Must-See Temples in Bali: A Complete Guide

Bali is the only Hindu island in a nation of Muslims , with this being one of the very reasons that makes Bali so special and different. Indonesia has one of the highest Muslim populations in the world, yet Bali has its own religion, Balinese Hinduism, This is an ancient form of the religion that dominates all aspects of life on the island.

Travellers who first visited Bali, long before the throes of tourists now, experienced a magical and spiritual Bali that few today get to see. The religion is preserved and maintained largely through daily visits by locals to some of the many beautiful temples across the island. The temples’ architecture is like nowhere else in the world, and has inspired countless Balinese-themed cafes and hotels — but nothing really beats visiting these incredible temples first-hand.

Best Temples to Visit in Bali

There are more than 20,000 temples, or puras, on this tiny island — a real indication of how central the Balinese worship of the Gods is to daily life. Temples range from small family shrines to huge complexes that dominate the landscape.

One of the key factors in deciding which temples to visit will be geographical location. Bali isn’t a huge island, but its hilly, winding roads can turn relatively short distances into fairly long journeys.

Based on this, I’ve focused on temples within an hour or two’s drive of the airport, and three of these really stood out as spectacular on my visits to the island. These are Uluwatu Temple, and two temples in Ubud – Tirta Empul and Saraswati Temple. I’ve also added a few more below worth building into your itinerary.

Uluwatu Temple

Its location is what makes this revered temple so special. Perched high above the famous cliffs of Uluwatu, the views are incredible, with waves crashing against the foot of the cliffs below.

The temple complex is extensive, and worship activities happen regularly here. Beware though, there’s a resident monkey population who are rather overzealous in their greetings. Watch your belongings, and don’t wear anything dangly (sunglasses, earrings) that’s easy to snatch.

Entry fee: around IDR 60,000 for foreign adults and IDR 40,000 for foreign children, which includes the compulsory sarong and sash.

The Kecak Fire Dance: Don’t miss this if you’re visiting at sunset. Held in the temple’s clifftop amphitheatre, the Kecak is a mesmerising, chant-driven performance telling part of the Ramayana story, followed by a fire dance. There are usually two sessions — a 6pm sunset show and a 7pm fire show, each around an hour long. Tickets are separate from temple entry, at roughly IDR 150,000 for adults and IDR 75,000 for children. The 1,400-seat amphitheatre fills up fast, so it’s worth booking ahead or arriving early.

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Tirta Empul Temple

The incredible Tirta Empul, meaning “holy spring,” is built around a sacred spring. It’s famous for offering a unique experience, as you can actually enter the water at this temple. Locals visit for ritual purification (melukat), and visitors are also welcome to take part. The idea is to cleanse body and spirit by bathing under the row of stone spouts lining the pool. You must be covered to enter the water.

Entry fee: around IDR 50,000–75,000 for adults and IDR 25,000–50,000 for children, sarong included. The standard “visit only” ticket does not include access to the bathing pools and you need to pay an additional fee to participate in the bathing ritual. This fee includes your sash and sarong. Worth noting that there is an ATM right at the entrance if you need to withdraw cash.

Some inner sections of the temple are reserved for Balinese ceremonies only and are clearly marked off from tourists.

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How to get there: It is reasonably close to Ubud and can be easily included on a day’s sightseeing around the area.

Pura Taman Saraswati (Ubud Water Palace) 

Ubud’s own water temple, right in the town centre near Ubud Palace, with lotus ponds framing the temple gate. It’s small enough to see in 20–30 minutes, making it an easy add-on to a day in Ubud, and is especially lovely around sunset when traditional dance performances are sometimes held in the courtyard.

Entry fee: Entry is free or by small donation at some entrances, though some ticket counters charge around IDR 60,000 including sarong — worth having a little cash either way.

