Just a short drive from the airport, Seminyak has taken over from Kuta as the tourist centre of Bali.
Brimming with restaurants, shops, beaches, markets and all imaginable amenities, it is the perfect place to base a first-time, or even a 15th trip to Bali.
The abundant amount of things to do in Seminyak can be a bit overwhelming. Where do you start?
Well, I got you.
I have broken down the best things to do in and around Seminyak that you can’t miss. From shopping to singing, there is something for everyone!
Grab your pen and notepad, you won’t want to forget these.
Find an Accommodation That Knocks Your Socks Off
Tropical villas are a dime a dozen in Seminyak. Beachfront resorts are filled with luxurious amenities and hostels are centrally located with the option for both dorm-style and private bedrooms. If you have cash to splash or looking to be budget friendly, Seminyak is able to accommodate. Having the perfect place to stay in Seminyak will make your visit all the more comfortable and memorable.
Start Your Morning Right
The best thing to do in the morning in Seminyak, is to find your first cup of joe for the day. The town is filled with cosy cafes offering steaming or ice-cold coffees to perk you up. Revolver, Expat and Pison are some of the most popular for their rustic styles and amazing beans. Jump straight in with an espresso, or take it easy with an iced latte. No matter what you choose, these hotspots won’t disappoint.
Dive into Island Life
Wherever you travel, it’s always a humbling experience to learn about the culture of the locals. Visiting temples in Bali and seeing religious practices take place is one of the best ways to do that. In Seminyak, you can visit Pura Petitenget, Petitenget Temple. See the beautiful representation of Balinese Hinduism, and perhaps even catch a ceremony taking place. You’ll spot offerings in every corner of the island, here you can learn their symbolism and importance.
Luxuriate in Style on the Sand
Some of the most famous beach clubs in Bali are located in Seminyak – Potato Head, KU DE TA, SugarSand. With outstanding service, delicious snacks, luxurious sun beds and tasty cocktails, spending a long day soaking in the sumptuous atmosphere is one of the best things to do in Seminyak. Hang around until sunset for incredible views and 2-4-1 cocktails. An ultra-lavish beach day.
Recline on a Beanbag, Sipping at Sunset
After a long day of relaxing, what better is there to do than relax some more? Seminyak boasts a huge number of beach bars filled with bean bags and comfortable seats where you can settle in for a magical sunset. Serving up fresh coconuts, simple snacks and ice-cold beer, La Plancha and Beach Berm are 2 of my must-go places. Watch the dogs play in the ocean and get a beautiful sunset Instagram pic.
Shop til You Drop in Seminyak Square
A collection of independent and branded shops, Seminyak Square is the place to go when you want to spend your money. For souvenirs, spoiling yourself or a particular need, you will be able to find clothes, shoes, glasses, homewares, toiletries and more! Also featuring some cafes and a candy store, you can find everything you could need under one roof. Shopping in Seminyak is some of the best on the island.
Haggle Your Way Through the Markets
You can’t visit Seminyak without exploring the local markets. The Flea Market on Oberoi is filled with handmade wares, home decor, clothes, shoes and trinkets. You can pick up souvenirs for your loved ones back home or just treat yourself to something new, it is a great way to give back to the locals. Spending an afternoon wandering the stalls and haggling with the sellers is one of my favourite things to do in Seminyak.
Soothe Your Soul with a Pamper Day
Seminyak can be super hectic with its crowded streets and thriving tourist scene, taking some time out for yourself is important. Thankfully, there is a plethora of spas offering day-long packages or one-off treatments to soothe your soul. Aliya Spa is one of my favourites, but every street in town has its own option. Escape the masses, and sink into a relaxing chair for some reflexology, or loosen your muscles with a traditional Balinese massage.
Make a Splash at Mrs Sippy
Take the jump off of Mrs Sippy’s towering diving board into the refreshing salt water pool. A hip and trendy pool club in the heart of town, this is one of the unique things to do in Seminyak. Much like the other pool and beach clubs around, there is a luxurious restaurant, sumptuous sun beds and a cool pool where you can escape the sun. But the challenging diving board is what really lures people in.
