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Bali temples are the perfect location to understand the local culture, since they are closely connected to Balinese history and traditions. While in most of Indonesian territory the main religion is Islam, Bali has a Hindu majority.
Therefore, most of the temples in Bali, known as Pura, follow Hindu religious traditions, even if their architectural styles diverge significantly from Hindu places of worship found elsewhere. Chief among their features are the Merus, stacked pagoda-like structures made of straw that represent the most iconic symbol of Balinese temples. As you will see, this type of structure can be found throughout the island.
It’s overwhelming to discover how many temples fill Bali; with thousands of holy sites, over a year would be needed to visit them all. To simplify trip planning for Bali, this article features a selection of the top Bali temples.
Please note that neither during the 10-day schedule for Bali that Dan undertook or the Bali 1 week travel schedule I completed, we could complete the list, so do not stress if you don’t know how to visit them all in during your Bali planning.
The key thing is to know which are the must-see Bali temples and to keep in mind that you will need to return to the Island of the Gods to visit all the temples of Bali you missed.
Table of Contents
Best Temples in Bali
Below you will find detailed information, but to summarize, these are the greatest temples of Bali that you shouldn`t miss:
- Besakih Temple:Chief Temple. The most expansive temple in Bali.
- Lempuyang Temple: It is renowned for its architectural features described as “Gates of Heaven.”
- Taman Ayun Temple:Temple with a beautiful garden surrounded by a moat.
- Ulun Danu Beratan Temple: It`s situated among the mountains overlooking Lake Bratan.
- Gunung Kawi: Temple of the Kings. It stands out for its Candis, where the souls of the royal family are buried.
- Temple Given to Wisdom and Art: Place of worship dedicated to the Goddess linked to Knowledge and Creative Works.
- Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple: One of the sole approaches to arrive at this sacred site during heavy rainy period is by canoe
- Tanah Lot Temple:This renowned Bali temple stands on an isolated islet surrounded by the sea.
- Tirta Gangga Temple:These notable palace gardens are considered to be among the most scenic in Bali.
- Goa Gajah Temple: In the Cave of the Elephant, you can find a statue of the Goddess Ganesha.
- Tirta Empul Temple:This sacred temple in Bali is where locals go to cleanse themselves in a spiritual manner.
- Alas Kedaton Temple:Temple full of monkeys. Practice responsible tourism and don’t feed them!
- Uluwatu Temple: Situated on a 220-feet precipice, it’s one of the superior temples in Bali to witness the sunset.
How to visit the Bali temples
When visiting the sacred locations of Bali that honor the Hindu faith, please remember to do so respectfully. As they are places of worship, you’ll be asked to cover your legs with a traditional woven garment called a sarong in most locations. The sarong is commonly worn by the Balinese people when entering temples. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to rent one, so I suggest purchasing one upon your arrival on the island to bring with you.
A sarong is equally beneficial for staying warm in areas with strong air conditioning, plus it’s a beautiful souvenir from Bali, so I truly recommend obtaining one.
In my case, I didn’t visit any places of worship where they requested I remove my shoes, even though I didn’t go to all the Bali temples, so it may be a necessity in some of them, for example if you travel to Singapore and visit the Hindu temple of Sri Mariamman .
1. Pura Besakih Temple
Pura Besakih, known as the Mother Temple, is located on the slopes of the Agung volcano and is the largest temple in Bali. This monumental complex is composed of 22 temples, including Penataran Agung (the Great Temple of the State).
The most iconic landmark of this temple is a long, spiraling staircase with 7 levels, symbolizing the 7 levels of the Hindu cosmic structure. Only Hindus are permitted to ascend this stairway, therefore showing respect is important.
The entrance fee to the Pura Besakih is IDR60,000 ($4.19).
Although this temple holds great significance in Bali`s culture, many travelers overlook visiting it, as it is quite distant from other areas of interest. If you do not have your own transportation, this excursion will bring you to this location as well as other Balinese temples situated on the eastern part of the island, such as the next one .
2. Lempuyang Luhur Temple
Lempuyang Luhur is one of Bali`s most photographed temples. Its “Gates of Heaven” backdrop of Mount Agung is undoubtedly the iconic representation of Bali. This temple, dedicated to the God of Peace, sits 3,280 feet above sea level, so reaching it necessitates being in good physical condition to climb its numerous staircases.
As this temple is located somewhat far from the main cities of Bali, it was still a fairly quiet place a few years ago. However, with the fast-growing tourism in Bali and the rising popularity of the Balinese temples, there are large lines to capture the famous photograph that has made this temple one of the most renowned temples in Bali. In this image, you can see Mount Agung in the background and the Gates of Heaven reflected in a “pond,” which is actually a mirror held by a local Balinese individual who will charge a fee to take the photo.
