Beyond Bali’s beach clubs, surf breaks, and vibrant nightlife, you will discover the island’s true spiritual character through its thousands of ancient temples, or Pura. These sacred places form the spiritual heartbeat of the “Island of the Gods”, where daily offerings, traditional ceremonies, and distinctive architecture remain part of everyday life. Visiting these temples allows couples, solo travellers, and families to experience a more meaningful side of Bali.
What to Expect When Visiting a Temple in Bali
Balinese temples offer a very different experience from the enclosed and often silent shrines found elsewhere in Asia. You will enter open-air courtyards where architecture, nature, worship, music, and daily offerings come together, creating a vibrant and sensory-rich introduction to Bali’s living culture.
- Understand the religion: Bali predominantly practises Agama Hindu Dharma, a distinctive Balinese Hindu tradition shaped by Hindu beliefs alongside Buddhist influences and indigenous traditions. This unique blend is reflected throughout the island’s temples, ceremonies, and daily offerings.
- Appreciate the architecture: You will commonly see temple compounds organised through the Tri Mandala concept, progressing from outer to increasingly sacred spaces. Iconic candi bentar split gates, elaborately carved shrines, and multi-tiered meru towers are among the features that give Balinese temples their distinctive appearance.
- Embrace the sensory experience: Fragrant incense, colourful canang sari offerings, traditional clothing, chanting, and gamelan music can all form part of the atmosphere, particularly when ceremonies are taking place. Daily offerings are an important part of Balinese Hindu life.
- Witness active devotion: These are living places of worship rather than preserved monuments. You may see local worshippers dressed in traditional clothing, carrying offerings, praying, or preparing for a ceremony, allowing you to observe Balinese culture as it continues today.
Because ceremonies vary according to the Balinese calendar and local customs, you should always follow instructions from temple staff and worshippers during your visit. After visiting temples in Bali, getting around Canggu Bali should be the best options for your day.
10 Must-Visit Temples in Bali
1. Tanah Lot Temple (Tabanan)
- Location: Beraban Village, Kediri, Tabanan, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 12–15 km; around 30–45 minutes by car, depending on traffic
- Best For: Sunset photography, couples, first-time visitors
- Opening Hours: Approximately 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 100,000 for international adults
Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most recognisable sea temples, dramatically positioned on an offshore rock formation along the island’s western coast. At low tide, you can walk towards the base of the rock, where visitors may receive a holy-water blessing according to the conditions and local guidance. The temple is particularly popular at sunset, making it an easy and highly recommended half-day excursion from Canggu.
2. Uluwatu Temple (South Kuta)
- Location: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 30–35 km; around 1.5–2 hours by car, depending heavily on traffic
- Best For: Sunset views, cultural performances, couples
- Opening Hours: Approximately 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 60,000 for international adults; Kecak performance tickets are additional
Perched approximately 70 metres above the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu Temple combines dramatic cliff scenery with one of Bali’s most memorable cultural performances. You can watch the daily Kecak Fire Dance in the open-air amphitheatre as the sun sets over the ocean, creating an atmospheric evening experience. You should also secure sunglasses, phones, and other loose belongings, as the resident macaques are known for taking unattended items.
3. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (Bedugul)
- Location: Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 50–55 km; around 1.5–2 hours by car
- Best For: Photography, families, mountain escapes
- Opening Hours: Approximately 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 100,000 for international adults
Ulun Danu Beratan creates one of Bali’s most distinctive temple scenes, with its shrines appearing to float on the calm waters of Lake Beratan. Located at approximately 1,239 metres above sea level, the temple enjoys the cooler and often misty climate of Bedugul, offering a refreshing change from Canggu’s coastal heat. You can also hire a traditional paddleboat for different perspectives of the lake and its multi-tiered meru towers.
The international adult entrance fee increased to IDR 100,000 from 1 July 2026, so you should check the latest tariff before travelling.
