21 Top Things to Do in Sanur, Bali [2026]

With its long beachfront boardwalk, numerous family-friendly attractions, luxury spas and hotels, and fantastic foodie experiences, Sanur is a perfect, laid-back alternative to the busier coastal destinations of South Bali.

After countless visits over the last few years, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to all of our favourite things to do in Sanur, including attractions, activities, restaurants, and hotels.

Top Things To Do In Sanur

1. Enjoy Sanur's laid-back beaches

Sanur's beaches are hard to beat for accessibility and facilities. The long stretch of coastline has plenty of places to eat, drink, and relax on the golden sand, while the calm, shallow water makes it ideal for kids to swim and enjoy a range of water sports.

What most people refer to as Sanur Beach is actually a string of smaller beaches, each with its own unique vibe. Starting near the harbour in the north is Padang Galak, then Sanur, Sindhu, Segara Ayu, Karang, Semawang, and ending at Mertasari Beach in the south.

Here are our favourite beaches in Sanur:

Early Riser? Located on Bali's east coast, Sanur has some of the best sunrises on the entire island. Head down early to the waterfront and watch as the sun appears over the ocean in a stunning display of warming colours. On a clear day, you can see the outline of Mount Rinjani on neighbouring Lombok.

You won't be the only one on the beach around this time of day. On the odd occasion we've made it out for sunrise (it doesn't happen often!), we've seen local fishermen wading out into the water, early-morning dog walkers, and plenty of photographers waiting to capture the sunrise.

2. Stroll or cycle along the boardwalk

One of the things we love most about Sanur is how walkable it is (many other coastal towns lack this!). A long boardwalk runs the entire stretch of Sanur's 8km coastline, connecting all the main beaches and passing by resorts, restaurants, shops, beach clubs, and more.

The beachfront boardwalk is a fantastic spot for an early morning run, a leisurely lunchtime stroll, or a scenic cycle. You can simply enjoy the route or, do as we do, and cafe or bar hop your way along the coastline.

The path was recently renovated and widened, and it even has stretches with separate pedestrian and bike paths, so there's no need to worry about oncoming traffic.

We love renting bikes and cycling along the beach boardwalk whenever we're in Sanur. Many hotels offer complimentary bicycles for guests, but there are also plenty of vendors along the waterfront offering bicycle rentals per hour or day.

Be prepared to negotiate on price - they usually start high. We recently paid 80,000 IDR ⓘ for a full day, but you can also pay around 20,000 IDR ⓘ for an hour, which is enough for a quick cycle up and down.

3. Visit the turtle conservation centres

Bali's east coast is a popular spot for wild turtles to lay their eggs between April and October each year. Unfortunately, most of these hatchlings won't reach the water due to natural predators, human interference, and harsh conditions.

To counter this, turtle conservation charities have popped up along the coastline in Sanur. The centers protect the eggs until they hatch, then look after and monitor the hatchlings until they're strong enough to be released into the ocean.

The Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) on nearby Serangan Island (20 mins from Sanur) is the most established. Each summer, the TCEC organises turtle releases on Sanur Beach, where anyone can help release baby turtles back into the ocean. Contact them (Instagram) for more information.

Even if you're not in Sanur during release season, you can still visit the conservation centres, see baby turtles, and learn more about these fascinating creatures.

The Sea Turtle Village (here) is a private turtle conservation project on Karang Beach that's run by Andaz and the Hyatt Regency Bali. Here you can enjoy talks, turtle feedings, and themed craft sessions for children.

North along the beach, you'll also find Sindu Dwarawati Turtle Conservation, a smaller centre run by locals that looks after hatchlings and sick turtles.

4. Explore the abandoned festival park

If dark tourism is your thing, a visit to Bali's eeriest attraction is a must. Taman Festival Park is an old abandoned theme park just along the coast from Central Sanur and one of the most unusual attractions we've ever visited in Bali.

The $100 million theme park was built in the mid-1990s and promised to be one of Bali's most exciting attractions, with rollercoasters, epic laser shows, and even a pit full of crocodiles.

However, political unrest and financial decline in Asia at the time meant that the theme park never got the chance to open to the public. In 1997, the Festival Park shut down and has been abandoned ever since (source).

