Quick Summary:
Sanur Travel Guide
Sanur is known for being one of the most tranquil and family-friendly areas of Bali, Indonesia. However, it offers plenty of engaging activities for all visitors.
Families will appreciate the laid-back atmosphere and inviting restaurants at Sanur Beach. Moreover, the sunrise views are undeniably some of the best in Bali.
This serene seaside town on the southeast coast was one of the initial sites of tourism on the island, remaining popular for its comfortable hotels, shopping, breakfast options, massages, and easy access to the Nusa islands.
Without further ado, here’s your complete travel guide for activities in Sanur!
Where To Stay In Sanur
Best Things To Do In Sanur Bali
1. Watch The Sunrise
Sanur Beach may not rank among the best beaches in Bali, but it undeniably provides one of the best sunrise experiences on the island.
The early morning atmosphere, with its refreshing breeze, chirping birds, fishermen navigating the reef, and the distant silhouette of Mount Agung, creates a magical setting. Occasionally, one can even glimpse Mount Rinjani in Lombok.
Watching the sunrise at the beach is certainly one of the top things to do in Sanur, making it an excellent start to your day.
Read More: Sanur Beach Sunrise
2. Stroll The Boardwalk
With a coastline stretching around 7 kilometers, Sanur Beach features a paved path perfect for morning walks, jogging, or cycling.
This scenic path, lined with fishing boats, hotel gardens, and beachfront restaurants, offers occasional views of Mount Agung in the distance.
The entire public beach area is freely accessible, and sunbeds or bicycles can typically be rented affordably along the boardwalk.
Yoga enthusiasts will find a free morning yoga class at Pantai Karang every day starting at 7:30 AM. Everyone is welcome, just bring a mat or towel.
Since 2023, the walking path underwent renovations to make it wider, a welcome change given the increased morning foot traffic.
3. Visit The Beach
Realistically, Sanur doesn’t compare to the nicest beaches in Bali due to the prevalence of seaweed along the shoreline and the average, non-white sand.
Nevertheless, the family-friendly atmosphere attracts both expats and locals, thanks to the calm sea waves and shallow waters protected by a reef, making it an ideal swimming spot for children. A pleasant breeze sweeps through during the summer months from May to August.
4. Go To A Balinese Festival
The Sanur area hosts several seasonal festivals, which are free to attend and provide an excellent opportunity to experience Balinese arts and culture.
Key festivals to consider include:
- Bali Kite Festival (July/August): A yearly event featuring hundreds of creatively crafted kites competing against each other.
- Sanur Village Festival (July/August): Celebrated since 2006, this festival showcases Balinese arts, food, and culture along with a traditional boat competition.
- Bali Arts Festival (June/July): An annual arts celebration that includes a grand parade featuring colorful Balinese costumes and music.
5. Release Baby Sea Turtles
Occasionally, you may have the chance to participate in a sea turtle release at Sanur Beach, although it is less frequent than the turtle release at Kuta Beach.
Olive ridley sea turtles still occasionally lay their eggs along the shores of Sanur, and when they hatch, you can help release them into the ocean with a donation. This engaging activity supports sea turtle conservation and is enjoyable for families as well.
The Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) on nearby Serangan island, in collaboration with the WWF, supports this sea turtle conservation effort.
Releases typically occur at least once or twice a month during the peak summer months (June through August), but they can happen year-round.
To participate, inquire at Genius Cafe or Byrdhouse for information on the next scheduled release.
Read More: Bali Sea Turtle Release
6. Visit The ICON Mall
The ICON Mall, recently opened in northern Sanur, stands as the largest mall in Bali, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, cultural shows, an IMAX theater, with plans for a butterfly park and beach club.
While some local residents lament its arrival in Sanur—ordinarily recognized for its tranquility—there is little doubt that the mall will attract more traffic, noise, and tourists.
Opinions on the mall are mixed. While its facilities seem excellent for families, there are worries regarding its impact on local tranquility. A soft opening occurred on June 7, 2024, with more amenities expected in the future.
7. Relax At A Beach Club
Although Sanur isn’t widely recognized for beach clubs just yet, some impressive locations are emerging, such as Byrdhouse.
The former Artotel Beach Club has closed during Covid, leaving its future uncertain.
