The 15 best castles in and around Karangasem

A beautiful place located just off the road. Peaceful, colorful, and incredibly charming. A very vast area with many nooks and crannies that many people overlook. It's worth buying fish food at the local stalls. It's quite crowded, but the place is worth visiting for its unique charm. Paid parking is available on-site, with plenty of spaces. Restaurants serving good food and quick service are located both on-site and nearby, and prices are practically the same as everywhere else.

Tirta Gangga, the famous “Water Palace” in East Bali, feels like stepping into a dream woven from water, stone, and sunlight. Built by the royal family of Karangasem, this place is surrounded by lush gardens, clear ponds, and sacred springs that shimmer under the Balinese sky. 🌿 The stone paths float gently over the water, and as you step from one lotus-shaped stone to another, koi fish swirl gracefully beneath your feet. Every ripple feels alive — like time moves slower here. The sound of trickling fountains and the scent of blooming flowers make it a perfect escape from the world outside. There’s a quiet peace in this place — a balance between human art and nature’s beauty. You can sit by the pond, dip your fingers into the cool water, and feel a sense of calm that words can barely describe. It’s not just a sightseeing spot; it’s a place where your soul takes a deep breath. 🌸

This was an absolutely beautiful and historic location that feels like stepping into a living postcard. The grounds are impeccably kept, with vibrant plants and flowers adding to the serene atmosphere. There are endless opportunities for stunning photos, including the famous Instagram-worthy stepping stone area, which surprisingly did not have too long of a line even during the busy season. The small museum on-site was both informative and interesting, giving context to the rich history of the site. Visitors were respectful and courteous, which made the experience even more enjoyable. This is a must-see stop for anyone looking to enjoy Balinese culture, history, and breathtaking scenery all in one visit.

We visited Tirta Gangga as part of our East Bali Tour programme. This is a very well maintained and clean place, which was used as a former water palace. We learned it was named after the sacred river Ganges in India. You can hop on and walk on stones to cross the ponds. There are so many well-fed and big koi fishes in ponds that look lovely. We had also visited Ubud Water Palace before, Tirta Gangga is bigger than that so it was worth visiting. There is also a cafe & restaurant you can sit and relax.

I visited Tirta Gangga and it was truly a sight to behold. This former royal water palace is incredibly scenic — a gorgeous blend of tranquil pools, flowing fountains, lush gardens, and traditional stone statues. Everywhere you turn feels like stepping into a postcard. The grounds are beautifully laid out, with stepping stones that take you across the water and let you wander right through the ponds surrounded by koi fish. It’s peaceful and elegant, with a charming, almost dream-like atmosphere that makes you want to take your time exploring every corner. Tirta Gangga is also full of photo opportunities. From the famous stepping stones to the ornate structures and beautifully landscaped gardens, there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops. Whether you’re looking for serene scenery or iconic Bali shots, you’ll definitely find them here. Overall, Tirta Gangga is a must-visit if you enjoy history, culture, and beautiful landscapes. It offers a perfect mix of calm, beauty, and just enough adventure as you hop stone-to-stone through the water. A truly picturesque stop and one of Bali’s most charming sites.

Stopped here as part of our East Bali tour and it was beautiful! The fish are huge and really beautiful to look at. Great place to take some photos and just enjoy the scenery. Definitely would recommend a stop here.

Thankfully not too many tourists with our schedule, so it was easy to capture and create some lovely memories. Hot day, food and drinks were reasonably priced. Organised to leave our travel bags with a local restaurant (after taking out our wallets) for 50.000rp, with the promise to buy a drink later too. All good. Fun to feed the fat fish !

Beautiful gardens spread out across a spacious property. Not crowded like other popular destinations in Bali. Still some great photo spots. Colourful gardens. Serene water features. A view of the ocean. Very peaceful.