4. Pura Tirta Empul (Tampaksiring)
- Location: Manukaya Village, Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 40–45 km; around 1.5 hours by car
- Best For: Cultural immersion, spiritual experiences, first-time visitors
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 75,000 for adults
Tirta Empul is one of Bali’s most important sacred-water temples, centred around a holy spring used for the melukat purification ritual. You can participate as a non-Hindu visitor, provided you follow the temple’s procedures and local guidance. If you wish to enter the bathing pools, you will need appropriate bathing attire and should follow the sequence of fountains rather than treating the ritual as an ordinary swim. Arriving in the morning is advisable to avoid longer queues.
5. Taman Ayun Temple (Mengwi)
- Location: Jl. Ayodya No. 10, Mengwi, Badung, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 15–18 km; around 30–45 minutes by car
- Best For: Architecture, families, relaxed cultural sightseeing
- Opening Hours: Approximately 8:00 AM – 6:15 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 50,000 for international adults
Taman Ayun is a magnificent royal temple built by the Mengwi kingdom, surrounded by landscaped gardens and a wide moat that gives the complex a peaceful setting. Inside, you can admire rows of impressive multi-tiered meru shrines and traditional Balinese architecture while enjoying a quieter atmosphere away from the busiest tourist sites. Its convenient location also makes it an excellent cultural alternative to Tanah Lot when you want to keep your excursion closer to Canggu.
6. Besakih Temple (Mount Agung)
- Location: Besakih Village, Rendang, Karangasem, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 70–80 km; around 2.5–3.5 hours by car
- Best For: Cultural immersion, architecture, dedicated temple explorers
- Opening Hours: Approximately 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 150,000 for international visitors
Known as Bali’s “Mother Temple”, Besakih is the island’s largest and most important temple complex, rising along the slopes of Mount Agung. More than 80 individual temples form the wider complex, creating an expansive cultural experience rather than a quick sightseeing stop. The journey from Canggu requires a full day, so we strongly recommend travelling with a private driver and using the included local guide service to better understand the complex and navigate its extensive stairways.
7. Lempuyang Temple (Karangasem)
- Location: Abang, Karangasem, East Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 90km; around 3 hours by car
- Best For: Photography, couples, sunrise seekers
- Opening Hours: Generally from early morning to late afternoon; access can vary during ceremonies
- Entrance Fee: Temple access is subject to local arrangements; sarong/sash and shuttle costs may apply
Lempuyang is famous for its iconic “Gates of Heaven”, where the white temple gateway can frame Mount Agung on a clear day. Reaching East Bali from Canggu requires a full-day commitment, and queues for the popular photography point can become lengthy. You should therefore arrive before dawn if the Gates of Heaven photograph is a priority, while allowing additional time for shuttle transfers and the wider temple experience.
8. Goa Gajah (Ubud)
- Location: Bedulu Village, Blahbatuh, Gianyar, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 30–35 km; around 1–1.5 hours by car
- Best For: History, archaeology, families, cultural exploration
- Opening Hours: Approximately 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 50,000
Known as the “Elephant Cave”, Goa Gajah introduces you to an ancient archaeological complex featuring a dramatic carved stone face surrounding the cave entrance. Inside, you can see Hindu and Buddhist influences alongside ancient religious imagery, while the wider grounds include an old bathing pool, gardens, trees, and natural ravines. Its combination of history, architecture, and greenery makes it a rewarding addition to a cultural day trip around Ubud.
9. Pura Batu Bolong (Canggu)
- Location: Batu Bolong Beach, Canggu, Badung, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 300–500 metres; around 5–10 minutes depending on the exact route
- Best For: Sunset views, easy cultural visits, couples, surfers
- Opening Hours: Daytime access; availability can change during ceremonies
- Entrance Fee: Generally free or by small donation
Pura Batu Bolong is one of the most accessible temples for guests staying in Canggu, positioned directly beside the beach and closely connected with the local community. The active sea temple sits above the rocky shoreline, where daily offerings and religious ceremonies continue alongside Canggu’s surf culture. You can visit around sunset to experience the contrast between traditional offerings and the open ocean, although access to sacred areas may be restricted during ceremonies.
