Taman Festival Bali in Sanur isn’t your typical attraction. There are no temples, no beaches, no rice terraces. Instead, you’ll find the remains of an old theme park that’s been left to crumble for nearly three decades.
It’s eerie, strange, and for some people, fascinating. The grounds have slowly been reclaimed by nature, covered in graffiti, and occasionally revived by local events. For others, it’s nothing more than a pile of broken concrete.
If you’re curious about what it’s like to visit, how much it costs, and whether it’s actually worth adding to your things to do in Sanur, here’s a straightforward guide to Taman Festival Bali.
What is Taman Festival Bali?
Taman Festival Bali is an abandoned theme park sitting quietly near Padang Galak Beach in Sanur, Bali.
Think of it as Bali’s version of a ghost town, except instead of tumbleweeds you’ve got graffiti-covered walls and nature slowly taking back the concrete.
It was originally meant to be a huge family attraction in the ’90s, complete with rides, an cinema, and even a crocodile pit (yes, really).
But the park never properly got off the ground. A mix of financial issues and bad luck left it abandoned before it could ever become what the developers had in mind.
Today, it’s not an official tourist attraction — but it’s one of those quirky, slightly eerie places you can wander through if you’re curious.
Summary
📍 Location: Jl. Padang Galak No.3, Kesiman
🕗 Opening Hours: Daily, 7 AM – 7 PM (last entry 6 PM)
🎟️ Entrance Fee: IDR 20k / person
🚗 Parking: IDR 2k–5k, cash
💳 Payments: Cash or card (booth has a card machine)
👗 Dress Code: None – casual clothing (bring mosquito repellent)
🚻 Facilities: None
🍽️ Food Options: None inside, food stalls on beach
📶 Wi-Fi: Not available
♿ Accessibility: Not wheelchair-friendly
⏳ Recommended Visit: 30–60 minutes
The Story of Taman Festival
Taman Festival Bali opened in 1997, but things went downhill almost straight away.
The timing was awful: the Asian financial crisis hit, ticket sales were low, and a lightning strike damaged some of the equipment. Within a few short years, the whole place shut down.
For a long time, Taman Festival was completely left to decay. Roofs caved in, weeds grew through the pavement, and nearly every surface got covered in graffiti.
Locals used the grounds as a shortcut, and curious explorers came to poke around the ruins — but that was about it.
In recent years though, the local community has stepped in and cleaned it up a fair bit. Some of the overgrowth has been cleared, trash removed, and certain areas made more accessible.
It’s still very much an abandoned theme park — don’t expect polished facilities — but it feels a little safer and less wild than it did ten years ago.
Over time it’s gained a bit of a cult reputation. Backpackers, paintballers, and photographers love exploring it, but there are also plenty of spooky stories floating around.
Some say crocodiles were left behind (long gone now). Others swear it’s haunted. Whether you believe the stories or not, the vibe here is definitely different from Bali’s usual temples and beaches.
Where is Taman Festival Bali?
Taman Festival is on the northern end of Sanur, right on Padang Galak Beach. If you’ve ever driven up the Sanur coastline, it’s basically where the beach path starts to get quiet, less touristy, and more local.
From central Sanur, it’s about a 10–15 minute drive. Depending on the time of day, expect a bit of traffic from the intersection leading towards the beach.
There’s no fancy entrance gate. You’ll just see an old archway and a path leading inside, with two or three local Balinese guys sitting at the entrance.
It’s easy to miss from Sanur’s main roads as it’s tucked well away into a local street. All of our drivers in Sanur know the spot, so just tell them “Taman Festival” and they’ll take you there.
- From Canggu: 1 hr (20 km)
- From Kuta: 45 mins (18 km)
- From Nusa Dua: 45 mins (25 km)
- From Seminyak: 1 hr (20 km)
- From Ubud: 1 hr 15 mins (25 km)
- From Uluwatu: 1.5 hrs (40 km)
Is Taman Festival Bali Safe to Visit?
The short answer: it’s relatively safe, but you need to use common sense.
Back in the day, Taman Festival was completely overrun by thick bushes and massive trees. A lot of the grounds were almost impossible to explore, and the mosquitos in Bali can be brutal depending on the season.
In recent years, the local Banjar has stepped in and cleaned things up. They’ve cleared out most of the overgrowth and rubble, which makes it much easier to walk around. They even use the grounds now for occasional community events.
That said, it’s still an abandoned park. Some areas are fine to wander through, but certain buildings have holes in the floor, crumbling walls, or staircases that look like they could give way any second. If something looks sketchy, don’t test it.
There’s also a trash problem that hasn’t fully gone away. While it’s not as bad as it used to be, you’ll still notice piles of rubbish in some corners.
