Hotels near Pura Taman Saraswati

Pura Taman Saraswati is a water temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess of learning and the arts, tucked just off the main road behind a stunning lotus pond. The temple was designed in the 1950s by the legendary Balinese architect and artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, and its ornate stone carvings are considered among the finest in Ubud. The front lotus pond, filled with pink and white blooms, frames the temple's ornamental gate in one of the most photographed compositions in town.

Entry to the temple grounds is free, making it one of the best value Ubud sightseeing stops. The inner courtyard features detailed relief carvings of Saraswati, Garuda, and other mythological figures. Several evenings per week, traditional dance performances are staged on the open-air stage fronting the lotus pond - tickets run IDR 100,000 (€5.50) and the setting, with dancers reflected in the water, is magical. During the day, the Starbucks and Lotus Cafe on the temple's entrance path offer lotus-pond seating for a drink.

Pro Tip: The lotus flowers are fullest and most photogenic in the morning. For the dance performance, book ahead and arrive 15 minutes early for front-row pond-side seats. The temple is an active place of worship - dress respectfully and stay quiet near the inner shrines.