Today, the large park has been almost completely reclaimed by nature, with the vines of majestic bayan trees wrapping around the crumbling buildings and giving the site a tomb-raider-esque feel. Colourful murals by local graffiti artists also add to the park's cool and distinctive vibe.

Many locals believe that the park is haunted by spirits. It's even been nicknamed "the ghost town." We didn't see any ghosts during our visit, but it certainly does have an eerie atmosphere.

You can go inside for a small fee of 20,000 IDR ⓘ (cash only). We spent around an hour exploring and taking photos. Just remember to wear plenty of mosquito repellent!

5. Conquer Bali's indoor adventure park, AeroXSpace

AeroXSpace Adventure Park is a brand-new, futuristic adventure playground in Sanur, with trampolines, slides, climbing walls, parkour routes, free-fall airbags, battle beams, and lots more.

Not only is AeroXSpace one of the best things to do in Sanur with kids, but it's also a fun alternative activity for adults. We went without kids and had a fantastic afternoon. In fact, during our visit, adults outnumbered children. Being entirely indoors, it's also a fun rainy-day activity.

The exciting adventure park has activities for all abilities, ranging from towering climbing walls, ninja-warrior style obstacle courses, and a huge high-ropes maze for adrenaline seekers, to soft play and arcade games for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground.

The two-hour admission pass was perfect for us. It was just enough time to try almost everything without feeling rushed, though we were certainly worn out by the end and a little achy the next day.

The pass gives you access to almost all activities at the park, except for the Space Coaster (a giant zip line around the venue), which works on a pay-per-ride basis.

If some members of your group prefer not to take part, that's not a problem. There's a viewing area with tables upstairs that has a fantastic view of the entire venue, so you can enjoy a drink and watch the chaos unfold below.

6. Go jetskiing along the coastline

There are lots of great watersport activities in Sanur, including parasailing, kitesurfing, kneeboarding, and banana boats. But our favourite was jet skiing.

Most watersport companies in Sanur rent jet skis for 15-minute time slots. We got ours from Surya (here) and managed to negotiate the price down to 400,000 IDR ⓘ for 2 people. We're sure they would have gone lower if we had gone out for longer!

There's plenty of space to whizz up and down the coast and zoom around in the water. The waves are calm, and the ocean is fairly shallow, making it a great area for beginners and families.

Unlike other places in Bali, you get total control of the jet ski and can choose whether to go with an instructor or not. Just be careful taking turns as you get more confident - it's very much possible to fall off, as we found out the hard way!

7. Take on an marine conservation themed escape room

The Center for Marine Conservation is a hidden gem in Sanur that we just discovered on our latest visit. The non-profit foundation is dedicated to promoting the conservation of marine biodiversity in Indonesia and the Coral Triangle.

Their large Sanur conservation centre has many interesting exhibitions where you can learn about Bali's oceans, coral reefs, and the diverse marine creatures that call this part of the world home.

We received a private tour of the marine centre for just 50,000 IDR ⓘ each and found the entire thing fascinating. There were so many engaging multimedia displays and interactive exhibitions that were suitable for all ages.

But the highlight of our visit had to be trying the centre's unique ocean-themed escape room. There were two rooms to pick from: 'SOS From the Deep' and 'SOS Plastic Danger'.

We tried the newer SOS Plastic Danger room, which was themed around saving the planet's oceans from plastic pollution. The room was highly interactive, with several different areas and many physical and mental challenging puzzles to solve. We managed to escape with just seconds to spare.

We used some of our knowledge from the conservation centre to solve the ocean-themed puzzles, so it's best to explore the marine exhibitions first.

8. Visit Kebon Vintage Car Museum

Around a 15-minute drive from the beach, the Kebon Vintage Car Museum is one of the attractions in Sanur that surprised us the most. The museum is home to a private collection of roughly 150 vintage and classic cars.

The large museum has a huge range of vehicles, from a 100-year-old Ford Model T to classic Cadillacs, Chevrolets, retro limousines, Minis, and unique custom builds (including one that can be driven from both ends). Each had a QR code we could scan for a full background on the model.

Entrance was just 100,000 IDR ⓘ per person, which included a drink at the on-site cafe, which had even more vintage car memorabilia.

