Things to do near Tirta Empul
Tampaksiring has more than the spring temple. Within the same area you find the rock shrines of Gunung Kawi, the bathing temple of Pura Mengening and the presidential palace on the hill above. Further away are the Tegallalang rice terraces. Together they make a sensible day around the water temple, and a few tours already combine them.
Most of these places charge their own entrance fee, and the temple ticket does not cover any of them. Travel times between the sights vary with traffic, so ask your driver which order suits your day.
Our take: temples around Tirta Empul
One tour pairs the ritual with Gunung Kawi, another links three temples in one day with the entrances included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-temple day tour with entrances
- Air-conditioned transport
- English-speaking driver
- Entrance fees
- Parking
- Water
Meals and tips are extra. This tour has only a few reviews so far.
Check availability →
Day tour with melukat at Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup (south and central Bali)
- Guided melukat at Tirta Empul
- Sarong for the ritual
- All entrance fees (except the option without ticket)
- Coffee plantation tasting
- Water, parking and fuel
Meals, a change of clothes, premium coffee and tips are extra.
Check availability →Tours that combine Tirta Empul with nearby sights
Day trips that add Gunung Kawi or other stops to the water temple, with live prices and availability.
Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring
Shrines cut into the rock face.
Gunung Kawi is a complex of shrines carved into the rock walls of the Pakerisan valley. You reach it down a long run of steps, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for the climb back. From Ubud it is roughly 13 km and 30 to 40 minutes by road.
Foreign visitors pay 75,000 IDR for adults and 50,000 IDR for children aged 5 to 11, and children under 5 are free. Some older listings show lower amounts, so check the price at the ticket counter. Do not confuse this site with Gunung Kawi Sebatu, which is a different temple.
Pura Mengening
Pura Mengening is its own temple and bathing place in Banjar Saraseda, Tampaksiring. Foreign adults pay 30,000 IDR and children 15,000 IDR, with children under 5 free. It is usually open from about 7 am to 7 pm. Several places in Buleleng share the name, so make sure you are heading to the one in Tampaksiring.
Tampaksiring Presidential Palace
The presidential palace stands above the water temple. It is not part of the Tirta Empul ticket. Visits are not possible at all times, so ask the palace administration before you go and do not plan your day around entering.
Tegallalang and Kintamani
Two longer detours.
The Tegallalang terraces are about 20 minutes from the temple and are described on our Tegallalang rice terrace page. For the volcano area around Kintamani, there is a separate guide with things to do around Mount Batur.
To plan the day, our Ubud tours page compares full-day trips, and how to get to Tirta Empul shows the routes by car and scooter.
Putting the stops together
How the nearby sights relate to the water temple.
Gunung Kawi belongs to the same area as Tirta Empul, and two tours here pair them. One half-day trip covers the purification ritual at the temple and then Gunung Kawi, with sarong rental for the ritual, a driver-guide, an air-conditioned vehicle and pick-up in South and Central Bali. Bring your own change of clothes for after the ritual. Another full-day route visits Goa Gajah, Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi with entrance fees and parking included.
Because Gunung Kawi involves many steps, many visitors do the temple first and keep the stairs for later in the day, though the order is up to you and your driver. At every site, dress respectfully and follow the local rules. Inner and middle sacred areas are generally closed to foreign visitors except for prayer in traditional dress.
Wear a sarong and sash at the water temple, avoid the busiest hours of about 10 am to 2 pm if you can, and remember that a levy for tourists is separate from any temple ticket. You can read more in our opening hours guide and the purification ritual page.
Frequently asked questions
What can I see near Tirta Empul?
In Tampaksiring there are Gunung Kawi, Pura Mengening and the presidential palace above the temple. The Tegallalang rice terraces are about 20 minutes away.
Does the Tirta Empul ticket include Gunung Kawi?
No. Each site charges its own entrance fee, and the palace is not part of the temple ticket either.
Is Gunung Kawi the same as Gunung Kawi Sebatu?
No. The rock shrines in Tampaksiring are a different place from Gunung Kawi Sebatu.
Can I visit the presidential palace?
Visits are not possible at all times. Ask the palace administration in advance if you want to know whether a visit can be arranged.