Taman Ujung Sukasada, often simply called Taman Ujung, is a captivating historical site and former royal water palace of the Karangasem Kingdom in East Bali. Unlike the pure Balinese style of many temples, this complex stands out with its unique and elegant blend of Balinese and European architecture, set across expansive lawns and large, serene pools connected by ornate bridges and pathways. It's a vast, peaceful location that functions more like a beautifully manicured historical park than an active place of worship. The key draw here is the phenomenal natural scenery, offering panoramic views of the entire complex, the shimmering ocean, and the majestic Mount Agung as a dramatic backdrop on a clear day, making it an absolute delight for photographers and a popular spot for pre-wedding shoots. While the entrance fee is sometimes noted as being slightly high for what is essentially a scenic walk, the tranquility and sheer scale of the palace grounds make it worth the trip, especially if you are seeking a quiet escape from the more crowded tourist hubs. For the best experience and photos, climb the impressive staircase leading to the upper viewpoint (Bale Kapal), which provides the most encompassing vista of the pools and the surrounding landscape. The best time to visit is during the golden hour in the late afternoon, as the setting sun bathes the entire site in warm, magical light, highlighting the intricate architecture and enhancing the peaceful atmosphere.

The highlight of my trip to Bali. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. The view is magnificent with a mixed view of garden, historic building, mountain and ocean. It is vast and very open feeling. Totally enjoyed every minute in it. Enjoying a fresh coconut under the tree makes you feel the true relaxation and happiness.

Beautiful place worth a visit. Vast gardens and intriguing history. Get a guide to complete the experience. It's amazing how old this place and still in commendable condition being so close to the sea.

Beautiful water palace, with very few other visitors. Entrance was 100k each. Not a religious site, so no dress code. There are a couple of small cafes insides serving cold drinks - much appreciated. I had read online there is a 500k drone fee, but I asked a security guy once inside and he said "go ahead, no charge"

This water palace is definitely worth a visit. We visited over 10 years ago and then in May 2025. A lot of work has been done to make it a great tourist spot. There is a bit of history, good views and very pleasant to walk around

A visit to this stunning water palace is nothing short of magical. Surrounded by lush green gardens, with the serene beach on one side and majestic mountains on the other, it’s a true feast for the eyes and soul. The natural beauty here feels like a perfectly painted landscape brought to life. Evenings are especially enchanting—when the golden sunset bathes the entire area in warm light, creating a tranquil and dreamy atmosphere. It’s the ideal time to visit, whether you’re capturing photos, enjoying a peaceful walk, or simply soaking in the breathtaking views. At the heart of the palace complex lies a beautifully designed museum, an architectural marvel that reflects both historical richness and artistic elegance. The detailing, the layout, and the surrounding water features make it a place you’ll want to admire up close. This palace is vast, offering ample space to explore at your own pace. It’s perfect for a relaxing stroll, with plenty of peaceful corners to sit and reflect. Whether you're a history lover, a nature enthusiast, or just someone looking to unwind in a spectacular setting, this spot has something truly special to offer. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area—it's a serene retreat that combines nature, culture, and beauty in one unforgettable experience.

Besakih Temple is absolutely majestic...known as the Mother Temple of Bali, it’s the largest and most sacred temple complex on the island. Located high on the slopes of Mount Agung, it offers incredible views and a deep spiritual atmosphere. The place feels powerful yet peaceful, surrounded by misty mountains and ancient stone gates. Make sure to wear a sarong (you can find it at the entrance) and go early to enjoy the calm before the tour groups arrive. A must-visit to experience the true soul of Bali!

Besakih Temple is the largest Hindu Temple in the island of Bali, built on the slope of Mount Agung: to be precise it's a complex of 25 different but related temples. The entrance is marked by a "Candi Bentar", the famous split gateway that can be found all over Bali. Unfortunately when I visited there was bad weather so I couldn't enjoy the view of the surroundings. The temple itself is quite nice.

