24 Best Things To Do

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Sanur is thought for being probably the most quiet and household pleasant areas of Bali Indonesia, however there are additionally loads of good issues to do there.

Families will love the laid again ambiance and chill eating places at Sanur Beach, and the dawn views listed here are a few of the finest you will discover anyplace in Bali.

This sleepy seaside city on the southeast coast of Bali was one of many authentic birthplaces of tourism on the island, and it’s nonetheless well-liked for its good inns, purchasing, breakfast, massages, and quick access to the Nusa islands.

Without additional ado, right here is our full journey information for what to do in Sanur!

Where To Stay In Sanur

 

Where Is Sanur?

First issues first — the place is Sanur positioned?

Sanur (pronounced sah-noor) is positioned within the southeast nook of Bali island, throughout from Denpasar and the principle metropolis middle.

The Sanur space primarily consists of the seashore and the principle road (Jalan Danau Tamblingan), in addition to the Ngurah Rai Bypass and a bit of land west of the Bypass.

The important vacationer space is concentrated east of the Bypass. This is the place most vacationers keep, and it has most (however not all) of the inns, eating places, points of interest, and actions in Sanur.

Most vacationers right here don’t enterprise into the world west of the Bypass in any respect, though it does have some hidden gems, together with a couple of good eating places and rice paddies. I’m certain this space will grow to be extra vital as tourism continues to develop.

 

How To Get Around Sanur

If you’re staying on Sanur Beach or Danau Tamblingan road, the entire space is fairly walkable and most issues are shut sufficient to be reached on foot.

Bluebird taxis are at all times out there for brief rides round Sanur, however the costs are a bit inflated for vacationers. It’s cheaper to make use of ride-hailing apps like Grab and Go-Jek, and the native taxis in Sanur don’t appear to battle this in any respect (not like in Ubud the place the native taxi mafia could also be extra protecting of their turf).

If you wish to do some exploring exterior of city, you’ll have to hire a scooter or rent a personal automotive and driver (each of those could be booked on-line). Airport transfers to Sanur from the Bali airport can be organized together with your lodge or booked on-line.

 

Best Things To Do In Sanur Bali

 

1. Sanur Beach Sunrise

Sanur Beach could not rank up there with a few of the finest seashores in Bali, however it actually shines (no pun meant) as probably the greatest dawn spots on the island.

The mixture of a cool morning breeze, birds chirping, fishermen wading out on the reef, the Mount Agung volcano within the distance, and the general dawn show right here is simply plain magic. Sometimes you possibly can even see the distant define of Mount Rinjani in Lombok.

Sunrise on the seashore is certainly probably the greatest issues to do in Sanur! It’s a good way to begin the day.

Read More: Sanur Beach Sunrise

 

2. Sanur Boardwalk

Sanur Beach has a really lengthy shoreline (round 7 kilometers) and there’s a paved foot path all the best way, so it’s good for a morning stroll, jog, or bicycle experience.

It’s a pleasant scenic path lined with fishing boats, lodge gardens, and seashore eating places, and you’ll often get views of the Mount Agung volcano within the distance.

If you’re in search of what to do in Sanur, the boardwalk is a superb place to begin! The entire public seashore space is free to enter, and sunbeds or bicycles can normally be rented for round 25k Rupiah per day.

The finest place to hire bicycles is at Warung Sports in Jalan Pantai Sindhu, in any other case you will discover different locations to hire them alongside the Sanur boardwalk.

For yoga lovers, there’s additionally a free morning yoga class day by day at Pantai Karang. It begins at 7:30 AM and everyone seems to be welcome, simply take part with a mat or towel.

Since 2023, the entire strolling path on the seashore has been renovated to make it wider. This is welcome information as a result of the boardwalk can get fairly busy within the mornings.

 

3. Sanur Beach

To be sincere, Sanur seashore can’t compete with the nicest seashores in Bali, as a result of there’s simply an excessive amount of seaweed alongside the shore and the sand shouldn’t be actually white or particular.

