Seminyak is a beach town in South Bali north of Legian and Kuta.

Understand

The next town north of Legian, Seminyak is more upmarket with mostly luxury accommodation and fashionable high-end restaurants and bars. The atmosphere is much more sophisticated and laid-back than Kuta, and the beach in particular is quieter during the day. Seminyak is also the high end spa and boutique shopping capital of Bali.

Nowhere is the upscaling of Bali in recent years more obvious than here.

It is hard to imagine that only ten years ago this was a distinctly separate village, and something of a backwater. Development has occurred at an astonishing pace, and as well as absorbing all green space which formerly separated Seminyak from Legian, it is now almost impossible to determine where Seminyak ends and the nearby villages of Petitenget, Umalas and Kerobokan begin. This certainly has its downside, and the whole district has become very congested.

Indonesia Covid-19 Dashboard

999,256

Confirmed

9,994

Confirmed (24h)

28,132

Deaths

297

Deaths (24h)

2.8%

Deaths (%)

809,488

Recovered

10,678

Recovered (24h)

81.0%

Recovered (%)

161,636

Active

16.2%

Active (%)

Last Update: January 26, 2021 04:13 WIB

Get in

By car

Seminyak is part of the main west coast conurbation in South Bali and it can get very congested with traffic. There are two main routes in.

From Kuta and Legian, Jalan Legian runs parallel with the beach and at its western limit, becomes Jalan Seminyak.

If at all possible try to avoid this road though, and take instead the eastern bypass called Jalan Sunset.

This is almost invariably the quicker route from Kuta and Legian into Seminyak, although it is actually further in distance.

A prepaid taxi from the airport to Seminyak costs a fixed Rp 60,000. Trips to or from Kuta cost around Rp 30,000 and from Legian about Rp 15,000.

Get around

The streets of Seminyak are increasingly jammed, with Jalan Laksmana being a particular black-spot. Your best options here are to walk or rent a motorcycle/bicycle.

A number of roads in Seminyak have alternative names. Whilst this issue is not exclusive to Seminyak, it does seem to happen here more than anywhere else in Bali. There follows a list of road names with the most popular given first and the alternatives afterwards in brackets.

• Jalan Arjuna (Jalan Double Six, Jalan 66)
• Jalan Raya Seminyak (Jalan Raya Basangkasa)
• Jalan Dhyana Pura (Jalan Caplak Tanduk)
• Jalan Laksmana (Jalan Oberoi, Jalan Kayu Aya)
• Jalan Pantai Legian (Jalan Blue Ocean)
• Jalan Mertanadi (Jalan Penjara)

Tourist Information Office

Jalan Raya Seminyak Gang Baik-Baik. ☎ +62 85253 000066. baliagustour@gmail.com 08:00-18:00. A source of information for current events in the city and for picking up a free map.

What to see and do

Seminyak Beach and Petitenget Beach is a continuous expanse of grey sand stretching in both directions as far as the eye can see. To the south it becomes Legian Beach and then Kuta Beach, but is noticeably quieter than both. The sunsets here are famous, and opportunites abound to mix with the glitterati who frequent the high end beach front establishments such as Ku De Ta. Easy access points to the beach are at the end of Jalan Dhyana Pura, and from the large public car park (Rp 2,000) between Petitenget Temple and La Luciola restaurant.

• Pura Petitenget at the beachside off Jl Petitenget is a compact, pretty Balinese temple, which is known for particularly spectacular beach-side ceremonies. There has been a temple here since at least the 16th century, and although this is not one of the key nine directional temples of Bali, it is an important link in the series of west coast temples between Pura Uluwatu and Pura Tanah Lot.

What to do

Diving

• Nautilus Diving Bali, Jl. Drupadi 72 b, . 09:00 – 19:00. PADI dive center. Courses, trips and safaris around the island. Languages: English, German, Spanish, French and Bahasa. 

