The table to choose from
| Temple | Region | Adult foreigner fee | Dress code | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Besakih | East, Mount Agung | 90,000 to 150,000 IDR | Sarong and sash compulsory, shoulders covered | At opening, around 8:00 |
| Tanah Lot | South-west, Tabanan | About 75,000 IDR | Modest dress advised | 60 to 90 min before sunset, or early |
| Uluwatu | South, Bukit peninsula | About 50,000 IDR | Sarong lent at the entrance, shoulders and knees covered | About 1 h 30 before sunset |
| Tirta Empul | Centre, near Ubud | 50,000 to 75,000 IDR | Sarong lent, shoulders and knees covered | At opening, before the groups |
| Ulun Danu Beratan | North, Bedugul | About 75,000 IDR | Shoulders and knees covered, sarong lent | In the morning, at opening |
| Lempuyang | East, Karangasem | About 100,000 IDR plus shuttle of about 50,000 IDR | Sarong and sash compulsory | Before dawn: at the car park before 5:30 to 6:00 |
How to choose depending on where you sleep
- Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu: Tanah Lot for a sunset, Uluwatu for the cliff and the kecak dance.
- Ubud: Tirta Empul, with its purification ritual. See also Ubud in one day.
- North and mountains: Ulun Danu Beratan, on the lake, often combined with the Jatiluwih rice fields and Tanah Lot.
- East: Besakih and Lempuyang, long days from the south; you sleep better in Sidemen.
The easiest: a tour that groups three
The temples are hours apart: seeing three in the same day needs a driver or a tour. The tour that combines Tanah Lot, the Jatiluwih rice fields and Ulun Danu Beratan covers the west and centre of the island in a day; see also private driver in Bali to build your own itinerary.
Dress and etiquette
In most temples shoulders and knees must be covered, and a sarong is lent or rented at the entrance. Do not climb on altars, do not touch offerings, and keep your distance from worshippers during prayers. Hours and access change during ceremonies: check before you come, especially on Hindu holy days. See scams and safety in Bali for fake guides and "donations" requested at the entrance.
The best time
The dry season, April to October, gives the clearest skies, notably to see Mount Agung from Lempuyang and Besakih. Mornings are cooler and calmer, before the groups arrive; see best time to visit Bali.
Going further
To build a stay, read Bali in 3 days, Bali in 10 days and things to do in Bali.
