DoaluKnow the place before you book.
Tiered carved-stone temple with a gilded spire, guardian statues, lit oil lamps, and bell-shaped shrines along a stairway at golden hour.

Experience

Temples & Sacred Architecture

A working temple is not a museum: opening hours bend around worship, and dress and silence are conditions of entry. Choose for the living tradition rather than the architecture alone, then plan the day around its rhythm.

Where to stay →

Best places to stay for temples & sacred architecture

Ranked by global recognition — how widely each place is read about across Wikipedia's language editions. Never paid placement, prices, or reviews.

Istanbul's Golden Horn with the historic peninsula, imperial mosques, and Galata Bridge under blue sky

Istanbul

İstanbul · TurkeyIstanbul stands where the Bosphorus divides Europe from Asia, a Turkish city crowned by Hagia Sophia and the domes of the old imperial quarter.Where to stay →Macau skyline with the lotus-shaped Grand Lisboa tower and Sai Van Bridge across the water

Macau

MacauBaroque facades rise over tiled squares in Macau, a Special Administrative Region on the Pearl River estuary, known for the Ruins of St. Paul's.Where to stay →Seoul's Yeouido skyline along the Han River, anchored by the golden 63 Building tower under a blue sky.

Seoul

Seoul · South KoreaSeoul rises around the palace of Gyeongbokgung beneath Namsan Seoul Tower, the old royal capital and heart of South Korea.Where to stay →Blue-and-white church domes topped with crosses rising above tree-lined Bengaluru cityscape.

Bengaluru

State of Karnataka · IndiaCool air and green streets run through Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka on the Deccan Plateau, long known as India's Garden City.Where to stay →Kuala Lumpur skyline with the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower rising above green trees under a blue sky.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur · MalaysiaKuala Lumpur is Malaysia's capital in the Klang Valley, a skyline of glass towers led by the Petronas Towers.Where to stay →Athens cityscape of dense white buildings with Mount Lycabettus and mountains in the background, Greece.

Athens

Attica · GreeceMarble temples crown the Acropolis above Athens, the capital of Greece and a coastal city on the Mediterranean shaped by Classical Greece.Where to stay →Chongqing riverside skyline of modern skyscrapers beside a white cable-stayed bridge pylon over the water

Chongqing

Chongqing Shi · ChinaChongqing rises on cliffs above the river at the head of the Three Gorges, a hill-built municipality in China known for the Eighteen Stairs.Where to stay →Thessaloniki's seafront promenade curving along the calm Thermaic Gulf beside waterfront apartment blocks

Thessaloníki

Central Macedonia · GreeceThe White Tower of Thessaloniki holds the waterfront of Greece's second city, capital of Central Macedonia, known for its UNESCO Byzantine churches.Where to stay →Modern high-rise apartment towers rising above a lakeside fringed with tropical greenery in Kolkata

Kolkata

West Bengal · IndiaThe Hooghly River rolls past Kolkata, capital of West Bengal and cradle of the Bengali Renaissance, known for the Victoria Memorial and its colonial-era…Where to stay →Dense aerial townscape of Damascus with sprawling low-rise buildings, scattered minarets and mosque domes, and hills beyond

Damascus

Damascus Governorate · SyriaDamascus is the capital of Syria and among the oldest cities on earth, an old core of mosques and churches known as the City of Jasmine.Where to stay →Aerial view of Odesa's Black Sea coastline with a curved beachfront resort, sandy beach and leafy suburbs.

Odesa

Odeska Oblast · UkraineOdesa is a Black Sea port in the south-west of Ukraine, capital of Odeska Oblast, known for its grid old town and the Transfiguration Cathedral.Where to stay →Aerial view of Beirut's dense peninsula reaching into the Mediterranean with its port and Mount Lebanon behind

Beirut

Beyrouth · LebanonA headland juts into the Mediterranean at Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, known for the National Museum of Beirut and its Roman Baths.Where to stay →
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Turkey (21)

AnkaraAnkara · TurkeyAntalyaAntalya · TurkeyKarsKars · TurkeyGolden HornIstanbul · İstanbul · TurkeyMalatyaMalatya · TurkeyKaramanKaraman · TurkeyBergamaİzmir · TurkeySilivriİstanbul · TurkeyEminönüFatih · İstanbul · TurkeyZeytinburnuIstanbul · İstanbul · TurkeyBağcılarİstanbul · TurkeySilvanDiyarbakır · TurkeySancaktepeİstanbul · TurkeyEsenlerİstanbul · TurkeyTarlabaşıIstanbul · İstanbul · TurkeyAksarayFatih · İstanbul · TurkeyLaleliIstanbul · İstanbul · TurkeyHasköyIstanbul · İstanbul · TurkeyFatihİstanbul · TurkeyŞişliİstanbul · TurkeyBaşakşehirİstanbul · Turkey