It's a beautiful temple, definitely with a visit. It takes about 1.5 hours to greet there from Ubud, so plan your itinerary well. We went on a Monday, arrived at around noon, and experienced no wait to buy the ticket. The ticket includes a strong, a guide, and a 2 minute ride up to the temple entrance. You have to walk back down, though I did see the shuttle return with passengers so 🤷. There are lots of steps inside the complex, so come prepared. Steps are irregular, and I saw at least one person slip on what might have been moss. There are souvenir shops inside, as well as toilets.

Visiting Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali, was an unforgettable experience. The complex is enormous and filled with history, spirituality, and breathtaking architecture. Walking through its many levels with Mount Agung rising in the background truly feels magical. What impressed me most was the atmosphere – it’s both deeply spiritual and welcoming. The views over the mountains and rice terraces are absolutely stunning, especially when the clouds move around the volcano. If you want to experience the heart of Balinese culture and spirituality, this is definitely a place not to miss.

I give it 2 stars because the place looks absolute georgous. There are at the moment renovations happening and because of this some parts are closed. Everthing else is a big scam as soon as they put a sarong on you, you already pass ladies with offerings and they told us every tourist have to buy. So we bought 100k for 2 offerings. Later with the prayer you HAVE to make an donation to make your offering, if you don't pay then the offering don't count. The guide was really looking into our wallets and said we have to pay around 50 dollars each. We paid some but definitely no 50 dollar each. They think Europeans are rich, but we are definitely not. He also takes you passed some photographers to take some pictures. I have to say the pictures looked amazing, but again you have to pay 350k for them. At the end of the tour the guide is begging for a tip and nothing was good enough everything was so low and he wasn't happy. ( I think in total we gave him like 50k) he wanted at least 100k The entrance tickets was 300k for 2 people including the guide. So my recommendations is that it's not worth the visit. You are being robbed of your money every step you take.

The temple itself was absolutely breathtaking—peaceful, grand, and well worth the visit. Unfortunately, the experience was overshadowed by the mandatory guide, who repeatedly pressured me for donations and tips. At one point, he even counted my donation in front of others, saying it was “too small,” which felt very uncomfortable and disrespectful. It’s a shame, because the spiritual atmosphere was beautiful, but the constant hassling made it hard to enjoy the moment. I hope future visitors can have a more respectful and serene experience.

Besakih Temple, Bali A true wonder of the world you can’t miss. The place has a very special energy, with stunning architecture and breathtaking views of Mount Agung. Every photo taken here looks like a work of art. An absolute must-see in Bali! Un imprescindible en Bali

Cool and clearish water. Waves are calm but pick up quickly in a storm. There are loads of boats parked on the sand so you have to manoeuvre around them which can be very annoying, especially in the high tide. Absolutely stunning views of Mt Agung during clear sky’s, and there are lots of great local warungs along the beach

Not much beach during high tide and it's a little shameful that the people litter so much but a great area for diving and snorkeling.

We're in a new place - on the east coast of Bali, in Amed. Amed is quiet, almost deserted, and perfect for escaping the noise. Among tourists, we've met only a few couples and families. It's a very charming place - I fell in love with it right away. But staying here turned out to be quite challenging: everyone seems to know everything about everyone, and every step attracts attention. Since almost nothing happens here, people seem to entertain themselves this way. There are endless questions - from everyone, everywhere. Even the villa check-in form asked: Where are you from? Where are you going next? Amed is small, observant, curious — but still, it has its own warmth and quiet truth. #Amed

The beach is not easy to access and there is a lot of rocks… No body is going in the sea…However there are one or two restaurants where you can seat on the beach or lay down in transats

Not too shabby, plenty of nice coral and life to see, especially around the sunset point cliff area. Gets very deep quickly, but plenty to see in the shallows, explore the black sandy area, especially at night for cryptic critters. Dolphins also come through. Lots of rubbish.. sigh

It's supposed to be a new hotel. Mould in the bathroom. Hot water ran out after 40 seconds. The staff have no experience and unable to assit in anything else than what the hotel.offers. they tried to charge us for breakfasts when it was included in price. We paid for a family room, 2 adults, and 2 children. and there was inly a gueen bed and a sofa. The toilet leaked so the bathroom floor was always wet and slippery. Tiny breakfast. Upper floors around pool and restaurant. Empty bottles and dishes laid around. And never picked until the next morning. We always had to ask for service as the staff just had in the kitchen. We will never return.

