8 Delightful Things to Do in Seminyak, Bali

Bali offers the traveler any number of delights tailored to all sizes of pocket. If yours is large enough and you want a taste of the high life, Seminyak is an ideal coastal area to head for. If not, Seminyak still offers many things to do that you can sample cheaply, or for free.

1. Laze on the Beach

The beach is the reason for Seminyak's plush hotels, spas and shopping areas. Miles of white sand stretching between Legian and Kuta are so pristine and attractive that the surrounding facilities are often 50% more expensive than what Seminyak's neighboring areas have on offer.

The beauty of the beach is that while it is the main attraction, it is also free. If you can't afford the high life, you can at least be there, lie back and dream of it.

Needless to say, the beach is something of a magnet for others who want to do the same, and at the height of the tourist season in the dry season months (April to October) it can get pretty crowded. If solitude is your thing, it may be best to look elsewhere, but if you want vibrancy, this is the place to go.

Read more on: How to Plan a Trip to Bali

7-Day Private Bali Natural & Cultural Immersion Have Fun Exploring Balinese Nature & Culture

2. Surf

Surfing in Bali

Surfing for beginners, and those with a little more experience, is an ideal pastime at Seminyak. The waves tend to ride a little higher at this part of the coast than at neighboring Kuta, but not so high as to need any great expertise.

Nervous beginners may want to go elsewhere for something more placid, experts may be better off at Uluwatu or Padang Padang, but for those eager to learn and to face a modest challenge, there are surfing schools aplenty in Seminyak or you can just rent a board and go it alone.

However, remember – attractive (and safe) as the surf there may be, the cost of hiring equipment and expertise in Seminyak will be greater than on other Balinese beaches.

Suggested reading: How to Plan a 1–2-Week First Trip to Bali

3. Eat Street

Nasi campur is a ethnic asian food from Bali, Indonesia

Moving away from the beach, Jalan Kayu Aya is the place to go for anything from a cup of coffee to an expensive meal. Known as 'Eat Street', it is the heart of Seminyak. There you can find Balinese food of course, but restaurants cater to international cuisine aficionados as well. If you want Italian food, Thai food, Chinese, you name it, there's every chance you'll find it there.

However, food isn't all Eat Street has going for it. This is a great place for shopping. Upmarket emporia are to be found there alongside Seminyak's famous flea market. Remaining lively from dusk to dawn, when you're tired of the beach it's a great place to explore.

4. Art Galleries

Seminyak has become a hub for art galleries featuring the work of Balinese artists. From watercolor paintings to photography of the landscape and people, these are excellent places to browse, even to buy favored works if your expenses run to that.

Among the favorites are the Purpa Fine Art Gallery (Jl. Mertanadi 22B, specializing in emerging and mid-career artists, though some of their contributors have a global reputation), Nyaman Gallery (Jl. Basangkasa 88, focusing on a fusion of traditional Balinese art with contemporary techniques), and Nacivet Art Gallery (Jl. Camplung Tanduk 103, primarily black-and-white photographic prints of Balinese scenery and locals).

This is a far-from-exhaustive list, so keep your eyes open while wandering the streets and see what other galleries you find.

8-Day Private Authentic Bali Discovery Tour Discover the Authentic Bali

5. Shopping

There are several malls in Seminyak which come in and go out of fashion. Perhaps the best at present is Seminyak Village. Modern in style, all glass and light with a focus on lifestyle and fashion, Seminyak Village is nonetheless distinctly Balinese, making it at once familiar and distinct for the international traveler who takes pleasure in shopping. Find it at Jl. Kayu Jati 8.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Kayu Aya Square on Jl. Kayu Aya hosts the Seminyak flea market, reputedly one of the best such markets in Bali. This is not only a great place to find local products, but also a good way to support those less privileged in the Balinese economy by buying directly from small local producers and purveyors.

6. Pura Petitenget Temple

Pura Petitenget at Bali, Indonesia

Seminyak may have given itself over wholeheartedly to tourism, but tradition lingers in this sea temple. Such temples bead the coast of Bali, and Pura Petitenget is an excellent example. Its name translates as 'magic box', or perhaps 'haunted chest', encapsulating the atmosphere of this ancient temple located on Jl. Petitenget in Kuta, Seminyak's neighbor. A walk along the beach from Seminyak will get you there.

You should pay an entrance fee and follow the dress regulations. No bare arms. Bare legs can be covered by hiring a sarong at the temple itself. At the peak of the holiday season, the temple can be crowded.

7. Beach Clubs

While nearby Kuta is celebrated for its nightlife and parties, Seminyak is more sedate. So, while you're there, why not experience it for yourself? The beach clubs are the trademark of well-to-do resorts the world over, and Seminyak is no exception. Lounging by the pool and sipping a cocktail or a coffee is a classic way to complete any holiday experience.

You have several such beach clubs to choose from, and it's best to stroll the beach and pick one, but the Ku De Ta (Jl. Kayu Aya 9) is the most recommended one that is central to Seminyak. Be warned that drinks can be pricey, and some beach clubs impose a dress code in the evenings.

16-Day Private Vietnam and Bali Journey of Relaxation

8. Horse Riding

The vast expanse of Seminyak beach makes it ideal for horse riding, particularly in the more outlying areas away from the beach clubs and the bustle of tourists. A few businesses are operating, and given this can run up a little expensive it may be best to shop around when you get there to see what is available.

Rides that are suitable for children as well as adults, can be booked by the hour, and make not only for the perfect ride with the beach, the surf, and the sunset if you time it right, but also for some precious photo opportunities.

Visit Bali with Asia Highlights

Seminyak, while expensive, is worth a visit however tight your budget, offering much that is delightful and free. Beyond the specific attractions listed above, you can also find the generic offerings of Bali and any high-end beach resort anywhere in the world:

Spas, if you wish to pamper yourself, or perhaps a Balinese massage…
Day trips to outlying areas, and adventure sports such as scuba diving or white-water rafting…

With our focus here is very much on those things specific to Seminyak, we hope your appetite is whetted and you feel inspired to visit Bali to experience it for yourself.