Things to do in Seminyak, Bali
Seminyak is the less popular brother of Kuta, yet it’s much more laid-back and has less of a party scene. This was perfect for us, as we’re not big party people; there’s a big main road, but behind that are loads of quiet and laid-back streets.
Potato Head Beachclub
Potato Head is one of the most loved beach clubs in Seminyak (and one of our personal favorites!). It combines unique architecture and decoration with its seaside pool and courtyard area. It is super picturesque and a great place to spend your day.
Entry is free, and a daybed requires a minimum spend of 500,000 IDR (35 USD), but that’s totally worth your money!
Tip: Seating is first come, first serve, so we recommend getting here as early as possible to secure your spot. Alternatively, you can book a daybed in advance here.
Mano Beachhouse
One of the most aesthetic places in Seminyak is Mano Beachhouse. This beautiful bohemian-style beach club has a pool, a courtyard for relaxing, tasty meals, and a minimum spend of 150,000 IDR (9.50 USD) per person. A huge plus is although they are located right on the beach, they are very well-priced. (Book your table in advance here)
Tip: We always choose the deck lounge area so we can be on the beachfront — perfect at sunset!
La Plancha Bali
We love La Plancha! It’s a little slice of Spain right here in Bali, offering delicious tapas (book your spot here). La Plancha is not a beach club but a colorful restaurant and bar right on the beach. Grab a beanbag and some drinks and spend the afternoon with your feet in the sand.
What we love the most is that they’re really focused on sustainability. You can join their beach cleanup every Wednesday and for every bag of trash you collect, they’ll give you a free drink. It’s a great initiative for sustainable travelers.
Also read: Best Beaches in Bali
Ku De Ta
Ku De Ta Beach Club is where you should go for world-class dining, designer cocktails, and one of the best sunsets. There are countless parties with international DJs, making it a leader in the beach club scene. You can check out all the events and book your spot here.
2. Seminyak Shopping
Local and international brands of Balinese handicrafts are all for sale in Seminyak. Small, eye-pleasing boutique shops are all over town, making shopping for clothing or gifts one of our favorite things to do in Seminyak! Here are some of our must-visit shops:
Bali Boat Shed
You cannot miss the Bali Boat Shed due to its colorful exterior. With prices ranging from 50 to 200 USD, the pieces are definitely not cheap, but the unique prints and flattering shapes are well worth your money. I’ve got some amazing pieces from there that have really stood the test of time!
Location: Jl. Laksamana Basangkasa No.55, Seminyak
Bamboo Blonde
Bamboo Blonde is the most popular Bali brand with many shops all over the island and shipping internationally. Their own production is on top of the last fashion trends, offering good quality and they’re well-priced. You can even do some ‘window shopping’ on their website before your trip (see all products).
Locations: Seminyak Village and Jl. Raya Seminyak No.16C
Drifter Surf Shop
The Drifter Surf Shop is a huge shop with clothing and high-quality swimwear focused on surfing. Although we’re not surfers, plenty of other items caught our eye, like the graphic t-shirts and caps. It is located at Jl. Oberoi, Gang Badung No.50, Seminyak
Souvenir shops
One of our favorite things to do while in Seminyak is hunt down the hidden souvenir shops. These are usually hidden next to or behind the fancy shops, sometimes selling items similar to the popular brand but less expensive. These include Bali straw bags in all shapes and sizes, summer tops, dresses, and beautiful interior accessories. Bargaining is common in Bali, and in the past, we’ve been able to get at least 30% off the price!
3. Eat, Eat & Eat at the Best Restaurants in Seminyak
The variety of restaurants in Seminyak is endless. Delicious Indonesian dining, Italian pizzas, or Instagrammable smoothie bowls. Not to mention the stunning design of most of the restaurants in Seminyak. If you’re a foodie (like us!), Seminyak will definitely please your tastebuds. Here are some of our favorite restaurants:
- Kynd – Super picturesque smoothie bowls (all vegan)
- Clean Canteen – A tasty mix of everything (vegan options)
- Coffee Cartel – Boutique coffee shop
- Neon Palms – Breakfast, tapas, and cocktails. (Located above Bali Boat Shed)
4. A day trip to Nusa Penida Island
Nusa Penida is a must-do experience in Bali. We think we’ve seen some of the most jaw-dropping views in the world on this island!
