An ancient temple perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by the swirling tides of the Indian Ocean, with sunsets that paint the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Welcome to Tanah Lot: Bali’s spiritual beacon.
Translating to “Land in the Sea” in Balinese, Tanah Lot is one of the most iconic sea temples in Bali. The complex is located on the southwestern coast, near the village of Beraban, not far from Canggu.
The temple might be the main draw but there’s plenty more to do than just ogle this stunning sight. From coming face to face with a holy snake to perusing goods at a local market, our guide to Tanah Lot has got you covered.
Explore This Guide
What is Tanah Lot?
It’s believed that Tanah Lot dates back to the 16th century when the powerful priest Dang Hyang Nirartha founded it. He travelled from Java to spread Hinduism in Bali. Legend has it that Nirartha was so captivated by the beauty of the site that he instructed the local fishermen to build a shrine on the rock to honour the sea gods.
Over centuries, Tanah Lot has become a central place of worship for Balinese Hindus, as well as a symbol of spiritual and cultural heritage. Today, it’s one of the best places to visit in Bali, especially if you’re looking to delve deeper into the spiritualism that runs through the veins of the island.
Read Next: The Best Things to do in Canggu
Things to do Near Tanah Lot Temple
Admire the Temple (and Take a Photo at the Gate)
It might seem obvious, but the temple itself is the main attraction. We were blown away by Tanah Lot’s grandeur and spent a lot of time wandering the temple grounds to appreciate the detailed stone carvings, traditional Balinese gates, and multi-tiered shrines.
The temple’s placement on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by the ocean, provides a dramatic backdrop. Nearby, the split gate, or “Candi Bentar,” leading to Tanah Lot is a significant architectural feature and a popular photo spot. The gate frames the temple beautifully.
Receive a Blessing by the Sea
For something truly special, head towards the bottom of the Tanah Lot temple to receive a blessing from Hindu leaders. This traditional Balinese ritual performed by temple priests and is open to all visitors, religious or not.
The experience involves being cleansed with holy water before receiving a prayer and then, finally, a priest places small grains of rice on your forehead to symbolise purity and devotion.
Shop at a Local Market
We’ll admit that we did not know much about the temple before visiting Tanah Lot. Imagine our surprise when we were greeted by one of the buzziest markets in Bali. A word of warning: haggling is common, so be prepared to negotiate for the best prices.
The area surrounding Tanah Lot is filled with local vendors and souvenir shops where you can find a variety of Balinese crafts, textiles, and trinkets. We also stopped at Mixue for a refreshing ice cream.
Watch the Sunset
We timed our visit with sunset… and we’re so glad we did. Tanah Lot’s sunsets are spectacular. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant colours.
Arrive early to find a good spot (and browse the market before it winds down), either from the designated viewpoints or the surrounding cliffs, and prepare to be amazed by one of Bali’s most iconic sights.
Read Next: The Mount Batur Sunrise Hike: Our Experience and Top Tips
Visit the Holy Snake Cave
Located near the base of the Tanah Lot rock formation is a small cave that is home to what locals call the “holy snake.” The legend states that Nirartha created a poisonous snake from his sash to guard the temple from evil intruders. For a small donation, you can enter the cave and see the snake up close.
Where to Stay Near Tanah Lot
We recommend staying in Canggu, rather than the direct area near Tanah Lot. From here, it’s a short 30-minute drive to the temple complex. Canggu is one of our favourite areas to stay in Bali, with plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets.
How to Get to Pura Tanah Lot
Getting to Tanah Lot from Canggu is easy. You can use Grab/Gojek to call a car or bike to take you there or you can rent your own and drive yourself. There’s a bike parking fee of IDR 2000 (around 10 cents).
Grab and Gojek drivers cannot enter the official taxi rank so will drop you off just outside the complex. Make sure you have enough mobile data (or cash for a Bluebird Taxi) to get back to your accommodation after.
You can also opt for a guided tour of Tanah Lot if you want to learn more about the history of the temple, as well as its Hindu significance, from a local. This tour includes transport to and from the temple from Canggu, Kuta, and the surrounding areas.
Opening Times and Entrance Fees
Tanah Lot is open between 6am and 7pm every day. The temple and market area will close on religious holidays such as Nyepi. Adults will need to pay IDR 60,000 ($3.70) to enter the Tanah Lot complex – you do not need to book in advance.
Read Next: 14 Incredible Things to do in Ubud, Bali
Tips for Visiting Tanah Lot, Bali
We visited Tanah Lot during Odalan and highly recommend this. The Balinese Pawukon calendar celebrates Odalan every 210 days. On this day you will see women carrying extravagant offerings, as well as extra decor and celebrations.
Make sure you are dressed appropriately, as the temple is a sacred religious space. Both men and women should make sure they cover knees and shoulders.
You might see Luwak Coffee advertised near the Tanah Lot temple – this is coffee made from the faeces of the adorable Luwak animal. While a fun tourist activity, this trade is very hard to regulate in Bali and the animals are often treated cruelly. We recommend avoiding this unless the place you visit specifically states that they use cruelty-free methods to harvest the Luwak coffee beans.
