The famous floating temple in Lake Bratan is a huge draw for tourists, and that can lead to a fairly crowded experience. However, if you want to go just a little further North, then the Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur Temple is also a floating temple, and there are rarely any crowds here.
It’s set alongside the natural beauty of Batur Lake, and if you like to explore Bali to the fullest, you will also find another temple, Pura Jati, not too far away from this site.
So, here’s why you should visit Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur Temple and enjoy epic views and serene moments highlighted with Balinese culture and religious ceremonies.
Where Is Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur?
This temple is in the Bangli Regency in the Northwest of Bali. It’s part of the Kintamani Highlands around the famous Mount Batur. It sits on Lake Batur, which is a volcanic crater lake.
Where Is It? P9JP+9F4, Jl. Pendakian Gn. Batur, Batur Tengah, Kec. Kintamani, Kabupaten Bangli, Bali 80652
Online: N/A
How To Get To Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur
The temple area is in the Kintamani Highlands, which is about a 2-hour drive in good traffic from places like Ubud, Sanur and Canggu.
However, if the traffic is busy, it can take much longer. We’d recommend that you hire a private car and driver to take you there and even consider staying in the area for a night to get the most out of the stunning views in this place and the surrounding area.
A car isn’t expensive, it will cost you around 500,000 IDR a day, including the driver and petrol, which is about $35 USD or $50 AUD. If you keep the driver for longer than 8 hours, there will be an additional hourly fee, and it’s traditional to buy your driver lunch or throw them a few bucks so that they can buy their own.
We don’t recommend that you opt for motorbike rental anywhere in Bali, particularly if you want to go out to the Bangli Regency, where road surfaces are often dire.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur?
There’s never a bad time for visiting temples in Bali, but given this is in the highlands and thus, a bit cooler than the rest of the island, you may want to aim for the wet season when it’s a bit warmer and the lake is at its fullest.
What Are The Opening Times Of Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur?
Officially, this temple is open 24 hours a day, but as you explore Bali, you will learn that this means for locals.
It’s generally expected that tourists will keep their visits to the daylight hours.
Is There An Entrance Fee?
Yes, there is an entrance fee of 20,000 IDR per person, that’s about $1.25 USD or $2.00 AUD. However, in our experience, because this temple in Central Batur is not all that busy, the local community often fails to staff the entrance, which means you may not have to pay an entrance fee after all.
What To Expect At Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur
There are no crowds here, and as long as you’re dressed respectfully, you are welcome to wander the grounds and the edge of the lake as long as you like.
It’s a wonderful place for photos, and there are never any influencers here.
The nearby temple of Pura Jati is a short walk away and you can also take a wander around there.
Where To Stay Near Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur
There are quite a few places to stay in this area, but there’s a distinct emphasis on camping/glamping:
- Bamboo Austin Mountbatur – A-frame huts that are very pleasant for a night’s camping, but there aren’t many amenities in the area, so bring food and drinks.
- Kintamani Famous Camp – this is a very simple campsite for those who love camping out in nature. The views are fabulous and the sunset’s amazing.
- Batur Water Park Villa – if you can’t bear to camp, this villa is excellent and super cheap. However, though it does have a pool, it may be far too cold for your swimming tastes.
- Double U Camp & Villa – a beautiful campsite with first-rate service. We’d also note that despite the proximity to the lake, it wasn’t overrun with flies.
- Cloud Hills Glamping by Bukit Vista – a nice glamping spot with a geodesic dome-shaped set of tents, ideal for a night or two, and they do have AC in the tents.
What To Eat Near Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur
There isn’t a huge number of places to eat in this area, but these are not far from the temple:
- Floating Bar N Kitchen – this is a pleasant restaurant that floats on the lake, but beware – in the wrong season, there can be an unpleasant amount of flies around while you dine.
- Mexicano Kintamani – a bit of a hidden gem, this place does a decent breakfast and yes, a Mexican-themed lunch menu that’s pretty good given the location
- Floating Restaurant Kedisan – a very popular floating seafood restaurant which is wonderful on a calm day, but once again, flies can be an issue when dining here.
- Warung Makan McKue – a very popular authentic Balinese warung with a very large selection of reasonably priced dishes.
- Rejeng Bali – a great seafood restaurant with a lake view, in rough weather, it can take a long time for the grill to cook the fish, but it’s worth the wait.
Other Things To Do Near Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur
There is a bit to do in this area, but it won’t surprise you that much of it is associated with the mountain:
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking – this is the biggest driver of visitors to this part of Bali, and while it’s not a total doddle, this trek isn’t as challenging as tackling Mount Agung would be. Cooking eggs in volcanic steam at the end of the hike is truly memorable.
- Kintamani Jeep Tour – exploring the highlands in a jeep is a great way to deal with the rough terrain and have a great day out.
- Lava Tumuli Gunung Batur Trek – this isn’t too challenging a hike and takes you out to one of the most interesting lava formations in the area.
- Black Lava Fields – these are best explored in a jeep, but you can trek all over the lava plains that have long since cooled after pouring out of Mount Batur.
- Viewpoint Rock – a nice local hiking spot where you can get amazing views of the whole lake area. It’s awesome at sunset, when you can get the perfect Mount Batur photos.
FAQs
Who Is Worshiped At Ulun Danu Batur?
This temple is dedicated to the God Vishnu and the Goddess Dewi Danu who is the goddess of the Lake Batur.
What Is The History Of Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur?
The temple was originally built back in the 17th century, but was destroyed several times in eruptions of the nearby volcano.
Eventually, it was moved in 1926 from its original site and rebuilt from scratch. It was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site before the Balinese government withdrew all sites from UNESCO consideration in a bid to reduce the tourism levels at sacred sites in Bali.
What Is Unique About Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur?
While much of this temple is recently constructed the 11-tiered main shrine in this location was located in the original temple setting and was fully transported by the people of the village to its new home on the lake shore.
Which Temple Is Most Famous In Bali?
There is no measure of “fame” when it comes to temples but the most important temple on the island is Besakih Temple, which is also on a mountain. It’s on the slopes of Mount Agung and is considered to be the mother temple for Bali.
Visitors to this temple can get some amazing photos and it’s a real hot spot for photography.
Are Mount Batur And Kintamani The Same?
No, Mount Batur is specifically Bali’s second-largest volcano. It is part of the Kintamani Highlands, which occupy a substantial part of the regency and are an increasingly popular spot for tourists who want to get away from it all.
What Is The Largest Lake In Bali?
The largest lake in Bali, is Lake Batur, one of three crater lakes on the island.
Final Thoughts On Pura Segara Ulun Danu Batur
If you love temples, intricate carvings, beautiful lakes, religious ceremonies, the striking profile of Mount Batur and more, then you’re going to love this floating temple.
The atmosphere is amazing, and the lack of tourists makes it an almost unmissable attraction. And yes, it’s suitable for kids too.
