Tanah Lot Temple: Bali’s Coastal Landmark and Visitor Guide
Photo: Nick Fewings / Unsplash
Contents
Tanah Lot is a Hindu sea temple on Bali's coast. Its principal temple sits on an offshore rock, and the waves, the dark silhouette and the sunset behind it make the picture the island is known for.[1] Around it you find more temples, an art market, a museum and a terrace for the sunset.
Choose what you want to see
The Tanah Lot visitor website lists six temples: Batu Bolong, Njung Galuh, Batu Mejan, Penataran Madya, Pakendungan and Jro Kandang.[1] Its attractions include the Art Market, the Majapahit Tanah Lot Museum, the Kecak Dance, the Sunset Terrace and the Holy Spring.[1] Pick two or three rather than trying to see everything in one visit.
The history page places the temple at Beraban village. In the local story, the Hindu priest Dang Hyang Nirartha arrived in the 15th century, when Dalem Waturenggong ruled Bali, and was driven out by the Beraban headman. He moved part of the rock where he sat into the sea and made it a small island, hence Tanah Lot, "land in the sea". The headman then became his follower.[2] The sacred kris he received, Ki Baru Gajah, is carried in procession to Pakendungan temple, about 300 metres northwest of Tanah Lot, every 210 days.[2]
Things to Do
Offers are only loaded from GetYourGuide after you click. GetYourGuide can then process your IP address and set cookies. Privacy Policy
GetYourGuide partner offers. GoAsia may earn a commission if you book through these offers. Check whether tickets or transfers are included, and follow the attraction's official booking and admission rules.
Tickets and fees
The temple site charges the following entrance fees and vehicle charges.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Domestic adult | IDR 30,000[3] |
| Domestic child, ages 5 to 10 | IDR 20,000[3] |
| Foreign visitor adult | IDR 75,000[3] |
| Foreign visitor child | IDR 40,000[3] |
| Two-wheel vehicle | IDR 3,000[3] |
| Four-wheel vehicle | IDR 5,000[3] |
| Six-wheel vehicle | IDR 10,000[3] |
Commercial photo sessions, drone flights and filming must be reported to the management.[3]
Plan your day
Come in the late afternoon: the rock stands out against the sunset sky, and the Sunset Terrace gives you a place to watch it.[1] The site also has an event calendar. The annual Tanah Lot Art and Food Festival, held from 28 to 30 August in 2026, brings traditional dances, gamelan music, a Gebogan Parade just before sunset and dozens of food stalls serving lawar and sate lilit.[4]
For more places to plan around Bali, see our Indonesia travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] DTW Tanah Lot visitor website: Tanah Lot visitor website home page. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [2] DTW Tanah Lot visitor website: Tanah Lot visitor website history and natural environment. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [3] DTW Tanah Lot visitor website: Tanah Lot visitor website ticket prices. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [4] DTW Tanah Lot visitor website: Tanah Lot visitor website event calendar. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanah Lot is a Hindu temple on a rugged offshore rock on Bali's coast. It is part of a wider site with other temples, an art market, a museum and a sunset terrace.
The site lists six temples (Batu Bolong, Njung Galuh, Batu Mejan, Penataran Madya, Pakendungan and Jro Kandang) plus the Art Market, the Majapahit Tanah Lot Museum, the Kecak Dance, the Sunset Terrace and the Holy Spring.
The temple stands on an offshore rock at Beraban village. According to the local legend, the priest Dang Hyang Nirartha moved part of his rock seat into the sea to form a small island. Tanah means land and Lot means sea.
Domestic visitors pay IDR 30,000 (adult) or IDR 20,000 (child aged 5 to 10). Foreign visitors pay IDR 75,000 (adult) or IDR 40,000 (child).
Yes. A two-wheel vehicle costs IDR 3,000, a four-wheel vehicle IDR 5,000 and a six-wheel vehicle IDR 10,000.
Late afternoon. The temple rock stands out against the sunset sky, and the Sunset Terrace gives you a place to watch it.
Yes. The annual Tanah Lot Art and Food Festival was held on 28 to 30 August in 2026, with traditional dances, gamelan music, a Gebogan Parade before sunset and food stalls. The event calendar on the visitor website shows what is coming next.
