A Local's Guide to the Best Things to Do in Sanur, Bali

While many visitors to Bali tend to flock to the tourist hubs of Kuta and Seminyak, those in the know head to the quieter beach town of Sanur. Just 30 minutes away, Sanur offers a more authentic Bali experience without sacrificing creature comforts.  

This place may be small, but when it comes to fun things to do, Sanur packs a punch. Stay in Sanur and you can spend your holiday marvelling at the famous sunrises at Sunrise Beach, going snorkelling or kayaking right offshore, embarking on epic boat trips to the nearby Nusa Islands, dining on cheap Indonesian food at the night market, sipping sunset beers at a beach bar, and wining and dining at the many top-notch international restaurants.  

If you're thinking about staying in Sanur, but you're not sure what to expect, this guide has got you covered. From the many adventurous things to do in Sanur to tips on when to visit and where to stay, planning your big trip to Bali just got a whole lot easier. 

The tranquil town of Sanur boasts over 5 kilometres of coastline and multiple beaches. While most of Sanur's beaches connect with one another, each has a different vibe and unique amenities.  

Taking in the famous sunrises from Matahari Terbit Beach (Sunrise Beach) is well worth waking up early for, while Sanur Beach is the most popular spot to partake in the many water sports on offer, including jet skis, kayaks, and some of the best boat tours in Bali. 

Families love the calm, shallow waters of Karang Beach, which are perfect for canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking, and Cemara Beach is a favourite for swimming, especially at high tide. For local vibes, cheap Indonesian eats, and offshore snorkelling, you'll love Mertasari Beach, which is hidden away at the very southern end of Sanur Beach. 

The Sanur Beach Promenade (or Sanur Boardwalk) is a wide, paved pathway that stretches along the beach for 5 kilometres, leading all the way from Mertasari Beach to the south to Matahari Terbit Beach to the north. This is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to walk their dogs and go for morning jogs.  

One of the most popular things to do in Sanur is to bike the length of the beachfront boardwalk. You'll find numerous shops offering affordable bicycle rentals scattered along the boardwalk. As you cruise down the Sanur Beach Promenade, you can make pit stops at a wide range of shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and, of course, beaches.  

For a truly unique local experience, try to time your visit to Sanur with the annual Bali Kite Festival. This incredible event takes place on the beaches surrounding Sanur during the windy season. Although the dates change each year, the festival typically falls in either July or August. 

Part competition, part celebration of Balinese kite-flying culture, participants take this festival very seriously. Expect to see absolutely massive dragon and bird-shaped kites being launched into the sky by Bali's top kite-flying teams. Kites can be up to four metres wide and 10 metres long, requiring a group of up to 80 people to operate them.  

It's no wonder why thousands of onlookers flock to Sanur each year to witness the sky filled with hundreds of giant kites. From food to music, the Bali Kite Festival is a truly memorable experience, and the best part is that it's absolutely free to attend. 

Sanur is a popular jumping-off point for day trips to the wild and rugged island of Nusa Penida. You'll find agencies all along the Sanur Beach Promenade selling both group tours and private tours that will take you to see the highlights of this naturally beautiful island.  

Whichever tour you choose, you'll start your day early by taking a 30-minute ferry ride from the Sanur Harbour to Nusa Penida. From there, you'll be driven in a 4x4 to West Nusa Penida's most Insta-famous attractions, including the T-Rex-shaped Kelingking Beach, the otherworldly blue waters and rock formations of Broken Beach, the cliff-side swimming hole of Angel's Billabong, and the coral-filled waters of Crystal Bay.  

Even though this island is just a short boat ride from Sanur, you'll feel like you've been transported to an entirely different world.  

If you're searching for things to do in Sanur that offer a glimpse into local life, you'll want to grab dinner at the Sindhu Night Market. This bustling night market is held near Sindhu Beach every evening. It's very popular amongst locals and tourists, and it's a prime spot to do some serious people-watching. 

Visiting the Sindhu Night Market is also one of the top things to do in Sanur if you want to sample authentic Indonesian dishes at incredibly affordable prices. Not sure what to try? Look out for the food stalls selling bakso (a beef meatball soup), sate ayam (grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce), nasi campur (rice with a variety of buffet-style sides), soto ayam (turmeric-infused chicken noodle soup), and gorengan (deep-fried snacks). 

This open-air market is very casual, so expect communal seating with plastic stools and chairs and no AC. Most vendors only accept cash, and because the food is so cheap, it's best to bring small bills with you. 

Another one of the coolest local things to do in Sanur is to attend a free early-morning yoga class on the beach. These classes are either totally free to join or donation-based, with no need for advanced reservations. Just show up at Karang Beach with your mat and join one of the community-led groups.  

Some free classes are offered at sunrise, while early-morning classes are typically offered at 7:30am every day of the week. To get updated information about local beach yoga classes, check out the "Sanur Community" Facebook group.  

When it comes to things to do in Sanur at night, having dinner at Warung Little Bird is bound to be a good time. Located just steps from Sindhu Beach, this casual little eatery is always bustling, to the point where people get turned away on weekends. 

When night falls, locals and those in the know flock here to listen to live music while sipping ice-cold Bintang beers and enjoying cheap Indonesian dishes, like nasi goreng, pork sate, and ayam goring lalapan (spicy fried chicken). The atmosphere is always festive, and it's an easy place to mingle with both locals, expats, and fellow travellers. 

For a taste of Balinese hospitality, Mercure Resort Sanur has everything you need for a comfortable and memorable stay. Located on the southern end of Sanur Beach, this amenity-packed resort features Balinese-style cottages set amidst lush tropical gardens. 

You can spend your days taking sunrise strolls along the beach, splashing around in the two pools, getting massages at the spa, sipping sunset cocktails at the beach bar, and dining on international eats at the beachfront restaurant. When you want to get out and explore Sanur, you'll have direct access to the shops, restaurants, and bars along the Sanur Beach Promenade. Plus, all of Sanur's main attractions are never more than a short bike ride or a 5-minute taxi ride away. 

Yes, Sanur is worth visiting. This is especially true if you're looking for a more mellow and authentic alternative to the tourist hubs of Kuta and Seminyak in South Bali. Sanur offers lovely beachfront hotels and resorts, as well as a wide range of water sports, bars, shops, and restaurants without the hordes of tourists.

The best things to do in Sanur are going beach hopping, embarking on day trips to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, dining on affordable Indonesian food at the Sindhu Night Market, going for a jog or bike ride along the Sanur Beach Promenade, and witnessing Sanur's famous sunsets from Matahari Terbit Beach (Sunrise Beach). 

Yes, you can swim at the beach in Sanur. Because the tides in Sanur are extreme, you'll experience the best swimming conditions during high tide. During this time, the water is shallow and calm, making this a lovely spot for swimmers, including families with young kids. 

The best time to visit Sanur is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. During this time, the weather ranges from 28°C to 31°C during the day and drops to 22°C to 24°C during the evening. You may still experience rainfall in the afternoons, but it usually doesn't last too long. That being said, you'll get fewer tourists and lower prices on accommodation during the low season, especially from January to March. This could be a great time to visit if you're looking for a bargain or would prefer to be surrounded by fewer tourists.