Is Taman Ayun Temple worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you're heading to Jatiluwih, Lake Beratan or Tanah Lot: Taman Ayun sits right on the way, in Mengwi, and it's one of the most elegant and peaceful temples in Bali. Allow about an hour, with no crowds and no stairs.

The short version of its history: it was built in 1634 by the King of Mengwi as the royal temple of the local kingdom, and its name means "beautiful garden". Since 2012 it has been part of Bali's cultural landscape listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, together with the rice terrace irrigation system (subak).

What you'll see:

The moat surrounding the temple, like an island in the middle of a garden, and the bridge leading to the split gate (candi bentar).
The gardens and outer courtyards, beautifully kept, with a traditional pavilion (wantilan) where ritual cockfights were once held. Cockfighting is still allowed in temples in Bali today, but illegal outside them.
The meru, those pagoda-like shrines with stacked thatched roofs (up to eleven tiers), in the inner courtyard. It's reserved for worshippers: you see it from the low wall around it, which gives a very good view of the whole complex.

The practical details:

Getting there: about 40 minutes from Ubud, Canggu or Seminyak, a little longer from Kuta depending on traffic.
Opening hours: usually 8am to 6pm.
Entry: 50,000 rupiah (about US$2.80), cash only, sarong included.
Dress: shoulders and knees covered, as at every temple (that's what the sarong is for). Women should also tie their hair back. See What should I wear in Bali, and how should I behave at temples?

Verdict: it's not a temple worth the drive on its own, but it's a perfect stop on a west Bali loop: Taman Ayun in the morning, then the Jatiluwih rice terraces or Lake Beratan, and Tanah Lot at sunset.

Tip: as always, get there early: tour groups stop here mid-morning on their way to Lake Beratan, and the low light on the moat and the meru is at its best first thing in the morning.

Information checked in October 2026; prices and opening hours may change, so check before you go.

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Is Taman Ayun Temple worth visiting?

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