Neither of us is particularly into cars, but we still found the whole place super interesting and a really cool spot to spend a couple of hours. It's a great place to visit for families or to escape a rainy afternoon since it's mostly indoors.

9. Explore Sanur's rice terraces

Sanur might be best known for its beaches, but you don't need to travel far to find beautiful nature too. Just a 10-minute drive inland, you'll find Sanur's very own rice terraces.

While not as picturesque as the better-known terraces in Ubud and Jatilwith, these rice fields have a more peaceful and authentic feel, with many locals still working here throughout the day, rather than hordes of tourists taking photos on Instagram swings.

Follow Jalan Prapat Beris to find the new pathway through the rice fields. The path is popular among walkers and joggers, but if it's quiet, you can also take your bicycle or scooter along the path for a scenic ride.

Our favourite place to stop within the rice terraces is Warung Umago. They serve affordable and tasty local dishes and have stunning views across the terraces.

10. Visit the ICON BALI shopping mall

Right on the beachfront in Sanur, ICON is Bali's newest and largest shopping mall, home to local boutiques and well-known international brands including UNIQLO, M&S, and Foot Locker. Whether you're looking for clothes, shoes, tech, or souvenirs, this mega mall is worth a visit.

The top floor has a western-style cinema showing the latest blockbusters, while the ground floor is home to the JAJE BALI market, where local vendors sell pan-Asian street food from stalls styled like traditional Jukung boats. We always get the klepon here (little green rice cakes with palm sugar and coconut).

If you prefer a sit-down meal, there are some great restaurants around the mall serving a variety of cuisines from Indonesian to Italian. Our favourites are L'Osteria for pizza (right on the waterfront) and Yakiniku Like for cheap Japanese BBQ.

The mall also puts on various free shows throughout the day, including a parade at 5pm and a legong dance show at 7.15pm. Check signs around the mall for the latest schedule, as these can change.

For something a little different, watch the free Sunset Sea Fountain show, which takes place at 6.45pm each day on the beach side of the mall. The 10-minute show combines laser visuals and music with a water screen to display famous landmarks and showcase Balinese culture.

11. Enjoy a Balinese wine-tasting

While Bali may not be particularly famous for its wine, there are several wineries across the island, including the original and most prominent, Hatten Wines.

If you'd rather not drive 4+ hours to north Bali to visit their vineyards, head to The Cellar Door in Sanur. This is Hatten Wine's head office and tasting room, where you can enjoy wine-tasting experiences from their diverse range of wines.

We chose the comparative tasting, sampling three of Hatten's 100% Bali-grown and made wines, with three made from imported Australian grapes. It was fascinating to compare how Bali's tropical climate and volcanic soil influence the flavour, versus traditional grape varieties from South Australia.

We really enjoyed our wine-tasting experience, which started with a video about wine production in Bali, before being left to taste them by ourselves. We were given information about each wine, including the grapes and tasting notes.

At just 200,000 IDR ⓘ for a flight of six wines, it's also fantastic value for money! There's no need to book if you're a small group. We just turned up at the store and got to do the tasting right away.

12. Taste Balinese cheeses

If you're a foodie wondering what to do in Sanur, you have to visit Cheese Boutique by Rosalie, a hidden gem we happened to stumble across while looking for Hatten Wines.

Rosalie Cheese was started by a local wife and husband team, Ayu and Arry, to cater to increased cheese demand in Bali. All their cheeses are locally produced using milk and ingredients from farms in Bali and East Java. They make Balinese versions of international favourites and many of their own tasty varieties too.

Their boutique cheese store in Sanur has a small menu of cheeses, cheese boards, and cheese-based dishes to try. But our favourite experience was their guided cheese tasting and pairing experience, which takes place twice a day.

Our tasting experience was hosted by owner Ayu herself and included a platter of three cheeses (goat cheese, cheddar, and black and white cheese) paired with crackers and tropical fruit preserves.

We also tried several other cheeses, including halloumi, gouda, and Lucie in Bali (Balinese camembert). The Chevre goat's cheese was both of our favourites, and we've bought it several times since!

While the store doesn't serve wine, you can pair the cheeses with local tea varieties - an unusual yet enjoyable pairing. You need to prebook the cheese-tasting experience at least one day in advance. You can message the store on Instagram here.

