We all love Seminyak and Canggu and know that staying in the same place on a Bali vacation is easy.
While the allure of Seminyak and Canggu is undeniable, it’s essential to break the routine and venture out to experience the unique offerings of Bali. The island is a treasure trove of new experiences, from its pristine beaches to its exotic temples, waiting for you and your family to discover. Remember to respect the local customs, dress modestly when visiting temples, and always ask for permission before taking photos of locals.
Here are some easy-to-handle day trips from Seminyak or Canggu, all doable in a day. Despite the thought of an early start and a full day of travel, this fabulous island offers pristine beaches, exotic temples, and breathtaking views, all within easy reach of your abode. If you’re staying in a villa in Canggu or one of our lovely villas in Seminyak, your villa manager can easily arrange a car and driver, making your day trip stress-free and enjoyable.
Important points before embarking on the day trip
1) Women note that if you are menstruating, you cannot enter a temple
2) Traffic can get awful in Seminyak and Canggu, so please leave super early to avoid lengthy traffic jams, especially if you’re coming from Pererenan, Seseh or Canggu and have to navigate Jalan Raya Canggu – it can be an absolute nightmare.
3) Pack sunscreen. The sun in Bali can be intense, and it is important to protect your skin as you explore the island.
4) Ensure you go to the toilet, as toilet breaks can be hard on the highway.
5) Have cash on hand, as you will probably buy souvenirs from local vendors or snacks from Warungs, and they don’t have EFTPOS machines. Being prepared with cash will ensure you can enjoy your day trip without hiccups.
6) Tipping the driver at the end of the trip is customary in Bali. They typically earn about $20 for a full day of driving and showing you around, so any gratuity tips will be greatly appreciated. Tipping is a common practice in Bali and is a way to show appreciation for good service. The amount you tip can vary depending on the quality of service, but it’s generally around 10% of the total cost of the trip.
7) Accept that there will be traffic and some tourist destinations will be very busy. Bali is very popular, and you’re not the only one going on a day trip.
8) Bring the panadol if you’re planning a big night out in Bali the night before. You don’t want to suffer the whole day with a hangover.
9) Some vans will not be equipped with baby chairs, so you might have to carry the child – ask before you book to get a baby chair if this is vital.
10) Some drivers will include the cost of admission into the trip, but in most cases, you must pay a separate entry fee per person for each attraction. Make sure you’ve got lots of cash handy. Sites have fixed ticket prices, so don’t expect group discounts or try to bargain.
11) Wear comfortable clothing, as you might end up trekking through rice fields, and bring bathers if you want to swim or stand under a waterfall.
1) Tanah Lot Temple Day Trip in Tabanan, Bali
One of the main water temples on the west coast of Bali, just a quick 30-minute drive north of Canggu, is the Instagram-famous Tanah Lot Temple. This Temple, which translates to ‘Land in the Sea ‘, is a significant cultural and spiritual site in Bali. It’s home to six temples, all on the water, and is a prime photo opportunity for tourists who come here to capture themselves with the Temple in the background at sunset. The Temple is believed to be a work of the 16th-century priest Nirartha and symbolises the Balinese culture and spirituality. It’s a great day out as you can walk around the gardens and even walk to the main Temple at low tide to get a close-up view. Some people even drink holy water from the Temple, which is considered to have healing properties. To drink the holy water, you need to follow a specific ritual, which involves making an offering and receiving a blessing from a temple priest. It does get packed, especially on the weekend, so expect large crowds. There are places to grab lunch just outside the Temple, so no need to worry about bringing food. All up, Tanah Lot is one of the most famous temples in Bali, and you can do this in half a day if you are leaving from Seminyak or Canggu.
Tanah Lot Temple makes for the perfect photo opportunity and it’s great to walk around the gardens exploring. Photo Credit @ Instagram
2) Tirta Gangga Water Palace
The Palace, also known as Taman Ujung Water Palace, is a big day trip on the East Coast of Bali (you can combine this with a few other iconic places—see below). It’s a stunning complex of pools and pavilions surrounded by lush gardens and expansive lawns. The Palace, built in 1909, was once a royal residence and a place for entertaining important guests. It has walking paths, gardens, and ponds with colourful koi fish. The Palace is known for its unique blend of Balinese and European architecture, grand pavilions and intricate stone carvings. There are fantastic photo opportunities, and you’ll feel like royalty walking around the magnificent ancient Temple.
3) Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple is the most popular and well-known holy Temple in Bali, also known as the Mother Temple. This title is a testament to its significance in Balinese culture, as it is believed to be the most important Temple for the entire island. The temple complex, dating back to the 10th century, covers a huge area with gardens and stone temples where you can spend hours meandering around soaking in this historic site. The Temple is a complex of 23 separate but related temples, the largest and most important being Pura Penataran Agung. From Besakih, there are views of Mt Agung, which adds to the dramatic scenery. Most people combine this tour with others in the area as you only need a few hours here, like heading to Kintamani or Sideman.
4) Sideman
What a fantastic day trip. Yes, it’s about a 3-hour drive, so leave early, but once you get there, you’ll know you have reached paradise. You’ll see rice fields and local farmers, and on a clear day, there’s the majestic Mt Agung. What I love about Sideman is the simplicity of the place. There are no supermarkets or convenience stores, just local cafes where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the views. You can walk through the rice fields, which is a must and lasts an hour or so. Sideman is one of those areas in Bali (due to its remoteness) where time has stood still, and it’s worth seeing it before mass tourism makes its way here.
@balivillaescapes Sideman is such a great escape for a couple of days from Seminyak or Canggu – spend some time exploring Bali and enjoying the island of the gods🌴🌴
5) Goa Lawah Temple
Bat Cave (Goa Lawah Temple) is on the West Coast of Bali, about two hours away from Canggu and is an old 6th sacred temple inhabited by hundreds of bats. Goa Lawah is very important to the Balinese as it’s meant to guard against evil spirits from the ocean.
6) Dolphin Watching at Lovina Beach
Lovina Beach, up north in Bali, is a big full-day trip, but it’s great if you want a complete change of scenery and to explore the far northern area of Bali. You will have to leave super early to get there and catch the fishing boats heading out (you might even need to spend a day or two there) to watch the dolphins play in the ocean. Most Dolphin-watching tours often come in a package with snorkelling, where you can see the abundant marine life of north Bali. We recommend booking everything beforehand so you’re not up there scouting around and wasting daytime looking for operators.
7) Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
A full-day trip to the Jatiluwih area is worth it for the pristine Balinese beauty of endless rice fields. You can trek among them and, along the way, stop off at the small local warungs and enjoy a cold drink or snack (make sure you buy some Jatiluwih rice to take back to the villa and cook it up for dinner). Jatiluwih Park is UNESCO-protected, and for good reason, it’s so impressive! The long trekking path around the Jatiluwih area that reaches the Supreme Water Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur takes around three hours, so take a decent pair of walking shoes and sunscreen, as the midday sun can be brutal! You don’t have to do the long walk as there are small teks where you can stroll past rice farmers and chill out at the local food shops. At the entrance are some big restaurants where most tourists go, so it’s a good place for lunch overlooking the rice fields.
8) Day trip to Ubud
We all love Ubud, and everyone goes here for a day excursion as the area is beautiful and culturally rich. Head to the city’s centre and walk along Jalan Monkey Forest Road, which will inevitably lead you to the world-famous Monkey Forest Temple. Get here early as the crowds and queues can get hectic. Follow this up with a trip to the famous Tegallanlang Rice terraces and take a photo of you on the huge swings. You can trek through these terraces, but they require you to be a little fit as they are steep. Another attraction in Ubud is the Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is fantastic as you pass local villagers and scenic rice fields. There is so much to see and do in Ubud that you shouldn’t expect to do it in a day, so limit your activities to a few must-see places. Other highlights of Ubud are the plethora of cafes, yoga studios, cute alleyways and, of course, lots of shopping. Ubud is a full-day trip, so expect to arrive home late at night, especially if the traffic is terrible. Also read more about Ubud here at our Ubud Travel Guide.
@balivillaescapes 5 things to donin Ubud, Bali – theres so much to see and do but thee are just a few👍 #balivillas #balivillaescapes #ubudvillas #balifamilyholidays #baliholiday #unudholiday
9) Uluwatu in The Bukit
Uluwatu, on the southern tip of Bali, is home to some of the best beaches, waves, and cafes in Bali. World-famous beaches like Padang and Suluban are high on every surfer’s calendar. But if you are not into catching waves, you can always spend the day sun baking on the pristine white sands or cafe-hopping along the main road. Other attractions in Ulu are the famous Temple, where you can walk around and see the dramatic limestone clifftop views or catch the famous Kecak Dance (for a once-in-a-lifetime experience) with traditional dancers at sunset. Another cool thing to do is hit the beach cafes at Bingin during the day. Wait for sunset and have a few Bintangs as the sun sets.
