Uluwatu Temple stands on a steep limestone cliff above the roaring Indian Ocean, and the monkeys that live here are famous for taking glasses, cameras and phones straight out of visitors' hands. If you thought every Bali monkey was as calm as the ones at Monkey Forest in Ubud, Uluwatu will correct you. The temple itself is compact. The setting is the main draw: sheer headlands on both sides and open sea in front.
Visiting Uluwatu Temple
| Type | Sights |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 09:00-18:00 |
| Price | Adults 50,000 Rp, children 30,000 Rp |
| Getting there | By hired driver or ride app |
| Map | Open the map |
This is one of Bali's nine key directional temples, so it matters to the island's faith as well as to its postcards. Visitors walk the clifftop paths, look out over the water and stay for the sunset. Many also come in the evening for the Kecak fire dance, which is staged on the clifftop with the sun going down over the ocean.
A sea temple with sages in its story
A small shrine is said to have stood here before the 11th century. The Javanese sage Empu Kuturan then expanded it into the structure you see today. Later, Dang Hyang Nirartha, a sage from East Java, is credited with building the padmasana shrines. Tradition holds that he reached Moksha, spiritual release, at this spot.
The cliff gives the place its drama. Waves crash far below the walls, and more headlands curve away on either side. The temple is small, but the limestone, the drop and the wide ocean view make it feel much larger.
Walking the grounds and handling the monkeys
A sarong and sash are required. They are normally provided at the entrance, so you can dress as you arrive. You are free to walk around the temple grounds, but the central courtyards open only during special rituals. Guides were once famously pushy. They hassle visitors less now, though one may offer to "protect" you from the monkeys in return for a tip.
Take the monkey warnings seriously. They snatch bags, cameras and eyeglasses, and they will grab a phone from your hand, especially if you stand still holding it. Keep a tight grip on your things and put your glasses away if you can. If something is taken, a monkey can usually be tempted to swap it for fruit, but that is not guaranteed, and rewarding them only encourages more theft. Locals and temple priests will retrieve items for a tip, often somewhere between Rp 10,000 and 50,000.
Sunset and the Kecak fire dance
Sunsets over Uluwatu are a sight to behold, and the cliff edge gives you an open view of the sun dropping into the Indian Ocean. This is why so many itineraries put the temple at the end of the day. It is also a simple way to finish a day of driving around the south of the island.
The Kecak fire dance adds an evening show to the visit. It is performed on a clifftop stage, with the sky changing colour behind the dancers. For visitors who want a night out without a party, it is one of the most memorable options in the area. The amphitheatre is part of the temple setting, so you can see the grounds and the dance on the same trip.
Beaches and spas close to the cliff
Suluban (Blue Point) Beach lies below the cliffs and is reached separately by paths and stairs. Its caves, rock formations and reef breaks attract surfers and sightseers. Padang Padang Beach is another natural stop in the same area.
After a day on the cliffs, a massage is an easy way to wind down. Bliss Massage, Bamboo Spa by L'Occitane and Alam Jimbaran Spa are all close by. Many visitors also pair Uluwatu with Garuda Wisnu Kencana in a single day, using a hired driver or a ride app to get between the two.
Before you go
What are the opening hours and ticket price for Uluwatu Temple?
The temple is open from 09:00 to 18:00. Entry is 50,000 Rp for adults and 30,000 Rp for children.
Do I need to wear a sarong at Uluwatu Temple?
Yes, a sarong and sash are required. They are normally provided at the entrance, so you can put them on when you arrive.
Are the monkeys at Uluwatu dangerous?
They are mainly thieves. They snatch bags, cameras, eyeglasses and phones, so keep a firm grip on your belongings and stow your glasses. If something is taken, a monkey can often be tempted to swap it for fruit, or a local or temple priest will retrieve it for a tip.
Can I go inside the main courtyards?
Not on a normal visit. You can walk around the temple grounds, but the central courtyards can only be entered during special rituals.
Near Uluwatu Temple
- Alam Jimbaran Spa (10.0 km)
- Bamboo Spa, By L'Occitane (10.31 km)
- Bliss Massage (10.35 km)
- Padang Padang Beach (2.74 km)
Tours
More things to do: things to do in Bali.