Every single tourist that comes to the island of Bali should visit at least one of the iconic Bali Temples. A lot do, but did you know just how many Bali Temples there are? Most visitors to the island have heard of Heaven’s Gate, and may visit Uluwatu Temple to see the monkeys or the Kecak dance. These are only two of hundreds of Temples on the island, though, and even though both of them are members of the Nine Directional Temples that guard the island of the Gods, they are still only just the start.
Now, I know that not every visitor can get around to all the temples on the island, and most would struggle to even come close to seeing the Nine Directional Temples. So today I am going to list just 5 Bali Temples that I believe every Bali Visitor should see at some stage.
Here we go.
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Table of Contents
- Bali Temples to visit #1 – Tanah Lot
- Bali Temples to visit #2 – Uluwatu Temple
- #3 – Besakih Temple
- #4 Lempuyang Temple (Heaven’s Gate)
- Bali Temples #5 – Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
- Can I visit with a tour?
Wondering how to get around in Bali?
My suggestion is by Scooter. You can get anywhere on the island on a scooter, and you can easily hire one at this link. If you have an international driver’s permit, then you are set to go! Your other option is to hire a car and a driver. You can get one right here, and organize your day out in air-conditioned comfort! Either way, you will enjoy your day and get to see a bit of this wonderful island. As always, make sure that you have your Travel Insurance up to date as well.
Bali Temples to visit #1 – Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is an amazing and iconic Temple in Bali. It is arguably one of the most famous Bali Temples, and is one of the most visited. Located not too far from the main tourism hub in Southern Bali, it is easily accessed by tours and private vehicles which fill the large parking lot from the early hours of the morning.
The name Tanah lot is translated at Land/Sea, as the temple itself actually sits on a solitary piece of rock completely detached from the mainland. At high tide the ocean wraps around the small island and cuts off access.
Tanah Lot is best visited late in the day as the sunsets are amazing, and are rated as some of the best on the island. Get there early though, because it is generally standing room only and finding a park is nearly impossible!
Bali Temples to visit #2 – Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple is built at the edge of a 70m high cliff that juts out into the Indian Ocean. Located on the Bali Bukit at Uluwatu, it is a very popular stop off for tours that visit the area.
Although this is a very holy and iconic Temple in Bali, the main attractions for tourists are the monkeys and the traditional Kecak dance. The monkeys are some of the cheekiest on the island, notorious for stealing sunglasses, cameras, car keys and nearly anything that isn’t being securely held onto by visitors. While this is amusing for some, the victims often never see their belongings again.
The Kecak dance is a traditional dance that is performed in other locations on the island, but Uluwatu Temple is by far the most popular place to view it. The views from the cliff tops and the amazing sunsets make an already inspiring performance just that much better.
#3 – Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple is a large temple complex located on the slopes of Mount Agung. Nearly 1000m up the southern slope, it consists of 23 separate but related temples, with the largest being the mother temple. It is considered the most holy of all of the Bali Temples, and is also the oldest.
The Temple at Besakih welcomes tens of thousands of tourists every year, and features amazing views across all of southern Bali. Built on six terraced levels, it is a must for anyone who is even remotely interested in learning about the Balinese history and culture.
#4 Lempuyang Temple (Heaven’s Gate)
Lempuyang Temple, better known to visitors as Heaven’s Gate, has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the iconic photos that can be taken with Mount Agung as a backdrop. Often in peak tourist periods, there can be line ups of well over an hour just to get a photo, and many leave disappointed a the clouds move in and shroud the mountain in an impenetrable veil.
Like the other Bali Temples on this list, Lempuyang is one of the Nine Directional Temples. It is built on the slopes high above Amlapura in Karangasem, East Bali, and faces directly at Mount Agung. The best time to visit is early in the morning, when the mountain is still visible, or late in the afternoon for the amazing sunsets.
Bali Temples #5 – Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan can be found in Central Bali on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains of Bedugul. The temple is famous as the “floating” temple of Bali. This is due to the fact that it is built slightly out in the lake, and when the water is high and completely surrounding it, the temple appears to float. When this happens it makes beautiful photos, with the water usually quite calm giving beautiful reflections.
Being in the mountains, the weather can be a factor when visiting Pura Ulun Danu Beratan. Some days are perfect, others are cloudy and foggy. Sometimes it can be a combination of the two. Try to do a little research before visiting. Personally, I have visited when there was no water, and the result was a perfect sea of green grass framed by amazing flowers. So whether there is water surrounding this iconic temple or not, it is still worth the visit!
So that is it for my 5 Bali Temples everyone should visit. There are many, many more temples in Bali, and some of them could easily be added to this list. Narrowing it down to 5 was not easy!
Can I visit with a tour?
Yes! You can visit all of these temples on a tour. I will list some trusted tours in the links below.
Tanah Lot tour click here.
Uluwatu Temple tour click here.
Besakih Temple tour click here.
Lempuyang Temple tour click here.
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan tour click here.
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