There are a couple of exceptions, however most components of the seashore are simply common. However, Sanur is nice for households, and that’s why so many expats and Balinese locals like to return to the seashore right here.

Calm sea waves and shallow water make it a perfect place for youths to swim, and there’s a incredible breeze in the summertime months (May by August).

       
 
 

4. Sanur Festivals

The Sanur space is house to various enjoyable seasonal festivals in Bali. These are free to go to and it may be an important exercise for households and anybody eager to see Balinese arts and tradition.

Here are the principle festivals in Sanur it is best to take a look at:

• Bali Kite Festival (July/August). This is a yearly pageant held in Sanur the place tons of of inventive kites fly the skies in a enjoyable type of competitors. During the dry season in Indonesia (May by September), Bali will get good robust winds from the east, so Sanur has good climate for kite flying. The important occasion of the pageant is normally held in July or August, and you’ll see every kind of gigantic and quirky kites, generally as much as 100 meters lengthy!
• Sanur Village Festival (July/August). This is one other yearly pageant celebrated in Sanur Beach since 2006, that includes Balinese arts, meals, and tradition. There’s even a conventional boat present and competitors with the colourful ‘jukung’ fishing boats.
• Bali Arts Festival (June/July). Also often called PKB or Pesta Kesenian Bali, that is Indonesia’s longest-running arts pageant, which began in 1979. It’s celebrated yearly, and the pageant lasts for a complete month in Denpasar metropolis, only a 10 minute drive from Sanur. The spotlight of this pageant is the large parade on the opening day of the pageant, which options every kind of fantastic Balinese costumes and music.

 

5. Sea Turtle Release

If you’re fortunate, you possibly can generally be part of a sea turtle launch at Sanur Beach, though it’s not as widespread because the turtle launch at Kuta Beach.

Olive ridley sea turtles nonetheless like to put their eggs at Sanur and the opposite Bali seashores every now and then, so that they should be picked as much as preserve them secure from predators and other people strolling on the seashore.

When the infants hatch, you possibly can launch them to the ocean with a donation. It’s a enjoyable exercise for households, and it advantages sea turtle conservation, which is vital in Bali.

This exercise comes from the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) on close by Serangan island, which is supported by the WWF and has been engaged on sea turtle repopulation and training in Bali since 2006.

There are normally batches of child sea turtles launched someplace on Sanur Beach at the very least a couple of times a month. Turtle releases are extra widespread throughout the mid summer time months (June by August), however they will occur at any time of 12 months.

If you wish to be part of, your finest wager is to ask round with Genius Cafe or Byrdhouse, they usually can in all probability inform you when the subsequent turtle launch is going on in Sanur.

Read More: Bali Sea Turtle Release

 

6. ICON Mall

The ICON Mall simply opened in northern Sanur and it’s the most important mall in Bali, with dozens of retailers and eating places, cultural exhibits, an IMAX theater, and plans for a butterfly park and seashore membership.

Lots of people have been upset about this mall coming to Sanur, which is comprehensible as a result of this has at all times been often called one of many quiet sides of Bali, and it appears inevitable that the mall goes to convey extra site visitors, noise, and vacationers to this space.

I’ve combined emotions concerning the mall. I prefer it, however I want it wasn’t in Sanur. It belongs in Kuta or Denpasar. But it’s right here to remain, so we’d as nicely benefit from it. It seems like a pleasant mall, and it ought to be nice for households with children. Once the novelty wears off, I’m hoping it doesn’t have a huge effect on site visitors both. I suppose we’ll see.

The ICON Mall had a tender opening on June 7, 2024, and a few issues are nonetheless a piece in progress. More data and footage can be coming quickly.

 

7. Sanur Beach Clubs

The Sanur space isn’t actually identified for seashore golf equipment (but), however a couple of good ones have began to pop up, comparable to Byrdhouse.

There was additionally the Artotel Beach Club, however it closed down throughout Covid, and it stays to be seen if it’ll be renovated and reopened.

