As a leading traveller destination, renowned for its sublime beaches, lush jungle rainforests and refreshing tranquil waterfalls, the temples in Bali have equally topped the list of must-see attractions in this popular Indonesian city. Visiting these temples on multiple trips to Bali has been one of my favourite activities.
If you’re visiting the island for the tropical weather, rice-terraced landscapes and beachy vibes, you’ll soon start to find that a visit to the Indonesian temples (also known as ‘Pura‘ in Bali) add to a richer more cultural and spiritual experience on your island getaway.
ok, How am I going to visit all these beautiful temples?
The combination of these 4 TOURS below, allows you to see at least 10 of the 12 Temples on this list along with other awesome Bali must-see sights – CHECK IT OUT!
TOUR 1: BALI SACRED TEMPLES TOUR
Rated 4.8/5 | 257 Reviews | Get Your Guide Certified Tour
Visit Goa Gajah Temple, Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul, Taman Ayun and Tanah Lot
Have a purification blessing at Tirta Empul holy spring
Experience a magnificent sunset and see a temple floating on water at Tanah Lot
Full-day and Private Tour
All entrance fees included & sarong at temples
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
TOUR 2: BALI INSTAWORTHY TEMPLE TOUR
Rated 4.8/5 | 825 Reviews | Get Your Guide Certified Tour
Visit Bekasih Temple, Tirta Gangga and Lempuyang Gates of Heaven Temple
Admire the ancient Gateway to Heaven at Lempuyang Temple and snap some magical photos
Visit Tirta Gangga, the most beautiful former royal water palace with stunning ponds with lotus and koi fish
Full-day and shared/private options are available
All entrance fees included
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
TOUR 3: BALI NORTHERN CHARM TEMPLES & SIGHTS TOUR
Rated 4.8/5 | 458 Reviews | Get Your Guide Certified Tour
See the iconic Lake Bratan, Handara Gate, a gorgeous waterfall and end your journey on an infamous Bali swing on a hidden hill
Soak in the postcard-perfect sight of Ulun Danu majestic temple sitting on a small lake island.
The iconic Handara Gate, is known as the pathway to serenity. Take an instaworthy pic in front of Handara Gate with the breathtaking views
Visit the majestic and beautiful Banyumala Twin Waterfall
Full-day tour with entrance fees included
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
TOUR 4: BALI ULUWATU SUNSET, FIRE DANCE & JIMBARAN BAY DINNER
Rated 4.6/5 | 657 Reviews | Get Your Guide Certified Tour
Watch a spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean at Uluwatu Temple
See the sacred “kecak” fire dance performed on the cliffside, adjacent to the temple.
End your evening with a barbecue seafood dinner at scenic Jimbaran Bay
Private Half Day Tour
Entry Fees and Fire dance ticket included
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
The must-see temples in Bali are such an important part of Balinese life and culture that a visit to them is a great way of gaining some insight into how the locals live.
There are over 20 000 Pura in Bali plus, some of the very best temples in Bali are just stunning. Suffice to say, no visit to Bali is complete without at least seeing one of the temples on the island.
Thankfully, there are majestic temples speckled all throughout the island.
Check out this custom map of all the Bali temples listed in this article
Besides revelling in architectural beauty, most of the Hindu temples in Bali are located on unusual sites. This makes for incredible photographic opportunities, as there are natural scenic backdrops on the water’s edge, on the edge of a cliff or even surround by thousands of monkeys or a volcano!
Looking for other things to do in Bali?
Check out the Ultimate Bali Bucket List – all the best things to do in Bali
Of course, you don’t have to make an effort to see all of them, but you do have to see at least a few of the must-see temples in Bali listed below!
TRAVELIST TIP: Visiting every single temple might be a shade unrealistic. Temple fatigue is all too real (Bali does have A LOT of amazing temples). For instance, if you see far too many in one go, they might just start blurring into one. Try to pace them out over a week or a few days or even better over multiple trips to Bali.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu is one of the most famous temples in Bali. It is located on the edge of a 280 ft (70 m) cliff and makes for the perfect location to watch the sun setting over the horizon in the evenings.
BEST ULUWATU TEMPLE BALI TOUR: Uluwatu Temple Sunset with Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran Bay
490 Reviews | Viator Badge of Excellence | Half Day Tour
Uluwatu Temple at Sunset
Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu
Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Bay
Entry Tickets Includes
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
English Speaking Guide
Private Tour
Check VIATOR Rates Check Get Your Guide RatesULUWATU TEMPLE
LOCATION: Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is located in Pecatu Village, Kuta South which is East of the Bukit Badung Peninsula, the Southern Peninsula of Bali.
