Tanah Lot
Pura Tanah Lot · Bali, Indonesia (Tabanan Regency)
A temple on a rock in the sea, surrounded by water at high tide — Bali's most famous sunset spot.
Know before you go
- Don't climb the barriers into the temple
- by local custom, menstruating women don't enter temple grounds
- don't step on offerings (canang sari) on the ground
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
A holy man rested on the rock
Legend has it that the 16th-century religious figure Nirartha, deeply influenced by Hinduism, travelled through Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa spreading his teaching, and on the way spent a night on this rock in the sea. The founding of Tanah Lot is attributed to him, and today he himself is worshipped there.
Source: Wikipedia: Tanah Lot
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Tanah Lot is a group of Hindu temples on Bali's coast whose founding is attributed to the 16th-century religious figure Dang Hyang Nirartha: legend says that while travelling the islands he spent a night on this rock in the sea, and he is worshipped here today. Years of wave erosion weakened the rock, and it was later reinforced with Japanese funding; today more than a third of the rock is in fact artificial reinforcement.
Local customs
- Only worshippers may enter the temple itself
- visitors can walk to the foot of the rock from the shore at low tide and receive a blessing at the holy spring
Religion & beliefs
- Balinese Hinduism
- dedicated to the sea god.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Nyepi in Bali: a whole day of island-wide silence
- Stay in your accommodation all day, lights off and quiet
- Adjust flights and check-in or check-out dates in advance
- Going out into the street or to the beach
- Booking flights in or out of Bali on that day
Everyone on the island, including tourists, must comply; I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport closes for the whole day.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Indonesia travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't climb the barriers into the temple
- by local custom, menstruating women don't enter temple grounds
- don't step on offerings (canang sari) on the ground
Locals appreciate DO
Balinese appreciate visitors who don't climb the barriers and quietly make way during ceremonies.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Sunset |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 1.5 hours |
Travel tips
- Arrive before sunset — it gets very crowded, so claim a spot early
- at high tide you can't walk to the foot of the rock
- combine with nearby Pura Batu Bolong
Sources & verification notes
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