The best temples in Ubud Bali aren’t all in Ubud. Most of the famous ones sit a 20- to 40-minute drive north and east, in the rice-field villages of Tampaksiring, Bedulu, and Pejeng. I’ve lived in Bali for years and have visited all nine on this list, usually on slow weekday mornings when the tour buses haven’t arrived yet. This guide covers what each temple is actually like, the current 2026 entrance fees in both rupiah and dollars, what to wear, and how long to spend, so you don’t waste a day backtracking.

If you only have time for two, make them Tirta Empul (the holy spring where you can join a water purification ritual) and Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring (giant 11th-century shrines carved directly into a river canyon). They’re 10 minutes apart, so you can do both in a morning.

BGB TIP: Bali charges separate entrance fees and parking at almost every temple, all cash only. Carry around IDR 500,000 (about $28) in small denominations for a full day at the temple. There’s rarely an ATM once you leave the main road.

Ubud Temples Travel Guide From Ubud Center

Temple	Entrance Fee (2026)	Drive from Ubud Center
Tirta Empul	IDR 75,000 / $5	30–35 min
Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring	IDR 15,000 / $1	30–35 min
Goa Gajah	IDR 50,000 / $3	10–15 min
Pura Saraswati	Free	In Ubud center
Pura Gunung Lebah	Free (donation)	5 min
Gunung Kawi Sebatu	IDR 50,000 / $3	35–40 min
Goa Garba	Free (donation)	20 min
Pura Samuan Tiga	IDR 50,000 / $3	10–15 min
Pura Kebo Edan	By donation	15 min

Fees and parking change often and are cash only. Bring small rupiah notes.

How to See the Ubud Temples (Without Renting a Scooter All Day)

The temples are located in three villages along small roads. If you try to visit them by scooter, it means a lot of stopping and starting in the heat. The easier way, which I recommend for most visitors, is to hire a private driver for the day. This way, you will have a car with air conditioning, and a driver who knows where the gates are open. You also won’t have to worry about parking. A full day, which is about 8 hours, usually costs around IDR 700,000 to 900,000 ($45–58) for the car. The price can be shared among four or five people.

If you want a guide to explain the rituals and history as you go, a small-group or private temple tour can be helpful. For example, at Tirta Empul, a guide will show you how to do the melukat purification ceremony step by step.

BGB TIP: Start by 8:00 AM. Every temple on this list opens at 8:00, and by 10:00, the tour buses roll in. Going early gets you cooler weather, quiet courtyards, and far better photos.

The 9 Best Temples In Ubud Bali to Visit

Tirta Empul — The Holy Spring Water Temple

Tirta Empul is a famous temple that many people visit in Ubud. At this temple, you can participate in a special ritual called melukat, which is a cleansing ceremony. The temple has a long stone pool filled with spring water, and carved spouts line the pool. Worshippers move from spout to spout during the ritual. Visitors, including those who are not Hindus, are welcome to join as long as they are respectful.

When I did the ritual, it took about 90 minutes including changing clothes and waiting. First, you rent a special green bathing sarong for about IDR 10,000–15,000, which is separate from your ticket. Then, you store your phone in a locker. After that, you follow the spouts in order.

If you are just walking around and taking pictures of the koi ponds, 30 to 45 minutes is enough time. One important thing to remember is that when you leave, you go through a long souvenir market. If you’re not shopping, it’s best to keep walking.

Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring — The Valley of the Kings

This is the carving into the rock, and it is the most impressive temple near Ubud. Ten small shrines, called candi, are carved directly into the cliff face of the Pakerisan river valley. These shrines were built in the 11th century and were probably made to honor Balinese royalty. This is why the area is also called the “Valley of the Kings.”

Getting down involves walking about 300 steps through rice terraces, and then walking back up the same number of steps. Because of this, it’s best to wear proper shoes and be prepared to sweat during the climb. Many people believe this temple offers the best value on the list. It costs only IDR 15,000, which is almost free, and the beautiful canyon surroundings make it worth visiting. You should skip it only if climbing stairs causes you serious difficulty.

Don’t confuse this with Gunung Kawi Sebatu (#6 below). They have the same name, but they are completely different places. This one features rock-cut canyon shrines, while Sebatu is a peaceful water-garden temple about 15 minutes away.

