Most visitors to Bali never make it past Seminyak and Ubud, which means the highland villages of central Bali remain genuinely quiet by comparison. Baturiti, a kecamatan (district) in Tabanan Regency sitting at around 1,200 meters above sea level, is one of those places that rewards the traveler willing to point a car north.
The air is noticeably cooler, the landscape shifts from rice paddies to mountain lakes and misty forests, and the pace drops to something that feels entirely different from the coast. SatuSatu, a locally run Bali travel platform, was built for exactly this kind of travel: getting off the tourist track and into the real island.
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
📍 Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan, about 2 hours from Seminyak
💰 Entry from IDR 75,000 per adult
🕐 7:00am to 7:00pm daily
👥 Best For All travelers, from first-timers to repeat Bali visitors
✨ What Makes It Special A multi-tiered Hindu temple that appears to float on the surface of Lake Beratan, one of the most photographed scenes in all of Indonesia
This is the image that defines the Baturiti region for most travelers, and in person it genuinely lives up to the pictures. Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a water temple dedicated to the Goddess Dewi Danu, who is believed to govern the lakes and rivers that irrigate Bali’s terraced fields.
It sits at the edge of Lake Beratan, and on calm mornings the reflection in the water creates the impression that the pagoda towers are rising directly from the lake’s surface. The surrounding gardens are well maintained, with mountains framing the backdrop and mist rolling off the water in the early hours.
The temple is most beautiful before 9:00am, when the light is soft and the crowds are smaller. Late afternoon can also be lovely if the weather cooperates, though Baturiti’s highland position means cloud cover and drizzle are common by mid-afternoon, especially during the wet season.
Come prepared with a light jacket regardless of what the forecast says, and wear or bring a sarong for respectful access to temple areas.
Kebun Raya Bali (Bali Botanical Garden)
📍 Jl. Kebun Raya No.7, Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan
💰 IDR 15,500 on weekdays, IDR 25,500 on weekends
🕐 8:00am to 4:00pm daily
👥 Best For Families, nature lovers, and anyone wanting a peaceful walk away from the crowds
✨ What Makes It Special Over 2,000 species of plants spread across a vast hillside garden, including one of Indonesia’s most impressive orchid collections
Kebun Raya Bali is one of the most underrated attractions in all of Bali. The botanical garden spans a substantial stretch of hillside and valley near Candikuning, showcasing a remarkable range of plant life: orchids, bamboo groves, towering banyan trees, carnivorous plants, cacti, and an entire section dedicated to vanilla and cocoa cultivation.
It takes a leisurely two to three hours to walk through properly, and the cool mountain air makes the exercise pleasant even in the middle of the day.
The orchid collection is genuinely impressive and best appreciated slowly. There is also a small on-site café where you can try Kopi Luwak and other local coffees at prices far more reasonable than you will find in Seminyak.
Families with children tend to enjoy the wide open grassy spaces, which are perfect for picnics. The garden is located right next to the Bedugul traditional market, making it easy to combine both into a single morning visit.
Handara Gate and Golf Resort
📍 Desa Pancasari, Baturiti area, Tabanan
💰 IDR 50,000 entry to photograph the gate
🕐 8:00am to 4:00pm daily
👥 Best For Photography enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone who wants that iconic Bali highland shot
✨ What Makes It Special A striking traditional Balinese gate set against a backdrop of pine-forested mountains and often wrapped in morning mist
Few spots in Bali have become as unexpectedly famous as the Handara Gate. Originally the entrance to Handara Golf and Resort, built in the 1970s, the gate’s dramatic paduraksa (split gate) design framed against its misty mountain setting turned it into one of the most sought-after photo locations in the country.
The gate itself is classic Balinese stonework, and the surrounding landscape, dense pines and cool air with clouds drifting through, gives it an atmosphere unlike anything you will find in coastal Bali.
The golf resort behind it is a real, functioning 18-hole course, which means if you want to stay the night in the area, Handara Golf and Resort is a legitimate option with mountain views and a very different character from the pool villas of Seminyak.
For most visitors though, a stop to photograph the gate and breathe in the cool air is the purpose of the visit. Arrive before 9:00am if possible; the mist is thicker and the light more magical in the early hours.
Strawberry Picking at Bali Strawberry Farm
📍 Jl. Raya Baturiti, Batunya, Baturiti, Tabanan
💰 Around IDR 75,000 per kilogram picked
🕐 8:00am to 5:00pm (closed Thursday and Friday)
👥 Best For Families with children, food lovers, and anyone who wants a genuinely local Bali highland experience
✨ What Makes It Special You can pick your own strawberries directly from the rows in Baturiti’s cool, fertile volcanic soil, something completely impossible anywhere near Bali’s coastal heat
This is one of those experiences that sounds simple and turns out to be genuinely enjoyable. Strawberries grow beautifully in Baturiti’s highland climate, and several local farms invite visitors to walk the rows with a basket and pick fruit fresh from the vine.
