Pura Taman Saraswati (Ubud Water Palace)

Step off Jalan Raya Ubud behind Cafe Lotus and the noise of the main road drops away. A straight stone walkway leads across ponds crowded with lotus, toward a carved red-brick gateway and the temple beyond. Pura Taman Saraswati, also known as the Ubud Water Palace, is one of the most graceful corners of town.

By day it is a place to linger over the carvings and the koi in the ponds. After dark it becomes a stage: the temple gate is lit, the gamelan starts, and dancers perform in front of the ponds almost every night of the week. It is one of the easiest ways to see Balinese dance in a real temple setting, right in the centre of Ubud.

History & meaning

The temple was built in 1951-1952 with the backing of Ubud’s royal family, notably Prince Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, and designed by the celebrated Balinese artist and undagi I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, whose stone sculptures still decorate the entrance. It is dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, goddess of knowledge, literature and the arts, and a statue of her stands within the grounds.

Look for the three kori agung gates, the padmasana shrine topped by an empty throne, and the pavilion that houses the temple’s Barong figures. The temple is still active, and it is especially busy on Saraswati Day, which comes around every 210 days in the Balinese calendar.

How to visit

• The grounds are open daily from around 08.00 until early evening; the inner sanctum is generally closed to visitors.
• Dance shows run nightly except Friday, usually starting at 19.30; the schedule is Joged (Mon), Ladies Orchestra and Dance (Tue), Ramayana (Wed), Barong (Thu), Legong (Sat) and Janger (Sun).
• Show tickets are IDR 100.000 and seats are limited, so buy early in the day or book online.
• For the photo of the walkway and gate, come in the morning before the crowds.
• Cafe Lotus has tables facing the stage, with a minimum spend if you dine during the show.
• Park at Ubud Central Parking and walk; the temple is reached from Jalan Kajeng.

Etiquette & dress

Casual clothes are fine for the pond area and the dance show. To go into the temple courtyards, wear a sarong and sash (provided at the entrance), keep shoulders covered, and step aside quietly if a ceremony is taking place. Do not climb on statues or the pond walls.

Combine it with

• Ubud Art Market the town’s craft market for bags, sarongs and carvings, about 5 minutes on foot.
• Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) royal palace with its own evening dances, about 3 minutes on foot.
• Goa Gajah the 11th-century Elephant Cave sanctuary, about 10-15 minutes by car.

Sources

Prices and opening hours checked on 02/11/2026 against the sources below. They can change without notice, so confirm on site before you go.

• The Bali Sun: Ubud Water Palace nightly performances
• Time Out: Pura Saraswati
• Bali.live: Pura Taman Saraswati in Ubud
• Bali Holiday Secrets: Ubud Water Palace (Saraswati Temple)
• Abisena Ubud: Pura Taman Saraswati visitor guide
• Wikipedia: Pura Taman Saraswati
• Love Bali (Bali Provincial Government): Tourist levy inspection at Bali destinations