1. Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple, often referred to as the Mother Temple or Pura Besakih, is Bali’s largest temple complex - and is widely considered the most important and holiest temple in Bali. Situated in Bali’s east on the slopes of the sacred Mount Agung, Besakih Temple comprises 23 temples, set amongst mountainous scenery and beautiful gardens.
Many visitors to Besakih Temple particularly enjoy the sheer size of the complex, the magnificent architecture and the stunning views from the mountainside. We recommend spending about two hours here, arriving earlier in the morning or late in the afternoon when there are fewer crowds. A sarong and a local guide are included in the ticket price (IDK 60,000 IDR / 6 AUD), so beware of scammers trying to make you pay for things you don’t need. Two sarongs don’t make a right…!
Best for: Size, cultural significance, architecture, scenery
Worst for: Street sellers trying to find ways to charge you
2. Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is atop a cliff on Bali's southern tip and is one of the top places to watch an ocean sunset. Also known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu, the temple towers 70 metres above the Indian Ocean and is regarded as one of Bali's most important spiritual sites.
Combine a visit to watch the daily Kecak dance at the nearby amphitheatre. The one-hour sunset performance involves 50 to 60 male dancers moving in concentric circles around a set of torches and chanting "Cak! Cak! Cak!" or "Keh-Chak", akin to monkey sounds and creating a wall of sound.
Consider visiting the temple in the early hours to avoid crowds. When visiting, be mindful of your belongings, with the temple's resident monkeys known to take loose items.
Purchasing tickets in advance online or at the ticket counter is advised. Tickets are IDR 150,000 IDR per adult and IDR 75,000 IDR per child (4- 9 years old).
Best for: Sunset photography
Worst for: Thieving monkeys
3. Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali's most iconic landmarks. Meaning 'Land in The Sea', the ancient Hindu shrine is famous for its picturesque offshore setting on a rocky outcrop surrounded by ocean and roughly 300 metres from the coast in Tabanan.
To access the temple grounds, visit by foot at low tide in the morning. Temple officials are on standby to assist in crossing the reef to visit the sacred site. As access to the main temple is for praying pilgrims only, visitors can walk around the temple grounds, appreciating its beauty and location, with full coverings not required.
Restaurants, shops, toilets, a culture park and an information centre are nearby the temple. We recommend arriving early for the sunset as coastal restaurants get busy during golden hour.
Best for: Scenic views by the coast
Worst for: Crowds
4. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali's most iconic landmarks. Meaning 'Land in The Sea', the ancient Hindu shrine is famous for its picturesque offshore setting on a rocky outcrop surrounded by ocean and roughly 300 metres from the coast in Tabanan.
To access the temple grounds, visit by foot at low tide in the morning. Temple officials are on standby to assist in crossing the reef to visit the sacred site. As access to the main temple is for praying pilgrims only, visitors can walk around the temple grounds, appreciating its beauty and location, with full coverings not required.
Restaurants, shops, toilets, a culture park and an information centre are nearby the temple. We recommend arriving early for the sunset as coastal restaurants get busy during golden hour.
Best for: Scenic views by the coast
Worst for: Crowds
5. Taman Ayun Temple
Another sight to behold is Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi village, a 35-minute drive north of Denpasar.
Translating to 'A Beautiful Garden', the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site's imposing shrines are dedicated to different gods across four courts. One of six royal temples, it was built in the 17th century as a family temple of the Mengwi Empire and, at the time, was only accessed by royals.
Combine a temple visit with exploring nearby attractions: Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, the historical Nasional Marga Rana Monument and Tanah Lot Temple.
Entrance fees are IDR 30,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 per child.
Best for: A history lesson into Bali's royal past
Worst for: Feeling hot (so visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat!)
6. Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul Temple is a major water temple in the village of Manukaya in central Bali. The UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the island's holiest sites, famous for its holy spring water.
