What are the best temples to visit in Bali?

Bali has thousands of temples, since religion is the glue that holds Balinese society together, but around ten are enough to get a feel for their variety: sea temples, lake temples, mountain temples, holy water temples and royal ones. The easiest approach is to choose by the area you're staying in and what you want to see: two or three well-chosen temples beat a marathon.

The must-sees, by area:

In the south: Uluwatu Temple, perched on a cliff above the ocean, with the Kecak fire dance at sunset.
In the west: Tanah Lot, set on a rock in the sea and the most photographed temple on the island; Taman Ayun, a royal temple ringed by a moat, peaceful and elegant.
In the mountains: Ulun Danu Beratan, whose shrines seem to float on the lake, often in the morning mist.
Around Ubud: Tirta Empul and its purification pools, Gunung Kawi and its shrines carved into the cliff, and Goa Gajah, the "Elephant Cave"; all three fit into one day: see What are the best day trips from Ubud?
In the east: Pura Besakih, Bali's mother temple, on the slopes of Mount Agung; Lempuyang and its famous "Gates of Heaven", where the queue for the photo can last hours (though the rest of the site is usually quiet).

The rules that apply at every temple:

Dress: shoulders and knees covered, with a sarong and sash (selendang), lent or hired at the entrance of most temples. See What should I wear in Bali, and how should I behave at temples?
Inner courtyards are usually reserved for worshippers: you visit the outer courtyards and look at the rest from a distance. At every temple that sees tourists, signs show where you can (and can't) go.
Women who have their period are asked not to enter: it's a religious rule, posted at the entrance of many temples.
During a ceremony, stay in the background, don't walk in front of people praying, don't step on offerings and skip the posed tourist photos: see What do Bali's canang sari offerings mean, and how to behave?
Entry: expect 30,000 to 100,000 rupiah (about US$1.70 to US$5.50) depending on the temple, cash only, usually including sarong hire.

To understand what you're looking at, read What is Bali's religion, and how is Balinese Hinduism different? first: the visits make far more sense.

Verdict: on a first trip, pick one waterside temple at sunset (Uluwatu or Tanah Lot), Tirta Empul for the holy water and the melukat (purification ritual), and Ulun Danu Beratan for the mountain setting. Add Besakih if you want to see the spiritual heart of the island and its largest temple.

Tip: buy your own sarong in the first few days at a market, for a few dollars: you won't need to hire one at every temple, and it doubles as a beach wrap and a souvenir to take home.

Information checked in October 2026; prices and opening hours may change, so check before you go.

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What are the best temples to visit in Bali?

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