India (88)

AyodhyaUttar Pradesh · IndiaVaranasiUttar Pradesh · IndiaLucknowUttar Pradesh · IndiaAgraUttar Pradesh · IndiaVisakhapatnamState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaVrindāvanUttar Pradesh · IndiaOotyState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaCoimbatoreState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaTirupatiState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaBhubaneswarState of Odisha · IndiaMaduraiState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaMathuraUttar Pradesh · IndiaMangaluruState of Karnataka · IndiaTiruvannamalaiState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaNashikState of Mahārāshtra · IndiaVijayawadaState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaUdaipurState of Rājasthān · IndiaTiruchirappalliState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaThanjavurState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaKotaState of Rājasthān · IndiaKanchipuramState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaPuriState of Odisha · IndiaGorakhpurUttar Pradesh · IndiaJhānsiUttar Pradesh · IndiaBareillyUttar Pradesh · IndiaMunnarState of Kerala · IndiaBelagaviState of Karnataka · IndiaAjmerState of Rājasthān · IndiaGayaState of Bihar · IndiaChikmagalūrState of Karnataka · IndiaAhilyanagarState of Mahārāshtra · IndiaJūnāgadhState of Gujarāt · IndiaThrissurState of Kerala · IndiaKolhāpurState of Mahārāshtra · IndiaUdupiState of Karnataka · IndiaVelloreState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaTirunelveliState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaKumbakonamState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaSalemState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaShivamoggaState of Karnataka · IndiaNāgercoilState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaJaunpurUttar Pradesh · IndiaOld DelhiDelhi · National Capital Territory of Delhi · IndiaPimpri-ChinchwadState of Mahārāshtra · IndiaSataraState of Mahārāshtra · IndiaĀsansolWest Bengal · IndiaGarstin Bastion RoadDelhi · National Capital Territory of Delhi · IndiaChidambaramState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaDeogharState of Jhārkhand · IndiaValparaiState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaBhāgalpurState of Bihar · IndiaErodeState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaSasarāmState of Bihar · IndiaMadanapalleState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaKadapaState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaBarddhamānWest Bengal · IndiaPollachiState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaPālitānaState of Gujarāt · IndiaManipalUdupi · State of Karnataka · IndiaVizianagaramState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaMadgaonGoa · IndiaSonīpatState of Haryāna · IndiaNavadwīpWest Bengal · IndiaDandeliState of Karnataka · IndiaRajapalayamState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaHindupurState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaSibsāgarAssam · IndiaSrivilliputhurState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaVillupuramState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaNanjangūdState of Karnataka · IndiaShrīrāmpurWest Bengal · IndiaGobichettipalayamState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaBishnupurWest Bengal · IndiaAmbarnathState of Mahārāshtra · IndiaTiruvallurState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaSūjāngarhState of Rājasthān · IndiaDharapuramState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaPannaMadhya Pradesh · IndiaBhiwāniState of Haryāna · IndiaArcotState of Tamil Nādu · IndiaAdoniState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaMedininagarState of Jhārkhand · IndiaKadiriState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaDharmavaramState of Andhra Pradesh · IndiaHalasuruBengaluru · State of Karnataka · IndiaCentral Delhi districtDelhi · National Capital Territory of Delhi · IndiaShaniwar PethPune · State of Mahārāshtra · IndiaGanesh PethPune · State of Mahārāshtra · India

Uzbekistan (13)

SamarkandSamarqand Region · UzbekistanBukharaBukhara Region · UzbekistanXivaXorazm Region · UzbekistanAndijonAndijan Region · UzbekistanShahrisabzQashqadaryo Region · UzbekistanQo‘qonFergana Region · UzbekistanNamanganNamangan Region · UzbekistanTirmizSurxondaryo Region · UzbekistanQarshiQashqadaryo Region · UzbekistanNavoiyNavoiy Region · UzbekistanMarg‘ilonFergana Region · UzbekistanChilanzarTashkent · Tashkent · UzbekistanOld City of SamarkandSamarkand · Samarqand Region · Uzbekistan

United States (5)

BaltimoreMaryland · United StatesWorcesterMassachusetts · United StatesRosemeadCalifornia · United StatesWest TownChicago · Illinois · United StatesHell's KitchenNew York City · New York · United States

Nigeria (1)

LagosLagos State · Nigeria

Russia (37)

