There is no doubt about it: Seminyak is the most fashionable and sought-after tourist destination in Bali.
This cosmopolitan beach town in the south of Bali is home to famous beach clubs with sunset views and lively streets with boutique shops, coffee shops and restaurants.
Seminyak attracts families, couples, solo travellers, and expats. It’s a popular destination for a week away with friends, let alone special private events at gorgeous Seminyak Villas. Wondering what to do in this buzzing beach town?
Here are 17 things to do in Seminyak.
1. Learn to surf
The long and wide golden beach in Seminyak is famous for its beach bars, sophisticated beach clubs and sunset views, but it’s also a perfect place to learn how to surf. The waves roll to shore in a long, straight line, making it easy to practice your surfing skills. Once you’re up for something more challenging, hop on a scooter and ride to Canggu or Uluwatu. You can simply rent a board at one of the many beach stalls, or you can go for a proper surfing lesson. There are many surf schools around, such as Santai Surf School Bali and Bali Green Surf School.
Take the whole family for a fun surf lesson at Seminyak Beach. All boards and instructors are included.
2. Catch the sunset
Sunset gazing is one of the things you will never get enough of in Bali. Seminyak is one of the best places to watch the magical island sunset. Double Six Beach has charming beach bars like La Plancha and Champlung. In the afternoon, they put bean bags and tables out on the sand so you can sit down with your cocktail, cold beer or coconut in preparation for the sunset spectacle. The ambience is laid-back and relaxed, with live bands starting to play their sets around sunset time. Kids are playing and running around; couples are holding hands and taking photos. There’s no place like Double Six! Other places to get your dose of sunset chills are the famous Potato Head and KU DE TA – the oldest beach town in Bali. Pick a different spot every night and find out what’s your favourite.
The vibe at the beach clubs in Seminyak is chilled and great for a relaxing day. Make sure you stay for the sunset as it’s gorgeous.
3. Horse riding on the beach
In Seminyak, you can also go horseback riding on the beach—a wonderful experience, especially around sunset time. Kids will love this!
Yes, you can still ride horses on the beach in Seminyak. Soooo much fun for the kids!
4. Check out Oberoi Road aka Eat Street
Oberoi Road is a long street in the centre of Seminyak that is famous for its fashion stores, unique little boutique shops, coffee cafes, and restaurants. From your private villa in town, you can head to Corner House for a coffee and then stroll down to KU DE TA Beach Club. On the way, you will see many places of interest if you enjoy shopping at unique places and spotting famous restaurants where you can reserve a table for later in the evening.
Related: Shopping in Seminyak
5. See what’s going on in Petitenget
Petitenget Street takes over where Oberoi Road ends, starting at the Petitenget Temple. On the Petitenget Strip, you will find more exquisite restaurants, shops, ice cream salons and beach clubs, including Potato Head and W Bali. This area of Seminyak is always lively and happening. Between the famous dining venues and shopping boutiques, there are amazing spas, great coffee cafes, and modern grocery stores like Pepito.
6. Find the best coffee spots
If you love coffee, Seminyak is a paradise! Revolver Espresso, Expat. Roasters, Coffee Cartel, Pison Coffee, The Koop, you name it. Single-origin coffee beans, drip coffee, Aeropress, lattes in all colours of the rainbow with cow milk, oat milk or whatever milk you prefer, everything is available at these fabulous specialty coffee shops in Seminyak.
Seminyak has so many fab places to grab a cuppa or chill out over breakfast or lunch. Check out one of our favs, Revolver, on Eat Street.
7. Go for a massage
While you can also opt to have a massage at your private villa, you should not miss out on visiting Seminyak’s most beautiful spas. There are many gorgeous spas in town offering rejuvenating treatments to calm your entire being. Prana Spa is one of those spas with an enchanting Middle Eastern design. There are traditional bathing pools and fountains and gorgeous treatment rooms with ancient therapies to beautify and heal your body. Think Ayurvedic treatments by professionally-trained spa therapists or complete spa packages for couples. It’s an amazing and unique spa in Bali! We also love Bodyworks, which is located on the corner of Oberoi Road. It’s Bali’s original day spa that has been around since 1994. The spa is designed beautifully, and it’s one of the best places to go for traditional Balinese treatments such as Balinese massages, Mandi Lulur (body scrubs), cream baths, and foot massages.
Seminyak has so many fabulous day spas where you can get your hair and nails done as well.
8. Hang out at Mrs Sippy’s saltwater pool
Mrs Sippy is a fun hang-out spot in the centre of Seminyak featuring the island’s largest saltwater swimming pool. This open-air club has a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. There are big, comfy daybeds by the side of a dreamy lagoon-like pool, as well as floating bean bags to sunbathe and relax on the water. They serve delicious signature cocktails and great food with traditional wood-firing techniques, and Jimbaran-style grilled seafood. International DJs play their sets every day, and you will love the five-metre-high diving board from where you can plunge into the pool. Do you dare? You can take some Insta-worthy photographs at this pool club in Seminyak beneath the leafy palm trees around the lagoon. It’s also a great fun place for parties under the starry night sky. Go check this place out!