13. Grab dinner at Sindhu Night Market

Proper foodie night markets aren't as common in the tourist areas of Bali as they are in other Southeast Asian countries, like Thailand and Vietnam. That's why we were so excited to find Sindhu Night Market in Sanur!

The small night market in central Sanur has a handful of vendors serving tasty Balinese dishes, including satay, nasi campur, and lalapan. It's the perfect place to enjoy some authentic Balinese food for an affordable price.

The lively spot is popular with both locals and tourists, with large groups sitting on communal tables enjoying food and beers together throughout the evening.

Sindhu Night Market is open from 6-11pm each evening. But if it's busy, it usually stays open even later so you can grab a late-night snack. Make sure to bring small cash, as most vendors here don't accept card payments.

14. Hang out at the Cat Cafe Sanur

Cat Cafe Sanur is a lovely little spot that helps take care of the area's many rescue and street cats. The amazing charity takes in abandoned and injured cats, making sure they get all the love and medical care they need until they can find a permanent home.

During our visit, the cafe was home to over 30 cats. Our favourites were Thor and Ronaldo, a cute bonded pair that wouldn't leave each other's side.

Even if you can't re-home a cat, you can still support the charity by visiting their Sanur cafe. Entrance costs 70,000 IDR ⓘ per person, which includes a drink. Once inside, you get to spend as much time as you'd like with the cats.

15. Relax at Byrdhouse Beach Club

Sanur doesn't have extravagant and lively beach clubs like you'll find elsewhere on the island. But if you're looking for a relaxing pool day near the beach, Byrdhouse Beach Club is the best option.

Byrdhouse is part of Segara Village Hotel, though outside guests are welcome too. The venue has a boho tropical vibe, with bamboo and woven fabrics contributing to the "birds nest" theme.

We spent the afternoon lounging on the poolside daybeds, which came with a 300,000 IDR ⓘ fee (including 200,000 IDR back in food/drink credits). If you prefer to sit in the restaurant or beachfront areas, there's no fee, and you can still use the pool.

We ordered food from the small bites menu so we could eat at our daybeds, but in hindsight, the meals being served in the restaurant looked much tastier. The restaurant menu is Italian-inspired, with a large selection of pasta and pizza dishes, as well as burgers, salads, and local dishes.

16. Treat yourself to a spa treatment

There's certainly no shortage of places to pamper yourself in Sanur. Driving down the main road, every other shopfront seems to be a day spa or massage parlour. And that's not even counting the many luxurious hotel spas.

If you're looking for some self-care time, these are a few of our favourite spas in Sanur:

17. Visit Le Mayeur Museum

Le Mayeur Museum is a historic art museum and one of the most famous attractions in Sanur. The small museum is dedicated to the work of Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur. It's located in his former Sanur beachfront home, where he lived with his Balinese wife in the mid-1900s.

The house has been kept in its original condition and now contains 80+ of La Mayeur's paintings, as well as his collection of traditional Balinese art and artefacts. A visit to the museum is like stepping back in time and seeing what life was like in Bali before modernisation and mass tourism.

The entrance fee is 100,000 IDR ⓘ per adult (a little overpriced for the size in our opinion), but if you're interested in art and history, it may be worth stopping by.

18. See Bali's oldest historic artefact

For those with an interest in Bali's history, Pura Blanjong is a Balinese Hindu temple in Sanur that's home to one of the oldest artefacts on the island.

Inside the ancient temple sits "Prasasti Blanjong," a large stone pillar that dates back to 914 CE and contains a carved inscription by the first known king of Bali, Sri Kesari Warmadewa. It's believed to describe the King's many successful military victories (there's a plaque with more info next to it).

The pillar sits within a protective enclosure at the very edge of the temple. It's best to park outside Sanur Padel Club, then walk through the new gates and down the alleyway to find the enclosure (here).

Visiting only took us a few minutes, so it’s not worth going far out of your way for. But if you happen to be passing by on the main road, it is worth a quick stop.

Things To Do Near Sanur

19. Spend the afternoon at Bali Wake Park

Around 20-30 minutes south of Sanur (traffic dependent) is Bali Wake Park. This unique water park offers a state-of-the-art overhead cable system that pulls you around a large lake on either a wakeboard, kneeboard, or water skis.

