Tanah Lot Temple: Visitor Info, Tickets, and Hours [2025]

Perched on a dramatic rock formation and surrounded by crashing waves, Tanah Lot Temple isn’t just a tourist attraction – it’s a symbol of Bali’s spirituality and breathtaking landscapes.

Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most iconic landmarks. It’s a beautiful sea temple located on an offshore rock formation slightly off the coast.

What is Tanah Lot Temple?

Tanah Lot Temple, or Pura Tanah Lot, is one of Bali’s seven sea temples, believed to protect the island from evil. The name itself means “Land in the Sea,” a fitting description of its dramatic offshore setting.

The temple is dedicated to Dewa Baruna, the god of the seas, and remains an active place of worship for Balinese Hindus. Despite its popularity among tourists, frequent religious ceremonies still take place here, preserving its spiritual essence.

The entire place is home to several smaller temples: Pura Jero Kandang, Pura Enjung Galuh, Pura Batu Bolong, Pura Batu Mejan, and Pura Luhur Pekendungan. The main temple is located on the iconic offshore rock.

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History of Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot’s origins trace back to the 16th century (some say 15th century), when the revered Hindu priest Dang Hyang Nirartha arrived in Bali. Stories say that he was captivated by the area’s mystical energy and chose it as a place to meditate.

According to some tales, the local ruler attempted to drive him away, but the priest used his spiritual powers to shift the rock into the sea and created a guardian in the form of the sacred sea snakes that still reside in the temple’s caves.

The temple remains a crucial part of Balinese hinduism, where ocean-related ceremonies are held to honor the gods and seek protection from natural disasters. Unlike other Bali temples, entry into the interior of the temple is restricted to worshippers only.

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Where is Tanah Lot Temple?

Tanah Lot Temple is located on the southwestern coast of Bali in Tabanan – the rice bowl of Bali. It’s in the subdistrict of Kediri, home to traditional Balinese villages, some rice terraces, and local markets.

Traveling west from Canggu, it’s about 16 kilometers away – about a 25-30 minute drive depending on the time of day. You will notice the gradient fade from the touristy area as you get closer to Tanah Lot.

The exact location on google maps is Desa Beraban, Kecamatan Keridi, Tabanan Regency.

Here are some average travel times from major areas in Bali:

• Bali Airport: 1 hour
• Canggu: 25 – 30 minutes
• Denpasar: 45 minutes
• Kuta / Legian: 45 minutes
• Sanur: 1 hour
• Seminyak: 35 – 45 minutes
• Ubud: 1 hour
• Uluwatu: 1.5 hours

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How to visit Tanah Lot Temple?

Tanah Lot Temple Day Tours

Book a day tour to visit Tanah Lot and several other places all in one day. All of our day tours are private and give you the freedom to change or alter you itinerary. Here are a few tours that include stops at Tanah Lot Temple.

• Ubud Day Tour (Itinerary 3)
• Bali UNESCO Sites Tour

By Car

Book yourself a private car and driver for South Bali and enjoy your own itinerary at your own pace, in the comfort of an air-conditioned SUV and a friendly driver. Whether you choose to spend time at a beach club, go for lunch, and then visit the temple, the day is all yours to do as you please.

By Scooter

If you’re renting a scooter in Bali and coming from Canggu, the journey on two wheels can be a fun ride, especially once you enter into the Kediri area. However, if you’re coming from further than Canggu, it might be a long journey.

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Best Time to visit Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple is open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The best time to visit Tanah Lot is during sunset, when the temple is at its most magical. However, this is also the busiest time of day, so expect crowds to start forming around 4:00 pm.

If you’re looking for quieter experience, any time between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm is better. You will likely have the entire place to yourself – just you and the staff. I also find that the art market vendors are less persistent during these hours, making it quite relaxing to walk around the property.

The downsides to visiting before sunset (other than the fact that you won’t catch the sunset), is that it can be quite hot. Secondly, the tide might not be low enough for you to enter the beach area, so you’ll need to witness Tanah Lot’s glory from the cliffs.

Another alternative would be the morning hours when the weather is much cooler. You will also likely find some Balinese ceremonies happening during this time.

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Tanah Lot Temple Entrance Fee

Your entrance ticket is purchased at the ticket booth before entering the main Tanah Lot area. After paying, you’ll receive a slip for each visitor. Expect a line to start forming around 4:00 pm.