The means a seashore membership works is you pay an entrance price, and you then get a meals and beverage credit score together with entry to a pool, playground, and beachfront lounge with WiFi and sunbeds.

 

8. Le Mayeur Museum

This is a small museum devoted to a Thirties Belgian painter and his Balinese spouse. It’s arrange of their former home in north Sanur Beach (GPS right here).

Reviews are combined, as a result of the work are good, however the repairs has been poor and there’s no air con. Entrance price is 50k Rupiah for foreigners.

The important cause to go to this place is to get a small peek into what the true Bali was like within the previous days earlier than mass tourism, malls, and the web.
 

9. Sanur Rice Fields

These are some rice fields close to Sanur which might be just about unknown to vacationers, however they’re simply as inexperienced as any of the others in Bali Indonesia.

There’s a brand new strolling path in good situation, and you’ll take your bicycle or scooter on it for a pleasant scenic experience.

With the excessive velocity of improvement in Bali and particularly the Sanur/Denpasar space, sadly these rice paddies is probably not round for for much longer earlier than they’re changed by buildings. So get pleasure from them whilst you can!

Read More: Sanur Rice Fields

 

10. Sindhu Night Market

This is a small night time market in northern Sanur the place you should purchase native cooked meals like Nasi Campur, Satay, and Nasi Goreng at very cheap costs.

It’s well-liked with locals and vacationers alike, and it’s also possible to discover contemporary veggies, fruits, and fruit juices (together with durian)!

The night time market is formally open from 6 PM till 11 PM, however it normally begins earlier, and generally it may possibly go as late as 1 AM if it’s a busy night time.
 

11. Sanur Water Sports

Sanur seashore is without doubt one of the hottest locations to do water sports activities in Bali.

There isn’t worthwhile browsing or snorkeling on this space (despite the numerous dive outlets in Sanur), however the seashore is a superb place to do parasailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, jet snowboarding, banana boats, and many others.

If you desire a distinctive expertise, it’s also possible to rent one of many native fishermen to take you round on a conventional ‘jukung’ fishing boat. I’ve seen some nice fish caught within the waters right here.

 

12. Sanur Massage & Spa

Practically each third constructing in Sanur is a therapeutic massage store.

Balinese therapeutic massage is incredible and the costs could be very reasonably priced, at 100k Rupiah ($7 USD) or much less for a 1 hour physique therapeutic massage or foot therapeutic massage.

A couple of of the best rated therapeutic massage locations in Sanur are The Nest, KOA Boutique, and Leha Leha Spa. These locations are terrific and chances are you’ll want reservations, however truthfully you possibly can go to simply about any spa and get expertise.

Many of the excessive finish resorts in Sanur even have their very own spa and therapeutic massage facilities, that are normally dear however prime notch.

We’ve by no means had a nasty therapeutic massage anyplace in Bali. It’s the proper strategy to unwind after a full day of mountaineering or touring.

 

13. Sanur Restaurants

Sanur is loaded with nice cafes and eating places, particularly for breakfast.

You can sip a espresso by the seashore together with your toes within the sand, or get pleasure from one of many many eating places lining Jalan Danau Tamblingan (the principle road).

This is far from a whole record, however these are just some suggestions:

• Breakfast — Luhtu’s Coffee Shop, The Glass House, Daily Baguette, Canvas Cafe, Bread Basket, Anomali Coffee, Over The Moon, Soul On The Beach, Cafe Smorgas, and Kopi Kiosk
• Dinner — Naga Eight, Lilla Pantai, Seagrass By The Beach, Arena Pub & Restaurant, Kayu Manis, Omang Omang, TAPHA, Sand Beach Bar & Restaurant, Apa Kabar, and Tandjung Sari
• Ethnic — Taqisa (Mexican), Kokoya (Japanese), Naga Eight (Chinese), Oh My Thai (Thai), Hanoi by MeVui (Vietnamese), Saigon Cafe (Vietnamese), Massimo (Italian), Trattoria (Italian), Bella Italia (Italian), The Lebanesian Warung (Middle Eastern), Curry In Bali (Indian), Warung Kecil (Indonesian), and Gong Restaurant (Balinese)
• Dessert — Massimo, Gelato Factory, Bettybake, Gelato Secrets, Bali Bon Bon, and Ruth’s Cakes