The beach is full of plastic and rubbish. When you snorkel, there is plastic everywhere. The local fishermen put plastic water cups, plastic bags and all their left over string Into the sea. They even do a daily Puja (Hindu prayer) for each of the thousands of boats where they put an offering IN A PLASTIC BAG!!!) into the sea. And the fishermen rely on the tourists for fishing and snorkeling trips?!!! And the whole local community relies on the tourist industry! Crazy! And yet they fill the sea with plastic! Are these people ignorant or stupid? The only areas of the beach that are not filled with plastic are the stretches where there are expensive resorts and no local fishing boats! I will not come back to Amad, again.

The view was breathtaking! We can see the Mount Rinjani from the summit. Went there via the Edelweis Basecamp. For time and energy saving we can use ‘ojek’ (bike service) from basecamp for IDR 100K one way. The track to camp site was quite easy with only around 30 minutes to 1 hour from 1 point to another. The challenging part was the summit. The slope of the track is about 45 degrees all the way to the first peak point. But is all worth the view!

Mt Agung (the highest volcano in Bali) It’s quite a challenging trek! It starts at midnight and finishes by midday, taking around 12 hours, including short breaks. The Trek covers 15km and has an elevation gain of 1850 meters. Trek pretty rough, rocky, gravelly, and sandy. Need climbing and crawling involved. Hard part is going downhill it was very slippery, and I ended up slipping more times than I can count, At one point, I wished for a helicopter rescue 😂, which fun experience!!! It's payoff, surrounded by mesmerising views at the very top of the clouds!!!

Her majesty!!! Wonderful experience Was super hard to climb with no sleep all night and super cold weather upthere . We had wonderful guide with us .thanks to him looking after 3 of us Stunning sunrice Stunning the sea of clouds Its just Wonderful Wonderful trecking I hope the hiker people who camping will keep their rubbish and keep the mountain clean!! Lots of rubbish on the way down . Pls look after the nature .

Amazing experience climbing the volcano. Trail is well defined and easy to follow. I did the hike on my own, it is absolutely doable, not as hard as I expected based on previous reviews. It is demanding, as it starts going up and it doesn't stop until you reach the top, with an average gradient of 20% (this changes from section to section) You're approximately the easy section (well defined path) for about 5.5 kms, thereafter, the difficult part through the rocks begins, where you cannot just walk through, but have to somewhat climb through it, that part kast about 1 km but is the part that takes the longest compared to the rest of the hike. Thereafter you're already close to the summit and it's only a breathtaking walk through the crater, which is easy, but sure footage is still required. I had no guide, but registration and fee is required. With good fitness, the hike to the summit took me about 3-3:30 hours and then a couple of hours down. The going down is quiet taxing on the knees. The entire hike is very much worth it and when you reach the summit it is just amazing. An overwhelming experience that makes you feel connected to the world and very much at peace. If you plan on camping in between, there are plenty of possible camping sites throughout the climb.

Pasar Agung temple to the summer route. Its shorter than the Besakih Temple route. Its steep and lots of scrambling involved. Well worth the effort for beautiful sunrise views over Mt Rinjani in Lombok and south Bali.

Second hiking to roof top of Bali Island Amazing view. Clear and blue sky. The trek downhill is waooow

2nd time hiking up Mt Agung. This time from Pasar Agung temple. Rewarded with fantastic views on sunrise and Mt Rinjani. It is a steep hike and lots of scrambling involved. This is a shorter route than hiking from Besakih Temple. 4 hours up and 3 1/2 hours down with a 30 min break at the campsite both ways. I highly recommend this route if people want a shorter route to the top

