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.