There are many indispensable Bali temples among the more than 10,000 that exist in the Island of the Gods. The pure or temples are very important for the life of the Balinese and must be visited with the utmost respect and education, something that should not be forgotten if we want to enjoy responsible tourism.
In Hindu temples it is mandatory to carry a sarong that you can rent at the entrance, sometimes it is already included in the price, or buy at a store around, something that can also be the perfect souvenir to take home. It is also not advisable to point the finger and also, you must be careful not to step on any offering that the Balinese present to good spirits every day.
The entrance to the temples is very cheap and is usually around, according to the temple, between 10,000 rupees (70 cents) and 50,000 rupees (3 euros), the most expensive and known.
After our experience being on two occasions to travel to Bali for free we recommend you go to most famous temples in Bali first thing in the morning, between 7 and 9, to avoid organized groups and to visit them with the greatest peace of mind.
To reach all these temples you can rent a motorcycle, car or a car service with driver in which you decide the itinerary and the places you want to visit.
We can say, without fear of being wrong, that there are Bali temples for all tastes, highlighting some for their importance in the Hindu religion and the life of the Balinese and others for the beauty of its location. Based on our experience in the 6 days we were in Bali during the trip to Indonesia for free and the 30 days we spent on our last visit to the island, where we stayed in a Bali villa that we rented with Airbnb, near of Ubud, we have made a list of what we think are the 15 essential Bali temples. We start!
1. Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
Ulun Danu Bratan is dedicated to the water goddess Dewi Danu and is one of the most sacred temples in Bali. It stands out for its location on the shores of Lake Bratan, surrounded by mountains, vegetation and a subtle mist that make it one of the most typical postcards of Bali. This cigar is also a place of pilgrimage, so if you have a bit of luck you can see a procession of peasants who pilgrimage to the temple to make offerings and ask for water for their crops.
Pure Luhur Danu Bratan
2. Pure Besakih
Pura Besakih or Mother Temple, located at the foot of the active volcano Agung, is one of the most important Bali temples and essential. This huge Hindu complex formed by 22 pure is the most sacred of the island and is considered as the mother of all others.
The Penataran Agung temple stands out, with a long staircase that passes through 7 terraces, which represent the layers of the universe and that only Hinduists can climb.
In no temple is it obligatory to hire a guide to visit it, although we recommend if it is your first time in Bali to book a guide in Spanish that in addition to explaining the history, culture and traditions of the country will be a perfect driver for the chaotic traffic of Bali. On our first trip we hired Wayan Astawan ([email protected]), one of the best guides in Spanish of Bali and we have to say that it was a success, since we knew every inch of the island from a great professional and a better person. One of the best tips for traveling to Bali is to book Wayan in advance, as it is usually very requested.
Pure Besakih
3. Tirta Empul
Tirta Empul, is another one of the most sacred temples in Bali. It is built on a spring of sacred waters that according to Hindu tradition has healing properties to those who bathe in their pool and make offerings. On our last visit to the temple we had mixed feelings when we saw that the majority of people who went through the ritual of the fountains were tourists who did not process the Hindu religion, nor kept the necessary respect for the Balinese, who felt displaced and had to wait to the photos and postures without sense.
That's why we invite you to think twice before diving into Tirta Empul's pools. If it's only for the photo, think in the sense that it has to bother the Balinese just by taking a postcard of yours immersed in the water. If you think it is worth going forward, but if during those seconds thinking about it you have had mixed feelings, take the best postcard: the one that stays in your retina.
Tirta Empul
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4. Taman Ayun
Pure Taman Ayun, the Temple of the Beautiful Garden, It's one of the Bali temples prettiest and also one of our favorites. The entrance to the interior is not allowed, although this does not detract from the visit since from the surrounding wall you get fantastic views of the pagodas of different heights and its beautiful garden.
This temple is located on the route to Tanah Lot, so it is a good option to visit it in the morning when you are on your way to see the sunset in this last temple.
Taman Ayun Temple
5. Pure Tanah Lot
Arriving at sunset to see the sunset over the Tanah Lot temple is one of the best things to do in Bali. Located south of the island, on a rocky islet near the shore, this Hindu temple dedicated to the god of the sea, is one of the most iconic images of Bali.
We recommend visiting it twice whenever you can: in the morning at high tide and the big waves breaking on the rocks of the temple and in the afternoon, at low tide that will allow you to approach the temple and see it from the beach.
Pure Tanah Lot
Our recommended hotel in Bali
After our experience on the Island of the Gods, we advise you to stay in Ubud, located in the center of Bali, which will allow you to tour the island on day trips, whether by motorcycle or car. Our hotel, the first time we were, was the Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant & Villas, a bit far from the center of Ubud, but with free transfer service to the city. It has an outdoor pool, spa, restaurant, free Wi-Fi and Balinese-style rooms.
If you are going to spend many days, as was the case on our second visit to the island, the best option is to rent a villa in Bali with Airbnb.
6. Gunung Kawi Temple
Gunung Kawi wrapped between beautiful rice fields, lush vegetation and a river with a small waterfall, is one of the most beautiful Bali temples. This Pura, in addition to its beautiful surroundings, differs from others by its candies carved in rock, which were ancient tombs of the royal family. In addition to the visit to the purely said temple, we recommend doing several walking routes between the rice fields that surround it, which are also considered one of the best rice fields in Bali, which will take you through a forest to see the entire complex and all the candis.
The visit to this temple can be combined with Tirta Empul, since both are within walking distance.