This has sadly become the check box for your Bali trip. So much so like if you haven't taken those special photos at Lempuyang then your trip is incomplete. The peer pressure for social media acceptance is just unreal. The temple and the location is undeniably beautiful. The journey from Ubud or Kuta should take 2-3 hours respectively. However as you may have read in most of the other reviews; the only and only factor is the constant expenditure that you have endure in terms of entrance tickets, shuttle fare, snacks, water etc. The pictures that you see in the all the reviews are the same. There is hardly much to see around if you are going there for those photos. I just wonder who came up with that reflection trick in the first place. This phenomenon has transformed the photo clicking business across Bali. Now it is a multi-million dollar industry. Sarcasm aside; Lempuyang temple is worth visiting. The shuttle ride will be one hell of a roller coaster ride. You can admire the skill of the shuttle drivers on those steep slopes. Food and refreshment facilities are limited. You will need to spend money at the nearby shops for everything that you need while you wait for 2-3 hours for your turn.

Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple is a stunning and culturally rich site, and it truly breaks my heart to give only 3 stars. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the grounds offer countless photo opportunities, including the world‑famous “Heaven’s Gate” view with the mountains perfectly framed behind you. The experience is very well organized with a fair system for guests, calling numbers for photo turns and providing a photographer who uses your phone and a mirror to create that iconic reflection effect. The reason for the lower rating is the wait. Unless you arrive by around 5 a.m., you can expect to wait anywhere from 2 to 6 hours for your turn at the main photo spot. For many visitors this makes the visit exhausting and limits the time you have to enjoy the temple itself. It is still worth seeing for the beauty and cultural experience, but the long wait keeps it from being the magical stop it could be.

This temple 🛕review is going to be a hit 🎯and miss 😖, here’s my honest review 📝. To get 🚶‍♀️to Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple 🛕, you firstly have to park at a common Carpark 🅿️. (See my pics 📸) At this common carpark, you will need to pay 💵 Rp$50,000 to take a bus 🚌up to the hill ⛰️top where the temple 🛕 is actually located. This is a very steep climb 🧗on a meandering road 🏘️, well over 2km, you cannot 🙈⛔️ possibly consider walking 🚶‍♀️🚶up with all the buses 🚌🚍🚎 running at full speed. You will be reminded at this point that women 👩🏻‍🦳👩🏼‍🦰👱🏼‍♀️within their menstrual cycle 🩸will not allowed 🚫 into the temple 🛕. (*With this in mind 🤨, if you are having your period, you can skip this visit completely. Do not contaminate consecrated ground 😔.) Once you get to the top 🔝, you will have to pay 💵 another Rp$70,000 to walk up to the temple. And that’s where they will tell you, in-order to take the famous picture 📸 of the Gates ⛩️ of Heaven, the wait time ⏳ is 2-3hrs.  The walk will take another 10mins from ticket counter to get to the top. Once you are at the top, you can collect a queue ticket 🎟️ and wait for your turn to be called 🗣️ on the loud 📣 speakers and have your photos taken at the gates ⛩️. In-between that, most people walk around, take more pictures and video 📹, or rent the traditional costume 🥻👘👗for another Rp$750,000. Thoughts 🧐 are … the view up there is truly breathtaking 😎. You will get a view like no other heading for miles and miles, it’s pretty amazing. 🌟✨⭐️ The Gates to Heaven will make a perfect IG photo opportunity and that is really beautiful too especially, if it is a clear ☀️ day and the mountain 🗻behind comes out clearly. However, the long wait is something to consider 🧐 and also that short climb from carpark 🅿️ to the temple main door is very steep 🎢 and I think it will present difficulties to the wheelchair 👩‍🦽‍➡️folks and also those with walking 🚷 difficulties.

Is a beautiful turist spot in Bali . You can’t coming here without visiting this Temple . But be prepared to wait in line for 1 1/2 to 2 hours to take the picture at tue beautiful doors with the Volcano behind.! Getting there is to a long trip because traffic is a nightmare in Bali . … but is a nice view and you quill not regret.!