KazanTatarstan · RussiaNizhniy NovgorodNizhny Novgorod Oblast · RussiaVelikiy NovgorodNovgorod Oblast · RussiaChelyabinskChelyabinsk Oblast · RussiaIrkutskIrkutsk Oblast · RussiaOrenburgOrenburg Oblast · RussiaDerbentDagestan · RussiaTverTver Oblast · RussiaVladikavkazNorth Ossetia-Alania · RussiaUlan-UdeRespublika Buryatiya · RussiaChitaTransbaikal Territory · RussiaCheboksaryChuvashskaya Respublika · RussiaTobolskTyumen Oblast · RussiaNaberezhnyye ChelnyTatarstan · RussiaElistaKalmykiya · RussiaKyzylRespublika Tyva · RussiaNovocherkasskRostov Oblast · RussiaNizhny TagilSverdlovsk Oblast · RussiaMuromVladimirskaya Oblast’ · RussiaArzamasNizhny Novgorod Oblast · RussiaRzhevTver Oblast · RussiaYeletsLipetsk Oblast · RussiaSerpukhovMoscow Oblast · RussiaKlinMoscow Oblast · RussiaAleksandrovVladimirskaya Oblast’ · RussiaTroitskChelyabinsk Oblast · RussiaFryazinoMoscow Oblast · RussiaYaroslav's CourtVelikiy Novgorod · Novgorod Oblast · RussiaVitoslavlicyVelikiy Novgorod · Novgorod Oblast · Russiaİske BistäKazan · Tatarstan · RussiaKanavinsky City DistrictNizhniy Novgorod · Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · RussiaGorelovoSaint Petersburg · Sankt-Peterburg · RussiaNizhegorodsky City District, Nizhny NovgorodNizhniy Novgorod · Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · RussiaSovetsky City District, Nizhny NovgorodNizhniy Novgorod · Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · RussiaStaraya DerevnyaSaint Petersburg · Sankt-Peterburg · RussiaFinlyandskiyKolpino · Sankt-Peterburg · RussiaKrasny prosveschenetsNizhniy Novgorod · Nizhny Novgorod Oblast · Russia

Mongolia (2)

Ulan BatorUlaanbaatar Hot · MongoliaErdenetOrhon Aymag · Mongolia

United Kingdom (7)

Newcastle upon TyneEngland · United KingdomNorthamptonEngland · United KingdomPaisleyScotland · United KingdomHemel HempsteadEngland · United KingdomBayswaterLondon · England · United KingdomLancaster GateLondon · England · United KingdomAdeyfieldHemel Hempstead · England · United Kingdom

North Korea (3)

PyongyangPyongyang · North KoreaPotonggang-guyokPyongyang · Pyongyang · North KoreaPyongchon-guyokPyongyang · Pyongyang · North Korea

Mali (1)

TimbuktuTombouctou Region · Mali

Moldova (2)

ChisinauMunicipiul Chişinău · MoldovaCentruChisinau · Municipiul Chişinău · Moldova

Iran (23)

IsfahanIsfahan Province · IranAhvazKhuzestan Province · IranKermanKerman Province · IranOrūmīyehWest Azerbaijan Province · IranBandar AbbasHormozgan Province · IranBushehrBushehr Province · IranSanandajKurdistan Province · IranZanjanZanjan Province · IranKhūyWest Azerbaijan Province · IranBorūjerdLorestan Province · IranShahr-e KordChaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province · IranMalāyerHamadan Province · IranShūshtarKhuzestan Province · IranNahāvandHamadan Province · IranSāvehMarkazi Province · IranKhomeynī ShahrIsfahan Province · IranMarandEast Azerbaijan Province · IranTūyserkānHamadan Province · IranBorūjenChaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province · IranAharEast Azerbaijan Province · IranShahreẕāIsfahan Province · IranArdakānYazd Province · IranĀrān BīdgolIsfahan Province · Iran

Cyprus (14)

NicosiaNicosia District · CyprusLarnacaEparchía Lárnakas · CyprusKaimakliNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusAyioi Omoloyites, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusTaht-el-kale, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusPallouriotissaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusAyios AndreasNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusYenişehir, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusAyios Antonios, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusTrypiotisNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusAyios Kassianos, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusAyios Savvas, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusHaydar Pasha, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · CyprusTabakhane, NicosiaNicosia · Nicosia District · Cyprus

Kosovo (6)

PristinaPristina District · KosovoPrizrenPrizren District · KosovoGjakovëGjakova District · KosovoDeçanGjakova District · KosovoBregu i DiellitPristina · Pristina District · KosovoDardaniaPristina · Pristina District · Kosovo

China (15)