You may also discover loads of low-cost and genuine Indonesian ‘warungs’ (little household owned eating places) for those who look within the facet alleys of Sanur or throughout the Ngurah Rai Bypass.

We plan to cowl meals and eating places in additional element with one other journey information in a while, so preserve an eye fixed out for that!

 
 

14. Souvenir Shopping

Shopping is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in Sanur, so it’s an important place to select up your Bali souvenirs earlier than leaving Indonesia.

Some folks go to Artasedana (previously Hardy’s), which has mounted costs, however you probably have time to go searching you may get higher offers from the small outlets on Tamblingan road or Sanur Beach, the place haggling is anticipated.

You can discover the same old souvenirs like keychains and fridge magnets, or all kinds of good handmade crafts like wooden carvings, work, and rattan luggage.

Bali can also be identified for espresso beans, spices, oils, lace, ceramics, and silverworks, and you will discover all of this stuff in Sanur too.

 

15. Pura Blanjong Temple

Pura Blanjong is an historical Balinese Hindu temple positioned in south Sanur, on the principle road of Jalan Danau Poso.

Even although it’s not almost as stunning or photogenic as one of the best temples in Bali, some may discover the historical past right here attention-grabbing.

There’s a stone pillar at Pura Blanjong that is without doubt one of the oldest artifacts in Bali, and it has inscriptions telling concerning the first recorded Balinese king (Sri Kesari Warmadewa) and his army victories.

Read More: Best Temples In Bali
 

16. Pool Day Passes

Some of the inns in Sanur promote day passes for his or her pool, so you possibly can swim and benefit from the sunbeds and different good services with out staying in a single day.

If you’re visiting Bali on a price range, a day cross like this may be a good way to get your ‘pool fix’ a couple of times with out breaking the financial institution. At varied instances, pool day passes have been provided by Prama, Swiss-Belresort, Gazebo Beach Hotel, Puri Santrian, InterContinental, Taksu, and different inns in Sanur.

A traditional value for that is about 50k to 100k Rupiah per individual for the day, though it might be larger if there’s meals and drinks included. You can inquire with the inns instantly to substantiate pricing and availability.

 

17. Pod Chocolate Shop

Pod Chocolate is known in Bali, they usually have a pleasant store in north Sanur the place you possibly can replenish on their superb chocolate bars and spreads.

You’ve in all probability seen their chocolate on the market within the Bali airport earlier than, however this native store close to Sanur has an even bigger choice and higher costs. It’s additionally simpler to go to than their important chocolate manufacturing unit, which is in north/central Bali (Mengwi space).

Pod Bali has free chocolate tasting right here (so you possibly can strive before you purchase), which is nice as a result of they’ve greater than 20 flavors on the market now!

 
 

More Things To Do Near Sanur

 

18. Plaza Renon Mall

This is a small shopping center within the Renon space of Denpasar metropolis, simply quarter-hour from Sanur.

It has a lot of good eating places and low outlets, in addition to a grocery store, pharmacy, and multi-screen cinema.

Plaza Renon is an efficient place to hang around, however it may be a bit crowded on the weekends since lots of locals like to return right here.

 

19. Taman Festival

This is a spooky deserted theme park simply exterior of Sanur that’s was a little bit of a darkish tourism object through the years.

Taman Festival closed in 1997 throughout the Asian monetary disaster and an total stoop in curiosity from vacationers on the time. The $100 million USD park initially featured a faux volcano and a pit filled with crocodiles, however now it’s lined with graffiti and consumed by jungle. Even bats are beginning to take up residence right here.

