If you love beach life and beach parties, then you’re going to love both Canggu and Seminyak. They’re both fantastic destinations here in Bali.
However, if you don’t have to visit Canggu and Seminyak and you’re trying to decide which one is the best for your holiday, we’ve got a simple guide to help you make the decision.
A Brief Introduction To Canggu
Canggu is famed for its relationship with surfing. It’s a rugged beach town with wonderful stretches of black sand.
There are shops, cafes, and restaurants galore in the area and plenty of nightlife too.
There was a time, not so long ago, that Canggu had an “unspoiled” quality to it, but now, it’s more developed and a whole lot more popular with visitors, too.
However, it’s also not far from the rice paddies and lush greenery of the rest of the island, and it’s become a big hit with the island’s burgeoning digital nomad community, too.
A Brief Introduction To Seminyak
Seminyak might be right next door, but it evolved out of the tourist districts of Kuta and Legian and was targeted at a more upscale consumer.
That means it was built around parties and fine dining restaurants and has more big-name international brand resorts than Canggu does.
However, it has something of a reputation for being expensive and the young crowd it tends to attract is very much focused on being seen as part of their holiday experience.
It’s not as laid back as Canggu and has more of an urgent, party-driven feel to it.
Where Are Canggu And Seminyak? How Far Apart Are Canggu And Seminyak?
Canggu and Seminyak are both on the South Coast of Bali. They’re a short drive from the airport and to the North of Kuta and Legian.
Kuta and Legian are the top destinations for tourists seeking sun, sea and sangria in Bali, but Canggu, as well as Seminyak bring an additional level of quality to the beach life experience.
The two areas are right next door to each other, and you can quite literally walk from Canggu to Seminyak (or vice-versa) if you want to by following the beach.
In fact, you could keep walking to Kuta, if you wanted to too.
Canggu Vs Seminyak: Which Is More Beautiful?
Aesthetics are, of course, a matter of personal preference. So, this is very much down to you.
We’d say that Canggu was markedly more beautiful than Seminyak a few years ago, but development comes at a price, and the area is nearly as well-developed as Seminyak now.
You can more easily get to see the “old Bali” from Canggu, still, and we think that’s worth something, but this is probably a tie between the two areas rather than the easy win for Canggu that it once was.
Canggu Or Seminyak: For Coffee Lovers And Cafe Culture
Canggu was built around its cafes, and there are a lot of surf and boho vibes to be found in these places.
The cafes are ultra-casual, and you can often find surfers still flicking water out of their hair, strolling in barefoot to grab a latte.
We also think that many of Canggu’s cafes are highly Instagrammable, and you will get some awesome shots inside them.
The rice fields in this area are disappearing, but you can get some decent views of the villas that have taken their place.
Most of the coffee shops have air-conditioning now and they’re usually all wired up with decent Wi-Fi to appeal to the nomad community too.
Most of all, Canggu has become the best brunch destination on the island, and you can get pretty much everything you need in the cafes here. (P.S. If you want the best brunch in Canggu – it’s The Seaside Affair).
But let’s not pretend that Seminyak is a slouch in this scene. Its cafe culture tends to be a bit more upscale, and the prices reflect that.
Again, you get some lovely Instagram shots inside Seminyak’s cafes, and the menus are often a bit more “upmarket”.
However, finding a cafe with a decent view is harder work, and nomad-friendly cafes are definitely a bit of a rarity in Seminyak.
So, we’re going to award this to Canggu, but it’s a close-run thing. You’re certainly not going to struggle to get a great cup of coffee in either place.
Canggu Vs Seminyak: The Battle Of The Beaches
So, now we’re on to the beaches, which is, of course, why so many people come to Bali in the first place. Seminyak’s beaches tend to have sort of yellow sand, and Canggu’s are black sand beaches.
Neither has the bright white sand of Uluwatu or Nusa Dua, but that’s OK, if you want a laid-back beach to surf and catch the sun on, then both areas are just fine.
The Surf Culture Of Canggu Or Seminyak?
So, things really boil down to the difference between the surf cultures of each town and here, Canggu probably has the edge.