The large temple complex is separated into three courtyards decorated with tropical plants and statues and takes roughly an hour to explore. Allocate more time if participating in a purification ritual at the temple's rectangular bath with sculpted spouts pouring cold mountain water. Full coverings are required, with sarongs available for hire at the temple's entrance.
Explore Ubud and the Presidential Palace of Tampaksiring, just a short drive away.
Best for: Partaking in a unique ritual experience
Worst for: Tourist stalls by the exit
7. Lempuyang Temple (Pura Luhur Lempuyang)
One of Bali's oldest and most revered temples is Lempuyang Temple or Pura Lempuyang Luhur, located 1,175 metres above sea level in Bali's east.
The mountain temple is Insta-famous, with its large gates perfectly aligning with views of Mount Agung. A visit is for the adventurous, with over 1,700 steps to climb to the temple's marble gate for views of Mount Agung and its surrounding peaks.
While in the area, visit the beautiful Tirta Gangga garden to have your picture taken with a pool full of koi fish and folklore statues, only a 20-minute drive away.
Entrance fees are IDR 100,000 per person plus IDR 50,000 shuttle fee to the peak.
Best for: Good exercise (and views!)
Worst for: Set the alarm early to have your picture with the 'Gates of Heaven' before the crowds - we are talking as early as 5am! Expect to wait at least two hours to pose in Bali's iconic photo frame.
8. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Walk through the mouth of a God to enter Goa Gajah' Elephant Cave' in Bedulu Village. The unusual hillside temple is half an hour's drive from central Ubud, with many folks to see its intricate stone carving facade. Despite the lack of elephants, the temple's name is believed to be inspired by the nearby Sungai Petanu (Petanu River), once known as Elephant River.
Beyond its ornate entrance, follow a flight of stone steps down to the Goa Gajah temple's main area. Exploring the temple's courtyard, stone carvings, and relics takes roughly an hour. It also features a cave, two square bathing pools and fountains surrounded by lush rainforest.
The entrance fee is IDR 50,000 per person and includes sarong hire.
Best for: The temple's unusual entrance provides a perfect photo opp
Worst for: Persistent sellers trying to rent out sarongs
9. Gunung Kawi Temple
Be ready to be wowed at Gunung Kawi Temple in Tampaksiring village, 30 minutes north of Ubud. The ancient temple complex is renowned for its ten Candi-shaped shrines carved into a rock cliff, each eight metres tall and overlooking the Pakerisan River.
Visiting the Hindu temple requires a moderate workout, walking 300 steps down the stairs to venture to the temple's central area. Besides admiring its cliff cravings, you will be treated to views of paddy terraces and a lush green valley that will take you back in time.
A tranquil visit, the temple is a few hundred meters east of the Jalan Raya Tampaksiring main route and is IDR 50,000 per person to enter.
Best for: Seeing intricate cravings in a cliff face
Worst for: Mosquitos - take spray to avoid getting bitten by the pesky bug!
10. Batuan Temple
For a more authentic temple experience, visit Batuan Temple or Pura Puseh Batuan, in Batuan village, 40-minute drive south of Ubud. The 11th-century temple is most famous for its traditional Balinese architecture, paintings and stone cravings.
Often less crowded than other temples in the area, the small sacred site's main attractions are its tall red-brick gates and sculptures depicting mythical Balinese figures and florals. To be inspired by more local craftsmanship, head to Sukawati Art Market, a 7-minute drive away.
Entry fees to Batuan Temple are IDR 30,000 per person.
Best for: Ease of access along Jalan Raya Batuan highway
Worst for: Short and sweet tour of the temple complex
11. Kehen Temple
Bali is filled with gorgeous temples, and Kehen Temple is no exception. The 13th-century Hindu temple is on a hillside forest in Cempaga village in Bali's east.
It takes 38 steps to reach the top of the temple's staircase. From here, explore sandstone sculptures representing Balinese mythical figures dotted around the courtyard. For something different, check out the massive banyan tree in the middle of the complex and view the temple's wall decorated with porcelain plates.