For a fun day out, head to Mrs Sippy in Seminyak. It’s got great food, good vibes, a cool pool and delish cocktails. Plus, it’s family-friendly. Photo Credit: Instagram@Mrs Sippy
9. Explore Seminyak’s nightlife
Seminyak is alive and happening day and night. There are always parties and events going on, bars with live music, clubs with international DJs, underground parties and performances. Places to check out are KU DE TA, W Bali, Mrs Sippy, Potato Head, Mexicola, Mirror Bali and The Orchard Bar and Restaurant.
Seminyak has some great nightlife where you can party till dawn. Beach clubs, bars, pubs and nightclubs; it’s got it all! Photo Credit: Instagram@La Favela
10. Sushi & live music at Ryoshi House of Jazz
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening, an exciting live jazz performance fills the House of Jazz at Ryoshi in Seminyak. Do reserve a table upstairs where the stage is and munch on delicious sushi and sashimi, waiting for the live act to start. Relatively unknown to tourists but well-known to expats, Ryoshi House of Jazz is always fully packed, and the atmosphere is exciting and fun. You can expect talented musicians and special guests who are welcomed on stage during the show. Don’t be surprised if you end up dancing in front of the stage after dinner. It happens! (especially on Monday evenings when Rio Sidik Quintet is playing).
11. Rent a scooter and drive around
If you bring your international driver’s licence, hire a scooter and go drive around Seminyak and beyond. It is great fun to go on a day trip to Canggu and see the Tanah Lot Temple or to drive to Uluwatu and explore the many beaches beneath limestone clifftops.
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12. Visit an art gallery
If you’re an art lover, visit Seminyak’s art galleries, such as the contemporary Nyaman Gallery or the more alternative House of Portraits by artist Bebet (combined with a great cup of coffee).
13. Terapung Float Club
Ever heard of Floating Therapy? You can experience it in Seminyak at Terapung Float Club. You will be floating in a pod-shaped private tank containing 650kg of Epsom salt and 1200 litres of water. The experience is hard to describe if you never went swimming in the Dead Sea. You’ll just need to feel it! This holistic treatment stimulates your natural healing power. It is extremely relaxing to feel weightless, being in a low gravity, pitch black and totally silent environment. Floating therapy relaxes the mind and body, relieving stress and chronic pain and boosting your immune system.
Enjoy some relaxation at the Terapung Float Club and enjoy complete silence away from crazy Seminyak. Photo Credit: Terapung Float Club website
14. Yoga in Bali
Seminyak has some great yoga studios where you can stretch and relax your body under the guidance of amazing yoga teachers. You can choose between hot Bikram yoga in Petitenget, Ashtanga Yoga in the Drupadi area of Seminyak or Iyengar Yoga in a lovely garden setting.
Stretch and enjoy some yoga practice while on holiday in Seminyak, Bali, Photo Credit: @ Instagram.
15. Holiday in a Villa
There’s nothing quite like staying in a private villa in Bali, especially if you want to explore exciting Seminyak and truly immerse yourself in the vibe. Villa living is a buzz and such good fun, especially if you are visiting Bali with your mates and want privacy and your own pool. Some villas will even throw a private chef to cook brekkie for you each morning. The whole of Seminyak is dotted with budget, luxury, family-friendly villas, and there’s no shortage of great places to stay. So, ditch the boring old hotel and opt-in for a villa. It’s an experience you won’t forget easily.
Holiday in a Seminyak villa for the time of your life. Photo Credit: Bali Villa Escapes website.
16. The Blow Bar to kick-start your night out in Seminyak
There is no need to spend hours in the bathroom of your private villa for that perfect look before diving into Seminyak’s nightlife. Simply head over to The Blow Bar on Oberoi Road in Seminyak, and with a cocktail in hand, you can have your hair and make-up done for you by professionals. Gentlemen can get their beard trimmed. This unique hot spot in Seminyak has a New York Soho vibe going on. Who would’ve thought a cocktail bar and beauty bar could merge together as one? So cool!
17. Souvenir shopping and practising your bargaining skills
At Bali Flea Market near Seminyak Square in the heart of town, you can support local businesses selling handicrafts and souvenirs from Bali to bring home for friends, family and/or yourself (also important!). Be prepared to bargain, though; it is part of the culture, and you can have fun interacting while you’re at it. The trick is to keep smiling and don’t give in too easily.
Steven is a die-hard Bali island addict and committed surfie. When he's not writing or taking videos of the latest restaurants or cool places, he's at Echo Beach surfing or riding his scooter around Seminyak, Berawa or Canggu. Steve is part of the Bali Villa Escapes marketing team and has been living in and out of Bali for the last 15 years.
