Bali is known as the Island of the Gods for a reason. With over 10,000 Hindu temples scattered across the island, Bali is one of the most spiritually rich destinations in the world. But with so many sacred temples Bali has to offer, knowing which ones to prioritize can feel overwhelming.
This guide covers the top 15 Bali temples to visit in 2026, from cliff-top ocean temples to ancient mountain sanctuaries deep in the jungle. Whether you are a spiritual traveler, a history lover, or simply someone who wants to witness some of the most beautiful architecture on earth, these are the best temples in Bali you cannot miss.
What to Know Before Visiting Bali Temples
Before exploring the best temples in Bali, there are a few important rules to follow.
Always wear a sarong and sash when entering any temple. Most temples provide rentals at the entrance for a small fee. Women who are menstruating are traditionally asked not to enter certain sacred temples Bali considers most holy. Speak quietly, move respectfully, and never climb on temple structures. These are active places of worship, not just tourist attractions.
Top 15 Bali Temples to Visit
1. Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot temple is arguably the most iconic of all the Bali temples to visit. Perched on a dramatic offshore rock surrounded by crashing waves, Tanah Lot temple looks like it was placed there by the gods themselves. Built in the 16th century, this sea temple is one of Bali’s most important spiritual sites and is dedicated to the sea spirits that protect the island.
The best time to visit Tanah Lot temple is during sunset when the sky turns orange and gold behind the silhouette of the temple. Arrive at least one hour before sunset to get a good viewing spot as Tanah Lot temple draws large crowds in the evening.
Entry fee: Approximately $4 per person Best time: Sunset (5 PM to 7 PM)
2. Uluwatu Temple Bali
Uluwatu temple Bali sits 70 metres above the Indian Ocean on the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula. One of six sea temples in Bali believed to protect the island from evil spirits, Uluwatu temple Bali is as dramatic as sacred temples Bali can get.
The clifftop location offers sweeping views of the ocean that are genuinely breathtaking. Every evening, a traditional Kecak fire dance is performed at Uluwatu temple Bali at sunset, telling the story of the Ramayana with the ocean as the backdrop. It is one of the most memorable cultural experiences available at any of the Bali temples to visit.
Watch your belongings around the monkeys who live here. They are known for snatching sunglasses, phones, and anything else they can grab.
Entry fee: Approximately $3 per person Kecak dance: Starts at 6 PM daily
3. Pura Besakih: The Mother Temple
Pura Besakih is the largest, most sacred, and most visited of all the sacred temples Bali has. Known as the Mother Temple of Bali, Pura Besakih is a vast complex of 23 separate temples built on the slopes of Mount Agung at over 1,000 metres above sea level.
The complex dates back over 1,000 years and is the spiritual center of Balinese Hinduism. Walking through the tiered gates and towering black stone merus with Mount Agung rising behind them is an experience unlike anything else among the best temples in Bali.
Hire a local guide at the entrance. They provide valuable context about the rituals and architecture that makes Pura Besakih far more meaningful than simply walking through alone.
Entry fee: Approximately $4 per person Best time: Early morning (7 AM to 9 AM) before the clouds gather
4. Pura Tirta Empul
Pura Tirta Empul is one of the most spiritually significant Bali temples to visit. Built in 962 AD around a sacred natural spring, this temple is where Balinese Hindus come for purification rituals. Visitors enter the bathing pools and move through a series of stone fountains, submerging themselves and praying as part of a melukat cleansing ceremony.
You can participate respectfully as a visitor. Wear modest clothing, follow the guidance of the temple priests, and move through the ritual slowly and reverently. Pura Tirta Empul is one of the most authentic and moving experiences at any of the sacred temples Bali has to offer.
Entry fee: Approximately $3 per person Location: Tampaksiring, about 15 minutes north of Ubud
5. Goa Gajah: The Elephant Cave
Goa Gajah is one of the oldest and most fascinating Bali temples to visit. Dating back to the 9th century, this archaeological site features a carved cave entrance depicting a giant demon face, ancient bathing pools fed by sacred springs, and hidden meditation chambers used by Shivaite priests centuries ago.
The name Elephant Cave comes from the Elephanta caves of India rather than from any actual elephants. The carvings and architecture make Goa Gajah one of the most unique best temples in Bali for history lovers.
