Tirta Gangga Water Palace: Honest Review and Guide
What To Expect At Tirta Gangga Water Palace
Looking for an unforgettable place to go in East Bali? Let me take you on a journey through the beautiful Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a remarkable place that captured my heart during my two-week exploration of Amed and its surroundings.
After visiting numerous attractions in the area – from the Lahangan Sweet viewpoint to the spiritual Lempuyang Temple – I can confidently say that Tirta Gangga offers something truly special.
Having spent an entire day discovering these sites of this region, I’m excited to share my first-hand experience of this royal water garden, including everything you need to know about entrance fees, the best photo spots, and whether it’s truly worth adding to your Bali itinerary.
It’s a piece of Balinese history wrapped in stunning architecture and peaceful gardens.
I’ll walk you through everything that makes Tirta Gangga unique, from its beautiful fountains to its legendary stepping stones, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your visit to this remarkable attraction.
Planning a trip to Amed? Read my posts below to plan your trip in full: Things To Do In Amed, Bali: 15 Brilliant Activities, How To Get To Amed, Bali and 12 BEST Hotels in Amed Bali: Where To Stay
Okay, now let’s get to it!
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Where Is Tirta Gangga Water Palace?
Tirta Gangga Water Palace is located in eastern Bali.
The nearest town is Ababi in County Abang, situated about 7 kilometres north of Amlapura (Karangasem District) and southeast of Mount Agung.
Many people visit Tirta Gangga Water Palace from Amed, the coastal town approximately 60 kilometres north of the palace.
How To Get To Tirta Gangga Palace?
When we visited Tirta Gangga Palace, we rented a private driver for the day.
You can expect to pay between 600,000 – 800,000 IDR for a driver for the day.
Thankfully, we visited Lahangan Sweet and some rice terraces, and I highly recommend you do the same to tick off all the major sites, which will leave you more time to be on Amed’s beautiful beaches.
The countryside is astonishingly beautiful around Tirta Gangga so I recommend you bring a camera to take some great photos. You can also ask the driver to stop at some beautiful viewpoints along the way.
Local drivers are familiar with the most scenic viewpoints along the route.
What Are The Opening Times?
The water palace is open every day from 08:00 AM until 06:00 PM.
For further details, check out the official website.
What Is The Tirta Gangga Water Palace Entrance Fee?
The cost to enter is 70,000 IDR per person.
I would also suggest you buy some fish food for an extra 5,000 IDR for a little more interactive experience once you get inside.
The fish are honestly gigantic, and to see their massive mouths coming up for some food is entertaining, to say the least!
What To Do In Tirta Gangga Water Palace?
The best things to do in Tirta Gangga include the following.
Mahaberata Pond, Nawa Sanga Fountain And The Lower Swimming Pool
Once you enter the complex, you will see Mahaberata Pond directly in front of you.
Here you can have fun by walking along the stepping stones and seeing plenty of fish move around.
The stonework is stunning, and that’s no exaggeration.
Nawa Sanga is a perfectly crafted fountain that sprays water into the air, and it doesn’t even look real.
Demon Island, The Bridges And The South Pond
You can walk across one of the bridges and onto Demon Island. You will be surrounded by the water of the south pond.
Below you will see huge numbers of colourful fish moving through the water. They are truly massive as tourists feed them every day.
Victoria Pond And Versailles Pond
While Victoria Pond is smaller, it’s interesting to see the lotuses around the area here.
Only meters further along this path, and you will arrive at Versailles Pond. Yes, you’ve guessed it, named after Versailles in France.
Upper Swimming Pool
Once you return the way you came, you can visit the upper pool where you’ll find the toilets and changing rooms.
There is another public toilet located directly to the left in the corner when you enter the complex. If you want to swim in the upper pool, thankfully, all the necessary facilities are available there.
Amphitheatre, Auditorium and Meditation Centre
At the west end of the complex, you will find the final attraction inside the royal palace.
When I visited, I found genuine peace in the meditation centre. There are numerous statues positioned in a circle, and here you won’t hear the noise of the crowds at the entrance.
I recommend you walk around and look at the beautiful architecture and stonework, which was built by the King, Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, in 1946.
The name comes from two words – “Tirta”, meaning holy water and “Gangga”, referring to India’s sacred Ganges River.
Still, and perhaps unsurprisingly, water is the star attraction in the royal palace, with its stunning pools, fountains, and water features making it a truly magical place to visit.
The amphitheatre and auditorium were closed during our visit, which was disappointing. I recommend checking its availability on the website before you go.
Does Tirta Gangga Have A Dress Code?
Unlike in other parts of Asia, there is no dress code to enter the palace.
I have seen people wear many different outfits without issue. That means shorts, bikinis, tank tops – whatever.
You can swim, take photos, and eat inside, and you don’t need to worry about dressing in a certain way to be guaranteed entry.