ENTRANCE FEES: IDR 40 000 (Indonesian Rupiah) is the fee to visit one of the most famous Bali temples.
OPENING TIMES: Daily for visitors from 9 am to 6 pm, for pilgrims: 24 hours.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: The best time to come here for the best views and great photos is on a clear day at sunset time. If you visit the temple in the afternoon, take special care with the monkeys that live nearby, since they become very active and often steal things away from tourists.
TOUR RECOMMENDATIONS: TOP PICK: Bali Sunset: Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance and Jimbaran Bay (4.6/5 Star Rated & 654 Reviews) 2ND PICK: Bali: South Coast Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, and Jimbaran Day Trip (4.7/5 Star Rated & 361 Reviews)
Uluwatu Bali is one of the nine Balinese temples that defend the island from bad spirits. Constructed approximately 1000 years ago in a traditional Balinese style, Uluwatu is a place of worship to Siva Rudra, the Balinese God of all elements of life and universe.
This Bali Hindu temple attracts hundreds of visitors every single day, some just visiting to admire the beauty of the temple, some are pilgrims and others merely for the jaw-dropping sunset cliff edge landscape.
The Uluwatu temple Bali surrounds are inhabited by a number of monkeys, these mischievously-cute critters are said to be protectors of the temple, but are also equally villainous thieves.
TRAVELIST TIP: Monkeys are often attracted by shiny objects like sunglasses, cameras, and watches; tourists are strongly recommended to watch and hold on dearly to their belongings.
MUST SEE: Uluwatu Bali Indonesia temple is one of the best places to attend a TRADITIONAL KECAK FIRE DANCE, Be sure to book in advance (if you’re not doing this as part of a tour and watch this performance against this stunning backdrop. >> BOOK KECAK FIRE DANCE TICKETS
No visit to Bali would be complete without a trip to see at least one of the temples in Bali. Honestly, there are so many incredible Balinese temples that this needs to be top of your places to visit in Bali.
Looking to try the most Instaworthy experience in Bali?
READ: 20+ Places to find the Best Bali Floating Breakfast – with locations, pricing and instaworthyness
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot is probably the most well known and popular of the must-see temples in Bali given its easily accessible location and awe-inspiring oceanic landscape backdrop.
READ THE FULL POST: Sunset at Tanah Lot + 4 ways to avoid the crowds
This water temple in Bali is perched atop a coral rock and is only accessible to close up view during low tide. Once the tide comes in the surrounding rock is covered by the ocean and gives the impression of the sea temple floating on the ocean.
BEST TANAH LOT TEMPLE BALI TOUR: Full Day Tanah Lot Tour incl Waterfalls, Lakes and Rice Terraces
1241 Reviews | Viator Badge of Excellence | Full Day Tour
Tanah Lot Temple at Sunset
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls- Beautiful crystal clear & serene Waterfalls
UNESCO Jatiluwih Rice Terraces- offers a beautiful view of contoured rice terraces
Amazing panorama of Twin Lakes (Tamblingan Lake and Buyan Lake)
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
Hotel Pick up and Drop off
Entry Fees and Lunch Included
English Speaking Guide
Private Tour
Check VIATOR RatesTANAH LOT TEMPLE
LOCATION: Tanah Lot is located in Beraban, Kecamatan Kediri, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali
ENTRANCE FEES: IDR 60,000 for adult foreign visitors and IDR 20,000 for adult domestic tourists.
OPENING TIMES: Tanah Lota temple opening hours are 7 am to 7 pm.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Tanah Lot Temple Bali Indonesia is best visited in the afternoon before sunset. You’ll be able to see the evening sky adorned with pink and purple hues with the dark silhouette of the Tanah Lot temple. This sunset scenery in Bali Tanah Lot is truly unique and makes is honestly one of the most famous Hindu temples in Indonesia. This temple’s photos truly make for an amazing shot during the golden hour!
TOUR RECOMMENDATIONS: TOP PICK: Full Day Tanah Lot Tour incl Waterfalls, Lakes and Rice Terraces(5 Star Rated & 1241 Reviews) 2ND PICK: Bali: Sacred Temples and Sunset Private Tour (4.8/5 Star Rated & 256 Reviews) 3RD PICK: Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tanah Lot Private Tour (4.8/5 Star Rated & 538 Reviews)
The upper part of the temple cannot be visited. You can get the best views from a distance and at sunset of the water temple. Bali Ubud Pura like this one is not to be missed!