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Other Temples to Visit in Bali

Getting templed-out is a real thing, and I recommend only visiting a couple before they all blend into one. But if you want to add a few more to your list, here are some worth it:

• Pura Tanah Lot — a spectacular temple perched on a rock in the sea, a short drive west of Seminyak. Entry is around IDR 100,000 for foreign adults. It’s completely isolated at high tide and is one of the most popular sunset spots on the island, so expect crowds.
• Besikah Temple —Bali’s largest and holiest temple complex, sitting around 900m up the slopes of the sacred (and still gently active) volcano Mount Agung. It’s actually made up of 22 separate temples and warrants a good half-day exploration. A word of warning: this is the temple most associated with pushy donation and offering scams. I’d definitely recommend sticking to the official ticket counter and don’t feel pressured to pay beyond the standard entry fee. Mount Agung remains at a low watch alert level as of 2026, with occasional minor ash activity but no impact on visits or flights.
• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple —if you have time to head into Bali’s central highlands, this lakeside temple is stunning, with mountains behind creating an incredible backdrop. Entry is around IDR 75,000 for adults.
• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) — an atmospheric 9th-century cave temple just outside Ubud, carved with an intimidating demon face at the entrance. Entry is around IDR 50,000, including parking. It’s compact but easy to combine with Tirta Empul and Ubud Water Palace for a temple-focused day trip.
• Pura Lempuyang (Gates of Heaven) — Bali’s famous “Gates of Heaven” photo spot, with Mount Agung framed perfectly between two split gates. It’s beautiful, but be prepared, this is now one of the most crowded temples on the island. Queues for the photo spot running anywhere from 1 to 4+ hours at busy times. Entry is around IDR 100,000, plus a shuttle fee of roughly IDR 50,000 return from the car park. Go as early as possible if you want to avoid the worst of the queue.

Things to Know Before Visiting Temples in Bali

• Dress modestly. Everyone must cover shoulders and knees and wear a sarong, even men and even over trousers. At most major temples this is now included in your entry ticket. But it’s worth having a scarf or sarong of your own for smaller, less touristy temples that don’t provide one.
• Not all temples welcome tourists. It’ll be made very clear whether a temple is open to visitors, and whether the local village or priest has given permission for entry.
• Women who are menstruating are traditionally asked not to enter. Odd though that may seem to some, there’ll usually be signs. Nobody checks, but it can feel disrespectful to ignore it. The custom stems from protecting the temple and honouring the Gods by not allowing blood to be spilled inside, from any source.
• You’ll notice small bamboo offering trays (canang sari) everywhere. Locals lay these out several times a day, filled with flowers, rice and incense, as thanks to the Gods. It’s important to avoid stepping on these.
• You’ll pay a small entry fee, usually in cash. Most major temples now include the sarong rental in that price rather than charging separately.
• Watch out for donation and offering scams, particularly at busier temples like Besakih (more on this below). Only pay at the official ticket counter. If someone approaches you before the gate asking for a “mandatory donation” or to buy an offering, it’s not official. It’s best to politely decline and walk on to the ticket booth.

Visiting Temples on an Organised Tour

Bali isn’t always the easiest place to explore if you don’t have a scooter, especially due to the lack of public transport.

While taxis and drivers are aplenty, it can be easier to join a small-group organised tour to visit temples in Bali. The tour takes care of the logistics and your guide will impart plenty of useful, local knowledge. Tours to temples will often include another local attraction too, such as a waterfall visit or an interesting lunch stop.

Here’s my pick of some of the best tours visiting temples in Bali:

The Must-See Temples in Bali

So here’s my updated guide to the must-see temples in Bali. With a particular focus on Uluwatu, Tirta Empul and Ubud Water Palace, plus a few more worth adding to your list. A temple visit is such a unique experience, and offers a fascinating insight into Balinese life.

I hope this post has been useful for anyone wondering which temples to pick for their Bali trip. If you’re looking for other attractions in Bali, then make sure to check out this guide on amazing places to visit in Bali.

Disclaimer: I paid for my visit to these temples in Bali. There was no involvement from the tourism board or a temple. This is an independent guide.