Tanah Lot regularly features on Bali postcards and travel brochures, thanks to its stunning and unique offshore setting. It comprises an ancient Hindu shrine that sits on top of an outcrop amidst constantly crashing waves from the Indian Ocean. The sea temple is a constant highlight on tours to Bali’s western region – sunsets here are not to be missed.
The temple is about 45 minutes’ drive north from Kuta. Nearby are smaller onshore village temples and visitors’ leisure facilities such as restaurants, shops and a cultural park where dance performances are shown. Best time to visit Tanah Lot is during the day of Kuningan and on the temple’s anniversary 5 days later when festive pilgrimages are among the common sights.

GOA GAJAH

Goa Gajah is an archaeological complex with historical significance that’s great for a brief stopover on tours to the Ubud and the central Bali region. Even though its name translates to ‘Elephant Cave’, you won’t find any pachyderms here. The cave was built as a hermitage back in the 11th century. It’s quite shallow, containing stone idols and meditation spaces.
In front of the mysterious cave, you’ll find a wantilan or meeting hall and a temple courtyard. An open-air gallery of large stone relics lies near an ancient bathing pool that was excavated in 1954. You can enter the pool and see the statues of nymphs holding waterspout vases up close, or explore the legendary Petanu River and its stone artefacts behind the temple grounds.

GUNUNG KAWI

The Gunung Kawi Temple complex is one of Bali’s most unique archaeological sites. The temple comprises a collection of ancient shrine reliefs carved into the face of a rock cliff. The main site overlooks the sacred Pakerisan River. This is the same river that flows by the Tirta Empul Temple, a kilometre north.
A temple courtyard featuring old Hindu shrines is across the river from the ancient reliefs. You can reach the temple on foot down a paved walkway, passing art shops and small local warungs food kiosks. Lush paddy terraces and a gorgeous green valley accompany you down the 300 steps leading to the river. The whole view transports you back in time and away from modernity

TIRTA EMPUL

Tirta Empul is a national cultural heritage site. It dates back to 960 AD during the old Balinese kingdom rule of the Warmadewa Dynasty. Its name means ‘holy water spring’ and is actually the name of a water source located within the temple. This spring flows into various purification baths, pools and fish ponds.
The water then flows into the Tukad Pakerisan River nearby. Various sites and archaeological relics throughout the region relate to local myths and legends. Another nearby and prominent site on top of a hill is the presidential palace, Istana Tampaksiring. The palace was built during the years of the nation’s first president, Soekarno

BATUKARU TEMPLE

Batukaru Temple, or Pura Luhur Batukaru, is one of Bali’s key temples. The temple is at the foot of Mount Batukaru, the second-highest peak on the island. Surrounded by cool natural forests, it’s a pleasant stopover for sightseeing in the Tabanan regency. Batukaru Temple’s main courtyard has a freshwater spring that serves as the holy water source for prayers and ceremonies

BATUAN TEMPLE

Batuan Temple is a local Hindu temple in the village of Batuan, about 10 km south of central Ubud. This 11th-century shrine faces a large communal hall, where devotees pray and present offerings. Well-preserved sandstone motifs and traditional Balinese temple architecture are its main draws. You’ll also see multi-tiered thatched-roof shrines within the temple’s inner courtyard

PENATARAN SASIH TEMPLE

Penataran Sasih Temple is known as ‘The Moon Temple’ as it houses an ancient bronze kettle drum called ‘Moon of Pejeng’. It is the largest bronze kettle in Southeast Asia, at about 2 metres in length and dates back to 300 BC. The Hindu temple dates back to 1266 AD, and served as the state temple of the Pejeng kingdom.
Pura Penataran Sasih also displays a stone Seat of Ganesh in the middle of the main courtyard, a modern chronogram in front of the entrance, and several Hindu sculptures. Pura Penataran Sasih is around 6.5 km east of Ubud.