10. Pura Petitenget (Seminyak)
- Location: Jl. Petitenget, Kerobokan Kelod, Badung, Bali
- Distance from Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu: Approximately 8–10 km; around 30 minutes by car
- Best For: Cultural sightseeing, history, combining temples with Seminyak
- Opening Hours: Approximately 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Entrance Fee: Approximately IDR 50,000 for international visitors
Pura Petitenget is a historic sea temple in the heart of Seminyak, offering a quieter cultural experience among the area’s restaurants, boutiques, and beach clubs. Its history is associated with the revered Hindu priest Dang Hyang Nirartha, while the name Petitenget is connected with a sacred chest or peti tenget in local tradition. You can combine a visit with Seminyak’s beachfront attractions, creating an easy transition from cultural sightseeing to a relaxed afternoon by the coast.
Essential Temple Etiquette and Dress Code
Balinese temples remain active places of worship, so respectful behaviour is essential rather than optional. You should treat each Pura as a sacred community space, not simply as a sightseeing attraction, and follow local instructions even when they differ from the usual tourist experience.
- Wear a sarong and sash: Men and women should cover their legs and wear a sarong or kamen, together with a sash around the waist. Many major attractions provide or rent these at the entrance, although bringing your own makes temple hopping more convenient.
- Cover your shoulders: You should avoid singlets, crop tops, swimwear, and other revealing beach clothing. A modest T-shirt, lightweight blouse, or comfortable shirt is a practical choice for temple visits.
- Observe entry restrictions: Women who are menstruating are traditionally asked not to enter certain sacred areas, while restrictions can also apply to people with open wounds or other locally defined conditions of ritual impurity. Rules can differ between temples, so you should follow the specific guidance displayed at each site.
- Respect worshippers: Keep your voice low, never interrupt people who are praying, and ask before photographing ceremonies. You should also avoid stepping on canang sari offerings placed on the ground.
Practical Tips for Temple Hopping in Bali
Temple hopping can become one of the most rewarding ways to explore Bali, but thoughtful planning will make your days considerably more comfortable. Distances between coastal Canggu and East Bali or Bedugul can be substantial, while traffic conditions can change quickly, particularly around popular sightseeing hours.
- Rent your own transport: Explore Bali on the Ride Through the Heart of Bali of Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu, a 40-km, 6-hour e-bike journey through rice terraces, traditional villages, ancient temples and local coffee stops. Limited to 10 guests, the experience includes e-bikes, safety gear, lunch, refreshments, transport and support.
- Carry small IDR notes: Keep cash available for entrance fees, donations, sarong rentals, parking, and smaller local services. Visitor tariffs can vary between sites and may change, so carrying smaller denominations makes payments more convenient.
- Start your days early: We strongly recommend reaching major temples around 8:00 AM where possible. Earlier starts generally provide cooler conditions and can help you avoid some of the busiest sightseeing periods. Tirta Empul, for example, specifically recommends morning visits for travellers wishing to participate in melukat.
- Buy your own sarong: Purchasing a traditional Balinese sarong early in your holiday is a practical choice if you plan to visit several temples. You can use it throughout your trip while also taking home a meaningful local souvenir.
- Check ceremony schedules: Temple access can change during religious ceremonies, when certain areas may be reserved exclusively for worshippers. You should check locally before setting out and remain flexible with your itinerary.
- Allow extra time for traffic: Driving times are estimates rather than guarantees, particularly around Canggu, Seminyak, and South Bali. Leaving early is advisable if you have a timed cultural performance or return journey planned.
Make Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu Your Cultural Basecamp
Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu provides a convenient base for discovering Bali’s spiritual heritage while allowing you to return to the comfort of a modern beachfront resort after a day of sightseeing. Its Canggu location places several coastal and western Bali temples within practical reach, making it easier to balance cultural exploration with relaxed time by the ocean.
Whether you are travelling as a couple seeking memorable sunset experiences, exploring Bali with your family, or discovering the island independently, you will find that Canggu offers an ideal balance between cultural day trips and contemporary coastal living. Explore Bali’s temples during the day, enjoy Canggu’s vibrant atmosphere afterwards, and return to Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu for a comfortable retreat.