Spas, massage and other treatments

Seminyak is the high-end spa capital of Bali. Your spa experience here will be one of great luxury in a sophisticated setting. You pay up for all of that of course, but the prices are still 50% or more cheaper than you would pay in a western country.

If you are staying in one of Seminyak’s high end hotels there will undoubtedly be an in-house spa service. If you are staying in a villa, then in-villa treatments will almost certainly be offered – check with the staff.

• Amo Beauty & Spa, Jl Petitenget 100x (opposite Bali Catering Company and Kayana), . 10:00-20:00 daily. A spa run by former model Navia Nguyen that offers massages and various spa treatments. From US$18. 
• Amoaras Spa, Jl Laksmana 57, . 09:00-22:00. Traditional Balinese massage and treatments in a well established spa. From US$25. 
• Coco Grande – male spa, Jl. Dhyanapura (in same building like Club Cosmio), . 11:00-24:00. Male spa offering wide range of treatments and quality services. Staff is male only. Also outcall service. From €25. 
• Glo, Kunti Plaza , Jl Kunti 119, . 11:00-19:00. A self-styled hip spa offering many different treatments. Positions itself to appeal to younger clientele than many of Bali’s spa establishments. From about Rp 100,000. 
• Jari Menari (Dancing Fingers), Jl Raya Seminyak, . 10:00-21:00. Superb massage centre in Seminyak. The team who set up Jari Menari consult worldwide for other spas and massage houses. Also offer massage training classes. From Rp 275,000. 
• Prana Spa, Jl Kunti, . 10:00-22:00. Attached to The Villas, this is one of Bali’s very best spas. Themed on a Rajasthan Palace. Massages from Rp 450,000, treatments from Rp 750,000. 
• Spa Venus Bali, Jl Raya Seminyak, Gg Plawa No33F (10 min walk from Bintang Supermarket), . 10:00-22:00. Simple Balinese traditional massage to a complete detox programme including colonic cleansing and fasting, infra red sauna, deep healing treatments, allergy elimination, herbal medicine. From US$45. 
• Lagoon Spa, Jl Baik Baik, , fax: +62 361 735656. 09:00-22:00. Lagoon Spa offers a wide arrange of indulging body and beauty treatments. With relaxing environment, a Romanesque jacuzzi, sauna, rain shower and public pool. The treatments are drawn on the ancient health and beauty traditions of Asia. From about US$10. 

Other

A little bit of surfing goes on here, but it is not as good as off Legian and Kuta beaches to the south, or at Canggu to the north.

Buy

Seminyak is the centre in Bali for hip and inventive fashion boutiques, other designer stores and art studios. A good starting point for any shopper would be the legion of small boutiques and designer stores on Jalan Laksmana.

Clothing and accessories

• Bamboo Blonde, Jl Laksmana 61, . 10:00-21:00. Innovative women’s wear and notably helpful and friendly staff. 
• Biasa, Jl Raya Seminyak 36, . 10:00-21:00. This is the flagsghip store of the Bali fashion brand. Lightweight womenswear using natural fabrics. 
• Bong’s, Jl Raya Seminyak 42A, . 09:00-22:00. This second line store owned by an Indonesian haute couture designer. High end fashion clothing made out of silk, linen and cotton. 
• Body and Soul, Jl Raya Seminyak 11i, . 10:00-21:00. Women’s sportswear, beachwear and swimwear. Flagship store is on Jl Raya Seminyak and they also have a outlet in Seminyak Square. 
• Indigo & Rose, Jl Seminyak (50 m from Bintang Supermarket) and Jl Oberoi, opposite Seminyak Square, . 09:00-20:00. Sister label of Indigo Kids. Stylish women’s clothes, accessories, sandals, jewellery and children’s wear. The flagship store is on Jl Oberoi next to Seminyak Square and there is a second store on Jl Seminyak. 
• Mario Silver, Jl Raya Seminyak 19 (just south of Bintang Supermarket), . 10:00-21:00. The retail outlet of one of Bali’s leading silver jewellery designers and manufacturers. Wide range of high quality items. 
• Milo’s, Jl Laksmana 38, . 10:00-21:00. 
• Religion, Jl Laksmana 4A, . 10:00-22:00. A well established fashion boutique. Funky, eclectic and popular with a young clientele. 
• Sabbatha, Jl Raya Seminyak 97, . 10:00-21:00. If bling is your thing, you will like it here. Those of a more tasteful disposition might not. Glitzy, kitschy bags and other accessories. 
• Shaman, Jl Raya Seminyak 127 (next to Cafe Seminyak). 09:00-22:00. A funky store which is an outlet for the Shaman Electro brand. Young streetwear. 
• we’ar concept store, Jl Laksmana 12 (next to Corner Store). 09:00-22:00. A very nice and colourful store which is the concept store for the we’ar brand. Great yoga we’ar and street wear. 

