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Lotus pond in front of the carved red-brick gate of Saraswati Temple in Ubud

Ubud · Temple

Saraswati Temple (Ubud Water Palace): A Visitor’s Guide

A lotus-pond temple to the goddess of learning, 150 meters from Ubud Palace.

By The Bali Guideline Editorial TeamUpdated 11 November 2026

Overview

Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud, before you go.

Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, now signposted as the Ubud Water Palace, is a royal temple to Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts, 150 meters west of Ubud Palace. Entry costs about IDR 60,000 and covers only the lotus pond and outer courtyard, a 20-minute visit. It is worth it at 8 AM for the carved gate, or after dark for a dance on the pond stage.

Ubud’s royal family built this temple in the early 1950s to honor Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, literature and the arts. The provincial tourism site dates construction to 1951–52 under Prince Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati. The temple’s own brochure names an older royal, Ida Tjokorda Gde Ngoerah (1856–1967), as the founder whose idea it was. Both credit the design to I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the Ubud sculptor and ritual architect who also carved much of the palace next door. Ngoerah described the finished temple in a long poem, a kakawin, named after Rajendra Prasad, India’s first president. Prasad visited the temple, as did Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno.

The temple follows the classic Balinese plan of outer, middle and inner courts. Visitors get the outer court: a lotus pond split by a stone causeway lined with fountain statues, leading to three carved red-brick gates. Behind them, closed to tourists, stand a lotus-throne shrine to the supreme god, twin three-roofed meru towers linked to Uluwatu and Goa Lawah temples, and a statue of Saraswati, the goddess usually shown with a lute, a lotus and palm-leaf texts. A 3-meter statue of Jero Gede Mecaling, the giant spirit linked to Nusa Penida, guards the screen wall inside the main gate.

The visit has changed. For years the pond was free to wander. Today it is run as the Ubud Water Palace, with its own website, a ticket desk and a borrowed sarong for every visitor. Tickets cost about IDR 60,000 (checked Nov 2026), though one 2026 guide lists IDR 35,000 and another IDR 40,000. The gates open daily at 8 AM and close at 7:30 PM, or 9:30 PM on Friday, and the temple closes on Nyepi and for private ceremonies.

Evenings are the second reason to come. Every night except Friday, a troupe performs at about 7:30 PM on the stage beside the pond, with the gate lit behind the dancers, for about IDR 100,000. Published schedules agree on Ramayana on Wednesday and Legong on Saturday but differ on other nights.

Be realistic about the catches. The open area is small, and by mid-morning the causeway is a line of people waiting for the same photo. Several October 2026 reviews call the fee steep for 15 minutes, and some found the loaned sarongs unwashed. The inner temple stays closed to non-Hindus, so you will not see the Saraswati statue or the meru up close. And because the main road now runs one way, getting here by car takes more planning than it did.

Opening hours
Sat–Thu 8 AM–7:30 PM, Fri 8 AM–9:30 PM; closed Nyepi (checked Nov 2026)
Ticket
About IDR 60,000 with sarong loan; dances about IDR 100,000 (checked Nov 2026)
Time needed
15–30 min by day; about 2 hours for an evening dance
Best time
8 AM opening for an empty causeway; after dark for a dance
Dress code
Sarong and sash required, lent at the gate; cover shoulders
Location
Jalan Raya Ubud No. 14, 150 m west of Ubud Palace

Today at Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud

Daylight
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Hours of light
12 hr 29 min of light

Checking the weather in Ubud…

Times for this spot, in Bali time (WITA).

Jalan Raya Ubud No. 14, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571, Indonesia

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What to See

What to see at Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud.

  1. 01

    The lotus pond and causeway

    The whole visit centers on one view: a straight stone path across the pond, lotus leaves on both sides, and the carved gate at the end. Fountain statues line the path, and the temple brochure counts seven water spouts on each side. Stone creatures that once stood clear of the water are now half hidden by lotus. Flowers come and go with the season, and one late-October 2026 review found few in bloom.

  2. 02

    The three red-brick gates

    Three kori agung gates, carved floor to roof with flame-like ornament and guardian figures, close off the inner temple. The tall central gate is used only for big ceremonies, when deities and barong figures enter. Worshipers normally use the west door. Shrines on each side of the main gate honor the guardian of the entrance. This gate is the backdrop of nearly every photo taken here.

