The short answer
Pura Besakih: what visitors should know first
Go if you want the island's most important Hindu site and can handle steps and persistent touts. Hire an official guide, allow a morning, and be ready to hear about extra payments. It is demanding for those with weak knees but the views are strong.
History and context
The story behind Pura Besakih
Besakih was a place of Hindu worship from about 1284, when Javanese conquerors settled in Bali, and by the 15th century it was a state temple of the Gelgel dynasty. Some of the stone bases look like megalithic stepped pyramids that may be far older.
About 70 festivals a year are held based on the 210-day Pawukon calendar. The temple was nominated for UNESCO listing in 1995, but the nomination was withdrawn in 2015.
Useful facts
Pura Besakih facts at a glance
- Location
- Besakih village, Karangasem Regency, on the slopes of Mount Agung
- Faith
- Balinese Hinduism
- Deity/dedication
- A state temple of the island with 23 temples; the main one is Pura Penataran Agung
- Visitor note
- Inner courtyards are for worshippers; use official tickets and guides
- Built
- Origins unclear; in use as a Hindu temple from about 1284
Why it matters
Why Pura Besakih is worth your time
Pura Besakih is the most important, largest and holiest temple of Balinese Hinduism. It is not a single building but a complex of 23 related temples laid out on parallel ridges in six levels along one axis, and the lotus throne at its symbolic centre dates to about the 17th century. It is a place where all of Bali's communities come together for major rites.
The temple also holds a place in the island's memory. When Mount Agung erupted in 1963, killing about 1,700 people, lava flows stopped just short of the complex, which many Balinese regard as miraculous. Seeing it with that story in mind makes the site more than a photo stop.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Terraced complex
Six levels of temples stepping up the mountainside along one axis.
- 02
Mount Agung backdrop
On clear mornings the volcano rises behind the tiered shrines.
- 03
Ceremony calendar
About 70 festivals a year give the complex a living rhythm if your visit coincides.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Arrive in the morning, park in the official lot and buy your ticket at the ticket office. Ask whether a registered guide is available inside, and agree the price and time before you start. You will climb stairs through the complex of 23 temples, each on a terrace, with the main one, Pura Penataran Agung, as the focus. The tiered shrines rise against the backdrop of Mount Agung, which on clear mornings dominates the view.
Most visitors can enter only the outer courtyards. Inner courtyards are for worshippers wearing full prayer dress, so do not try to go further than the signs allow. Wear a sarong and sash, and keep your voice low, particularly if a ceremony is in progress.
Handle offers carefully. The temple has long been known for pushy touts who ask for extra payments from visitors. Do not hand over money inside; decline politely, keep moving, and use the official guide or your driver's contacts. On ceremony days, particularly big ones, the crowds are large and the complex is closed to casual visitors in places.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Pay only at the official ticket office
- Agree guide fees up front, or decline guides firmly
- Wear a sarong and sash and cover knees and shoulders
- Go early; Mount Agung is often cloudy by midday
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Besakih village, Karangasem Regency, on the slopes of Mount Agung
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours
- Best time
- Morning for clear views of Mount Agung; avoid ceremony days unless you want to see one
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- The complex is built on six terraces connected by long flights of stairs and slopes, with little shade. There are no lifts, and the steps are uneven. Older visitors can see the lower courtyards and the view from there.
- Tickets and access
- An official entry ticket is charged for visitors, with different rates for foreigners and locals, plus parking. Pay only at the official ticket office; unofficial touts sometimes ask for extra fees. Tourists generally cannot enter the inner courtyards of the main temples, which are for worshippers.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Pura Besakih
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
The complex is built on six terraces connected by long flights of stairs and slopes, with little shade. There are no lifts, and the steps are uneven. Older visitors can see the lower courtyards and the view from there.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can tourists enter the inner temples at Besakih?
Generally no. Visitors may walk the outer courtyards, but the inner shrines are for worshippers dressed in full prayer attire.
Is Besakih safe from scams?
Visitors have long reported pushy touts and demands for extra fees. Buy tickets at the official office, pay no one inside and use an official guide only.
How far is Besakih from Ubud?
It is a long drive from the south and central hills, so ask your driver for the current time. It is best combined with Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung in the east.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
