Bali travel guide
What to Wear to a Bali Temple
Modest enough for a sacred place. Cool enough for the heat.
What should you wear to a Bali temple? Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and expect to wrap a sarong and sash over the top at many temples.
The safest outfit is simple: a lightweight shirt or T-shirt with loose trousers, a longer skirt or longer shorts, plus the temple sarong and sash where required.
You do not need to dress formally, and you certainly do not need to make yourself uncomfortable in Bali’s heat. You just need to dress respectfully for a sacred place.
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The Bali temple dress code, at a glance
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Shoulders | Keep them covered |
| Knees | Keep them covered |
| Sarong | Required at many temples; often available at the entrance |
| Sash | Commonly worn with the sarong and required at some temples |
| Shoes | Comfortable, practical footwear for steps and uneven ground |
| Swimwear | Not appropriate as your temple outfit |
Official Indonesian tourism guidance says visitors should wear modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees at Bali temples, with sarongs and sashes commonly provided or available at the entrance. The Bali Government’s foreign-tourist code of conduct also asks visitors to dress modestly, appropriately and respectfully in sacred areas and tourist attractions.
Do you need a sarong at a Bali temple?
At many temples, yes. A sarong, known locally as a kamen, is one of the most common dress requirements for temple visitors. It is worn around the waist and falls below the knees, with a sash then tied over the top.
At Besakih Temple, official visitor information states that all visitors are required to wear a sarong and sash, and sarong and sash rental is included in the entrance ticket. At Gunung Kawi Temple, official guidance likewise says a sarong and sash are required, with both available to rent at the ticket booth.
Requirements vary slightly between temples, so follow the instructions of temple staff when you arrive.
Should you bring your own sarong for Bali temples?
You don’t have to. Many major temples lend or rent sarongs and sashes at the entrance, and some include them in the ticket price. But if you are planning several temples, or simply want something clean and familiar, a lightweight sarong of your own is useful. It folds into a day bag, doubles as a beach cover-up or shoulder wrap, and saves queueing at the hire stall.
Two small cautions: some temples may still ask you to use theirs, and your own sarong does not replace the sash where one is required. Follow local instructions.
Bali temple dress code for women
A practical temple outfit for women could be:
- lightweight T-shirt, blouse or linen shirt
- loose linen trousers
- midi or maxi skirt
- a simple midi dress that covers the shoulders and knees
- sarong and sash where required
- comfortable walking sandals
You do not need heavy or conservative clothing from neck to ankle. The objective is modest coverage, not discomfort. A loose cotton shirt with lightweight trousers is one of the easiest combinations because it is cool enough for the climate and already provides most of the coverage you need.
One more thing women should know: some temples do not permit entry to women who are menstruating. The official Gunung Kawi visitor information states this directly, and you may see similar signs elsewhere. If you see one, respect it. For more ideas, see our modest summer outfits guide.
What should men wear to a Bali temple?
Men can keep it just as simple:
- T-shirt or lightweight linen shirt
- longer shorts or lightweight trousers
- sarong and sash where required
- sandals, sneakers or other comfortable shoes
Even if you are wearing shorts, you may still be asked to put a sarong over them before entering the temple. That is normal and is not a sign your outfit was inappropriate; the sarong is part of the expected temple dress at many sites.
Can you wear shorts to a Bali temple?
You can arrive wearing shorts, but very short shorts are a poor choice for a temple day. Longer shorts are more practical, particularly if you know you will be adding a sarong.
If your shorts finish well above the knee, plan on covering them fully with a sarong and follow whatever instructions are given at the entrance. If visiting several temples in one day, loose trousers are often easier because you are already appropriately covered between sites.
Can you wear a tank top, or a dress?
Tank tops aren’t suitable on their own. Official guidance for temple visitors calls for the shoulders to be covered. If you are travelling in a tank top because of the heat, carry a lightweight shirt or blouse you can put on before entering the sacred area. It is one of the easiest Bali packing habits to adopt: keep a breathable overshirt in your day bag.
