8 Best Temples in Bali to Visit and How to Choose

Featured image: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Temples in Bali: Pick by Goal

Every temple here is an active place of worship. Pick by what you want from the day, then group stops by region. Use the table for a fast match. Time needed, fees and hours are not confirmed in this edition, so check locally.

8 Best Temples in Bali by Region

Each entry below gives the reason to go, the main friction, and who should skip. Treat every fee and hour as something to confirm on the day.

• Pura Besakih (East / Karangasem)
  • Known as the Mother Temple, this complex of many temples sits on the slope of Mount Agung.
  • Expect stairs and mountain weather. Skip it if mobility is limited.
  • Read our overview of the island's history for context.
• Tanah Lot (Tabanan / west coast)
  • Go for sunset at a temple set against the sea.
  • Access can depend on the tide, so check conditions locally.
  • Skip it if you want a quiet evening.
• Uluwatu Temple (South / Bukit)
  • Cliff-top setting, best at sunset. Watch for monkeys and keep belongings secured.
  • Evening pairing: an evening Kecak performance.
  • Read about the fire dance tradition before you go. Confirm showtimes and tickets locally.
• Pura Ulun Danu Beratan (Bedugul)
  • Lake Bratan is the draw, and it is associated with the UNESCO-listed subak landscape (verify before citing).
  • Mountain weather can turn cloudy or wet, so bring a layer.
  • Skip it if you only have a beach-weather day.
• Tirta Empul (Central Bali)
  • Go for the water purification ritual.
  • Our guide to purification temple rituals explains what to expect.
  • Skip it if you would rather watch than take part.
• Goa Gajah (Central Bali)
  • Known as the Elephant Cave, it suits visitors who like history and carved rock.
  • Best as a short stop paired with other central sites.
  • Skip it if you want big views.
• Pura Lempuyang (East / Karangasem)
  • Famous as the Gates of Heaven for its framed mountain view.
  • Photo-focused visits involve queueing at the gate, plus stairs.
  • Skip it if crowds or climbs put you off.
• Saraswati Temple (Ubud)
  • An easy culture stop for an Ubud day.
  • Check opening arrangements locally before you detour.
  • Skip it if you want a remote or coastal setting.

Types of Balinese Temples: Sea, Water, Mountain, Cave

Sea temples such as Tanah Lot and Uluwatu sit on the coast. Water temples such as Tirta Empul and Pura Ulun Danu Beratan center on a spring or a lake. Mountain temples include Pura Besakih on Mount Agung's slope. Goa Gajah is the cave example here. Village temples serve local communities. Our guide to temple layout and types explains how courtyards are organized.

How to Plan Your Temple Days

Group stops by region, and give each distant region its own day. Pair Uluwatu with an evening Kecak show on the Bukit. Tanah Lot suits an unhurried west-coast afternoon. Tirta Empul, Goa Gajah and Saraswati Temple work as one central Bali day. Bedugul and Karangasem each deserve a separate day. Check drive times on a mapping app before you commit.

Costs, Tickets, Opening Hours and Dress Code

This edition has no confirmed fees, hours or sarong rental rates. Check each temple's official page or the Bali tourism office before you go.

Etiquette and Mistakes to Avoid

Ceremonies can close areas without notice. Wear a sarong and sash where required. Some temples restrict entry during menstruation or with open wounds, so read posted signs. Nyepi and ceremony days can close sites, so confirm dates on the official Balinese calendar. Our guide to ceremony days and customs explains the rhythm of the calendar.

• Dress
  • Cover shoulders and knees, and follow site-specific rules.
• Behavior
  • Never point your feet at shrines or climb on structures.
• Timing
  • Confirm ceremony days and Nyepi closures before booking.

Temples Plus Culture: Dance, Ritual and Art

Dance and temples belong together in Bali. UNESCO describes three genres of traditional Balinese dance. See Legong performances for the court-style genre. Read about Barong storytelling for a ritual-linked show. Our overview of Balinese dance genres helps you compare them. Shadow puppetry fits too, as shadow puppet theatre shows. For carvings and painting, see temple carving and painting. Check current exhibitions on the Neka Art Museum official site.

Where to Base Yourself and Get Around

Base yourself near the region you will cover most. Ubud suits central temples. The Bukit suits Uluwatu. A hired driver, a scooter or a tour each trade cost, control and effort. No rates are verified here. Scooters demand confidence on mountain roads and in rain.