TRAVELIST TIP: BLESSINGS- When the tide is low, you’ll see a cave where the holy priests bless you by placing some grains of rice on your forehead in exchange for a donation.
ALSO ENJOY
Batu Bolong: Equally beautiful to the other temples in Bali is Batu Bolong, located on a stone bridge, it is often confused by travellers thinking this is the temple that they came to see for sunset.
Kecak Fire Dance: You can also enjoy the daily evening Kecak dance at this water temple, similar to that of the Uluwatu temple
Shopping: this temple complex has restaurants, curios and souvenir vendors, clothes and food galore. Make sure you arrive early enough to enjoy all before sunset!
TRAVELIST TIP: Due to its sunset popularity, this is not really a place for peace and tranquillity. Most temple visitors are there for the view, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, visit first thing in the morning or the afternoon. This is truly one of the top temples in Bali.
Besakih Temple
Perched on the slopes of Bali’s largest volcano, Mount Agung, lies a collection of temples that make up Indonesia’s most prominent temple complex.
Considered to be the holiest of all temples in Bali, Besakih ‘Mother Temple’ is located some 3000 ft (914m) up Gunung Agung in East Bali.
BEST BESAKIH TEMPLE BALI TOUR: Besakih Temple & Lempuyang Temple Gates of Heaven Tour
820 Reviews | Certified Get Your Guide Tour | Full Day Tour
Visit the ‘Mother of all’ Besakih Temple with panoramic views
Admire the ancient Gateway to Heaven at Lempuyang Temple and snap some magical photos
Visit Tirta Gangga, the most beautiful former royal water palace
Enjoy an optional buffet lunch while overlooking Mt Agung, river and rice fields
Enhance and customize the experience by a list of optional add-ons
Hotel Pick up and Drop Off
All Tickets and entry fees
English Speaking Guide
Private Tour
Check Get Your Guide Rates Check VIATOR RatesBESAKIH TEMPLE
LOCATION: Besakih Temple (Pura Besakih) is in the village of Besakih, Rendang Sub-district, Karangasem District, Bali.
ENTRANCE FEES: The entrance fee to the Pura Besakih temple is IDR 60 000
OPENING TIMES: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm for tourists and 24 hours for worshippers.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: The best times to visit the temple complex is in the early morning or later in the evening as the complex tends to be less busy during these times.
TOUR RECOMMENDATIONS: TOP PICK: Besakih Temple & Lempuyang Temple Gates of Heaven Tour (4.8/5 Star Rated & 820 Reviews) 2ND PICK: Bali Temples and Waterfall Tour (5 Star Rated & 23 Reviews) 3RD PICK: Off the Beaten Path Temples and Traditional Village Tour (4.7/5 Star Rated & 40 Reviews)
Just like the mountains that defend it, the Besakih temple Bali boasts sensational magnitude that will overwhelm you at first glimpse. It is on 6 levels and comprises 23 temples, with their core being Pura Penataran Agung.
Visitors who visit the temple of Besakih usually only visit the Penataran Agung temple (the Great Temple of the State). Penataran Agung temple is the principal and most significant temple in the area of the Besakih temple complex and intended to worship the gods Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu.
INTERESTING FACT: In 1963, a number of Mount Agung volcanic eruptions took place that killed more than 1600 people. Even with this incredible lava flow so close to the temple, the entire structure remained intact. The event was considered a miracle, therefore the locals strongly believe that the Gods wanted to make a demonstration of their power without destroying the sacred monument.
ALSO ENJOY: Mother Temple Bali’s position grazing the clouds means that it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountainous landscapes, streams and picture-perfect rice terraces. Take your time here and take in as much as you can at different levels. This Hindu temple in Indonesia is a must-visit!
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
With red floral lined gardens, lush grassy shores and a mountainous landscape with skies sprinkled with clouds aplenty, this picturesque water temple makes for a postcard-perfect destination.
BEST ULUN DANU BERATAN TEMPLE BALI TOUR: Full Day Ulun Danu and water temples with UNESCO Rice Terraces Tour
671 Reviews | Viator Badge of Excellence | Full Day Tour
See Ulun Danu Bratan floating on Lake Beratan
Visit the lush green paradise of Jatiluwih Rice Terraces