Get Doggy With It
I am a fur-mum, and am obsessed with anything doggy related on the island. Bring your pup along for a day at The Dog Club – splashing in the bone-shaped pool and tackling the agility course. Or, for those who aren’t lucky enough to have a canine child, you can come along for some nasi campur or coffee and watch the dogs playing. Sounds like an afternoon in heaven to me!
Sucker for Succulents
If you aren’t a fur-parent, then maybe you are a plant-parent. Greenery thrives in this humid weather and succulents are hard to come by, but I have the hook up. Republic of Plants is the place to visit in Seminyak for all your flora needs. Featuring a selection of pots, succulents, larger plants and all the must-have care items, you can be the most green-fingered member of your group.
Mark Bali onto Your Skin
It’s hard to hang around in Seminyak without hearing about the amazing tattoo and piercing studios in town. One of the most popular things to do in Seminyak is to meet with an artist to create the tattoo of your dreams. The most famous studios, including Artful Ink, offer hourly rates so you can get a permanent memento of your trip.
Take Your Frustrations to the Bowl
Skaters, I’m talking to you! Seminyak has a number of skate parks where you can go to meet your friends and spend a day learning new tricks. For beginners and pros alike, Amplitude Skate Park is a central location to convene. Selling memberships, rentals and surrounded by cafes with refreshments, you can pump out your worries and stress on the bowl.
Find Your Inner Artist at Paint and Sip
If you can’t decide what to do one evening, Paint and Sip at the Creative Art Bar in Petitenget is one of the must-do Seminyak activities. Gather your friends and head for a night of guided painting and tasty cocktails or beer. You need nothing but yourself, all the supplies are provided for you and you can take home your masterpiece to hang – or hide – at home. All for IDR200,000!
Putt it Out with Your Friends at Shooters
Right in the heart of Petitenget, Shooters is an open and lively bar with a twist. Hosting mini golf, table tennis, axe throwing and other garden games, this is a great place to come with your friends for a fun night. Offering amazing cocktails, beers and snacks, you can fight it out with your friends for the ultimate victory. Loser pays!
Put Your Mind to the Test
Once you’ve exhausted the beach clubs and shopping centres, it can be hard to find what to do next in Seminyak – allow me to introduce you to escape rooms. A popular trend across the world, you can grab your most intelligent friends to tackle the escape rooms of Seminyak. Escape Room Bali and Pandora Experience Escape Room are waiting to challenge your mind – and friendships.
Trick Your Brain at Dream Museum Zone
An escape from the sun, Dream Museum Zone is a collection of rooms painted with mind-puzzling images. A great place to kill some time with the kids, you can take brain fuddling pictures in the upside-down room and sleep with Pharaohs in the Eygptian room. Have fun on a cool afternoon with your family.
Tackle the Waves
Surfing is one of the Seminyak activities that everyone will ask you if you have tried. If your answer is no, the time is now! The beaches are filled with professional surfers offering surf lessons for the very beginners. Friendly and patient, you will be taught how to handle the board on the sand before heading out into the depths of the water. They’ll be swimming alongside you the whole time, you don’t need to be scared, take the plunge!
Peddle For Your Booze
Bali Beer Cycle is a huge laugh! Hop on board and begin the journey around Seminyak, peddling and sipping as you go. Ideal for a hen or stag-do, you can spend a great time with your friends, stopping traffic as you go. The team offers packages of free-flow beer, champagne, cider or even a non-alcoholic package – all at a set price. Grab your cycling shorts and get ready for a wild ride.
Warm Up Your Vocal Chords for a Night of Karaoke
We all love to hate karaoke, but it can be some of the best nights you have with your friends. Seminyak has a number of karaoke bars that offer private rooms where you can embarrass yourself away from the public eye. Order drinks, select your guilty pleasure tunes, and spend an evening with your friends laughing and singing your heart out.
Battle the Eat Street
I can’t even begin to start talking about food in Seminyak without mentioning Eat Street. A whole street devoted to food! Gaining its name from the vast range of cuisines and restaurants residing on its path, starting at The Corner House all the way down to Sea Circus – it’s like trying to beat the final boss in a video game. You want to try every move, every dish, every cuisine but can’t quite make it. And if you do, well, you win!
