Tanah Lot Temple: Bali’s Coastal Landmark and Visitor Guide
Plan a Tanah Lot visit: the sea temple, nearby temples and attractions, the local legend, current ticket prices and the sunset.
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
Six temples stand in the Tanah Lot grounds: Batu Bolong, Njung Galuh, Batu Mejan, Penataran Madya, Pakendungan and Jro Kandang. Other 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 temple stands 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. 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
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Getting there
Tanah Lot stands at Beraban village in Kediri district, Tabanan regency, on the west side of Bali's south coast.[3] A car park of 2.77 hectares serves the site, with room for cars of every size.[4] Visitors come by car, scooter or with a hired driver from Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud and Denpasar. Journey times depend on traffic more than distance, and the roads fill up around sunset, so leave early. Agree the return trip with your driver before you set off.
Tickets and fees
The temple site charges the following entrance fees and vehicle charges.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Domestic adult | IDR 30,000[5] |
| Domestic child, ages 5 to 10 | IDR 20,000[5] |
| Foreign visitor adult | IDR 75,000[5] |
| Foreign visitor child | IDR 40,000[5] |
| Two-wheel vehicle | IDR 3,000[5] |
| Four-wheel vehicle | IDR 5,000[5] |
| Six-wheel vehicle | IDR 10,000[5] |
Commercial photo sessions, drone flights and filming must be reported to the management.[5]
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.[6]
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: DTW Tanah Lot rich in tourist attractions. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [4] DTW Tanah Lot visitor website: Tanah Lot visitor website facilities. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [5] DTW Tanah Lot visitor website: Tanah Lot visitor website ticket prices. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [6] 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 grounds hold 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.
Tanah Lot is at Beraban village in Tabanan regency. Most visitors come by car, scooter or with a hired driver from Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud or Denpasar. A large car park serves the site. Leave early, because traffic builds up around sunset.