• Foreign adult ticket: IDR 75,000
• Foreign child ticket: IDR 40,000

⚠️ Note: Tickets cannot be purchased online.

Parking fees are as follows:

• Car Parking: IDR 5,000
• Scooter / motorcycle parking: IDR 3,000

After purchasing your tickets and parking, you will need to make your way to the ticket checkpoint. Look for the “Om Swastiastu” sign – feel free to greet them with that. Your ticket will be checked and stamped before you enter.

I suggest using the toilet by the main entrance if you need one. There are many toilet faculties sprinkled around the property but this one is the better option and it’s free to use.

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What to do at Tanah Lot Temple?

🌅 Catch The Sunset

This is the main reason most people visit! Tanah Lot is one of the most iconic sunset spots in Bali, with the temple silhouette against an orange sky. Arrive early to grab the best viewing spots, especially during peak seasons. For a more chill experience, considering grabbing a table at one of the tables at a restaurant in the “Sunset Corner” area.

🛍️ Shop for Souvenirs

The path leading to Tanah Lot is lined with market stalls selling everything from wood carvings and Balinese paintings to sarongs and silver jewelry. If you’re looking for a unique souvenir, this is a great place to shop and the experience is quite similar to Ubud Art Market or Sukawati Art Market.

🛕 Get a Temple Blessing

Before crossing over to the temple, you can stop at a small shrine near the shore where priests offer a holy water blessing. This is normally free and donations can be given in the small box. Blessings aren’t mandatory for entering the area.

🍽️ Dine with a View

After exploring the temple grounds, grab a seat at one of the restaurants overlooking the cliffs with a view of Tanah Lot. You will find most menus with local Indonesian food like Nasi Goreng, Sate Ayam, and Bebek Goreng. Food prices are slightly inflated but not as much as you might expect.

🎭 Watch the Kecak Dance

Make your way to De Jukung Resto to catch the Kecak Dance, a traditional Balinese dance performance that’s hosted daily from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. However, this isn’t as grand as the Sunset Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple.

📸 Take Photos

Capture stunning photos of Tanah Lot from the cliffside viewpoints. See the Sunset Guide below for the best areas to catch a view of the sunset.

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Tanah Lot Sunset Guide: How to get the Best Views

This is hands-down one of the best sunset spots in Bali. With its dramatic offshore setting and the Indian Ocean’s waves crashing against the rugged rocks, it’s a must-visit for tourists looking to witness one of Bali’s most iconic views.

Best Time to Visit for Sunset

Sunset typically occurs between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm, depending on the time of year. To get the best experience:

• Arrive early – Get there by 4:00 to 4:30 pm to secure a good spot before the crowds build up. Low seasons gives you a bit more freedom to arrive later.
• Check the tide schedule – A low tide allows you to walk close to the temple for stunning foreground shots, while high tide offers its own dramatic personality.
• Visit on a clear day – Avoid overcast or rainy days (if you can).

Best Sunset Spots

1. Sunset Corner – This is the furthest end of the temple grounds. You can easily spot it with its pink umbrellas. The angle of Tanah Lot from here is quite gorgeous – plus you’ll be away from the crowds.
2. Batu Bolong Temple – This is a short walk to the other side of the property. It’s a temple that sits on a rock with a natural arch formation (with a hole in the middle). It offers a more serene alternative.
3. On the shore – If it’s low tide, head down to the beach area and grab a seat on one of the rocks and enjoy a view that’s straight out of a desktop wallpaper.

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Kecak Dance at Tanah Lot Temple

The Kecak Dance at Tanah Lot is a dramatic, open-air performance that takes place near the Batu Bolong Temple at De Jukung Resto & Bar.

The dance performance is set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean while the sun is setting. While the Uluwatu Temple Sunset Kecak Dance is more famous, the Tanah Lot version offers a similar experience with a smaller crowd.

The Kecak Dance performance at Tanah Lot is hosted daily at 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Ticket prices can be bought on location at the restaurant starting at IDR 100,000 per person. Keep in mind, if it rains, the performance will be cancelled.