Entry fee: Approximately $3 per person Location: 5 minutes east of Ubud
6. Pura Luhur Batukaru
Pura Luhur Batukaru is one of the most serene and least crowded of all the sacred temples Bali has. Set high on the slopes of Mount Batukaru in the middle of dense tropical forest at 800 metres above sea level, this temple feels genuinely remote and untouched.
The journey to Pura Luhur Batukaru takes you through terraced rice fields and cool mountain air. The temple itself is surrounded by ancient trees and often wrapped in mist. If you want the feeling of discovering a sacred place rather than visiting a tourist attraction, Pura Luhur Batukaru is one of the best temples in Bali to add to your list.
Entry fee: Approximately $2 per person Best time: Morning before the mist clears
7. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Ulun Danu Beratan is one of the most photographed Bali temples to visit. This stunning water temple sits on the edge of Lake Beratan in the cool highlands of Bedugul. The main multi-tiered meru appears to float on the surface of the lake, especially in the early morning when mist hangs over the water.
Ulun Danu Beratan is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, lakes, and rivers. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained and the mountain air makes visiting this temple a refreshing change from the heat of the coast.
Entry fee: Approximately $3 per person Best time: Early morning for the mist and reflections on the lake
8. Pura Taman Ayun
Pura Taman Ayun is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most elegantly designed Bali temples to visit. Built in 1634 as the royal temple of the Mengwi kingdom, this temple is surrounded by a wide moat and beautifully manicured gardens.
The rows of tall multi-tiered merus (pagodas) rising above the walls are some of the finest examples of traditional Balinese temple architecture. Pura Taman Ayun is less crowded than Tanah Lot temple or Uluwatu temple Bali, making it a more peaceful visit.
Entry fee: Approximately $2 per person Location: Mengwi, about 20 minutes north of Seminyak
9. Tirtha Gangga Water Palace
Tirtha Gangga is one of the most beautiful and tranquil sacred temples Bali has in its eastern region. Built in 1948 by the last king of Karangasem, this royal water palace features ornamental pools, stepping stone paths, lotus ponds, and fountains surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
The name Tirtha Gangga means water of the Ganges, reflecting the spiritual importance of water in Balinese Hinduism. The backdrop of Mount Agung on a clear day makes Tirtha Gangga one of the most photogenic best temples in Bali.
Entry fee: Approximately $2 per person Location: Sidemen, East Bali
10. Pura Kehen
Pura Kehen is the state temple of the Bangli kingdom and one of the most impressive Bali temples to visit in East Bali. The temple is built in terraces climbing up a hillside, with each level guarded by elaborate split gates (candi bentar). Ancient frangipani trees line the pathways and a massive banyan tree grows in the outer courtyard.
Pura Kehen receives far fewer visitors than temples closer to the tourist centers, which makes it one of the most authentic sacred temples Bali has for travelers who want a genuine experience.
Entry fee: Approximately $2 per person Location: Bangli, Central Bali
11. Pura Dalem Jagaraga
Pura Dalem Jagaraga is a fascinating and unusual entry in the list of Bali temples to visit. Built in the 19th century, this temple is famous for its extraordinary bas-relief carvings that depict not just mythological scenes but also colonial-era Dutch ships, early automobiles, and even a biplane. These carvings show Balinese artists blending traditional religious art with their observations of the modern world arriving on their shores.
Entry fee: Small donation Location: North Bali, near Singaraja
12. Pura Maduwe Karang
Pura Maduwe Karang in North Bali is dedicated to agricultural spirits and is one of the most unique best temples in Bali. The temple is covered in extraordinary stone carvings, including a famous panel depicting a Dutch botanist riding a bicycle decorated with lotus flowers. This quirky detail has made Pura Maduwe Karang a must-visit for those interested in unusual sacred temples Bali has to offer.
Entry fee: Small donation Location: Kubutambahan, North Bali
13. Pura Gunung Kawi
Pura Gunung Kawi is one of the oldest and most dramatic Bali temples to visit. Cut directly into cliff faces above the sacred Pakerisan River, this 11th-century temple complex features enormous rock-cut memorials (candi) dedicated to the kings of the Udayana dynasty. The descent into the river valley is steep but the sight of these ancient monuments carved into solid rock is truly spectacular.