You can book a one-hour session or get a full-day pass to use the cable park, which includes all equipment. The park is suitable for all ages and abilities.

If you’re a complete beginner, there’s a dedicated area where you can pick up the basics with an experienced instructor (included for free). We did this and managed to advance to the main cable park around halfway through our session – although making it the entire way around the course was quite the challenge!

Bali Wake Park isn’t just for wakeboarders. It also has a fun inflatable water park for younger kids and a cafe with an infinity pool overlooking the lake for spectators. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here enjoying the activities.

20. Take a day trip to the Nusa Islands

Sanur is home to one of mainland Bali's major ports, from which you can jump on a ferry and visit the Nusa Islands in as little as 30 minutes. The three Nusa Islands are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Cenigan.

Nusa Penida is the most iconic of the three, with its dramatic coastline and many scenic viewpoints, including the famous Kelingking Beach and its T-Rex shaped peninsula. However, we find it quite chaotic doing a day trip here as it gets so busy at the main stops.

That's why we prefer Nusa Lembongan, a smaller and more relaxed island with beautiful white sand beaches and a chilled-out vibe. You can take a tour through the mangroves, head out on a snorkelling tour, or just relax at one of the modern beach clubs.

21. Visit the Bajra Sandhi Monument

The Bajra Sandhi Monument is an imposing gothic-looking structure sitting at the center of a large park in Bali's capital city of Denpasar, just a 10-15 minute drive from Sanur.

The important monument was opened in 2003 and is dedicated to the struggles of the Balinese people throughout history and the many local heroes before and after independence.

You can take a walk around the surrounding park and admire the monument's grand exterior - it looks somewhat like an evil villain lair from a movie - or you can go inside and visit the museum for an extra fee.

The museum has some interesting visual displays that walk you through the most important moments in Bali's history, with a strong focus on the struggles during Dutch colonialism. All displays are translated into English.

You can also head up to the top floor for fantastic views over Denpasar, Sanur, and even further afield. With very few tall buildings in Bali, the vantage point offers amazing sweeping views over the island.

The entrance fee for foreigners is currently 100,000 IDR ⓘ per adult (cash only). We spent well over an hour exploring the monument and museum.

Map of Sanur

How To Get To Sanur

Sanur is located on the southeast coast of Bali, just 12 km from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. You can reach Sanur in approximately 25-30 minutes by taxi from the airport.

We usually wait until we've arrived at the airport, then order a Grab or Gojek (online taxi apps), which is the cheapest and simplest option. You can also pre-book an airport transfer via your hotel or online.

Where To Stay In Sanur

Most luxury hotels and resorts in Sanur line the beachfront, while many cheaper hotels and homestays sit close to the main roads of Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso.

Where To Eat In Sanur

There are many great places to eat in Sanur, from local warungs and rustic beachfront cafes to luxurious high-end resort restaurants.

These are a few of our favourites:

Things To Know Before Visiting Sanur

There are a lot of street sellers on the beach

Like many other popular beach resorts in Bali, there's a good chance you'll be approached by street sellers pedaling the likes of bracelets, sarongs, fans, and homemade crafts, or local women trying to encourage you to visit their shops.

Many will try and engage in conversation before attempting to sell their goods. Unless you're interested in buying something, it's best not to engage with them at all. Simply walk on and give a firm but polite "no thank you."

It's NOT home to the iconic water temple

When scrolling around on Google Maps in Sanur, we happened to come across a temple called "PuraTirta Empul Merta Sari" (here on Maps). The photos and reviews showed a large water temple with a row of natural springs with many visitors performing the melasti purification ceremony.

But with most of the photos looking suspiciously like the more famous Pura Tirta Empul in Ubud, we had to go check it out for ourselves. And our suspicions were right.

Instead of a large water temple, we found a small, seemingly deserted shrine close to the beach. Turns out, people have just been reviewing the wrong place due to the similar names. The actual temple here really isn't worth a visit.

There are better places to snorkel in Bali

It's not uncommon to find water sports companies and local boat owners offering snorkelling trips off the coast of Sanur. Don't fall for this.

Snorkeling in Sanur is average at best. There's limited marine life and poor visibility along the coastline. Head over to the nearby Nusa Islands instead, which are renowned for their amazing corals and vibrant underwater life.