The Temples of Bali

Bali, the Island of the Gods, is famous for its thousands of Hindu temples, or pura, set in some of the most dramatic locations imaginable. Tanah Lot perches on a rock in the sea, cut off by the tide and glorious at sunset; Uluwatu clings to a sheer clifftop above the crashing surf; the lakeside Ulun Danu Beratan seems to float on its mountain lake; and Besakih, the great mother temple, climbs the slopes of the sacred volcano Agung.

What you actually see

• Tanah Lot - the temple on a sea rock, spectacular at sunset.
• Uluwatu - the clifftop temple above the surf, with its Kecak fire dance.
• Ulun Danu Beratan - the temple seeming to float on a mountain lake.
• Besakih - the great mother temple on the slopes of Mount Agung.

When to go

April to October, the dry season, for the best weather; sunset is the magical time at the sea temples of Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, the latter followed by the dramatic Kecak fire dance. Ceremonies and festivals bring the temples vividly to life.

Honest expectations

They are working, sacred temples, so a modest dress code is required, with a sarong and sash, usually provided or hired at the gate, and some inner areas are open only to worshippers. The famous ones, especially Tanah Lot and Uluwatu at sunset, get very crowded and commercial. At Uluwatu, the monkeys are notorious for snatching glasses and phones.

Nearby

Bali's beaches, the cultural town of Ubud and the rice terraces are across the island.