Tourist Trap – Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple Getting here from Ubud takes about 2–3 hours. Once you arrive at the temple, you’re not allowed to drive up with your own car. Instead, you’re forced to take a shuttle bus, which costs 50k IDR per person. However, the shuttle doesn’t take you all the way up to the temple either—you’ll then be directed to motorbike taxis for another 20k IDR per person. You can walk instead, since the distance isn’t too far, but they’ll tell you it is just to convince you to pay. Entrance costs 70k IDR per person. Be prepared to pay for absolutely everything here, usually at prices about 70% higher than normal. For example, a simple bottle of water is 10k IDR. Even the toilets aren’t free, and in some cafés you might be told there are no toilets available at all. With your entrance ticket, you’ll receive a queue number to take photos at the famous “Gates of Heaven.” Waiting time for your turn can be anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. The view is indeed beautiful, but almost nobody actually takes the time to enjoy it—most people are here just to get photos for social media. If you’re genuinely looking to visit a historic temple, this is not the right place for you. The local people here are unfortunately not welcoming; in fact, some can come across as quite rude, seeing visitors only as a source of money. It feels like a poorly managed tourist trap rather than a spiritual site. Honestly, I would not recommend supporting it.

Its a beautiful temple, no doubt. But felt like a tourist trap. If you want to snap your artificially mirrored picture of you at gates, its a long wait. I recommend going early. If you are lucky you can see the mountain behind the gates. It can get foggy and misty in the early hours. However, the queue system is well organised and everyone can go home happy with their Instagramable picture at the gates.

Beautiful experience with amazing views and great photo opportunities! To get the best out of it, make sure to wake up early, this place gets crowded fast. The photo queue can be long, so the earlier you arrive, the earlier your token number. Each person gets 4 poses, and the staff take the photos using your own phone. Definitely worth the early start for such a unique and iconic spot!

Not the most beautiful beach but excellent sunset view. Rough beach, full of rocks with few spots of sand. Usually empty with a few resorts next to it where you can eat, drink, etc…

Hi, service was great and rooms are fabulous. The service was very good however the food stop me from giving a five-star other than that it was fabulous

Candi Dasa Beach is a large stretch of relatively untouched tourist mayhem and very much the providence of the local community. The views over to the Nusa Penida beyond are stunning. Even the ships that come to port at night, all lit up on the horizon are wonderful. I get the feeling that Candi Dasa is going to grow in popular as people seek out a more authentic Bali experience. It does not suffer for the noise and party vibe of Kuta and Legian. And it is very much rustic, remote and rural. As such, it appeals to the quiet and older travellers. I stayed at the Candi Dasa Beach Resort which was full of large European groups of elderly travellers. I think this hotel suited them. But the big let down was the rubbish in the ocean. I know the locals and hotel staff clean it twice a day, but when you desperately want a soothing ocean dip, and your face if peppered under water by old drink containers, ice cream wrapper and soggy tissues, you really have a soiled impression. I hope the future generation realise the damage waste causes the tourist industry in Bali, money that goes to other cleaner location and countries.

Definetely one of the best beach for chill in Bali so far. The ambience is very calming with no rushing waves. People can also spend time during sunrise and sunset here. They have a little cute sand beach part with some rock barrier so it is so nice to swim here.

a hidden little white sand beach fishing village an hour up the coast from Sanur. Surrounded by vast rising hills on one side and the beach on the other - it really is a gem to visit for that relaxing getaway. Close to Padang Bay - the marina gateway/port to Lombok & The Gili Islands. Highly recommended.

Great resort in Candidassa beach! We have a great relaxing time at the pool.

The beach is close to empty when I visit in September. It's not a holiday season, so it's nice to have the beach for yourself. Actually, there's not much we can do in this beach other than enjoying the view. So sad that the beach was quite dirty.

Breathing sunrise. But the hiking is very hard and you need to have good physical fitness. If not you can choose jeep or motorbike. But they only go to certain height. And you might need to get a jacket because the place is very cold. You can rent them before hike dtart. View is amazing and our guide helped us a lot to ho to the top of the mountain.

