Saraswati Temple
Bali, Indonesia
Pura Ulun Danu Batur, Bali
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Photo: Horst Emscher, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ≈ IDR 35,000
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Opening hours
- Daily, roughly 7:00–17:00; closed on Nyepi
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Entrance fee
- ≈ IDR 35,000 for visitors; sarong included
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Dress code
- Sarong and sash — provided at the entrance
- Weather
- High in the hills: cool, windy and often misty
- Location
- Batur village, Kintamani; ≈ 41 km from Ubud, ≈ 71 km from Kuta
Key facts
Norththe direction the temple guards — one of the Kahyangan Jagat
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English WikipediaVishnu and Dewi Danuthe temple's deities; Dewi Danu is goddess of Lake Batur
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English Wikipedia17th centurywhen the temple was first established
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English Wikipedia1926the temple was relocated to its present site and rebuilt
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English Wikipedia2012became part of UNESCO's Cultural Landscape of Bali Province
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English Wikipedia'Lake source'the meaning of Ulun Danu
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English WikipediaLake BaturBali's largest lake and a key water source for its rice fields
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English Wikipedia≈ 13 kmto the shore of Lake Batur
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OSRM routePura Ulun Danu Batur entrance fee and hours
There's no official price list online. Unofficially, visitors pay around IDR 35,000, with a sarong included; bring rupiah cash. The temple is open roughly 7:00–17:00 daily and closes on Nyepi, the Day of Silence, along with the rest of the island.
About Pura Batur
Pura Ulun Danu Batur, often just Pura Batur, is one of Bali's directional temples, guarding the island to the north. It's dedicated to Vishnu and Dewi Danu, goddess of Lake Batur, Bali's largest lake. The name means 'temple at the source of the lake' — the lake's water matters to rice farmers across the island.
The temple was established in the 17th century at the foot of the volcano and in 1926 was moved up to the caldera rim and rebuilt. In 2012 it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Cultural Landscape of Bali Province, alongside the subak rice terraces and other water temples.
What you'll see
The temple stands right on the main road through Kintamani and you'll spot it from a distance: dark multi-tiered meru shrines, tall split gateways and walls of volcanic stone. Inside are several courtyards with pavilions, carved gates and guardian statues.
Visitors can enter the outer courtyards; the main shrines are for worshippers. It's quieter than Besakih or Lempuyang, with few tour groups, so you can take in the carving at your own pace. On festival days it fills with pilgrims from all over Bali.
Things to see
- Multi-tiered meru shrines of dark timber and stone.
- Split gateways and carved gates into the inner courtyards.
- Guardian statues at the entrances.
- Caldera views of Mount Batur from the road by the temple.
- Ceremonies, especially on temple festival days.
How to get to Pura Ulun Danu Batur
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 Ubud — about 41 km north, 30 minutes on paper, usually about an hour via Tegallalang.
- From Kuta or Seminyak — about 70 km, 2–2.5 hours in normal traffic.
- No public transport: hired car, taxi, Grab, Gojek or scooter.
- The temple is on the main Penelokan–Kintamani road, about 13 km from the shore of Lake Batur.
When to go and what to combine
It's easiest as a stop on the way: to a Mount Batur sunrise trek, the hot springs by the lake, or a caldera-view café in Penelokan. Views are clearer in the morning; by afternoon cloud often fills the caldera. It's cool and windy up here, so bring a layer.
A good half day from Ubud: the Tegallalang rice terraces, Pura Batur, lunch facing the volcano, then down to Lake Batur.
Is Pura Ulun Danu Batur worth visiting?
Yes, if you're heading to Kintamani: it's an important, handsome temple, uncrowded and cheap, and half an hour to an hour is enough.
YesGo's take: don't make the trip from the southern resorts just for this temple — with the volcano and lake it makes a fine day, but on its own it's a stop along the way.
Bali temples compared
Temples on Bali rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Saraswati Temple | 45 | 30 min | free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000 | 29.1 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubud Monkey Forest | 36 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 130,000 | 30.6 km |
| Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) | 35 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 30.4 km |
| Batuan Temple | 29 | 45 min | donation or ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 37.1 km |
| Tanah Lot Temple | 26 | 1 h 30 min | IDR 75,000 | 49.1 km |
| Taman Ayun Temple | 26 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 36.6 km |
| Gunung Kawi | 25 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 19.0 km |
| Ulun Danu Batur Templeyou are here | 24 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 35,000 | — |
| Tirta Empul Temple | 24 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000 | 18.2 km |
| Goa Lawah Temple | 24 | 45 min | ≈ IDR 30,000 | 36.1 km |
| Uluwatu Temple | 23 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000 | 69.7 km |
| Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | 23 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 100,000 | 18.7 km |
| Besakih Temple | 22 | 2 h | IDR 150,000 | 18.4 km |
| Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven) | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 100,000 + shuttle | 35.8 km |
| Geger Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | free or ≈ IDR 5,000–10,000 | 64.1 km |
Kintamani in half a day
The Tegallalang rice terraces in the morning, then Pura Batur on the caldera rim and down to Lake Batur. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings and transfers.
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces1 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 15,000–50,000
- 361 min walk from the previous stopUlun Danu Batur Templeyou are here1 h · ≈ IDR 35,000
- 139 min walk from the previous stopLake Batur1 h 30 min · free; hot springs ≈ IDR 200,000
3 places · about 12 h 20 min with walks · 500 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Stop here on the way to the volcano or lake — no need for a separate trip.
- Bring a layer: Kintamani is cool and windy.
- The caldera is clearest in the morning; afternoons cloud over.
- Carry rupiah cash for the entrance.
- Carry on down to Lake Batur, about 13 km.
Questions
How much is the Pura Ulun Danu Batur entrance fee?
Unofficially about IDR 35,000, sarong included.
What are Pura Batur's opening hours?
Roughly 7:00–17:00 daily; closed on Nyepi.
Where is Pura Ulun Danu Batur?
In Batur village, Kintamani, on the rim of the Batur caldera beside the main road.
How do I get to Pura Batur from Ubud?
About 41 km north by car, taxi or scooter — around an hour.
Who is Pura Ulun Danu Batur dedicated to?
Vishnu and Dewi Danu, goddess of Lake Batur.
Is Pura Ulun Danu Batur a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 2012 as part of the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province.
Is it the same as Ulun Danu Beratan?
No: Batur is in Kintamani in the north-east; Beratan is on the lake near Bedugul in central Bali.
How long do you need?
From 30 minutes to an hour.
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 Ulun Danu Batur: directional temple, Vishnu and Dewi Danu, 17th century, 1926 relocation, UNESCO 2012
- balibuddies.com — visitor fee (unofficial)
- traveltriangle.com — hours and Nyepi closure (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q2390081 — coordinates; OSRM routing — distances
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