Art

• Buddha Gallery Bali, Jl. Raya Basangkasa, . Extraordinary collection of antique Buddha statues and sculptures, ritual implements and other related items, originating from Thailand, Burma, Laos, China and Japan. starts from US$100. 
• Folk Art Gallery, Jl Laksmana 17, Also known as Jl Oberio, . A great collection of art from all over South East Asia with an emphasis on Burma. fabulous collection of Burmese Buddhas but also beads, textiles, jewellery. Prices are from a few dollars up to US$10,000 (for an almost life-sized Marble Buddha). Caters to collectors or for gifts to take home. 
• Lukisan traditional & modern paintings, Jl Kunti 3. 10:00-18:30. Stocks traditional Balinese, Buddhist, abstract, modern and pop art paintings. It is all a bit production line, but this is a gallery with very reasonable prices. 
• Richard Meyer Culture, Jl Petintenget 200x, . 10:00-20:00. An elegant gallery showcasing art, photography and sculpture from contemporary Balinese artists. 

Others

• Bintang Supermarket, Jl Raya Seminyak. 10:00-22:00 daily. This is the grand old aunt of supermarkets in Bali. It is a bit faded and old-fashioned looking these days but remains popular, and is a very convenient one stop for those visitors looking for the supermarket-type items that they would find at home. Also has a hardware section upstairs. 
• Seminyak Square, Jl Laksmana (on the corner of Jl Laksmana and Jl Kayu Jati), . 1000-22:00. Chic and modern shopping complex housing designer stores, restaurants and an excellent Periplus bookshop. Most unusually for Seminyak, there is a lot of public parking available here. 

If you are looking for Indonesian antiques (genuine or reproductions), or just enjoy browsing for eclectic homewares, try Jalan Kerobokan between the junction with Jalan Seminyak and the next set of traffic lights to the north. This is a very busy road and moving around is not easy, but both sides of the street are lined with numerous furniture, antique and homeware stores. A quieter, but just as rewarding option for similar products, is Jalan Mertanadi which runs parallel to Jalan Kerobokan just to the east.Two traditional fresh produce markets remain in Seminyak. The most convenient is on the west side of the last bend at the very northern end of Jalan Raya Seminyak, and is widely known as Seminyak Market. A little more out of the way is a similar market in Kerobokan, called Taman Sari. Take Jalan Raya Kerobokan north from Jalan Raya Seminyak until you reach the first set of lights. Turn right and Taman Sari market is almost immediately on your righthand side. Both are best in the mornings from 07:00-11:00, and provide visitors with the opportunity to examine and purchase traditional, fresh local fruit and vegetables.

Eat

Over the past 10 years, Seminyak has developed a world-class dining scene. If you want to splurge on one very special dinner while you are in Bali, look no further than the higher end options in Seminyak. Prices are high by Bali standards but on an international scale still good value for the highest quality of food and eating environment. The clientele is demanding here and the turnover of restaurants quite high, so those that make it and stick around are invariably very good.

