Most visitors to Bali spend their entire trip within a few kilometres of the coast, never discovering that a completely different Bali exists just an hour north. Bedugul, a highland area in the Tabanan and Buleleng regencies of central Bali, sits at around 1,500 metres above sea level — and the elevation changes everything. The air is cool and crisp, often misty in the mornings. The landscape is dominated by three crater lakes, dense tropical forest, terraced farmland, and the most photographed temple on the island.

From South Bali, Bedugul is roughly a two-hour drive. From Ubud, it's closer to one hour. The journey itself is scenic, climbing through rice fields and small villages before the temperature drops noticeably as you enter the highlands. Book your flights to Bali with Traveloka and add Bedugul to your itinerary — it's one of the island's most rewarding half-day trips.

The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, built in 1633 and dedicated to Dewi Danu, goddess of water, lakes, and rivers, sits at the edge of Lake Beratan in a setting of extraordinary beauty. The main multi-tiered meru (tower) appears to float on the lake's surface — particularly striking in early morning when mist rolls across the water and the surrounding mountains disappear into cloud. It's genuinely one of the most beautiful temple settings in all of Bali, and the surrounding gardens are well-maintained and pleasant to walk through. Entry fees apply for international visitors.

Bedugul sits within a caldera containing three interconnected crater lakes — Beratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan. Lake Beratan is the most developed and accessible. Lakes Buyan and Tamblingan, a short drive further north, are far more secluded and surrounded by dense jungle, offering kayaking, trekking, and the kind of quiet that's increasingly hard to find in Bali. The twin lake viewpoint between Buyan and Tamblingan provides one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Bali, especially on clear days. Explore activities and day trips in Bali's highlands through Traveloka.

| Attraction | Highlights | Distance from Beratan | |---|---|---| | Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | Floating temple, lake views | On-site | | Lake Buyan & Tamblingan | Twin crater lakes, jungle trekking | 15 min | | Bali Botanical Garden | 15,000+ plant species, orchid house | 5 min | | Strawberry picking farms | Fresh highland strawberries | 10 min | | Candikuning Market | Flowers, spices, local produce | On-site | | Handara Golf Course | Famous Instagram gate | 20 min | | Jatiluwih Rice Terraces | UNESCO-listed terraces | 40 min | | ATV rides around caldera | Off-road highland adventures | 15 min | | Batur Hot Springs (Kintamani) | Volcanic hot spring pools | 45 min | | Pura Luhur Batukaru | Remote sacred temple, jungle | 45 min |

Bali's only botanical garden covers 157 hectares of highland forest and contains over 15,000 plant species including rare orchids, towering conifers, and medicinal plants. It's one of the largest botanical gardens in Southeast Asia and feels genuinely immersive — more forest walk than manicured park. A dedicated orchid house and a cactus collection are among the highlights. It's also remarkably uncrowded compared to the temple, and the coolness of the highland air makes extended walking very comfortable.

The market at the base of Ulun Danu Beratan is Bali's best highland produce market — stalls piled with fragrant orchids, tropical flowers, fresh vegetables, local spices, and the highland specialty: strawberries. Bedugul's cool climate makes it one of the few places in Bali where strawberries thrive, and roadside farms allow visitors to pick their own fruit directly. The combination of fresh strawberries, misty mountain air, and the backdrop of Lake Beratan makes this a genuinely delightful experience. Book your airport transfer in Bali through Traveloka and start your highland adventure from the moment you land.

Bedugul works perfectly as a full-day trip from South Bali or Ubud — leave early, catch the temple in the morning mist, explore the botanical garden and lakes through midday, pick strawberries at lunch, and return south by late afternoon. Find flights to Bali, book hotels in Ubud for the most convenient Bedugul base, and check Traveloka deals — highland Bali has been hiding in plain sight, and it's always worth the drive. Download the Traveloka app on Google Play or the App Store.