The taste difference between these highland strawberries and anything bought at a supermarket is substantial. At Bali Strawberry Farm, you pay by the kilogram for what you pick, and there is an on-site restaurant serving strawberry-based dishes and fresh juices.
It is not an activity that takes the whole day, but it makes a lovely add-on between Ulun Danu and the botanical garden. Children find it particularly engaging, and the novelty of harvesting tropical fruit in cool mountain air tends to stick in the memory long after more polished tourist attractions fade.
Note that the farm is closed on Thursdays and Fridays, so plan accordingly.
Bedugul Traditional Market (Pasar Bedugul)
📍 Jl. Kebun Raya, Candikuning, near the entrance to Kebun Raya Bali
💰 Free to browse; prices vary by stall
🕐 Morning hours (best before 10:00am)
👥 Best For Anyone wanting a genuine local market experience, souvenir hunters, and food curious travelers
✨ What Makes It Special A vibrant highland market selling fresh highland produce, local snacks, and Balinese crafts in the kind of setting that feels genuinely lived-in rather than tourist-facing
The market at Candikuning is a real working market, not a staged attraction. Local farmers bring highland produce here early each morning: strawberries, passion fruit, snake beans, cabbages, and tropical fruits that you will not easily find in the south.
There is also a lively section selling Balinese crafts, sarongs, keychains, and local snacks. The colourful displays and the noise of vendors and locals doing their weekly shopping makes it a satisfying contrast to the quiet serenity of the temple and garden.
Bargaining is expected and part of the experience. Arrive as early as possible, ideally before 9:00am, for the freshest produce and the most atmospheric buzz. It is also worth trying the local snacks here, particularly anything involving the fresh local strawberries, which often appear in drinks and pastries sold by the stalls.
Explore Baturiti Further with SatuSatu
The highlands of Baturiti are most comfortably explored with your own transport, since the sites are spread across the district and public options are limited. SatuSatu’s Airport Transfer gets you from Ngurah Rai directly to your accommodation in the Baturiti or Bedugul area with fixed pricing and no surprises.
For a day trip into the highlands from the coast, SatuSatu’s Exclusive Car Charter gives you a dedicated driver who knows the mountain roads, flexible timing to match early-morning mist at Ulun Danu or a leisurely afternoon at the botanical garden, and the freedom to linger wherever you please. Book on SatuSatu.com
No visit to Bali is complete without the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu, one of the island’s most iconic cultural performances held at sunset on a clifftop stage. It is perfectly bookable on SatuSatu.com if you want to combine a highland day trip with an evening spectacle back in the south.
SatuSatu also offers the Bali Lovina Dolphin Tour, which pairs beautifully with a Baturiti highland day for travelers spending time in the northern part of the island. This early morning dolphin watching excursion in the calm waters off Lovina is bookable directly on SatuSatu.com
All bookings support local payment methods including BCA, Mandiri, OVO, DANA, credit cards, and more.
FAQ about Baturiti Bali
What is Baturiti known for in Bali?
Baturiti is the administrative district that encompasses the highland area around Bedugul, Lake Beratan, and Candikuning. It is known for its cool climate, Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple, the Bali Botanical Garden, strawberry farms, and scenic mountain landscapes that offer a complete contrast to Bali’s southern coast.
How far is Baturiti from Seminyak or Kuta?
The drive from Seminyak or Kuta is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic, following the main road north through Mengwi and Bedugul. It is a comfortable day trip distance and does not require an overnight stay unless you want to explore the area more slowly.
What is the weather like in Baturiti?
Expect average temperatures around 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, significantly cooler than Bali’s coast. Cloud cover and rain are common in the afternoon, especially during the wet season (October to March). Always bring a light jacket and waterproof layer.
Is Baturiti suitable for a day trip from south Bali?
Absolutely. Most visitors combine Ulun Danu temple, the botanical garden, and the strawberry farms into a single day trip, leaving the coast in the morning and returning in the evening. A private car charter makes this much easier than trying to navigate the mountain roads independently.
What is the best time to visit Baturiti?
Early morning is the most rewarding time for the temple and the Handara Gate, when mist covers the lake and light is softest. The dry season from April to October gives the most reliable weather for photography, though the highland area can be visited year-round.