Seminyak is famous for beautiful beaches, great nightlife and some of the best shopping, dining and accomodation on the island of Bali.
There are plenty of things to do in Seminyak if you know what you’re doing and our guide will help you find 24 awesome things to do and 10 great day trips for you to take from Seminyak too.
Where Is Seminyak?
Seminyak is one of the main beach towns on the Southwest coast of Bali. It’s between Kuta and Canggu and not far from Legian.
How To Get To Seminyak?
If you’re coming from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar Airport) then the easiest way to get to Seminyak is either going to be a hotel transfer (this is often included free of charge with resort and hotel stays in this area) or using Grab or Gojek at the airport for a ride-share.
A hotel transfer is super convenient as a driver will meet you at the airport waving a sign with your name on it and then ensure you get directly to your hotel.
Grab/Gojek (the local equivalents of Uber) both have waiting lounges at the domestic and international terminals and are a great way of getting to your resort without having to haggle with Bali’s infamous taxi drivers.
If you’re coming from other parts of the island that are very far away, a private driver and car might be more economical than Grab/Gojek but if you’re just transferring from Kuta, Ubud, Canggu, etc. then you’ll be fine using the ride-sharing apps.
When’s The Best Time Of Year To Visit Seminyak?
We maintain that there are no bad times of year to visit Bali. Seminyak is the same.
The rainy season from October to March does see more rain than the dry season, but it doesn’t rain all day and on average there are 8 or more hours of sunshine every single day in the rainy season!
However, with the exception of the Christmas to New Year Period, the rainy season is usually considered to be off-season in Bali and flights, hotels, trips, etc. are all usually cheaper at this time of year and your money can go much further.
24 Super Fun Things To Do In Seminyak
Seminyak Beach
Seminyak Beach is a buzzing hive of activity with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.
Much of the beach is covered in sun loungers either from resorts facing the sands or from enterprising locals hoping to rent them out.
You’ll find plenty of vendors wandering the shoreline happy to sell you towels, kites and other things you might want by the beach.
This is a place where you come to commune with your fellow man in appreciation of sun, sand and surf, it’s not the kind of beach you visit to get away from it all and we’re just fine with that.
Double Six Beach
This is a very clean beach with an emphasis on family-friendly fun and soft, pleasant sands. The resorts in this part of Seminyak are very high-end luxury resorts and the room prices tend to reflect that.
However, you don’t need to stay at any of these resorts to visit Double Six Beach, access is available to all.
Surf Schools
There are plenty of surf schools in and around Seminyak and that’s great news because everyone who comes to Bali should learn the basics of surfing as it’s just so much fun!
You can also find schools in Kuta and Canggu if you find the Seminyak schools are too expensive or not offering exactly what you want.
The surf breaks in the beach towns are pretty good and you can certainly expect to see people enjoying their time out on the water, however, you’ll want to head to Echo Beach or Uluwatu Beach if you want to test your skills as an advanced or professional surfer.
The advanced reef breaks are not to be found in Seminyak.
Yoga Classes
Yoga is definitely one of the top things to do. Seminyak is home to a huge number of shalas and yoga schools and the in-crowd loves yoga as it’s a good but graceful exercise where you can show off your skills on Instagram without looking sweaty.
Joining a yoga class won’t set you back a fortune but if you want to take part in a yoga retreat here in Bali, that can get considerably more expensive.
Yoga fans should know that Ubud is also a top destination here for studios and shalas and you can easily reach Ubud from Seminyak by ride share on any given day.
The Moroccan-Themed Prana Spa Bali
Jiwa Bikram Yoga
Desa Seni
Yoga 108
Pondok Yoga
Olop Yoga Studio
Hit The Gym
If you want to look awesome at the nightclubs, you’ll want to keep in shape and that means hitting the gym.
We’d strongly recommend that you travel to the best gym on the island at FINNS Recreation Club as it’s very close to Seminyak and offers the widest range of equipment and classes that you’re going to find here.
Otherwise, there is plenty of choice for gyms in Seminyak including generalist spaces like Bali Fitness Seminyak and more specialist places like Crossfit Seminyak, Bali.
We’ve got a great list of all the gyms available in Seminyak here. It’s one of the easiest places on the island to find a place to work out.
Take Cooking Classes
We’d encourage everyone who visits Bali to take a Balinese cooking class, that way you can learn to create authentic Indonesian food and take the knowledge home with you so that you can keep enjoying a tasty sate, wherever you are.