  3. 03

    Lempad’s carving

    I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, who lived to about 116, came to Ubud after a quarrel with the court of Blahbatuh and worked for the Sukawati family on palaces and temples. Here his hand shows in the soft volcanic-tuff figures along the causeway and the gate reliefs. Look for a turtle wrapped by two serpents near the pond, the cosmic turtle that Balinese belief says holds up the island.

  4. 04

    The inner temple, seen from outside

    You cannot enter, but it helps to know what lies behind the gates. A lotus-throne shrine to the supreme god stands in the northeast corner. Beside it rise two three-roofed meru, the northern one linked to Uluwatu temple and the southern one to Goa Lawah. There are pavilions for visiting deities, a gamelan hall, a ceremonial kitchen and the statue of Saraswati herself.

  5. 05

    Evening dances on the pond stage

    Shows start at about 7:30 PM every night except Friday and cost about IDR 100,000 (checked Nov 2026). Two 2026 schedules list Janger on Sunday, Joged on Monday, Kecak on Tuesday and Thursday, Ramayana on Wednesday and Legong on Saturday. A 2025 guide gives a women’s gamelan troupe on Tuesday and Barong on Thursday instead. Confirm the night’s program at the gate before you buy.

  6. 06

    Saraswati Day

    Every 210 days, on the Saturday that closes the Balinese wuku calendar, Bali honors Saraswati. Families bless books and palm-leaf manuscripts, students pray in ceremonial dress, and reading is avoided until evening. The last Saraswati Day fell on 31 October 2026; the next, by the same cycle, is 29 May 2027. Expect offerings and worshipers here, and possible closures for ceremonies.

Seasons

Best time to visit Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud.

Come at 8 AM, when the gates open, for the causeway without a line and soft light on the gate. Mid-morning to early afternoon is the busiest time, with the harshest light. Late afternoon is calmer. After dark the gate is lit, and on dance nights you see the temple as a stage.

April to October is the dry season and the most comfortable time to sit through an outdoor show. From November to March, afternoon storms can wet the stage and seating, so check what happens to the program if it rains.

Check the Balinese calendar. The temple closes on Nyepi, 8 March 2027, when the whole island stays indoors, and during private ceremonies. Saraswati Day, next on 29 May 2027, brings offerings and prayers here. Galungan, 13 January 2027, and Kuningan, ten days later, fill central Ubud with ceremonial dress and penjor poles along the main road.

Coming between November and March? Read our Bali rainy season guide →

Getting There

How to get to Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud.

Travel times to Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud
Central Ubud2–20 min on footThe temple is 150 meters west of Ubud Palace, a 2- to 3-minute walk along the main road. From the Monkey Forest it is about 1.3 km, 15 to 20 minutes uphill. Sidewalks are narrow, so walk single file.
Resorts west of central Ubud15–30 min by carAbout 4–7 km east into town. For an evening dance, ask whether your resort runs a shuttle, or book a driver to wait.
Bali airport (DPS)75–120 minAbout 38 km by car. Pre-book a transfer or use Grab or Gojek from the airport pickup zone. Evening arrivals hit the worst traffic.
Seminyak, Kuta or Legian75–120 minAbout 34–36 km by car or driver. To catch a 7:30 PM dance, leave by 5:30 PM and expect to be back after 10:30 PM.
Canggu75–120 minAbout 31–33 km by car or scooter, with no direct shuttle. Traffic around Denpasar sets the time.
Sanur45–60 minAbout 22–25 km by car, the easiest beach base for a day trip or an evening show in Ubud.
Uluwatu or Nusa Dua1.5–3 hoursAbout 42–54 km by car. Combine the temple with a full Ubud day rather than making the trip for it alone.

Getting around Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud

The temple has no parking of its own. Since 8 September 2026 the main road through central Ubud has run one way eastbound from the palace crossroads, and tour buses drop passengers at Dalem Puri, about 1 km east of the palace, a 15-minute walk. Drivers coming from the east have to loop around the center, so the easiest approach is on foot from your hotel or from the palace.

Cars park near the art market for about IDR 10,000, and scooters can stop close to the gate. Stopping on the main road in front of the temple is what jams the center between 5 and 7 PM, just as dance crowds arrive.

Grab and Gojek will drop you here, but local transport groups discourage app pickups around the palace, so after an evening show you may need to walk a few hundred meters to a side street. Inside, the causeway is flat, with a few steps up to the gates and the stage area.

