01What a sarong actually is here
A sarong is a length of fabric, usually cotton or rayon, wrapped and tied around the waist — worn across Bali both as required temple attire and as everyday casual clothing, and sold everywhere from markets to hotel gift shops to roadside stalls. It's one of the most practical single purchases you can make early in a trip.
02Buying vs. renting at temples
Nearly every temple that requires one offers free or cheap rental sarongs at the entrance, which covers the bare minimum for a single visit — but if you're planning multiple temple stops (see our temples guide), owning your own is more comfortable, more hygienic, and lets you pick a pattern and quality you actually like.
03Where to buy one
Markets — including the ubud-palace-market.html">Ubud Art Market and general craft markets covered in our shopping guide — are the standard place to buy, with bargaining expected as normal practice rather than something to feel awkward about. Quality varies meaningfully; a slightly higher price generally buys noticeably better fabric and stitching.
04How to actually wear one
For temple visits, a sarong is typically wrapped around the waist down to the ankles and secured with a sash (also usually provided or rented) tied around the middle — modest coverage is the goal, not a particular fashion style. Casually, sarongs get wrapped shorter, tied differently, or even used as a beach cover-up or light blanket — much more flexible outside a temple context.
05Practical tips
- Bring or buy one early in your trip rather than relying on rentals every time — it saves a small hassle at every temple stop.
- A sarong doubles as an aeroplane blanket, a beach towel in a pinch, or light sun protection — genuinely multi-purpose for the price.
- Hand-wash and air-dry rather than machine-washing cheaper printed sarongs, which can fade or fray faster with rough treatment.