Nia Bali and Tulan both offer classes directly in Seminyak and there are many other cooking classes in Bali that are a short drive from the town.
Cooking classes are also a great way to meet other like-minded visitors and to have a fun time, particularly if you’re travelling on your own.
Go On A Food Tour
One nice way to get around the area and enjoy the great food available to you in Bali is to enjoy a food tour of the area. In fact, it’s one of the best things to do.
Seminyak has a wealth of food options and if you just spend your holiday sunning yourself on Seminyak Beach, you might miss out on them.
However, it can be hard to find everything on offer if you’re not already familiar with Seminyak Village, so why not go on a guided tour that stops at the best places to eat?
There are several different food tours covering Bali. Seminyak has, at least, five that run daily, for example.
We’d recommend that you contact the Bali Res Centre (their contact details are in the FAQs below) to find out what’s available for the time that you’re in Bali.
See Petitenget Temple
The Seminyak Beach area is not known for its high culture and, in fact, there’s very little of the Balinese settlements in this area left, now.
However, one place you can visit is Petitenget Temple and it’s a very significant cultural landmark that has been established in the area for hundreds of years.
The red brick and sandstone construction gives it a truly authentic “ancient” feel and at the top of the dragon stairs you can get a great vantage point that offers views over the ocean below.
Petitenget Beach
If you love white beaches then you ought to love the Petitenget Beach which is just by the Petitenget Temple.
Petitenget Beach is one of the main beaches in Seminyak and some of the best Seminyak hotels are lined along the shore here.
Just make sure you don’t go swimming here as the ocean has powerful undercurrents that can drag even strong swimmers out to sea.
Hit the Bali Boat Shed before you go to pick up some of the latest beachwear for sunbathing efforts.
Get Into Seminyak’s Coffee Culture
There are some great cafes in Seminyak, Bali and Indonesian coffee is some of the best in the world.
We’d recommend heading to Revolver or the Corner House to start a lifelong love affair with “kopi” in Bali.
Try Scuba Diving
You can find some excellent PADI instructors in Bali and they offer very reasonable prices for lessons, boat tours for diving and certification.
You do need to be a reasonably good swimmer to learn to dive but otherwise, the classes are open to everyone and it’s a very rewarding hobby.
Sample Seminyak’s Shopping Culture
There are many more than a few souvenir shops in the shopping scene in Seminyak (though there are some souvenir shops), the focus is on designer fashion boutiques offering the best apparel for the beach clubs and nightlife.
You might want to keep an eye out for Drifter Surf Shop if you’re looking for the latest and greatest surf gear and the Bali Boat Shed is another very popular venue with visitors which sells some great beach wear.
Browse Seminyak Market (Flea Market Oberoi)
If you love to get knick-knacks that you can’t find in souvenir shops, then you may well love this flea market near Double Six Beach.
It’s a very polished shopping experience and it’s the sort of place where you can discover something truly unique.
Check Out The Art Galleries
There are a ton of interesting galleries in Seminyak including the Nyaman Gallery, the Positive Negative Visual Gallery and Purpa Fine Art Gallery.
You can find everything from tribal art to cutting-edge contemporary fine art. Most of the galleries in Seminyak offer representation to both local and international artists.
Get Pampered At The Spas
Seminyak is full of super spas and while they do tend to be premium offerings, if you want to get pampered then the spas of Seminyak are a great place to spend the day.
Peppers, Bodyworks, Lagoon Spa and The Spa @ The Legian are all great places to get the ultimate treatment.
Enjoy The Museums
While, technically, there aren’t any museums in Seminyak itself, you’re within a short drive of the Bali Museum, Museum Pasifika and more.
Party At Seminyak’s Nightlife Hotspots
Seminyak is a fun place that is famous for its partying and the nightlife in Seminyak is first-rate. You can always find a good time in the evenings here and some of the best nightlife includes Motel Mexicola, Mirror Lounge & Club, Da Maria, Double Six Luxury Hotel, Blow Bar and more.
Feast On The Fine Dining Options
Whether you want Indonesian or international dishes, Seminyak is a fantastic place to eat and some of the finest of fine dining restaurants are in this area.
Check out The Grumpy Butcher, Sakura Japanese Restaurant, Fire, Sorrento, Tanah Liat and Samabe Cave Dining (perfect for food-loving romantics) and once you have, there are plenty more great fine dining options for delicious food in Seminyak to enjoy
Take A Taxi To The World’s Best Beach Club
The world’s best beach club is FINNS Beach Club in Canggu. This isn’t us being immodest, we’ve constantly been rated by customers, influencers and the press as being the best of the beach clubs around the world.