Dresses are fine, provided they cover your shoulders and knees. A loose midi or maxi dress works particularly well in Bali’s climate. You may still be required to add a temple sarong and sash depending on the site, so treat a long dress as a good base outfit rather than a substitute for whatever ceremonial clothing the temple requires.
What shoes should you wear?
Comfort matters more than style. Many temples include steps, stone paving and uneven surfaces. At Gunung Kawi, for example, official guidance warns you will descend hundreds of steps before you reach the temple complex, and you have to climb back up.
- comfortable leather sandals
- walking sandals
- lightweight sneakers
- secure flat shoes
High heels are rarely useful. Thongs may be manageable at some sites, but if you are doing a full temple day, a more secure sandal or walking shoe is usually the better choice.
Sun, heat and what to carry
Temple courtyards are often open and shadeless, so a hat for the walk in is worth packing, along with water and sunscreen. Remove the hat when entering inner areas if asked. A small crossbody bag keeps your hands free for the sarong and steps. For dressing in the heat generally, see our hot-weather guide.
What not to wear
Swimwear on its own
A bikini top, swimsuit or bare chest is not appropriate temple clothing. If you are combining a beach and temple in the same day, take proper clothes to put over your swimwear before arriving.
Very short shorts or skirts
Temple guidance expects knees to be covered.
Bare shoulders
Bring a lightweight shirt, blouse or other layer rather than relying on a singlet or strapless top.
Clothing chosen only for photos
Bali’s temples are functioning sacred places, not simply scenic backdrops. Respect temples, sacred objects, ceremonies and local traditions, and dress appropriately in sacred areas.
Dress codes at Bali’s most-visited temples
Besakih dress code
Besakih is one of the clearest examples: official guidance requires all visitors to wear a sarong and sash, and rental is included with entry. A sensible outfit is a lightweight shirt, loose trousers or longer shorts and comfortable walking shoes, plus the sarong and sash.
Tirta Empul dress code
Tirta Empul is a functioning Hindu water temple, so approach it as a sacred site first and a tourist attraction second. Wear a shoulder-covering top and modest lower-body clothing, then follow the temple’s current instructions on sarongs and ceremonial areas. If you intend to take part in the purification ritual in the pools, ask staff or a guide about the correct clothing and procedure rather than assuming ordinary swimwear is appropriate, and bring a change of clothes and a small towel for afterwards.
Tanah Lot dress code
Tanah Lot attracts plenty of visitors combining sightseeing with sunset, dinner or a beach day, which makes a lightweight modest outfit especially useful. Wear a T-shirt or shirt with loose trousers, a midi skirt or longer shorts, and carry a sarong if you’re entering temple areas where one is required. If you’re staying on for dinner, our Bali dinner guide covers the next step.
Ubud temple dress code
Ubud’s temples follow the same core rule as everywhere else on the island: shoulders and knees covered, sarong and sash on request. Because an Ubud day often mixes temples with rice-terrace walks and cafés, the easiest approach is to dress in the modest base outfit below and simply carry a sarong for whichever temple you drop into.
Uluwatu
Uluwatu follows the same modest-dress rules, with one extra: the temple’s monkeys are known for grabbing loose items. Leave dangling earrings, loose sunglasses and hats you can’t secure in your bag, and zip it closed.
The easiest temple outfit to pack
If you want one outfit that works for almost any Bali temple day, make it this:
Breathable T-shirt or linen shirt + loose lightweight trousers + comfortable sandals + a sarong in your bag.
For women, a midi dress with covered shoulders works equally well. That combination is cool enough for Bali, modest enough to be a sensible base outfit and practical enough for walking around temple grounds. For the rest of the suitcase, see our Bali packing list, and check the dry season or wet season guide for your dates.
The rule worth remembering
You do not need to be nervous about dressing for a Bali temple.
Cover your shoulders and knees, wear the sarong and sash when required, and follow the guidance of temple staff.
It is a small adjustment to your normal Bali wardrobe and one that makes visiting sacred places considerably easier and more respectful.
For the rest of your holiday wardrobe, see our guide to what to wear in Bali. If your trip also includes pool days and sunset drinks, see what to wear to a Bali beach club and what to wear at a Bali resort. For modest dressing beyond Bali, see our modest fashion guide.