• Hallo Restaurants, Jl Nakula 4, Seminyak, . This handy service will deliver food to you anywhere in the Seminyak area. Their menu includes several of the restaurants listed below – you simply order with them and they pass on the order to the restaurant, pick it up and deliver to you. Allow about 45 min for delivery. Particularly useful for those staying at one of Seminyak’s private villas, many of which carry a copy of their menu and ordering instructions. If not, you can pick one up at their office or simply check the website. For the extremely lazy, they will even deliver beer and cigarettes. Delivery charge Rp 12,000. 

Budget

Although they have become harder to find in recent years, there are still some excellent budget options available in the area.

• Baku Dapa, Jl Dhyana Pura. This great value warung is something of a legend in Seminyak. Stays open very late and is popular with the partying crowd. Serves Manado style Indonesian food at very keen prices. Highly recommended as a real taste of Indonesia. 
• Café Tahu (Tofu Cafe), Jl Petitenget 20. Popular with locals, this restaurant has raised seating around a central courtyard and offers up a menu of tofu, tofu and more tofu, cooked Indonesian style for about Rp 10,000 per dish. The tofu is all made on premises and you can even buy a pack to take home. Concessions to meat-eaters include satay and grilled chicken. 
• Kolega, Jl Petitenget, . About 11:00-15:00, sometimes open in the early evening also. This simple, unassuming Javanese warung is an absolute institution amongst locals and expats alike. When it first gained the attention of travel guides there was a collective groan, but it has remained remarkably free from attention of the tourist hoardes. Choose your rice (options of plain, yellow and sometimes red) and the dishes to go with it. The various beef, chicken and fish dishes are fabulous, and the vegetables always fresh and fiery. Go easy on the sambal until you understand your heat tolerance. It is hard to think of a better, more authentic introduction to Indonesian food anywhere in Bali. Packed every day, and especially at lunch time. around Rp 20,000. 
• Little Green Cafe, Jl Mertanadi 11, Kerobokan (turn north from Jl Sunset into Jl Mertanadi, look for the cafe on your left side after about 300 m), . 09:00-17:00 daily. 100% vegetarian and uses almost exclusively organic ingredients, most of them locally sourced. Excellent homemade cakes, cookies, fruit bars and fresh juices, as well as salads, soups, veggie burgers and daily specials. A little off the beaten path, but well worth the effort to get there. Mains Rp 25,000-35,000. 
• Mano Beach Side Café, Seminyak Beach (opposite Pura Petitenget). 10:00-20:00. True to the name, this is a simple but stylish blue building by the beach, offering all sorts of drinks for around Rp 10,000 as well as sandwiches and pasta for around Rp 30,000 — not to mention cool breezes and great sunsets. 
• Warung Batavia, Jl Kunti Utara (turn north off Jl Sunset at the Jl Kunti lights and it is on the first bend you reach), . 11:00-19:00. After years on Jl Kerobokan this long-established warung which serves excellent Javanese food has opened at a location with better parking. Always busy, but lunchtimes especially. Choose your food at the counter and sit at the sociable, shared tables. Spend Rp 25,000 for a fantastic quality meal. 
• Warung Sobat, Jl Batu Belig (About half way down Batu Belig on the right hand side heading towards the beach), . 11:00-21:00. Good value and popular Indonesian restaurant. Main dishes about Rp 20,000 to 30,000. 