Goa Gajah — The Elephant Cave

Goa Gajah is the closest famous temple to central Ubud, about a 10-minute drive away. This makes it easy to visit as your first or last stop. The main attraction is the cave entrance, which looks like a carved stone face with a big open mouth. You walk through the mouth to reach a small meditation room and see a statue of Ganesha inside. Below the courtyard, a path leads down past pools for bathing to the jungle and a stream.

This is more of a cultural stop than a place to see something amazing. Spend about an hour here. The cave itself only takes five minutes to explore, but the gardens and the walk down to the river are more enjoyable. The ticket costs IDR 50,000 and includes a sarong, so you can ignore anyone at the entrance trying to sell you one.

Pura Taman Saraswati — The Lotus Temple in Town

If you don’t have plans for a driver today, this temple is the easiest to visit. It is located right in the center of Ubud, behind a café on Jalan Raya. A long lotus pond leads you to a carved gate dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and arts. You can enter for free.

The main reason to visit is in the evening. During this time, you can watch traditional Balinese dance performances like Legong, Kecak, or Barong on the temple stage, depending on the night. Tickets usually cost about IDR 100,000 ($6) and can be bought on the same day. It’s a good idea to arrive 20 minutes before dusk so you can take a classic photo of the lotus blooms. After that, you can enjoy the dance performance.

BGB TIP: You can see the lotus pond for free from the café tables in front, but stepping inside the temple gate gets you the better angle, with the carved shrine framed behind the water.

Pura Gunung Lebah — Where the Campuhan Ridge Walk Starts

This small jungle temple is located where two rivers meet, right at the start of the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Because of this, you can easily do both in one trip. First, walk the ridge early in the morning when it’s flat and open, before 8:00 AM After that, you can visit the temple on your way back. Getting to the temple from Ubud center is easy, it’s only a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk.

There is no fixed fee; instead, there is a donation box and a sarong you can borrow. Since it is an active local temple and not a popular tourist spot, you should keep your voice quiet and avoid interfering with any ceremonies that are happening.

Gunung Kawi Sebatu — The Quiet Water Garden

This place is a calm and pretty alternative to Tirta Empul, and fewer tourists visit here. It has ponds filled with koi fish, lotus flowers, and pools fed by springs in a nice garden. Located in the cooler highlands of Sebatu, you can also do a melukat ritual, usually without many people. This makes it a good choice if Tirta Empul is too crowded for you.

This is the furthest stop from Ubud, taking about 35 to 40 minutes to reach. Because of that, it usually goes well with Tirta Empul and the Tegallalang rice terraces, which are all in the same direction. To be honest, the place is peaceful and good for taking photos, but it is small. You can see everything in about thirty minutes unless you plan to do the ritual.

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Goa Garba — The Overlooked Cave Temple in Pejeng

Goa Garba is an old cave temple from the 12th century, located in Pejeng. Most visitors do not go there because it is hard to find. The site has rock niches carved into the walls and stone stairs that go down to the river. According to local stories, it is connected to the warrior Kebo Iwa. There are no signs or large groups of tourists, which makes it special. It feels like a quiet, authentic part of Bali’s temple history rather than a busy tourist spot.

If you’ve already visited the temple ruins, come here for a relaxed experience. However, if this is your only temple visit, consider going to Tirta Empul or Gunung Kawi instead. These places will offer more interesting sights for first-time visitors.

Pura Samuan Tiga — The “Meeting of the Three”

Pura Samuan Tiga is a famous temple near Goa Gajah in Bedulu, Bali. Its name means “meeting of the three,” which refers to a special event in the 10th century when priests gathered to bring Bali’s different religious groups together. The large open spaces, old stone gates covered with moss, and ancient shrines make it feel meaningful and peaceful, unlike the busier temples.

It’s only a 2-minute drive from Goa Gajah, making it easy to visit both. If you go during the temple’s anniversary festival, which falls on a different day each year according to the Balinese calendar, you’ll see one of the liveliest celebrations. During this festival, there is even a traditional tug-of-war between different village groups..

