Bali Temple Guide — The Major Pura, with Etiquette — Bali

Bali has been called the "Island of a Thousand Temples" — the actual number is much higher (every Balinese family compound has its own temple, every village has at least three, plus regional and island-wide ones). This guide covers the most significant and most visited temples — the ones that any serious Bali visit should include — with notes on what each is, when to visit, what to expect, and the dress and behaviour rules common to all.

The hierarchy of Bali temples

Balinese temples fall into a rough hierarchy:

The Six Directional Temples (Sad Kahyangan) — six island-wide temples that guard the cardinal and intermediate directions of Bali. These are the most sacred. They are: Besakih, Lempuyang, Ulun Danu Batur, Goa Lawah, Pura Luhur Uluwatu, and Pura Pucak Mangu.
Royal temples — historically associated with the royal courts
Regional and lake temples — serving wider areas
Village temples — every village has three: Pura Puseh (origin), Pura Desa (village), Pura Dalem (death)
Family temples (Sanggah) — every compound has one
Subak temples — at the head of each irrigation system

The most visited temples for visitors

1. Pura Besakih — the Mother Temple

The largest and most important temple complex in Bali, on the southern slopes of Mount Agung at about 1,000m elevation. Actually a complex of 23 separate temples on terraces.

Why visit: the most sacred temple complex in Bali; spectacular setting; major ceremonies
When: morning for clearer mountain views; major festival days for ceremonies
Practical: about 90 minutes from Ubud, 2.5 hours from south Bali; entry includes guide (Rp 150,000-200,000 / USD 10-13); wear sarong + sash (rented at the gate)
Crowds: moderate; the famous Hindu pilgrims during ceremonies

2. Pura Luhur Uluwatu — the cliff temple

One of the six directional temples, dramatically sited on a 70-metre cliff at Bali's southwestern tip.

Why visit: the spectacular setting; the famous Kecak fire dance at sunset
When: arrive 90 minutes before sunset to claim a spot at the temple and the amphitheatre; the Kecak performance starts at sunset
Practical: entry Rp 50,000 (USD 3) + Kecak Rp 150,000 (USD 10); 45-60 minutes from Seminyak; sarong + sash rented at the entrance; watch your sunglasses around the resident monkeys
Crowds: heavy at sunset, manageable mid-afternoon

3. Pura Tanah Lot — the sea temple at high tide

The iconic Tanah Lot is built on a rocky outcropping that becomes a small island at high tide.

Why visit: the unique sea-temple setting; photogenic
When: sunset for the famous silhouette photos; low tide for actually walking out to the temple base
Practical: entry Rp 75,000 (USD 5); about 90 minutes from Seminyak or Ubud; sarong + sash provided; the surrounding area is heavily commercialised
Crowds: very heavy at sunset

4. Pura Tirta Empul — the holy springs

The holy springs temple at Tampaksiring, where Balinese take ritual purification baths in the spring water. Visitors can also participate.

Why visit: the active religious use, the architectural beauty, the ritual experience
When: morning for fewer crowds; weekdays better than weekends
Practical: entry Rp 75,000 (USD 5); about 30 minutes from Ubud; bring an extra sarong for the bathing if you want to participate; rented sarongs and lockers available
Crowds: increasingly crowded; very early morning is best

5. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan — the lake temple

The iconic lake temple at Bedugul, appearing on the Rp 50,000 banknote.

Why visit: the postcard image; the cool highland climate
When: morning is often misty (great for atmosphere photos) or clear; mid-day is busy
Practical: entry Rp 75,000 (USD 5); about 90 minutes from south Bali; sarong + sash; pair with Bedugul Botanical Garden and the Strawberry Stop
Crowds: moderate to heavy

6. Pura Lempuyang — the "Gates of Heaven"

The famous "Gates of Heaven" temple, with the dramatic split-gate framing Mount Agung in the background.

Why visit: one of the most-Instagrammed views in Bali
When: sunrise to early morning for clearest mountain views and fewer crowds
Practical: entry Rp 75,000 (USD 5); 90 minutes from Ubud, 2.5 hours from south; the famous photos use a reflective surface placed underneath the camera (this is well-known and the queue can be long)
Crowds: increasingly heavy, especially for the photo

7. Pura Goa Lawah — the bat cave temple

One of the six directional temples, built around a cave inhabited by thousands of fruit bats.

Why visit: unique sea-cave setting; one of the most important pilgrimage sites
When: morning or afternoon
Practical: entry Rp 50,000 (USD 3); on the east coast at Padang Bai; on the route between Sanur and Candidasa; the bats are visible from outside the cave; sarong + sash

8. Pura Gunung Kawi — the rock-cut shrines

10th-century rock-cut shrines and meditation niches carved into a cliff face in a valley near Tampaksiring.

Why visit: the unique archaeology; the dramatic setting in a rice-paddy valley
When: morning for cooler temperatures; bring water (the descent is significant)
Practical: entry Rp 50,000 (USD 3); 45 minutes from Ubud; long staircase down (~270 steps) and back up
Crowds: moderate

9. Pura Saraswati — Ubud's lotus pond temple

The small but beautifully-set temple in central Ubud, with a lotus pond approach.

Why visit: central Ubud location; very photogenic at dusk
When: late afternoon
Practical: free entry from outside; sarong + sash required to enter the inner courtyard; very accessible from Ubud town centre

10. Pura Taman Ayun — the royal water palace temple

The 17th-century royal temple of the Mengwi kingdom, surrounded by a moat.

Why visit: the classic Balinese architecture; the moated setting
When: morning or late afternoon
Practical: entry Rp 50,000 (USD 3); 30 minutes from Seminyak; sarong + sash; usually quieter than the famous temples

11. Pura Tirta Gangga — the royal water palace

Technically a water palace rather than a temple proper, but with active religious significance. Elaborate pools, fountains, and statues in tropical gardens.

Why visit: the dramatic setting; the wading stones across the main pool
When: morning or late afternoon; mid-day can be hot
Practical: entry Rp 50,000 (USD 3); 90 minutes from Ubud; carved stepping stones across the main pool are popular for photographs

12. Pura Goa Gajah — Elephant Cave

A 9th-century Hindu meditation cave just east of Ubud, with a striking demon-mouth entrance.

Why visit: the archaeology; the meditation cave with Hindu and Buddhist features
When: morning
Practical: entry Rp 30,000 (USD 2); 15 minutes from Ubud; bring sarong (one provided)

Common etiquette across all temples

These apply at every Hindu temple in Bali:

Dress:

Sarong required for both men and women (provided or rented at major temples)
Sash required, tied around the waist
Long sleeves or covered shoulders preferred
No shorts or revealing clothing in temple grounds
Modest dress generally

Behaviour:

Don't enter during ceremonies unless invited
Step around — never over — offerings placed on the ground
Don't take photos of people praying without permission
Don't climb on temple structures or statues
Don't pose disrespectfully for photos
Don't enter if menstruating (women) — major temples have signs at entrances; respected by Balinese
Don't bring food into the temple interior
Keep voices down

Photography:

Generally allowed in temple grounds, but not in inner sanctum during ceremonies
Drones often prohibited or require permission
Don't position cameras above sacred objects

Tipping:

Donation boxes at major temples — Rp 10,000-50,000 is appropriate
Guides at Besakih and other complex sites — Rp 100,000-200,000 for a 1-hour tour

Witnessing ceremonies

If you happen to be present during a ceremony at a temple:

Stay to the side unless invited to join
Don't position yourself in front of the priests or main worshippers
Lower your camera and lower your voice
Wait for processions to pass before crossing paths
Accept offerings if offered (small flowers, water, blessings) with both hands

The Balinese are generally welcoming to respectful foreign witnesses. The cardinal rule is "be present but don't impose."

Temple festivals to know

Odalan — every temple has an "anniversary" celebration every 210 days. Each temple's odalan is unique; ask locally what's happening during your visit

Galungan and Kuningan — major Hindu festival cycle every 210 days; streets fill with penjor (decorated bamboo poles)

Nyepi — Balinese New Year (March-April), 24-hour island shutdown

Saraswati — Hindu day of learning (every 210 days)

Pagerwesi — purification day (every 210 days)

Galungan is the most spectacular for visitors to witness — the streets, the penjor, the processions are extraordinary.

Building your own temple itinerary

Most visitors visit 3-5 temples during a typical Bali trip. A balanced selection:

The big sunset spectacular: Uluwatu (with the Kecak dance)
The architectural icon: Tanah Lot (at sunset) or Ulun Danu Bratan
The active religious experience: Tirta Empul (the bathing ritual)
The big cultural complex: Besakih (the Mother Temple)
The bonus: any of Lempuyang, Goa Gajah, Saraswati, Taman Ayun

A specific full-day temple itinerary from south Bali might be:

Morning: Tanah Lot (early before crowds)
Mid-morning: Taman Ayun (less visited)
Lunch in Ubud
Afternoon: Saraswati, then Tirta Empul
Late afternoon: Pura Luhur Uluwatu
Sunset: Kecak dance

This is ambitious; a more leisurely version spreads the temples across two or three days.

The temples are not a single attraction in Bali — they are an ongoing, living religious infrastructure that shapes daily life. Seeing the temples is also seeing how the island's religion still works in practice, every day, in every village.