After your visit, see the Krisik Waterfall, an 11-minute drive east, to continue a tranquil tour of Bali. Entry to the temple is IDK 50,000 per person and includes sarong hire.
Best for: No crowds
Worst for: Lack of signage. A guide is required to learn of the temple's history
12. Samuan Tiga Temple
The superb Pura Samuan Tiga Temple rests on a small lane in the village of Bedulu, a 20-minute drive from central Ubud. Translating to the "Temple of the Meeting of the Three", its name is believed to reference the Hindu trinity.
The temple is a great spot to appreciate ancient artworks with ornate sandstone carvings - many covered by bright green moss - and temple gates. Unlike many of the island's temples having three courtyards, Pura Samuan Tiga Temple has seven, separated by walls and gates and interconnected by staircases.
Make a day of visiting temples with Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), less than a kilometre away.
Best for: No crowds
Worst for: Can become hot during the day
13. Ling Gwan Kiong
The ancient Chinese temple, Ling Gwan Kiong, overlooks the coast in North Bali's Singaraja. Built in 1873, the sacred Taoist site boasts traditional Chinese architecture with bright red roofs, mini gardens and red and gold murals.
The temple is within walking distance of Pura Segara temple and a 15-minute drive east to Lovina Beach.
Best for: No entry fee
Worst for: Far from Denpasar
14. Petitenget Temple
Petitenget Temple, or Pura Petitenget, is a centuries-old temple in the upmarket beach destination, Seminyak. The red brick and sandstone temple is a welcome change in an area populated with high-end resorts and modern amenities.
For a convenient cultural immersion, see the region's heritage brought to life by watching a traditional dance rehearsal in the grand pavilion nearby.
Best for: A convenient cultural immersion
Worst for: Being in the middle of Seminyak
15. Gunung Lebah Temple
In Ubud's centre is the 8th-century temple, Pura Gunung Lebah, or Gunung Lebah Temple. Bamboo forests surround the temple that overlooks the Campuhan Valley and Campuhan River.
As the temple is not open daily, check ahead for opening times. Consider embarking on the scenic Campuhan Ridge Walk to see sweeping hilltop views if the temple is not open.
Best for: Overlooking Ubud's lush scenery
Worst for: Infrequent opening times
16. Batukaru Temple
Batukaru Temple, also known as Pura Luhur Batukaru, is at the foothills of namesake Mount Batukaru - the island's second-highest peak rising 2,270 metres above sea level - in the Tabanan regency.
Visitors can enter the revered site daily; however, access to some areas is only available for pilgrims. But don't worry; the temple is a great vantage point to view Bali's central highlands and forests. For more greenlit sights, head to Bali's famous rice paddies terraces, Jatiluwih, a 20-minute drive away.
Best for: Admiring surrounding landscapes
Worst for: Parts of the temple are closed off to visitors
17. Vihara Dharmayana
Vihara Dharmayana temple is a Chinese Buddhist temple in the heart of Kuta.
Built in 1876, the hidden temple's Eastern-style architecture features bright red structures that have yet to age, thanks to generations of local devotees maintaining its upkeep. Expect to spend half an hour or less walking around the temple's grounds.
Best for: Free to enter
Worst for: Directions can be confusing to find this hidden temple
18. Pura Dalem Segara Madu
Pura Dalem Segara Madhu, or Pura Dalem Jagaraga, is a Balinese Hindu temple in the village of Jagaraga in northern Bali.
The temple is renowned for its dramatic gate entrance and carvings, including some Dutch-inspired bike motifs. Kerobokan Beach is less than a 15-minute drive away, so pack your bathers for a post-visit dip.
Best for: No crowds
Worst for: Far to travel
19. Ulun Danu Batur Temple
Kintamani's Ulun Danu Batur Temple fringes Lake Batur and features nine temples containing over 200 shrines and pavilions.
