Bali is often called the Island of the Gods, and after a few days there it is easy to understand why. Small offerings of flowers and incense appear on doorsteps every morning, the sound of gamelan drifts from village temples, and ceremonies seem to fill the calendar. For anyone on a yoga or spiritual retreat, the island’s temples are among the most meaningful places to visit. This guide shares some of the most special ones and how to visit them with respect.
Understanding Balinese spirituality
Most Balinese people practise a unique form of Hinduism, woven together with older local beliefs and Buddhist influences. Spiritual life is not separate from daily life: it is about keeping balance between people, nature and the divine, a philosophy known as Tri Hita Karana. Temples, called pura, are everywhere, from great complexes on mountainsides to tiny shrines in rice fields.
As a visitor, you are welcome in many temples, but you are entering active places of worship. A little understanding goes a long way.
Temple etiquette: what to wear and how to behave
- Wear a sarong and sash. Both men and women are asked to wear a sarong tied at the waist with a sash. Many temples lend or rent them at the entrance.
- Cover your shoulders. A T-shirt or light shawl is enough.
- Respect the offerings. Never step on the small canang sari offerings you see on the ground and on shrines.
- Do not stand higher than the priest or climb on walls and shrines for photos.
- Follow local guidance about entry. Traditionally, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter temples, and people with open wounds may also be asked not to enter.
- Ask before photographing people, especially during ceremonies, and keep your voice low.
Sacred places to experience
Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring
One of Bali’s most important water temples, built around a sacred spring. Balinese people come here for melukat, a ritual purification in which you move from spout to spout in the bathing pools. Visitors can take part respectfully, usually with guidance on the correct order and prayers. It can be a deeply moving experience.
Goa Gajah, near Ubud
The “Elephant Cave” is an ancient site with a carved entrance, bathing pools and a peaceful path down into the jungle. It is close to Ubud and quieter in the early morning.
Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple
On the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest and most sacred volcano, Besakih is the largest and holiest temple complex on the island. Its terraces rising towards the mountain are unforgettable.
Tanah Lot and Uluwatu
Two of Bali’s famous sea temples: Tanah Lot on its rock in the waves, and Uluwatu on a dramatic cliff above the Indian Ocean. Both are busy at sunset, but still beautiful places to feel the meeting of land, sea and sky.
Beyond the temples: the sacred in nature
Some of the most spiritual moments in Bali happen outside temple walls: walking the rice terraces around Ubud at dawn, sitting by a waterfall, or watching the sun rise over a volcano. Practising yoga and meditation in these places helps you feel what the Balinese mean by living in balance with nature.
When to visit
Bali’s drier season runs roughly from April to October, and the wetter season from about November to March, when short tropical downpours are common. Temple festivals happen all year round, following the Balinese calendar, so you may be lucky enough to see a ceremony whenever you go.
Experiencing Bali on retreat
Our Bali Eden Retreat is an immersive journey of about ten days through Ubud, Java, Nusa Penida and Gili Air, combining daily yoga and meditation with temples, nature and island life. The 9-Day Self-Exploration and Adventure Retreat pairs adventure and cultural discovery with chakra-inspired practice, and Peace Retreats Bali offer a gentler space to rest and reconnect.
See all our yoga and spiritual retreats in Bali, or take our Find Your Retreat questionnaire for a personal suggestion.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to visit a temple in Bali?
A sarong tied with a sash and a top that covers your shoulders. Many temples lend or rent sarongs at the entrance.
Can visitors take part in the purification ritual at Tirta Empul?
Yes, visitors can take part respectfully in melukat, usually with guidance on the correct order of the spouts and the prayers.
What is the best time to visit Bali?
The drier season runs roughly from April to October; the wetter season from about November to March brings short tropical downpours but a very green island.
