Things to Do in Bali
SEMINYAK GUIDE – Bali
Seminyak is known for…
- Outstanding Hotels & Private Villas
- Sunset Beach and easy surf
- Tons of culinary options
- Vibrant nightlife & beach clubs
- Great shopping
- Spa & Wellness
- Still plenty of affordable accommodation
How is Seminyak?
Mainly Swim, Shop, Dine, Party and a bit of Surf
Seminyak is situated between Legian in the south and Berawa and Umalas in the north. It is still considered one of the most famous holiday spots in Bali. Petitenget, just north of Seminyak and often regarded as part of it, is quickly becoming a destination in its own right.
Once known as Bali’s trendiest beach town, it faces the competition with Canggu. Still, Seminyak attracts travelers seeking an upscale, sophisticated alternative to Kuta for dining, shopping, and nightlife. Its stunning sunsets and beautiful beaches are lined with beach bars and renowned beach clubs attracting Indonesian international tourists from all over the world – young and old.
While Seminyak offers everything you’d expect from a lively getaway, for a deeper cultural experience of Bali’s traditions and natural beauty, consider taking a few day trips beyond Seminyak to explore the island. Seminyak is really not culturally relevant, neither is Kuta, Legian or Canggu.
To sum it up. Great Beach Clubs, plenty of Shops & Boutiques, amazing Luxury Villas & Resorts yet also many budget and medium sized accommodations. There are some incredible restaurants and culinary marvels in the area. This is a good place to start exploring the nightlife of Bali, with its great international crowd. Also like in Kuta, it can be busy and rice fields and the Balinese culture are somewhat far away, Spend maybe 3-4 days max in Seminyak, before moving on to explore the authentic aspects of Bali unless you are 100% in Bali for party and shopping.
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Seminyak Location and Map – Where to Stay
Like many tourist destinations, Seminyak has no defined center and is quite spread out. This is similar to Kuta, Legian, Canggu, and other areas along the southwest coast, which were primarily agricultural land and rice fields before tourism development began.
As a result, the streets are often narrow, winding, and sometimes end in dead ends, making navigation challenging.
Seminyak is generally considered to be the area between Jl Arjuna in the south, Jl Batubelig in the north, and Jl Raya Seminyak in the east. Two main roads in the heart of Seminyak are Jl Camplung Tanduk and Jl Kayu Aya, where many restaurants, clubs, shops, and bars are located.
The Seminyak area is quite expansive. Anything east of Jl Raya Seminyak is still considered part of Seminyak, and many hotels, villas, and restaurants use “Seminyak” in their names, though it’s no longer considered the core area. If you stay between Jl Sunset, the main road connecting the airport to tourist centers, and Jl Raya Seminyak, it may take some time to reach the central spots. You can check the map above to get a better idea about Seminyak.
For beachfront accommodations, higher-end options are typically required. As with other parts of Bali, it’s important to know how to navigate the area, and most visitors rent scooters for greater flexibility or use Gojek to get a scooter taxi.
Seminyak & Petitenget – Guide & Insights
Accommodation in Seminyak
Those who are willing to pay a little more for their accommodation will find many fantastic mid-range hotels and villas that offer great comfort, style, and sophistication. Seminyak has some of the most luxurious five-star hotels and is known to house a nice range of beautiful, serviced villas with private pools for travellers looking to splurge on their lodging. Though there are a few inexpensive hotels and guest houses, it is not the ideal location for travelers on a budget.
Seminyak Accommodation
Culinary
Of the many international chefs who have settled in Bali to open restaurants, most have done so along the streets of Seminyak. The heart of the food scene is on Jalan Laksmana, also known as “Eat Street,” where the prices are not as high as the standards on quality. Great restaurants of all types can be found throughout Seminyak, including a few warungs (local family-owned eateries) that have managed to stay as busy as their international neighbours. Seminyak is the ideal location for food enthusiasts.
Going Out
Nightlife
Seminyak is home to many trendy bars and clubs that begin to open at sunset and stay open late, inviting bands and DJs from all over the world to play for fashionable crowds. New places are always opening, and the entertainment changes from night to night. Hop from place to place and drink up the atmosphere, because Seminyak is the area to be in. Be aware that unlike other places in Bali, some of the bars and clubs here have a cover charge upon entry.
Going Out
Beaches and Surf
The beaches in Seminyak are fairly wide, making them great for long walks, early-morning runs, or just a lazy day swimming and lounging in the sun. There are several good surf breaks in the area as well. Surf schools, surf shops and board rentals are aplenty. Most of them offer surf tours to the great spots all over the island.
Beaches
Activities
Seminyak is all about a relaxing time to shop till you drop, wine and dine, and party into the night. This is where local and international designers have set up their affordable boutiques that offer their creative takes on the latest fashion. Watching the sunset over a glass of wine or drinking out of a coconut is always a great idea for any season. If you plan to visit the beach clubs, beachfront bars or restaurants, it is recommended for you to make a reservation before your arrival as most places are usually full and booked during sunset hours.
Top things to do in Seminyak
- Shopping
- Sunset
- Surf Lessons
- Dive into the Spa Scene
- Wine & DIne
- Party & Nightlife
- Long Walks on the Beach (You can walk from Kuta to almost Canggu)
- Hop over to Kuta to spend an amazing day at Waterbom
- Spend some time at one of the Iconic Beach Clubs
Culture/History
Seminyak was a fairly quiet little area, besides the Double Six (66) Beach, until possibly the last decade when its traction began to boom. Many of the street names here are derived from hotels and restaurants that opened as the first businesses along these streets. As tourism and development spread through Kuta and Legian, Seminyak became a popular place for expatriates to enjoy a more peaceful and quiet atmosphere of paradise.
In recent years, massive and rapid development has made Seminyak almost as busy as Kuta, although it has kept its unique character. There aren’t many cultural sites you can find here in Seminyak.
Transportation
Most of the upscale hotels and villas in Seminyak provide transportation service for their guests. Some shopping centres, spas, restaurants and boutiques offer return shuttle service for their VIP guests. However, free shuttle is not always applied, and some businesses will charge you extra for transport. If you prefer more privacy, hiring a rental with a driver is the perfect choice. Those experienced with two-wheelers can easily find a scooter to rent, but only if you have the license for it.