So yes — it’s safe enough to explore, especially compared to how it was years ago. Just stick to the cleared paths, watch your step inside buildings, and maybe bring mosquito repellent if you’re going late in the day.
Exploring Bali’s Abandoned Theme Park
Walking into Taman Festival Bali feels like stepping into a post-apocalyptic movie set. The place is big enough that you can spend an hour or two wandering around, but it’s not so massive that you’ll get lost.
The layout is basically a cluster of crumbling buildings, old walkways, and open courtyards. Some areas feel wide and open, while others take you into tighter hallways and half-collapsed rooms.
The biggest draw here for most visitors is the photo spots. Expect moody backdrops, vines crawling over broken walls, and wide shots of the empty theatre or the old main gate.
Then there’s the graffiti. Nearly every inch of wall has been covered by local and international street artists over the years.
Some of it is rough tags, but you’ll also come across proper murals, colorful designs, and detailed pieces that give the park a unique, urban-art vibe. It’s like an unofficial outdoor gallery mixed with a ruin.
Overall, exploring Taman Festival is more about soaking up the atmosphere than ticking off attractions. There are no rides left standing, no ticket booths in use — just a lot of empty shells turned into canvases for nature and art.
Taman Festival Bali Ticket Price
For years, there was no official ticket counter at Taman Festival. Just a couple of local guys sitting at the front asking for cash before you went in (leading some people to believe that it was a scam).
Now, there’s actually a ticket booth right at the entrance at the top of the main stairs. It’s nothing fancy, but at least the intention is there.
The entrance fee to Taman Festival is currently IDR 20,000 per person. You can pay in cash, or by card — yes, they even have a credit card machine now.
After paying, you’ll get a receipt. That’s about it. The guy at the booth waves you off and you’re free to explore. You can also grab bottled water or a soft drink at the same counter before heading inside.
To access the area, you’ll need to pay for parking by the beach. On the way in, you’ll be stopped by the parking attendant to pay IDR 2,000 / 5,000 (scooter / car). This is separate from the entrance ticket and cash-only
How can I get to Taman Festival Bali?
The easiest way to reach Taman Festival Bali is by booking a private car and driver. Having a driver makes it simple — no parking stress, and you can head off to explore more of Sanur afterwards.
The best part? My drivers are fully flexible. If you want to visit the park, then go shopping, then hit the beach, the day is up to you.
Renting a scooter is definitely an option since the distance isn’t far. The roads around Sanur are mostly flat and easy to ride, so if you’re confident on a scooter it’s pretty straightforward. Just make sure you’re properly licensed and have travel insurance that covers scooters.
Public transport isn’t really a thing yet in Bali, and while Grab or Gojek might work within Sanur itself, don’t count on them being available once you’re at the entrance of Taman Festival.
👉 See Also: Sanur Transport Guide
Opening Hours & When to Visit
Taman Festival is open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the last entry at 6:00 pm before it starts to get dark.
You might read online that you can sneak in after hours for extra adrenaline. Technically, there aren’t guards or attendants at night, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The park has almost no lighting, and stumbling around broken buildings in the dark isn’t exactly a smart move.
During the day, any time is fine to visit. But if you’re heading there for photos, try to arrive around 5:00 pm. The softer evening light looks great against the ruins and graffiti.
That said, midday has its own charm too. The strong sun creates harsh shadows and contrasts that make the structures look even more dramatic. It just depends on the kind of atmosphere you want for your shots.
Photography at Taman Festival
One of the main reasons people come here is for the photos. The place honestly feels like a post-apocalyptic movie set — think Walking Dead vibes. Buildings being swallowed up by vines, graffiti everywhere, and that eerie “frozen in time” atmosphere.
You don’t need any kind of permit to take photos, so feel free to snap away. Even if you’re coming with a DSLR, you’ll be allowed it enter with no extra charges.
That said, if you roll up with professional gear — tripods, lighting rigs, or drones — you might be asked to pay extra. This especially happens if you’re clearly a foreigner doing more than just casual photography.
There are a ton of iconic spots inside the park. The open-air theatre, the crumbling staircases, and the graffiti-covered walls all make for standout shots. Even the smaller corners, like half-broken windows or overgrown courtyards, can look incredible in photos.
Just remember: safety first. Floors can be unstable, and some walls look like they’re one strong breeze away from collapsing. Watch where you step, don’t climb anything sketchy, and you’ll walk out with great shots instead of a sprained ankle.
What to Wear to Taman Festival Bali
There’s no dress code at Taman Festival. It’s not a temple or an official attraction, so you can wear whatever you like.
Some people show up in flip-flops and a Bintang singlet, while others fancy up for a photoshoot. Both are fine — it just depends on what you’re there for.