10) Kuta
Spend the day in Kuta. Getting there is about 45 -60 minutes by taxi, and it’s very family-friendly. There are loads—and I mean loads—of shops selling mainly your typical Bali-style souvenirs (think Bintang t-shirts, sarongs, singlets, wood carvings, and you get my drift). The Beachwalk shopping Mall has more upmarket shopping, restaurants, and cafes. The beach area at Kuta is relatively safe for swimming and surfing, and there’s a huge walking path with little beach cafes selling cold drinks and Bintangs. Most people head down here late in the afternoon for a spectacular sunset. Kuta is also home to the Hard Rock Cafe and the famous Warung Mades. For shopaholics, there’s the Kartika Plaza area or the Discovery Shopping Mall for more shopping, and for family excitement, there’s Waterbom Bali, a fun-filled water theme park.
Kuta is a fun day out with the family where you can go to:
- Waterbom Bali: a theme park with great waterslides
- Kartika Plaza: lots of shopping
- Beachwalk: more shopping and a cinema
- Poppies Lane: bargaining with locals and buying souvenirs – gotta get that Bintang t-shirt
- Hard Rock Cafe for dinner
- Sunset drinks along the beach
- Head to Kuta Reef for a surf
11) Climb Mt Batur
Climbing Mount Batur is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I don’t say this lightly. How often are you going to climb a volcano on your holiday? You’ll have to get up super early to reach the top of the mountain for sunrise, but it’s worth it. If the idea of getting up at 3 in the morning doesn’t sound appealing, you might want to spend a night in areas closer to Mt Batur, like Ubud or a homestay in Kintamani, to make the trip there easier. The volcano has been inactive for many years, so there is no need to worry about that.
12) Waterbom
Treat the kids to the massive water slides at Waterbom Bali in Kuta for an action-packed day. With adrenalin-pumping waterslides and rides, Waterbom is Asia’s most popular water theme park. And if you think that it’s just for kids, mums and dads will love it as well, with family-friendly rides and places to go for snacks. Check out the high Climax that drops you through a vertical trap door – yihaaaa! The kids will go crazy for the Pipeline, where they can race head first down a spiralling pipe and crash into the water. For a chilled experience, hop on the lazy river ride and meader through the park. All up, lotsa of family fun!
13) Bali Safari and Marine Park
Bali Safari & Marine Park is a great family experience if you’re into wildlife and adventure. See elephants, rhinos, and hippos, and let the kids play on the waterslides and rides. You can even feed the lions close up—what an adventure! It’s one of Indonesia’s best theme parks, so it’s worth a day out.
14) Balian
Balian is about a 75-minute drive north of Canggu, and it’s a surfing mecca and a great place to spend the day on the beach or at the cafes heading down to the beach. Balian has traditionally been an area off the beaten track, and only adventurous surfers would come here for the waves, but over the last couple of years, this quiet little beach hub is now a lovely escape for the day.
@balivillaescapes For a fun day out take the Canggu to Balian shortcut where youll see locals and farmers and best if all the sensational famous Bali ricefields – rent a scooter and go for it. #cangguvillas #balivillaescapes #bali #baliholidays #balivillas
15) Sanur
Sanur is a cool little neighbourhood and a great place to spend a day. Expect to do lots of shopping, walk on the pathway along the beach, and enjoy a spot of lunch at any of the dozens of cafes on the beach. There’s the new Icon Bali Mall, Sanur’s newest addition for shopaholics, with even more shops, cafes, and opportunities to grab a souvenir. For more information about Sanur read our Sanur Travel Guide.
16) Sukawati Art Markets
Sukawati Art Market in Gianyar is about a 90-minute drive from Seminyak or Canggu. It is a large market under one roof where you can buy all your souvenirs, from clothes, artwork, jewellery, and anything you can imagine, all at lower prices than you’ll find in Seminyak or Canggu. While you won’t be there for a full day, it’s on the way to Ubud, so it’s an excellent first stop to shop.
17) Explore Umalas
Whilst not a well-known tourist area, Umalas is a popular area for expats and people who have been staying in Bali for a long time because of the local vibes and the lovely cafes and restaurants. Come for breakfast at 7 AM at Bakers Club, Lunch at Dua and delicious pizza at Fabricca for dinner. There’s also the Meat Emporium for the best BBQ steaks and healthy food at Cafe Organic.
18) Bingin
Once a sleepy surfer nook, Bingin has grown into a tourist hotspot burgeoning with cafes, restaurants, boutiques, gyms, and many villas. The whole area of Bingin is bursting at the seams with things to do, including a fantastic surf break, beach cafes (make sure you head to Kellys Warung), vegan cafes (our fav is Alchemy), and lots of shopping (definitely check out Drifter cafe and shop or On Board Surf Shop).
@balivillaescapes Best restaurants in Bingin Bali – make sure you check these out next time your up in Uluwatu. #balivillas #baliholidays #balifamilyvillas #bingin #balivillaescapes