We started the hike to Batur with our guide at 3am. The hike was 2 hours and very easy. The sunrise at the top was magical. The view is really breathtaking. You can see the lake, Agung and even the sea. We cooked eggs with the hot steam of the vulcano for breakfast. Recommend you to do this hike!

It was a wonderful adventure. We got up extra early to drive there. Met our local guide and started the hike while it was pitch black. The hike was moderately easy. Not as difficult as I was led to believe. Our guide was not only an exceptional guide but also a wonderful photographer. He took amazing pictures and knew all the great spots. He brought us to the top without getting us winded and with well spaced breaks. The breakfast he gave us was very simple but we had fun. The monkeys came and ate the leftovers. Monkeys were all friendly. The views were absolutely breathtaking. We were all in awe of the volcanic steam. This was by far the best experience we had in Bali. 10/10 recommended!

Funny hiking and worth for the first sunlight as the trail not too much incline to make climbers can rest often. At the top there are a lovely wooden benches for those couple and group to sit together and there are small kiosk for drink and snacks.The best highlight is the monkey and doggy.

You have to do this hike if your in Bali it’s a must!!! Make sure you choose your guide very very well, I researched for a long time and finally found one that didn’t do the normal route, we were all alone but across the ridge there were around 40-60 people fighting for space to take photos, if you wan the guides info please send me message on instagram @travel_a_holic

This is a really touristic attraction, and usually I don't like to go in over-crowded and over-hyped places... but in this case I'm glad I did it. I wanted to do it with my girlfriend alone, without a guide, but I saw on other reviews that we would probably face harassments from locals if we chose this option, and I didn't want to stress...so we booked the guide with our Cottage for 500k: we did the long trekking (with black lava), not only the standard one, finishing with the Hot Springs included (in that day there were no flies and we could really really relax in the splendid hot water. We started around 3:30 AM and reached the top just before sunrise. The view is totally worth it! And the warm breakfast made the experience even better. TECHNICALITIES: It's cold. But when you start to move you warm up (I did it with shorts and t-shirt no problem)... but on top is cold again while you wait for the sunrise. Take something warm with you or practice some Kapalabati breathing ;) The road is crumbly but if you go slow it's okey... it takes 1:30-2 hours in total to reach the peak. If you do the full tour like us, it's 5 hours. Toilette in nature. Pay attention to the monkeys...they can look into your bags for food.

A Magical Sunrise Hike — Mount Batur, Bali ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hiking Mount Batur is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Bali. The early-morning climb is steep in places but completely worth it once the first light touches the horizon — the sunrise over the volcanic lake is breathtaking. At the summit, you can enjoy a simple but heartwarming breakfast and fresh coffee served by the local guides — such a beautiful gesture after the climb. Don’t forget to wander over to the crater, where gentle smoke still rises from the earth, reminding you that the mountain is alive. A few tips from experience: – Bring a warm jacket — it’s surprisingly chilly before sunrise. – Check the weather forecast — cloudy or rainy mornings can hide the view. – Watch out for the cheeky monkeys (they love snacks and phones!). It’s a hike that combines challenge, stillness, and wonder all at once. (Shared a few sunrise moments from my journey on Instagram @AlwaysInYogaFlow 🌿)

Small former city palace within Amlapura. The grounds consist of a small palace with furnished living quarters and pavilions within a small artificial lake. The grounds are beautifully planted. The excursion destination is a nice change from the typical Bali destinations but not a must.

Beautiful and quiet! Entrance fee is 100K Beautiful gardens and area to walk and take some pictures. No sarong is needed. Enjoy the views.

The Royal family members still live on site, so it's truly a living museum. The entrance is 30,000IDR and you will get an information pamphlet about the place. However, with no map, it can get quite confusing to find the places, and except for the receptionist, none of them can speak English. It might worth a visit if you are on a road trip across the town.

Absolutely a go-to for the history of Bali. It's where the last King of Bali lived. Loads of information semi museum.