ChengduSichuan · ChinaZhengzhouHenan · ChinaQuanzhouFujian · ChinaKaifengHenan · ChinaHohhotInner Mongolia Autonomous Region · ChinaWuxiJiangsu · ChinaTaiyuanShanxi · ChinaYinchuanNingxia Hui Autonomous Region · ChinaDaliYunnan · ChinaPutianFujian · ChinaNanyangHenan · ChinaChengdeHebei Sheng · ChinaMianyangSichuan · ChinaAnyangHenan · ChinaLongquanyi DistrictChengdu · Sichuan · China

Cambodia (2)

Phnom PenhPhnom Penh · CambodiaSiem ReapSiem Reap · Cambodia

Vietnam (2)

Da NangDa Nang City · VietnamBắc NinhBac Ninh · Vietnam

Israel (1)

AcreNorthern District · Israel

Egypt (5)

LuxorLuxor · EgyptEdfuMuḩāfaz̧at Aswān · EgyptEsnaMuḩāfaz̧at Qinā · EgyptKom OmboMuḩāfaz̧at Aswān · EgyptQinaMuḩāfaz̧at Qinā · Egypt

Iraq (1)

KarbalaKarbala Governorate · Iraq

Algeria (3)

OranOran · AlgeriaConstantineWilaya de Constantine · AlgeriaTlemcenWilaya de Tlemcen · Algeria

Taiwan (1)

New Taipei CityTaipei · Taiwan

Laos (2)

VientianeVientiane Prefecture · LaosLuang PrabangLuang Prabang Province · Laos

Greece (20)

RódosSouth Aegean · GreeceKerameikosAthens · Attica · GreeceExarcheiaAthens · Attica · GreeceKallithéaAttica · GreecePlakaAthens · Attica · GreeceMonastirakiAthens · Attica · GreeceNéa SmýrniAttica · GreeceAnafiotikaAthens · Attica · GreeceZográfosAttica · GreecePangratiAthens · Attica · GreeceKolonakiAthens · Attica · GreeceLadadikaThessaloníki · Central Macedonia · GreeceMetaxourgeioAthens · Attica · GreeceGaziAthens · Attica · GreeceThiseioAthens · Attica · GreeceKoukakiAthens · Attica · GreecePsyriAthens · Attica · GreeceToumbaThessaloníki · Central Macedonia · GreeceUpper TownThessaloníki · Central Macedonia · GreeceSaranta EkklisiesThessaloníki · Central Macedonia · Greece

Netherlands (1)

ArnhemProvincie Gelderland · Netherlands

Morocco (2)

EssaouiraMarrakesh-Safi · MoroccoMeknesFès-Meknès · Morocco

Mexico (3)

PueblaEstado de Puebla · MexicoMazatlánEstado de Sinaloa · MexicoAguascalientesEstado de Aguascalientes · Mexico

Czech Republic (2)

České BudějoviceJihočeský kraj · Czech RepublicKladnoStředočeský kraj · Czech Republic

Tunisia (3)

KairouanGouvernorat de Kairouan · TunisiaSfaxGouvernorat de Sfax · TunisiaNabeulGouvernorat de Nabeul · Tunisia

Afghanistan (1)

BalkhBalkh · Afghanistan

Benin (1)

CotonouLittoral · Benin

Nepal (2)

JanakpurMadhesh · NepalThamelKathmandu · Bagmati Province · Nepal

Italy (10)

Lido di OstiaRome · Lazio · ItalyTrastevereRome · Lazio · ItalyEsquilinoRome · Lazio · ItalySiracusaSicilia · ItalyLivornoToscana · ItalyTraniPuglia · ItalyPignaRome · Lazio · ItalySant'AngeloRome · Lazio · ItalyCampitelliRome · Lazio · ItalySallustianoRome · Lazio · Italy

Japan (6)

AsakusaTokyo · Tokyo Prefecture · JapanToyokawaAichi-ken · JapanAsakusabashiTokyo · Tokyo Prefecture · JapanNaganoNagano-ken · JapanEgotaNakano · Tokyo Prefecture · JapanGōtokujiTokyo · Tokyo Prefecture · Japan

Poland (5)

ChorzówSilesian Voivodeship · PolandŚwidnicaLower Silesian Voivodeship · PolandŚwiętochłowiceSilesian Voivodeship · PolandPragaWarsaw · Masovian Voivodeship · PolandStradomKraków · Lesser Poland Voivodeship · Poland

Indonesia (4)

UbudProvinsi Bali · IndonesiaJambi CityProvinsi Jambi · IndonesiaMagelangProvinsi Jawa Tengah · IndonesiaTanjung PinangProvinsi Kepulauan Riau · Indonesia

