min | free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubud Monkey Forest | 36 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 130,000 | 26 min walk |
| Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) | 35 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 3.3 km |
| Batuan Temple | 29 | 45 min | donation or ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 8.6 km |
| Tanah Lot Temple | 26 | 1 h 30 min | IDR 75,000 | 23.1 km |
| Taman Ayun Temple | 26 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 10.5 km |
| Gunung Kawi | 25 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 10.8 km |
| Tirta Empul Temple | 24 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000 | 11.6 km |
| Ulun Danu Batur Temple | 24 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 35,000 | 29.1 km |
| Goa Lawah Temple | 24 | 45 min | ≈ IDR 30,000 | 23.4 km |
| Uluwatu Temple | 23 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000 | 40.9 km |
| Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | 23 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 100,000 | 28.2 km |
| Besakih Temple | 22 | 2 h | IDR 150,000 | 25.6 km |
| Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven) | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 100,000 + shuttle | 42.5 km |
| Geger Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | free or ≈ IDR 5,000–10,000 | 35.1 km |
Central Ubud on foot
Saraswati Temple, Ubud Palace and the art market opposite — all within five minutes of each other. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings.
- Saraswati Templeyou are here30 min · free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000
- 3 min walk from the previous stopUbud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)30 min · Free
- 3 min walk from the previous stopUbud Art Market1 h · Free
3 places · about 2 h 6 min with walks · 6 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
Ubud Art Market
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Campuhan Ridge Walk
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Blanco Renaissance Museum
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How to do it right
- Come at 8–9 am: lotuses open, few people.
- Return in the evening for a dance in front of the lit gates.
- The dance line-up changes daily — check the board at the entrance.
- It's not the same as Ubud Palace, though the two are neighbours.
- Ubud Palace is 200 m away.
Questions
Is Saraswati Temple in Ubud free?
The lotus-pond area is free to visit; the inner courtyard is for worshippers.
Why is it called the Ubud Water Palace?
Because of the large lotus pond in front of the temple gates.
When is the dance show at Saraswati Temple?
Most evenings around 7:30 pm; tickets are about IDR 80,000–100,000.
When do the lotuses bloom?
In the morning; the flowers close by early afternoon.
Where is Saraswati Temple?
In central Ubud, 200 m from the palace, behind the cafés on Jl. Raya Ubud.
Who built Saraswati Temple?
The master craftsman I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, in 1951–1952, for the prince of Ubud.
Who is the temple dedicated to?
Saraswati, goddess of learning, literature and the arts.
How long do you need?
About half an hour by day, around 1.5 hours with an evening show.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Pura Taman Saraswati: 1951–1952, Lempad, Saraswati, pond, gates, rakshasa, padmasana
- baliholidaysecrets.com, pickyourtrail.com (2026) — evening dance and prices (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q48841813 — coordinates; OSRM routing — distances
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