Typically, a beach club operates on an entrance fee, providing you with food and beverage credits alongside access to pools, playgrounds, and beachfront lounges.
8. Visit The Le Mayeur Museum
This small museum is dedicated to a 1930s Belgian painter and his Balinese wife, set up in their former house in northern Sanur Beach (map here).
Reviews vary; while the art is valued, upkeep leaves something to be desired, with no air conditioning present. The entrance fee is 100k Rupiah for foreigners.
The primary allure of this museum lies in its glimpse into what Bali was like before the onslaught of mass tourism, malls, and the internet.
9. Jog At The Sanur Rice Fields
Discover rice fields located near Sanur that remain relatively undiscovered by tourists, showcasing the vibrant green landscape Bali is known for.
A new, well-kept walking path invites you to bike or scooter through the picturesque area.
With rapid development in Bali, particularly in the Sanur/Denpasar vicinity, these rice paddies may not endure much longer. Therefore, savor the beauty while you can!
Read More: Sanur Rice Fields
10. Eat At The Sindhu Night Market
The Sindhu Night Market, located in northern Sanur, offers a range of local cooked delicacies such as Nasi Campur, Satay, and Nasi Goreng at very affordable prices.
It attracts both locals and tourists, along with fresh produce, fruits, and fruit juices!
Official hours run from 6 PM to 11 PM, but it often opens earlier and can potentially extend until 1 AM during busy periods.
11. Try Water Sports
Renowned for exciting water sports, Sanur Beach provides various activities like parasailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides.
Although not suitable for surfing or snorkeling, hiring a local fisherman to guide you around in a traditional ‘jukung’ fishing boat can lead to memorable experiences.
12. Get A Massage
With numerous massage shops in Sanur, Balinese massage is renowned for its quality and affordability, with prices starting around 100k Rupiah ($7 USD) for an hour-long body or foot massage.
Highly-rated massage venues include The Nest, KOA Boutique, and Leha Leha Spa. Each provides an excellent experience, though virtually any spa in Sanur can offer a good service.
Furthermore, many upscale resorts in Sanur feature their own spas and massage facilities, although they tend to be pricier yet top quality.
Time and again, the massages available in Bali are exceptional, making them perfect for unwinding after a hectic day of exploration.
13. Enjoy All The Restaurants
Sanur boasts an abundance of delightful cafes and restaurants, particularly for breakfast.
You can enjoy coffee by the beach while soaking up the sun, or choose from a variety of eateries lining Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street.
This is far from a complete list, yet here are a few highlights:
- 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 can also find plenty of affordable and authentic Indonesian ‘warungs’ (family-owned restaurants) if you explore the side alleys of Sanur or across the Ngurah Rai Bypass.
A detailed food and restaurant guide is in the works, so stay tuned!
14. Go Souvenir Shopping
Shopping for souvenirs is a popular activity in Sanur, making it an ideal locale to pick up reminders of your Bali experience before departing Indonesia.
Many head to Artasedana (formerly Hardy’s) known for fixed prices; however, exploring the smaller shops along Tamblingan street or Sanur Beach often yields better deals through haggling.
Expect to find traditional souvenirs such as keychains and fridge magnets, alongside a variety of handcrafted items like wood carvings, paintings, and rattan bags.
Bali is famous for coffee beans, spices, oils, handmade lace, ceramics, and silverworks, all of which can also be found in Sanur.
15. Visit The Pura Blanjong Temple
Pura Blanjong is an ancient Balinese Hindu temple situated in south Sanur, along Jalan Danau Poso.
While it doesn’t boast the beauty of the best temples in Bali, some may find its historical significance captivating.
The temple features a stone pillar, one of Bali’s oldest artifacts, which contains inscriptions detailing the first recorded Balinese king (Sri Kesari Warmadewa) and his military conquests.
Read More: Best Temples In Bali
16. Get A Pool Day Pass
Some hotels in Sanur offer day passes for their pools, allowing you to enjoy sunbeds and other amenities without requiring an overnight stay.
A day pass is an excellent way to enjoy the pool experience without overspending if you are exploring Bali on a budget. Various hotels including Prama, Swiss-Belresort, Gazebo Beach Hotel, Puri Santrian, InterContinental, Taksu, offer competitive day pass prices ranging from 50k to 100k Rupiah per person, though it may increase if food and drinks are included.