Kazakhstan (1)

KokshetauAqmola Oblysy · Kazakhstan

Finland (4)

PoriSatakunta · FinlandPunavuoriHelsinki · Uusimaa · FinlandKamppiHelsinki · Uusimaa · FinlandKruununhakaHelsinki · Uusimaa · Finland

Germany (15)

CharlottenburgBerlin · Land Berlin · GermanyPrenzlauer BergBerlin · Land Berlin · GermanyPankowBerlin · Land Berlin · GermanyKarlshorstBerlin · Land Berlin · GermanyDahlemBerlin · Land Berlin · GermanyHansaviertelBerlin · Land Berlin · GermanyFriedrichshagenBerlin · Land Berlin · GermanyRostockMecklenburg-Western Pomerania · GermanyStralsundMecklenburg-Western Pomerania · GermanyWilhelmshavenLower Saxony · GermanyCelleLower Saxony · GermanyKröpeliner-Tor-VorstadtRostock · Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania · GermanyHeppensWilhelmshaven · Lower Saxony · GermanyBlumlageCelle · Lower Saxony · GermanySüdstadtHannover · Lower Saxony · Germany

Sri Lanka (2)

JaffnaNorthern Province · Sri LankaTrincomaleeEastern Province · Sri Lanka

Niger (1)

AgadezAgadez · Niger

Azerbaijan (1)

LankaranLankaran Rayon · Azerbaijan

Sweden (1)

Gamla StanStockholm · Stockholm County · Sweden

Hungary (1)

SzolnokJász-Nagykun-Szolnok · Hungary

Bangladesh (3)

KhulnaKhulna Division · BangladeshCentralDhaka · Dhaka Division · BangladeshPābnaRajshahi · Bangladesh

Yemen (1)

TaizMuḩāfaz̧at Ta‘izz · Yemen

South Korea (4)

AndongGyeongsangbuk-do · South KoreaWŏnjuGangwon · South KoreaSuncheonJeollanam-do · South KoreaSeosanChungcheongnam-do · South Korea

France (1)

Fontenay-sous-BoisÎle-de-France · France

Libya (2)

Al Bayḑā’Al Jabal al Akhḑar · LibyaŞabrātahAz Zāwiyah · Libya

Thailand (2)

Nakhon Si ThammaratChangwat Nakhon Si Thammarat · ThailandBang NaBangkok · Bangkok · Thailand

Brazil (4)

Santo Amaro DistrictSão Paulo · São Paulo · BrazilParaisópolisSão Paulo · São Paulo · BrazilSocorroSão Paulo · São Paulo · BrazilSanto AmaroSão Paulo · São Paulo · Brazil

Syria (9)

TadmurHoms Governorate · SyriaJobarDamascus · Damascus Governorate · SyriaQanawatDamascus · Damascus Governorate · SyriaBaramkehDamascus · Damascus Governorate · SyriaAl Qusa'Damascus · Damascus Governorate · SyriaAl-Amin (Damascus)Damascus · Damascus Governorate · SyriaBab al-FarajDamascus · Damascus Governorate · SyriaAbu JarashDamascus · Damascus Governorate · SyriaDūmāDamascus Countryside · Syria

Austria (1)

WähringVienna · Wien · Austria

Portugal (4)

São Domingos de BenficaLisbon · Distrito de Lisboa · PortugalAlvaladeLisbon · Distrito de Lisboa · PortugalVila Nova de GaiaDistrito do Porto · PortugalPortoDistrito do Porto · Portugal

Canada (1)

JapantownVancouver · British Columbia · Canada

Spain (2)

MéridaExtremadura · SpainFuengirolaAndalusia · Spain

Jordan (1)

JarashJerash · Jordan

Romania (1)

BistriţaBistriţa-Năsăud · Romania

Palestine (5)

Old City of HebronHebron · West Bank · PalestineTel RumeidaHebron · West Bank · PalestineGivat HarsinaHebron · West Bank · PalestineAvraham AvinuHebron · West Bank · PalestineAdmot YishaiHebron · West Bank · Palestine

New Zealand (1)

Te AroWellington · Wellington · New Zealand

Malaysia (1)

Batu CavesSelangor · Malaysia

Suriname (1)

BeekhuizenParamaribo · Distrikt Paramaribo · Suriname

Common questions

When is the best time to visit a working temple?

Early, and outside the main service. Dawn visits catch the ritual without the crowd, and the building is doing what it was built for. Festival days are the exception worth planning around — they show the tradition at full strength, at the cost of space and quiet.