Bali has over 20,000 temples. That number sounds overwhelming, but in practice, a handful of them stand clearly above the rest for their setting, their cultural significance, or the sheer experience of being there. This guide covers the best temples in Bali for visitors in 2026: what makes each one worth your time, what to expect, how to dress, when to go, and how to visit efficiently from Sanur.
Temple-visiting is one of those activities that divides travellers. Done well with some context and the right timing it’s among the most memorable things you can do in Bali. Done poorly (wrong dress code, wrong time, wrong expectations), it can feel like a crowded tourist exercise. This guide aims to help you get it right. For an overview of how to structure a Bali trip that includes temples alongside beaches, markets, and day trips, our 7-day Bali itinerary is a good place to start.
Before You Visit: Temple Etiquette in Bali
Bali’s temples are active places of Hindu worship not museums. Visitors are welcome, but the following rules are non-negotiable at virtually every temple on the island:
- Sarong required: You must wear a sarong (a wrap covering the lower body). Most temples provide these at the entrance for a small fee or deposit bring your own if you visit multiple in a day.
- Shoulders covered: A light shirt or scarf is sufficient. Bikini tops and singlets are not acceptable.
- No entry during menstruation: This is a Balinese Hindu religious practice that applies at many temples sign at the entrance will indicate if it applies.
- Remove shoes where indicated: Some inner temple areas require bare feet.
- Stay out of inner sanctums: Unless you’re participating in a ceremony, visitors typically access outer courtyards only.
- Be respectful during ceremonies: If a ceremony is underway, watch from a distance and don’t photograph worshippers without permission.
For tips on what to pack for a day of temple-visiting, our Bali packing list covers lightweight sarongs, appropriate footwear, and sun protection.
The Best Temples in Bali
1. Tanah Lot – Most Iconic Sunset Temple
Tanah Lot is Bali’s most photographed temple and for good reason. The small Hindu shrine sits on a rocky outcrop in the ocean, connected to the mainland only at low tide at high tide, it appears to float on the water. It is genuinely spectacular, particularly at sunset when the silhouette of the temple against the orange sky is one of those images that defines Bali for the world.
The practical reality: Tanah Lot is extremely popular. Arrive by 4pm for sunset, be prepared for crowds, and don’t expect a moment of peaceful solitude. The tourist village surrounding the temple complex is extensive. The temple itself is closed to non-Hindus, but the views from the surrounding cliffs are the main draw anyway. Cost: entrance approximately IDR 60,000 per person. From Sanur, approximately 60–75 minutes by car.
2. Uluwatu Temple – Clifftop Drama and Kecak Fire Dance
Pura Luhur Uluwatu sits on a 70-metre sea cliff at the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula, with views across the Indian Ocean that are unmatched anywhere in Bali. The temple itself is one of Bali’s six Sad Kahyangan the most sacred Hindu temples on the island. The surrounding grounds are home to a large monkey population; keep jewellery, sunglasses, and food secured.
The nightly Kecak Fire Dance performance at Uluwatu (starting around sunset, approximately 6pm) is one of the most authentic and visually powerful cultural experiences available to visitors in Bali. Kecak involves over 50 performers chanting in rhythmic waves while a fire dancer moves through the flames the cliff and ocean backdrop make it extraordinary. Arrive 30–45 minutes early for a good seat. Cost: temple entrance approximately IDR 50,000, Kecak performance approximately IDR 100,000 per person. From Sanur, approximately 60–80 minutes. Uluwatu is a natural inclusion in a day trip from Sanur that combines the south coast with Jimbaran Bay dinner.
3. Tirta Empul – Bali’s Sacred Purification Springs
Tirta Empul is unlike any other temple in Bali. The sacred spring complex near Tampaksiring, north of Ubud, contains a series of elaborate fountain pools where Balinese Hindus perform ritual purification immersing themselves in the holy water while priests conduct blessings. Visitors are welcome to participate (appropriate dress required, no sarong or clothing used for purification can be worn on land afterward dry kit needed) or to observe respectfully from walkways above.
The purification ritual is one of the most genuinely moving things you can witness in Bali devotional, unhurried, and completely authentic. The temple was built in 962 AD and the spring that feeds it has been used for purification for over a thousand years. From Sanur, approximately 60 minutes. Pairs naturally with an Ubud day trip from Sanur. Cost: entrance approximately IDR 50,000 per person.
4. Besakih – Mother Temple of Bali
Pura Besakih is Bali’s largest and most sacred temple complex a terraced series of over 80 shrines climbing the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest and most sacred volcano. It has been a site of worship since at least the 8th century and is considered the spiritual centre of Balinese Hinduism. The scale of the complex is genuinely impressive; the backdrop of Agung on a clear day is stunning.
A note on visiting: Besakih has been the subject of many tourist complaints regarding aggressive touts and unofficial guides who attempt to charge fees or restrict access. Go with a reputable driver who knows the site and will manage this for you. The complex is partially open to non-Hindus for most of the outer areas; inner areas are restricted. Cost: entrance approximately IDR 60,000, mandatory sarong and sash rental if you don’t bring your own. From Sanur, approximately 90 minutes.
5. Pura Tirta Gangga – Water Palace and Royal Gardens
Tirta Gangga is less a temple in the traditional sense and more a former royal water palace a 1940s complex of ornamental pools, fountains, and statues in east Bali, near Amlapura. The gardens are beautifully maintained, the lotus ponds are exceptional, and the stepping stone path across the pools makes for one of Bali’s most distinctive photographs. Swimming is possible in one of the pools. The pace here is calm and unhurried a genuine contrast to Tanah Lot or Uluwatu.
