Bali's Best Temples: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, and Beyond

Bali has thousands of temples, and a handful stand out for both their setting and cultural significance.

Uluwatu Temple

Perched on a cliff edge above the ocean, especially striking at sunset, when a Kecak fire dance is often performed nearby.

Tanah Lot

A temple built on an offshore rock formation, accessible on foot at low tide — one of Bali's most photographed sights, and correspondingly crowded at sunset.

Temple etiquette

A sarong and sash are required, menstruating women are traditionally asked not to enter, and quiet, respectful behavior is expected regardless of how touristy a particular temple has become.

Besakih, the Mother Temple

Bali's largest and holiest temple complex, on the slopes of Mount Agung, less visited by day-trip tourists given its distance from the main tourist areas.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

A striking lakeside temple in the cooler central highlands, its buildings appearing to float on the water depending on the lake's level.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan in detail

Set on the shore of Lake Bratan in the cooler central highlands, this temple's multi-tiered meru towers appear to float on the water when the lake level is high, making it one of the most photographed temples on the island.

Respecting active worship

Many temples remain active places of worship rather than pure tourist sites, and visitors should avoid entering inner sanctums reserved for prayer regardless of how open the outer areas feel.

Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave

An ancient meditation cave with a dramatic carved entrance, less visited than Uluwatu or Tanah Lot but significant for its combination of Hindu and Buddhist elements.

Pura Besakih in more detail

Actually a complex of over twenty separate temples spread across the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali's largest volcano, this site holds genuine significance as the island's most important temple complex.

Timing a temple visit around ceremonies

If you happen to visit during an active ceremony, observing respectfully from a distance is welcomed, though joining or photographing up close without invitation isn't appropriate.

Combining multiple temples in a day

Uluwatu and Tanah Lot sit on opposite sides of the island and can't realistically be combined in a single day trip — pick one per day rather than trying to rush between both.

What to actually expect visually

Balinese temples differ significantly from the stone architecture found in mainland Southeast Asia — expect multi-tiered thatched meru towers and split candi bentar gates rather than large enclosed halls.

Whichever temples you visit, a sarong rented on-site works just as well as one brought from home, so this is one item you genuinely don't need to pack in advance.