Obviously exploring a haunted park like this isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, however I assumed it was fascinating to see the enormous banyan bushes beginning to swallow up the buildings. It’s just like the Angkor Wat of theme parks!

There’s a small entrance price to go to Taman Festival (we paid 20k Rupiah), and you’ll discover the world for so long as you want, however you should definitely convey mosquito spray!

 

20. Bajra Sandhi Monument

This is an imposing monument in Bali’s capital metropolis of Denpasar, only a 10 minute drive from Sanur.

It’s devoted to the struggles of the Balinese folks over the centuries, and the within has an air conditioned museum that was opened in 2003.

Personally I believe it seems just like the creepy citadel of some film villain, however it’s nonetheless an attention-grabbing design.

Quite a lot of native {couples} love to do prewedding images right here, and it has an enormous courtyard space with some good strolling paths.

 

21. Nusa Dua Camel Safari

You can do camel rides on the seashore in Nusa Dua, simply 30 or 40 minutes from Sanur.

The rides begin on the Hilton Bali Resort in Nusa Dua, however they’re run by a distinct firm referred to as Bali Camel Safaris (you possibly can guide with them by way of WhatsApp at ☎ +62 812-3615-8243).

The camel experience is nothing spectacular, only a brief stroll on the seashore for 30-60 minutes, however for those who’ve by no means rode a camel earlier than it may be a enjoyable expertise for the primary time.
 

22. Bali Zoo

The Bali Zoo has lots of nice wildlife, together with some species which might be native to Indonesia.

You can get your image taken with tropical birds right here, and the park services and animal care appear good too. I believe it’s probably the greatest issues to do close to Sanur.

The zoo is only a 30 minute drive north from Sanur.

Read More: Bali Zoo Review

 

23. Bali Bird Park

If you’ve been to the Bali Zoo and also you’re eager to see extra tropical birds, there’s a hen and reptile park only a brief distance away that has over 1,000 unique hen species.

The Bali Bird Park additionally has a reptile middle with crocodiles and Komodo dragons, and you’ll maintain iguanas or turtles.

The park is only a 30 minute drive north from Sanur.

 

24. Nusa Islands

Sanur occurs to be the principle soar off level for visiting the Nusa islands, a bunch of three small islands close to the east coast of Bali Indonesia.

Nusa Penida Island has a few of the most superb surroundings anyplace within the Bali province, so you could possibly simply spend per week exploring this island and its smaller twins, Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan.

There are a bunch of speedboat corporations making this journey day by day from the comfortable new harbor in north Sanur, and the journey to the Nusa islands solely takes about 45 minutes.

You may even go to the Nusa islands on a day journey and return to Bali in the identical day for those who’re so inclined, though I believe it’s value staying longer!

Read More: Nusa Penida Travel Guide

Book Now: Nusa Penida Day Tour

 

Best Beach In Sanur

I believe one of the best seashore in Sanur may be the sandy little part in entrance of Tandjung Sari Hotel, which is a part of Segara Beach. This spot has tender white sand, palm bushes, and sunbeds, and the employees rake and clear the seashore repeatedly, preserving it wanting actually immaculate.

Another good seashore in Sanur is the lengthy stretch in entrance of Hyatt Regency, which is lined with colourful jukung boats, and has nice views of the Mount Agung volcano within the distance.
 

Sanur Beach Sellers

Like a lot of the well-liked seashores in Bali, Sanur has sellers who stroll round and attempt to earn cash by peddling their wares to you: paper followers, knives, kites, bracelets, and different handmade trinkets. They’re simply attempting to feed themselves and pay the payments.

The seashore sellers in Sanur should not almost as aggressive as those in Kuta, however a few of them are nonetheless pushy at instances, which generally is a bit annoying for those who’re simply eager to get pleasure from your meal or loosen up on the seashore.