Know Before You Go

Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud tips that save time and trouble.

  1. 01Buy the day ticket at the desk by the entrance. The dance ticket is sold separately, so decide whether you want one or both.
  2. 02Carry small bills. Several October 2026 reviews report paying about IDR 65,000 in total at the gate.
  3. 03Wear clothes that cover your shoulders. A sarong is lent at the gate and is required even if you bring your own.
  4. 04Stay off the inner steps and out of the gates. The inner temple is a place of worship and closed to visitors.
  5. 05For photos, arrive at 8 AM and take your turn on the causeway quickly, since others will be waiting.
  6. 06On dance nights, arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. Seats are unreserved, and the best ones face the gate straight on.
  7. 07Use insect repellent in the evening. The pond and gardens draw mosquitoes.
  8. 08Pair it with Ubud Palace, 150 meters east, and Museum Puri Lukisan, a few minutes west; together they fill a morning on foot.
  9. 09Do not touch offerings on the ground, and step around worshipers if a ceremony is under way.

FAQ

Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud questions, answered.

How much is the Saraswati Temple entrance fee?

About IDR 60,000 per person (checked Nov 2026), including the loan of a sarong. Sources differ: one 2026 guide lists IDR 35,000, another IDR 40,000, and recent visitors report paying about IDR 65,000. The temple was free until recently. The evening dance is a separate ticket of about IDR 100,000.

What are the Saraswati Temple opening hours?

Saturday to Thursday from 8 AM to 7:30 PM, and Friday from 8 AM to 9:30 PM, according to the Ubud Water Palace’s own website (checked Nov 2026). It closes on Nyepi and during private ceremonies. The quietest time is the 8 AM opening.

Is the Ubud Water Palace the same as Saraswati Temple?

Yes. The official name is Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, often shortened to Pura Taman Saraswati, and it is now promoted as the Ubud Water Palace. It is not the same as Ubud Palace, the royal home 150 meters east, or Tirta Gangga, the water palace in East Bali.

Is Saraswati Temple worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already in central Ubud and come early or at night. The pond and gate are among the most photographed sights in town, and an evening dance there is a good first show. It is not worth a special trip from the coast, and the fee buys only 15 to 30 minutes in the outer court.

What dances are performed at Saraswati Temple?

Two 2026 schedules list Janger on Sunday, Joged on Monday, Kecak on Tuesday and Thursday, Ramayana on Wednesday and Legong on Saturday, with no show on Friday. A 2025 guide differs on Tuesday and Thursday. Shows start at about 7:30 PM and cost about IDR 100,000.

Can you go inside Saraswati Temple?

No. Visitors may walk the lotus pond, causeway and outer court, but the inner temple behind the three red-brick gates is reserved for worship. You can see the tops of the shrines over the walls, but the Saraswati statue and the twin meru towers are closed to tourists.

What should I wear to Saraswati Temple?

Modest clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Staff lend every visitor a sarong at the entrance, and you must wear it even if you bring your own. For an evening dance, wear something light and bring insect repellent.

Who built Saraswati Temple?

I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, the Ubud sculptor and ritual architect, designed it for Ubud’s royal family in the early 1950s. The provincial tourism site names Prince Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati as the patron and dates it 1951–52. The temple’s own brochure credits Ida Tjokorda Gde Ngoerah as founder.

When do the lotus flowers bloom at Saraswati Temple?

Blooms vary through the year, and no official season is published. One late-October 2026 review found few flowers, while the leaves cover the pond year-round. Come in the morning, when the pond is quiet and the light is soft, and enjoy the gate even if the flowers are sparse.

How long do you need at Saraswati Temple?

About 15 to 30 minutes by day, since only the pond and outer court are open. Allow about 2 hours for an evening dance, including arriving early for a seat. Most people combine it with Ubud Palace and the art market in a morning.

Nearby

Where to go after Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud.

Places close by that fit into the same trip, with realistic travel times.

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Plan the rest of your time in Ubud.

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How we researched this

Sources and fact checks.

Prices, opening hours, show times and travel times in this Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Saraswati), Ubud guide were checked against official sites, government tourism pages and recent reporting on 11 November 2026. Where sources disagreed, we give the official figure and say so. Rankings are our editorial judgment, set out in our editorial policy.

We re-check the guide at least every three months and whenever we hear about a change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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