TEMPLE TOURS
Every temple on this list is bookable and every one of them is somebody’s reason for the trip. The 15 below run from a $14 sunrise ticket at Angkor to a private guide through the Valley of the Kings, priced, timed and honest about how early the alarm goes.
Use a PDF voucher to enter Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Belém. Expect magnificent Manueline stonework, a two-story cloister, and access to the monument’s historic grounds. This is a self-guided visit with no guide, and queues can last from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours, especially in summer.
“We should have gone earlier because we did have to wait in line for a while in the sun”
Start before dawn and explore Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Kdei with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Mr. T, David, Sen, and Chanthy are known for clear stories and humor. The small-group tour runs about eight hours, with hotel pickup, cold water, and a maximum of 13 people. Admission costs extra.
“Great tour with very knowledgeable guide Mr. Rith, who also makes the tour very enjoyable with his great humour. You see a lot of temples in one day and stop for a tasty lunch as well. I can only recommend”
Spend about nine hours visiting Tlatelolco, the Basilica of Guadalupe, and Teotihuacan from central Mexico City. Your English-speaking guide leads the history stops, an obsidian workshop adds a tequila tasting, and an optional Mexican buffet fills the long day. Private tours include hotel pickup.
“Really great tour and Geo explained everything really well and with such enthusiasum - she really elevated the experience. Recommend.”
Spend seven hours exploring Ayutthaya’s four key temple ruins from Bangkok. Visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Lokayasutha, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, and Wat Mahathat with an English, German, Thai, or Japanese-speaking guide. The $28 option can include transport, entrance fees, and a Thai buffet lunch, with hotel pickup available.
“Great. AJ was knowledgeable and a fantastic person. Very helpful as well”
Start before dawn for Angkor Wat’s sunrise, then explore Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Kdei with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Sen, David, Rith, and Mr T explain Khmer history and local life, while drivers provide air-conditioning, cold water, and towels. Shared and private options are available.
“Very recommended sunrise tour with Sen (our guide) and Michael Jackson (our driver). They really took care of us from the start in the early morning and enriched our experience. Sen is a great guide, he will share all his knowledge about the temples, the Khmer culture and religions. He will make you laugh and take great pictures at the best spots!”
Travel from central Athens to Cape Sounion by air-conditioned coach, following the Athenian Riviera to Poseidon’s Temple. An English-speaking guide such as Angelina, Lydia, or Dimitra shares Greek myths and local history, then you get about 1.5 to 2 hours to explore and watch the sunset. Site admission costs an extra €20.
“I forgot the name of guide, but she explained it meant "freedom" haha, but she was amazing. Really good stories about the tour.”
Spend 8 to 10 hours exploring Ubud with a private English-speaking driver-guide. Visit Sacred Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple, Celuk Village, and a jungle swing. Guides such as Wah, Vitho, Ary, Adi, and Wayan are praised for local insight, patience, and help with photos.
“I highly recommend this tour due to the positive experience at the monkey forest, where interactions with the monkeys were pleasant and non-intrusive, allowing for excellent photographic opportunities. The swing experience provided enjoyable entertainment with stunning views. Furthermore, the staff demonstrated exceptional skill in capturing memorable photos and videos of our group. I suggest prioritizing this tour to preserve your appearance before engaging in activities such as manta ray swimming or ATV excursions. I trust this information is helpful. Lastly, the rice fields you will see while driving. You dont actually visit one.”
Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat in a small air-conditioned vehicle, hear the mountain’s story from an English-speaking guide, then explore independently for about two hours. Choose carefully among options for basilica entry, the Black Madonna, or the Boys’ Choir. Guides such as Oriol, Angie, Adriana, and Xavier are often praised for humor and clear explanations.
“Going to Montserrat is one of my best experiences in this trip. Breathtaking views. Was able to pray solemnly at the Basilica of the Black Madonna. Very informative tour guide. Price is worth it!”
Spend 8 to 10 hours with a private English-speaking driver-guide visiting Tirta Empul, Tukad Cepung, Kanto Lampo, Tibumana, and Tegalalang. You can swim at suitable waterfalls, ask about Balinese customs, and adjust the order around weather and crowds. Guides such as Ariga, Atta, Ageng, and I Wayan Top are often praised for safe driving and excellent photos.
“Ariga the best guide!! We will return and make a tour with him, so friendly and nice people. The tour was amazing. Thanks!”
Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by air-conditioned coach for an 11-hour day of temples, hot springs, and Karen culture. Visit the White Temple, Blue Temple, and Huay Pla Kang Temple, with guides such as Benz, Kwan, Ruby, Dee, and Ann adding history and local context. Lunch and the long-neck village fee cost extra.
“You can visit many places in a short period of time. The guide was super nice and informative. I enjoyed the tour.”
Travel from Barcelona to Montserrat in a small group of up to eight, with hotel pickup, a local guide, monastery admission, and a short mountain walk. Guides such as Ramon, Javi, Laura, and Alejandro are praised for clear explanations and flexible pacing. Add the Sant Joan funicular or Montserrat Museum at your own cost.
“Matt (Mateus) was a very knowledgeable and thoughtful guide. Pickup was on time and travel to Monserrat Monestary went quickly with Matt’s info and group chats. Beautiful weather and setting! Overall great trip!!”
Travel from Sofia to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery with an English, Spanish, or Italian-speaking guide. See powerful medieval frescoes, explore Bulgaria’s grandest Orthodox monastery, visit museums, try mekitsi, and enjoy Rila Mountain views. Expect a long but well-organized day, with only 10 minutes inside Boyana Church.
“Rila Monastery was really impressive and Svet our tour guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and made the day fun. Our tour was on a full coach and would have been better if it was a smaller group”
Travel from central Athens along the Athenian Riviera to Cape Sounion by air-conditioned bus. An escort and six-language audio guide explain the coast, myths, and Temple of Poseidon. You get a photo stop, about 90 minutes at the monument, and time for sunset. Entry costs extra.
“The tour was great and the guide amazing, unfortunately, my seat was broken, which led me not to be able to sit down for 1hour”
Spend two long but rewarding days exploring Angkor’s major temples with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned minibus, bottled water, and an English-speaking guide. Day one begins at 4:30am with Angkor Wat sunrise, Ta Prohm, Bayon, Ta Keo, and Angkor Thom’s South Gate. Day two visits quieter temples and ends around 7pm with sunset.
“Nick was a great guide for the sunrise tour! Our guide for the sunset was great as well. They had so much knowledge to share and were very welcoming to us learning more about the country, culture, and history. The transport was convenient and everything was a good value for the price. Sunrise was magical at Angkor Wat and I loved the way the tour was organized so we were a little bit away from the other tour groups at main sights. Would definitely recommend to others!”
Meet at River City Bangkok for a small-group tour of Bangkok’s royal and religious sights. Visit the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple, then add Wat Pho and Wat Arun if selected. Your English- or German-speaking guide, including guides such as Mina, Kiwi, Johnny, or Pete, handles tickets, local transport, water, and temple etiquette.
“Guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Really enjoyed his in depth history of all the Temples.”
Pick a country, a gate or an hour of the day.