Nice and quite royal palace in the middle of Amlapura. The place is clean and well-maintained. They also provided written guidance regarding the buildings inside and their history.

A nice Palace to visit if you are in the neighborhood and love history. It takes less than an hour to cover the ground. Not super picturesque but quite charming.

I don't know why isn't this place as popular as the other water palaces in Amlapura but it is a beautiful, spatial place with an interesting history and present (and only 30k per person).

Nice pond. Absolutely full of lotus. Unfortunately, the day I visited they are all up and ready, but none opened. In a week they will be beautiful. Nice to walk around and open the area to sea. Good view of the outer islands. Guys, there is selling boat trips out and around islands.

We got unlucky and none of the flowers were open when we got there. Also there is a lot of trash in the pond. Overall not a lot of things to see, but may be a nice spot for a quick stop on the way to more interesting places 😅 if you get luckier than us

Nice for a walk before 13pm or so, when the flowers are out. Quite relaxing, not many locals offering something

Beautiful pond right next to beach Spectacular lotus Great to walk around the circuit and good to see people exercising here as well

Nice and peaceful place, good for a short walk

Good bakso (noodle soup with meat balls) checken, pig, cow. Jummie Hidden GEM for tourist, locals know the place

The pool for the temple up the hill across the road. Nice place for an early morning walk around to see the water lillies opening. Needed a little tidying up when we were there, but still pleasant enough with a few decent photo opportunities. .

Awesome is an understatement !!This is just so beautiful...

Lovely place to visit with families

Pretty awesome view

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(Translated by Google) Very beautiful, quiet, cool weather, people are very considerate. (Original) สวยมากๆ เงียบสงบ อากาศเย็นสบาย ผู้คนมีน้ำใจ ดีมาก

(Translated by Google) Worth seeing if you pass by the lake on your way through. Unfortunately there is no access to the temple complex for tourists, but you can also admire the statue from land or boat. However, the journey coming from the northeast side was very adventurous and should only be attempted by experienced tourists or with a driver. (Original) Sehenswert, wenn man auf der Durchreise hier am See vorbeikommt. Leider kein Zugang zur Tempelanlage für Touristen, man kann die Statue allerdings auch vom Land bzw. vom Boot aus bestaunen. Die Fahrt von der Nordost-Seite kommend war allerdings sehr abenteuerlich und sollte nur von fahrerprobten Touristen oder mit einem Fahrer gewagt werden.

(Translated by Google) I went there earlier, the distance between the temple and the Dewi Danu statue is only 100 meters but the boat ride costs 200 thousand 🤣, it really doesn't make sense, the auto doesn't work, even though the local people there say the original price is 25 thousand, this is too high among Balinese people, but the price is too high. (Original) Tadi saya kesana,jarak antara pura ke patung dewi danu cuma 100 meteran tapi biaya naik perahunya 200 ribu 🤣, bener2 gak masuk akal, auto gak jadi dehh, pdhal kata penduduk lokal disana harga aslinya 25 ribu, ini sesama masyarakat bali terlalu tinggi ketok harganya

Go in the morning. Just before sunrise, the park is open free for public. After 10 am the is a small fee. It's charming and clean. Local community would jog around the park.

Beautifull flowers here

(Translated by Google) I like the tranquility here, walking on the green grass, hills, looking at the sea view, and looking at the buildings left by the Netherlands. The Water Palace is really green! (Original) 喜歡這裡的寧靜，走走在綠色草地，丘陵上看海景，看看荷蘭留下的建築 水皇宮真的很綠意盎然！

(Translated by Google) Water park with large pool, natural atmosphere (Original) Taman air dengan kolam yang luas, suasana asri

(Translated by Google) One of the most beautiful historical sites in Bali and yet not very touristy. At lunchtime on the weekend, there was almost no one there. (Original) L'un des plus beaux sites historiques de Bali et pourtant peu touristique. Le midi en weekend, il n'y avait quasiment personne

(Translated by Google) Cool place (Original) Keren tempatnya