17. Go To The Pod Chocolate Shop
Pod Chocolate enjoys fame across Bali with a delightful shop in northern Sanur, where you can indulge in their range of delicious chocolate bars and spreads.
You may have seen their products for sale at the Bali airport; however, this local shop near Sanur boasts a broader selection at better prices, easier than visiting their main factory located in central Bali (Mengwi area).
At the Pod Chocolate store, free tastings are available, making it easy to sample over 20 flavors before you buy!
More Things To Do Near Sanur
18. Visit The Plaza Renon Mall
This small shopping mall in the Renon area of Denpasar city is just 15 minutes from Sanur.
It features numerous dining options, coffee shops, a supermarket, pharmacy, and a multi-screen cinema.
While a great hangout spot, expect crowds on weekends, as many locals also enjoy visiting.
19. Wander The Haunted Taman Festival Ruins
This eerie abandoned theme park, located outside Sanur, has become a dark tourism attraction over the years.
Taman Festival closed its doors in 1997 due to the Asian financial crisis. Initially featuring a fake volcano and a crocodile pit, it is now veiled in graffiti and enveloped by nature. Even bats have taken up residence.
Exploring a site such as this won’t appeal to everyone, but the sight of banyan trees claiming the buildings is indeed a captivating experience. It’s reminiscent of the Angkor Wat vibe of theme parks!
A nominal entrance fee applies (we paid 20k Rupiah), and you can roam the area as long as you wish. Just remember to bring mosquito repellent!
20. Visit The Bajra Sandhi Monument
This impressive monument located in Denpasar, about a 15-minute drive from Sanur, commemorates the historical struggles of the Balinese people.
Inside, an air-conditioned museum opened its doors in 2003, showcasing the monument’s design, reminiscent of something from a movie villain’s lair.
Many local couples choose this site for pre-wedding photos, and it features a spacious courtyard complete with pleasant walking paths.
21. Ride Camels In Nusa Dua
Near Sanur, camel rides along the beach in Nusa Dua are available, a short 30-40 minute drive away.
The rides begin at the Hilton Bali Resort, conducted by a separate company called Bali Camel Safaris (contact them via WhatsApp at ☎ +62 812-3615-8243).
The camel ride offers nothing particularly extravagant; however, for first-timers, it’s a unique experience.
22. Visit The Bali Zoo
The Bali Zoo showcases a variety of fascinating wildlife, including species native to Indonesia.
Photos with tropical birds are a popular attraction, and the facilities along with animal care appear commendable. Consequently, it stands out as one of the best options near Sanur.
Just a 30-minute drive north from Sanur, a visit to the zoo is well worth the time.
Read More: Bali Zoo Review
23. Visit The Bali Bird Park
If you’ve visited the Bali Zoo and are eager to see more tropical birds, the nearby bird and reptile park boasts over 1,000 exotic bird species.
The Bali Bird Park also features a reptile center filled with crocodiles and Komodo dragons, with opportunities to hold iguanas or turtles.
Located just a 30-minute drive north from Sanur, it’s an excellent addition to your itinerary.
24. Take A Trip To The Nusa Islands
Sanur serves as the primary embarkation point for visiting the Nusa islands—a collection of three small islands off Bali’s east coast.
Nusa Penida Island offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Bali province; therefore, it’s easy to spend a week exploring this stunning island and its smaller neighbors, Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan.
Various speedboat companies provide daily services from the new harbor in north Sanur, and the journey to these islands typically lasts around 45 minutes.
Day trips to the Nusa islands are possible, enabling you to return to Bali in the same day, though a longer stay is highly recommended!
Read More: Nusa Penida Travel Guide
Book Now: Nusa Penida Day Tour
How To Get Around Sanur
If you’re staying on Sanur Beach or along Danau Tamblingan Street, everything is quite walkable, making many attractions easily accessible on foot.
Bluebird taxis are readily available for short journeys, although prices can be inflated for tourists. It’s more economical to use ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Go-Jek, as local taxis seem less combative about this sector.
For exploration beyond the town, consider arranging a scooter rental or private car hire, both of which are conveniently arranged online. Airport transfers from Bali airport to Sanur can additionally be coordinated through your hotel or online booking.
