A Free-spirited, wander-lusting, travel-blogging, animal-lover who is a sucker for adventure! Together with her husband, Rob, they minimized their life and took off with their cat, Milton, for a life of extended stay travel.
On the tiny Indonesian island of Bali, wedged between Kuta on the south and Canggu to the north, is the hip and sophisticated area of Seminyak. The fashionable and trendy scene offered to visitors in Seminyak comes nothing short of also providing tons of adventurous and exciting things to do.
Within its glamorous and modern exterior lies enticing facets waiting to be discovered for those looking for some fun activities on their island holiday.
Wherever you decide to stay in Seminyak, you’ll be able to easily walk or take a quick and inexpensive taxi ride to any of the great activities we mention in this article.
Hey, for a bit of extra adventure, you can even rent a motorbike and take to the challenge of the frenzied streets of Bali! (Just be sure to strap on your helmet!)
Sounds pretty obvious, if you ask us. You’re on an island, after all! A visit to Bali is incomplete without some chill time on the beach, and you’ll find some of the absolute best beaches right in Seminyak.
Personally, I could have just done this one thing the entire time we were in Bali, and I would have been totally happy.
My top pick for the best spot to enjoy a nice drink, as you watch the sun go down beyond the waves, is La Plancha Beach Bar and Restaurant.
Grab yourself an ice-cold Bintang or fruit smoothie and plop down on one of the brightly colored bean bags on the sand. Covered by equally colorful umbrellas, you’ll enjoy the ultimate way to unwind and taste that island life!
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The beach clubs in Seminyak are not to be missed. Whether you prefer to dine at the restaurants during the day or enjoy a cocktail watching the sunset, these swanky clubs on the beach offer the elegance and style that will take your holiday to the next level.
Here are some of the ones we suggest. Go to all or be sure to check out at least one:
Potato Head
Ku De Ta
Mozaic
Cocoon
Take a Cooking Class
One of my favorite things to do when I’m on holiday is to take up a cooking class. After all, there is no better souvenir than being able to whip up your favorite dishes when you’re back at home. While in Seminyak, we recommend you check out Cookly, a website that offers various cooking classes in different areas of Bali.
There are some schools in Seminyak that offer market and cooking tours along with farm to table organic experiences. That way, when you’re feeling the Bali blues, you can simply make a few Indonesian favorites like Nasi Goreng, Gado-Gado, and grilled chicken satay. YUM!
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If you fancy enjoying some culture and nature, you can easily head to Ubud on a day tour which takes you to the beautiful temples, rice fields, and the famous monkey forest. This small-group tour takes you through the highlights of Ubud in a day.
Highly recommended for those who don’t have a lot of time!
Stay Active
Yet again, the beach takes center stage for providing a great location for one of the top things to do in Seminyak! Whether you are into fitness or just want to make sure you’re staying active while on your holiday, the beach provides the perfect scene for a jog or walk.
You’ll see loads of locals out on the beach during the late afternoon and evening playing soccer. If that’s something that you’re into, you might want to see if you can join.
Otherwise, jogging during sunset is the absolute best. And if you’re not too keen on too much exercise, we recommend just a light stroll to take in the beauty that is offered by the sand and the sea. Even a romantic walk with your significant other might be a fantastic way to enjoy this time of day.
If you want to take it to the next level, you can even join 2BeFitBali for their regular beach bootcamps. Due to popular demand, they just started operating in Seminyak. Beach boot camps are a combination of CrossFit and circuit training using mostly body weight and other beach equipment like sandbags, bamboo weights, and ropes.
Apart from Seminyak, they have classes in Canggu, Sanur, and Nusa Dua. It is super fun and is something I recommend trying out!
Editor’s Note: To save time when moving from one island to the next, we recommend using Bookawayor 12Go website to view bus, boat, and train schedules ahead of time.
Appreciate Some Retail Therapy In Seminyak
It’s pretty hard not to notice the upscale shopping scene in Seminyak. There are boutique shops peppered throughout the neighborhood on, practically, all of the streets. As soon as you walk out of your hotel or private villa (we’ll tell you about this one coming up next), you’re bound to pass by a storefront displaying the latest trends and colorful island attire.
Stores like Billabong and Quicksilver certainly fit right in here, but you’ll also be able to find plenty of places to grab souvenirs and unique gifts to take back home. Jalan Kayu Aya is the perfect street to start your shopping experience.
