Easily one of the most visited locations in the world, Bali has had millions of visitors over the years. Each week, thousands of tourists flock to the island to revel in the natural beauty, marvel at the many different dances and cultural activities, and enjoy surfing, diving, hiking, shopping, spas, and restaurants that have all gained national recognition for the tiny island. From youthful backpackers to wealthy millionaires renting out Bali vacation villas, people from all walks of life visit Bali. The island of Bali has many nicknames. "The Island of the Gods" is the most well known, but another common name for the Indonesian island is "The Land of the Temples".

It is easy to understand how it earned this name since the island is covered in over twenty thousand temples of various sizes. Each village on the island is required to have at least three temples in it, and some have even more than this. While these temples are certainly interesting, most people will be more intrigued by visiting one of the nine major directional temples on the island, situated at strategic locations across the island and intended to protect the inhabitants from dark forces. Some of these are more impressive and accessible than others, while some are simply located far from hotels and Bali vacation villas, factors that make certain directional temples more popular than others.

The most popular temple for tourists is undoubtedly Uluwatu temple on the southern point of Bali. It is easy to access, close to most Bali vacation villas and luxury hotels, and is also host to a nightly spectacle known as the Kecak dance, with hundreds of participants engaging in the show. The temple at Tanah Lot is also impressive, situated on a rock outcropping just off the shoreline. Both of these major temples are frequently visited by tourists and can be somewhat crowded during peak season. Nevertheless, they are stunning and well worth a visit.

For locals, the most important temple is the mother temple Besakih, perched high on Mount Agung. While climbing the mountain is a difficult and dangerous task, a road winds its way up to the temple and even features bemos, or buses, that can take you to the temple if you want to view it. Visiting at least one temple while you're staying on the island is well worth it and can give you some insight into the cultural heritage of Bali. Most Bali vacation villas offer cars and drivers that can help you make your way to these impressive structures.