When people think of Bali, beaches usually come first. Sunsets, palm trees, endless ocean views.
But if you truly want to understand the island, you need to step inside its temples.
In Bali, temples are not museums. They are part of everyday life. You will see locals carrying offerings at sunrise, children learning rituals from their elders, and ceremonies unfolding quietly while daily life continues around them.
These sacred places are called pura. Each one has its own setting, atmosphere, and story. Some sit beside misty lakes, others cling to ocean cliffs, hide in jungle valleys, or rise on volcanic slopes.
Below is a carefully curated guide to the top temples in Bali. Not just the most famous names, but places that truly shape the island’s spiritual landscape and your experience while you are here.
Top 11 Must Visit Temples in Bali
Each of these temples offers a different window into Bali’s spiritual world. As you move from one to another, you will begin to see how belief, nature, and everyday life are deeply connected across the island.
1. Ulun Danu Bratan
Imagine cool mountain air, soft mist floating above a calm lake, and a temple that seems to drift between sky and water.
Ulun Danu Bratan sits on Lake Bratan in the Bedugul highlands and is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water. For Balinese farmers, this temple represents life itself, because water brings rice, balance, and prosperity.
Visit early in the morning if you can. Before the crowds arrive, the atmosphere feels quiet, reflective, and almost poetic.
2. Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is dramatic, powerful, and impossible to ignore. Built on a rocky outcrop just offshore, it stands firm as waves crash around it.
It is one of the most photographed temples in Bali, especially at sunset. But beyond the visuals, Tanah Lot symbolizes the spiritual connection between land and ocean, a core principle in Balinese belief.
Yes, it can be busy. But as the sun dips into the horizon and the sky turns gold, you will understand why this place holds such strong meaning.
3. Tirta Empul
Tirta Empul is not simply a place you visit. It is a place you experience.
Located near Ubud, this temple is famous for its holy spring water. Locals and visitors come here to take part in purification rituals, moving slowly from one fountain to the next with intention and respect.
If you choose to participate, the moment feels personal and grounding. Quiet, reflective, and very different from typical sightseeing.
4. Lempuyang Temple
You have probably seen photos of the Gate of Heaven. But Lempuyang is much more than a picture.
This temple complex in East Bali is one of the oldest on the island. Reaching it requires patience. Walking, waiting, and sometimes climbing. That effort is part of the experience.
In Balinese philosophy, spiritual rewards come through commitment. The view of Mount Agung framed by the gates feels more meaningful when you understand the journey behind it.
5. Besakih
Besakih is not a single temple, but a vast complex spread across the slopes of Mount Agung.
It is considered the most sacred place in Bali, where important ceremonies involving the entire island take place. The scale is impressive, yet the atmosphere remains deeply spiritual rather than commercial.
If you want to see how religion shapes Balinese life at its highest level, Besakih is essential.
6. Taman Ayun
Surrounded by water gardens and open lawns, Taman Ayun feels balanced and elegant.
Once belonging to the Mengwi royal family, this temple reflects harmony rather than grandeur. Multi tiered shrines rise gently, mirrored in surrounding ponds.
It is a beautiful stop if you appreciate architecture, history, and calm spaces away from crowds.
7. Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant Cave, feels mysterious from the moment you arrive.
The cave entrance is carved with protective figures, almost as if inviting you into another world. Inside the complex, you will find meditation caves, bathing pools, and traces of both Hindu and Buddhist influence.
It is a short visit, but rich in atmosphere and history.
8. Gunung Kawi
To reach Gunung Kawi, you walk down through rice fields and into a lush river valley. The journey itself slows you down.
Here, ancient shrines are carved directly into towering cliff faces. The sound of flowing water fills the air, creating a sense of peace that feels rare.
This is one of the most tranquil temple experiences in Bali, ideal if you enjoy quiet reflection.
9. Saraswati Temple
Located in the heart of Ubud, Saraswati Temple is dedicated to the goddess of wisdom and arts.
A lotus pond leads you toward the temple, and in the evening, traditional dance performances bring the space to life. It is an easy way to combine culture, art, and atmosphere without leaving town.
10. Goa Lawah
On Bali’s east coast, Goa Lawah is built around a cave filled with thousands of bats.
The setting feels intense and symbolic. Local belief says this temple is spiritually connected to Besakih, helping maintain balance and protection across the island.
It may not be glamorous, but it is deeply meaningful.
11. Uluwatu Temple
Perched high above the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu Temple offers some of the most dramatic views in Bali.
At sunset, the cliffs glow in warm light. In the evening, the famous Kecak fire dance adds rhythm and storytelling to the experience.
Keep an eye on your belongings here. The resident monkeys are curious and very confident.
Hidden and Lesser Known Temples Worth Adding to Your Journey
Not every meaningful temple in Bali comes with crowds, ticket lines, and tour buses.
Some of the most memorable temple moments happen at places you did not plan for. The quiet stops. The temples you visit slowly, without rushing to the next photo.
If you have time to explore beyond the famous names, these temples are worth adding to your journey.
12. Pura Batu Bolong
Located just a short walk from Tanah Lot, Pura Batu Bolong offers a similar ocean setting with a very different atmosphere.
The temple sits on a rocky arch overlooking the sea, but feels calmer and more spacious. It is a beautiful place to pause, breathe, and enjoy the coastline without the intensity of crowds.
13. Pura Kehen
Pura Kehen feels like stepping into an older chapter of Bali.
Stone stairways lead you upward through shaded courtyards, ancient trees, and detailed carvings. The atmosphere is calm, grounded, and quietly powerful.
This is a temple for travelers who enjoy history, architecture, and a slower pace.
14. Village Pura Dalem
You might pass a Pura Dalem without realizing its significance.
These village temples represent the cycle of life and death and play an essential role in local ceremonies. Visiting one offers a rare glimpse into Bali beyond tourism, where spirituality is woven into everyday life.
If you are lucky, you may witness preparations for a ceremony rather than a performance.
15. Pura Gunung Lebah
Tucked away in a green valley near the Campuhan Ridge, Pura Gunung Lebah feels intimate and deeply connected to nature.
Surrounded by rivers and jungle, this temple invites you to slow down. It is quiet, grounding, and easy to miss if you are not looking for it.
These smaller temples may not dominate postcards, but they often stay with you the longest.
How to Visit Bali Temples Respectfully
Before entering a temple, remember that you are stepping into a sacred space, not just a photo spot.
Wearing a sarong and sash is a sign of respect, and most temples provide them at the entrance. Covering your shoulders and knees shows awareness of local customs.
Inside, slow down. Speak softly, observe ceremonies from a distance, and allow moments to unfold naturally.
Photography is usually welcome, but if someone is praying, that moment belongs to them.
Respect is not about limitation. It is what allows you to feel truly welcome.
A More Meaningful Way to Explore Bali Temples
Temples in Bali are not places to rush through. They are part of a living rhythm that blends spirituality, nature, and daily life.
When you slow down, listen, and understand the meaning behind each space, something shifts. Bali stops feeling like a destination you consume, and starts feeling like a place you connect with.
At Bali Island Vacations, we believe the best journeys feel effortless, personal, and unhurried. When temple visits are approached with intention, they become more than sightseeing.
They turn into moments of calm, insight, and lasting memory.