Best of all, you can explore in a day trip from Seminyak. You can take a 30-minute boat ride to Nusa Penida at 8 AM and explore the island with a private driver (we recommend our friend Yande!). Visit the Kelingking viewpoint, hike down to the beach if you feel like an adventure, and spend time at the palm-tree-ringed Crystal Bay.
Here’s how to do a Nusa Penida day tour and arrange transport:
5. Get pampered in a luxury Seminyak villa or resort
Sometimes, it’s nice to treat yourself to a little luxury! Experience the real holiday feeling in your own luxury Seminyak villa or private room in the beachside resorts.
There is a huge selection of resorts and villas in Seminyak, from one room with a private pool to a complete house with an open living room, massages, and your own cook; it’s the ultimate thing to do in Seminyak!
Our favorites are The Elysian Villas and Villa Air Bali Boutique Resort & Spa
6. Waterfalls, Rice Terraces & Monkies in Ubud
Ubud is a stunning art village, home to spectacular green surroundings, and one of our favorite places to immerse ourselves in nature. Book a guided tour to explore the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, bathe in a Bali waterfall, and get close to the monkeys in the Ubud Monkey Forest. Ubud is a 1-hour drive, and a day tour from your resort or villa is a great thing to do from Seminyak.
Read about all the Things To Do in Ubud, Bali
7. Seminyak Beach time
Seminyak Beach is a beautiful, wide, white-sand beach. Together with Petitengat Beach, there is a long stretch of sand as far as the eye can see. We think the white beaches in Seminyak are much nicer than Canggu’s black sand beaches, although it really depends on your preference!
Day beds are available to rent at local sheds and should cost around 50,000 IDR for half a day (get ready to bargain).
Did you know? I (Hannah) love horse riding (I used to do it a lot when I was younger), and one of my most unforgettable sunsets in Seminyak involved horseback riding along the beach. You can book your experience here.
8. Day trip to Canggu
Canggu is one of our favorite places to spend time in Bali; we actually used to live here! The village attracts many nomads who spend time on their computers, and it’s the king of vegan cafes.
It has great restaurants and beach clubs like The Lawn, La Brisa, and Finns, but the surroundings are Canggu’s real charm. Visit the Tanah Lot Temple and the rice paddies road leading towards the temple.
Canggu is a 20-minute drive by car or motorbike from Seminyak (without traffic).
Also read: Things to do in Canggu, Bali
9. Surf!
Although Seminyak is not the top place for surfing in Bali, like Uluwatu or Kuta, it has a few good spots to catch beginner waves. Ask one of the surf schools for a lesson, and you’ll be standing before you know it. We have had such fun experiences learning to surf over the years in Bali!
These surf lessons take place on Double Six Beach, which is close to one of our favorite beach restaurants: La Plancha. Book your surf lesson in Seminyak here
Top Tip: For something really unique, join a surf camp like Kima, where you can learn to surf over several days. It’s also a great way to meet new people!
Best Seminyak Hotels & Villas
The hotels and villas in Seminyak are some of the best in Bali. The location is near the beach and day trips like Ubud and Nusa Penida, making it a very convenient area to stay.
How to get to Seminyak
Seminyak is a short 30-minute drive from the international airport. Arrange a private driver beforehand to get a decent price and not have to bargain with the taxi drivers at the airport. Alternatively, use GoJek or Grab to order a taxi online. However, you need to buy a SIM card, which might take some extra time while you’re already tired at the airport.
Driver recommendation
Contact our good friend Yande below to arrange transport from the airport or to arrange your day trips.
Budget for Seminyak
You can make your stay in Seminyak as affordable or expensive as you like. There are accommodations and restaurants of every price range. Eat locally, stay in guesthouses, and skip the beach clubs, and you won’t spend more than 45 USD a day.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bali is the dry season from April to October when the weather is hot, there is little rain, and you have great temperatures for watersports and sightseeing. However, if you want to stay away from the crowds, avoid Seminyak in June-August, as this is one of the most popular times to visit. If you do visit during these months, make sure to book your hotel well in advance, as accommodation gets booked quickly.
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Update: Minimum spend at Mano beach house is now 500.000 per person and charges extra for towels.