If you want a beach club with amazing food, great drinks that contain all the alcohol you’d expect, more than one infinity pool with a swim-up bar, and an amazing view over the ocean, particularly at sunset, then FINNS is the beach club for you.
You’re welcome to come in and have a look around the beach club or grab a seat in one of our restaurants and bars with no minimum spend.
We have international DJs and local DJs as well as great vocal artists playing nearly all day long to ensure the vibe is always conducive to a good time.
FINNS is only a short drive from Seminyak and you’ll be glad that you came.
Stroll And Snack On Eat Street
If you love street food but you’re a bit nervous about eating street food at the night markets, then the upmarket Eat Street in Seminyak might be your ideal place to visit.
This is an area filled with restaurants, cafes and street vendors and it’s a wonderful place to visit, particularly if you haven’t managed to squeeze a Balinese cooking class into your itinerary for Seminyak, Bali.
See The Sunset
The West Coast of Bali where Seminyak Beach is has some of the finest sunsets in the world. There’s something about the way the light breaks over the ocean and the land that just can’t be replicated elsewhere.
You’ll find that the best place to enjoy this view is from the shore of one of the less crowded beaches such as Echo Beach or one of the bars at the busier beaches like Double Six Beach with a cold drink in hand.
Horse Riding Along The Shore
Horseback riding is not for everybody but if you’ve always wanted to ride your mount along the sands as the waves break over the shores, then, Seminyak’s a great place to do it.
There are plenty of riding schools here in Bali that can ensure that your horseback riding sessions go smoothly and they can provide horses for most people and ponies for children too.
There’s no animal cruelty involved in any of these schools and you’ll find that the majority of them are run to Australian standards when it comes to the treatment of the animals.
We found this to be a really thrilling experience and even though we’re not experienced riders, it was a lot of fun and we never felt unsafe. It’s one of our favourite outdoor activities in Seminyak.
Visit Pura Masceti
This huge stone temple is very important to the local Balinese and it’s the centre of the Nyepi holiday in the area.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to witness a Melasti Ceremony at this temple. This is a purification ritual that is unique to Balinese Hindus.
Hangout At Bali Joe (LGBT Friendly Venue)
Indonesia is not famous for its LGBT tolerance but Bali is different and there are some LGBT-friendly venues on the island including Bali Joe which offers a great night out in Seminyak.
10 Great Day Trips From Seminyak, Bali
If you’ve tried all the Seminyak activities above, you can find plenty of other entertainment in Bali and here are some great day trips that you can take from Seminyak.
Kick Back On Kuta Beach
It’s a short walk from Seminyak Beach to Kuta Beach and while Kuta Beach may have a reputation for rubbish on the sands at the moment, we think that’s quite unfair.
The beach is regularly cleaned and nobody can help the fact that rubbish discarded in the ocean washes up onshore, at times in large quantities, but it is cleared eventually.
In fact, Kuta was the original beach destination in Bali and for good reason. The area is home to some of the best nightlife and bars on the island and they’re much more reasonably priced than in Seminyak.
You’ll also find that the biggest malls in Bali are found in this area and while they don’t offer the boutique experience of Seminyak, they do make it super easy to find the things you need.
It’s also home to some of the biggest brand names and you’ll find the island’s only Hard Rock Cafe, for example, in Kuta.
There are also some interesting things to do in this area from paying your respects at the Bali Bombing Memorial to visiting the only indoor theme park in Bali.
Experience Ubud, Bali’s Cultural Capital
Ubud is the spiritual heart of the island for many people and the area was popularized by the famous book and movie, Eat, Pray, Love.
If you like temples, palaces and sacred monkey forests, Ubud is a must. It also competes with Seminyak for yoga studios, meditation classes, etc.
Ubud’s very popular with the digital nomad crowd and there are a ton of co-working spaces in town as well as some of the coolest cafes in Bali.
It also makes a great staging post for getting closer to nature and visiting the Tegallalang rice terraces and doing the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
It’s fair to say that Ubud has become much more popular in recent years and it’s no longer as cheap or as chilled out as it once was, but it has plenty to offer discerning visitors and the Ubud Art Market is the best art market in Indonesia for our money.
Walk The Seafront In Sanur
Sanur is often unfairly smeared as “sleepy Sanur” but the truth is that while it used to be a nightlife-free zone, the nightlife is creeping in as the area is developed and it offers the best seafront walk in all of Bali.