Best Beach In Sanur
The standout beach in Sanur may be the charming section in front of Tandjung Sari Hotel, part of Segara Beach.
This lovely area boasts soft white sand, palm trees, and sunbeds, meticulously maintained by staff who regularly clean the beach’s appearance.
Another appealing beach in Sanur lies in front of Hyatt Regency, where colorful jukung boats enhance the scenery and stunning views of the Mount Agung volcano await.
Sanur Beach Sellers
Like the majority of Bali’s popular beaches, Sanur has vendors who wander around attempting to sell various items; paper fans, knives, kites, bracelets, and other handmade souvenirs are just a few.
While they’re simply trying to make a living, the beach sellers in Sanur tend to be less aggressive than those in Kuta. Nonetheless, they can still be a bit pushy, which can interrupt your enjoyment while dining or relaxing on the beach.
On Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street, you’ll encounter similar persistence from taxi drivers and other local transport attempting to offer tours. In my experience, the taxi touts can be quite bothersome, often shouting from considerable distances.
To avoid engaging them, it’s generally wise to refrain from making eye contact or engaging in conversation, which can lead to further sales pitches. Avoid saying ‘maybe later,’ as they will hold you to it!
Typically, a friendly smile, a subtle shake of the head, and keeping on your way suffices. If you are approached while seated at the beach, a simple “no” or “tidak” (tee-dah) should do the trick. Giving them money to leave you alone can lead to other beach vendors clustering around you as well!
What To Do In Sanur At Night
While Sanur isn’t renowned for its nightlife, various opportunities exist if you look around.
The Sindhu market in north Sanur tends to come alive in the evening, often running until at least 11 PM with affordable local delicacies and fresh produce.
Bars abound in every area of Sanur, with options including Casablanca, Arena Pub, Bamboo Bar, and Sand Beach Bar. There are numerous venues to choose from.
As Sanur faces east, it’s not typically a sunset-viewing spot. Your best chance of experiencing a beautiful sunset is a romantic dinner at the rooftop of the Maya Resort.
Maya features a serene rooftop setting for upscale dining, offering panoramic sunset views. Details for dinner reservations can be found directly on their website here.
Is Sanur Safe?
Absolutely, Sanur is considered safe and is typically regarded as one of the safest areas in Bali. Just exercise standard precautions, and you shouldn’t encounter any issues.
I’ve taken my camera gear to the beach in the early morning hours without incident, as many photographers venture to take sunrise shots.
Even prior to dawn, many start jogging along the Sanur Beach pathway. Violent crime is uncommon in Bali and Indonesia overall.
One caution to note is the occasional phone snatchings by motorbike riders, which can occur in certain areas of Bali. Thus, always remember to stow your phone when close to busy roads.
Snorkeling In Sanur
If you’re searching for exceptional snorkeling spots in Sanur, you may feel disappointed. You might spy some fish and coral occasionally, yet overall visibility is generally poor, leaving much to be desired underwater.
Fortunately, taking a day trip from Sanur to Nusa Penida island opens opportunities for amazing snorkeling experiences. In fact, Nusa Penida is globally recognized for swimming with manta rays and giant mola mola fish.
You can arrange snorkeling tours at Toyapakeh boat harbor upon arriving at Nusa Penida, or alternatively, opt for guided day tours from Bali that include hotel pickup and speedboat transfers.
Book Now: Nusa Penida Snorkeling / Manta Ray Tour
When To Visit Bali
The ideal time to visit Sanur hinges on your preferences:
- ☁ Bali’s rainy season occurs from November to April, which can offer hot and humid days (32 to 35 °C / 90 to 95 °F). Despite this, fewer crowds are present, and rain typically falls in the evenings.
- ☀ From May to August, expect cooler temperatures, sunny skies, and breezy weather. Being the windy season, it’s generally the best time to visit. It’s also the peak tourism season and may lead to increased crowds.
Aside from the Sanur festivals, which are exclusive to the windy season, you can enjoy the attractions listed in this travel guide year-round!
More Bali Travel Tips
Thank you for exploring our travel guide to the best things to do in Sanur, Bali. We plan to enrich this post with additional insights in the future, so please visit again!
In the meantime, do not forget to delve into our other Bali travel guides for additional tips, information, and photographs!
Sanur Hotels
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