Tanah Lot Temple

Tabanan, Indonesiatemples

Tanah Lot is one of Bali's most photographed temples — and for good reason. Perched on a craggy black rock just off the southwestern coast, it's almost completely surrounded by the sea at high tide and accessible only by a short walk across the sand at low tide. Sunset is the iconic image: the temple silhouetted against orange sky and crashing waves. Visiting at sunset is the obvious draw, but it's also when the crowds peak. Plan to arrive at least an hour before sundown to find a good viewpoint and avoid the worst of the bus tours. The clifftop café area has a few decent spots if you want to drink something cold while waiting for the show. Non-Hindus aren't permitted to enter the inner temple, but the views from the surrounding viewpoints are the real reason you're there anyway. There are a couple of additional temples along the cliffs to the north, easy to walk between, and a "holy snake" cave under the main temple where small donations are encouraged. The whole area is a touch theme-park-ish with souvenir stalls lining the path in, but the temple itself, against the surf, is genuinely spectacular.

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