That said, keep in mind the mosquitos. Standing in the middle of an overgrown ruin in a bikini might sound like a cool shot, but you’ll probably regret it after ten minutes of getting bitten.
If you do want those kinds of photos, it’s smarter to come fully clothed and then change quickly inside one of the empty buildings. Just be discreet — technically you’re not supposed to use the ruins as changing rooms, but people do it all the time.
👉 See Also: Bali Packing List
Taman Festival Bali Reviews
Taman Festival Bali gets mixed reviews online. Some people love the eerie atmosphere, the street art, and the occasional art exhibitions that pop up here. Others think it’s overrated, a waste of time, or complain about the entry fee.
👍 Positive Reviews
- Some visitors come for annual art exhibitions, where the abandoned buildings are reimagined with installations, galleries, and design showcases. Many call this transformation magical.
- The park is described as a must-visit for art lovers and photographers, with graffiti, murals, and urban decay creating a unique vibe.
- A few say the atmosphere feels truly abandoned and surreal, especially when the place is quiet and empty.
- The entrance fee is seen as reasonable (IDR 20k + small parking fee) for what you get.
- Bug spray, shoes, and a sense of adventure are highly recommended. Expect mosquitos, bats, and the occasional stray dog inside.
👎 Negative Reviews
- Some felt it was a waste of time, saying there’s not much beyond street art and broken buildings.
- A few complained about the ticket system, saying fees should be clearly posted online.
- Others felt it was wrong to charge at all for “abandoned buildings and nature.”
- A couple of reviewers mentioned aggressive attendants at the entrance, describing them as scammers demanding IDR 20k without clear signage.
- Some visitors skipped entry altogether and suggested finding side entrances to get in for free.
Is Taman Festival Bali Worth Visiting?
Here’s the honest truth: Taman Festival isn’t an official Bali attraction. If you’re only in Bali for a week or two, skip it. There are plenty of more worthwhile places to see.
Where it makes sense is if you’re already staying in Sanur or you’ve got extra time and just want to check out something a little different.
Don’t expect much. What makes it unique is the fact that the structures have been sitting here for almost 30 years, slowly being overtaken by nature. That’s really the main draw.
And yes, like some of the Google reviews say, it can feel boring if ruins and graffiti aren’t your thing. The best way to enjoy it is to go with low expectations, pair it with some beach time, or treat it as a quick 30-minute stop before moving on.
Nearby Attractions in Sanur
- Padang Galak Beach
Right near the park. Known for its strong waves, kites, and the nearby cultural park. - Sanur Beach
Long sandy stretch perfect for sunrise walks, swimming, and casual beach cafes. - Sanur Harbour
Main port for fast boats heading to Nusa Penida, Lembongan, and the Gilis. - Big Garden Corner
Outdoor sculpture park with quirky art, playgrounds, and photo spots. - Icon Bali Mall
Sanur’s main shopping mall with international brands, dining options, and beachside access. - Kertalangu Cultural Village
Open-air cultural center with rice fields, Balinese performances, and workshops.
👉 See Also: Things to do in Sanur
FAQs about Taman Festival Bali
When was Taman Festival Bali built?
The park was built in 1997. It was supposed to be a huge family attraction with rides, a cinema, and even a crocodile pit.
What caused Taman Festival Bali to close?
It was closed due to bad timing. The Asian financial crisis hit right after it opened, ticket sales were low, and a lightning strike damaged the equipment. Within a few years, it shut down.
Is Taman Festival Bali still standing?
Yes, but barely. The main buildings and walkways are still there, though many have collapsed roofs, cracked walls, and overgrown vines everywhere.
How does Taman Festival Bali look now?
It looks like a movie set that’s been abandoned for decades. Expect graffiti, broken staircases, weeds pushing through concrete, and murals on nearly every wall.
Are there still rides at Taman Festival?
Nope. The rides are long gone. What’s left are shells of buildings, open courtyards, and the remains of the old theatre.
Are there entrance fees for Taman Festival Bali?
Yes. Entrance is IDR 20,000 per person, payable at the small ticket booth near the stairs. You can pay by cash or card and you’ll get a receipt.
Is Taman Festival Bali a popular tourist spot?
Not really. It’s more of a niche spot — photographers, urban explorers, or people staying in Sanur with extra time. Most Bali tourists skip it.
How long does it take to explore Taman Festival?
About 30 minutes to an hour is enough. It’s not massive, and after a while the ruins start to feel repetitive.
Is Taman Festival Bali safe for kids?
Not the best idea. There are unstable floors, broken glass, and plenty of mosquitos. If you’re bringing kids, keep a very close eye on them.
Can you visit Taman Festival Bali at night?
Technically, yes — there aren’t guards after dark. But the park has almost no lighting, crumbling buildings, and plenty of hazards. Stick to daytime visits.