There’s a boardwalk running parallel with the whole of Sanur Beach and the best time to visit is at sunrise when the island is painted with beautiful golden light.
It’s also one of the best places in Bali to learn water sports (except for surfing) and families love the beach because it’s excellent for safe swimming for children too.
Sanur will even be able to rival Kuta for shopping experiences once the new mall there opens in April of 2024.
Meet The Monkeys At Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu is one of the coolest areas of Bali and it’s famous for its advanced reef breaks and surfing spots which often attract international competition and some of the world’s top surfers.
However, for many tourists, its biggest attraction is the clifftop Uluwatu Temple which offers a spectacular sunset view over the Indian Ocean and the beach below.
The temple is home to some of the world’s smartest (and sneakiest) monkeys who often steal things from tourists and then ransom them back to their owners for food! They are the only monkeys on Earth known to exhibit this behaviour.
You can also catch a Kecak Fire Dance at the temple and it’s one of the most famous cultural performances out there.
It tells a classic Balinese religious tale to a spectacular backdrop which culminates in fire dancing just as the sun drops below the horizon.
Go Beach Hopping On The Bukit Peninsula
If you love beautiful beaches and were hoping to spend time away from the crowds of the big beach towns, then you can’t go wrong by heading down to the Bukit Peninsula for a bit of beach hopping.
While many say that the family-resort area of Nusa Dua has the best beaches in Bali, we think you’ll have a more relaxing time on the beautiful stretch of coastline that runs around this peninsula.
There may not be as many beach clubs or facilities as there are in Canggu or Seminyak but you are far more likely to find a virgin stretch of sand all to yourselves.
You can also go swimming or surfing in this area and have a great time without worrying about bumping into other people in the water.
Sample Snorkelling On Nusa Lembongan Or Nusa Penida
There are plenty of places to enjoy snorkelling in Bali but one of the best isn’t on the mainland, it’s in the Nusa Islands and while there are three islands, the two most popular are Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.
There you can enjoy snorkelling among manta rays in crystal clear waters and sunbathing on some of the finest beaches in the world.
If you opt to go for more than a day, the islands can be amazing in the early evening when the majority of visitors go home and leave you to enjoy the sunset over the sea.
Cycle Through The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are part of Bali’s only UNESCO World Heritage site, the Subak System of Irrigation and they are one of the most unspoiled and charming landscapes on the island.
You can hire a private driver to get to the rice paddies and then cycle along the paths through the beautiful green Bali countryside.
This area is a photographer’s dream and if you do, we strongly recommend taking a camera to capture some amazing memories of the location.
Jatiluwih is much less explored than the Tegallalang Rice Terraces and we think it makes for an ideal break from the crowds and noise of places like Seminyak and helps you get in touch with the “real Bali.
Explore Denpasar, Bali’s Capital City
Denpasar is Bali’s capital city and it’s only a short drive from Seminyak. It’s often overlooked by tourists seeking temples and beaches but that’s a genuine shame.
The capital offers some of the best museums and cultural experiences on the island and it has some of the best value accommodation, restaurants and bars.
If you want to throw yourself into Balinese city life, there are only Denpasar and Singaraja to choose from and Singaraja’s a much longer drive.
We love going to Denpasar for shopping and its fabric shops and markets are the best on the island.
Climb Mount Batur The Active Volcano
Mount Batur is an active volcano and while it’s not an easy stroll to the caldera, it’s a reasonably easy climb if you’re relatively active and you don’t need any special training to climb it.
You can enjoy boiling eggs in the volcanic steam pouring out of the vents for breakfast before you witness the sunrise over the island below you.
Once you return to the ground, you can hit the hot springs and soak away any aches and pains that you may have before you return to the hip bars and beach clubs of the beach towns.
Take A Waterfall Hike
One of the top attractions of the natural world here in Bali is waterfalls. You can either visit a single waterfall or go on a guided tour of several of the best waterfall spots on the island.
You can arrange a tour or engage a private driver and then enjoy some watching the water cascade beautifully down cliffs into deep pools in the jungle.
You’re often welcome to swim in the pools and the waterfalls make for a very relaxing and pleasant way to spend time here in Bali.
FAQs
Is There Much To Do In Seminyak, Bali?
Yes! There’s plenty to do in Seminyak, we’ve got 24 activities above that are available to any visitor to Seminyak plus another 10 that can easily be done on day trips from Seminyak.