Sure, you can get a beginner’s lesson on Double Six Beach and a few snaps to show the folks back home that you got on a board, but it’s Canggu that’s known for the better wave breaks.
In particular, Echo Beach is amazing for surfing, and people come from all over the world to enjoy the waves in Canggu.
Plus, because Canggu has evolved around surfers rather than around high-end tourism, the area is just more welcoming to surfers in general.
There’s really not much in this, again, but we’re going to award this category to Canggu.
Canggu Or Seminyak: Hotels, Villas And What They Cost
There was a time when we would have told you that this was a win for Canggu, hands down.
That’s because Seminyak was built around luxury resorts, and a few years back, Canggu was more about hostels and local life.
It’s just not true anymore. In fact, both areas have an endless supply of luxury places to stay, and you can find amazing villas, hotels, resorts, suites and apartments in both destinations.
There is still a little bit more mid-range and budget accommodation in Canggu, but there’s not enough to say that Canggu is “way cheaper than Seminyak” as it once was.
It really depends on how much you’re willing to spend on your accommodation as to what you can get for your money. At the most basic end, you can find dorm rooms for $10-$20/night in both places, but you may have to look harder for them in Seminyak.
At the ultra-luxury end, you can easily spend $1,000+ per night for the best villas in these locations.
We’re going to call this a tie. There’s no clear “better value” about places to stay in these two beach towns anymore. They both offer fantastic places to stay to suit almost any budget.
Canggu Vs Seminyak: Which One Is Bali’s Party Hotspot?
Seminyak has lost its crown in the last year or two.
While there are plenty of places to party in Seminyak, still, and it certainly has some of the best nightlife in Bali, there’s no doubt that Canggu is the party capital now.
Most of that is simply down to the beach club scene and the world’s leading beach club, FINNS.
FINNS Beach Club: The Best Of The World’s Beach Clubs With 10 Beach Bars
There are many beach clubs in this world, but there’s only one FINNS. FINNS is generally considered to be the best of the world’s beach clubs, not just Bali’s.
There are good reasons for that. It starts with the 11 bars, three restaurants (and seven kitchens), three infinity pools, and some of the best furniture for chilling out on.
We also have a huge number of in-house DJs and vocalists and regular shows from a range of local and international talent, too. You can party on the beach until midnight.
But it’s also down to the way FINNS treats its guests. Unlike at many other beach clubs, there’s no entrance fee to FINNS.
You’re not expected to cover a minimum order, either, you can turn up, walk in, and simply pay for the things you consume and the services you use.
And once FINNS closes for the day, there are plenty of other places in the area ready to help you continue the party until dawn, like the awesome Friends Bar.
1 in 8 people who visit Bali visit FINNS. We think that a visit to Bali without a visit to FINNS isn’t really a holiday in Bali at all.
Canggu easily wins this round in 2023.
Canggu Or Seminyak: Things To Do In Each
3 years ago, Seminyak would have won this category by a hair. Its nightlife and shopping outside Canggu and the spas, beauty parlours, and restaurants would have given it a slight edge over the rice terraces and cafes of Canggu.
But things have changed, and while there are still just a couple of temples, Canggu has Tanah Lot Temple, and Seminyak has Petitenget Temple. Canggu now has a ton of recreational facilities and more than enough nightlife, spas, high-end restaurants, etc., to compete with Seminyak.
Neither area has as much to do as, say, Ubud, mind you, but then, Ubud doesn’t have the partying hotspots that Canggu and neighbouring Seminyak do.
But overall, we’d say that Canggu now has more to do than Seminyak. Again, this isn’t a huge win for Canggu, but it’s a win all the same.
Canggu Vs Seminyak: Getting To Each And Getting Around
From the airport, you will probably just want to get a hotel transfer service because both of these destinations are pretty close by, and a lot of hotels and resorts include a transfer in the room rate or charge a nominal fee on top of it.
A hotel transfer involves being met at the airport by a driver with your name on a piece of card and then being taken with your luggage to your hotel. It’s the most effective way to get settled when you arrive in Bali.
