Our third and final stop today: Tirta Gangga. A name that might sound a bit mysterious, but as soon as you walk around here, you understand why this is one of the most beautiful places in East Bali. This former royal palace is especially known for its photogenic water gardens full of fountains, ponds and… lots of fish. It feels like an oasis of peace in the middle of the greenery. After a day full of impressions, this was the perfect ending for us. Just breathe, walk around and enjoy the rippling water around you.
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A bit of history about the Tirta Gangga water palace
Tirta Gangga was built in 1946 by the last king of Karangasem, but it was only really opened to the public in the 1970s, after renovation and restoration of damage from the Mount Agung eruption in 1963. Since then it has grown into one of the most popular attractions in East Bali.
The palace is located at the foot of the sacred mountain Mount Agung, and is named after the Ganges River in India. “Tirta” means holy water in Sanskrit, and that fits the place perfectly. The springs located on the grounds here are considered sacred by the local population. Some pools are still used for rituals and purification ceremonies. You regularly see local families with offerings, flowers and incense who come to pray and wash in the spring water in the traditional way. So the palace itself is not only a tourist magnet, but also a place with spiritual significance for the Balinese.
Feed the fish and walk across the famous stepping stones
As soon as you walk through the main entrance, your eye immediately falls on the famous round pond with large colorful koi carp. They swim in groups through the clear water and immediately catch your attention. In the middle of the pond lie the famous stepping stones: large flat stones you can walk across. Super fun to do, because this way you literally find yourself among the fish. For most people it’s a matter of finding a quiet moment for the perfect photo. But this usually goes pretty quickly.
Jacco of course couldn’t resist feeding the fish. At the entrance building you can buy a bag of fish food for a few thousand rupiah. As soon as you throw that in the water, it’s a real bustle: dozens of fish come rushing to the food and splash happily to grab a bite. For children (and adults with a childlike spirit, like us) this is really a highlight.
What else can you see?
Tirta Gangga is more than just that one pond. The grounds cover about 1.2 hectares and consist of multiple levels with fountains, ponds, statues, plants and walkways. There are traditional Balinese statues of gods and mythical creatures, including dragons and demons, that protect the water according to Hindu belief. The large fountain in the middle of the park, with multiple tiers, is a real eye-catcher and symbol of balance and harmony.
There is also a separate swimming area where you can take a dip yourself in clear, refreshing spring water. This pool is fed by the same natural springs as the ritual pools, but is intended for recreational use. So definitely bring your swimwear if you want to experience this. Around it you will find benches and walls where you can sit for a while and enjoy the view. Everything is beautifully laid out symmetrically, which also makes the park very photogenic.
You can also take a small boat ride. I wouldn’t recommend it. I saw this mainly people doing who found the pictures for social media more important than the ride itself.
Our experience: time for a drink and a nice stopover
What we liked so much about Tirta Gangga is that it is a place where you really come to rest. After the hustle and bustle of larger temples like Pura Besakih, this was a welcome change. The water, the greenery, the peaceful atmosphere and a nice drink on the terrace: here you can easily stay for a while!
We walked around quietly, stepped across the stones between the fish, took lots of photos and sat on a bench with a view of the ponds for a while. I was of course busy feeding the fish. It costs a penny and the fish are at least very grateful!
Practical info about Tirta Gangga
A visit to Tirta Gangga is easy to plan if you are staying in East Bali or heading that way. It is located all the way in the east of Bali, far from the busiest areas. But it is cool to discover the other side of Bali, far from the crowds!
- Location: Tirta Gangga is located in the Karangasem region, on the east side of Bali, about 2 hours drive from Ubud or 30 minutes from Amed.
- Opening hours: daily from 08:00 to 18:00
- Entrance fee: about 30,000 IDR per person (€2)
- Fish food: available at the entrance for a few thousand IDR (approx. €0.25)
- Swimming: allowed in the separate pool for a small surcharge (approx. 10,000 IDR)
- Food & drinks: there is a restaurant on the grounds with a view over the gardens and ponds. You can have a good lunch here or get a refreshing drink. Tip: treat your driver to a drink here, he’ll appreciate it!
- Facilities: toilets, changing rooms, souvenir shops
Tip: combine the Tirta Gangga water palace with other stops in East Bali
We visited Tirta Gangga as part of a day trip with a driver (recommended!). This way you can combine multiple beautiful places in East Bali and set your own pace. In Bali it is very normal to go out with a private driver (book a tour here for example). You can easily ask for it at your hotel or the first taxi you take in Bali (if they don’t ask you themselves). You can also use apps like the Grab app. This way we could combine the temple with other sights in East Bali. That makes your day nicely varied and you can move on right away when you’re done.
This is how we did our day trip:
- Pura Besakih — Bali’s largest and holiest temple, also called the Mother Temple. Impressive and grand.
- Penglipuran Village: The village Penglipuran Village (also called Sangeh Traditional Village) is a village on Bali where you step back into history, but with real people.
More to do:
- Lempuyang Temple: known from the ‘Gates of Heaven’, where you look through a gate with Mount Agung in the background. Do keep in mind that this is very touristy and you may have to stand in line for hours for the perfect photo
- Waterfalls: there are multiple waterfalls nearby. So if you’re a fan and plan a route, check Google Maps or ask your driver! This didn’t fit in our day schedule.
Where to stay near Tirta Gangga?
Want to stay overnight nearby? You can! Here three recommendations for every budget:
- Budget: Aashaya Jasri Resort – Small and cozy resort 10 minutes drive away, with pool and quiet garden. From about €30 per night.
- Mid-range: AlamGangga Villas Tirta Gangga – Cozy villas with pool and garden, large terrace with rice field views — from approx. €55 per night.
- Luxury: Alila Manggis – Stylish seaside resort with wellness and infinity pool, about 25 minutes from Tirta Gangga. From about €150 per night.
Stay in a dream villa in Lempuyang
We ourselves ended the day a bit further away from Sangeh Traditional Village, namely in Lempuyang. We stayed at the Lempuyang Boutique Hotel, which rightly has the nickname Dream villa. And it was: a villa with a view of rice fields and Mount Agung in the distance. We jumped into the pool, got a bottle of Italian wine from the house, had a romantic dinner and slept under the stars.