Depending on how rushed you like your holidays to be, that could be enough for a whole two-week holiday or you might make it last much less time and explore more of Bali, the choice is always yours
How Many Days In Seminyak Is Enough?
It depends on what you want to do with your holiday. There are enough things to do in Seminyak for you to have a great time all holiday long, however, if you’re hoping to tour the island and just hit the highlights, then two days is probably enough in Seminyak.
That gives you time for an epic party, to enjoy a stroll down the beach and to do a few of your favourite activities and to have a little shopping spree before you move on to another area of Bali.
We would note that Seminyak can feel quite similar to the other beach towns and you probably don’t need to stay in Canggu AND Seminyak AND Kuta AND Legian, they’re all very close together.
You’d be better off staying for 4-5 days in one of these towns and then taking day trips to the other parts of Bali.
Seminyak should be your pick, in this instance, if you’re looking to stay in the most upmarket accommodations and you don’t mind paying for it, otherwise, the other locations offer better value for money.
Is It Worth Visiting Seminyak, Bali?
Yes! Seminyak is a very pleasant part of Bali and it has some iconic venues like the Drifter Surf Shop, Bali Boat Shed, etc.
It’s also very close to other parts of the island and you can easily explore places like Echo Beach, Batu Belig Beach, Berawa Beach, Kuta Beach, etc. from a base in Seminyak.
Seminyak hotels tend to be upmarket and very pleasant and the beach bars in the area tend to be upscale too.
It may not be the best place to visit in Bali if you’re on a tight budget, but if you can afford to splash the cash a little, Seminyak can be a great time.
Is Seminyak A Party Place?
Yes! Seminyak is very much a party place. In fact, that’s the main appeal of coming to this part of Bali.
Seminyak has some of the best nightlife on the island but it’s more expensive than nearby Kuta and Legian and possibly more so than Canggu too.
If you want to party in style and you don’t mind paying a premium for it, then you’re going to find the nightlife in Seminyak too good to pass up.
However, if your idea of a good time is early bedtimes and early rising, Seminyak might not be the ideal location for your Bali holiday.
What Is Seminyak, Bali Famous For?
Seminyak, Bali and never Bali, Seminyak (as we’ve seen occasionally online) is famous for its upmarket hotels and nightlife.
There’s no doubt that its popularity stems from the younger crowd who come to Bali seeking a little hedonism.
There’s not a huge amount of authentic Balinese culture around in Seminyak now, but the good news is that it’s only a short drive away, so you don’t have to miss out on anything.
Why Is Seminyak So Popular?
Seminyak is very popular with the young and upwardly mobile crowd. They like the blend of luxury resorts, upscale boutique shopping, Western-style amenities, fine dining and high-end nightlife.
That crowd finds Seminyak to be an ideal place to see and be seen by others in their crowd.
However, there’s no doubt that Seminyak’s appeal extends beyond this group and you can find people of all ages and walks of life enjoying the bars, beaches, etc. of the Seminyak area.
Can You Walk Around In Seminyak, Bali?
Yes and no. Seminyak is more walkable than some areas of Bali but there is almost always heavy traffic and scooters and motorbikes can end up on the footpaths very easily.
If you do opt to walk in Seminyak, we’d strongly recommend that you don’t use headphones or allow yourself to be distracted by your smartphone screen – you need to pay attention to where you are and to what you’re doing to stay safe.
You should also make sure to use sunscreen and ideally, wear a sunhat and sunglasses if you’re out in the sun for long periods of time, the sun here in Bali can be fierce and you don’t want to get sunburn or heatstroke on holiday.
How To Book A Holiday In Seminyak, Bali?
We always recommend that you book your holidays in Bali through the friendly and helpful people at the Bali Res Centre.
We know that because they’re locally owned and managed, they can give you the kind of specialist advice you need when choosing flights, accommodation, tours and trips.
Better still, their prices are always competitive which saves you from having to shop around and when you shop with the Bali Res Centre, you’re supporting the economy of Bali rather than a multinational corporation.
Final Thoughts On Things To Do Seminyak, Bali
Want plenty of things to do? Seminyak is a great place to find them. There’s more to Seminyak Village than Seminyak Beach and being Bali’s yoga capital.
It’s also very close to the other beach towns of Canggu and Kuta which makes it even easier to spread your wings and have even more fun on your Bali holiday.
One thing you must do if you visit Seminyak is take a trip to FINNS Beach Club, the best of the world’s beach clubs, it’s one of the most exciting experiences on the island and the sunsets at FINNS Beach Club are out of this world!
