Set in the cool highlands of Bedugul, this mountain region offers a very different side of Bali from the beaches and coastal towns you may already know.
Here, you’ll find calm lakes surrounded by forested hills, fresh mountain air, scenic viewpoints, botanical gardens, and some of the island’s most photogenic cultural landmarks. It’s one of the best areas to slow down, enjoy nature, and experience a quieter rhythm of Bali.
Because many of Bedugul’s highlights are located close to each other, you can explore several beautiful stops in a single relaxed day trip if you plan your route well.
Here’s a curated list of the best things to do in Bedugul to help you organize your visit smoothly and make the most of your time in this scenic highland region.
1. Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
The most iconic place to visit in Bedugul is without question Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, a lakeside Hindu temple complex that appears to float on the calm surface of Lake Beratan. Surrounded by mountain scenery and cool highland air, the temple creates one of the most recognizable landscapes in Bali and is often considered a highlight of any Central or North Bali route.
Originally dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of lakes and water, the temple reflects the deep connection between Balinese spirituality and nature. The setting becomes especially beautiful in the early morning when mist still lingers over the lake and the gardens around the temple remain quiet.
This stop works well as the main anchor point of your Bedugul visit because it combines cultural heritage, scenic photography opportunities, and an easy walking environment around landscaped lakeside grounds.
Helpful planning tips for your visit:
- Best visited in the morning before tour traffic increases
- Ideal photography conditions often appear between 8 AM and 10 AM
- Comfortable walking paths make the area suitable for families
- Usually requires around 45 to 60 minutes to explore comfortably
- Pairs naturally with Bali Botanic Garden and Candi Kuning Market nearby
2. Enjoy the Lakeside Atmosphere Around Lake Beratan
While many visitors focus mainly on the temple complex, spending time around Lake Beratan itself is one of the most relaxing things you can do in Bedugul. The lake sits at about 1,200 meters above sea level, which gives the entire area its refreshing mountain climate and peaceful atmosphere.
Along the lakeshore, you will find open viewpoints, garden areas, and optional boating experiences that allow you to enjoy the scenery from the water. On clear days, the reflections of surrounding hills create a calm and almost cinematic landscape that feels very different from Bali’s southern coastline.
Simple experiences you can enjoy around the lake include:
- Renting a traditional paddle boat for a short ride
- Walking through lakeside garden areas near the temple complex
- Taking panoramic photos with mountain backdrops
- Enjoying cooler temperatures compared to lowland Bali
- Stopping at nearby cafés with lake-facing seating
Because the lake sits directly along the main Bedugul route, it works naturally as the central stop within a relaxed half-day or full-day highland itinerary.
3. Explore Bali Botanic Garden (Kebun Raya Bali)
Located just a few minutes from the lake area, Bali Botanic Garden is the largest botanical garden on the island and one of the best places in Bali to enjoy a quiet forest-like environment at higher elevation. Covering more than 150 hectares, the garden protects native mountain vegetation while also offering open lawns, orchid collections, bamboo forests, and shaded walking roads.
Because the area sits at a higher altitude than most popular destinations in Bali, the air here feels noticeably cooler and fresher, which makes it especially pleasant for slow exploration walks or relaxed picnic stops.
Inside the botanical garden you can explore:
- Orchid conservation areas featuring tropical highland species
- Tall bamboo groves and rainforest style walking paths
- Scenic open lawns suitable for short breaks
- The Bali Treetop Adventure Park activity zone
- Quiet photography spots surrounded by mountain vegetation
Most visitors spend between one and two hours here depending on whether they prefer a short scenic stop or a longer nature walk experience.
The botanical garden pairs especially well with Ulun Danu Beratan Temple as part of the same Bedugul exploration route.
4. Visit the Twin Lakes Viewpoint (Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan)
One of the most scenic viewpoints near Bedugul overlooks the famous Twin Lakes of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan, located just a short drive west of the main Bedugul center. From elevated roadside viewpoints in this area, you can see both lakes resting inside a wide green volcanic basin surrounded by forested hills.
Because this region remains less developed than southern Bali, the scenery here feels more natural and untouched. Morning visits are especially rewarding when mist still moves across the lake surfaces and visibility gradually opens into panoramic views.