On the principle road of Jalan Danau Tamblingan, you get the identical factor from taxi drivers and native transport attempting to give you excursions round Bali. I discover the taxi touts extra annoying as they’ll even yell to you from the opposite facet of the road once you’re clearly preoccupied.

Unless you’re genuinely serious about one thing they’re promoting, it’s finest to keep away from participating in any dialog or eye contact with them as this may solely encourage them to maintain pestering you. Don’t say ‘maybe later’ both, as they’ll maintain you to your phrase!

For me, one of the best resolution is to smile, shake my head no, and preserve strolling. Otherwise, in the event that they catch you whilst you’re sitting on the seashore, normally a easy ‘no’ or ‘tidak’ (tee-dah) will do the job. If you give them cash simply to go away you alone, you then’re more likely to be surrounded by different seashore sellers wanting the identical factor!

 

What To Do In Sanur At Night

Even although Sanur isn’t identified for nightlife, there are some issues to do for those who go searching.

The Sindhu market in north Sanur will get vigorous at night time, and it normally goes till at the very least 11 PM. You can discover low-cost native meals there, plus contemporary fruit and veggies.

For bars, you’ve gotten a lot of selections in each space of Sanur, like Casablanca, Arena Pub, Bamboo Bar, and Sand Beach Bar. There are too many to record.

Sanur isn’t a sundown watching spot because it faces east. Probably the one strategy to catch sundown in Sanur is a romantic dinner on the rooftop of the Maya Resort.

Maya has a pleasant elevated rooftop for fancy dinners, and you may get some nice panoramic views of the sundown from there. You can guide this dinner with them instantly right here.
 

Is Sanur Safe?

Yes, Sanur could be very secure. It’s commonly known as one of many most secure areas in Bali. Just take regular precautions and also you shouldn’t have any points.

I’ve introduced my digital camera gear to the seashore at nighttime many instances for dawn, and there are normally loads of different photographers there taking dawn pics.

Even earlier than dawn, a lot of folks begin jogging the trail at Sanur Beach. Violent crime is uncommon in Bali, and Indonesia basically.

The important factor to be careful for is drive-by cellphone snatchings, which do occur in some components of Bali every now and then, so simply bear in mind to place away your cellphone once you’re by a busy street with passing motorbikes.

 

Snorkeling In Sanur

If you’re anticipating nice snorkeling spots in Sanur, you’ll be dissatisfied. You could get fortunate and see some fish and coral, however basically the visibility shouldn’t be nice and there actually isn’t a lot to see underwater in Sanur.

The excellent news is that it’s straightforward to do a day journey from Sanur to Nusa Penida island, the place you possibly can snorkel with some incredible fish and coral. In reality, Nusa Penida is without doubt one of the finest locations on the earth to swim with manta rays and big mola mola fish.

You can go to Nusa Penida and organize a snorkeling tour your self at Toyapakeh boat harbor, or it’s additionally doable to guide this on-line as a day tour departing from Bali, full with lodge pickup and velocity boat switch.

Book Now: Nusa Penida Snorkeling / Manta Ray Tour

 

When To Visit Bali

The finest time to go to Sanur relies on what you’re in search of:

☁ Bali’s wet season runs from November to April. The climate throughout the day could be sizzling and humid, at 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F), however it’s much less crowded throughout this time, and the rain is often within the night or at night time.

☀ From May to August, the temps are cooler, and it’s extra breezy and sunny. This is the windy season and it’s the nicest climate. It’s additionally the excessive season for vacationers, so it’s usually extra crowded.

With the exception of the Sanur festivals (which solely occur throughout the windy season), you possibly can expertise any of the opposite sights on this Sanur journey information all 12 months spherical!

 

More Bali Travel Tips

Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this journey information for one of the best issues to do in Sanur Bali.

We plan so as to add extra tricks to this weblog submit sooner or later, so please test again once more later.

In the meantime, don’t neglect to take a look at my different Bali journey guides for extra ideas, data, and images!
 

Sanur Hotels

 

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Book Now: Bali Private Driver / Scooter Rental
 

 

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