Best Photo Locations
The palace offers several stunning photo opportunities that will make your Instagram feed shine:
- The iconic stepping stones of Mahaberata Pond create perfect leading lines for photos
- The elegant Nawa Sanga Fountain provides a majestic backdrop, especially when its waters are dancing
- The ornate bridges offer both beautiful architectural shots and lovely reflections in the water below
- Early morning or late afternoon provides the best lighting conditions for photography
Pro tip: For the best shots of the stepping stones, position yourself at a slight angle rather than straight-on to capture both the stones and the beautiful fountain in the background.
Where To Stay Near Tirta Gangga Water Palace?
Tirta Ayu Hotel and Restaurant
Tirtagangga Water Palace Villas
Should I Book A Tirta Gangga Water Palace Tour?
After spending months travelling in Asia and experiencing many tours, I will say that they are a lifesaver.
Rather than having to think about every last detail for the day, simply book a trusted provider to do all the work for you.
I have listed some good options below for you to consider.
Bali: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour
Bali: Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga, and Temesi Waterfall
Bali: Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga and Pura Besakih Trip
What Are The Facilities Like?
Thankfully, there is a public toilet in the palace as well as a restaurant where you can eat should your tummy be rumbling.
You can purchase a souvenir from the shop too. There are also plenty of places to eat in the narrow street that leads down to the entrance.
You will try to be persuaded to enter these restaurants by all the staff.
When To Visit Tirat Gangga Water Palace?
Here’s what I learned from my experience: get there super early, around 8 AM when they first open.
Not only will you beat the crowds, but you’ll also get amazing photos with that beautiful morning light hitting the water features just right.
Try to avoid going between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM – that’s when all the tour buses show up and the place gets really packed.
Trust me, it’s way less fun when you’re fighting through crowds to get those Instagram-worthy shots! Which is exactly what we did!
If you can’t make it in the morning, try going around 4-5 PM. Most people will have cleared out by then, and you’ll get that nice golden afternoon light for photos if all goes well.
As for the best time of year, I’d recommend visiting between April and October when it’s the dry season. The weather’s better, and you won’t have to worry about rain ruining your visit.
If you do come during the wet season (November to March), just try to visit in the morning to dodge those afternoon rain showers.
When we visited in August, the weather was great, not too hot and no rain.
I would recommend you visit in August for the best weather.
Find out more about travel from Ubud to Amed in my other post.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Tirta Gangga Water Palace is a phenomenally beautiful place to explore.
Upon arriving at the palace, my first impression wasn’t great. The parking was extremely limited, and the streets were packed with visitors.
All things considered, once we made it inside, it was special. We bought fish food outside for 5,000 IDR, which was cheaper than inside, and it was heaps of fun to feed these huge fish.
The best part of Tirta Gangga Water Palace, in my opinion, is the stepping stones in the pond to the immediate right as you enter.
While it can be hard to move with so many people, it was like a little challenge to walk through such a beautiful setting and not end up in the water.
If I could visit again, I would certainly swim and rent a Jukung to move around the pond for a fuller experience.
Ultimately, I would tell people travelling to Amed to visit the Tirta Gangga Water Palace. If you are based further south in places like Ubud or Denpasar, I would say there are better things to do which are closer.
So that is my take on Tirta Gangga Water Palace! I recommend booking a tour to see it all in detail and not have the stress of planning all on your own shoulders.
Thanks for reading,
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you read my posts about:
Amed Bali Snorkeling – What You Can Expect
James
FAQs
Is Tirta Gangga Worth It?
Tirta Gangga is worth a visit if you are in Bali for sure. It is a beautiful water palace with plenty of Balinese history. There is beautiful architecture and design found throughout the palace. The grounds are maintained very well. A visit to Tirta Gangga is a great way to appreciate nature and culture at the same time.
Can You Swim In Tirta Gangga?
Yes, you can swim in the Tirta Gangga Water Palace. There are two swimming pools. The top pool costs 20,000 IDR and the bottom pool costs 10,000 IDR per person. This is made possible because the bathing pools are fed by the Rejasa spring. While I didn’t swim during my visit, it’s a nice option to have. Remember to bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to take a dip.
How Much Time Do You Need At Tirta Gangga?
Plan to spend between one to two hours at Tirta Gangga Water Palace. You can leisurely explore the complex grounds and soak in all the beauty. The palace offers plenty of activities—swim in the pools, feed the fish, rent a Jukung (20,000 IDR) for a pond ride, or stroll through the flower gardens and water fountains.
- Bai Dinh Pagoda Travel Guide: Tickets, Tips, and Honest Review
- Hang Múa Cave And Viewpoint: Is It Worth 500 Steps?
- Bich Dong Pagoda – All You Need To Know
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Vietnam’s Best-Kept Secret
- Where To Stay In Ninh Binh: All You Need To Know
