Tanah Lot Temple Is An Unmissable Cultural Gem For First Time Holidaymakers To Bali

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Whether planning a total cultural immersion in Bali or a fly-and-flop-style vacation, visiting some of the island’s temples is a must for all Bali visitors.

While there are thousands of temples in Bali, some hold a little more history and spiritual significance than others, and one such place is Tanah Lot Temple.

Tanah Lot Temple is a hugely important temple for Balinese Hindus and is a top destination for tourists, too. For travelers seeking to gain a short introduction to Balinese culture in a single destination, Tanah Lot Temple has a lot to offer.

Located on the Tabanan Regency coast, Tanah Lot Temple is just a short drive from the centre of Canggu. 

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Historic records show that Tanah Lot Temple was built in the 16th Century by a revered Hindu priest from the neighboring island of Java. Dang Hyang Nirartha’s life’s work was to spread Hinduism throughout the world, and the impact of his work in Bali is profound.

The name Tanah Lot is significant, too. If we look at an alternative spelling, ‘Tanah Laut’, the meaning of the name becomes even clearer: Land in the Sea. Tanah Lot Temple is built on a rocky outcrop that can only be accessed when the tide allows.

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The story goes that Dang Hyang Nirartha was drawn to this part of Bali, and specifically this stretch of coastline, due to its strong spiritual energies. He is said to have instructed local fishermen to create a shrine to honor Dewa Baruna, the god of the sea. 

Tanah Lot is one of seven ocean temples in Bali, the other most famous of course being Uluwatu Temple. The ocean plays a huge role in Balinese Hindu spirituality, and the chain of seven sea temples is believed to create a spiritual boundary that helps ward off evil forces approaching the island from the sea. 

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Tanah Lot Temple can be reached within a 45-minute drive of central Canggu and just over an hour from central Ubud. The temple is open from 7 am to 7 pm daily, and the entry fee for international tourists is IDR 75,000 and IDR 40,000.

Tickets can be paid for in cash upon arrival, and while it is possible to experience Tanah Lot as a self-guided tourist, hiring a local guide always helps add another layer of meaning and understanding to a visit.

Modest dress is expected of tourists, as well as overall temple etiquette, and there are areas where visitors should not take photos. 

One of the best times to visit Tanah Lot Temple is at sunset. This time of day along the Tabanan Regency Coast is always calm and peaceful, and it offers busy tourists the chance to really soak in the beauty of the landscape.

Watching the sunset from Tanah Lot Temple or the surrounding stretch of coastline is one of the best places on the whole island to enjoy the sun’s descent under the horizon of the Indian Ocean.

Since the best time to visit Tanah Lot Temple is in the late afternoon and early evening, first-time holidaymakers can experience much of Tabanan Regency in the hours prior.

Tabanan Regency is not only home to Tanah Lot as a spiritual landmark, but the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces too and this ancient landscape is so much more than an agricultural zone.

The rice terraces of Jatiluwih have been granted UNESCO protected status because the unique relationship between culture and land is of great importance to Balinese heritage.

A sunrise tour of the rice terraces is always worth the before-dawn alarm call, allowing tourists to experience the beauty of Tabanan Regency from the high terraces all the way down to the shallow shorelines at Tanah Lot in one magical, culturally immersive day trip.