Otherwise, you can always get a Grab or Gojek ride from one of the island’s ride-sharing apps or opt for a prepaid taxi from the booth at the airport – this can work out a little cheaper than paying for an airport transfer but it’s not as convenient.
Once you arrive at your chosen destination, you can use the ride-sharing apps to get around, and you can (with a great deal of care) walk to some places. You could hire a private car and driver, rent a scooter or even use the “reputable” Blue Bird Taxis (the taxi service that is least likely to rip you off in Bali – but we recommend ride-share apps in preference to flagging a taxi).
We would note that if you intend to spend your time in Bali drinking in beach clubs, beach bars, and cool cafes, you ought not to do any driving – drunk driving is illegal here and can get you into serious trouble. We’d also note that drunk driving invalidates any health or travel insurance you might have.
There is absolutely nothing to choose between Canggu or Seminyak when it comes to transport, and it’s all pretty much the same. The roads get very busy during the rush hours in both destinations, too.
Canggu Or Seminyak: Where To Shop ‘Til You Drop
A lot of people come to Bali just to go shopping, and for a long time, the Seminyak Beach area was THE place to go shopping in Bali.
It’s still a great place to go and spend your hard-earned money. Today, you will find boutiques selling everything from vintage clothes and designer brands to jewellers selling incredible handmade pieces.
The beaches see plenty of the usual vendors you can find in the beach resorts anywhere on the island, too.
However, Canggu has grown up in the last few years, and it’s no slouch in the shopping department either.
You can find plenty of boutique stores selling surfwear and beach clothing, and there’s no shortage of beach vendors, either.
However, Seminyak does have a couple of malls, and Canggu is yet to see the arrival of its first serious shopping mall.
So, we’ll award this Canggu Vs Seminyak moment to Seminyak, but there really isn’t very much in it.
Canggu Vs Seminyak: Where To Live Long-Term?
There’s not much in this any more, while Canggu is still a little more laid back than Seminyak, there’s not a huge amount of difference between the volume of people spending time in these two popular beach towns.
A few years ago, Canggu was a lot quieter than Seminyak and much cheaper to live in, but now, they’re both very similar.
Seminyak is probably better for boutique shops and stores, and Canggu has newer facilities and amenities.
For example, the best sporting facilities on the island are in Canggu (including FINNS Recreation Club), and there are more activities that you can enjoy in Canggu than in Seminyak.
However, given how close the two areas are, unless there’s something you’re going to use every day and thus want to live very nearby (such as work or a regular gym that you use), you can easily go from one to the other whenever you want to.
In fact, on this matter of Canggu Vs Seminyak, it’s probably a no-score draw. They’re both great, and you may end up deciding based on whether you prefer a yellow sand or volcanic black sand beach.
Canggu Or Seminyak: Which Is Best For Digital Nomads
There’s no doubt which town that digital nomads would choose, it’s Canggu.
It’s not just the laid-back atmosphere or the black sand beaches that they love, and it’s the prevalence of co-working and cafes that are amenable to people coming in and working.
Once the word was out in the digital nomad community, Canggu became a “digital nomad hub” and that attracted more and more nomads.
Now, there is no doubt that you can easily work online in Seminyak or, indeed, any other part of Bali, and we think that it’s surprising that so many nomads seem to stick to Canggu given how cheap North and East Bali can be, but there’s no doubt that if you’re seeking a “nomad community”, it’s Canggu that has the biggest and best group.
We think that Seminyak’s young, hip and urban crowd tend to come to Bali just to party and hangout (which is awesome, there’s nothing better in this world than a care-free holiday), but that many of Canggu’s group is here for the longer term and thus, need to work as well as play.
There is, of course, a co-working hub at FINNS Rec Club, which is very popular with this crowd and other options in the area include Triba, Outpost and Zin Cafe.
One of the big plus sides of being based in a “nomad hub” is that there’s a lot of social activity geared towards digital nomads.
So, we don’t see this changing in the near future. Canggu is simply the best choice for digital nomads.
FAQs
Which Is Better To Stay In Seminyak Or Canggu?
We are always going to say Canggu. That’s because the world’s most famous beach clubs are in Canggu, and, in particular, the world’s best beach club, FINNS, is in Canggu.
