Temples and sacred places
Bali has thousands of temples. These are the ones visitors ask about most, with the facts you need to visit them well.
Besakih
Besakih is a complex of 23 related temples nearly 1,000 metres up the slopes of Mount Agung. Wikipedia
Tanah Lot
Pura Tanah Lot stands on a rock off the south-west coast, reached on foot only at low tide; it is linked to the 16th-century priest Dang Hyang Nirartha and is one of Bali's main sea temples. Wikipedia
Pura Luhur Uluwatu
Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands on a cliff about 70 metres above the sea at the south-western tip of the Bukit; its long-tailed macaques are known for taking sunglasses and trading them back for food. Wikipedia
The macaques of Uluwatu
The long-tailed macaques at Uluwatu Temple are notorious for snatching visitors' flip-flops, cameras and sunglasses, and handing them back for food. Wikipedia
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan stands on the shore of Lake Beratan near Bedugul and honours Dewi Danu, goddess of the lake and rivers. Wikipedia
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah, the elephant cave near Ubud, has menacing faces carved in stone around its door; it was rediscovered in 1923 and its bathing pool only in 1954. Wikipedia
Gunung Kawi
At Gunung Kawi, ten shrines were carved straight into the cliff on both banks of the Pakerisan in the 11th century, in niches seven metres high. Wikipedia
Tirta Empul
Pura Tirta Empul, near Tampaksiring, was founded around a spring in 962; visitors bathe in its pools in a ritual purification called melukat. Wikipedia
Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga water palace was built in 1946 by the last king of Karangasem, and its spring water is still used as holy water. Wikipedia
Puja Mandala
Puja Mandala in Nusa Dua holds a mosque, a Catholic church (Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa, Mary Mother of All Nations), a Buddhist vihara, a Protestant church and a Hindu temple side by side. Wikimedia Commons
Pura Beji, Sangsit
Sangsit is a village about 8 km east of Singaraja in Buleleng, north Bali; its temple Pura Beji, dedicated to Dewi Sri the rice goddess, is known for gates carved densely with vines and flowers in the north Balinese style. Wikipedia
Planning a stay around it
- A week in Seminyak: an itinerary with room in it Things to do in Seminyak as a seven-day itinerary, one thing a day: arrival, the beach, a day in the garden, one long drive, a slow last morning.
- Getting from the airport to Seminyak Airport to Seminyak transfer: landing at Bali’s airport, the options for getting to a Seminyak villa, how long it takes, and what to sort out before you fly.
- Where to stay in Bali for a group or family Where to stay in Bali with a family or friends: how Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur and Nusa Dua differ, whether Seminyak suits families, villa or hotel.
Staying in Seminyak? Villa Aniri is a four-bedroom private villa with a teak Joglo. A week in Seminyak · Check availability