The excursion that leads to Pura Lempuyang is identical to the one that takes you to Pura Besakih .
3. Taman Ayun Temple
Pura Taman Ayun is one of the most renowned Bali temples. It`s name represents “the temple of the beautiful garden” and it stands separated because of the surrounding moat and the flourishing vegetation of the region.
Access to the sacred region is forbidden for tourists, so to go there, you will need to walk around it. There is a wall around the area that permits very detailed views of the numerous merus inside.
The site is compact and you can easily tour it within thirty minutes. Admission is 20.000 IDR ($1.40) .
4. Ulun Danu Beratan, one of the must-visit temples in Bali
Ulun Danu Beratan is considered one of the most beautifully constructed temples in Bali. This temple, which appears to float on Lake Bratan, certainly ranks among the primary places of interest in Bali.
The temple was constructed to venerate the Goddess of Water Dewi Danu. The entrance fee is IDR30,000 ($2.09).
Situated among the green mountains at the center of the island, the landscape alters radically compared to the surroundings of other temples in Bali, so I recommend that you not miss it.
Additionally, there are other remarkable locations to visit in Bali around the temple, like the Nungnung waterfalls or the Handara Gate, which can be experienced jointly with Pura Ulun Danu Beratan during this tour.
5. Gunung Kawi Temple
Gunung Kawi (The Temple of the Kings) is one of the essential sacred sites of Bali since its structural layout does not closely resemble other locations on the island. It stands out for its “candi”, which are shrine constructions carved out of the solid rock that serve as spiritual representations of the final resting places of the royal family (the physical remains are interred in a nearby cavern).
Additionally, this site of worship is surrounded by beautiful rice fields and paths which are worthwhile to explore. If you are touring the island during the prime season to visit Bali, the foliage and rice fields will be an intense green shade, producing one of the most photogenic postcard-quality sights you will encounter on the island.
If you visit this temple, you cannot miss a small waterfall near the last shrines .
6. Pura Taman Saraswati Temple
Taman Saraswati is the place of worship of Bali that honors Saraswati, deity of knowledge, literature, and art. It is located on the main street of the cultural capital of Bali, Ubud, so visiting this place of worship is, without question, the best activity to engage in Ubud.
It is an extremely compact yet beautiful temple, although you will spend no more than 10 minutes exploring it. The highlight is its entrance, flanked by two ponds brimming with lotus flowers and water lilies. Unlike other temples in Bali, admission is free .
7. Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple
Ulun Danu Tamblingan is one of the most remote temples in Bali, but also one of the most beautiful due to its secluded location.
This place of worship is situated on Lake Tamblingan, which is an inland body of water inside the caldera of a volcano. It represents one of three picturesque crater lakes located in the vicinity, along with lakes Buyan and Bratan.
What makes this temple unique is that during much of the year, when the water level rises due to the rains, it can only be accessed by canoe.
If visiting this temple, you should understand that it’s the sole one with two distinct sanctuaries. The initial meru was employed by members of the Regency of Tabanan and the second by the locals of Catur Desa .
8. Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot is among the most frequented places of worship in Bali. Its name in Balinese signifies “land in the sea, “and it is situated on a small islet on the southwest coast of Bali. This is one of the 7 temples of Bali that reveres the God of the Sea and it is, without question, the most visited temple in Bali.
It is highly popular at sunset, when the low tide makes the temple accessible on foot. Additionally, when the tide is low, visitors will see a cave where clergy bless individuals by placing grains of rice on their forehead in exchange for donations.
The upper section of the temple cannot be visited. You can get the best perspectives of the temple from a distance and at sunset, where you’ll witness the sun setting over the ocean.
Within the same location, you can find another temple, which, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful temples in Bali: the Batu Bolong, located on a stone bridge.
The admission price to enter both temples is IDR60.000 ($4.19) and perhaps the best approach to get there, if you don’t wish to hire a scooter in Bali, is to book this organized tour that also involves exploring another essential Bali temple on the island, the Ulun Danu Beratan .
9. Tirta Gangga Temple
Tirta Gangga is one of the most frequented temples located in Bali. This sacred site`s name translates as “Holy Waterway of the Ganges River,” and it is renowned for its natural scenery filled with unusual flora, sculpted rock formations, grand fountains, and ornamental ponds.
The most magnificent area is a koi pond, where there are small platforms that permit you to walk over the water and where you can find a majestic set of eleven cascades.
Also inside the temple, there is a pool for bathing where one can pay an additional fee of IDR5,000 ($0.35) on top of the standard price of IDR30,000 ($2.09).