FINNS and Bali are becoming synonymous with each other, and many people say that while you can find great beach clubs anywhere in the world, you can only get the FINNS experience in Bali.
While both Canggu and Seminyak have trendy cafes, boutique shops, luxury resorts and luxury hotels, pristine beaches, yoga studios, renowned surf breaks, guest houses, narrow streets and co-working spaces, only Canggu has FINNS.
Is Seminyak Worth Visiting?
Yes, of course, Seminyak is worth visiting. We’re being forced to pick a favourite in this article, but Seminyak is a great place with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, beautiful beaches, a younger crowd and vibrant nightlife of its own.
In fact, we love the entire island of Bali, and we’d recommend exploring every last inch of it and not just the beaches and nightlife spots.
However, the Seminyak Beach area is a great place to have some fun, and the area has some excellent resorts and some of the best restaurants in the land.
It’s easy to get to from Denpasar International Airport, and the yellow sand of the area is justly famous.
Everyone has their own pace in life, and if yours includes being on the beaches with other young, beautiful people looking to see and be seen, Seminyak is a great choice of holiday destination.
Is Canggu Worth Visiting?
Yes! And not just because Canggu is home to FINNS Beach Club. Its laid-back vibe and Bohemian atmosphere are a big draw to visitors.
Its hipster cafes are ideal for a few hours of relaxing after spending some party time in the local nightlife. Canggu is also great for co-working spaces when you need to get some work done too.
The black sand beaches provide a unique scenic backdrop to your time in the area, and there are still a few cheap local hostels (something you can’t find easily in Seminyak), and most of them even have a swimming pool.
The world-famous Echo Beach is a big draw, but so are Berawa Beach and Batu Bolong Beach. And once you’ve caught a few waves, the area is great for shopping, too.
Best of all, Canggu is not far from the rice fields of Bali, and many people want a touch of the old Bali alongside the new.
Can You Walk From Canggu To Seminyak?
Yes! In fact, you can walk from one beach to the next nearly all the way down the coast, with very few breaks requiring much of a detour.
It might even be easier to walk between these places during rush hour than it is to drive.
So, you can walk from Canggu to Seminyak to Kuta to Legian without any problems at all if you’re willing to put in the legwork in the Balinese heat.
If you want to attempt this, we’d recommend you start in the early morning to get the best of the weather, and you stop every now and again in some of the cool cafes on the way to rehydrate.
Why Is Canggu So Popular?
Canggu has a bit of everything that people come to Bali for.
Beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, surf culture, laid-back atmosphere, beach bars, rice fields, etc. and while it does have its crowded areas, a few nights in Canggu is the best introduction you can get to the island.
Once you’ve got your taste of this corner of Southeast Asia, it offers easy access to the rest of the island and to Bali airport to go further afield.
Where To Stay Between Canggu And Seminyak?
If you want to stay between Canggu and Seminyak, you could go with Umalas or Kerobokan. Though “between” might be stretching this definition as really these two areas run behind the two main beach areas.
You can walk directly from Canggu into Seminyak along the beach, and thus, there’s not much “between” to be had.
How To Book A Holiday In Canggu Or Seminyak?
If you’re ready to book a stay in Canggu or Seminyak Canggu Seminyak, there’s only one place to book your holiday, and that’s the Bali Res Centre.
They are a specialist local travel agent that specializes in Balinese travel experiences. They can ensure you get the stunning sunsets, rice fields, and beachfront restaurants that you deserve and you will get very competitive pricing too.
When you book through the Bali Res Centre, you ensure that your holiday money stays in Bali’s economy and isn’t skimmed off overseas by a greedy multinational.
Final Thoughts On Canggu Vs Seminyak
As we said at the start, both Canggu and Seminyak are great destinations, and they’re within walking distance of each other.
However, if you can’t visit both, then we’d recommend the laid-back vibe of Canggu as your first choice.
Of course, we’re a little biased because that’s where we are at FINNS, and we’re hoping to welcome you to the best beach club in the world, but whatever you decide, we hope you have a great time in Bali.
