Temples in Ubud: Which to Visit, Routes & Etiquette

Featured image: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick answer: the best temples in Ubud

First-timers with limited time should pick Pura Taman Saraswati in town and Tirta Empul outside it. Saraswati takes little planning. Tirta Empul rewards an early start, and a travel-blog update reports the quietest window at 7–8:30am. Gunung Kawi is about 30 minutes north of Ubud and pairs well with Tirta Empul. Prices below come from that same blog update and may have changed, so confirm on arrival.

Temples in Ubud you can walk to

Pura Taman Saraswati, often called the Ubud Water Palace, sits in central Ubud and is dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning. Look for the lotus pond, fountains and carved mythology scenes. A 2025 blog update reported entry at Rp 50,000 since 2024, including a loaned sarong and jacket. It also reported nightly dance shows at Rp 100,000 per ticket. Check the current schedule and fee at the gate. For other evening performances, see our Ubud Kecak Dance: Where, When & Which Show to Pick page. Pura Dalem Ubud is also in town. Pura Gunung Lebah is by Campuhan. Treat both as short stops, and do not enter inner courtyards that are closed to non-worshippers. If you want free alternatives, see Free Things to Do in Ubud: What's Really Free (2026).

• Go if: you want an easy first temple and a lotus pond for photos.
• Skip if: you dislike paying for a small site; Saraswati is compact.
• Go if: you prefer a quieter, local-feeling visit at Pura Dalem or Gunung Lebah.

Temples just outside town: Goa Gajah and Gunung Kawi

Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave, is a roughly 1,000-year-old site with a carved cave mouth, bathing pools and a ravine area. One source gives about 15 minutes for the complex and about 45 minutes for the cave at another site, so plan on a short visit and treat both figures as unconfirmed. Guides wait inside and the tour is optional. A blog update says the price can be negotiated down to about Rp 100,000 per group. Gunung Kawi is a different effort level. Its ten shrines stand over 7 m high, carved into a cliff face and attributed to King Anak Wungsu. You walk down a steep, winding staircase to reach them, and the same stairs come back up. Wear shoes with grip. Skip it after heavy rain, and see wet-weather options in Ubud instead. Entry was reported at Rp 50,000, including a sarong.

Tirta Empul: visiting versus taking part in Melukat

Tirta Empul is a Hindu water temple built around a natural spring north of Ubud. Visitors can watch, or take part in Melukat, a purification ritual under multiple fountains. A blog update suggests arriving at 7–8:30am to avoid crowds. It also reports that participation needs a rentable special sarong and an offering. Phones and cameras are not allowed in the pools. A temple guide can explain the steps and take photos from the edge. Skip Melukat if you only want photos, or if you are unsure about the ritual. Ask staff about any restrictions before you enter the water. Watching from the side is a respectful choice.

Temples to skip or save for another trip

Several famous temples are far from Ubud. Pura Luhur Lempuyang is reported to have waits of 3–4 hours for its gate photo, which is a poor trade on an Ubud base. Besakih, Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu Beratan and Uluwatu each need a long transfer. Uluwatu is known for a sunset Kecak show, but Ubud has its own; read our Ubud Kecak guide first. If you want a far-away temple anyway, see Ubud day trip options and build a full day around it. Confirm distances with a driver before booking.

Sample routes: half day versus full day

A half day works well as Tirta Empul at 7–8:30am, then Gunung Kawi about 30 minutes north of Ubud. Return to town for lunch. A full day adds Goa Gajah and an evening dance at Pura Taman Saraswati. Do not add a fourth outlying temple; fatigue and midday heat make the later stops shorter and less respectful. A driver costs more but removes parking, navigation and heat. See Ubud private driver options for details. A scooter is cheaper but riskier on steep roads; see Ubud scooter rental tips. For other options, read Getting Around Ubud: Walk, Scooter, Grab or Driver.

Temple etiquette and dress: what affects your visit

Wear a sarong to enter, and expect it to be lent at the entrance or included in the ticket. Touts in car parks who say you must buy one are wrong, according to the competitor source. Avoid strappy or low-cut tops, profane slogans and swimwear. Bring cash for entry and parking, since sites may accept cash only. Some temples set a fee and others take donations. Temples are active places of worship, so give priority to people praying and keep clear of ceremonies. Ceremony days can close sites or add crowds. Check the festival and odalan calendar via Indonesia's tourism site before fixing dates. Local guidance on menstruation and ceremony restrictions varies; ask the temple office if unsure.

Costs and getting there

Reported entry figures are Rp 50,000 for both Pura Taman Saraswati and Gunung Kawi. Goa Gajah guide tours were quoted near Rp 100,000 per group. Treat these as 2025 estimates and confirm on arrival. Most stops cost far less than the transport you use to reach them. Walking to central temples is free, and a driver is the main cost on a full day. Arriving from Denpasar? Check the Bali airport official site for transfers, then read how to reach Ubud. For seasons and crowds, see the best time to visit Ubud. For quieter alternatives, try lesser-known Ubud spots.

Common mistakes at Ubud temples

Most problems come from timing and overplanning rather than rules. Check these before you leave:

• Arriving at Tirta Empul at midday instead of 7–8:30am.
• Not checking for ceremony closures before the drive.
• Wearing sandals with no grip at Gunung Kawi's steep stairs.
• Paying a tout for a sarong that is lent at the entrance.
• Packing in four outlying temples in one day.