Gunung Kawi Temple
7. Pura Kehen, one of the essential Bali temples
Pura Kehen, located in the Bangli region, is another of our Bali temples favorites. This temple has an architecture similar to that of the Mother Temple, but much smaller. Surrounded by palm plantations, it is dedicated to the god of fire and many offerings ceremonies are held there.
It stands out for its large entrance staircase and for the details of its masterfully carved stone sculptures.
Pura Kehen, one of the essential Bali temples.
8. Pura Luhur Uluwatu
The Luhur Uluwatu temple, built in the 10th century to ward off evil spirits is one of the essential places to visit in Bali. This temple stands out for its location on a 75-meter cliff in which the waves of the Indian Ocean break furiously. It is a special place, where many tourists concentrate to see one of the best sunsets in the world, so we advise you to come in time to enjoy it in peace.
It is located about 2 hours from Ubud, near the best beaches in Bali, so it may be a good option to combine your visit with some of them.
In the afternoon, we recommend you to be very careful with the temple monkeys, since they have a special ability to steal your glasses and all kinds of objects that you do not store inside the backpack.
Luhur Uluwatu Temple
9. Pure Lempuyang
Pura Lempuyang, located more than 1000 meters above the sea on Mount Lempuyang, is one of the Bali temples With less tourists and you can enjoy with more tranquility.
This beautiful temple, dedicated to the God of Peace, is part of the 9 main temples of Bali and is undoubtedly one of the visits that will surprise you most on the island.
We visited him on our last trip and were impressed by his incredible views of the active Agung volcano. It is a bit far from Ubud, so you can take advantage of the trip to also visit Tirta Gangga and Goa Lawah, the Bat Cave, which are on the route.
A good option to know the history of this temple is to book this excursion with a guide in Spanish and pick up at your hotel or this famous Instagram tour that passes through some of the most photogenic places.
Pure Lempuyan. Bali
10. Taman Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga, which means water from the Ganges, despite not being a temple, we cannot stop including it in this list as another of the essential visits of Bali.
This royal palace stands out for the perfect harmony between the water and the Balinese tradition and its pools full of tents, are one of the most typical postcards of Bali, where you can cross walking through stone slabs, the spectacular eleven-story fountain , the beautiful carvings in all the sculptures, the gardens full of flowers and exotic plants, something that makes it a paradise of Bali.
Tirtta Gangga
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish from Bali by travelers:
- Excursion to the Gili Islands
- Celebrate your traditional Balinese wedding
- Lakes and temples of Bedugul and Tanah Lot
- South Bali, Uluwatu Temple and Jimbaran
- East of Bali and Mother Temple of Besakih- More excursions and tours here
11. Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah or the Elephant Cave, built in the 11th century and located about 5 kilometers from Ubud, is another of the bali temple what do you have to see. This temple, famous for the huge rock-carved elephant that serves as an entrance to the cave, in which a sculpture of Ganesha is found, is also one of the most visited.
Outside you will see several pools for purification, a huge tree that was planted the same year that the temple began to be built and a beautiful garden with several fountains, surrounded by vegetation, which serves as a shadow on the hottest days.
Goa Gajah
12. Ulun Danu Batur Temple
Located in Kintamani, on a hill very close to the Batur volcano, the Ulun Danu Batur temple is one of the nine directional temples in Bali. These temples are located in strategic places such as cliffs, caves, mountains to protect the island from evil spirits and are in its cardinal points.
Many people confuse it with Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and although the most sacred area cannot be accessed, it is a temple that is worth visiting. During our visit we agreed with an offering ceremony that made it a truly magical moment, which we will not forget.
Probably at the entrance you will find that they try to rent a sarong and a sash, for a price sometimes too high. We recommend buying one the first day, ignoring the offers at the entrance and also taking a beautiful souvenir from Bali.
Ulun Danu Batur Temple
13. Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan
Located on the shore of Lake Tamblingan, one of the three twin lakes next to the Buyan and Bratan lakes, is the Ulun Danu Tamblingan, one of the Bali temples Less visited, but no less incredible.
At the end of the lake route, with excellent viewpoints, you can go down by car or motorcycle to Lake Tamblingan, where the temple is located, which although you cannot visit inside, gives incredible views from the outside. A good option is to take a traditional boat ride on the lake and be able to see the temple from another perspective.
Pure Ulun Danu Tamblingan
14. Pure Luhur Batukaru
Pura Luhur Batukaru, located on the slope of the sacred Batukaru volcano, is another of the directional and most important temples for the Balinese. This Hindu temple stands out for its meru, the main sanctuary of a seven-level Balinese temple dedicated to the God of Mount Batukaru. Its environment full of vegetation, stone sculptures with moss and its pagodas, make it an essential stop, especially if you are going to visit the nearby and famous rice fields of Jatiluwih.
Batukaru Temple
15. Brahma Vihara Arama
Located in northern Bali, on the hills of Banjar, Brahma Vihara Arama is one of the few Buddhist temples and the largest one found in Bali. Considered a small version of the extraordinary Borobudur temple on the island of Java, this 1970 monastery is perfect for meditation, with its library and its beautiful gardens.
Brahma Vihara Arama
How to have internet in Bali?If you want to have internet in Bali a good option is to buy one Holafly SIM card, with which you will have internet from the moment you land, several GB of data, keeping your WhatsApp number and support service in Spanish.
You can buy your Holafly prepaid SIM card here with a 5% discount for being our reader.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 15 essential temples of Bali, add yours in the comments.