Additionally, you can go “treasure hunting” at one of the outdoor markets like the Kayu Aya Market (named after the street it’s located on) or Flea Market Oberoi.
Dine and Get Your Grub On
For foodies, Seminyak is the place to be in Bali. Offering everything from upscale fine dining to local warung eateries, this neighborhood has something for everyone. Additionally, great snack shops all around serve off some great desserts (ice cream, gelato, etc.) for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth.
Here are just a few places we recommend based on the type of food you may be looking for:
Specialty: Eat Babi Guling at Babi Guling Pak Malen/Babi Guling Tacos at Taco Beach Grill Upscale: Mama San, Petitenget Local: Warung Nasi and KZU Beach Grill on Jalan Sunset Road
Insider Tip: Jalan Petitenget, Jalan Batubelig, Jalan Kayu Aya and Jalan Laksmana are all streets lined with world-class dining and entertainment venues that are worth visiting.
Bali is sometimes referred to as “The Island Of A Thousand Temples.” However, hanging out in Seminyak, you probably wouldn’t know the importance of these temples to the Balinese people.
The upscale shops and trendy eateries in Seminyak have masked a lot of the culture with their modernity. You don’t necessarily need to be into culture and religion to appreciate what is a huge part of this island’s essence.
If you’re planning on staying only in Seminyak while you’re visiting Bali, then we suggest taking a quick trip over to one of the two temples located there to get a better sense of what Bali is really about.
Checking out Pura Petitenget and it’s neighboring temple, Pura Masceti, is a good way to catch a glimpse of the local life on Bali. These two are part of a string of temples built around the island to fend off dark spirits.
If you happen to be there during one of the anniversary celebration, you’ll surely be in for a treat! Aside from that, the beachside ceremonies there boasts of spectacular views.
Ride the Waves
Let’s stick to the beach theme in this recommendation of the top things to do in Seminyak: Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing. Just to give you a heads up: the next couple of suggestions will all be beach related so if you don’t like the beach skip to number 5. Wait, why are you even on Bali if you don’t like the beach?
After all, Bali is an island with some of the most popular surfing spots in the world!
April to August (Bali’s dry season) is the best time to go surfing as they provide the most ideal wave and wind conditions.
Water conditions in Seminyak are perfect for kitesurfing right from the beach. Several Surf Schools in the area offer lessons for all ages and levels and lessons are usually arranged quickly and even on short notice.
This particular surf lesson also gives you a go pro shot afterward so you can show off afterwards!
Anomali Coffee, Revolver Espresso, Grain Cafe, Corner House Cafe, Sea Circus, Sisterfields Cafe, and Earth Cafe are just some of many (many!) cafes that will get you your caffeine fix in Seminyak.
In line with the fashionable and chic vibe of this area, the cafe’s don’t fall short in pleasing their patrons. With the menus they offer, you may even want more than just great coffee!
Fun Activities With Friends
So, you’ve had enough of lounging around on the beach and looking for some stuff to do with a group of people? Here are some cool things to do in Seminyak with your friends that are not beach related:
Golf At Nirwana – Hit the greens at the Greg Norman designed Nirwana Golf Course which offers mesmerizing views of the sea and a signature hole facing the iconic Pura Tanah Lot temple.
Museum Trick Art 3D – Have some fun posing with three-dimensional paintings that will give you some Instagram-worthy photos!
Totem Room Escape – If you love solving puzzles and are looking for a good challenge this is the activity for you! Use clues and figure out how to escape the room within a set time limit. We’re sure you’ll have a fun story to tell later to your friends and family back home after this thrilling experience!
Savor the Feeling Of Luxury In A Private Villa
Last but not least, if there’s one place you must rent out a luxury private villa, it has got to be in Seminyak, Bali. Private villas are the best way to enjoy your Bali holiday with the family or a group of friends.
Seminyak is an area that offers the best range of private villas to be rented. For the ultimate in luxury, pick one with a private pool. Warning: The relaxation and serenity are next level, so you may not want to leave!
Airbnb Travel Tip: If you prefer to stay in a villa, we recommend Airbnb. Check out our full article on how to get $45 coupon code for your booking or simply click here to get our coupon code to apply on your next booking.
Hopefully, these recommendations on things to do in Seminyak gave you a few ideas for your trip. Given the wide array of things to do, hopefully, this helped narrow down your search.
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