 Pura Kebo Edan — The “Temple of the Mad Bull”

If you’re already in Pejeng, it’s worth taking a quick look at this small, unusual site. The main feature of Pura Kebo Edan is a 12-foot statue of a man standing over a body, which is often connected to Bhima from the Mahabharata epic. The statue is so unique that it stays in your mind, and the temple usually has only a few visitors at a time.

This is just a quick 10-minute addition, not a main attraction by itself. You can combine it with Goa Garba and Pura Samuan Tiga for a short, casual loop around Pejeng after visiting the larger sights.

What to Wear and Know Before You Go

Every temple here is an active place of worship. Because of that, there is a dress code that is enforced at the entrance. Both men and women need to cover their shoulders and knees, and they must wear a sarong with a sash around the waist. Most temples provide these for free when you buy a ticket. However, bringing your own light sarong can save time and give you something cleaner to wear.

Here are some important rules to remember: do not climb on shrines or point your feet at them. During a ceremony, keep your head lower than the priests. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people praying. Additionally, based on Balinese customs, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter the temple grounds. This is out of respect, and although it’s not checked, it’s good to be aware of these customs.

BGB TIP: Pack one small day bag for temple-hopping: a folded sarong, sunscreen, a hat, a refillable water bottle, and IDR 300,000 in small notes for entry fees and parking. That covers an entire day across all nine.

A Perfect One-Day Ubud Temple Route

Here’s a suggested loop to give a friend who has one day and a driver. It visits the temples in order based on their location, so you don’t need to go back and forth. The trip ends near the Tegallalang rice terraces, making it a good spot for a late lunch with a nice view.

Temples in Ubud Bali: FAQs

What is the best temple to visit in Ubud?

Tirta Empul is a popular place for visitors because you can take part in the melukat water purification ritual, not just look at it. For a scenic view that doesn’t cost a lot, Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring’s rock-cut shrines are very affordable at IDR 15,000 ($1). These two sites are only about 10 minutes apart by car, so you can visit both in the same morning.

How much does it cost to visit the Ubud temples?

In 2026, entrance fees vary from free to IDR 75,000 (around $5). Tirta Empul costs IDR 75,000, while Goa Gajah and Gunung Kawi Sebatu are each IDR 50,000 (about $3). Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring has the lowest fee at only IDR 15,000 ($1). When planning your visit, you should bring about IDR 300,000 (roughly $19) in cash to cover the entrance, parking, and other small fees for a full day.

What should I wear to temples in Ubud?

When visiting temples, it’s important to cover your shoulders and knees. You can wear a sarong with a sash around your waist, and most temples will provide a free sarong with your ticket. To stay respectful, avoid wearing shorts, sleeveless tops, or swimwear. When you go to Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, which has about 600 steps, wearing comfortable shoes will make your walk easier.

How do you get from Ubud to the temples?

The temples are located 5 to 40 minutes from central Ubud, passing through several villages. Hiring a private driver for the day, which costs about IDR 700,000–900,000 ($45–$58) per car, is the easiest way to visit. This allows you to see four or five temples without worrying about parking or directions. If you’re close enough, scooters are a good choice for visiting nearby sites like Goa Gajah.

Can tourists do the water purification ritual at Tirta Empul?

Yes, people who are not Hindu can join melukat if they are respectful. When you arrive, you can rent a green bathing sarong for about IDR 10,000 to 15,000. It is also important to store your valuables in a locker. You will then move through the spouts in the correct order. If you go with a guide, it will be easier to understand each step and its meaning, especially if it is your first time.

How many temples can you see in one day?

If you start at 8:00 AM., you can comfortably visit four or five places. Typically, a full day includes Goa Gajah, Pura Samuan Tiga, Tirta Empul, and Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, ending near the Tegallalang rice terraces. Trying to see all nine sites in one day means you will need to rush through the places worth lingering at.

Planning Your Ubud Temple Day

Choose two main places to visit: Tirta Empul for the ritual and Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring for the canyon shrines. Since Goa Gajah and Pura Samuan Tiga are along the way, include them too. This way, you can have a full and relaxing day. Start your day at 8:00 AM, bring some small cash, and don’t forget a sarong. Visiting the temples in Ubud Bali is best early in the morning to enjoy them fully.

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Spending a few days in town? See where to stay, eat, and practice in our full Ubud travel guide.

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