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10. Goa Gajah, one of the most interesting temples in Bali
Goa Gajah stands out as one of Bali`s most intriguing temples. This temple, situated a half hour by bicycle from Ubud, is renowned for the Elephant Cave, a cavern whose entrance is carved into a menacing stone figure.
Within the cavern, a minor ebony likeness in the form of an elephant symbolizing the Goddess Ganesha can be observed, but don`t anticipate an excessive experience; the cavern is diminutive.
Complimentary breakfast, outdoor atrium restaurant focusing on American cuisine, restricted room service, and free evening reception with snacks and drinks.
I also recommend ambling around, where you’ll find a lot of greenery and, specifically, a tree full of bare roots that was planted in the identical year that the structure of the temple commenced in the eleventh century.
The entrance fee to the temple of Goa Gajah is IDR15,000 ($1.05) .
11. Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul is the most sacred temple in Bali. The Balinese go there to purify themselves in the springs emitting from twelve spouts. This water is believed to hold curative properties.
I suggest observing the spiritual rituals held in this temple. Washing is only permitted using 10 out of the 12 pipes, as the other two are reserved for deceased individuals and their families.
Taman Saraswati is the temple of Bali dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, literature, and art. It sits along the main street of Ubud, the cultural capital, making a visit here one of the top things to see in Ubud.
The entrance fee to the Tirta Empul temple is IDR15,000 ($1.05) .
12. Alas Kedaton Temple
If you have already visited the Ubud Monkey Forest, the Alas Kedaton will not surprise you. Even so, if you’re passing by, you may want to pause at this peculiar temple in Bali.
Once there, many monkeys as well as giant flying foxes, a type of bat, will be seen. Locals may request money to take photos with these bats, but they aren`t wild animals. It`s best not to support this as it causes undue stress to the creatures.
At the entrance to the temple, there will be many guides who will tell you that you need to hire them to enter the temple. We paid attention to our tour driver and we didn’t pay them. It’s not mandatory to hire a guide to enter .
13. Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu is one of the most well-known temples in Bali. It is situated on the edge of a 280-foot precipice at the eastern section of the Bukit Badung Peninsula, the southern peninsula of Bali.
Furthermore, the temple is an ideal place to enjoy Bali`s sunsets. If visiting in the afternoon, careful attention must be paid to the monkeys residing nearby, since they become highly animated and frequently steal items from tourists at that time.
Additionally, you should be aware that the Uluwatu temple is one of the best locations to attend a conventional Kecak Fire & Trace performance, so make certain to book it ahead of time.
The perfect plan for an evening is to watch the sun descending over the horizon from this temple, enjoy the Kecak performance, and go to Jimbaran for an exquisite seafood platter.
The cost to enter this temple is IDR40,000 ($2.79)
Other temples in Bali
As stated at the beginning of the article, these are the 13 best Bali temples we advise visiting. However, there are many more that could be mentioned:
- Pura Kehen
- Ulun Danu Batur
- Pura Luhur Batukaru
- Brahma Vihara Arama
- Goa Lawah
Map of the best temples of Bali
To summarize, you’ll find all the Bali temples mentioned above displayed on a map. Additionally, if wanting offline use, download this tourist map of Bali, where other major attractions throughout the island are indicated.
I hope you find this map showing the temples in Bali helpful. Please let me know which one you enjoyed the most by leaving a comment.
Tips for visiting the temples of Bali
Finally, here are some tips you should keep in mind when touring temples on the island of Bali.
- Be respectful. The local people in Bali are highly open and accepting of all faiths. They do not mind allowing observation of their rituals, therefore utmost respect must be shown while they follow their ceremonies.
- Don’t remove your sarong. Men and women carry sarongs in most of Bali’s temples. If they ask you to wear one, keep it in place throughout your visit.
- Refrain from trespassing in restricted areas. In some temples, observing prayers is acceptable while worship is underway. Capturing the moment is fine, but it remains a place of worship, not photography.
- Arrive early in the day. The most popular temples in Bali may be overcrowded later on during the day and afternoon hours, so I advise visiting them at the start of the day.
- Bring your own sarong. Many temples charge rental fees for sarongs, so purchasing one at the start of your trip saves money. It also makes a nice souvenir.
- Relax, you’re in Bali. There`s no need to feel stressed if you cannot tour all the shrines on the Island of the Gods. Bear in mind that even the finest hotels in Bali have their own temples, so you’ll need to return to Bali to continue exploring.
- Be a compassionate visitor. The tremendous number of tourists at the temples of Bali cause many locals to try to find customers for their enterprises, some of which involve mistreatment of animals, like elephant rides, photos with exotic creatures, etc. Do not hire them.
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