Mid-range

• Biku, . 09:00-21:00 daily. Exactly what it says on the label, “a tea lounge, restaurant, antiques and bookstore”. Quirky place with a lovely atmosphere. Great range of homemade deserts, salads and sandwiches, amongst more formal fare. The traditional English tea, complete with scones and cream, is a real hit. When you have finished eating have a browse through the antique gallery and the branch of Ubud’s famous Ganesha Bookshop. 
• Cafe Jemme, Jl Petitenget 28, . 11:00-22:00 daily. Discrete, charming small restaurant set away from the road behind the Jemme jewellery shop. Serves creative food with Asian accents at very reasonable prices for the area. The crispy duck is especially recommended, and leave space for a superb line in desserts. 
• Cafe Seminyak, Jl Raya Seminyak 17 (right in front of Bintang supermarket), . 07:00-23:00. Established in 2000, this is where the local community meets. All day long, this very busy cafe serves breakfasts with French croissants, baguettes and a big English breakfast with beans and sausage. The only downside here is that it is an outdoor cafe right beside a very busy and noisy road. 
• Gourmet Cafe (Bali Catering Co Cafe), Jl Petitenget, . 07:00-21:00 daily. This is the cafe outlet of Bali’s most gourmet catering company. Superb salads, pastries, home baked breads, all day breakfasts, Italian coffee, and a quite remarkable range of teas. Also have great line in high quality frozen and fresh ready meals, both here and in their nearby shop. This is very handy if you are staying in one of Seminyak’s private villas. Indoor seating area which is non-smoking, and being Seminyak, a large alfresco smoking area. 
• Grocer and Grind, Jl Kayu Jati 3x, . 08:00-22/00. Very contemporary deli-style cafe serving superb sandwiches, salads and pastries, and possibly the best coffee in Seminyak. Free WiFi. 
• Junction Cafe, Jl Laksmana (on the corner of Jl Laksmana and Jl Kayu Jati), . 11:00-22:00. Excellent cafe serving the best baguettes imaginable and salads at lunchtime, and specialising in pasta in the evening. Free WiFi. Belgian owned and operates. 
• Le Tebu, Jl Petitenget 40X, . The French-owned Le Tebu offers diners salads, sandwiches and a few token Indonesian items. Dishes start from Rp 30,000. 
• Made’s Warung, Jl Raya Seminyak, . 11:00-23:00. A Seminyak institution first established (in a different location) in 1969. Wonderful Indonesian food in a great location in a courtyard off of the main road in Seminyak. The western food is OK but nothing special; stay with the Indonesian dishes. Certainly not over-priced by Seminyak standards. 
• Queen’s Tandoor, Jl Raya Seminyak, Number 1/73, . 12:00AM–23:30PM. The best Indian restaurant in Bali by a country mile. Consistently wins awards and it is easy to understand why. Superb tandoori chicken and fish, and huge, authentic biryanis. Vegan options available. Also has a delivery service. Rp 50,000. (updated Aug 2020)
• Rumours, Jl Laksmana, Seminyak, . 18:00-23:00. Incredibly popular restaurant serving great value western food. You cannot book here and there is often a long queue for tables. 
• Sate Bali, Jl Laskmana 22A (opposite Samaya resort), . 11:00-22:00. Low-key but tastefully done open-air restaurant with well presented Balinese favorites like sate lilit (spiced meat on lemon grass sticks), plenty of pork dishes and fresh fish. Rp 50,000. 
• Ultimo, Jl Laksmana 104 X, . 17:00-23:00 daily. Italian food is the go at this popular Laksmana restaurant. Has recently improved enormously. Good pastas and steak and carpaccio are the highlights. Same ownership as Rumours, just a few doors up the street. Mains Rp 40,000-100,000. 
• Waroeng Bonita, Jl Petitenget 100X. A vast selection of western and Indonesian dishes, served in a garden courtyard. Prices start from Rp 50,000. 

Splurge

• La Lucciola (on the south side of the Petitenget temple car park). Right on Petitenget beach, serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Home of the Frangipani Bar, a popular choice for watching the sunset. 
• Metis, Jl Petitenget No6 (at the Kerobokan end of Jl Petitenget), . After 10 years as Bali’s top French restaurant the former Warisan closed and the management team from there have opened Metis, has ample parking. About Rp 1,000,000 per head. 
• Sardine, Jl Petitenget 21 (northern end of Jl Petitenget, almost opposite Metis), . closed Mondays. Specialises in fish and other seafood prepared with a Mediterranean ethic. Intimate restaurant with a all bamboo design and clear views over the rice paddies. Mains Rp 100,000-150,0000. 
• Sarong Restaurant, Jl Petitenget No19x, . Original takes on Asian street and country food in a chic 5 star setting. (updated Feb 2015)

Drink

Many of Bali’s hippest nightspots are in Seminyak.