The Twin Lakes viewpoint area is ideal if you enjoy:
- panoramic photography stops
- cooler mountain air experiences
- short scenic roadside viewpoints
- quiet nature landscapes away from busy areas
- combining Bedugul with Wanagiri viewpoints and North Bali routes
You can also include this stop when continuing their journey toward waterfalls in the Munduk region or scenic viewpoints near Wanagiri.
5. Swim at Banyumala Twin Waterfall
If you would like to add a light adventure experience to your Bedugul route, visiting Banyumala Twin Waterfall is one of the most rewarding options nearby. Located along the northern slope below the Bedugul highlands, this waterfall is known for its symmetrical twin streams and clear natural pool that is suitable for swimming during normal conditions.
Compared with many waterfalls in Bali that require longer trekking access, Banyumala offers a relatively manageable walking trail while still maintaining a peaceful natural setting surrounded by forest.
Visitors often enjoy this stop because it offers:
- one of the most photogenic waterfalls in North Bali
- a clear freshwater swimming pool
- a quieter atmosphere compared to southern waterfalls
- shaded walking paths through tropical vegetation
- a refreshing break after visiting Bedugul’s lake area
For smoother visit, you can plan around 60 to 90 minutes for this stop including walking time and swimming breaks.
Banyumala pairs especially well with Twin Lakes viewpoints if you continue your route toward the northern highland waterfall region.
6. Visit The Blooms Garden for Scenic Flower Landscapes
Located on the hillside above Bedugul, The Blooms Garden is a landscaped garden complex known for its wide flower fields, viewpoint terraces, and creative photo installations overlooking the highland scenery. The park combines ornamental gardens with elevated walking areas, making it one of the most visually distinctive stops in the Bedugul region.
Because of its hillside location, the garden offers wide open views toward surrounding valleys and mountain ridges. The cooler climate in this part of Bali also helps flowers bloom more consistently compared to lowland areas.
Visitors usually enjoy this stop for:
- colorful seasonal flower gardens across multiple terraces
- panoramic viewpoints facing forested highlands
- curated photography spots placed throughout the park
- open walking paths suitable for relaxed exploration
- a peaceful atmosphere compared to busier southern attractions
You can spend around 45 to 75 minutes exploring the area depending on how many viewpoints they visit.
The Blooms Garden works especially well as a scenic stop between Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and the Twin Lakes viewpoint corridor.
7. Try Strawberry Picking at Local Bedugul Farms
One of the small but memorable experiences unique to the Bedugul highlands is visiting roadside strawberry farms scattered around the Candi Kuning area. Thanks to the region’s cooler mountain climate, strawberries grow well here and have become part of Bedugul’s agricultural identity.
Many visitors enjoy stopping briefly at these farms to pick fresh strawberries directly from the fields or to try simple strawberry-based drinks prepared by local vendors.
Typical experiences include:
- short strawberry picking sessions at family-run farms
- fresh strawberry milkshakes and juice stops
- buying locally grown fruit as travel snacks
- quick roadside photo opportunities in farm areas
- relaxed countryside stops between main attractions
Because farms are spread along the main Bedugul roadside corridor, this experience fits naturally between visits to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Bali Botanic Garden, and Candi Kuning Market.
It’s a simple stop, but it adds a very local touch to your Bedugul route.
8. Explore Candi Kuning Traditional Market
If you would like to see the agricultural side of the Bedugul region more closely, visiting Candi Kuning Market offers a glimpse into the local produce culture of Bali’s highland communities. Unlike souvenir-focused markets in southern Bali, this traditional market is known mainly for fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers grown in the surrounding mountain area.
Because Bedugul supplies much of Bali’s cooler-climate produce, the market often reflects what is currently harvested in nearby farms.
Visitors commonly stop here to:
- see seasonal fruits grown in the Bedugul highlands
- buy strawberries, passion fruit, or local vegetables
- explore traditional spice displays
- observe daily market activity used by local residents
- pick up small edible souvenirs before continuing their route
This market works best as a short 20 to 30 minute stop and is located conveniently close to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and the strawberry farm corridor.
9. Relax at Rumah Gemuk Bali with Lake Views
For travelers who enjoy scenic dining stops or relaxed photography locations, Rumah Gemuk Bali offers one of the most elevated viewpoints facing Lake Beratan. The venue combines a glasshouse-style café setting with open garden areas overlooking the lakeside landscape below.
Because of its slightly higher elevation compared to the main roadside area near the temple complex, Rumah Gemuk provides a wider panoramic perspective of the lake and surrounding hills.