A Fresh and Fruity Brain Freeze
Smoothie bowls have only just become popular in the Western world, but they have been a meal choice in Bali for years! Nalu Bowls holds the crown of the best place to buy these sweet and healthy(ish) treats. A combination of tropical fruits and tastes mixed up into a satisfying and beautiful bowl, it will definitely make your Instagram feed.
Tuck in at Taco Tuesday
Ling-Ling’s is one of the places to visit in Seminyak for amazing Asian fusion food, but their Taco Tuesday is the best! Huge cocktails, a vast array of tacos and other dishes, this is the perfect place for a meal with your loved ones. Mac & cheese dumplings, kimchi chips and cheeseburger springs rolls – you won’t find anything that isn’t delicious! Go all in for a huge feast and fall into the ultimate food coma.
Gorge on Frozen Yoghurt
Residing at the end of Eat Street is Frozen Yogi, a haven of assorted flavours, toppings and sauces. When ice cream just isn’t hitting the spot, frozen yoghurt is where to go. Serve yourself the amount and mixture to satisfy your cravings and then pay by weight. This is always a must-go for me whenever I’m in the area.
Wander the Rice Paddies at Nook
A real hit with domestic and international visitors alike, Nook is located on the outskirts of Seminyak surrounded by luscious rice paddy views. Serving delicious fresh breakfasts and an extensive dinner menu, you can dine looking out over nature. An attached tattoo studio sits at the back of the restaurant, and with a few boutique shops around you can spend an afternoon dining and shopping to your heart’s content.
For a Traditional Brit Pub Lunch, Head to Orchard
As a Brit, I have to recommend The Orchard, they appease my roast dinner hankering every week. Boasting a lively music scene and weekly events, this is a great place to spend a night watching some of the best live bands in Bali with a cold beer and delicious comfort foods. The local pub vibe and friendly staff will have you wanting to come back every night!
Up to Anty with a Romantic Sunset Picnic
Sunset on Seminyak within the Anantara Beachfront Resort offers a delicate and magical sunset picnic for two. A romantic and intimate time to spend with your partner, you can dine under the sunset as it melts into the horizon showcasing the sparkling stars. An escape from the busy crowds, you can enjoy a relaxing evening together.
A Menu of Magic
Mejekawi is the decadent and lavish restaurant attached to the KU DE TA Beach Club. A dining experience that tickles every sense, you can gather with your loved ones for an opulent 5 course sampling dinner. From the luxurious atmosphere to the outstanding food, this is a place that shouldn’t be missed!
Get the Sambal Sweats
Indonesian cuisine is some of the best in the world, Gordon Ramsey even states it. You can’t spend any amount of time in Bali without trying some of the amazing, mouth-watering dishes. A collection of tastes from around the country, you must try Nasi Padang, Sate Ayam, Nasi Campur, Mie Goreng or Babi Guling. I promise that each one is just as good as the last.
Take the Tastes of Bali Home
Let’s be real, one of the best things about Bali is the food. Local cuisine is at the top of my list for every meal! Taking a cooking class to be able to recreate those tastes back home is the perfect way to spend a day. With friendly talented cooks, you can quickly master how to make the quintessential Indonesian dishes. Roll up your sleeves and be ready to get messy in the kitchen for this one!
Boogie the Night Away at Mexicola
A well-known Mexican restaurant, Motel Mexicola is a picturesque setting with cosy booths, private tables and large shared tables where you can dig in to some of the best Mexican food on the island. But, when the sun sets, the music turns up and the party really begins. Dance on the tables and toughen up for tequila shots, this is the place to be! Hosting a number of different themed nights with a range of drink and food offers, you will have a night you will never forget.
Lose Yourself in La Favela
Much like Mexicola, La Favela is a civilised and beautiful dinner setting where you can dine over tapas and hearty Western food. As soon as the dinner crowd leaves, the lights turn down and the buzzing party begins. A place where you can truly let loose, dance till you can’t anymore and have a memorable night with your friends at the heart of the party. It is the most well-known nightclub in Seminyak.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, folks. All the best things to do in Seminyak that will ensure you have the best and most fun stay in the tourist hub.
Whether you are looking for a relaxed pampering stay, or want to party it up every night, there is something for everyone here.
What are you going to do first?!