• Hu’u, Jl Petitenget, . Part of the Singaporean nightspot chain. The star attraction is the lit central swimming pool, where the bold and the beautiful can jump in. The rest of the complex is chilled-out drinking and dining in the garden and pavilion. Draught beer at Rp 20,000 a glass, with cocktails around Rp 115,000+. 
• Ku De Ta, Jl Oberoi (Laksmana) 9, . Stylish bar-restaurant complex with 2 bars, restaurant seating indoors and beachside divans to laze on while the DJ spins an eclectic mix of music, new and old. Soft drinks from Rp 20,000, cocktails from Rp 70,000, including bizarre selections such as black pepper and grilled pineapple Martini. Gets packed at weekends. 
• Lita Gunardi & The Backyard Lounge, Kunti Arcade 2&3, Jl Kunti I, . 11:00-24:00. A lounge bar and restaurant attached to the Lita Gunardi boutique. The bar serves good cocktails and the restaurant specialises in Italian food. 
• The Living Room, Jl Petitenget 2000x, . Just across the road from Hu’u and a similar bar which attracts a similarly hip clientele. Good cocktails and excellent DJ music. The restaurant is unreliable. 
• Red Carpet Champagne Bar, Jl. Kayu Aya no 42, . Daily noon to late. A fairly ritzy bar, unsurprisingly, specialising in Champagne. Not as expensive as you might imagine, but by no means a place for a cheap drink. 
• Syndicate Club Bali, Jl Blue Ocean (right on he beach, next door to 66), . 22:00 to 04:00. Late night dance bar with great ocean and beach views. 
• Potato Head, Jln. Petitenget (next to W hotel), . Great beach club to mingle through the day and do people watching. Day beds are to be seen and require reservation. Food and drinks are nice. Especially popular for sunset 
• Pop’s Bar. Nice rooftop bar with dinner options. Great ambiance. 
• Motel Mexicola, Jl Kayu Jati No 9, Petingenget Beach, . Mexican bar and restaurant that is popular for the Mexican dishes and the colourful design. Popular for drinks in the evening and the small dishes. 

Where to stay in Seminyak

There is virtually no backpacker accommodation in Seminyak. Budget travellers will generally do better to stay in nearby Kuta or Legian. However, there are some (fairly uninspiring) losmen type places in Gang Bima which runs south off the northern end of Jalan Dhyana Pura, right in the heart of Seminyak.

Sanur is a town on the east coast of South Bali.

Understand

Sanur is Bali’s oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. Most hotels in Sanur are big, with spacious gardens.

Indonesia Covid-19 Dashboard

999,256

Confirmed

9,994

Confirmed (24h)

28,132

Deaths

297

Deaths (24h)

2.8%

Deaths (%)

809,488

Recovered

10,678

Recovered (24h)

81.0%

Recovered (%)

161,636

Active

16.2%

Active (%)

Last Update: January 26, 2021 04:13 WIB

The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road.

Get in

By car

Sanur is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp 150,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur.

If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more staightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from Kuta or Legian, about 30 minutes from Seminyak or Ubud and 10 to 15 minutes from Denpasar.

By bus

Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from Denpasar’s Tegal terminal.

The bus company Perama has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers difrect transfer here from Candidasa, Kuta, Lovina, Padang Bai and Ubud.

There’s also a bus service called Trans Sarbagita that runs the following route Terminal Batu Bulan (Gianyar) – Tohpati (DPS) – Sanur (DPS) – Kuta Central Park (Badung) – Jimbaran (Badung) – Nusa Dua (Badung).

Kura-Kura Bus is another bus company that passes through Sanur and other popular areas in Bali.

By boat

Boats from Nusa Lembongan arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the Nusa Lembongan article.

Get around

Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso.

Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district.