Tirta Gangga sits at the end of a scenic east Bali route that also passes through the Sidemen valley and the salt-making village of Amed ideal if you have a full day and a driver who knows the roads. From Sanur, approximately 90 minutes. Cost: entrance approximately IDR 50,000 per person.
6. Pura Taman Saraswati – Ubud’s Lotus Temple
Ubud’s Pura Taman Saraswati sits in the centre of town, fronted by an ornamental lotus pond that fills the street view with pink blooms. Dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and the arts, it’s small and easily combined with a morning at the Ubud Art Market across the road. Traditional dance performances take place in the inner courtyard several evenings a week check the schedule at the Ubud Tourism Information office. Free entry.
Temple Day Trip Costs from Sanur
| Temple | Distance from Sanur | Entrance Fee | Best Time to Visit | Best Combined With |
| Tanah Lot | ~60–75 min | IDR 60,000 | Late afternoon (sunset) | Seminyak, Canggu |
| Uluwatu | ~60–80 min | IDR 50,000 + IDR 100k Kecak | Late afternoon, sunset | Jimbaran dinner, south coast |
| Tirta Empul | ~60 min | IDR 50,000 | Morning (9–11am) | Ubud, Kintamani |
| Besakih | ~90 min | IDR 60,000 | Morning (avoid weekends) | East Bali circuit |
| Tirta Gangga | ~90 min | IDR 50,000 | Morning or late afternoon | Sidemen, Amed, east Bali |
| Pura Taman Saraswati | ~50 min | Free | Morning or evening performance | Ubud Art Market, Monkey Forest |
For budgeting context across your full Bali trip, our guide to travelling Bali on a budget covers entrance fees, transport, and food costs in detail.
How to Visit Bali Temples from Sanur
Sanur’s central location in south-east Bali makes it well-positioned for temple day trips in multiple directions. Tanah Lot and Uluwatu are to the southwest; Tirta Empul and Besakih are to the north and northeast; Tirta Gangga is to the east. A private driver for the day (IDR 350,000–500,000) is the most flexible option, giving you the ability to combine two or three temples in a circuit without being tied to a tour group schedule.
Guests at Bhatara Villa Sanur can ask the villa team for driver referrals trusted drivers who know temple routes and etiquette and can advise on timing based on current crowd patterns. For couples planning a cultural itinerary alongside beach time, our guide to Bali for couples covers the romantic highlights, and our honeymoon in Sanur Bali guide covers how to blend culture and relaxation across a first visit.
For a private pool villa in Sanur as your base, there’s genuine practicality in starting early the roads from Sanur toward Ubud and the highlands are quieter before 9am, which means better timing at the temples and a more relaxed return. Check availability and book directly at Bhatara Villa Sanur for best rates.
Sanur as a Base for Cultural Exploration
Sanur’s quieter, residential character makes it a good match for the kind of traveller drawn to Bali’s cultural depth rather than just its beaches. The things to do in Sanur guide covers the neighbourhood’s own cultural offerings including the Bali Museum in nearby Denpasar, the traditional Sanur Beach Festival held annually, and several smaller temples within the area. Our complete Sanur Bali guide covers the neighbourhood in full as a base for exploring the broader island.
Explore Bali’s Temples from Sanur
Sanur sits within easy reach of Bali’s most important temple circuits Tirta Empul and Goa Gajah in under an hour, Tanah Lot and Uluwatu in 1.5 hours, Besakih with an early start. After a long day walking temple grounds, returning to your own private pool in the evening is exactly the right way to end it. Bhatara Villa Sanur has 10 private pool villas waiting. Temple visits Tirta Empul and Uluwatu are particularly good solo. See our best temples in Bali guide for the full list.
Frequently Asked Questions Bali Temples
Tanah Lot is Bali’s most photographed and internationally recognised temple the ocean-surrounded shrine at sunset is one of the defining images of the island. Besakih (the Mother Temple) is considered the most sacred and significant from a religious standpoint. Uluwatu is the most dramatic in terms of setting, perched on a 70-metre sea cliff.
Yes, a sarong covering the lower body is mandatory at virtually all Balinese Hindu temples. Most entrance gates provide or rent sarongs for a small fee or deposit. Shoulders should also be covered. Bring your own sarong if you’re visiting multiple temples in a day.
Tourists are welcome in the outer and middle courtyards of most temples. Inner sanctums are generally restricted to Balinese Hindu worshippers, particularly during ceremonies. Temples are active places of worship respectful behaviour and appropriate dress are required at all times.
Tanah Lot and Uluwatu are both outstanding sunset temples, each with a very different atmosphere. Tanah Lot is more accessible and the ocean backdrop is iconic; Uluwatu is more dramatic in setting and offers the Kecak Fire Dance performance starting at sunset. Both are approximately 60–80 minutes from Sanur by car.
Tirta Empul (near Ubud) is where Balinese Hindus and willing tourists can participate in purification rituals in the sacred spring pools this is ritual bathing with deep religious significance, not recreational swimming. Tirta Gangga water palace in east Bali has an ornamental pool where swimming is permitted as a non-religious activity.
Two or three temples in a single day is a comfortable maximum trying to see more tends to produce a blur of stone gates and courtyards. A well-planned temple day from Sanur might combine Tirta Empul in the morning with Kintamani for lunch and a return via Ubud or Uluwatu in the late afternoon followed by the Kecak performance and Jimbaran dinner. Quality over quantity is always the better approach.