Bali Travel Recommendations
I've visited Bali five times in the past few years and always discover something new on this beautiful island. If you've explored enough of the hipp-dippy, earthy vibes of Ubud (see post about it here), it's time to hit up the happening hipster neighborhoods of Canggu and Seminyak in Bali! This blogpost will provide my recommendations for these two different areas which are located relatively close to one another. Seminyak is a hotbed for amazing eateries and boutiques. Meanwhile, Canggu is an up-and-coming surfer beach town, north of Seminyak and south of Tanah Lot.
Things to do in Seminyak
1. Potato Head Beach Club: Located by the beach (though the beach itself isn't anything to write home about), this beach club is the epitome of casual, laid back Seminyak vibes. The beach club has amazing food and is super kid-friendly during the day time. For a more grown-up vibe, visit in the evenings!
2. Shopping: Go to Seminyak Square and begin your window-shopping or actual shopping experience there! If you’re looking for stores with home furnishings, check out Satunama, Kim Soo, Mercredi and Domicile (just to name a few). I found this article for homewares in Seminyak very helpful. For clothes, you will find many local or international brands that made their start in Bali (these boutiques are generally more expensive). Street shopping and haggling is also fun - I had bought a pair of cute sandals for $13 SGD.
3. Spa: I’ve only tried Sunderi Spa (twice) and it was lovely both times. Good service and massage treatments at a good price.
4. Restaurants:
3. Spa: I’ve only tried Sunderi Spa (twice) and it was lovely both times. Good service and massage treatments at a good price.
4. Restaurants:
- Motel Mexicola: Mexican food done right! If you go for dinner, stay until 10pm and you’ll see the crowd go crazy dancing on the tables to the beat of the live band!
- Ginger Moon: Great for lunch or dinner with pan-Asian cuisine. It’s located near all the cool shops and boutiques in Seminyak so it makes for a great option for a meal after your shopping escapades!
- Mamasan: This is not a child friendly restaurant in terms of food and ambiance but more suitable for a date night spot. The pan-Asian cuisine here is novel and lip-smacking good. I particularly loved the creative cocktails here - we had ordered 4 different drinks at our table and loved all of them.
- Chandi: Lovely restaurant that features Indonesian-influenced cuisine. This place specializes in different types of satay so don't try to stray from that when you make your order. As a vegetarian, I was a bit unconvinced about how good tempeh and vegetable satays could be but Chandi proved me wrong. Seriously good stuff!
1. Finn’s Beach Club: The Beach Club is great for lounging all day, dipping in the pool, and having a relaxing time. We loved the food and service here. Super kid-friendly and a great way to spend a lazy day! In addition, I would recommend Finn's Recreation Club - there's a bowling alley, supervised kids club with activities, trampoline jumping, and a water park. Great fun for the kids!
2. Surfing lessons: For adults or kids, you can take surfing lessons in Canggu and it's challenging yet fun! My 9-year old went for a spin and he really enjoyed it.
3. Shopping:
3. Shopping:
- Walk along Jalan Pantai Berawa and you'll see lots of homeware stores, such as Bungalow Living, Cove Island Essentials, One Love, etc. (Again, refer to this helpful link)
- Tamora Gallery: This is a lifestyle shopping center featuring family-friendly cafes and activities, stores, and a kids' outdoor playarea.
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| Playing in Tamora Gallery |
4. Restaurants (all vegetarian friendly):
- La Baracca: There are more than one location but either day, the pizza here is great! The restaurant had a rustic vibe but the food is oh-so-good!
- Milk & Madu: Think chilled out café with pizza, pasta, avo toast, and breakfast bowls. What I loved most about this café is the play corner meant just for kids. There’s a big treehouse and a slide along with coloring activities to keep the little ones happily engaged.
- Zin Cafe: Absolutely love the breakfast options here, including the eggs and the breakfast bowl
- Yema Kitchen: Mediterranean cuisine with delicious food
- Nu Delhi: For days when you want Indian food to hit the spot
- Panama Kitchen & Pool: Restaurant with a family pool in a cute charming setting (1 min walk from Finn's Beach Club)
- Other restaurants and coffee shops to visit in Canggu: Cafe Organic, Hungry Bird, Revolver, La Laguna (go only in the evening for the live band), Monsieur Spoon (this French bakery unexpectedly opens onto a rice paddy field!), and Seasalt in the Alila Hotel (amazing beach views over drinks).
5. Tanah Lot Temple: Amongst the more famous temples in Bali, Tanah Lot is a rock formation which is also home to an ancient Hindu temple. If you're in the Seminyak or Canggu area, you are not that far from the temple so it's well worth a visit!
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| Enjoying coconut water just outside Tanah Lot temple |
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| Tanah Lot - you can see the rock formation over the water with the temple on top |
Other Areas in Bali
Nusa Dua is the beach destination of Bali. This is where you are likely to find the better beach spots and get some sun & sand. If you want to do snorkeling, it's worth considering a trip to the nearby island of Nusa Penida. A speedboat takes you on a 45-60 min ride (sometimes bumpy) to the island where there are clear waters fore excellent snorkeling. We have done this with the kids and it's doable (though a bit of a trek). It does make for a full-day plan. We worked with Forever Vacation for planning our Nusa Penida visit.
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| Overlooking the cliffs on Nusa Penida |
Jimbaran is another area in the south of Bali. There is not much to do in this area itself other than visit Ayana Resort which boasts the famous Rock Bar. Essentially a bar carved into the side of a rocky hill, this spot is really a great place to enjoy sea views and fancy drinks in a unique setting (I really have to give it to Bali for having figured out how to create amazing experiences in restaurant settings!). When I had visited Rock Bar, I happened to take my kids with me as they are allowed to enter the restaurant/bar.
I hope you guys found this Bali guide helpful. This guide is by no means exhaustive but it's a good start! Do let me know what you discover from your travels there.
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