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Where to eat at Tanah Lot Temple

There’s no shortage of places to eat at Tanah Lot. Several restaurants offer cliffside dining with ocean views. Here are some top picks:

Restaurants with Ocean Views

Here are some of the more sought-after spot to grab a meal or a drink with a view of the temple from the cliffs:

• Sunset Corner – This is located at the most furthest end towards the east. It’s an easily recognizable spot with it’s pink umbrellas and tables. In terms of views, it offers the widest angle of Tanah Lot
• Bayu Pertiwi Sunset Lounge – Located right beside Sunset Corner, you can grab a meal or drink for around IDR 40k.
• Warung Sunset Bagus – Located beside Bayu Pertiwi and offers a similar menu.
• De Jukung Resto & Bar – This is one of the more popular restaurants at Tanah Lot but has a bit of negative reviews on Google.

Other Restaurants (without views)

Here are some alternative options to eat further inland near the art market area:

• Natys Restaurant – A popular chain of restaurants in Bali that serves a wide range of Indonesian and Western food.
• Gelato Secrets – Another set of gelato restaurants that can be found all over Bali.
• Nu Delhi – If you’re craving Indian food, this is located just before the main entrance of Tanah Lot.
• Bali Luwak Coffee – A cut little spot to try the world’s most expensive (and strangest) coffee.

Further Outside of Tanah Lot

• Bebek Sari Uma – Great place to try some local crispy duck.
• Sari Amerta Luwak Coffee – A cute little cafe to try Luwak coffee.
• Abian Bali Warung – A small, simple place with views of the rice paddies.

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Shopping at Tanah Lot Market

Shopping at Tanah Lot Art Market (Pasar Seni) is as much about the vibe as it as about the souveniers. Located right after the entrance of Tanah Lot, this market is a classic example of Bali’s tourist-oriented shopping scene – vibrant and full of friendly (and persistent) vendors.

Expect to find traditional Balinese handicrafts like wooden carvings, batik fabrics, woven bags, silvery jewelry, and sarongs. It’s a great spot to grab some souvenirs if you don’t have any plans to visit other markets in Bali.

Outside of souvenirs, there’s plenty of places to shop for clothes (5 t-shirts for 100k is a crazy deal) and travel accessories – there’s even a large Polo Ralph Lauren store for some reason.

While the market itself is small (compared to others), it still competes with the likes of Ubud Art Market and Sukawati Art Market. If you’re visiting during the midday hours, expect a more calm shopping experience.

❗ Pro Tip: Save your shopping for the end of your trip. Other than the fact that it can be inconvenient to walk around while holding bags, if vendors spot you with shopping bags, they will see that you’re a potential customer.

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Tips for Visiting Tanah Lot Temple

Planning to go for a visit, here are some pro tips for visiting the temple while avoiding a few discomforts:

• Go for sunset, but arrive early – Tanah Lot is famous for it’s jaw-dropping sunset views, which means everyone wants to be there at the same time. Arrive by 4:00 pm.
• Check the tide schedule – The temple sits on a rock formation in the ocean, and during high tide, the pathway to the base of the temple will likely be submerged. If you want to get closer, aim for low tide.
• Apply sunscreen or bring an umbrella – During the day, Bali’s sun can be quite harsh, and you don’t want to be hiding under tree shade for your entire visit.
• Bring water – Depending on the time of day, you will be sweating. Bring bottled water or buy one from the hundreds of stalls around the entrance area.
• Grab a meal – Whether for lunch or dinner, the oceanfront restaurants offer an amazing dining experience with a view of Tanah Lot.
• Dress up for photos – Unlike most Bali temples that require you to cover up with a sarong, it isn’t required at Tanah Lot. However, this doesn’t mean you can show up in a bikini.
• Take your time – The entire property is huge. Don’t try to rush through it.
• Be prepared to haggle – If you do plan on buying a souvenir from the art market, dust off your negotiating skills.
• Charge your phone or bring a camera – Trust me, you’ll want to take photos here. If you’re low on battery, most of the restaurants will allow you to charge your phone or camera while you grab a bite.

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Final Thoughts and Summary

Tanah Lot Temple isn’t just another tourist attraction – although it might seem like it on the cover. It’s a place where Bali’s natural beauty, spiritual traditions, and rich mythology come together.

Whether you’re after the legendary sunset views for Instagram, or visiting to learn about the temple’s history, Tanah Lot delivers an experience that stays with you long after you leave.

Yes, it gets crowded. Yes, you’ll see tons of souvenir stalls. But when you stand on the cliffs or sit down at one of the cliffside restaurants, watching the waves crash against the rocks as the temple’s silhouette is backed by the orange sky, it all makes sense.

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FAQs about Tanah Lot Temple

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