• Bali Store Luggage, Gang Telagasari 3, Jalan Danau Tempe I. You can store luggage here. (updated Apr 2016)

On foot

Walking in Sanur is pleasant. The pavement is about 2.5 m wide along Sanur Beach, suitable for the senior citizens who frequent this town to avoid the loud nightlife in nearby Kuta. Rental bikes sometimes use the pavement, too, but no motorcycles do.

What to see and do

This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the shopping and beach-related sights.

• International Kite Festival, Padang Galak beach (just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass). The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10 m in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown. 
• Le Mayeur Museum, Jl Hangtuah (go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right), . Su-F 07:30-15:30. This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali’s very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali’s hidden treasures. Rp 10,000. (updated Apr 2016)
• Mangrove Information Centre (Mangrove Forest Suwung Kawuh), Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Suwung Kauh (just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai), . Daily 08:00-18:00. Visit the well-appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600-hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. Rp 200,000 for foreigners, Rp 50,000 for locals. 
• Pura Blanjong (Blanjong Temple), Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong (just south of Sanur). The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the Prasati Blanjong. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali’s first formal government. This is Bali’s oldest known artifact. 
• Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre (Turtle Island) (about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass), . 09:00-17:00 daily. Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre here and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. Donation. 

As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5-km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options.

What to do

Sanur’s splendid paved beachfront cycle-path stretches some 5 km from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. Some bikes are better maintained than others so you might want to test your hire-bike close to home for a while in case the pedals have a tendency to fall off.

Diving

Although the diving available around Sanur is not the best Bali has to offer, nearly all of Bali’s most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield.

• Atlantis Bali Diving, Jl .By Pass Ngurah Rai 96E, . Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5-star dive operator. English, French, German, Spanish and Indonesian speaking instructors (updated Apr 2016)
• BIDP (Bali International Diving Professionals), Jl. Blanjong I No. 333, . Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses including technical diving (updated Apr 2016)
• Blue Season Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan 69x, . PADI Career Development Centre. Dive trips and safaris around Bali, and PADI courses from beginner to instructor. Also offers technical diving courses. Instruction offered in English, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Indonesian. 
• Crystal Divers, Jl Danau Tamblingan 168, . 7am – 9pm. This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is available from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Offers PADI courses in Swedish, Danish, English, Indonesian, German, Japanese and Mandarin. 
• Diving Bali, Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c, . One of the best dive centres in Sanur offering dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. Offers a full range of fun dives and courses 
• Joe’s Gone Diving Bali, Ngurah Rai Bypass 44A, . A professional, Dutch-owned PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering PADI dive courses, daily dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. Courses are given in multiple languages. 
• Neptune Scuba Diving (Neptune Diving Bali), Jl. Suka Merta, Sanur, Bali, . Daily 07:00-19:00. PADI 5-star IDC and Disabled Divers International dive resort in Sanur, Bali. Take your first breath underwater, go for a fun dive, get your padi certification in Bali or join a family snorkelling trip. US$100. (updated Aug 2020)

Surfing

Bali is one of the most famous surfing locations in the world and Sanur is one of the most famous surfing locations for intermediate surfers coming to Bali. With already well established surf schools located here, beginner, intermediate and even families can join these establishments for some surfing fun.

Laundry

There are many places to do your laundry in Sanur. Most hotels provides they own laundry service, mostly with more expensive rates than local laundry rooms. Almost every street corner has a laundry service.

• Cinta Alam Organic Laundry, Jl. Batur Sari 44 (the end of Jl. Sekuta turn left 50 m left on side). 08:00-20:00. High-quality laundry service without the use of harmful chemicals. You can choose an aromatherapy fragrance. Pick up and delivery is on request and free in the Sanur area. Rp 15,000/kg. (updated Aug 2020)

Spas

A day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur.

• Mandurah Spa, Jl Danau Tamblingan, . 
• Puri Esthetic, Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209, . 

Watersports

The more active could try one or more of the many watersports on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters.