Indonesia temples

Indonesia's temple landscape covers three traditions: Buddhist (Borobudur, Muara Takus), Hindu-era Java (Prambanan, Dieng, Candi Sukuh), and living Balinese Hindu (Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Tirta Empul, Besakih). Two are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bali temples are still actively used — respect matters more here than at ruin sites.

Borobudur

UNESCO

Buddhist (9th c.) · Central Java

World's largest Buddhist monument; sunrise from top terraces is iconic; Waisak lantern release annually

Prambanan

UNESCO

Hindu (9th c.) · Central Java

Trimurti (Shiva-Vishnu-Brahma) Hindu complex; Ramayana ballet at night is unmissable

Uluwatu

Balinese Hindu (11th c.) · Bali (Bukit peninsula)

Cliff-edge sea temple; Kecak fire dance at sunset

Tanah Lot

Balinese Hindu (16th c.) · Bali (Tabanan)

Iconic offshore rock temple; visit at low tide + sunset (very busy)

Tirta Empul

Balinese Hindu (10th c.) · Bali (Tampaksiring)

Holy-spring purification bath; visitors can participate (sarong + rules apply)

Besakih (Pura Besakih)

Balinese Hindu — Mother Temple · Bali (Mount Agung foothills)

Largest + holiest Bali temple; 23 separate sanctuaries on the mountain

Goa Gajah

Hindu-Buddhist (11th c.) · Bali (Ubud)

Elephant cave with meditation grottoes and bathing pools

Bali temple etiquette

All Balinese Hindu · Bali

Sarong + sash rules, ceremony access, photography etiquette

Dieng temples

Hindu (7th–8th c.) · Central Java (Dieng Plateau)

Indonesia's oldest surviving Hindu temples; volcanic-plateau setting

Muara Takus

Buddhist (11th–12th c.) · Riau, Sumatra

Sriwijaya-era Buddhist complex; rarely visited but important historically

Candi Sukuh + Candi Cetho

Hindu (15th c.) · Central Java (Mount Lawu slopes)

Late Majapahit-era temples; unusual pyramid form + erotic reliefs

Bali Aga temples (Trunyan)

Pre-Hindu Balinese · Bali (north-east)

Pre-Majapahit indigenous belief; skulls displayed on rocks by Lake Batur

Temple etiquette essentials

Sarong + sash required at all Balinese Hindu temples — usually provided at entry.
Menstruating women traditionally do not enter Bali temples — follow signposted rules.
Never climb on temple structures or interrupt ceremonies for photos.
Borobudur upper terraces have crowd caps + advance ticket booking; book early for Waisak.
Photography with flash is banned inside most inner sanctums.