Entry fee: Approximately $3 per person Location: Tampaksiring, near Ubud
14. Pura Lempuyang
Pura Lempuyang is one of the most spiritually important of all the sacred temples Bali has. Perched at 1,175 metres on Mount Lempuyang in East Bali, this ancient temple complex requires a climb of over 1,700 steps to reach the summit. The famous split gate (candi bentar) at the base frames a perfect view of Mount Agung and is one of the most photographed images in all of Bali.
Start the climb early in the morning before the heat arrives. The views from the top are extraordinary and the spiritual atmosphere of this temple is unlike any other among the best temples in Bali.
Entry fee: Approximately $3 per person Best time: Before 8 AM
15. Pura Segara Uluwatu
Beyond the famous Uluwatu temple Bali, the broader Uluwatu area contains several smaller sea temples that are equally atmospheric and far less visited. Pura Segara Uluwatu sits at the base of the cliff near the beach and offers a completely different perspective of this sacred coastal area. For travelers who have already visited the main Uluwatu temple Bali and want to explore further, this is a rewarding addition to any Bali temples to visit list.
Entry fee: Free Location: Below Uluwatu temple Bali
Bali Temples to Visit: Quick Reference
| Temple | Location | Highlight | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanah Lot temple | West Coast | Ocean sunset views | $4 |
| Uluwatu temple Bali | Bukit Peninsula | Clifftop, Kecak dance | $3 |
| Pura Besakih | Mount Agung | Largest temple complex | $4 |
| Pura Tirta Empul | Tampaksiring | Purification ritual | $3 |
| Goa Gajah | Ubud | Ancient cave carvings | $3 |
| Pura Luhur Batukaru | Mount Batukaru | Forest, misty, remote | $2 |
| Ulun Danu Beratan | Bedugul | Floating lake temple | $3 |
| Pura Taman Ayun | Mengwi | Royal gardens, moat | $2 |
| Tirtha Gangga | East Bali | Water palace | $2 |
| Pura Kehen | Bangli | Terraced hillside temple | $2 |
| Pura Dalem Jagaraga | North Bali | Colonial-era carvings | Donation |
| Pura Maduwe Karang | North Bali | Bicycle bas-relief | Donation |
| Pura Gunung Kawi | Tampaksiring | Rock-cut monuments | $3 |
| Pura Lempuyang | East Bali | Gates of Heaven view | $3 |
| Pura Segara Uluwatu | Uluwatu | Coastal sea temple | Free |
Tips for Visiting Sacred Temples Bali
Always wear a sarong and sash. Most temples provide these at the entrance for a small rental fee. Arrive early at the most popular Bali temples to visit like Tanah Lot temple and Uluwatu temple Bali to avoid crowds. Hire local guides at larger complexes like Pura Besakih where context dramatically improves the experience. Never turn your back to the main shrine and always step over rather than on temple thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bali Temples to Visit
Q: What is the most famous temple in Bali?
Tanah Lot temple is the most famous and most photographed temple in Bali. Uluwatu temple Bali is a close second. Both are considered essential Bali temples to visit on any itinerary.
Q: Do I need a sarong to enter Bali temples?
Yes. A sarong and sash are required at all sacred temples Bali. Most temples provide rentals at the entrance for approximately $1. You can also buy your own sarong at any market in Bali.
Q: What is the best time to visit Tanah Lot temple?
The best time to visit Tanah Lot temple is at sunset, usually between 5 PM and 7 PM. The views of the temple silhouetted against the orange sky are spectacular. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.
Q: Can tourists enter all Bali temples?
Most of the best temples in Bali are open to tourists in the outer courtyards. Inner sanctuaries are typically reserved for worshippers. At active ceremony days, some areas may be restricted. Always follow the guidance of temple staff.
Q: How many Bali temples should I visit?
For a one-week trip, visiting 4 to 6 sacred temples Bali is realistic and rewarding. Prioritize Tanah Lot temple, Uluwatu temple Bali, Pura Besakih, and Pura Tirta Empul for the most complete experience of the best temples in Bali.
Q: Is Pura Besakih worth visiting?
Yes. Pura Besakih is the largest and holiest of all the Bali temples to visit and is considered essential for anyone with a serious interest in Balinese culture and religion. Hiring a guide is strongly recommended.
Q: What should I not do at Bali temples?
Do not point your feet toward shrines, do not climb on temple structures, do not raise your body higher than the priests during ceremonies, and do not enter if you are menstruating (at certain sacred temples Bali considers most holy). Always dress respectfully.