Many visitors include this stop for:
- elevated views of Lake Beratan from a quieter angle
- relaxed coffee or lunch breaks during a Bedugul route
- curated garden-style photography locations
- cooler highland air compared to coastal destinations
- a comfortable midpoint rest stop between attractions
This location fits especially well after visiting Ulun Danu Beratan Temple before continuing toward Twin Lakes viewpoints or Banyumala Waterfall.
10. Visit The Silas Agrotourism Park for Outdoor Activities
If you are exploring Bedugul with family members or prefer adding light outdoor activities to your route, The Silas Agrotourism offers a combination of countryside experiences in a single location surrounded by highland scenery. The park blends small-scale adventure activities with agricultural landscapes typical of the Bedugul region.
Because the area is more spacious than most roadside stops, it works well as a longer break within a full-day Bedugul exploration plan.
Visitors can enjoy activities such as:
- short ATV-style countryside riding tracks
- fishing ponds within landscaped farm environments
- simple boating activities in calm water areas
- walking through vegetable and plantation zones
- relaxed family-friendly outdoor exploration spaces
The Silas Agrotourism is especially suitable if your Bedugul visit is part of a slower-paced Central or North Bali route rather than a quick scenic drive-through.
Planning Your Bedugul Visit in a Smooth and Enjoyable Way
With its cool mountain atmosphere, scenic lakes, botanical landscapes, waterfalls, and countryside experiences, Bedugul offers one of the most refreshing nature-focused day trip routes you can include in your Bali itinerary, especially if you want to explore beyond the island’s coastal areas.
If you are planning to visit Bedugul as part of a Central or North Bali travel route, Bali Island Vacations can help you arrange a comfortable and well-paced trip that connects the lakes, viewpoints, gardens, and nearby waterfalls into one smooth experience without rushing between stops.
You may continue exploring more curated ideas for planning your trip across the island by browsing our complete collection of Things to Do in Bali destination guides below
- 20+ Top Things to Do in Bali with Family You’ll Love
- 20 Things to Do in Ubud When You Want a Deeper Bali Experience
- 14 Best Things to Do in Seminyak: Bali’s Most Lively Coastal Area
- 15 Best Things to Do in Uluwatu for Beaches, Sunsets, and Unforgettable Experiences
- 12 Best Things to Do in Sanur Bali for a Relaxing Sunrise Beach Escape
FAQ About Visiting Bedugul
Where is Bedugul located in Bali?
Bedugul is located in the central highland region of Bali, about 1.5 to 2 hours from popular areas like Ubud, Seminyak, and Canggu depending on traffic conditions. The area sits around Lake Beratan and serves as a gateway route toward North Bali destinations such as Munduk and the Twin Lakes region.
Is Bedugul worth visiting in Bali?
Yes, Bedugul is worth visiting if you enjoy mountain scenery, lakeside landscapes, botanical gardens, and cooler weather compared to southern Bali. It is especially popular among travelers who want to see iconic locations like Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and combine them with waterfalls and scenic viewpoints in Central and North Bali.
What is Bedugul famous for?
Bedugul is famous for its lakeside temple at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, the cool climate of Lake Beratan, the large Bali Botanic Garden, nearby Twin Lakes viewpoints overlooking Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan, and its roadside strawberry farms that reflect the region’s agricultural character.
How long should you spend in Bedugul?
Most travelers spend around half a day to a full day exploring Bedugul depending on how many nearby stops they include. A shorter visit usually focuses on Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Bali Botanic Garden, while a full-day trip often adds Twin Lakes viewpoints and waterfalls such as Banyumala Twin Waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Bedugul?
The best time to visit Bedugul is in the morning between 8 AM and 11 AM when the lake area is usually clearer and less crowded. Morning visits also offer cooler temperatures and better visibility around Lake Beratan and the surrounding mountain viewpoints.
Is Bedugul colder than other parts of Bali?
Yes, Bedugul is noticeably cooler than most coastal areas in Bali because it sits at a higher elevation of around 1,200 meters above sea level. Temperatures are typically several degrees lower than places like Kuta or Seminyak, so bringing a light jacket is usually recommended.
Can you visit Bedugul on a day trip in Bali?
Yes, Bedugul is one of the most popular day trip destinations in Bali and is commonly combined with stops at Wanagiri viewpoints, Banyumala Twin Waterfall, or scenic highland villages such as Munduk as part of a Central to North Bali travel route.
