Are you, just like many other travellers, heading to Uluwatu – one of the most popular places in Bali? It’s located right at the southernmost tip of the island and is famous for its high cliffs, beautiful beaches and of course: the iconic Uluwatu Temple, or as the locals call it: Pura Luhur Uluwatu.
“Ulu” means “land’s end” and “Watu” means “rock” in Old Balinese. And that’s spot on: Uluwatu sits on steep cliffs above the sea, which might just give you the most stunning views in all of Bali.
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The Uluwatu Temple: views at the edge of the world
The temple was built in the 11th century by a Javanese priest: Mpu Kuturan. Later, another priest, Dang Hyang Nirartha, came to live here. According to the stories, he reached spiritual perfection here and disappeared into the light – literally. Many Balinese believe that his soul is still present in the temple. What makes this temple extra special is that it is one of the six most important temples in Bali. The site is dedicated to the god Rudra, a form of the creator god in Hinduism.
To be honest: the temple itself is not the most beautiful we’ve seen in Bali. It’s not super big and maybe not the very prettiest. But… it stands on a cliff of about 80 meters high and the view is insane. And don’t forget the many cheeky monkeys roaming around here! You look out over the sea, with the sun slowly sinking into the water. If there is one place to see a sunset, it’s here. But do watch out for the monkeys. They are well trained when it comes to making tourists’ lives miserable.
- Book your ticket in advance – the arena is small and often sold out, especially the shows at sunset (there are 2 performances per evening).
- Be there on time – we arrived around 16:45, and there was already a long queue. Unfortunately for us, everything was sold out… hence the tip in this blog.
🕘 Opening hours: Daily from 07:00 to 19:00
🎟️ Entrance fee: IDR 50,000 for adults, IDR 30,000 for children
👗 Dress code: Sarong required – you can borrow one at the entrance
You are not allowed to enter the temple itself as a tourist, but you can walk around it and admire the complex. The highlight for many visitors is without a doubt the Kecak dance at sunset.
Monkeys with an attitude
The temple is home to a large group of macaques – small, cheeky monkeys. They are known as the “little thieves” of Bali, and rightly so. We saw it happen ourselves: a monkey got hold of a pair of sunglasses and was happily playing with them as if it were a toy. Within five minutes they were broken. We also found several pairs of sunglasses and other items in the bushes. They do keep things tidy otherwise.
We had already read that it’s best to put your jewellery, sunglasses and anything that’s loose into your bag, and we were glad we did. The monkeys here are faster than you think – and they know exactly what to steal. Luckily (or not), there is always that one tourist who does tease the monkeys. Just watch what they do and respect the monkeys.
The Kecak dance: magical at sunset
After walking a lap around the temple, we head towards the small arena at the edge of the cliff. This is where the famous Kecak Fire Dance takes place every evening around 18:00. And wow… you really don’t want to miss this.
The setting is unique: you sit on a semicircular stand overlooking the ocean, the sun slowly setting, and in the middle a round dance floor with burning torches. No music, no instruments – just a group of dozens of men sitting in a circle, rhythmically chanting “cak-cak-cak” while moving their arms. It creates a hypnotic effect.
The dance tells the ancient Hindu story of the Ramayana, in which prince Rama tries to rescue his beloved Sita from the hands of a demon. You’ll see fire, drama and impressive costumes. And all of that on a cliff with an ocean view.
Important tip if you want to see the Kecak dance
The Kecak dance is popular – very popular. The arena is not big and the show is often sold out. That’s why it’s smart to book your ticket in advance. You can do this via your hotel, a local guide or online.
There are about 700 seats, but it’s not a huge stand. Those who arrive late will have to stand or sit somewhere at the back.
🎟️ Kecak dance ticket: IDR 150,000 (can vary per season)
⏱️ Duration: The show lasts about 45 minutes and is briefly explained in English. Even if you don’t fully follow the story, the atmosphere, rhythm and setting alone are impressive enough.
Staying in Uluwatu: great cliffside spots
After the dance performance we stayed a little longer at the beach clubs and restaurants on the cliff. Uluwatu is one of those places where you easily stay longer than planned. So here are a few great places to spend the night:
Budget:
🏨 Padang Padang Breeze – Quiet, clean and within walking distance of the beach.
Mid-range:
🏨 Impossible Cliff House – Simple, but with an amazing ocean view.
Luxury:
🏨 The Edge Bali – You’ll never want to leave. Infinity pool with ocean views.
Food, drinks and monkey spotting
After the show, it’s wonderful to sit down somewhere for a while. We found a nice spot on the cliff at a warung overlooking the sea at Uluwatu Beach. There’s plenty of choice here and there are many restaurants again perched on the cliff. We drank a beer, watched surfers, monkeys running across the corrugated roofs and an influencer taking selfies in her glitter dress. Uluwatu at its best.
One slightly annoying thing about Uluwatu Beach is that you have to pay an entrance fee here… but well, it’s a touristy place. In the evening you walk back out and easily grab a Grab back to your hotel!
If you’re in the area anyway, these are also fun places to add to your visit:
- Padang Padang Beach – Small beach, made famous by the movie Eat, Pray, Love
- Bingin Beach – Popular with surfers and locals, very laid-back
- Single Fin – Trendy bar with cliff views, great for a drink after sunset
- Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park – Large park with an impressive statue of Vishnu on his mythical bird
The Uluwatu Temple is not only one of the most important spiritual places in Bali – it’s also an experience where much of what makes Bali special comes together. The view, the monkeys, the dance, the sunset… everything fits. Tip: plan your visit well and book that dance show in advance.