It was established in 1926 after damages from a volcanic explosion at the foot of a volcano and is considered one of the island's most important Hindu temples. The temple features a striking 11-tiered structure and three smaller structures.
Best for: Free entry
Worst for: Watch out for people trying to overcharge for sarong rental
20. Vihara Dharma Giri Temple
Feel at peace at the sight of the Buddhist temple Vihara Dharma Giri in the village of Pupuan in West Bali. The temple is renowned for its giant white Buddha statue in a sleeping position.
Nearby the temple is expansive rice field terraces, perfect for photo ops.
Best for: Free to enter
Worst for: Remote location
21. Saraswati Temple (Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati)
Pura Taman Saraswati, or Taman Saraswati Temple, is a water temple located in the heart of Ubud.
While tourists cannot enter, you can admire the temple's pond filled with beautiful pink lotus flowers and pathways aligned with traditional sculptures and artworks.
Best for: Sighting a giant pond filled with lilypads
Worst for: Temple is closed to visitors
22. Pura Pusering Jagat Temple
Pura Pusering Jagat Temple is in Pejeng village, less than a 20-minute drive from central Ubud. Its name translates to "Temple of the Navel of the World", with ancient inscriptions of the Hindu gods and statues related to male and female reproductive organs - an important shrine for infertile couples and newlyweds.
Combine the visit to the tiered Bandung Waterfall, just a ten-minute drive away.
Best for: Traditional temple close to town
Worst for: Location on a main road
23. Pura Dalem Penataran Ped Temple
The sprawling Pura Dalem Penetaran Ped is moments from North Beach in Nusa Penida. One of the island's holiest sites, the Hindu temple, is a place of pilgrimage for those seeking protection from sickness and evil, featuring a shrine of the demon Jero Gede Macaling.
Best for: Stunning views of the coast
Worst for: Coverings required
24. Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang Karang
Hindu temple Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is on the foothills of Mount Lempuyang in Karangasem. The temple is one of the island's six holiest places of worship, famed for its towering gate and spectacular views of Mount Agung on a clear day.
Best for: Photo opportunities combining nature and culture
Worst for: Queues to have a photo between the gate, so get in quick!
25. Pura Tirta Dawa Gunung Kawi Temple
To avoid crowds, head to Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple in the highland village of Sebatu, 30 minutes north of Ubud. Also known as Pura Tirta Dawa Gunung Kawi Sebatu, the massive temple features ancient shrines surrounded by beautiful gardens, koi ponds, mountain spring-fed water sculptures and bathing pools.
Entry to the temple is IDK 30,000 per person, including sarong hire.
Add a trip to the Elephant Safari Park Lodge Bali, a 20-minute drive away.
Best for: Cleansing bath
Worst for: No guides
26. Pura Bukit Sari
Expect to see monkeys about at Pura Bukit Sari. The secluded Hindu temple is in the thick of Sangeh Monkey Forest in central Bali. It is the biggest of four temples within the forest, making it an enchanting sight.
Best for: Seeing monkeys
Worst for: Protect your belongings and avoid making contact with monkeys
27. Beji Temple
Pura Beji temple is in the village of Sangsit in Bali's north nearby rice paddies. The massive 15th-century temple boasts two statues of Dutchman musicians - a unique sight. Bring your bathers as Lovina Beach is a short 8-kilometre drive away.
Entry costs IDK 10,000 per person.
Best for: No crowds
Worst for: Far from Denpasar
28. Blanjong Temple
Located in the heart of the resort town of Sanur is Blanjong Temple. Classed as a national cultural heritage site, it is home to one of the island's oldest known artefacts - a stone pillar with Sanskrit inscriptions - dating back to 914 CE. It's also a great place to appreciate traditional Balinese architecture away from crowds.
Next door, visit the street food vendors serving authentic Balinese cuisine. Yum!
Best for: A history lesson
Worst for: Tempted by food next door!